Which resort for family of 5

[tinawv]

This will be our second trip to Walt Disney World. Our first trip to Disney World was in 9/2001, and we stayed at what was formerly called Dixie Landings. We are now planning another trip in December 2003. Group is me, DH, DS-12, DD-17, and DD-2. We are looking at two rooms at All Star Movies or PO-Riverside. I am leaning towards the two rooms at All Star Movies for the extra room and extra bathrooms.

Also, would like to know what the crowds are like during the period of 12/19/03 to 12/26/03. In addition, if the value season ends on 12/19/03 and our reservations start 12/19/03, do we still get the value rate for all the nights we are there?

I think the Disboards are great and I am hooked.

Thanks for any help you can give me.

 

[JimC]

Go for the two rooms. The extra space and privacy is worth the cost.

The crowds at WDW during Christmas week are a nightmare on Main Street!! Although some people make it a regular trip and enjoy it. The week before Christmas, crowds will be more like October.

Christmas at Disney is a wonderful experience. The Candlelight Processional at Epcot is fantastic. No cost, but if you book a dinner package you get priority seating up front and a special line to get in. The tickets are tiered in price based on the restaurant. The tickets are no more than you would pay for the meal (usually less) and in 2002 you got a discount on most merchandise you purchase in the park that day.

Mickey Very Merry Christmas Party is another fun event -- it "snows" on Main Street! You must buy a special ticket and they limit the number of tickets sold. The Osborne light show at MGM is free and is worth at least a quick walk through.

If you want to do PS or dinner packages, call ahead. Definately for any sit down on Christmas Day! The DIS site has the PS schedule so you know when you can call and reserve. Other must sees (AKL lobby - go there after AK closes and have dinner at Boma as it is the best buffet on property and Jiko is one of the premier restaurants; the lobby at WL is also fabulous at Christmas time - Artist Point is another signature restaruant)

Have fun!!

 

[tinawv]

Thank you JimC. I am really looking forward to being at Disney World during this time, and will take advantage of your great suggestions.

Have a fantastic weekend!

 

[Scoootch]

You may also want to check into the Fort Wilderness Cabins. They sleep 6 and have a full kitchen & a deck which is nice if you like sitting outside to relax at night. The big advantage though is space. From what I saw on the official WDW website, holiday time the FW cabins run about $329.00 per night. The moderate resorts run $184 -$209 depending on if you get standard or water view so you'd be paying more like $368 - $418 per night since you would need 2 rooms. Just a suggesstion though, to me, why pay more per night for 2 rooms with no extra ammennites like having the kitchen (great not only to save on meals - like breakfast in the room, but I also have a 2yr old so having the fridge is so much easier since I like to keep milk & juice available - esp. at night) when you could have the entire home-away-from home size for less $$ and more space.

The other option too is to check into renting pts from a DVC member over on the DVC RENT/TRADE board to stay at the DVC home away from home resorts. That can save you $$$ too for a stay in a larger room. Much less expensive than to book through Disney. If booking through Disney though I'd go with the FW cabins.

oh yeah, you asked about value season rates -- I think, that if you are staying 12/19 - 12/26 and the last day of value season is 12/19 they give you the value rate only for the night of the 19th and charge more per night from the 20th on. I could be mistaken though. Unfortuneatly, Disney isn't very generous when it comes to making $$ you may want to keep your eyes on WWW.mousesavers.com in case a discount code does come out for that time but I don't think they usually give the discounts during the peak times as much due to the fact that they have no problem with keeping the resorts filled .

Good luck with your decisons and let us know what you decide.

 

[SuzieQMomof3]

In case you're interested, CBR rooms are slightly bigger. My kids are smaller (8, 5, and 2), so we'll be sharing a room. I would get 2 rooms when they are older, but if you're budget is tight you may want to consider it.

Have a good trip.

Susan

 

[soccer mom]

I agree with JimC, two rooms are the way to go. We stayed in the cabins a couple of time when our four children were younger and they are wonderful. Then we went to two connecting rooms and I would never give up the two bathrooms. Last year we tried one room at the Polynesian because college stole my oldest from me. The room was wonderful and definately spaceous enough for five people. But one bathroom was not! We had to start so early to get five showers in and guess who had to get up the earliest.....yep, mom!

 

[Momto8]

If your first night stay is the still the value season, the low rate, or if you should get a discounted rate, will carry through for the entire stay. I know since I've done this many times.

 

[cindy_k]

Two rooms at All Stars is a great way to go. You can get two connecting rooms and having the two bathrooms is wonderful.

We also found it useful to put the Loud Snorers in one room and rest of us in the other.

Have fun on your trip.

Cindy in NY

 

[tinawv]

Thanks everyone for the great input. I have learned so much by reading these boards, and it's success is due to people like you who share their experiences.

Have a great holiday!