Where would you stay to surprise grandparents & kids??

[poohlover]

I am still stressing over where to stay in April...it's a surprise trip...

Hubby will be fishing, so I will be taking my 4 kids...DS 13 DS 10 DS 8 DD 5...our 2 older DD's 17 & 15 will be with their HS band for the Disney Music Days.

So as a Christmas presnt my hubby & I are thinking of "giving" my parents tickets to come with us in April.

So, 5 of us plus 2 grandparents. I want ease of transportation. My parents have NEVER been & I realy want them to enjoy!! They don't spend money so I want this to be really nice.

Do we stay at the poly?? AKL?? Or do I save oney & stay at CSR??

What do you guy think?? I would like to be able to fit myself & kids in 1 room to have some "time alone".

 

[ksc37]

We're surprising the grandparents with a February trip to the AKL (we'll be there with our two boys, too). They've actually been to Disney a few times, but usually stay at a moderate resort. We thought they would really enjoy the AKL, because the really enjoy the Animal Kingdom park. Plus, my dad has always wanted to travel to Africa, but has never had the opportunity to do so... and even though we all realize this isn't really Africa, at least we can pretend!

I've never actually been to the AKL, but with everything I've read on these boards, I'm really looking forward to it.

Have fun planning the surprise!

 

[goofy4tink]

Depends on how much you want to spend. We liked the Polynesian for many reasons....transportation was terrific, the pool was nice/fun, food offerings were pretty good. You could get two rooms there, maybe even connecting. They have 2 queens and a twin size daybed. If two of your ds's don't mind sharing a bed, the youngest could use the daybed and your dd could sleep with you. The grandparents could have a room next door. Or get three rooms at POR. THey have double beds. Grandparents in one room, and you and your kids could split the other two rooms, just be sure they are connecting!!! POR is a nice resort too. Terrific theming and we found the bus system to be fine. There is a boat to DD which is fun. THe pool is great, actually bigger than the one at Polynesian. Things are a little more spread out tho.

 

[spiceycat]

you and your husband - plus 4 kids - that is 6... the Polyn only allows 5 plus a child under 3.

Try the BWV or BCV - 2-bedroom - for you and your kids - get a studio for your grandparents.

you can walk or boat to Epcot or Studios.

a 2-bedroom can hold 8 guests - but I think you said you want separate rooms for your grandparents.

this is expensive - but you should be able to rent a reservation from a DVC member over on the DVC rental/trade board. It will save you about half the cost of renting through Disney and yes it is legal.

in a 2-bedroom at BWV - there is a king bed in the master, a queen sleeper sofa in the livingroom, 1 queen bed and a double sleeper sofa in the second bedroom

a studio has a queen bed and a double sleeper sofa

BCV has either the same outlay or in their 2-bedroom they have 2 queen beds - this is only in the dedicated type and you must ask for the 2 queen beds.

all DVC resorts 1-bedroom and up have a full kitchen (small) - whirlpool tub, shower, a tub and shower in the second bathroom.
a VCR in the livingroom TV.

the VWL (connected to WL) also has these type of rooms if you want to be close to the MK - but it only has boat access to MK other parks are by bus.

OKW has the biggest rooms - but all the transportation is by bus.

make your husband come - WDW has fishing - FW is a great place to stay for fishing....I would recommed their cabins - but they aren't as impressive as the DVC resorts.

 

[poohlover]

spicy cat...I wish I could get my husband to come, & he may end up doing that. But the week is the same week he goes fishing every year with his "buddies"...a male bonding time in Canada.

I hadn't thought of the villas. WE have been many times & the poly is our favorite.

I don't care as much about the money with my parents coming. I really want them to enjoy!! And be pampered a little.

 

[spiceycat]

BWV is much closer to the All Star (or the Pop Century) where your older daughters are probably staying.

what park are your DD going to be entertaining? go with what is close to that park.

the polyn has those suites - but boy that are so expensive....

 

[MJames41]

I would go with the Boardwalk or Beach Club Villa's. My personal choice would be the Boardwalk over the Beach Club due to the layout, although the Beach Club does have the nicer pool.