Anonymous wrote:If you’re only going for 4 nights it’s much, much smarter to take the kids out of school for 2 days or 1 day if you can attach it to some random day off. Spring break season is more than a week.

I swear by the narrative crowd prediction write ups on Disneytouristblog.

+1 hotels will be cheaper too. We added a day onto the grade prep day in January and flew out Wednesday night.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We stayed at the DoubleTree which is "within" the property and a 'partner' hotel. We had a rental car so that worked well, but I don't think I would've wanted to rely on the shuttle that the hotel provides.

Loved having a huge 1 bedroom suite room with a separate sitting area for everyone to have some space. And mom and dad sleeping in a separate room from kids All for a very reasonable price of about $225/night (but we were able to use Hilton points so only paid for 4 nights). To get the equivalent of that on property would've been like $600/night (or more). And you DO get the early entry with the partner hotels.

That said, we were there for a full week so we were less concerned about maximizing every possible moment like you might be if you're only going to be there for three days? I dunno. If I had an endless budget I would totally stay at the Grand Floridian or Contemporary or somewhere right on the monorail BUT for those of us whose budget is more like...the values or the moderates...I struggle to see the value proposition vs. staying at a place like the DoubleTree.

My experience.

It’s not a Disney property so you don’t get early entry or extended hours. Also can’t book LL until 3 days before. Better to stay at a value hotel on property so you get the perks.

This is NOT true. Partner hotels absolutely get the 30 minute early entry: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guest-services/early-entry/

As far as extended evening hours, that perk is only 'extended' (no pun intended) to Deluxe resort guests. Staying at a value hotel, as you suggest, would not get you that perk.

Why would be so emphatically wrong? You completely ignored the LL perk.

I would argue the lightning lane perk is more important than an early park entry if you care about the really popular rides

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We stayed at the DoubleTree which is "within" the property and a 'partner' hotel. We had a rental car so that worked well, but I don't think I would've wanted to rely on the shuttle that the hotel provides.

Loved having a huge 1 bedroom suite room with a separate sitting area for everyone to have some space. And mom and dad sleeping in a separate room from kids All for a very reasonable price of about $225/night (but we were able to use Hilton points so only paid for 4 nights). To get the equivalent of that on property would've been like $600/night (or more). And you DO get the early entry with the partner hotels.

That said, we were there for a full week so we were less concerned about maximizing every possible moment like you might be if you're only going to be there for three days? I dunno. If I had an endless budget I would totally stay at the Grand Floridian or Contemporary or somewhere right on the monorail BUT for those of us whose budget is more like...the values or the moderates...I struggle to see the value proposition vs. staying at a place like the DoubleTree.

My experience.

It’s not a Disney property so you don’t get early entry or extended hours. Also can’t book LL until 3 days before. Better to stay at a value hotel on property so you get the perks.

This is NOT true. Partner hotels absolutely get the 30 minute early entry: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guest-services/early-entry/

As far as extended evening hours, that perk is only 'extended' (no pun intended) to Deluxe resort guests. Staying at a value hotel, as you suggest, would not get you that perk.

Why would be so emphatically wrong? You completely ignored the LL perk.

If you’re only going for 4 nights it’s much, much smarter to take the kids out of school for 2 days or 1 day if you can attach it to some random day off. Spring break season is more than a week.

I swear by the narrative crowd prediction write ups on Disneytouristblog.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Another rec for Art of Animation. The skyline was like a bonus ride

I would do Pop Century over Art
Of Animation unless you need the suite. The Art of Animation Suites are at least $500 a night (can’t say for sure) while Pop Century is sub $200 for a standard hotel room. You still have access to the skyliner, but you don’t get the big theming.

Port Orleans French Quarter for a moderate (much smaller footprint than Port Orleans Riverside.)

If you’re going to splurge for a deluxe, Animal Kingdom Lodge and Wilderness Lodge have a bigger wow factor for kids (though the pool for Beach Club is great.)

Finally, Swan and Dolphin are Marriott properties with on site deluxe benefits. The only negative is they don’t use Disney transportation, but you can access it through other means.

Sometimes The Little Mermaid rooms at Art of Animation are a good deal. Take a look at those too.

The Art of Animation suite was worth it for us because of the second bathroom. It allowed us to get ready twice as fast and having a separate sleeping area meant we all slept well (and got away from each other as needed)

Yep, family suite in Art of Animation is the way to go. Have groceries delivered your first night. Eat breakfast in your room and pack snacks.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We stayed at the DoubleTree which is "within" the property and a 'partner' hotel. We had a rental car so that worked well, but I don't think I would've wanted to rely on the shuttle that the hotel provides.

Loved having a huge 1 bedroom suite room with a separate sitting area for everyone to have some space. And mom and dad sleeping in a separate room from kids All for a very reasonable price of about $225/night (but we were able to use Hilton points so only paid for 4 nights). To get the equivalent of that on property would've been like $600/night (or more). And you DO get the early entry with the partner hotels.

That said, we were there for a full week so we were less concerned about maximizing every possible moment like you might be if you're only going to be there for three days? I dunno. If I had an endless budget I would totally stay at the Grand Floridian or Contemporary or somewhere right on the monorail BUT for those of us whose budget is more like...the values or the moderates...I struggle to see the value proposition vs. staying at a place like the DoubleTree.

My experience.

It’s not a Disney property so you don’t get early entry or extended hours. Also can’t book LL until 3 days before. Better to stay at a value hotel on property so you get the perks.

This is NOT true. Partner hotels absolutely get the 30 minute early entry: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guest-services/early-entry/

As far as extended evening hours, that perk is only 'extended' (no pun intended) to Deluxe resort guests. Staying at a value hotel, as you suggest, would not get you that perk.

The 7 day early booking window for lighting lanes is only for hotel guests, though, which is pretty important during peak times.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We stayed at the DoubleTree which is "within" the property and a 'partner' hotel. We had a rental car so that worked well, but I don't think I would've wanted to rely on the shuttle that the hotel provides.

Loved having a huge 1 bedroom suite room with a separate sitting area for everyone to have some space. And mom and dad sleeping in a separate room from kids All for a very reasonable price of about $225/night (but we were able to use Hilton points so only paid for 4 nights). To get the equivalent of that on property would've been like $600/night (or more). And you DO get the early entry with the partner hotels.

That said, we were there for a full week so we were less concerned about maximizing every possible moment like you might be if you're only going to be there for three days? I dunno. If I had an endless budget I would totally stay at the Grand Floridian or Contemporary or somewhere right on the monorail BUT for those of us whose budget is more like...the values or the moderates...I struggle to see the value proposition vs. staying at a place like the DoubleTree.

My experience.

It’s not a Disney property so you don’t get early entry or extended hours. Also can’t book LL until 3 days before. Better to stay at a value hotel on property so you get the perks.

This is NOT true. Partner hotels absolutely get the 30 minute early entry: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guest-services/early-entry/

As far as extended evening hours, that perk is only 'extended' (no pun intended) to Deluxe resort guests. Staying at a value hotel, as you suggest, would not get you that perk.

The big one is the early lightning lane bookings. If you want to do LL only stay at a hotel that lets you book 7 days out, not just 3.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We stayed at the DoubleTree which is "within" the property and a 'partner' hotel. We had a rental car so that worked well, but I don't think I would've wanted to rely on the shuttle that the hotel provides.

Loved having a huge 1 bedroom suite room with a separate sitting area for everyone to have some space. And mom and dad sleeping in a separate room from kids All for a very reasonable price of about $225/night (but we were able to use Hilton points so only paid for 4 nights). To get the equivalent of that on property would've been like $600/night (or more). And you DO get the early entry with the partner hotels.

That said, we were there for a full week so we were less concerned about maximizing every possible moment like you might be if you're only going to be there for three days? I dunno. If I had an endless budget I would totally stay at the Grand Floridian or Contemporary or somewhere right on the monorail BUT for those of us whose budget is more like...the values or the moderates...I struggle to see the value proposition vs. staying at a place like the DoubleTree.

My experience.

It’s not a Disney property so you don’t get early entry or extended hours. Also can’t book LL until 3 days before. Better to stay at a value hotel on property so you get the perks.

This is NOT true. Partner hotels absolutely get the 30 minute early entry: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guest-services/early-entry/

As far as extended evening hours, that perk is only 'extended' (no pun intended) to Deluxe resort guests. Staying at a value hotel, as you suggest, would not get you that perk.

Anonymous wrote:More good info, thank you! So it is 30 min extra for on property guests per day and then additional time on Mondays and Wednesdays?

We would go Sunday through Thursday so that would align well (going over spring break next year, not during FL's public school spring break). Thinking three park days and then a down day for pools and rest. It will be just me and the kids so rest will be good for all of us! We do not need a suite so a standard room works well.

Don't go during spring break. Pick a long weekend that is unique to your school district. Like a grading day off or something.

Anonymous wrote:More good info, thank you! So it is 30 min extra for on property guests per day and then additional time on Mondays and Wednesdays?

We would go Sunday through Thursday so that would align well (going over spring break next year, not during FL's public school spring break). Thinking three park days and then a down day for pools and rest. It will be just me and the kids so rest will be good for all of us! We do not need a suite so a standard room works well.

Since you are going during spring break you definitely need to stay on property for high volume transportation and early lighning lane picks

Just returned. Don’t take advice on this issue from anyone who hasn’t been there recently. Your ability to select lightning lines asap is critical for kids your age, who will have strong ride preferences and the ability to enjoy coasters, shows, parades, characters—basically everything.

That means staying on-site or a longer trip with more park days so LL’s can be spread out. LL booking and paying for single rider lines is the difference between hours of waiting and a relaxing trip. Don’t overbook ADRs (restaurants) because they schedule LLs around them.

**get to the parks very early with mid-morning lightning lanes. Rope drop anything you couldn’t get. Then as you use each lightning lane, immediately book the next one. It’s a pain but you won’t wait in lines and can experience so much.

Stay at Pop or AoA, pick no more than three parks and build in rest days. Changing days once you’re there is a PITA because you lose your lightning lanes.

As you select LLs, have park maps open in front of you to avoid excessive backtracking.

I anticipate the challenge with that length of stay and ages may be finding a way to fit in both early morning rope drop at MK and fireworks/starlight parade evening stuff—both are amazing and the reason many pros recommend two MK days for first trip.

If you go that route it may be worth springing for the studio at boulder ridge. It has a fabulous third bed, great design and a boat to MK—with lots of peace and quiet and an almost private quiet pool by your door.

HS and Pandora in AK are also incredible at night but, again, it’s hard to do rope drop AND evening for more than a day.

Do you know if your kids like coasters ?

Anonymous wrote:More good info, thank you! So it is 30 min extra for on property guests per day and then additional time on Mondays and Wednesdays?

We would go Sunday through Thursday so that would align well (going over spring break next year, not during FL's public school spring break). Thinking three park days and then a down day for pools and rest. It will be just me and the kids so rest will be good for all of us! We do not need a suite so a standard room works well.

Only the deluxe resorts and villas get the extra hours on Mondays and Wednesdays. Port Orleans and Art of Animation will NOT get you this benefit.

More good info, thank you! So it is 30 min extra for on property guests per day and then additional time on Mondays and Wednesdays?

We would go Sunday through Thursday so that would align well (going over spring break next year, not during FL's public school spring break). Thinking three park days and then a down day for pools and rest. It will be just me and the kids so rest will be good for all of us! We do not need a suite so a standard room works well.

I've only stayed at Art of Animation but it was worth it for the skyliner and the food court. Do not underestimate the convenience of a food court when you're exhausted from park hopping and just want a quick meal. And the food was actually good!

AoA also has kitchenettes in the rooms, which we used for making sandwiches to take to the parks. It's a great way to save $ too. I think Pop Century is similar and it's next door.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Another rec for Art of Animation. The skyline was like a bonus ride

I would do Pop Century over Art
Of Animation unless you need the suite. The Art of Animation Suites are at least $500 a night (can’t say for sure) while Pop Century is sub $200 for a standard hotel room. You still have access to the skyliner, but you don’t get the big theming.

Port Orleans French Quarter for a moderate (much smaller footprint than Port Orleans Riverside.)

If you’re going to splurge for a deluxe, Animal Kingdom Lodge and Wilderness Lodge have a bigger wow factor for kids (though the pool for Beach Club is great.)

Finally, Swan and Dolphin are Marriott properties with on site deluxe benefits. The only negative is they don’t use Disney transportation, but you can access it through other means.

Sometimes The Little Mermaid rooms at Art of Animation are a good deal. Take a look at those too.

The Art of Animation suite was worth it for us because of the second bathroom. It allowed us to get ready twice as fast and having a separate sleeping area meant we all slept well (and got away from each other as needed)