Where would you stay?

[KatieCharlotte]

We're planning three nights at Disney this summer, in combination with a few days at Universal. This maybe the last Disney trip with the oldest teenager, so I'd like to do it right, but I don't like to waste money that could be spent elsewhere. We usually rent a condo but also love POR and have stayed at Pop.

I might be talked into $400-$425 a night if it seems worth it. Less would be better, and would let me splurge on meals instead. I will be watching for summer discounts that might affect my decision, but I'd love input.

Factors to consider:
(1) Day One we will take a cab or shuttle from Universal, store our bags, and spend the day at the resort, with maybe a DTD trip. So, resort amenities and ambiance are important. No little kids in our group, but a teen who would rather swim and play sports than meet Mickey.

(2) Two queen beds are manageable because we are four, but having a pullout couch, daybed, or rollaway is preferable.

(3) We will do two park days -- MK and AK. We will be there before rope drop and stay through night shows. A mid-day break would be nice, but probably impractical.

(4) We have been spoiled by Disneyland, in terms of having an affordable offsite hotel room within walking distance and with a balcony view of fireworks.

(5) We will not have a car, like we usually do, and we have not been thrilled with the Disney bus system.

(6) As a little kid, I wanted to stay at the Contemporary. But this would be big budget stretch.

 

[Deb & Bill]

You might want to see if you can book a wing room at the Contemporary. Usually a bit less expensive than the tower rooms, but as nice and not far from the main building. You can walk to the MK from there easily. There are two nicer pools, plus other resort activities like parasailing that you can try. You'll need to take a bus to the AK, but it really isn't that bad. We've been taking Disney buses since 1997 and never had a problem. You might even want to try out the AKL, but you probably won't get a day bed or rollaway there. The rooms are a bit smaller than the Contemporary.

Mid-day breaks are always nice and easily done if you are staying on the property. We did them all the time when we were spending more time in the parks.

 

[holden]

Would you be comfortable renting DVC points? You could get a larger room for less $.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Would you be comfortable renting DVC points? You could get a larger room for less $.

This summer could be difficult since it's not that far off.

 

[AFwifelife]

If you want to go to AK, you will be taking a bus if you want to stick with Disney transportation. We love the garden wing of the Contemporary as well as staying at Beach Club.

 

[buzznina]

You are going to be at the parks most of the time, I would not spend more $$ on a resort that you will not be there much. We actually find the bus very good the majority of the time and truthfully we do not even consider transportation in our resort decisions.

 

[AllieBoo]

We stayed in the garden wing at the Contemporary last summer and loved it. it's a short walk to MK, and you have your own security line, which really minimizes waiting at the gate. Being so close makes it easy to take a mid-day pool break. We had a first floor room with a patio, so we had a great view of the lagoon. You are close to the pool and beach in the garden wing. You can also watch the Electrical Water Pageant from the beach.

 

[we"reofftoneverland]

Port orleans

 

[KenHutch]

I would say save money and stay at French Quarter. You are a boat ride from Disney Springs and the place is just nice and very compact.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

If you can swing it, I would consider the garden wing at CR. They are the cheapest rooms on the monorail and they are right next to the CR pool area. The rooms are big and you'll be able to walk to MK.

You may also want to look into a bunk bed room at AKL so everyone has their own sleeping space.

 

[GillianP1301]

The Garden Wing at CR is considerably less than the tower and should fall well within your price range. We stayed there last summer and absolutely loved it. We were very close to the stairs that exited closest to the tower, so we were a 30 second walk away from the main lobby. Even if you had a further out garden wing room, you're still within a couple minutes walk. The rooms are spacious and well appointed. The biggest advantage is the walk (or monorail) to MK with the added bonus of having their own security check which is a time saver.

Since your 2nd day is AK, then AKL may be a nice choice as well. We have not stayed there yet, but the resort is gorgeous and you would be a very quick bus ride from AK. With either choice, you have an equal length bus trip to get to the 2nd park. AKL is on the lower end if cost for a deluxe room, so that's an advantage. If having a Savannah view is not a priority for you, then a standard room there is really not that much more than a preferred moderate. The standard room gives you the option of staying deluxe but savings some money.

 

[Scifidiner]

25 years ago we stayed at PO FQ for budget reasons (and because we liked the theme). In the subsequent years we've stayed at luxury resorts. The last luxury hotel we stayed at was AK a few years ago. First let me say it was beautiful and I'm glad we went, however toward the end of our stay we realized it was a bit of a waste of money. We spend the majority of our time in the parks. We may eat at our resort a couple of times, otherwise we are just sleeping in the room. Last year we decided to go back to WDW, this trip I wanted a scaled back less regimented more acoustic version. We made just a few FP & dining reservations and stayed at PO FQ. We both thoroughly enjoyed the trip, it was more laid back. Now some of that may have been nostalgia, but my guess is we didn't feel the pressure to "get our money's worth" and just relax. In future trips I'm sure we'll stay at luxury resorts again, but it's nice to have a "less guilty" option as well.

 

[Nancyg56]

I love the Deluxe resorts but we tend to spend a decent amount of time at the resort. Before you choose a resort, look at how you will be spending your time. If you plan to utilize the amenities, then I would consider the garden wing at the CR, or perhaps AKL, but if you are planning a lot of park time I would go back to POR or maybe CSR.

 

[jacknsally19]

I love the Deluxe resorts but we tend to spend a decent amount of time at the resort. Before you choose a resort, look at how you will be spending your time. If you plan to utilize the amenities, then I would consider the grden wing at the CR, or perhaps AKL, but if you are plannign a lot of park time I would go back to POR or maybe CSR.

This is such great advice. We always spend a lot of time at the resorts so we go Deluxe. For your 'configuration,' I think I'd recommend the Boardwalk. The pool is great but there are activities at night on the Boardwalk - games, magicians, etc - that might be a bit more fun for teenagers. Also, there is ESPN right there.

That being said, if you aren't necessarily going to spend a lot of time at the Resort, it might worth it to do one of the moderates. No recommendations from me though - the one time I tried a moderate - I left after one night b/c I wasn't happy.

 

[VAfamily1998]

Bunk bed rooms at Wilderness Lodge or AKL, assuming your kids are short enough for them. I know other posters have said the bunk beds are smaller than regular twin size beds. My teen sons fit in them fine, the taller one is about 5 foot 9.

 

[KatieCharlotte]

I really appreciate all the input. The more perspectives the better.

My tallest teen is 5'8'', but he's grown so much in a year that I won't predict what he'll be this summer. !!!

Our first day, we will enjoy the resort and not go to the park, but the other two days we'll spend most of our time at the parks. Whether we'll want an afternoon break from MK depends on whether my oldest (sensory and other challenges) is with us or spends the day with other family. He prefers AK, so that is another consideration when deciding where to stay.

We had a bad experience with the buses, waiting a very long time for a bus going to our resort. I don't mind the buses once I'm actually on them. Is there any difference in wait times depending on the resort, or is it just luck?

 

[dansdad]

Is there any difference in wait times depending on the resort, or is it just luck?

Complete luck.

 

[Haley R]

I vote por. POFQ is my favorite but I don’t think the pool is going to appeal to a teen. Dh and I really liked the quiet pools at por. I think por is normally cheaper too and they have some rooms with a pull down bed (not a Murphy bed). You could stay at POFQ and walk over to use the pools at por though.

 

[AdamEfimoff]

Have you thought this is such a stupid idea. Of renting dvc points and using those points to book the dvc at the contemporary !!!