Which Resort with In-Laws??

[roozlilone]

I need your help! I am planning a trip for June 2006 with my DH, 2 DD's and my mother and father in-law! It is their 2nd trip (their first trip to the Shades of Green was a disaster, they went by themselves and hated it, their biggest complaint was the lack of transportation and "theming"). I've convinced them to give Disney one more try, this time with us! Which resort would be best for 4 adults, 2 children, ages 6 and 8?? I think picking the "right" resort for them will be critical in whether they have a good trip or not. I want them to LOVE Disney as much as I do (they can't understand why we have already gone 4 times this year, they look at us like we are crazy) and I feel the whole trip is on my shoulders! Should we get one room (maybe a suite) or 2 separate rooms, should we do club level? I love all the resorts for different reasons.... we've stayed at the GF, AKL, WL, S/D, YC, CSR, POR, CBR, POFQ and POP. It's very stressful taking in-laws, I need some good advice on making this trip extra special, any thoughts or suggestions, pleassssssssssssseee!

 

[frayedend]

In laws on vacation with you??? Hmmm I would suggest 2 separate rooms, preferably in 2 seperate resorts

 

[salmoneous]

In a million years I wouldn't do this. Send them a copy of your favorite guidebook and ask them where they want to stay.

 

[tom401]

We've did WDW with in-laws and parents (separate trips). We tried a suite - I would reccomend adjoining rooms vs a suite. Take the $$ you save from the suite and go concierge (so you have the lounge for personal space). This gives more personal space that a suite.

I can not reccomend a hotel - personal choice.

Personally I would go Deluxe to gives in-laws a definate WOW. I would then go further and say stay on Monorail line - who can not love disney when you wake up to the MK? If you get park hopper - it is an easy ride for you and spouse or in-laws to go to MK for an hour to walk take in Disney.

Good luck

 

[Rex Rules]

In laws on vacation with you??? Hmmm I would suggest 2 separate rooms, preferably in 2 seperate resorts

YEP, that's what I was thinking, too.

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

I'd say either the Grand Floridian or Polynesian.

 

[roozlilone]

In laws on vacation with you??? Hmmm I would suggest 2 separate rooms, preferably in 2 seperate resorts

Gosh, Ya'll are scaring me! Suites were just a thought, but we probably will get 2 rooms. It was actually their idea to go this summer with us, not ours....I think they want to see why we love it so much! I just wasn't sure which resort would be best to give them as much "magic" as possible. Any ideas that might make it extra special? If it all falls apart and we have a horrible time with them it will just give me an excuse to go back again ALONE!

 

[Eeyore2003]

OK, think it through "logically". Their biggest complaint was lack of transportation and theming. Well, then I would suggest an Epcot resort with the boat, or monorail resort. Would they like to stay near Epcot??? Walk around at night, enjoy the Boardwalk etc. Or would they like that view of the castle??? Narrowing it down further, if you want to spend the money, for Epcot area...Boardwalk Inn, for MK area....Grand Floridian.

On the monorail I have only stayed at the CR Tower, which we loved, so I can't exactly say what the GF is like, but I know that I love the Boardwalk Inn. Very sophisticated, classy, and more adult. Of the epcot resorts, I would not pick the Swan/Dophin or Beach Club.

 

[Eeyore2003]

If they want the "ultra best" in unusual theming, well, then of course the WL and AKL. I've only stayed at AKL, but then you still have the busses to deal with, which was their other complaint.

 

[MiknMinMouse]

We've always stayed in a 2 bedroom at BWV with either set of grandparents that goes with us (we're DVC members) and have never had any problems. If you get along great with your in-laws and the kids love being around them, don't discount looking into the home away from home resorts such as BWV or VWL. My kids love having their grandparents right there when they go to bed and when they get up. It's also nice if hubby and I want an evening to ourselves, the grandparents are right there. For themeing and closeness to a park though I have to vote for Wilderness Lodge or the villas there. While Boardwalk is my favorite resort, I love the atmosphere of the WL.

 

[spiceycat]

what do your inlaw like?

hawaii - then the Polyn would be great - get 2 rooms

atlantic broadwalk - then the BWV would be fine - I would go with 2-bedroom you can rent points from DVC - so this wouldn't break the budget

atlantic new england - then BC/BCV would work - again I would go with 2-bedroom - might go with 2 rooms at BC because of the better views.

mountains out west - then WL or VWL - with VWL a 2-bedroom, with WL I would go with suites.

Africia - AKL - suites

south or new orlando - then PO - this doesn't have suites - so I would get at least 2 rooms

western desert - then CSR - this has suites so I would go with one

carribean island - then CBR - no suities so at least 2 rooms


how old are they?

in their 50's - they might like Pop Century.....show them so pictures and see if they go down memory lane - if they do. then Pop might work for you.

 

[lclark0621]

OMG! Inlaws on vacation?!? ARGH! Just the thought sends me into shock.

Do 2 rooms! Your family, and your ILs will all need "alone time". No one wants to be on top of each other ALL the time.

Go with what your ILs like. If they like animals, do AKL, if they like the lodgey feel, do WL, if they are really into the elegant Victorian age, do GF, you get the idea.

You will know your ILs better then us. So go with what you know they will like.

I know my ILs would love the GF, but I dont think they would ever spend the money.

Of course that is ok with us, because I dont think I would EVER go to WDW with them! We did a beach trip with them in a whole house, and that is as far as I would go.

 

[Supercod]

Just back from Disney and took my in-laws on their first trip, went very well. We stayed at AKL… some people are lucky and get on with their in-laws some are not, if you’re the are not then don’t go on holiday with them

If you’re the get on well type, then my pick would be WL or AKL… AKL has got a great bus for Animal Kingdom park, well it would as it’s around the corner from the Hotel however going to Downtown Disney is a bit of a journey, with Magic Kingdom coming in second for a long journey. With WL you have the choice of boat and bus. I have not stayed at Polynesian, but it looks good and it has monorail also, so you have 3 choices for travel. Contemporary and Grand Floridian also have mono rail, and boats also, bit more pricey and Contemporary hasn’t got a theme that I could see, well unless you think contemporary look is a theme But still looks like a good resort.

 

[bcsmom]

I will vote for the Poly, my family loves the theme. I like the whole tropical feel though. I also like the fact that you take a monorail to MK, and walk to TTC to go to Epcot. There is also a boat to MK. I love Kona & O'hana also!

 

[DisneyTarheel]

You = WL
Them = Disneyland Hotel

 

[roozlilone]

Thanks for all the advice and response! The truth of the matter is I don't have much of a choice now on whether they go or not (they have been wanted to go with us for several years and I've put them off as long as I could). Don't get me wrong, we actually have a good relationship (we are very close). They are young (in their 50s) so getting around is not a problem, the problem is they won't tell me "what they like." They play the "it doesn't matter to me" card. So it's up to me to pick the best resort for them and plan everything we are going to do while we are there I'm leaning towards the AKL (that's my fav deluxe). I don't know....

 

[frayedend]

Hey,

Don't take all the jokes about in-laws with you too seriously. We are just kidding and can't really know how your relationship is. I would recommend trying to find out what kind of vacations they have enjoyed and try to go with that theming. I can't give specific recommendations because I am going in Jan for the first time in years. But try a nice themed Deluxe resort with Monorail. I would stick with separate rooms anyhow, because too much time together with anyone can get people a bit edgy.

Have fun!

 

[McKelly]

I took my parents (never again!) and they really liked the WL. They didn't do the parks everyday, so my dad enjoyed all of the trails he could walk around on and enjoyed renting bikes. My mom sat on the large balcony and the lobby or in front of the fireplace and talked to people and knitted. Unless, your in-laws, are planning on going to the parks EVERYDAY, I would consider the other recreational options at the resort. I know that you said they are pretty mobile, so maybe this not such an issue. My parents also enjoyed the theming.

 

[Goofy4]

what do your inlaw like?

atlantic broadwalk - then the BWV would be fine - I would go with 2-bedroom you can rent points from DVC - so this wouldn't break the budget.

Did it this October, inlaws and all. Worked out well. MIL had to be convinced about the DVC thing (glad it worked ).

 

[kellyf2626]

Myself and DH are going with my family in June 2006 as well! It will be DH, myself, my mom and dad and 2 brothers (22 and 25).

We are DVC members, so we opted for a 2 bedroom at the Boardwalk Villa's. The Boardwalk is great b/c it is close to Epcot, MGM - and has lots to offer right on the Boardwalk! The room is nice b/c it is basically a 1-bedroom with a studio attached. You could put your in-laws in the studio (they would have their own bathroom, small kitchenette, and a door that separates this room from the rest of the villa!).

Renting points from another DVC member is pretty easy...they run about $10 per point. The rooms are beautiful, and Boardwalk is an amazing place to be!