WDW Newbie needs advice/recommendations

[robdam]

Greetings to all. I have been lurking here for ~ 1 month. I am in the process of planning a trip to WDW for myself, wife, 3 y.o. son and 5 y.o. daughter (ages @ time of trip). We're planning on either the 2nd or 3rd week in May 2004. My wife and I haven't been to WDW in almost 12 years. we have never stayed in any of the on site properties but I have been researching room layouts and $$$. I'm so CONFUSED! I prefer, (not absolutley necessary), to stay on the monorail to save time going to and fro Parks. I DEFINITLY want a "suite" type room so my wife and I can have seperate sleeping quarters from our kids. Not ruling out adjoining rooms either though. I am considering all resorts @ this point. I guess my biggest concern about staying @ a resort that is not on the monorail is A - time to get to and from Parks (mainly MK and EPCOT), and B - the thrill factor for the kids to be on the monorail. Any advice would be greatly appreciated for this WDW newbie!

 

[Wish Upon A Star]

Welcome to The DIS!!

These boards have helped greatly with planning and information.

The monorail resorts that we have stayed at are GF and Poly. Both BEAUTIFUL resorts, although Poly is my favorite out of the two.

I think that your kids and you and your wife will find it very convenient staying on the Monorail Line. Coming and going is so quick for afternoon rests and swims.

I don't know about any "suite" type rooms but the rooms are very large 400 sq ft with 2 queen beds and a daybed. We've always found them very comfortable.

We just came back from our June trip and stayed at WL. The resort is very beautiful, but I didn't feel that I was in the middle of the "magic" and the transportation wasn't as convenient.

I would definately stay at one of the Monorail resorts for your first time.

 

[Kimberle]

Welcome!

We stayed at the Contem. when our dd was 2.5. It was very nice to have the monorail. For all the resorts, you still need to take the buses to AK, MGM & the water parks. My advice, is decide where you are going to spend the most time and find a hotel near. If you are spending most of your time at MK, then the Contem. is very convenient.

When you have a stroller, it's also nice to beable to take the boats. Generally, you can just "roll on". <With the child out of the stroller for saftey reasons.>

We are staying at WL this trip. Next time, I want to try an Epcot resort (Beach Club or Boardwalk).

 

[milmore104]

Kim gave some great advice. Decide which park you think you will be at more. I know this will be hard seeing you haven't been in 12 years. I know where your coming from wanting to stay in on of the monarail resorts. I have been the last 2 years w/ our little one and her many bags and stroller that tags along with us. I have to say if you don't get a handicapped car on the monarail it is quite difficult to get an opened stroller in and out of. You would most likely have to fold it up. And as for the 2 parks not on the monarail all 3 resorts share a bus. Which means for a tight squeeze! I would think about maybe OKW they have really niece suites and there buses aren't usually that crowded. Or you could try my families all time FAV AKL. It has lots of activities for the little ones and great things for adults. there is a zero enrty pool, and 3 different food options! The bus transportation is the best we've seen. Have fun deciding.
nicki

 

[peachgirl]

Welcome!

For tons of information on discounts and other tips and information you might want to check out this website..

http://www.mousesavers.com/index.html

It really depends on how much you want to spend on your room. If I were in your position, I think the Polynesian would be a great choice.

I'm just guessing, but with your kid's ages, I'd bet you'll be spending at lot of time at the MK, so a monorail resort would be really convenient.

The Grand Floridian is very nice, but can be quite expensive especially if you want more than just a regular room. The Contemporary just doesn't appeal to me although some people absolutely love it.

For an off the monorail resort, I'd probably choose the Yacht or Beach Club. If pools are important to you, you can't beat Storm Along Bay. These resorts are very convenient to Epcot/MGM but you will have to take a bus to the MK.


You can get some pretty nice discount codes that can save a ton of money if you plan ahead and watch these boards and mousesavers.

 

[XStAnt]

If you can afford and will be spending most of your time at MK and Epcot then certainly stay at a monorail resort. But, if price is a concern, don't hesitate to stay at another resort. At the Epcot resorts you can walk or take a boat to Epcot AND MGM. AT all resorts the bus service is usually great. It's very convenient, quick and even fun. Your kids can ride the monorail whenever they want. It's not just for guests at the monorail resorts. You can go to MK in the am and take the monorail to Epcot in the pm. That way your kids will get the full treatment on the monorail. Or you can take an hour and just ride the resort monorail (after the park closes/you leave for the day so you don't lose that valuable park time).

I think you'll find adjoining rooms will be more affordable than suites. My understanding of the suites at the monorail resorts are that they are very high end luxury, and you pay for that luxury. It may be more than you nee/can afford. However, the Poly, CR and GF have very large rooms. You really won't have any problems space wise with a family of four in one room.

 

[foofoo]

We went through the same thing... My kids both pass out by 7:30 and do not sleep through everything, so the thought of sharing a room with them was pretty bad (I like to sleep, but not at 7:30!)

This is what we found: deluxe rooms at WL had a french door between the living/sleeping rooms. It was cheaper than the suites, but about the same as 2 connecting with a discount (there are no discounts for deluxe - ever). However, as you will learn, Disney will NOT guarantee a connecting room unless you tell them specifically that the children are getting their own room. Based on my "request" history, I would get the guaranteed connecting in writing (I was 8 months pregnant and they gave us smokling rooms and REFUSED to move us as it was requested, not guaranteed). Also, the one bedroom villas at any of the resorts would work too. The WL isn't on the monorail, but it does have a boat directly to the MK and my kids liked that best of all!

Hope this helps (we ended up with 2 connecting rooms at the Poly at 199 each with a discount)