What is more "worth it"?

[grossmansr]

Since I can't have everything, I'm trying to decide which of the following would be a better use of my money in terms of providing the most overall enjoyment and bang for my buck, so to speak. Trip is for me, DS4 , and DD8. Each option would be great, they are about equal in price, and I can only pick one. So.... what would you choose....

Early Morning Magic at MK or a Royal Room upgrade at POR (from standard)?

Obviously, the answer will be completely subjective as everyone has different preferences, but I'm just looking for opinions based on others experiences.

 

[sponica]

I'd rather do EMM but only if you're early risers.

If you're not early risers, then do the room upgrade (although I actually prefer the Alligator Bayou buildings so would book preferred)

 

[grossmansr]

We can do early mornings. And I would love to do EMM. I've never stayed at POR before so I can't really determine if the room upgrade would make a significant difference in enjoying the resort. What is it about Alligator Bayou that you prefer?

 

[sponica]

I like the more "rustic" look of the cabins in alligator bayou but some people prefer the stately mansions. If you haven't checked it out, there's an awesome website www.portorleans.org that has everything you need to know about Port Orleans

 

[OfCourseTheresAlwaysMyWay]

I just stayed in a Royal Room for the first time earlier this month. It was really, really special. Probably the coolest hotel room I've ever stayed in. At least until I go back to Tokyo and stay in the Godzilla hotel.

One thing to consider is that the Royal Rooms are all pretty much Preferred location rooms. Even the furthest ones are at most an 8ish minute walk from the lobby/buses/etc. And the Royal Rooms are also closest to French Quarter. FQ is a long ways from some of the Standard rooms and they have way better food/a perhaps kid friendlier pool. I also liked being closest to the pool that shows movies and being so close to the boat that goes to Disney Springs.

To me it's the difference between something you'll enjoy your entire vacation vs. something you'll enjoy for a few hours. I think there are always workarounds for MK crowds. Unless your only goal is to ride Seven Dwarfs Mine Train a thousand times in a row, I'd upgrade the room.

 

[grossmansr]

I like the more "rustic" look of the cabins in alligator bayou but some people prefer the stately mansions. If you haven't checked it out, there's an awesome website www.portorleans.org that has everything you need to know about Port Orleans

Thank you! I will definitely check out the website.

I just stayed in a Royal Room for the first time earlier this month. It was really, really special. Probably the coolest hotel room I've ever stayed in. At least until I go back to Tokyo and stay in the Godzilla hotel.

I do think it would be pretty special. Especially given the ages of the kids. In a year or two it might not be a "cool" to stay in the royal room. It's good to hear from people who have stayed there because really, it's just so hard to know if something is worth it until you try it.

... although riding SDMT multiple times would be pretty freaking cool too

 

[MrsDuck]

I think POR is pretty great on it's own. I'd opt for EMM.

The Royal Rooms are gorgeous - don't get me wrong, but how much time will you be in the room? Just food for thought.

 

[DisLiss]

At first I thought "Oh, I'd go for the Early Morning Magic at MK for sure". But then I got to thinking that if you plan to go back to your room for midday breaks, my answer might change based on this:

One thing to consider is that the Royal Rooms are all pretty much Preferred location rooms. Even the furthest ones are at most an 8ish minute walk from the lobby/buses/etc. And the Royal Rooms are also closest to French Quarter. FQ is a long ways from some of the Standard rooms and they have way better food/a perhaps kid friendlier pool. I also liked being closest to the pool that shows movies and being so close to the boat that goes to Disney Springs.

To me it's the difference between something you'll enjoy your entire vacation vs. something you'll enjoy for a few hours. I think there are always workarounds for MK crowds. Unless your only goal is to ride Seven Dwarfs Mine Train a thousand times in a row, I'd upgrade the room.

And I remembered that we've had some rooms at PO that felt like they were miles away from things when we were tired---and we were adults, not kids out of their regular routine and probably more worn out than they've ever been.

So my answer is dependent on how often you see yourself being in your room and how often will you be walking to and from your room. If you're going to be going in and out a lot, and spending extra time there, then the special room and the possibility of a closer room sounds really good over the course of your whole trip, as opposed to just one morning's worth of low crowds---and that's coming from someone who adores a chance to have a low crowd experience.

If you do opt for EMM, be sure that your kids understand that they will only be able to get on a few select rides during that time, so you don't find that soothing mismatched expectations takes up part of your precious lower crowd time.

Have a great trip!!

 

[grossmansr]

And I remembered that we've had some rooms at PO that felt like they were miles away from things when we were tired---and we were adults, not kids out of their regular routine and probably more worn out than they've ever been.

So my answer is dependent on how often you see yourself being in your room and how often will you be walking to and from your room. If you're going to be going in and out a lot, and spending extra time there, then the special room and the possibility of a closer room sounds really good over the course of your whole trip, as opposed to just one morning's worth of low crowds---and that's coming from someone who adores a chance to have a low crowd experience.

We are planning on spending a good amount of time at the resort, especially in the pool I'm sure. We also want to ride the boat to Disney Springs. It seems that a big benefit of the Royal Rooms is also the location? If so, that definitely makes me more likely to choose the rooms. I could book the regular preferred location for a little less, but not enough to really make a difference.

So if I don't do EMM, we still plan on going to MK that day. Which do you think would be a better bet for touring: early morning rope drop or late night? My kids will not be able to handle both. That would be pretty long day.

 

[grossmansr]

The Royal Rooms are gorgeous - don't get me wrong, but how much time will you be in the room? Just food for thought.

Good point. We actually WILL be in the room quite a bit, so that probably makes a difference.

 

[marchingstar]

I think I would book the royal room.

I’m definitely making some assumptions, because my kid is only a toddler. I’m assuming that at 4, your youngest won’t want to ride SDMT over and over?

Plus, I think with the ages of your kids, you’re at the point where magic is going to be most impressive. I feel like 4 and 8 are ideal ages to be immersed in the magic, and they’ll be at ages where repeating more adventurous rides pretty soon.

And also, since you said you’re going to spend good time in the resort, I think it makes sense to add something special to that part of your trip. I would look at the map of the resort though, because there’s one building with royal rooms that’s fairly far from the resort amenities. I don’t know if preferred royal rooms is a bookable category or if you just have to make a request and it’s been a good few years since I stayed at POR, but it’s something to think about.

 

[sponica]

We are planning on spending a good amount of time at the resort, especially in the pool I'm sure. We also want to ride the boat to Disney Springs. It seems that a big benefit of the Royal Rooms is also the location? If so, that definitely makes me more likely to choose the rooms. I could book the regular preferred location for a little less, but not enough to really make a difference.

So if I don't do EMM, we still plan on going to MK that day. Which do you think would be a better bet for touring: early morning rope drop or late night? My kids will not be able to handle both. That would be pretty long day.

I'd probably still do the earlier morning. EMM is only a couple hundred people in the park. I went to the park on an EMM morning and maybe tomorrowland was a tad more crowded than normal, but not like "OMG IT'S SOOO CROWDED". Unless you want to see fireworks.

 

[cbrown1007]

I took my kids, just me and DD9 and DS6 in March. We staying in a RR at POR. It was really beautiful, and the kids loved the details. We are go-go-go at Disney though. So for me, I'd do EMM with any extra money. We've stayed in Alligator Bayuo before too, and we loved those rooms. The difference I paid for a RR was not much more then standard. If it would have been much more, I wouldn't have done it. So I say do EMM for extra, special, low crowd park time!!

 

[Daisy7425]

I don't have any experience with POR, but just chiming in to say how much we loved EMM! It was so peaceful and slow paced and it felt so so magical to not have to fight crowds, take our time, and just soak it all in. EMM was the highlight of our trip for sure.

 

[DisLiss]

So if I don't do EMM, we still plan on going to MK that day. Which do you think would be a better bet for touring: early morning rope drop or late night? My kids will not be able to handle both. That would be pretty long day.

I'd go in the morning, myself, because my kids are early risers, anyway. Not *that* early, but early enough that I feel like it would be an easier schedule shift for them than keeping them up really late at night. I'd just be sure we had an earlier to bed night the previous day if possible.

I like being early to the parks because I feel like it sets you up to be one step ahead of the worst crowds. You'll be ready for lunch earlier than the other folks, so your lunch location may be a bit less crowded, then you may find the same thing happens with dinner, too.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I would opt for EMM. Simply staying at POR is very special and, in my experience, room decor tends to fade into the background after a few days. Your room size and comfort will be the same in any POR room. When my DS was that young, he could have stayed in any hotel and he would have been thrilled!

 

[grossmansr]

I’m definitely making some assumptions, because my kid is only a toddler. I’m assuming that at 4, your youngest won’t want to ride SDMT over and over?

See, that's the thing, I don't know if he will. He's certainly tall enough, and I'm hoping he'll want to ride it, along with Splash Mountain and BTMR. I just honestly have know idea. We don't go to a lot of fairs/amusement parks so we don't have a whole lot of experience with rides. Obviously I won't make him do anything he doesn't want to do, but I also don't want to spend a whole lot of money just to ride Small World and eat a continental breakfast. So I'm definitely concerned that my dollars would be better spent elsewhere.

I don't have any experience with POR, but just chiming in to say how much we loved EMM! It was so peaceful and slow paced and it felt so so magical to not have to fight crowds, take our time, and just soak it all in. EMM was the highlight of our trip for sure.

I did it many years ago with my daughter when she was 3 and it was truly a memorable experience. I've been wanting to do it again ever since but we've never been able to make it happen. Ahhh. I'm driving myself crazy! I may just have to try and cut something out of the budget somewhere to try and make both the room upgrade and the EMM happen.

 

[Isabelle12345]

I don’t know if this has been mentioned, but... How about adding a PPO to BOG instead of the EMM? Definitely not the same, but it would let you get into the park and see the castle without huge crowds, and you should be able to ride PP or SDMT right at 9:00 before the RD crowds get to the lines!
And I agree that with toddlers, rides are part of the experience but they may not be willing to go-go-go for 2 hours... and the magic of the Royal Rooms are probably more worth it IMO since you will be immerged for a few days and not just a few hours!

 

[grossmansr]

I don’t know if this has been mentioned, but... How about adding a PPO to BOG instead of the EMM? Definitely not the same, but it would let you get into the park and see the castle without huge crowds, and you should be able to ride PP or SDMT right at 9:00 before the RD crowds get to the lines!

I didn't even think of that. Good idea! Off to check for availability...

 

[grossmansr]

Ok, question about that... the earliest available time at BOG is 8:30 am. What time will I be allowed to enter the park? And will that be enough time to be in line at SDD by 9:00?