Which resort

[bookmama1]

We are planning a trip for January 2009 and will be staying on property for the first time with children. Our kids will be 5, 3 and 2 so we can stay anywhere for this trip without needing a 5 person room. We go every January so we plan on staying at POR once we are considered 5 (Jan 2010 and on) so we are thinking of trying something else this trip.

So my question: where should we stay for Jan. 2009? We do lots of character dining and eat at the parks for the most part but would like the convenience of a food court as well.

Thanks!

bookmama1

 

[skipperkim]

I guess that depends on your budget. If you want to stay with those resorts that will allow you to stay as a family of 4 then you would be at a value or a moderate, other than POR AB. But since you have young kids Poly is a great choice, but there you can have 5. Otherwise, young kids really like the values for their large icons.

 

[NorweJenNY]

I agree that the Values would be a fine option for kids that young. My boys were 4 & 2 last August when we stayed at POP. They loved seeing the giant Roger Rabbit (even though they didn't know who he was), Mr. & Mrs. Potato Head that were larger than Mommy and Daddy, and the rubiks cubes that lit up all those bright colors at night. There was also a nice playground and areas to splash around with fountains coming up.

The part I liked best was how convenient the LARGE food court was. You had to walk to that area any way to catch the buses, so it was easy to stop for breakfast on the way out and dinner on the way back. (DEFINITELY get the MUGS here... you WILL get your money's worth! We filled up at breakfast with a refill before hitting the bus stop, then we filled again at dinner and refilled before heading back to our room... 4x/day x however many days... and what were they? $11 or so?)

If you're looking into renting DVC points, the BWV is convenient because of dining/shopping and boats to Epcot & DS. BC would be another option for similar reasons. Then there's the AKV which could be nice if your kids really like animals. I hear about people waking up, looking out the window, and seeing giraffes right there! How cool would that be? (I'd love to give my kids that experience some time... though only some rooms have a view of the animals... the pricier ones)

If you're money's not as big of an issue, I'd stay on the MK monorail loop, either Poly or CR... character dining available at both... I know Chef Mickey's at CR is a popular choice. Plus, getting to MK is so simple on the monorail - no long wait for a bus, and with young children you're bound to spend a lot of time at MK. And going to Crystal Palace in MK for a character breakfast is also nice for young ones because of Winnie the Pooh & friends.

 

[polyforme]

I think the akl is such a great choice with young kids. When we stayed there the hotel was their favorite part of the trip and them being so young they really enjoyed Animal Kingdom park which was right next door so we were able to visit there several times. My husband and I love magic kingdom so this resort is not that convenient for us but was well worth it to see the kids faces everytime we came back to the hotel. They tell stories out by the firepit each night and you can look at the animals through night vision goggles- just really cool activities for kids not to mention two of my favorite rest.-Boma and Jiko and a good size food court-IMO. The rooms are on the smaller side so it might be worth it staying there when the kids are young. When we were there ours were pretty much the same age as yours and it worked out perfect. Good luck with your decision!!
Kathy

 

[bookmama1]

Thanks for the replies! I am looking at CR or AKL. We spend a lot of time at MK and usually only 1 day at AK so it might be nice to stay at AKL to enjoy it for the whole trip without having to spend a lot of time at that park. I know that POR is the best fit for my family, but that is where we will be staying for the next few years so I want to try something different. What about POFQ? Is this a good choice with young children?

Budget is not that big of an issue for next trip as it will cost about 1/2 of what we spent this year (we had extra people and various extra costs). Obviously GF is not an option but we are pretty flexible and want the kids to have a magical experience for the first time staying on site.

 

[polyforme]

if money is not an issue then how about a savannah room at akl?? i promise you your kids will definetly have a magical time. Samantha Brown from the travel channel just rated it her favorite at wdw!!! We are staying at the poly this trip but i can't wait to go back there some time soon.

 

[fla4fun]

If you are used to value or mod resorts, and you like a large food court, you may be disappointed in the counter service restaurants at the deluxe level. They don't offer the variety of items that the mods and values do, as they have a wider selection of TS restaurants that guests tend to patronize. They are currently planning to build a new counter service restaurant at CR, so until that is completed (and I believe it should be done before January) no one will know what the menu will be or the size of the restaurant.

If it were me, I would think about which resorts that only sleep four that you haven't stayed in yet, but really want to. CR sleeps five, so it would be an option later. AKL typically sleeps 4, so you wouldn't be able to stay there without booking two rooms if you wait until later. You might regret picking a resort now that you could stay in later, and pass up what may be the last opportunity to stay somewhere else.

 

[polyforme]

good point fla4fun!!

 

[bookmama1]

Ooooh! Very good point. So I have a new way to look at this- check out the resorts that only sleep 4. So CR can be down the road. OK- I will look at AKL and CSR. I wanted to try CSR and this would probably be our only chance. But, I also want to try POFQ!

THANK YOU! Very helpful.

 

[Aubs-Travel]

I would vote for AKL.
Have a wonderful trip with your little chicklets!

 

[LSchrow]

with the ages of your kids, i definately chose the poly
the monorail is an attraction on its own with easy access to MK (especially important with a stroller, & for naps), great pool & sandy beach, etc

between POFQ & CSR, CSR would be the clear winner