WDW stay-Best resort for family of 5?

[momto2dkids]

We are thinking about adding a short stay at WDW before or after our cruise next April. Does any one have an opinion on what resort is best (and cheapest if possible) for a family of 5 with small children (10, 5 and 18 months)?

Any opinions would be greatly appreciated!

 

[DadofLostBoys]

Before we purchase a TS in Orlando, we use to stay at the Quality Suites off International Drive. Back then it was ~70/night per room and is probably around $80 now, but it is a nice place. All rooms have a separate bedroom (1 or 2 beds) and a living room with a queen sleeper sofa.

It includes a full "hot" breakfast buffet as well as FREE cocktails for two hours each evening.

Check it out at http://www.qualitysuitesuniversal.com

 

[CheapMom]

Since the little one is a baby you can stay at any resort in 1 room.
I have only stayed at 3 Disney Resorts (AS Movies, Coronado, and Contemporary) I love them all so I am really no help.
Based on your kids ages, my vote would go to AS Movies.
Have fun making your choice.

 

[momto2dkids]

Thank you both for your suggestions. I plan to look into them.

 

[dclwdwlover]

I like all of the resorts, also. My 2-cents would be that the All Stars Resorts would be the cheapest, but the easiest for getting around with kids would be any of the resorts with the monorail going through it (Poly or Contemp - GF definitely not cheap!).

Pros: I always liked to be able to get back to the hotel easily for the nappers, change of clothes, swim, etc. Plus, with strollers, it's easier on & off the monorail than all the bus transp. - especially when you have to make changes.

Cons: Cost. AS is so much more cost-effective & with the food court with hot dogs, hamb, ckn fingers, etc, it appeals to the kids.

 

[CheapMom]

http://www.angelfire.com/magic/mom/buzz.jpg
Lots of photo ops at AllStar Movies- above link is my kids enjoying Andy's Room-
Monorail would be very convenient from the Poly/Contemp...
I found AllStars transportation to be very good

 

[momto2dkids]

Thanks CheapMom,
Cute kids!!

The AS Movie Resort looks like alot of fun.

 

[hydster]

We are family of 5 as well but no "toddler" aged so we stay at Port Orleans Riverside. We can all fit in 1 room and it has a trundle pullout bed for the night. Our kids fight to see who gets to sleep on the trundle every night!!! It's a moderate and the food courtyard is nice. Haven't been to AS hotels but did stay at the Poly and I was un-impressed for the cost. Maybe if our kids needed to go back and nap or we had gone when it was blistering hot we would have considered the Poly again but for us the POR is great!

Heidi

 

[aprilgail2]

Last stay we spent a few days at the Poly. that sleeps five but is pretty expensive....we also rented a house for a week prior to that for 99.00 a night about 10 minutes out of Disney. It had 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, washer, dryer, dishwasher, full kitchen and the best ting..a inground pool right off the living room (door had a child alarm on it also)..it was wonderful, I loved the freedom of having a house there...we stopped at a supermarket right near there and picked up milk and cereal and some other things and ate breakfast at the house before heading to the parks. We used familesfirst.com my sister usually uses vrbo.com and has had some great places through there.

 

[mcnuss]

Will you have a car? If so, I'd recommend the Hawthorn Suites at LBV. We were there 1 night last year before checking into our TS, and my SIL's family of 2 adults, and 3 kids (inc. a toddler) were very comfy there. It cost about $75 in October.

 

[flexsmom]

One other con on the All Star resorts is the size of the room, particularly given the age of your children. It was great for just my daughter and myself, but I'd get cramped quickly with my husband and the 1-year old there, too! Of course, if you go before the cruise, it will be good practice for your stateroom, although then again, I believe that most of the outside staterooms are actually much larger than the square footage of the All Star rooms!