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I just rescently started looking into planing our first trip to Disney World / Florida. I received information from AAA and a CD on how to plan your vacation. I'm having troubles deciding on lodging. It would make scense to stay at a value resort to save money, however, when viewing photos of the rooms, the beds seem so small. There would just be 2 adults and 1 child but us two adults can barely sleep comfortably in a queen bed, let alone a twin or double. I noticed that there was one value resort (All-Star Music) that had suites but when reading the reviews, several negative messages about how uncomfortable the beds are. I then started looking at the moderate resorts. These rooms and beds look no different than the value resort. I read great reviews about the Caribbean Resort, however, the beds seem so small. Now, I could continue on to the deluxe and villas but I know we can't afford those and why pay that much if your going to be at the parks. I read in the AAA book that I received that there are several other hotels in the Downtown Disney area. Does anyone know if these hotels will be as much fun for kids as the resorts located at Disney? I'm thinking what we need is either 2 Queen Beds, 1 King Bed with a pull out couch or a small suite. My plans are to purchase a package that includes park admission, meals and lodging but I want to keep the cost under $2,000.00 in order to have spending money for other things. Any information would be greatly appreciated. I'm a plus size mom and my fiance' is 6'4. Sleeping with my 5 year old is torture. (LOL)
The beds at all of the values and mods are all doubles except CSR, which has Queen beds. Even some of the villa studios have double beds--VWL is one that has some smaller rooms with double beds--I know all the info says queens, but our room was a tiny little corner that appeared to have just been redone--and I checked the bed size! Most of the deluxe resorts are Queen beds.
I don't think any of the DTD hotels are themed like a WDW hotel, but there are some other off property hotels that are--there's the Nickolodeon Hotel and the Sheraton Safari off the top of my head.
It sounds like Coronado Springs might be the way to go for your family! Although I have to say that my roommate and I have shared a double bed for a few days and it wasn't bad--he's 6'4" and I'm not little. Especially if it helps make your Disney vacation affordable! The other option is a King room and all three of you in one bed . . . don't know if that would work--or Port Orleans Riverside has trundle beds in Alligator Bayou. Your five year old could sleep in the trundle and each of you could have your own double.
There's nothing like staying on property, especially for your first trip! And, since you're interested in the Disney Dining Plan, the only way you can book this is by staying in a Disney owned and operated resort. The benefits to staying on site outweigh offsite in so many ways.
I also think Coronado Springs (CSR) would be a good fit for your family. The queen beds will give you more room than double beds. The resort is beautiful and very well themed. It's got a food court (Pepper Market, which operates differently than most food courts - more info can be found on this in the Feasting section on this board) and a table service restaurant (Maya Grille) as well as a lounge (Rix). There are a few pool areas, recreational activities and arcades as well. This resort feels like a deluxe but still falls in the moderate price range.
There would just be 2 adults and 1 child but us two adults can barely sleep comfortably in a queen bed, let alone a twin or double.
[...]
Any information would be greatly appreciated. I'm a plus size mom and my fiance' is 6'4. Sleeping with my 5 year old is torture. (LOL)
Could you pack a small Aerobed or similar, for the 5 year old? Then, you could just ask for some extra blankets and pillows, and make up a bed for him/her with that.
Quote:
I noticed that there was one value resort (All-Star Music) that had suites but when reading the reviews, several negative messages about how uncomfortable the beds are.
Also, the Family Suites are about the cost of two separate rooms, anyway.
Which, by the by: you could always ask for two Connecting rooms at a Value. Then, you'd have FOUR beds available to you. (You'd just have to make the reeservations such that one adult was in each room.)
Quote:
My plans are to purchase a package that includes park admission, meals and lodging but I want to keep the cost under $2,000.00 in order to have spending money for other things.
Be aware that the dining plan is ... limited, for children. Your 5-year-old would pretty much have to subsist on a diet of chicken nuggets, macaroni and cheese, or pizza for the entire stay. If s/he would be fine wit that, there's no problem. But if they're more inclined to want greater variety ... not so good.
I'd also say that $2K, for two adults and 1 child, possibly in two Value rooms, with meals and ticket included ... could be a bit of a tight budget, and/or result in what I at least would call "a really short trip". How long would you hve to delay to add $500 or $1K to that budget? Not that $2K isn't "doable", especially if you're okay with a "4 days, 5 nights" trip length. But looking at all the options would definitely seem to be in order, yes?
EDIT TO ADD: Since this is your first trip, and you've got a young child with you, I'll add my standard advice ... start with a character meal. No matter what park you go to on your first day, set up an ADR ("Advanced Dining Reservation") for a character meal of some sort.
DGF and I went in '01, and the only table-service meal we had (or could afford - shoestring budget for meals) was Donald Duck's Breakfastosaurus, in Animal Kingdom. And it really, really did a wonderful job of setting the Disney mood for us that day. And the next. And the next. (That meal has since been replaced with Donald Duck's Breakfast Safari, also in Animal Kingdom. We did that as the opener for our '09 trip, too. Same happy result. )
Also ... for your first visit to the Magic Kingdom ... if you can, go from your resort to the TTC (Ticket & Transportation Center), and take the Ferry to the MK, rather than the monorail or a bus. My first trip to WDW ever, was when I was fourteen, as part of a tour (which didn't require us to all stay together, thankfully). The tour guide's advice was to take that ferry, because the sense of building anticipation as you see the castle rising up above the water makes the sense of "we're in Disney for real, at last!!" much stronger. And he was not only right, he was SO right, his advice left an impression on me that has lasted more than twenty-five years.
Just think what kind of impression it will make for a five year old, rather than a jaded young teenager!!
At the POR some rooms have trundle beds that pull out from under the full size bed, great for a 5 year old. You can each have your own bed. I also believe some of the newly renovated rooms at POFQ are queens. These are moderate here is a website for these hotels with a lot of info Port Orleans - Guest Room Refurbishment Updates (2010/2011), hope this helps.
Welcome to the boards! Port Orleans French Quarter is rehabbing their rooms currently, and are installing queen beds. So that is another option for you in the moderate category. I agree that $2000 is only going to get you a short trip at a moderate resort with everything included, unless you can get a really good discount. Keep your eyes out for the "free dining package", and then it should work. Good luck planning!
To stay under $2000, a single room at a value may be your only option. (unless you do a short trip and stay at a moderate)To give you an idea...we went the first week of December, which is value season, 2 adults and 1 7-year old (we have a son too, but he was completely free). We stayed 8 nights and had 9 day base passes (no hopping or water parks n more option). Our cost for value room, tickets and dining was $1600, BUT, we had the free dining promo, which saved us $500. Usually there is some kind of promotion to take advantage of, unless you're going during a blackout time- holidays, summer, etc.. If you go in regular season or peak season, holiday season, it will, of course, run you more money.
My best advice is to stay at a value and pay the extra $15 a night for a king room. (pretty sure you can ask for this when you book) Then buy one of those inflatable kids beds with the attached sleeping bag. I think I saw them at Walmart for $30.
As far as dining goes, we love the dining plan and find the value to be outstanding, especially for kids. While the selections can sometimes be limited for kids (more so at counter service places), if you do your research and know where to go, there are tons of places that offer more than just nuggets and pizza. Check the menus at AllEars.Net - The Unofficial Disney Planning Guide for Walt Disney World, Disneyland and the Disney Cruise Line And sit down restaurants, if you do buffets and family style meals, the kids can eat whatever they want from the adult buffet.
Hope this helps!
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At the POR some rooms have trundle beds that pull out from under the full size bed,
Just a clarification -- the trundle beds are only in some of the rooms in the Alligator Bayou section of Port Orleans Riverside. (And the beds there are "doubles") They do not have trundles in the "Mansion" section of POR.
We do the air mattress thing -- just a simple Coleman blow-up with a battery-powered pump. Works great, fits between the two beds, and stands up out of the way when we need more floor space. (And it doesn't block the door when it's down.)
Welcome to the boards! I think the air mattress would be a good option for you. You could also move to CSR where the beds are queen size. That is what we are doing for our upcoming trip. Good luck with your decision.
Thanks to all of you for the information provided. I will now go back and see what I can find out about these resorts and their rooms. I'm sure it's not going to cost exactly $2,000.....but I want to stay in that ball park for the rooms and park and hopefully I can find some information about the free dining program. I enticipate it will cost more, but I don't want to go over board. There are other things I'm hoping to go to and see other than the parks during our stay. Plus, my fiance' and I thought it would be exciting to come home married!!! No.......not a fairy tail wedding. Something small.
Looking through the AAA book that I received, I'm looking at a 6 night / 7 day package. For the value resort it's $577 per adult and $240 per child (1,394). The moderate resort is $813 per adult and $240 per child (1,866). Both come with a Magic Your Way base ticket which is for only one park. I'm only interested in Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios for right now. I don't wat a short trip to FL.........I figured there are a lot of other things we can do besides the parks and I don't want to go to the parks back to back. I figured one entire day at the park and the next day to relax and enjoy the pool side and then go to the park the following day. There's 3 days. I know there is much more to do. And who knows, as time goes on, I may decide to go to Magic Kingdom twice and Hollywood once. The other parks aren't catching my eye right now.
Thanks to all of you for the information provided. I will now go back and see what I can find out about these resorts and their rooms. I'm sure it's not going to cost exactly $2,000.....but I want to stay in that ball park for the rooms and park and hopefully I can find some information about the free dining program. I enticipate it will cost more, but I don't want to go over board. There are other things I'm hoping to go to and see other than the parks during our stay. Plus, my fiance' and I thought it would be exciting to come home married!!! No.......not a fairy tail wedding. Something small.
Looking through the AAA book that I received, I'm looking at a 6 night / 7 day package. For the value resort it's $577 per adult and $240 per child (1,394). The moderate resort is $813 per adult and $240 per child (1,866). Both come with a Magic Your Way base ticket which is for only one park. I'm only interested in Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios for right now. I don't wat a short trip to FL.........I figured there are a lot of other things we can do besides the parks and I don't want to go to the parks back to back. I figured one entire day at the park and the next day to relax and enjoy the pool side and then go to the park the following day. There's 3 days. I know there is much more to do. And who knows, as time goes on, I may decide to go to Magic Kingdom twice and Hollywood once. The other parks aren't catching my eye right now.
Chandra, keep in mind that the AAA package prices can be beat by a Disney promo. While Disney may not have anything for your travel dates now, you could always book at the AAA package price and if Disney were to release something, your travel agent at AAA can modify the package code to get you a better deal. This may help in getting you to a moderate resort. I used to work for AAA (I was their Disney Specialist for four years) and if your dates end up qualifying, should something be released, it's never a problem to switch. Something could be available now...you never know.
Free dining means that all the people in your travelling party would not have to pay for the dining plan. This means the room portion of your package would not be discounted and you would pay full rack rate for the dates you choose. Usually the free dining works out to be the best deal, but I have seen cases where it's not. Have your agent price it out both ways for you.
* * Also, I see in your first post now that your child is five. You would not be able to book a room with a king bed for the three of you due to FL state law firecodes. Your child would need to be under three to do this. You could still book a room with two queens (or doubles, depending where you end up) and bring the air mattress with you. * *
And...for an entire week...really try to consider Epcot or Animal Kingdom as additional park options. You won't regret it!
Last edited by Jennifer2003; 01-02-2011 at 04:16 PM..
Have you looked on Disney's website for prices? Also www.mousesavers.com will list discounts available for WDW vacations. It is always good to look at the different discounts available and compare which is a better deal for you. There is a post on these boards that AAA released children stay free, I dont remember the details. Also free dining is offered frequently, etc. Keep looking.
We chose Coronado Springs Resort (CSR) because we wanted qeen beds. Although a Value with a king bed and an air bed for your child sounds like a doable option also. It is very magical to stay on Disney property. You can use the bus transportation and have your purchases sent back to your resort.
Keep reading on these boards! You will find lots of great info to make your trip magical!
I'm only interested in Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios for right now. I don't wat a short trip to FL.........I figured there are a lot of other things we can do besides the parks and I don't want to go to the parks back to back. I figured one entire day at the park and the next day to relax and enjoy the pool side and then go to the park the following day. There's 3 days. I know there is much more to do. And who knows, as time goes on, I may decide to go to Magic Kingdom twice and Hollywood once. The other parks aren't catching my eye right now.
The best piece of advice I received before my first trip to WDW is: "Don't dismiss anything at WDW until you try it. Disney almost always surprises and delights you." So my advice would be not to skip any of the parks. I thought Epcot would be our least favorite before our first trip. It is my absolute favorite park!! And while I agree that you should leave time for relaxing, spending the whole day at a park then skipping the next day may not be the best way to do it. I would recommend you consider getting to the park early, taking a mid day break at your resort (pool, naps, etc.) and then heading back to the park for the evening. I find splitting the parks into "half days" with afternoon breaks is the most relaxing for me. Many people do a "park free" day mid trip but I seldom do. I may have a few "half days" off (such as sleep in one morning, taking an afternoon/evening off, etc.) but mid day breaks helps us keep a relaxed pace.
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