Would you be my travel agent & pick my resort please?

[mommykds]

I am going back & forth trying to decide where to stay during President's week 2006. I have changed my mind several times & cannot figure out what would be best. Hoping to book soon & hopefully secure an Ap rate when/if they come out. I'd like your suggestions on what resort would be good for us based on the following..

- Family of 5 (Me, DH, 3 kids 4,6,& 9)
- Getting an AP
- Already booked POR for Oct & going to book BC (my dream resort) for Aug 2006.
-We spend alot of time at the parks but would spend more time at the resort this trip since the parks will be so busy. We do MK & Epcot equally & maybe only 1 day at MGM & AK.
-Will have our own car.
-On site (but of course!)

Since this will be peak season, I'd like to find something $250 & under.
Anyone care to comment? Thanks!!!

 

[Lewisc]

Many of the rooms won't accomodate 5 guests. Can you leave one of your kids home?

Take a look at S/D. You'll have to pay for parking and a resort fee but they sometimes have discounted rooms available when Disney doesn't.

Plug your dates into this website and see what comes up.

I don't think $250 will get you a Disney deluxe big enough for 5. If S/D doesn't work you might try to get 2 rooms in a moderate.

 

[gigi1313]

how 'bout a cabin at the campground? that's a great place to do resort-y stuff (campfire, boats, horses, bikes, petting zoo, pool, etc)...

 

[Bunch24]

how 'bout a cabin at the campground? that's a great place to do resort-y stuff (campfire, boats, horses, bikes, petting zoo, pool, etc)...

My thoughts exactly.

If you are going to be spending a lot of time away from the parks, Fort Wilderness is a nice place to do it. Lots of things to do, such as biking, boating, horseback riding, fishing, swimming or just plain enjoying nature.

Plus, you'll be comfortable in the cabin. Not to mention, you can head to the beach every night and watch Electric Water Pageant and the Wishes fireworks show. You can also do the Mickey's BBQ, the campfires and the Hoop Dee Doo.

Plenty of options at FW, and you're just a boat ride away from Magic Kingdom.

 

[keishashadow]

Went during President's weekend this year, wouldn't recommend it unless you like being wall to wall with 80,000 of your closest friends! There was near gridlock in the MK, Epcot was manageable. That said...how about DVC for 5?

 

[mommykds]

Many of the rooms won't accomodate 5 guests. Can you leave one of your kids home?

Ok, but you have decide which one too!!!

Take a look at S/D. You'll have to pay for parking and a resort fee but they sometimes have discounted rooms available when Disney doesn't.

Dolphin sounds good..I didn't think they offered AP discount?



Also, sorry I forgot to mention in my original post that I didn't want campground or cabins...I would like a resort. Thanks for the replies so far!

 

[mommykds]

Went during President's weekend this year, wouldn't recommend it unless you like being wall to wall with 80,000 of your closest friends! There was near gridlock in the MK, Epcot was manageable.

We have never gone peak or even regular season before & would not be doing so except that my kids are getting to old to take out of school anymore.

 

[swilphil]

We were able to get an AP rate at the Contemporary, North Garden Wing, in March for $199. I think it was even a little less expensive in Feb. I would highly recommend the Contemporary. You can walk to MK and monorail to Epcot. Bus service, the little we used it, was very good. The rooms are HUGE! It fits 5 nicely without a rollaway. The arcade is fun, too!

 

[J and R's mom]

The campgrounds might be fun with small kids.

I also agree with a previous poster about looking into renting DVC points. A studio or 1bdrm can sleep 4 comfortably, but can probably accomodate 5 since 3 are kids. You might have to bring an air matress, though, since they don't provide roll-aways in the villas. Or, you could rent a two bedroom and have plenty of space.

Renting DVC points is running around $10/point and it will take anywhere from 11 points/night (OKW--studio) to 40pts/night (BCV--2bdrm) for the week that you're looking at (Sun-Thur nights anyway).

A 2bdrm at OKW during that week is 30pts/night, a 1 bdrm is 22pts/night (within your specified budget). The points go up, though, if you stay on a Friday or Saturday night. (I'm not sure of the dates your going).

The 1 and 2 bdrm villas come with full kitchens and washers/dryers, the studio with kitchenette only. Both are still nicer than the regular hotel room. However, the FW Cabins are pretty nice from what I hear as well, offering the same types of amenities and probably cheaper.

With as often as you guys have been going, you might want to check into joining DVC yourselves.

 

[NCombs]

Need room for 5-under $250-resort-equal between MK & Epcot...........

Contemporary garden wing because:

1)spacious to accomodate 5
2)could probably get at desired price
3) Walk to MK and hop monorail to Epcot

 

[lisareniff]

How about going a couple days early, on the wednesday before President's Weekend? Can your kids miss 2-3 days? This is usually the last day of value season. If your stay starts on that night you get that rate for the whole time. Then you could stay at the poly GV with an AP rate! (although you could also possibly be staying longer )

 

[Lewisc]

http://www.wdwinfo.com/discounts/discounts-current.htm

I'm not sure discounts are available for 2006. The teacher or nurse rate is a little lower but the AP rate gives you the late check out and room upgrade. I agree wing room at the Contemporary is another good idea.

Decide which of the younger kids the 9 year old can babysit and then leave the other one home. Picking is the hard part. You get the easy part, explaining to one of your kids why they get to stay home with grandma.

Ok, but you have decide which one too!!!




Dolphin sounds good..I didn't think they offered AP discount?



Also, sorry I forgot to mention in my original post that I didn't want campground or cabins...I would like a resort. Thanks for the replies so far!