which resort?

[jmv]

This is my first time back to Disney since I was a young child. Now I'm taking my two sons who are 8 and 11 for their first trip. I need advice and I'm hoping I can get some different opinions from "people in the know."
First off, we are looking at the dates of Sept. 23-27th or 28th. How are we going to be on weather. I'm worried about rain/heat.
Secondly, we were going to stay at the Polynesian since I had heard it was the best place to stay for the convenience factor. We are planning on eating at Epcot most nights even if we are at a different park during the day and will probably go back to our room during the day to rest. But if we stay at the Polynesian because of the cost we will only stay four night/five days. We can stay at Animal Kingdom standard view for five nigts for about the same price as four nights at the Polynesian. Which would be better to do?
Any and all advice would be greatly appreciated!

 

[tinkerbella16]

I'll be there Sept 23-28! I usually go to WDW in November when the weather is nearly perfect so I cannot speak on September, but going off of what I read on the boards from others who travel in September, it is still very hot, humid and could possibly see rain.. it is still hurricane season too so that is a factor. Other than that, I read that its a great time to visit since schools are back in session so most people aren't likely to take their kids out of school the first month, but because of free dining, that doesn't seem to stop most people lol.

 

[DisneyLoverUSA]

My advice would be to stay in a moderate for around $170 a night and extend you stay by 2 or 3 days. Especially since you have never been before.

You can stay at Port Orleans Riverside for $169 a night. They have "reportedly" one of the best food courts on property and they have a huge pool slide your kids would probably love. They also have a table service sit down restaurant on property.

Here is a discount page from DIsney's website that shows a room only discount they have going right now that would cover your dates.

http://bookwdw.reservations.disney....mo&promotionCode=fy12q4room&market=fy12q4room

It covers Animal Kingdom Lodge at 30% off, so if you really want AKL you can book NOW and save a bundle. It is for most stays through September 29th. But you have to book it REAL SOON. It is about to expire.

 

[thelionqueen]

We both have boys that are relatively the same age

OK, so here is my main suggestion. Number one..whenever or however possible, the more days spent @ WDW the better your trip. The shortest trip we ever took was 7 nights and it FLEW by. We've been there dozens upon dozens of times and have seen a lot of WDW and STILL can fill up a 14 day trip with something new.

As far as the weather, it will still be very hot at that time as well as humid. Not sure about the rain factor during that time, but I would think you can count on rain of some kind.

If you can swing it, I would look at a moderate or value resort and extend your stay as long as you possibly can. Although AK isn't my favorite resort, many people adore it and if you can get more days for the same price, I'd definitely go for it.


With staying a week or less, and being your first trip, odds are you will be vacationing "commando style" trying to experience everything at anything from dawn to dusk and at your resort only to sleep. So the expense and convenience of staying at a deluxe resort becomes less important IMO.

 

[KatMark]

We've gone in September the last four or five years -- sometimes earlier in the month, and sometimes later. It is hot and humid; you could or could not have rain. We've been fortunate and only had in the last five or six trips, two days where it rained for more than an hour or two; most of the time, we get a slight drizzle and that is the end of it.

 

[Jeri Lynn]

Have you considered the Beach Club? If you are eating at Epcot each night it is a short 5 minute walk to the Epcot entrance from the hotel.

The kids would love the pool too!

 

[DizDaD7]

I'm sorry but I am another believer in more days or nights in disney is better. So to that I say stay at animal kingdom for the fifth day but as 1 of the previous posters had explained I too would recommend staying at a moderate for much much cheaper and possibly adding a third or least a second day. I would suggest CSR as my pick for moderate . we consider it a deluxe lite because all the amenities are similar to deluxes.
It has a great main pool as well as other quieter pools too. Pepper market is a great value. Best bus system on property imho. nicely updated rooms with comfortable queen size beds.

2nd would be POR followed closely by POFQ. And then b4 i suggest CBR, iwould definitely go with POP or AS (values) over Caribbean beach. I just dont get that place. But thats just me. Have fun booking n enjoy your trip.

 

[tallen429]

I take a slightly different view then some of the responders...
I think of our trips in terms of the whole experience so where we stay does mater to me. You hear a lot about rooms being "just a place to sleep and shower" but even kids as old as yours will need breaks and that is where hotel choice comes in.

Ask yourself what you will do with your "down time". You'll spend plenty of time at the pool in September so that pool quality might matter. Do you like a relaxing place to sit and have an evening cocktail while your kids play in the arcade?

For our family the amenities of a Value don't work so we always choose at least a Mod (POR) but mostly a Deluxe. We want more than just the Parks and we tend to spend time at our resort of choice. Sometimes longer isn't always better if where you stay doesn't have what you want.

If you truly DO only want a bed and shower, previous posters have given great tips for you but if you want more, it might not be the way to go.

As for Poly, I am one of the people who doesn't really think being on the monorail is such a big deal. We have waited longer for a monorail with available space then a bus sometimes, and unless you're just doing the MK loop, the hassle of getting on, getting off, down the stairs, up the stairs really isn't any easier than sitting on an air conditioned bus for ten minutes. But that's just my opinion. Poly was ok, I guess, but I am in no rush to stay there again.

Beach Club, otoh, is FAB and would probably work well for your Epcot plans.

 

[FantasiaMagic]

I also The beach club is a good choice for Epcot. It takes a very short time to get there and you also have access to the Boardwalk

 

[Disneyhenry]

I am gonna say stay at the resort that lets you stay longer. Like others have said check out the Beach Club, great pools! I also think that you would be happy with POR, CB or CS, they have great pools too. Poly is a great choice, but it eats up your money on your length of stay. Out of the MOD resort's I hear that CS is the nicest.

 

[*Fantasia*]

Do you know when the next Disney trip is going to be? If the next one is going to be a long time, then I would opt for a longer stay at Disney. I would opt for a moderate resort. They really are very nice resorts. If I were in your shoes, I would do just that and make the "magic" moment last longer and more memories to bring home with you.