Where to stay...

[MMS1125]

not that I know of. The other values don't

 

[wendywoo]

not that I know of. The other values don't

Thank you!! My gut is telling me to stick with BC.

 

[baler31]

I would think about what parks you will spend the majority of your time in, this is always a factor in where we stay. We have stayed in all the deluxe resorts on CL with the exception of AKL. If you will be spending a lot of time at MK staying at one of the MK resorts may make the most sense. If you think your park of choice will be Epcot one of the Epcot resorts would be better.

As far as CL goes we have found the staff and service and especially the food service to be best at GF. However, GF is undergoing a lot of construction right now. You may want to look at Poly or CR. BWI is our favorite CL for the Epcot resorts. Keep in mind the Beach Club does not offer cabana rentals (or at least did not on our last visit there). We have rented cabanas at GF, CR, and Poly and I believe they are the only resorts that offer cabana rentals. We really enjoy this as our kids love to hang out at the pool. Also, it sounds like CL would be a benefit in your situation so I would stick with that.

 

[madelyn]

I have not stayed at the Art of Animation but my kids saw the photos online recently and asked us why we didn't stay there! Our last trip was to the Boardwalk Villas and Bay Lake Towers at the Contemporary. Art of Animation may be more fun for the kids but I think Club Level at a deluxe would be more of an experience for the adults. My 10 year old son did the Knight Package at BBB. It was only $15. My daughter had a makeover there at 4 times the cost! Pirates League could be an option for older boys or even the entire family.

 

[madelyn]

Personally I have only been on Club Level at the GF but years ago. Recently have read that people rate the Club Level at the Polynesian and Animal Kingdom Lodge the highest. For location, I would think Poly would be more convenient (on the monorail) although I have never stayed there. Have stayed at AK villas and the people do tend to complain about the bus only transportation.

 

[MMrules]

BC has a fantastic slide and pool if that is a major factor. The kiddie pool is great for the 3 year old too. There is actual beach sand and the kids love to play in the sandy part of the pool . The water slide is a whole lot of fun for adults and kids alike. Your older kids may enjoy the Boardwalk for it's actiivites and late night entertainment which is right close to the Beach Club.

For the price of your spending you may also want to look into the Beach Club villas for a 1 or 2 bedroom unit (not sure if the 1 BR sleeps 5). We have DVC and get the villas. The 1 BR is great b/c you get a washer/dryer in the room which is great with kids. Also a full sized kitchen!!! We order food from garden grocer and have it delivered which is a great snack option. Course with your budget, you may not have to worry about that .

I have stayed at BC 2 times (3rd in 3 weeks) and feel it is a great hotel for your sized family! Good luck choosing!!!

 

[wendywoo]

I really appreciate everyones help! Sleep on it and think we are going to go with Beach Club at Club Level. I just really think my older kids will enjoy it!

 

[madelyn]

This probably will not factor in but I just got some updates on a Boardwalk Inn/Boardwalk Villas thread I had replied to earlier in the year and people were commenting how the Boardwalk pools remain open after 10p (even though lifeguards and the slides are closed at 10p). They allow people to swim in the pools 24 hours a day. We were there at the end of May and experienced this. The Beach Club has a fence around the pool and closes at the posted 10p time.

 

[Zanda]

I say...stay with your gutt feeling and enjoy your stay at BC CL. You know your family best. Plus you really can't go wrong in Disney. Congratulations, and have a fabulous vacation!

 

[Angeni11]

Since this would possibly be a once in a lifetime trip you might think of having them preorder the photopass + as well.

 

[wendywoo]

Since this would possibly be a once in a lifetime trip you might think of having them preorder the photopass + as well.

Thanks everyone!! We are so excited!!
Okay now what is the photopass?

 

[waynesgirl]

I earned a $10,000 vacation to anywhere of my choice. I have finally decided on Disney for sure! My husband and kids have never been and this is pretty much once in a life time for us! So I wanna get the best deal and the biggest wow I can!
Our dates have to be September 20th through the 30th... want to use the whole time!
Kids are 12, 11 and 3 (yeah we have a surprise child lol)
What is everyone's favorites... I keep coming back to the Caribbean Beach Resort for the pool mainly and it sleeps 5.
Would love to everyone else's suggestions!!

As you can see from my siggie- I have a big family and the surprise too! We are going in November after Thanksgiving.

When taking 3 kids and me and DH, I stayed at CR, in the Garden Wing, in a suite. It had ample space for a 16, 12, and 4 year old. We also stayed at SSR in a 1 bedroom, the same time frame that you are- it had a washer/dryer so less luggage to take. It was a great price because we took the room discount. The kids aren't picky, but vacations tend to bring out different eating habits. We generally ate one BIG meal a day and munched on snacks and stuff. One day, big breakfast then medium lunch late, like 2:30, then split some sandwiches for dinner. Then the next day- small breakfast, BIG lunch, you get the idea....we also took some snacks from home the kids like- PopTarts, granola bars, cookies...not to save money but to make sure that we had some snacks. But it does save money too.

I find that OOP (out-of-pocket) for food when we get a great discount on rooms is better for us, due to our eating style.

Our next trip is just 2Cs and 2As so we are staying at AoA (Art of Animation) because the kids will have their own beds and we will have out own room as well- and I got a fantastic deal!!!! Try that one...it's a real Disney feel. You can always split-stay...AoA and then CL at the BCV.

 

[MMS1125]

Split stay woudln't really be financially beneficial for them though since they are getting the dining plan. You don't want to have to buy a 1 day ticket for ev1 on the 2nd stay to keep dining. Not worth it IMO.

I think you made a great decision for your family for BC CL. I'm not a huge CL fan and it's not something I'd ever pay for. It just doesn't work with how my family is. Only had it one time after a big hassle we were upgraded to CL and I'm thankful we had the opportunity but I learned it's not anything I'd pay for. For our family we like the table service meals in the evening and dining works great for us whether free or added if we take a room discount. I think if your DH and oldest are bigger eaters/snackers it'll be great though!

Photopass is a CD of your pictures taken by the photopass folks in the world. You can read about it here. They will also take pics with your camera and it's a great way to get the whole family into the photos. You can read about it here. It's cheaper if you preorder so that's a great idea! http://www.disneyphotopass.com/

 

[wendywoo]

Thanks girls!! The photopass looks amazing!! Very neat!

 

[mkoerner]

Just another thought, but if this is a once in a lifetime thing, have you considered a short Disney cruise with a stay at POR either at the beginning or end of the cruise? It's a lovely mod which sleeps 5 and is affordable. That may use up $10,000. As for the photo pass, we have found the photographers to be hit or miss and I really wouldn't use that precious vaca money on it. The photographers will always take your pics with your camera if you ask. Good luck and have fun whatever you decide!!

 

[wendywoo]

Just another thought, but if this is a once in a lifetime thing, have you considered a short Disney cruise with a stay at POR either at the beginning or end of the cruise? It's a lovely mod which sleeps 5 and is affordable. That may use up $10,000. As for the photo pass, we have found the photographers to be hit or miss and I really wouldn't use that precious vaca money on it. The photographers will always take your pics with your camera if you ask. Good luck and have fun whatever you decide!!

I did look at the cruises but my older kids didn't seem excited about them... now showing them Disney and all the parks they became excited.

 

[wendywoo]

Okay trying to read up everything I can on the boards....

Special request what are these? I keep seeing "as a special request"
Only thing we would love to have are a balcony and a daybed in our room... should I request these? Or get my Travel Agent to request them?

 

[MMS1125]

Well you want 2 queens and a daybed so I'd make sure and request that. I think with 5 people they would give you that automatically but some rooms are just 1 queen/daybed, 2 queen beds, and some are a king bed

I haven't gone back thru the thread to see which room you picked but I think if you get CL with a water view you will get private balcony. The standard faces the parking lot and some just have the standing balcony I think not a full one. I can't remember though honestly

 

[rusty4]

You will love the BC! We just stayed there this past winter for the first time and I must say that we are hooked.

Have you thought of adding a few days at Universal? I would think with your budget it would be doable. Though with club level maybe not.

 

[MMS1125]

oh a cruise would have been fun!!! LOTS for the kids to do

Good Luck when you call tomorrow! Let us know what you end up with