Which resort for one night in Dec

[DisMommyTX]

Hi, We are going in Dec and have free dining a for our stay at the Wilderness lodge. Kids will love the bunk bed room and we are really looking forward to the Christmas decor. Since our flights arrive one day before the free dining starts, we have to book it as two reservations. Staying at the same resort would be easy, but were thinking about trying a different resort for the first night, just to check it out! Kids are 7 and 10 and we have never stayed anywhere on property (first stay on property will be at the Poly next month!)

That first night, we are flying in about 5pm, so we were hoping to just check out the resort and and relax. No big meals, parks, or anything. Which resort would you recommend for fun hanging out on a Monday evening in Dec? It would be great if we could catch a movie by the pool or some kind of Christmas activity. Kids think the AsMo looks great but I am not real fond of double beds--at the same time, I can't see paying $400+ for one night at a Deluxe when we are checking out the next morning to move over to the WL.

Which resorts have fun evening activities in Dec?

 

[KT0191]

How about Art of Animation? Great theming, awesome pool (if it's warm enough), really good food court. Can't really go wrong! Or if you're wanting bigger beds, POR or CBR. I believe they have movies every night at each resort. CBR has a fire pit and you can roast s'mores

 

[uccats97]

POR also does the campfire with complimentary marshmallows. Fort Wilderness has a nightly campfire sing along with Chip 'n Dale. All resorts show a movie under the stars. For one night, I'd save money and stay value. Let the kiddos choose. The double beds are okay if each adult sleeps with a kid. Might be fun to have a "slumber party" with mom or dad. It's only one night after all.

 

[spiceycat]

pretty sure all the resorts have movies even the values. would go for Pop for one night. it will definitely be tight - or you could get 2 rooms still cheaper than a deluxe.

moderates like POR - all the moderates have the fire pit (as well deluxes and dvc)

 

[loves to dive]

I'm with everyone else, since your arriving so late it really wouldn't be worth spending deluxe prices, stay at a value. They show the movies and you can always hop on the bus and go over to one of the deluxes or moderates if you just want to explore.

 

[RustManFan]

I'd vote for POP

 

[DisMommyTX]

What is the best site for seeing which resorts have campfires, evening movies, or other activities?

 

[midnightlouise]

We're arriving earlier than we had anticipated as well, so we're going to do one night at Pop before moving to CBR for the rest of our trip. We're planning to do Winter Summerland mini golf and just hang out. For only one night I didn't want to spend a lot. We've never stayed at any of the values but the decor of Pop looks pretty cool. Plus people keep talking about that tie-dyed cheesecake in their food court and now I have to have it

 

[goofy4tink]

I would go with Pop. You won't get to the resort until close to 6:30. You'll be tired from traveling. You might have the ambition to do something that night, but it might be better to just arrive, go for a swim, eat something, walk about for a bit, and then go to bed, so you can get up bright and early and make the transfer. Pop does have the movies under the stars....by the Hippy Dippy Pool, if I remember correctly. Probably no marshmallow toasting though.

 

[rmgreenesq]

Faced with a similar problem on a recent trip to WDW, I went to Caribbean Beach and stayed in a pirate room. My wife wanted the pirate room (really!) and since it was one night and we did not have any plans to do anything else, I agreed.

 

[DisMommyTX]

Do all resorts have hot tubs? Dec gets cool in the evenings.


Figured it out... Only Mod's and Deluxe have hot tubs. Value resorts don't.

 

[staceyrhood]

Are you taking the magical express or renting a car? Because another option would be to stay in Celebration at the Bohemian Hotel (it is a Marriott) for the first night. It is about a 20 minute drive from the airport and right next to Disney. Every night of December it "snows" and there is an ice rink, santa, carolers, train rides... so much to do in the evenings and lots of fun! www.celebrationtowncenter.com

 

[DisMommyTX]

The Bohemian sounds like a lot of fun, but we are not planning to have a car this time. Relying on Magical Express. I think we'll go with AoA. Daughter is a mega-Ariel fan, and it's only one night!

 

[goofy4tink]

The Bohemian sounds like a lot of fun, but we are not planning to have a car this time. Relying on Magical Express. I think we'll go with AoA. Daughter is a mega-Ariel fan, and it's only one night!

Excellent solution. My Little Mermaid fanatic, at 21, loves AoA and the LM rooms!!!!

 

[DINKsAtDisney]

I agree it's not worth paying for a deluxe for that first night, but have to say I love the GF at Christmastime. Be sure to at least make a stop there - they even have the guy out front roasting chestnuts. To me it's the most magical place in December!