Okay, I have dh convinced to go to WDW next Christmas. I even broke the news to my parents, and they were okay with it (we ALWAYS spend Xmas with them)....saying they'd visit my brother in VA next year instead of staying home.
NOW.....where to stay? In the past we have spent a couple of nights on site (once PO, once AKL), then move to a timeshare. This year, because of how are travel plans fall due to school, that's not really an option. The other issue is that there are 5 of us. I have absolutely no interest in value resorts.
Right now I have tentatively booked two nights at PO for $122 per night (AAA discount). Flying from CA, we generally arrive late the first day. We'll spend a second night, just to avoid moving right away, and to save a few bucks. (I wouldn't spend more than 2 nights here....the room is just too crowded for 5....I want to still enjoy being around my family by Xmas day!) Then, we check into the Poly for 8 nights (on December 19, when value rates are still available.....holiday rates start with the 20th) We have the Poly at $258 per night.
Is the Poly good at Xmas? We'll probably spend 1 day at AK, 1 1 1/2 day(s) at MGM, 2 days at EPCOT and 1 1/2 days at MK. I was thinking of the Wilderness Cabins, which would be $198 per night. I like the idea of more space, but I like the idea of feeling pampered, in an upscale hotel. I thought about the Contemporary, but it seems hard to imagine feeling upscale. I thought abour Wilderness Lodge, but rooms for 5 are quite pricey. I also thought about AKL, and really liked it, but wondering how Christmassy it would feel. On the other hand, maybe we could do two nights at AKL instead of PO???
While my kids aren't young (they'll be 13, 11 and 8), I thought we might enjoy being on the monorail, especially the closer to Xmas. Can you get to MK and EPCOT from FortWilderness? We won't be using busses......we'll rent a car and drive places, so that's an option.
Can you tell I'm REALLY STRESSING over this decision? I hope that AP rates come out, but if they don't, I'll still be doing this.
This will very likely be the last big trip we take for a long, long time, as ds will start Catholic high school the following year, and all our vacation money will go towards that. So I want to do it right.
Thanks for any help
Julia
NOW.....where to stay? In the past we have spent a couple of nights on site (once PO, once AKL), then move to a timeshare. This year, because of how are travel plans fall due to school, that's not really an option. The other issue is that there are 5 of us. I have absolutely no interest in value resorts.
Right now I have tentatively booked two nights at PO for $122 per night (AAA discount). Flying from CA, we generally arrive late the first day. We'll spend a second night, just to avoid moving right away, and to save a few bucks. (I wouldn't spend more than 2 nights here....the room is just too crowded for 5....I want to still enjoy being around my family by Xmas day!) Then, we check into the Poly for 8 nights (on December 19, when value rates are still available.....holiday rates start with the 20th) We have the Poly at $258 per night.
Is the Poly good at Xmas? We'll probably spend 1 day at AK, 1 1 1/2 day(s) at MGM, 2 days at EPCOT and 1 1/2 days at MK. I was thinking of the Wilderness Cabins, which would be $198 per night. I like the idea of more space, but I like the idea of feeling pampered, in an upscale hotel. I thought about the Contemporary, but it seems hard to imagine feeling upscale. I thought abour Wilderness Lodge, but rooms for 5 are quite pricey. I also thought about AKL, and really liked it, but wondering how Christmassy it would feel. On the other hand, maybe we could do two nights at AKL instead of PO???
While my kids aren't young (they'll be 13, 11 and 8), I thought we might enjoy being on the monorail, especially the closer to Xmas. Can you get to MK and EPCOT from FortWilderness? We won't be using busses......we'll rent a car and drive places, so that's an option.
Can you tell I'm REALLY STRESSING over this decision? I hope that AP rates come out, but if they don't, I'll still be doing this.
This will very likely be the last big trip we take for a long, long time, as ds will start Catholic high school the following year, and all our vacation money will go towards that. So I want to do it right.
Thanks for any help
Julia
