Disneyworld - 1st timers. Please advise.

Anonymous
We are planning a 3 night trip to DW between 02/22/13 and 03/04/13. There are three adults and two 6 yo kids. Would like to stay at the resort.
Anybody with experience, can you please recommend hotels/packages? TIA.
Anonymous
What is your budget?

Did you want to all fit in one room, or do you plan to get 2 rooms?

With the ages of the kids, I would recommend one of the monorail resorts (near the Magic Kingdom)--the Contemporary, Grand Floridian, Polynesian. Those are also the most expensive, though, and while you technically COULD fit all 5 of you in one room, it would be crowded.

If you go with one of the less expensive resorts, such as All Star sports, you would have to get 2 rooms--but still those 2 rooms would be cheaper than 1 room at one of the monorail resorts I mentioned above.
Anonymous
Go get the Unofficial Guide to Disneyworld, it has floor plans.
Anonymous
Pre plan all meal locations (except lunch maybe) to avoid waiting (you'll still wait, just not as long as the poor guys without ADRs)
Anonymous
I would not pay deluxe room rates for only 3 nights. Huge waste of money.

I'd check with the All Stars resorts and get two rooms. Would also check re: free dining plan offers.

Anonymous
recommending a travel agent here who specializes in Disney: Jennifer Lenox. Simply Enchanted Travel

phone 517-914-4812
www.facebook.com/SimplyEnchantedTravel

I have no connection to her at all other than I'm a very satisfied customer of hers. She did my resort reservations, priced out the best packages, and made dining reservations too.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:I would not pay deluxe room rates for only 3 nights. Huge waste of money.





I think it's more "worth it" to pay for a deluxe room for only 3 nights, than it would be to pay for a long vacation. When time is short, the close proximity to the parks that most Deluxe resorts offer, will be worth it. When you're at Disney for a week or more, you have more time to spend on the long bus rides.

We've taken a 3 day trip (stayed at Yacht Club) and a 4 day trip (stayed at the Boardwalk Inn). On our 1 week + trips we stayed off site, as we had more time, and our money needed to stretch for a longer period of time...
Anonymous
https://www.tourguidemike.com

This was totally invaluable! I think it cost $10 when we got it, but it helped us figure out what to visit, how to avoid lines, when to visit, where to stay, etc.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I would not pay deluxe room rates for only 3 nights. Huge waste of money.





I think it's more "worth it" to pay for a deluxe room for only 3 nights, than it would be to pay for a long vacation. When time is short, the close proximity to the parks that most Deluxe resorts offer, will be worth it. When you're at Disney for a week or more, you have more time to spend on the long bus rides.

We've taken a 3 day trip (stayed at Yacht Club) and a 4 day trip (stayed at the Boardwalk Inn). On our 1 week + trips we stayed off site, as we had more time, and our money needed to stretch for a longer period of time...


I agree completely. Waiting for the buses is a huge waste of time. If you stay at the Contemporary, you can easily walk to the Magic Kingdom. Worth every penny.
Anonymous
Polynesian or Animal Kingdom Lodge. I've been to WDW a lot. Without kids would choose AKL or Beach Club.

Good websites:
allears.net
mousesavers.com
disboards.com
touringplans.com
ridemax.com

Good luck.
Anonymous
AKL is far from..most everything.
Anonymous
cept AK.
Anonymous
I am PP. Wilderness Lodge is good, too.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:cept AK.


But even Animal Kingdom, don't you need to take a bus there from the lodge? You can't walk, right?

I'm the pp that recommended the monorail resorts (poly, Grand Floridian, or Contemporary) at 14:22. I think a resort with close proximity to the MK would be optimal for the OP since she has a young daughter and it is their first visit. Most of the time (yes, I know there are exceptions), people with young kids and first visit will spend the majority of their stay at MK. Like a PP mentioned, Contemporary is within walking distance of MK, so that would be most convenient.

I am also the PP that mentioned Boardwalk and Yacht club for shorter visits. This worked well for my family because my kids are a little older, we've been to Disney many times, and my kids already knew their favorite parks are Epcot and Hollywood Studios. Boardwalk, Yacht Club and Beach club are all within walking distance of both of those parks, so those were good choices for my family.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:Polynesian or Animal Kingdom Lodge. I've been to WDW a lot. Without kids would choose AKL or Beach Club.

Good websites:
allears.net
mousesavers.com
disboards.com
touringplans.com
ridemax.com

Good luck.


I second all these boards. As for me, my face is the Swan/Dolpin... not "overly" Disney and yet you can still walk to Epcot.



post reply Forum Index » Travel Discussion
Message Quick Reply
Go to: