Where to stay???

[GottaLuvMickey]

Okay, so I know my Disney... and so does my husband. But I'm needing some outside opinions on this one! Next September (2009) my husband and I are planning on taking our little girl to Disney World for her 1st birthday, we were planning on staying at All-Star Movies (thinking those things might be interesting to a 1y/o) Well, now my in-laws and SIL, BIL, and 2 nieces are planning on joining us there! We think it's great, but now are not sure what resort we want to stay at! In-laws are paying for most, if not all, of the trip and told us to 'Pick a resort' Our nieces will be 4 and 7 at the time and it will be their 1st trip also! I'm thinking AKL but not sure... have any of you gone with a group this size and/or girls these ages? Where would you think they'd enjoy staying the most?

 

[Disneylush]

I stayed at AKL 5 years ago with a Savannah view and we hated it. The biggest reason was the lack of light in the room. (pig skin lamp shades no bulbs over 40 watts) A reason I would not take kids is because the Mara (quick food counters) is not kids friendly unless they like African food and pizza for your whole trip.

Because you have little ones who will need a break and MK will be their fav park have you thought of staying at a monorail hotel? (contemp or Poly??)

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

We love AKL since DD LOVES anything to do with animals (i swear the kid is going to be a vet) but i agree with the last poster that the lights are low in the rooms (I'm assuming so that the animals are not disturbed). We love the hotel and will be staying there again. We barely ate at the hotel so that didn't bother us...plus we like the african inspired menu (Boma is one of our favorite restaurants). But if my in-laws were paying and budget wasn't an issue? I'd go for a monorail hotel. You are going to probably be spending most of your time at MK and AKL to MK is a 20-25 minute drive. If Budget is an issue...I'd stay at POP over the AllStars. POP doesn't share buses and the theming is quite cute for kids. DD loved the Giant PlayDoh containers.

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

We love AKL since DD LOVES anything to do with animals (i swear the kid is going to be a vet) but i agree with the last poster that the lights are low in the rooms (I'm assuming so that the animals are not disturbed). We love the hotel and will be staying there again. We barely ate at the hotel so that didn't bother us...plus we like the african inspired menu (Boma is one of our favorite restaurants). But if my in-laws were paying and budget wasn't an issue? I'd go for a monorail hotel. You are going to probably be spending most of your time at MK and AKL to MK is a 20-25 minute drive. If Budget is an issue...I'd stay at POP over the AllStars. POP doesn't share buses and the theming is quite cute for kids. DD loved the Giant PlayDoh containers.

 

[Rylee]

Why do want to change your resort choice? The kids will love All-Star Movies.

Anyway, have you discussed a budget for accommodations? I would think all 3families would want/need their own room.

I would try to take in to consideration, the taste and needs of everyone.

The monorail resorts are very convenient to MK. Or, the Wilderness Lodge is only a boat ride away.
The Epcot resorts are nice if you plan on dining in Epcot a lot.
And FWIW, my family loves All-Star Movies... it is soooo Disney.

 

[eeyoregon]

For the kid factor I say the Movies is a great choice.

If you are wanting a bit more room and nicer accomodations then I would bump up to the Poly or Wilderness Lodge.

 

[GottaLuvMickey]

Thanks for your advice so far!

As to a budget, well, there isn't really one in place... my in laws are willing to lay down whatever dollar amount is needed to have the resort that we book. Now, my personal opinion is that it costs WAY too much to stay at a monorail resort when we're considering 3 different rooms... I'd hate to have them spend that kind of money, even if they have it and are willing to spend it!

We haven't really considered POP just because that is where my husband and I stayed on our honeymoon and our goal in life is to stay at ALL of the resorts and so we don't want to stay at this one again when there are so many out there still.

My husband and I both used to work at Disney World, so we know how all of the transportation goes and all of that, and there really isn't a reason we're leaning AWAY from ASMovies, it's just that with his parents paying, it opened up some more options and we wanted to consider them all. We just want the girls to have the time of their lives (we know they will no matter what...) and were hoping for some outside opinions from people who might have had a situation similar to this before.

Thanks Everyone! Anymore ideas, I'm gonna keep readin!

 

[cancer_survivor_06]

Go w/ a monorail resort my dd's are 7 and 4 in 2006 we stayed at the Poly and dd7 loved the volcano pool plus you can walk to the TTC to take the monorail to epcot. This way you only have to ride the buses to AK and DHS and these will be the only time you would have to worry about folding up your stroller instead of everytime you get on the bus for every park. CR w/ MK view would be my next suggestion.

 

[liznboys]

Ok so you would rather not have them pay for a Monorail resort, that's understandable. (I would have said stay on the Monorail though. lol) Sounds like maybe a Moderate would work for your group. The Mods are a nice compromise between the Values and Deluxes. POFQ is smaller than the other mods and is a beautiful resort-one of our favorites.

Good luck!

 

[rt2dz]

We always try a new resort too. AKL though, is the favorite hands down. We get to go twice this year, so we are considering taking one of those trips at AKL. We found the light in the room to be plenty, just open your curtains during the day. There is plenty of room and the room is comfortable.

We find the theming to be unique. The kids love the animals. They have a lot going on at the resort too. I don't think any of the pools at WDW are that great--our public pools here are better--but it's fairly nice. We found the food choices pretty good; Mara has grilled cheese sandwiches. One thing we learned is if isn't on the menu, ask anyhow. About 80% of the time they DO have something (usually getting it from one of the restaurants nearby).

If you don't do AKL, I'd recommend WL. It's more reasonable priced than the monorail resorts, but really just as convienent.

 

[dylanlogan]

My family -7 adults & 3 kids (all age 4 at the time)- stayed at Saratoga Springs in 2 two bedroom vacation homes by renting points from a DVC member. It turned out to be MUCH cheaper than 3 rooms at ANY of the monorail resorts. There is bus service that IMO is just as convenient as the monorail. Our first choice was for everyone to stay together in a Grand Villa- sleeps 12. However, there were none available and as it turns out, grandpa need some quiet time at the end of each day so the 2 rooms were great.
We are doing a repeat trip in just over a month and are working on making the same arrangements at BCV for September. I am sold on the DVC rentals. We ALWAYS stayed at a MR resort when I was a kid and my parents agree that had the DVC been an option back then they would have done it.
Just food for thought. I know every family has their quirks and needs.

 

[Jeanine3kids]

I think you should stay at the BWV or BC because they are in walking distance to two parks. Plus the BW at night is great for kids and the BC has a lot going on as well they have sand castle competitions and movies on the beach every night. If you want a monorail resort the Poly or GF is nice. The GF is a real nice resort they have a lot of activities there Tea parties, Pirates cruise, Adventures in cooking. It is a real fun hotel and girls love it.