tamarat

My husband and I and four young kids, ages 4,7,9, 11 will be going to Disney for four nights in mid-December. We'd like an on-site hotel, but it's impossible to decide where to stay!

We'd like a place that's conveniently located (the Contemporary was suggested as being a great location because of Animal Kindgom's proximity- on the other hand, people also complain about noise and that it has no theme), that can fit us all in one room (ideally - although if we need two rooms which I think most places require for 6 people, that it shouldn't be more tha $300 for both rooms without tax (about, maybe a touch more) and that it should be CLEAN! (I keep reading about mold/bad housekeeping/).

Any suggestions would be gratefully appreciated!

thanks,
tamara

gardengrl

I've never stayed at the Contemporary, but I have eaten there. One advantage is it's on the monorail, so easy access to both Epcot and MK. My personal feeling is if you are in the parks all day, a little break from the theme-ing is nice. I have two boys, ages 4 & 7. I say pick a good pool. Who knows if it will be warm enough for swimming but kids are crazy enough to go in when us grown-ups wouldn't think of it!

I've stayed at both Port Orleans, cabins at Ft. Wilderness (could definitely take 6, but further afield), and a few value resorts. I do know some values have a two room suite that could accommodate your family size without breaking the bank.

To be honest, AK was my kids least favorite of the four parks, and these are boys who generally love zoos. Suprisingly DHS was their favorite because of the car show, stunt show, Star Wars stuff, etc. I think MK was second favorite.

Have a great trip!

Myer

The Contemporary is very nice.
It has no theme.
It has a nice pool. I don't know if it's heated and in mid-December you'll want that.
It's the closest hotel to the MK entrance. In fact you can walk it in 5 minutes and no need to use the monorail.
The downside is the price. One room is a lot more expensive than $150. And in mid-December the price will be several times that.

surfmom

Have you thought about off-site ? I know you talk about the convenience of staying on-site, but we prefer off-site.

Last trip, we were in a Marriott suite property for about $250/night... a 2 bedroom with full kitchen suite. It was awesome! The master was a king and the 2nd bedroom had 2 queen sized beds, so no one was stuck on the floor or in a pullout.

We like to eat dinners in (we're early park people), and the convenience of sitting down to a calmer dinner after chaos at the parks is terrific. The other bonus is that the littler ones go to bed first and the others ones can stay up a little later. (and that 6am riser child won't wake everyone else up!) We've also come to hate hotels... there is always someone slamming a door, shouting outside our room, loudly getting ice and that doesn't even include the families!

For us, the minimal time savings isn't worth all those factors and we're much happier off-site. (btw, I don't believe you can put 6 in ANY room at Disney unless it is the cabins or a suite. )

Tim_Travel

I agree with Myer post. Last time I went to Magik Kingdom they seem like they were about to finish another tower (not sure if it is part of Conteporary).

If you are willing to go outside of disney property, you may find good prices, I got a deal at Floridays Resort www.floridaysresort.com and I used www.newwaytours.com for my transportation. All under $300 a night with confort. There is 3 bedrooms suites and a spacious living room + nice jacuzzi and heated pool.

Myer

The Contemporary just completed a new attached addition.

We've gone to Disney the last three years for a granddaughter's birthday.

We've stayed at the Best Western that's sort of on the property but not. The rates are very good. There are several hotels on the same road giving you choices.

It's on Hotel Plaza Boulevard in Lake Buena Vista (that's where Disney is located).

The Disney shuttle bus stops at the front door every 30 minutes. Unfortunately, for that service there's a very annoying $8.99 (app) resort fee. Or maybe it's for the location. It takes about 15 minutes to get to the site by shuttle.

Also, that location is a 5 minute (max) drive to downtown Disney that's basically a themed outdoor shopping area with no admission charge.

stumpworks73

In mid December you should be able to stay at any of Disney's moderate or value resorts and get two rooms for under $300. All of the on site hotels have access to the Disney transportation system. You will be a short bus ride away from any of the attractions. Disney's web site provides a good description of each hotel.

The Contemporary is next to the Magic Kingdom, not the Animal Kingdom. I doubt you can ever stay at the Contemporary and get two rooms for under $300.

Your best deal on park admission will be in a package with on-site rooms.

mikesmom

If you can stay for seven nights, Disney is currently offering a Buy 4 - Get 3 Free from December 11-20, 2009. Here's the offer from Disney's website:

"Enjoy 3 additional nights
with tickets — FREE

When you purchase this 4-night/4-day Magic Your Way package at select Disney Moderate, Disney Deluxe or Disney Deluxe Villa Resorts, you get 3 more nights with tickets, free.

For just $61 per person per day for a family of four in a standard room, that's a total package price of $1,691 for a family of 4 at a select Disney Moderate Resort for stays most nights."

If you prefer a Value Resort, the promotion is "Buy 5 - Get 2 Free.

I found this at disneyworld.com, or you can call 407-W-Disney to ask about it.

If you want to stay onsite in mid-December, you should get on it. There were many promotions offered this year and the hotels are filling up. If you want to eat in Disney table service restaurants, you need to make Advanced Dining Reservations (ADR's) immediately (407-WDW-Dine)

Go to disboards.com for a ton of information on visiting Walt Disney World.

Have fun!

tamarat

Question re Port Orleans Resort Riverside - first, thank you all for your helpful suggestions. It does look like the Contemporary is out of the question price-wise, so the choice seems to be narrowing down to one of the moderates and booking 2 rooms.

What do people thing of POR Riverside? - I read a ton of reviews complaining about the distances - is it really awful? Is it a nice place - clean, etc? I'd appreciate hearing from people who were there with your impressions.

Is there a moderate hotel that people prefer more than Riverside?

thanks again.

321go

Are you going to have a car, or would you be using the Disney transportation system?

The moderate resorts have thousands of rooms and are spread-out, so there can be a good bit of walking from your room to the pool, or to dining, or to the bus stop. But you'll be there in December when walking around is much more pleasant than it is in the summer heat and humidity. Those distances seem a lot longer when its 95 degrees and 90% humidity!

I've never stayed in a Disney hotel that wasn't clean.

JJ5

After staying at 6 different locations over many, many years- and having my kids stay at others- we have come to the conclusion that behind EPCOT is the best- but that at a value price Port Orleans- French Quarter is the best. Great pool, not crowded- NOT large- NO great distance at all. Water transport plus the bus system RIGHT THERE and in the midst.

Riverside is not bad either. Go for that one.

You do not have to pay the prices you are quoting at all- as another poster has said their are FABULOUS WDW deals out there.

I had a huge, private villa that I won on a raffle at the Marriot and regardless of where and what you have to snack on or eat at or whatever- I would not stay off property. Way, way too much time is wasted doing that. And with kids your kids ages, I would think there will be enough of the backroom and other stoppages as it is.

You can even get inclusive food deals that are unbelieveable right now.

JJ5

That's "bathroom" stoppages. Sorry for all the mistakes, I didn't edit.

The other good location that everyone tends to overlook with a great pool too, is Coronado Springs. Don't do Carib. Beach- too spred out and too humongous on all counts.

I've stayed at highest end and lowest. AKL was my most disappointing. WAY< WAY too far and too off the bus routes timing and pathways- especially for the late shows at the other parks. And it's dark and overpriced. Although it does have a couple of good restaurants.

JJ5

Port Orleans French Quarter is a moderate- not the lowest value- as an All Sports- but it is immensely better in all counts.

tamarat

Thank you all again, so much. I wish there was something within walking distance to Magic Kingdom (I think for my kids that will be the primary place at least initially) besides the Contemporary. Is there something?

I think I've narrowed it down to the Port Orleans - just have to decide between the French Quarter or the Riverside. What is the difference besides the size? Is one location better than the other? Any other advantages to either? What is everyone's vote on that and why?

To answer 321go, we will be coming in with a car but I thought the whole fun of being on-site is not to use it! That is why I was hoping to be in walking distance of at least one park suitable for my kids. I'm wary of the sizes of the moderate resorts as you point out and the vast distances.

JJ5 - Why do you say go for French quarter as opposed to Riverside? You had a pretty good argument going for French Quarter!

thanks again to everyone!

JJ5

We did this logistics study for my DD (5 in that group) for the trip they did June 2009.

They did the French Quarter. It has the water features and watercraft access available. Plus it is NOT huge- not one of those all flung apart with townhouse 2 or 3 stories. My DD is a dynamo- really scoped out the nitty-gritty about what was close and where the buses stopped. All is NOT equal as far as bus logistics goes at WDW. In fact, the highest $ property levels (like AKL or the high rise hotels) have more distance and more time in "going between".

She had also stayed with me at G. Floridian and the Marriott I mentioned. She said the Port Orleans French Quarter was fab.

BTW, her kids were 9 and 7 when they went. And they ended up spending very little time at DHS because the kids were not tall enough for the best rides there. They did 7 full days- 4 bought with 3 free- got inclusive food and park-hoppers.

Kids loved the pool complexes- and they were NEVER crowded, even in June.

This is much better quality lodging, IMHO- then the higher end ones that are within MK. Those rooms are nice, but the rest is way, way too much in the crowd mish-mash. Behind EPCOT is also very good with older kids. Broadwalk or Yacht Club area.

DancingBearMD

First, just to address a couple of points above, the Contemporary's pool is heated, and the addition that has been built there is a Disney Vacation Club property so it has suites with kitchens and such.

One option to look into is a 2-bedroom suite at either the Contemporary DVC suites or one of the other DVC properties (Key West, Beach Club Villas, Animal Kingdom Villas or Boardwalk Villas). These can be affordable particularly if you rent points from a current owner and your nights fall within Sunday-Thursday, which are much cheaper than the weekend nights.

I'm not a fan of the All-Star resorts, but All-Star Movies has family suites that accomodate 6. I believe that all of the standard rooms everywhere else have a maximum capacity of 4, except that Port Orleans Riverside has rooms with a trundle bed that will accomodate 5.

On or off-site is an ongoing debate. We've done both and prefer on-site if it fits our budget. Being immersed in the theming, not having to use our own car (even if it means the occasional long bus ride and such) all makes it worthwhile.

Check out the Swan & Dolphin, they often have great discount rates available (including those offered on this website http://allears.net/acc/sd_discounts.htm), as well as to teachers, etc.). Lovely hotels and a great pool, generally cheaper than equivalent quality rooms in the Disney-operated resorts, but with the on-property advantages.

Our favorite moderate resort was Coronado Springs. I'd take the complaints about distances with a grain of salt. You can request a building close to the pool, or the food court or whatever if you want, there are "quiet pools" spread throughout the larger resorts, and there are multiple bus stops at the larger resorts, so you don't always have to go to the central main building.

And we've stayed at the Contemporary, Wilderness Lodge, Yacht Club, Dolphin, Caribbean Beach, All-Star Sports, and the Port Orleans French Quarter, and never had a significant issue with room maintenance or cleanliness.

tamarat

so, what is the vote - Port Orleans Riverside or Port Orleans French Quarter?

JJ5

Look at the pictures of each on the dis boards. French Quarter is built more like AKL- hotel shape- multi story. Riverside is more far-flung-similar to Car. Beach building shape quads with stairs- but not as large of an area with so many separate concorses (separate islands/pools as in Car. Beach- there it takes 20 minutes to find your right island path or correct "island" drop off)and she said it was NOT on those cul de sac's /walking mazes of the bigger resorts. But it is ALSO NOT a high rise to 10 floors or 20 or more- like the Swan or the Dolphin.

In December it may be too cold but the pool is easy, easy access at French Quarter and HUGE with slides.

JJ5

For the price I would go with French Quarter or Coronado Springs at this time.

The one time I stayed in MK (Polynesian) I could not STAND the level of people and crowds in every aspect of the place outside the room itself. Public bathrooms especially. This was October, NOT summer or Dec.

And I have to say that was the only issue of "mess" I have ever seen at a WDW Resort because they are all very clean- in any era I have stayed there.

rncheryl

JJ5: why is AKL your least favorite?? I love the Savannah rooms with animal views, and didn't find the transport to the parks much different from Coronado.

Just curious.

PS: 3 nite stay scheduled at AKL in November; already have reservations for Boma and Cooking Place.