Anonymous wrote:I think it's worth it to be on the Monorail or at one of the Epcot resorts. I would not stay in another "bus" only resort because I can't stand waiting for the bus! With kids, especially, it is a PITA. That said, a few years ago we stayed at a Marriott resort nearby and having the 2 bedroom apartment was really nice with a big group. We just drove our car to the parks and it worked well.

With little kids the monorail resorts will save a fair number of bus trips, because you'll be spending a significant portion of the days at Magic Kingdom. But OP has a 10 year old. At that age a Disney trip is likely to be more spread out between all 4 parks, Downtown Disney, and the water parks. So a monorail resort saves only a very small fraction of the bus trips.

I've done Art of Animation and the Grand Floridian. If I go back to Disney, I'll do Art of Animation.

Our room at the Grand Floridian was a good size, with a daybed so there was plenty of room for the 5 of us to sleep. Being on the monorail was amazing and made it easy to go back in the room in the afternoon to rest up. We were easily able to head back to the Magic Kingdom for the electrical parade, which we missed the first time we went to DW. It was also easy for me to take the younger (tired) kids back to the hotel while DH stayed with our older DC until closing. You can watch the fireworks and the boat parade from the hotel.

But...if you are going to go anywhere besides Magic Kingdom, then the perks of the Grand Floridian are lost. The monorail wasn't running to Epcot, although that was temporary due to the construction at the Polynesian.

The Art of Animation had much better quick service food options and the size of the room made everything easier. The kids liked the theme better, since the Grand Floridian theme was kind of lost on them. The bus rides really weren't so bad, but I didn't want to do them twice in a day. That was the major downside since we never had the energy to go back to the parks. So basically we got there early, had fun until about 4 or 5 and then headed back to the hotel for the rest of the evening. That meant no fireworks, no electrical parade, none of that.

It was also a lot easier having a microwave in the room for making snacks, early dinners, etc.

Anonymous wrote:Always stay concierge at Deluxe resorts. Surprisingly good value. My kids eat a ton and there is always free food and drinks and fruit, etc. You can't beat bring right on monorail.

How much more per night is a concierge room?

We're a family of 5 and have stayed at Art of Animation and All Star Music family suites. We like both, preferred the space of the suite to when we all crammed in a room at Port Orleans. AOA has a great pool and the Cars section is awesome.

Did you look at the cabins at ft wilderness? The Murphy bed is a double, my 40 year old sol slept on it without a problem.

Always stay concierge at Deluxe resorts. Surprisingly good value. My kids eat a ton and there is always free food and drinks and fruit, etc. You can't beat bring right on monorail.

How old are your other kids?

If you think you might be using your rental car to visit the parks, you should keep in mind that Magic Kingdom is actually kind of a PITA to drive to. You have to park your car, then take either the monorail or a boat to get there. If you are leaving the park at a busy time (like right after fireworks or at closing time) it will be packed and it might take a while to get back to your car.

Parking for the other 3 parks are much easier--the parking lot is right outside the lot.

I think it's worth it to be on the Monorail or at one of the Epcot resorts. I would not stay in another "bus" only resort because I can't stand waiting for the bus! With kids, especially, it is a PITA. That said, a few years ago we stayed at a Marriott resort nearby and having the 2 bedroom apartment was really nice with a big group. We just drove our car to the parks and it worked well.

I stayed at All-Star Sports. The transportation, food court, pool, and grounds were great-- nicer than expected. However, the room was a disappointment.

I wasn't expecting it to feel so... cheap.(I know, I know, what did I expect at the "value" choice??) It was super small, with "eh" finishes (stucco-type finish on walls, decorative wall paper border around ceiling, bad fluorescent lighting). Oh, and my biggest complaint-- the bathroom was TINY. When closing the door behind me, I had to squeeze for it to pass by.

I'm on the fence whether or not I would stay there again. It was a good value for the price when considering that all transportation was included.

The moderate rooms that sleep 5 have a tiny pullout - no way a 10 yr old who needs his own sleep space could fit on it.

You could also do a Moderate resort. Cheaper than a deluxe but more space than a value. The pools have slides and the rooms have a bit more square footage than the values. We like Port Orleans (those rooms can also sleep 5 ppl.)

We typically stay off site - but don't cook full meals. We have soda/water/snack stuff - but still go out for most meals. It is just worth it to us to have space (and a washer/dryer.) Spending a week in a 350sqf room with 2 kids and DH makes me nuts!

State in Art of Animation family suite (Cars) and LOVED it. Took buses everywhere with no problems. The pool area is incredible. We had a blast

"Free Dining" these days with value resorts means counter service dining, not restaurant dining.

What do you do at Disney if you don't enjoy/go for the parks?

Anonymous wrote:OP-would you mind bumping this thread up with a quick review when you get back? I'm sure I won't have decided by then (sigh). I think the suites there seem like a little more space vs. renting two of the little mermaid rooms, agree?

Keep in mind that room categories at Disney do sell out, especially during free dining. I'd make a reservation for one of the cheaper room type you might want. Even if you want to change after the date when there's a cancellation fee, Disney will always let you upgrade to a more expensive package. So, if you're not sure but leaning towards the suite reserve it with the fewest number of days of tickets or without dining. Then if you want a different kind of room, you can always change to a package with more days or with dining, which will eliminate your change fee. On the other hand, you'll have gotten rid of the possibility of being closed out.

I'd pick a suite in most family situations. I'm a single mom with one kid, so we do fine with two double beds in a regular room, but pretty much any family composition with multiple kids and I think I'd want a suite.

I'll also say that for me, a big part of what I love about a Disney vacation is that everything is right there. I don't have to deal with driving, or parking, or fixing meals, or anything. If we want to go somewhere we just hop on a bus and go. I don't actually enjoy the parks that much, it's really the "self contained" part that I love the most, and the fact that everything feels safe and clean and kid-friendly and easy. So, staying off site would kind of destroy that point.