Where oh where to stay? Help!

[wrldpossibility]

Hi all,

It's getting to be time to book our Dec. 06 (very early Dec.) vacation, I believe. This is our first trip to Disney, and even though I feel like I've researched every resort, I cannot decide which is best for our family. I think it's hard not being able to picture the layout of WDW, even with maps, you know? Hopefully you all can help, based on our family:

We are a family of 5, and the kids will be 7, 5, and 2 (actually, he'll turn 2 during the trip, so I think he'll be free). We're going 10 days. To complicate matters, we will be joined for half of our stay by the grandparents, so 2 more adults. So a total of 7 for part of the time, 5 the other part.

Location is important to me, because even though the kids are strong walkers, we will have the 2-year-old in a stroller and going back for naps. I don't want to stay anywhere where we'll have long bus commutes to the parks or overly long walks. (The kids are looking over my shoulder and want to add this: )

We also want somewhere that is peaceful while we're not at the parks. Somewhere the kids will get a break from Mickey overload, you know? We've ruled out the value resorts based on this and the fact that we will spend considerable time in the resort, and want it relaxing and very nice. We live on the other side of the US from WDW, so we won't be going to often, so I want to do it in (for us anyway) high style! Based on all this, I think I've narrowed it down to:

1. WL—this is our style, we love lodges, and I guess we'd get two rooms for part of the time, although I did see that they have a jr. suite or something that holds 6 (our youngest won't count). I like the style of the resort, it seems peaceful but still close to things. I like the idea of the boat to MK.

2. AKL—this seems too remote to me, but it would be peaceful, and it's the one the kids are most excited about. And it seems to have a fast bus in that it doesn't stop a lot?

3. POR—we want to stay in a (lower priced) deluxe, but I've heard great things about POR as long as you get rooms that aren't too far away from things?

4. FW—we considered a cabin here, but I'm concerned about commute time to the parks and too much walking for the kids.

5. We may be able to afford rooms at another deluxe if you can recommend one that would be a good fit for us. I know we can't afford the GF, and I know we can't afford a suite in a deluxe.

Any other ideas considering our party size? I'm pretty resigned to getting two rooms for part of the time. A suite would be great, but too much $$ and DH is nervous about renting DVC points (too risky?).

You can see I need help! LOL!

 

[goofy4tink]

Okay...I would go with either WL or POR. POR can be a bit spread out, but if you ask for bldgs close to the food court you should be fine...bldgs 14, 15, 18. It is a beautiful resort. Yes, you have to take buses everyplace, except for DTD but we have never had an issue with the buses there. And the pool area is terrific. The boatride to DTD is wonderfully relaxing also.

WL is another beautiful resort. It has some great dining options. You have Roaring Forks for a quickie meal, Whispering Canyon Cafe for table service with a chuckle, and Artist Point is more upscale but fine for the kids (or a quiet Mom and Dad meal after grands come!!). The setting is beautiful. The boatride to MK can't be beat.

The cabins at FW can make for tough getting around. It is very spread out. We have friends who just stayed there with 4 grandkids and their only complaint was the issue of getting around the area.

AKL is beautiful but remote. Nice dining options also.

I would go with two rooms for the last half of your trip. Or ask for connecting rooms to begin with. That way you will have two bathrooms, 2 tv's. And when the grands come, one or two of the kids can join them in that room for sleeping.

I don't think you can go wrong with either POR or WL....see what gives you the best rate and go with it.

 

[Bugsmom73]

Good luck deciding. We will be down there at the same time Dec 2-9th. Given your concerns, I would look into WL, then. It is beautiful and the location is gorgeous. Just to let you know that the Jr. Suite is more expensive than some of the rooms at the Poly and Contemporary. AKL may be another option for you, esp if your son will fall asleep on the bus and then transfer to the bed. Alot is going to depend upon what you want to do and how long you want to stay. Just to let you know the cost between the AKL and Poly for your dates is 3613.64 for AKL and Poly is 3340.50. You maybe able to get a regular sized room for your stay at AKL and WL, which would make them cheaper. I checked with the Disney Website and this is what I got. I also selected parkhopping which will be convenient with little kids. You may want to consider AAA for further discounts.

 

[RustManFan]

I have stayed at CBR, WL, FW (only tent camping) and POR and I would recommend POR for you. All are great places to stay but the pool at WL can get rather crowded. Each section of POR has a "quiet" pool in addition to the main one. Also true of CBR but I don't think this resort is as peaceful as POR. In fact, I have been to WDW a dozen times and have stayed at POR for 7 of those times. I always have been in building 24 but it is not at all close to the main building. (but REALLY peaceful !) In fact I was there just a couple weeks ago and saw absolutely nobody at my building even though I know it was full !!

Have a terrific time.........

 

[ash&abby'smom]

I vote for the WL. for its location and atmosphere. The resort is beautiful. You can take a boat ride to the MK, which I think your kids would love. I also think you will probably spend more time at MK than any other park. WL has a very relaxing atmosphere. YOu can also take the boat over to FW and take the kids to the petting zoo and get a bite to eat at Trail's End (a buffet, but very inexpensive). You could also ask about being flag family one morning.

AKL is nice, but I hate having to rely on busses with a young child and stroller. JMO.

Have fun choosing and planning your trip.

 

[jaysmom4285]

I'm not nearly as experienced a WDW traveler as many on these boards. But I would recommend that you consider CBR. You could get two rooms there for less than the price of one room at a deluxe, and it is centrally located, so you aren't exceptionally far from anything. When we've stayed there (same time of year as you, early December) we found the bus service to be very efficient - I don't think we ever waited more than 10-15 minutes for a bus. We found the resort extremely peaceful and quiet, with beautiful theming. The quiet pools are hardly ever crowded and in fact are often nearly deserted. You can get a preferred room ($15 more per night) in one of the two villages immediately adjacent to Old Port Royale and the main pool, or you can pay regular price and request a room in Aruba or Jamaica that is right at the end of the footbridge that goes across the lagoon to Old Port Royale. We did this and found to be a very short and pleasant walk across the footbridge and the small island. We have found this resort to be very quiet - we were hardly ever aware that anyone else was even there. It is a large resort and is very spread out, as others will no doubt point out, but it isn't that hard to stay in a room that is centrally located, and the size contributes to the feeling of quiet and calm. I think the outside walkways on the buildings contribute to this. I know that others may prefer inside halls, but I find that inside halls just serve to amplify and echo every sound and conversation and door slam. We never heard any of our neighbors unless someone happened to be having a conversation just as they were walking by our door. I think CBR would fit your criteria for being reasonably priced, centrally located, and quiet.

 

[kandeebunny]

With kids that age I'd reccomend a monorail resort. Try CR perhaps 2 queen beds and a daybed in every room. The price isn't too bad in a standard wing room and the monorail makes for easy transportaion to and from the MK and Epcot plus theres Chef Mickeys!!! There is also a 24 hour food court (cannot be beat) and it is the cheapest of the monorail resorts.

 

[ozzyla]

We just got back from POR, although you won't be charged for the 2 year old, unless you want to share a bed with him, I would go with POR. It gives you the trundle on the floor which will be a good option for the 2 year old. If you do go with this resort it would be very important to request building 14, 15, or 16. They are a very short stroll to the food court and bus stop, and building 16 is also very near a quiet pool with the laundry facilities as well. I see the quiet pool was very popular with the older guests who didn't want the splashing and loud yells that were often heard at the large pool.

I've stayed at the cabins and they were great for cooking your own meals and having a little extra room (we also have a family of 5 -- 6 went to the cabins). However, the transportation was a real downer at the cabins.

We had no trouble with transportation at POR and didn't wait over 10 min for any bus, we only had to stand once.

 

[QueenOfCelts]

Have you considered the Swan or Dolphin? You can join the Starwood program also for a few nice extras. They have a great location and would definitely give you a break from Disney overload while completely entertaining everyone.