Would you choose 2value rooms or 1 deluxe?

[val1234]

I am traveling in July with DH, DD12, DS4,and DN4. I am going crazy trying to decide where to stay. On one hand I want to stay at a resort where I can relax a little with 2 four year olds!! But on the other hand I want the little ones to really enjoy the whole hotel experience as well. I plan to spend a lot of time at the resort since we will be traveling in July with the heat and humidity. My son and neice absolutely hate large pools.lol. They will only play in kiddie pools. So now I'm stuck between 2 rooms at ASMO where me and DH can have our own room with King bed, or 1 larger deluxe room at the Poly. The only drawback with the Poly though is there is no kiddie pool or playground. I've also considered POR Riverside but I think the room will be tight for 5, but that resort seems to have it all( playground, slide, kiddie pool).
Help, I may need counseling after all this.

 

[Bob P]

Hi and welcome to the DIS!

I don't know if I can help you, but I will say that another advantage to having two rooms is that extra bathroom....

 

[Camping Griswalds]

How long are you staying? Have you considered splitting your stay? I decided to do this after much research on these boards, and advice. We will have DS 13, DS 9 and DD 17 months. We're staying at POP with 2 rooms for 6 nights. The 13 yo will not like sharing a bed with the 9 you for too many nights, so we've requested one king connected to 2 doubles. Our DD will sleep in the room with her brothers. This appealed to us because we can all be in a room while she naps or goes to bed early. And when everyone is up and moving, there is 2 t.v's and 2 bathrooms etc. The last 5 nights we are then switching to AKL. Hopefully we'll get bunkbeds, if not the boys can tough out sleeping together. Because the AKL has balconies and so much going on in the lobby, I think it will still be quiet enough for the baby to sleep. I am a little anxious about the stay there. 5 of us in one room seems tight. However I figure if one of our stays is wonderful and one is horrible, at least we won't spend all 11 nights horrible. Also for us, we stayed at Coronado Springs several years ago, and you kind of get bored of one resort for too long of a stay. That's just my families opinion though.

 

[pennst8r]

How about 2 connecting rooms at POR? Still cheaper than the deluxe. ( At least it was for later this month when we're going. We started with a ressie for that, then switched to the deluxe when BRP came out. The 2 mods were still cheaper, but I thought it was a good deal.) POR has quiet pools for each group of buildings and they aren't big.

 

[Lives4Disney]

I would definitely do the deluxe. We always stay deluxe. If you are going to be spending hotel time, stay in the best resort you can afford.

The Poly pool has a zero depth entry - don't know if that helps. There is also a nice white sand beach right there - you can't swim in the water, though, but my kids always enjoy playing in sand. The rooms at the Poly are very large. You will not feel crowded. You can watch Wishes & the Electric Water Parade from the beach. At the Poly the transportation is a breeze (monorail and boat to MK, walk to TTC to get on EPCOT monorail, buses to MGM & AK) and that is important with 3 young kids. There are more restaurant choices handy and room service is great. My family loves the MK resorts. I think I have just talked myself into booking a Poly summer trip!

You would love the Poly in July. (or CR, GF, YC/BC, BWI....) Go DELUXE!!!

Lives4Disney

 

[mickeyfan2]

I would do two values. You get two bathrooms and a bed for each kid.

 

[gigi1313]

would you consider a different deluxe resort? the wilderness lodge offers great proximity and transport to MK, has a kiddie pool and might even be zero entry (i'm sure someone will correct me on that) which would be great for the 4yos

 

[Eeyore2003]

The CR is another option. If you will be spending allot of time at the resort, the CR has a snack bar, coffee counter (specialty coffees) and the largest gameroom on property on the first floor. One floor has shops for browsing. The monorail conveniently pulls through every few minutes, it's literally 2 or 3 minutes from your room (if you stay in the tower), there is are two regular pools and a kiddie pool, all right out back.

Also, the Concourse Grill is usually not extremely crowded (at least when I've been there), so it's an easy meal if you need one. Minutes from Magic Kingdom. The day bed is also a good sized and the rooms are also good sized. And, if the little ones are napping or laying down for a bit, the view from the deck, especially on the lagoon side is so relaxing.

Well, needless to say, I think it's the nicest for convenience with little ones.

Also, the Yacht Club could be another choice. You'd have Stormalong Bay and boat service to Epcot and MGM. The Boardwalk would be across the lagoon and you could easily take the little ones across on the boat (5 minute ride), and do things there too.

 

[K P & J's Grandma]

We have stayed at moderate & deluxe - but would stay at POP Century in 2 rooms ---- we have stayed there 3 times & have enjoyed it. The kids pool area was fun for our 3 yr old granddaughter -- they have shooting jets that she loved funning though. She also loved the BIG icons around the resort. We had no complaints with the food court or the bus service. If you decide to stay there, request a room facing the lake -- very quiet.

 

[MOMOFMNM]

our kids LOVED the Poly and they have white sandy beaches to play on while watching Wishes!! Plus a great slide, easy transportation to MK, and the room was definitely big enough for the 5 of us!! I do not know if you are guaranteed a connecting room at POP but I considered how much trouble it would be hauling three kids on busses for our whole trip!! I really did enjoy that access by by boat or rail from Poly and remember WAY more dining options (if on the plan) if you have no car and are on the monorail!! It was awesome!! You may not be guaranteed a king bed either and can you deal with two queens? Also no fridges for the little ones snacks, drinks, etc. The new rooms at the Poly are definitely a WOW!!

I am sure a lot of resorts are great at WDW...infact I am kicking around a trip in March in the Epcot area...

it is a magical place no matter where you stay but the Poly was fantastic!!

 

[Disney Bumfords]

I would have to say Deluxe - but it's a matter of personal preference. On our last two trips to WDW we arrived in the evening and opted to stay at a mod/value the first night since all we would be doing is sleeping. We stayed CBR and Pop. Don't get me wrong, both are awesome resorts - (what DIS resort isn't?), but I wouldn't want to stay my entire trip there. I'm too spoiled by sleeping in a king size bed that going to a double just kills me and DH. (I think the fact that we are rather "overfilled" has something to do with it.

Now, this last June, we stayed at Pop and then transferred to AKL. What a gorgeous resort!! 20 days prior to our vacation, my daughter broke her ankle and had to have surgery to repair it and place six screws and a plate - UGH!! I called special needs and they eneded up giving us TWO ROOMS. One was a King Size Handicapped room (so instead of the Queen size bed we got a King size) That was WONDERFUL!! And the adjoining room had a Queen size and the bunk beds which were a very nice surprise. We decided to take my 3 yr old niece at the last minute and figured we would have to have her sleep on the floor or in a crib (ACK) - as it turned out - due to my daughters unfortunate accident, we ended up with a bed for everyone!!

It was a tough trip though - 100 degrees EVERY DAY!!

So anyway - even though it was a "Deluxe" resort, I still missed the monorail route. Next trip POLY all the way!! Then maybe we'll venture for an economy trip again!!

The value of the AKL is great!!!

 

[minnie61650]

My suggustuion:
2 rooms at the ALL Stars.
That means 4 double beds and 2 BATHROOMS.
All for less than 1 room at the Contemporary or the Poly.

Call me a resort SNOB but for me it is ALL STARS ALL THE TIME.
I am 55 year old and travel several times a year. I often stay at 4 star hotels.
So the deluxe resorts do not have anything special for me.
All Star is like being in the heart of the MAGIC and that is where I want to be.

All Star resorts are all within walking distance of each other and you can swim in any of the All Stars pools. Thats 3 main pools,3 quite pools and 3 kiddie pools to chose from!

Here is the map of All Movies.
http://www.wdwinfo.com/resortmaps/allstarmovie.JPG
The Fantasia Buildings are the preferred buildings.
The All Star Movie Fantasia pool has Mickey.
The buses are wonderful.
Bus ride times according to PassPorter.com

Bus rides are shorter from the ALL Stars than POP according to PassPorter.com

All Star Buses---Pop buses----Contempory
MK 20 min-----MK 25 min-------20 min (mono)
Epcot 10 min----Epcot 20 min------15 min
MGM 10 min-----MGM 15 min-------20 min
AK 10 min------AK 15 min-----------20 min
DTD 15 min-----DTD 20 min---------35

The All Star resorts have 1960 rooms each.
Pop has 2,880rooms.
That means more people in the pools,food court and in line waiting for the bus at POP.
When phase 2 of POP is built it will be 2 bus stops at POP and the 2 POPs will have the same # of rooms as the 3 All Stars.

Also All Star is closer to the main road to get to parks and thats why bus rides are shorter from there than from POP.

A WORD ABOUT BUS SHARING:

It is usually just our stop and maybe one more on the way to the parks. On the way back sometimes its all 3 but often Sports and Music share and Movies has it's own bus back.

I guess some people who stay at POP see all 3 All Star names on the return sign of our bus stop when they head to the POP bus stop and think All Stars also has 3 stops on the way to the park.
(Even when we stop at another AS resort to load up it has not taken more than 5 minutes and we are on our way!)

I love the All Star Resorts --they can't be beat. I have visited WDW more than a dozen times with the 1st time in Oct. 1971. It was brand new. I've stayed at FW, Disney Inn, a few the of Hotels on hotel Blvd., CBR and the towers at the Contemporary. I got to see the MK from my balcony at the Contemporary and I'm happy I got to experience it once. I just prefer the All Star Resorts.
The theaming is pure Disney.
My last 5 visits have been at The All Stars and this fall when we took dd,dsil, and our grandson age 3 we stayed at the All Stars Music. I thought about AKL and even though we can well afford AKL I just wanted Alex to experience the Disney Magic at the All Stars on his first visit.
Where else can one find Donald Duck or Mickey Mouse at the pool?
We had a great time at the All Stars!
Have a great time at Disney!

 

[Goofyzgurl]

I vote for 2 rooms too. I just don't like putting the kids to bed and having to turn down the tv and turn off the lights. I like to put them to bed and stay up and relax with dh. If you could I like the idea of 2 rooms at a moderate.

 

[ahappydisneymommy]

I vote for 2 rooms at a value. It sounds like the pools are more what you are looking for at the values.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

considered how much trouble it would be hauling three kids on busses for our whole trip!! I really did enjoy that access by by boat or rail from Poly and remember WAY more dining options (if on the plan)

I'm not sure I understand your comments. How is going on a bus is so different from getting on the monorail or boat? Aren't they sort of similar? To get to AK and MGM from the Poly, you still have to take a bus. Of course you can always drive, but that is true of all the resorts.
No matter where you are staying, you can eat anywhere on property that the plan allows. In fact, the food courts offer easy choices in the morning - because everyone can pick what station they want to eat from...as opposed to having your family eat at the quick service restaurant at the Poly, for example, where the choices are considerably more limited. (We like quick breakfasts mosts days). I consider it one of the downsides of staying at the Deluxes. Now in the morning I'm not going to take a bus from the Poly to Pop just for breakfast if I'm going to the MK..but if I'm staying at Pop, I might just have breakfast at O'hana's on my way to the MK, so I'm not quite sure what you're getting at. Do you limit your dining to the resort where you stay?

In any event, to comment on the orginal poster..if you get two rooms, you'll either have to split up the adults, or put the 12 year old by herself, or put the four years olds in their own room. I'm not sure I'd feel comfortable with those options. If the kids were older, yes, but probably four is too little. On the other hand, most places won't legally let you have five people in a room, unless one is in a crib. If the kids were older, then probably the extra bathroom would be a big help, but the two little ones probably require help bathing and relatively constant supervision, so for now, the extra bathroom might not be that big of a help. It's a tough choice, but I think I might go for one room. Have you considered a cabin at Ft. Wilderness?

 

[Disney5Mom]

I would stay at a moderate or deluxe while you can. When your kids get older they will need more space and privacy. But the convenience of being on the monorail would be worth it to me! POR is very peaceful and has lots to do for kids.The values are just too noisy and crowded for us.Our kids are older now and want to bring husbands girlfriends etc so we always need to get at least 3 rooms..we chose moderates because that is what we can afford. But with younger kids I would stay in 1 deluxe room as long as you can! Have a great trip.

 

[lyncruiser]

Stay at the Poly. The kids will probably want to be at MK most of the time. If you want a convenient short trip back to your resort to swim and rest during the heat of the day, you'll appreciate the easy trip with strollers via monorail. Another poster also suggested the CR. It has the largest rooms on property -- very roomy and comfortable for five.

With children, I don't see that the extra bathroom is that much of an advantage if you compare it to the headaches of trying to get on packed buses (which they will be in July) with folded up strollers, tired kids, etc. The monorail is much more convenient. You can easily get to Epcot by monorail as well.

When we went in August, we chose CR so we could easily leave the parks for a swim and a nap, returning in the evening. We were glad we did.

 

[goofy4tink]

My dd, then 10, said when we stayed at the Polynesian...."I don't feel like I'm in DisneyWorld here Mom...I really like AllStarMusic better!!" Hmmmm, all that money to stay where she had always talked about staying and now she likes Music better!!
I would stay at Pop in connecting rooms. They have a terrific kids pool area, right next to the Hippy Dippy Pool. They have a playground area as well as a fountain/jet spouting play area for the kids. The food court is decent and the bus service is fine. We only waited 20 mins one time and that was because we came out of the main bldg just as the MK bus was pulling away. I really don't see the big deal with riding the buses with kids....you have to get them to the monorail or the boats don't you? You have to stand in line for those also and there isn't always room enough just like the buses.
I would prefer the ability to put the kids to bed and then watch tv in the next room. It works very well with little kids...just leave that connecting door open, yet still have some privacy.
I can't see spending the extra money to stay at a deluxe..unless you are going to be using the extra amenities...room service, big pool areas with slides, health clubs, table service restaurants. We stay in the deluxes and never use any of those things, with the exception of the pools. But we have found the pools at Pop to be just fine, and a lot of fun. I say go with two rooms at Pop.

 

[*Fantasia*]

If you can afford the Polynesian... go with the Polynesian. They may not have a kiddie pool... but the 0 depth entry is wonderful for toddlers and preschoolers and for those who can't swim like me! They have a wonderful slide... it is awesome! They may not have a playground... BUT... take advantage of the Neverland Club for FREE from noon until 3pm!! No supervision... so you have to be there with the kids. There's tons of things to do there. Then there's usually "making of the leis" at the lobby. The lady usually puts bowls and bowls of flowers ready to be stringed. Just ask for the string.

You have the best restaurants! The Kona Cafe and the Ohana! For breakfast they have Lilo and Stitch character breakfast at Ohana. And for dinner, they have hula dancing, coconut race, hula hoop contest and lots of great food! And it depends on what time you eat... you can watch "Wishes" from Ohana!!

Excellent service.. excellent room size and the room itself... excellent pool.. excellent restuarants... excellent transportation to MK/Epcot.. excellent resort!! And that's why I love the Polynesian!!

 

[dennisnlisab96]

I vote for 2 rooms at a value resort. How about Pop? My kids LOVE Pop!! THey also have a pop jet area that shoots water into the air. ALL of my kids love it.