Which resort if you could chose any..

[iloveeeyore]

We just got back and we stayed at POR. It is closest to Epcot. We used the boatride to get to downtown. Riverside lets 5 stay in a room because they have a trundle bed in the Alligator Bayou section. The resort is beautiful.

I think tejasranger means POR is the closest MODERATE to Epcot, and I'm not even sure if that's true (I think CBR is closer). BC/YC and Boardwalk are within walking distance of the International Gateway (back door of Epcot). POR is not.

I'd vote for the CR MK view or Poly MK view if my kids were the same age as yours and money were no object. You may want the convenience and comforts of the deluxe, since you will probably spend some afternoon time in the hotel for naps and perhaps retire earlier in the evenings. Grown-ups will still be able to watch fireworks from the room (at Poly, EWP, too). I agree that the YC/BC are awesome and that the pool is beyond compare, but I think that pool/location would be better appreciated by older kids...maybe NEXT trip! JMO.

 

[iloveeeyore]

My number one choice would be the Beach Club/Yacht Club for all the reasons previously stated. While staying on the monorail is nice, it gives you easy access to one park, the MK. Staying at the BC/YC gives you very simple access to two parks, DHS and Epcot. You also have the Boardwalk area to check out and the pool would be fabulous for your kids. We have taken our kids seven times and they are 7, 8, and 8. We have never spent most of our time at MK. We have always split our time between all four parks. Easy access to two parks is alot better in my mind than easy access to one. Sometimes when we go to the MK when we are staying at the Beach Club, or returning, we stroll through Epcot from the back entrance to the front entrance and hop the monorail. My kids love to ride the monorail and it is a nice break. On the way back I like to go by Mexico and pick up a margarita or by France and get a chocolate croissant. If money is no object truly, then I would say get a villa at the Beach Club. Being able to wash a load of clothes that have had some things spilled on them by little ones is priceless. Going home with a suitcase full of clean clothes is a dream. Also, we would get some basic groceries delivered for breakfast, snacks, etc. that we knew the kids would like. Yogurt, fruit, juice, bagels, cereal, etc. Also, beer and wine for us along with cheese, crackers, pepperoni etc that the adults could snack on and relax with at night.


If you are set on having a monorail resort I would choose the GF, but I stick to the above and think that BC would be a MUCH better choice.

Actually, the Poly is immediately adjacent (5 minute walk, depending on room assignment) to the TTC, which provides direct access to Epcot as well as MK and all resorts and parks on property, making the Poly the most conveniently located resort in The World IMO...and CR and GF are only a short monorail ride away from TTC. (That's only one of the reasons we've always been happy, er, willing to fork over the "big bucks" for the Poly).

 

[mericletwins]

Actually, the Poly is immediately adjacent (5 minute walk, depending on room assignment) to the TTC, which provides DIRECT access to Epcot as well as MK and all resorts and parks on property, making the Poly BY FAR the most conveniently located resort in The World...and CR and GF are only a short monorail ride away from TTC. (That's ONE of the reasons we've always been happy, er, willing to fork over the "big bucks" for the Poly).

Clearly, your opinion and mine differ. I have stayed at the Poly, GF and the BC and it is my opinion that the BC is the most conveniently located resort. I really liked the Poly and the GF and would like to stay at each again, but if I had to pick one resort, it would be the BC. Maybe the OP is staying long enough for a split stay and she can get the best of both worlds.

 

[cukal6]

We are in the same position as the OP. I just found out that I'm eligible for a great discount through work so money really isn't too much of an issue any more. HOwever, I'm only eligible for standard rooms at each resort. Can't request MK view or concierge. But, we're still excited since a week ago we didn't even know if we were able to afford a Disey vacation this year! Anyway, now that I have choices, I can not decide where to stay! We are going 7 nights so I'm really considering a split stay. Our children will be 4 and 7 and since we're going in December, I'm not really that concerned with the pools. So, keep posting, you're opinions are helpful!

 

[iloveeeyore]

I'm sorry, mericletwins, I realize that I may have come across as argumentative in my above post, and I didn't mean to at all. I hope I didn't offend you. Convenience is a matter of preference, and the location that is ideal for one family may leave more to be desired for another. Thankfully, Disney offers so many options for our different needs!

 

[Philadisney]

well i am going to get to stay at my much-anticipated Beach Club this fall beyond that, I have always wanted to stay in a tower room at the Contemporary.

 

[SuperTink]

"Our children will be 4 and 7 and since we're going in December, I'm not really that concerned with the pools."

My kids *loved* swimming in the pool in December. It was, after all, 80 degrees!

 

[jenjersnap]

"Our children will be 4 and 7 and since we're going in December, I'm not really that concerned with the pools."

My kids *loved* swimming in the pool in December. It was, after all, 80 degrees!

Yeppers.

 

[Dallas_Lady]

If I weren't concerned with price, I would not hesitate to book a tower room at the Contemporary. Large rooms, great views, great transportation. It would be a no-brainer.

 

[YolantasKids]

I really want to stay at the Polynesian and Contemporary. One day...

 

[joenan88]

First I will modestly say ( please note I am trying to nor do I want it to appear that I am bragging) that money is no object to us. We are very fortunate.

I have stayed at all levels of Disney Resorts. My favorite Disney owned resort is All Star Music.

This is just kind of strange to me...you are stating that a value resort is what you would pick if you could choose any resort on property? Have your ever tried a deluxe property? I am just curious because they have better themed pools, they are Handicap friendly, The transportation options are far superior then the All Star Resorts, They have sit down restaurants and the rooms are almost double the size of the value...if you have the means you should try one to see the HUGE difference..

 

[joenan88]

And my ideal place would be The CR in a MK view..exactly what I booked to surprise my kiddies in August...It is a great location, view and room size for us....

 

[Booyakasha]

With out a doubt a Garden Suite at the BWI. We love the Boardwalk because of its location and all the things to do within walking distance. MK is our least favorite park so the location is perfect.

B.

 

[OKW Mom]

The Grand Floridian, because of the water, the monorail, the views. I have even bought a GF comforter to redo my room to look like GF.

Then perhaps the Contemporary because of the monorail, it's uniqueness and it was the first on site hotel we had stayed at before DVC!

We enjoy OKW and I would love them to have better counter service and bar area.

 

[YesMickey]

I don't know if anyone has mentioned it, but my dream resort is one of the Boardwalks. They are situated on the boardwalk which is it's own little attraction with shops, restaurants, ESPN Zone etc. and it is a walk to EPCOT.

 

[NewCrew42]

When our children were small we stayed at the CR. It was wonderful and a great fit for our family.

You can walk to the MK. When leaving MK, you can walk back to the CR. If you choose to ride the monorail, CR is the first stop when leaving MK.

CR, Poly, and GF often share buses depending on what time of year you are traveling. When we stayed at CR, CR was the first stop for the bus in the morning, then the bus would pick up passengers at the Poly and/or the GF. Those passengers usually had to stand as most of the seats were taken by guests of the CR. When you would take the bus back to the resort, the CR guests were usually the first guests off the bus, which is great if you were not able to get a seat. When travelling with small children, this was a big advantage for our family.

The CR never seemed very crowded. The pool is quite large and we coudl always find a nice spot for our family to swim. The Poly always seems crowded to me, especially the pool area which made me very nervous when taking my small children to the pool (I am sure this is a personality issue so please do not take this personally Poly lovers. It is a beautiful resort.)

We could easily do a character meal at GF or Poly and had easy access to those resorts for our character meal. We would also do a character meal at Chef Mickey's. It was awesome to able to stay our resort for this as well.

You can take a boat from the CR to Ft. Wilderness to see the Hoop Dee Doo Revue. Tons of Fun! We would take a boat on another evening to Wilderness Lodge to eat at WCC which is a hoot!!!

monorail access to Epcot is very easy from the CR or Poly or GF, but CR was our fav.

Explore the possibilities, decide what is most important to you and go for it.

We now stay at Pop Century in two rooms since the children are older. We love the extra space. As your family grows, your needs change. What suits your family may not suit another.

Best wishes for a magical vacation!

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

This is just kind of strange to me...you are stating that a value resort is what you would pick if you could choose any resort on property? Have your ever tried a deluxe property? I am just curious because they have better themed pools, they are Handicap friendly, The transportation options are far superior then the All Star Resorts, They have sit down restaurants and the rooms are almost double the size of the value...if you have the means you should try one to see the HUGE difference..

I beg to differ. And, if you read the post that you quoted, she states that she has stayed at all levels of resorts.

I have stayed at all levels, except Moderate and DVC and I am really excited to be going back to Pop in June for my birthday. While money can be a problem for me, if it wasn't, then I would sometimes prefer to stay at a Value. The theme of the pool does nothing for me, we may use them once if at all, I am there to go to the parks. All of the resorts are Handicapped friendly, not just the Deluxe. I can't say that the transportation is far superior, because I had a far longer wait for transportation at the Y&B Club than I did at Pop or AS Movies, or even CR for that matter. My only ral complaint about the Values is the size of the beds in a standard room, but I am so tired after a day at the parks, it really doesn't matter. I really didn't think there was a HUGE difference in the size of the room. Obviously the rooms were larger, but not that much.

But to each his own. That is why they make Vanilla and Chocolate ice cream.

Suzanne

 

[FairyDust2008]

AKL doesn't have character dining right at the resort but the Animal Kingdom Park does. It is the character breakfast with Donald Duck. Look for more information about it on allears.net She has LOADS of information. We chose AKL as our resort choice. You have to really find what your interests are as far as what you want in a resort stay. Pools, food, atmosphere, rooms, etc. Goodluck in your planning

 

[dislurker4toolong]

I would have to go with CR as the monorail goes through and to me it just seems so magical

 

[mickey2minnie1]

If money was not a factor and you are strictly looking for the best all around, I would pick the Poly with a castle view, IMO.

Convenience with little ones is so important.

Pool is just the right size to keep an eye on your children whil you are in the pool. You can walk right in.

You have two table service restaurants with excellent food.

There is one quick service and my kids just loved the Mickey waffles and I, tonga toast.

You can sit and watch Wishes from the convenience of your resort without having to be in the crowds with your little ones.

My children loved it and my DH and I loved the relaxation and convenience it provided. The beauty of the resort was stunning and so welcoming after a long day.