Where to stay w/2 teens? Deluxe or no?

[EastCoaster]

This is like having my own private travel agent!!

I hadn't really thought about the privacy issue -- we WOULD love to have our own bedroom. My husband has neven been to Disney and that would make for an even more special trip.

So appreciative of everyone's suggestions and the different things we should be considering to help us make the right decision. I certainly have the topic for conversation around the table this Thanksgiving!

 

[DisneyKidds]

More advice than you bargained for, huh? That won't stop me from dispensing my own .

As to the deluxe versus moderate question, I'd recommend a deluxe if it is in your budget. Being a one and only family trip it will provide you with the best possible experience. The deluxe resorts are nicer, obviously, than the moderates, but their biggest advantage is location, location, location. That might also be especially helpful with teenagers. Any of the MK resorts (Poly, WL would be my recommendations) have monorail or boat access to the MK, and fairly accessible monorail transportation to Epcot. The Epcot resorts (BC or BW would be my recommendations) have walking or boat access to Epcot and MGM. Having that convenience of access to the parks is wonderful. Add to that bigger rooms, better pools, nicer amenities, etc. and you get the best possible experience Disney can deliver.

If you have to go with a moderate I second the recommendations for POR. It has the best theming of any of the moserate resorts and the most "Disney" experience to be had at a moderate. You really feel like you've entered the Old South.

If cost is an issue (and when isn't it) and you want the deluxe treatment then the Wilderness Lodge is a great choice. You get a deluxe experience at a price that isn't as steep as the Poly, BC or BW. The rooms are a bit smaller, but otherwise the resort is up to par with any other deluxe.

As for privacy, that would be nice....although I'm not sure renting a 1Br from a DVC member provides the greatest value that time of year. Then again, Disney's pricing may be high over the Easter period and I have no idea what kind of discounts you might find, so maybe it is a good option. 4 nights (Sat - Tues) at the BCV or VWL would require 195 points. At $10 a point that is $1,950, or $487.50 a night. Compare that to the quotes you've gotten and see how it stacks up. You could also rent a studio from a DVC member, which would require 100 points that time of year and cost $1,000, or $250 a night. No privacy for mom and dad, but it would be hard to beat the price on a great room that time of year. The only consideration you have to take into account with rentig DVC points is that you don't have the same flexibility to cancel or change dates as you would if you booked something through Disney.

Have fun deciding.

 

[laura001]

If this is not going to be your one and only trip ever to WDW...I would stay at a moderate. After all....how much time do you actually spend in your room? We (family of 5, kids, 19, 17 and 13) stayed at Port Orlean's Riverside. The room has a trundle bed and was perfect for us and only something like $139.00 per night at the time. It was a great resort and the room has a large changing area with a curtain off the bathroom that makes it perfect so that you aren't trying to change in a small bathroom all the time.

 

[ducklite]

I'd also suggest looking into renting points for a 1 BR at a DVC resort. You can bring an air matress for one of the boys, they other can have the sleeper sofa. You'll still have a private bedroom (with king bed) for you and your spouse. It will also give you a fully equipped kitchen which could help you save a ton of money on breakfasts and snacks.

Anne

 

[dizplanner]

Wilderness Lodge or Animal Kingdom Lodge have queen bed/bunk bed configuration, are the least expensive deluxes and have amazing architecture. Problem is bunk beds are only a request and you could end up with only two queen beds and not have alot of floor space for an air mattress. Did Wilderness Lodge our first trip (got bunk beds) and for two days our second trip (no bunk beds). Loved the resort.

Beach/Yacht Club, Poly, and Contemporary have two queen beds and a twin size day bed, are beautiful and have great locations. Problem is they are expensive. Did Poly our second trip. Loved the resort although for the money I think my husband liked the Wilderness Lodge more.

I don't recommend the Boardwalk Inn in your case - no real day bed and just as expensive. Did this our second trip. Pretty, but didn't like as well - long walk to room, no place to get a fast breakfast.

Moderates only have two double beds. The rooms are smaller. I haven't been in them so I don't know how well the air mattress would fit.

On our last trip and my family is similar to yours (boy/girl teens), we got two rooms at Pop Century. Each had their own bed, my husband and I had our own room (however don't count on getting the king bed - there are very few king beds in the value resorts - I requested it and didn't get it), we had two bathrooms. Worked quite well and was less expensive than a deluxe. You could do also get two rooms at a moderate, but I doubt if would be cheaper than a deluxe room.

On our upcoming trip, we are staying at Old Key West because I bought DVC. We are actually staying in a Grand Villa (three bedroom) because we are going with SIL and niece and her family (9 total). My husband and I get the king master bedroom, niece, husband and two daughter (5 & 9) get the bedroom with two queen beds, SIL and my daughter (14) get the bedroom with two double beds and my son (16) either gets the queen size pull out sofa in the living room or will use our air mattress. We will also have a full kitchen, laundry room, living room, dining room, large balcony - it is almost as large as our home. We are also going to the Hard Rock Hotel for two nights and will have two queen beds there - daughter will either use the air mattress (her turn) or we will get a roll away if the air mattress doesn't fit (our air mattress is double sized).

 

[LvsTnk]

Just asked my 18yo son who is home from college and he said something in the BW area. You could even check out some of the offerings at Swan/Dolphin if money is an issue. But I would go for BWV.

He said there is so much to do on your own there. The 2 parks (my DD is 16 and they stay late without us), he likes to catch some of the music in Epcot, and of course ESPN and all the stuff on the BW.

 

[tar heel]

If you're going to do a moderate, I would recommend CSR. It's much newer and your teens are probably going to think the slide at the CBR pool is lame.

My teens would choose YC/BC over Poly. The pool is far superior and the location in proximity to two parks and the Boardwalk is better for older kids.

 

[East Coaster]

From one East Coaster to another, with teens the same age, I would go with the deluxe.

Last year we took what we thought would be our one and only trip to the World and chose the Polynesian, we were really glad we did it's great being on the monorail and the buses seemed very efficient for the other 2 parks. The only bus we waited for was to Downtown Disney. The Polynesian is right next to the ticket and transportation centre for quick access to Epcot.

The room at the Polynesian was a good size, my 12 year old daughter slept on the day bed and my son 15 at the time had the other bed all to himself.

Needless to say we had such a great time last year we have booked again for this spring!! We are staying at the Polynesian for 4 days and then we thought we would try out the Wilderness Lodge for 3 nights, as they have rooms with bunkbeds and a queen bed. This will definitely be our last trip as a family as my oldest will graduate in 2007.

Whatever you decide you will enjoy it!!

 

[tiki23]

We have teens and for our trip next year we've booked two rooms at Caribbean Beach. We need two bathrooms! Not to mention, sometimes everyone in our family just needs some space..me especially. Even though I don't expect us to spend a great deal of time in our room, the thought of 9 nights in one room makes me crazy just thinking about it.

I looked at renting DVC points, too, but 2 mod rooms was in the same price range and we want to do the dining plan (my kids eat like there's no tomorrow!); you can't use the dining plan with DVC.

Whatever you decide, I know you'll have a great trip!

 

[HopperFan]

Deluxe = I would look at something at BC/YC. The pool area is great and bound to have lots of teens hanging out there. Good proximity to MGM/EPCOT ! Midway between other two parks.

Moderate = My teens hands down favorite is Coronado Springs, huge great pool, largest slide, largest hot tub, beach volleyball, water amenties, 2 arcades, love the food court and there is food by pool area. Beautiful at night and the transportation is good. Second choice would be POR - adds a boat to DT (Disney Quest), especially if you let them go on their own.

 

[DisneyMomx7]

If this is a once only trip I'd definitely go for a deluxe. With the ages of your kids I would vote for BC/YC or Boardwalk.

 

[EastCoaster]

You are not going to believe this!!

I signed onto my airline (made reservations MONTHS ago), just to see what tickets were going for now for Easter break to Florida, and there is no website!! I did some internet searching and found out my airline (TransMeridian) has gone bankrupt!! I called my credit card company,and got most of my money back, but have to make some more calls on Monday to try to get the other $300.

Quite honestly, I am a little relieved. I was starting to feel panicky about the Easter crowds and making dinner reservations and whether I made a mistake as this is my family's first time there... But now I have all of this WONDERFUL information from all of you who were kind enough to respond and I have time now to plan this the right way, save a little more money, and feel pretty good about the trip instead of worrying so much. (How is THAT for
rationalization!!)

I can't pull the kids from school, but I'm starting to think about the last week of August (as we don't start school in NY until September). Crowds have GOT to be less than Easter, and maybe I can get a deal?! Anyway, please keep any comments coming. I am so grateful for everyone's help, and can't wait to let you know how our trip is -- after we finally take it!!

 

[Ladyhawke10]

Wow, talk about a wrench in your plans....what a sad occurence!

Anyway, August will be hot, hot, hot but it will be cheaper than Spring Break and hopefully, less crowds.

I think you will love a deluxe for close proximity to the parks, considering you don't want to be out in the heat more than you have to be...and I think the Yacht or Beach Club or the Swan or Dolphin for their great pool complexes would be wonderful for teens. The grotto pool area at the Swan/ Dolphin is lovely, and of course you've heard about Stormalong Bay, which is a big favorite among Disers. My favorite pool is at the Grand Floridian but for teens, they'd probably like something more lively. GFs pool is really tranquil and beautiful with great scenery of the lagoon--Stormalong Bay is great for big pool lovers because the pool itself is so elaborate.

 

[LiteBrite]

I think the last week in August is a great idea. Crowds will be *much* smaller than Spring Break. Your biggest enemy that week will definitely be the heat, so you'll need to strategize about that. I agree that either the Y&B or the S&D would be a great choice for easy pool access and a great, fun pool that the teenagers will love. The grotto pool is really hopping - not just well designed, but with things happening all the time - water volleyball, organized games, etc. I think that last summer they even showed movies for people to watch from the pool in the evening.

 

[BYC]

Your best bet with 2 teens is to get two connecting rooms at a Value Resort. It will be cheaper than one room at a deluxe, and each kid can have their own bed. Plus, you now have 2 TV's and even better.....2 bathrooms!