Which Resort?

[motueka68]

I am planning our very 1st trip to WDW ever...
Been dreaming of this for decades
There will be 8 of us..
Me 50, Wife 41, Sons 23, 9, 7, 3, Daughter 21, grandson 5
I want it to be all about the kids..
I want it to be very DISNEY...
Very hard to pick a Resort.. they all look great....
Just looking for the best experience for my entire family.....
Going in NOV, want the Xmas stuff....
Need any and all advice....
Thanks...

 

[reiella]

8 is a large group.

Part of what you will want to figure out is how you want the rooms. With 8, I'm suspecting you'll need to do 2 rooms.

I'd really suggest looking at the prices and see which price-frame works best for your party.

In terms of theme though, the Value resorts are very thoroughly themed, and Art of Animation specifically looks very disney themed. Aside from the values, I'd also suggest the monorail resorts as those are the iconic disney world resorts, and they're on the monorail/very close to MK.

For myself, the big factor to be concerned with an 8 person party is going to be cost, so I'd really suggest looking at the cost.

 

[1971DBday]

As PP stated, it will all be based on cost.

We love the Poly and two rooms would be plenty. We have a group of 20 of us going in June and love that you can look across the lake and see Cinderella's Castle. There is also the sounds of the boats, the monorail, great pools and not to huge of a resort. It is an original, so yes it has aged, but it is Disney to us. You can read more on the resort forum.

However, other deluxe choices could be the WL or AKL since two rooms would still be good for a party of 8. If I had to go moderate again I would go back to CSR. We did not care for the CBR and POFQ or POR do not appeal to us. But again, it is personal opinion and taste. I cannot give you any advice towards value resorts since we have never stayed at one. If I had to choose it would be the new AoA or Pop Century.

Good luck, but with such a mix in ages I would stay away from the very whimsical themes. Our priorities have always been a slide at the pool and a hot tub (we gave up the hot tub for the Poly)! Good luck!

 

[mickeynut1]

I agree with the pp that the Poly would be a great choice as the rooms are big and spacious and you can't beat having a view of the castle from just about anywhere on the Poly grounds . The WL is also a great choice, especially when it's all decorated for the holidays. The price for 2 rooms at the WL would be quite a bit cheaper than 2 rooms at the Poly, but would still be convenient to MK via boat....and it's just a boat ride away from the CR where you can hop on the monorail to shop, visit, or dine at the Poly or GF. Good luck deciding .

 

[MMS1125]

We do 2 rooms usually since we like the room and don't want sofa beds so I'd keep moderate resorts in mind as well. POR is our fave Moderate.

The Poly is a great suggestion as well..it's one of my faves. Can't beat the view and ease of transportation. It's harder for us to do now that the kids are older and take up a lot more room than they did when they were little. Plus we like having 2 bathrooms with 2 rooms

I'll never stay offsite again @ WDW if I can help it. The perks of onsite are just too great (esp if you go during free dining!! that's A LOT of meals you won't have to pay for)

I'd def set a budget FIRST and try your best to work your vacation into that so you aren't overwhelmed as you plan. Planning to me is almost the best part of the vacation!! (ALMOST)

 

[Sue M]

Congrats on your 1st WDW trip! So many WDW resorts, and different budgets from Value to Deluxe. It's hard to make suggestions without knowing your budget. Anywhere from the Treehouse Villas to 2 or 3 rooms at a value resort would fit.

 

[Mariep26]

Sounds like it is going to be amazing!!! I dream of the time in the future when we will be bringing our family and hopefully grand kids. I have such great memories of traveling with my entire family and grandparents!!
Anyways.. You do have a tough choice ahead of you. We went for the first time in March and chose a Value ASMo because my kids are huge Toy Story fans... They loved the theming. We are doing AoA in December as well. For us theming is paramount but your priorities may be different. If you want amazing Xmas decorations Wilderness Lodge seems to get the nod for that. If easy transportation is the priority then Poly or CR may be your best bet. Good Luck..I am excited to hear where you end up booking.

 

[bigdaddy511]

it is all about budget. If money is no problem, stay at the GF-- great Xmas stuff and great location and great resort. For more value minded stays, the family suites at at the ASMu are great- lots of room and they will decorate nicely. Ultimately, it is all about what you want to spend.

 

[mmmears]

Which ones appealed to you the most when you looked at the photos?

What's the price range you are looking for?

Do you plan to spend ALL day at the park or plan for some down time at your resort?

GF and WL have gorgeous xmas decorations, but if they aren't in your budget or don't appeal to you then you can visit them and stay somewhere else. All the resorts will be decorated...

 

[kerriemiller]

My suggestions are first budget, next talk to every one about their intrest, what they want to do and what they are interested in. This will help you with location. Because each resort has a very differant theme.

If you can swing it the Poly is awesome. High on the wow factor for themeing. My kids love the Hawaii stuff as they call it.

Also really high on the wow factor for great themeing is Wilderness Lodge. The lobby is breath taking. We stayed here on our first trip and my kids were over the moon. Its great outdoors-ie atmosphere. And the very BEST christmas displays on property

With the number of people and the boys that are going to be in your group - the new Art of Animation suites would be good. The Lion King, Cars or Nemo themes are top notch in kid pleasing.

But Beach Club/Yacht Club has Stormalong Bay!!! The best pool at any hotel EVER!!

 

[ashmarie06]

If you want in your face Disney Themeing, I would go with one of the value's. Especially All Star Movies. However, the values aren't for everyone.

Check out the AOA Suites. From other threads, I assume they are very Disney'ish inside and out!

 

[ExpatDisneyLover]

What a fun trip!!

I'd look at all the onsite resorts and see which one appeals to you first of all. What is great about Disney is they do a good job at theming everything including resorts - so it is not just a place to sleep but will really add to the magic of your trip. Personally I thought AKL was by far the most magical resort I have experienced - nothing like it in my mind - that is if "African" appeals to you in a resort. I walked into the lobby and my jaw dropped literally.

DVC resorts can give you more space - you could book a 2 bedroom - have room for everyone and a full kitchen - sometimes renting DVC points can be a better value than booking a cash reservation.

If you are looking for something more moderately or value priced - I like CSR, POR and POFQ for the boat to DTD - or more "iconic Disney - all characters" POP, All Star Movies or Art of Animation Resort.

Picking the resort is half the fun! Enjoy!

 

[HiHoOffWeGo]

We are a family of 9 and we have found POR in AB 16 GV 2 connecting rooms to work best. 4 sinks and all Queens by the time you arrive. AB rooms all have Murphy beds. Both TS and QS plus entertainment in the lounge for all ages. Boat to DTD for both food and shopping. Not the cost of deluxe but roomier then Value and a beautiful resort. You have been planning this trip for some time so I thought you may want to know, a stay at the POLY as some suggest will cost you twice per day of all mods. If budget is not a problem then a Villa at OKW renting DVC points may be best.

 

[spiceycat]

christmas stuff - well all the parks and resorts have something for christmas -the WL/VWL and GF more than most.

that say might go with a 2-bedroom villa at BLT - then you can walk to the MK. it sleeps 9. So does AKV and OKW. both AKV and OKW should be quite a bit less than BLT. (being able to walk to the MK cost)

problem is - it is late to be getting any DVC resort for Nov or Dec - but you can try.

two rooms at CR can be a good deal if you will go with the wings and not the main building. again you can walk to the MK. You take the monorial to Epcot (same as BLT)

POR would also be a good choice with 2 rooms. It is like OKW and in a good area to get to all the parks.

the suites at AOA only sleep 6 and pretty sure they don't connect.

Which kid are you planning for - your adult kids or your grandchild?

 

[lennon333]

Cost is everything, but I would suggest a resort close to Magic Kingdom.

 

[Deb & Bill]

It is very late to be getting a DVC villa on points. Members can already use their non-home resort points to book December. November is probably already booked up.

 

[WDW Obsessed]

END ALL BE ALL IS POLY!!! If you want it to be the BEST experience I suggest the Poly. If you want cheap and still fun look into a few rooms at the all stars, but don't plan on the wow factor.

 

[goofyintoronto]

I think you should try a family suite at the new resort art of animation!!!

 

[dancingdisneydreamer]

How exciting that it's your first trip!! With a large family, you will definitely need to get 2 rooms. I feel like Wilderness Lodge would be a great choice because it is a deluxe resort but not quite as expensive as some of the others, and it has beautiful Christmas decorations! I've stayed there during the holiday season before and was in awe at how gorgeous it was! It's a wonderful resort, and close to the Magic Kingdom which is great for your first visit! WCC can also be an entertaining dining experience. Animal Kingdom Lodge is also a nice resort at Christmas time, but it is farther away from some of the parks, so I wouldn't suggest it for your first trip. It is very nice though!!

 

[motueka68]

Hello All,
Thanks for all your advice...
I would llike to keep the trip cost about $12,000 give or take...
I am looking more for the younger kids, though it would be nice to have an upgrade... was thinking maybe 5 nights at Value and then switch to MOD or DELUXE for another 5 nights...
This is the hardest decision I can think of ha ha ha