Where do we stay???

[mommytofour]

Okay, family of 6. DH and I and then the kids, 10, 9, 5, 23m (at time of trip). Right now, I have free dining booked for 9/13-9/23 with 2 rooms at POP. But I am hearing its so busy and some of these days are already booked up. Last thing I want is a packed resort. So we looked at both CSR (2 rooms) and POR. Then I realized 2 rooms at CSR is going to cost just a bit less than Poly (thanks to looking at the wdw site). So I wanted to stay there for the ease of the monorail being right there. But then I am thinking of the kids. I want this trip to be for them. So that brings me back to the values again. My kids loved ASMo when we stayed in 04. But I know we wont do Disney again for a couple of years I think. But the kicker is my husband and I are celebrating our 15th wedding anniversary down there RIGHT before. We are staying 9/8-9/13 when my mom flies down with the kids. So I am thinking MAYBE I can do the Poly for my husband and I and stick with ASMo for the kids. I am back and forth forth and back in this and its making me sick. I can swing the difference of $1600 (1 day base ticket) for the Poly, $ isnt the issue. Its the fact that I want the kids to be happy and I want vacation to be PERFECT. Hubby insists it never is. So, for my kids ages, what do you think?

 

[dvcHammer]

If money's not an issue, see how much it would cost to (or even if would still be available) rent a villa at Boardwalk, Old Key West, or any of the other DVC resorts. There's also those family suites at the All Stars, but I've never seen one.

A 2 BR villa sleeps 8 and gives everyone lots of room.

 

[kat3668]

You could rent a Cabin at fort wilderness, they sleep 6

 

[robinb]

But the kicker is my husband and I are celebrating our 15th wedding anniversary down there RIGHT before. We are staying 9/8-9/13 when my mom flies down with the kids. So I am thinking MAYBE I can do the Poly for my husband and I and stick with ASMo for the kids. I am back and forth forth and back in this and its making me sick. I can swing the difference of $1600 (1 day base ticket) for the Poly, $ isnt the issue. Its the fact that I want the kids to be happy and I want vacation to be PERFECT. Hubby insists it never is. So, for my kids ages, what do you think?

Hmmm ... this is a hard one. I assume that the kids and your mom will be in one room officially even if you spread the kids out between two rooms. I would not count on having adjoining rooms in that case . It seems as if you gravitated to the Poly because of the ease of the monorail and your kids and then got stuck there because you deserve it for your anniversary. You may indeed deserve it, but you'll save a bunch of money and be just as happy at POFQ for your first few days. It is very romantic. Or ... you can move everyone's reservation to CSR which is very nice with a great pool and food court.

Or ... you can take a twist on dvcHammer's advise and rent a DVC studio for your first few days. A studio at Boardwalk (or Wilderness Lodge or Beach Club Villas) would only run you about $770 on the rental market (which includes "tax) or about $140 per night pre-tax. You would have to add the Dining Plan and pay for it but it would still be cheaper than the Poly.

You could then move to the value resort with your mom and arrange for adjoining rooms. Your kids won't know the difference.

 

[mommytofour]

Sorry, should have explained! My mom is JUST flying the kids down (they arrive at 10:30am) and then she flies back home that day (5:30pm). So its just the 6 of us. I dont mind staying at CSR for our stay and then moving to ASMo or Poly or whatever. If I am going to do 2 rooms at CSR, then I feel I might as well go with Poly for $30 more per night. But I am concerned with the theming. I know my kids will just appreciate being at Disney but I want it to be fun for them. Will Poly be too adult*ish* for them? Or will ASMo be too boring? We will spend about 4hrs a day at the resort taking a break in the afternoon swimming. We will be doing MK 3 days, 3 days at TL and then 1 day split with MGM/AK. So that leaves plenty of time AT the resort. We only had one day at ASMo last time so we didnt see much.

 

[TinkerValkyrie]

I stayed at the Poly as a child many times growing up. I remember it quite fondly. Granted, back then there were very few in Disney choices, but I was still impressed.

 

[sunee]

We did this and it was a pain. DH and the boys stayed at the Contemporary. I hate the Contemporary, so DD and I stayed at CSR. We figured it wouldn't be a big deal meeting up or driving from one to the other.

But it was a pain. I ended up spending time at the CR anyway. DH and the boys even pool-hopped over to CSR. (Those who want to flame, feel free - I know it was against the rules and I don't care.)

Meeting up isn't really as easy as it sounds. You end up calling on cell phones and crap...and you just lose out on the FAMILY part of a family vacation.

So, my advice is to pick a resort and stick with it.

The Poly is NOT too adultish. There is a game room and it gets busy at night. They even have kid stuff to do during the days. I like the Poly and I like CSR. Always say, "If you want Pretty-as-Poly without the price tag, do CSR." But, I like the little stuff that comes with a hotel, so I'd go Poly if I weren't worried about the dough.

What I'll never EVER do again is split a stay. All that packing and unpacking is not for me - and I like a place to go during the middle of the day. You lose that when you have to leave one early and check in at the next one late.

But, that's me.