What Resort?!!!

[ac_roo]

Hi! My family of five...myself, DH, 11, 9, and 8 will be going back to WDW in January for our 2nd time. I want it to be magical, and we just love WDW.

We're attempting to figure out what resort to stay in if we can get the AP rate...AKL, BC, POLY, or GF? I worry about transportation at Poly and GF. I want a great room. I've read all about the resorts, and I'm sooo confused!

Last time, we stayed at the Dolphin with the famouse teacher rate. It's not an option this time due to conventions. If no AP rate, we're debating Pop Cenury (2 rooms) or POR.

What would you do?
Any thoughts?

 

[vhoffman]

Why would you worry about transportation at the Ploy or GF? They're both on the monorail. We stayed at the Poly last April and found the transportation both by monorail and bus to be fine. Actually, I found the Poly way overpriced for the accomodations. Its just a nice, standard hotel room. We went in what was considered value season and had a standard room for which we paid $299 per night. Yikes! The only reason we paid so much money was to be on the monorail, which made park hopping much easier. However, this Dec. we're saving our money and staying at the Courtyard DTD for $20.03 per night. We won't have the convenience of the monorail, but we also won't have such a bill!

 

[swilphil]

Others can address the likelihood of an AP rate at this time, but I say don't give up on the Swan/Dolphin yet. Often convention groups book large blocks of rooms, but don't fill them all and the rooms are released. You might have better luck getting a room if you go through Dreams Unlimited. Some have posted in the last month that they have gotten Swan/Dolphin rooms for January on Hotwire.

Of the hotels you listed, I would suggest GF. I think AKL or the moderates will be too far from everything after being spoiled at the Dolphin. BC would be good for location, too, but I don't know if it will be warm enough to use the pool. You might want to save BC for a warmer month.

I'm usually a big fan of staying on-site, but since you are going in January (non MLK day) a DTD hotel might be just as good.

 

[Efastpitch]

Originally posted by ac_roo
Hi! My family of five...myself, DH, 11, 9, and 8 will be going back to WDW in January for our 2nd time. I want it to be magical, and we just love WDW.

We're attempting to figure out what resort to stay in if we can get the AP rate...AKL, BC, POLY, or GF? I worry about transportation at Poly and GF. I want a great room. I've read all about the resorts, and I'm sooo confused!

Last time, we stayed at the Dolphin with the famouse teacher rate. It's not an option this time due to conventions. If no AP rate, we're debating Pop Cenury (2 rooms) or POR.

What would you do?
Any thoughts?

I vote for two rooms. Make sure that the rooms are connecting (one door leading to both rooms). This will give you two bathrooms and a place for some quiet time.

 

[susy]

In Jan I would go for two rooms at Pop century. If you get a $49 rate, that would be great! They only have one bus stop and no sharing. You might not even get to use the pool, so why pay for a slide? POR would be nice because of the boat to DTD. With shorter park hours you may spend more time there. Two rooms would be nice. You and Dh could have your own space. I vote for two rooms!!!

 

[Minnie824]

We're going in 2 years, and debating between basically the same resorts as you. I have changed my mind 50 times for one reason or another. Currently, my opinion is Beach Club. We stayed at YC for Thanksgiving a few years ago and loved the area. The reason we're thinking of others, is because this time we'll have 2 kids with us. But, the transportation was great, and you can walk to Epcot and MGM. Plus with the shorter hours, we spent a lot of time in the evening at the Boardwalk....especially at the Spoodles pizza take out window and at the bakery! Good luck on your decision!

 

[Luthien]

The BC club is great -- we stayed at the YC in 2000 and are going back in a few weeks -- your kids will love SAB and since it is heated they should be able to swim in January. The central location is ideal -- walking to Epcot and MGM, lots of great places to eat close by -- the list can go on and on...

Have a great trip!!

~L~

 

[ac_roo]

bump

 

[Grumpy92]

Have to agree with a few other members, pick the BC. The proximity cant be beat, the pool is incredible and they have some of the best restaurants. I have a feeling they will release some AP rates for January. Be persistant and dont give up on CRO.

My second choice would be AKL. The resort is beautiful and the kids will love the animals. There is a storyteller each night at the fire pit and the restaurants are pretty good.

 

[DemoBri1]

I'd have to agree with Grumpy. I'd go with the BC or any other resort in the Epcot area. You're within walking distance to two parks, and you have the Boardwalk for entertainment at night.

The monorail resorts are great, if you're planning on spending your time up at MK area mostly, but remember, you can also hop the monorail down at Epcot to get up there as well.

IMHO the monorail resorts aren't that much of an advantage. Maybe I look at it this way because I rent a car for the convenience, but it seems to me that these resorts are away from main area of WDW. Yes...you're surrounded by the magic of MK, but take a look at a map of the entire resort sometime and look where MK is at, and where Epcot, MGM, and AK are at.

Brian

 

[sharoncity]

I have to vote for AKL. The resort is just amazing. With the shorter hours at the parks you'll need other things to do in the evenings. On our trip, there were a few nights we CHOSE not to go to the parks because we wanted to stay and play/explore AKL.

Transportation is just a nonissue. The buses were always quick and efficient. Never waited more than 5 min for them. And with one stop, they were never overcrowded (and we were there in late April.) With the ages of your kids, you don't NEED the monorail and will probably spend equal time in all the parks.

No matter what you choose, it will be magical!

 

[Byrd]

But I know every family is different. That's what is so magical about Disney. They can meet every ones needs. Good luck making your decision. It's tough, that's why you have to keep going back.
Byrd