initial planning WDW trip. where to stay?

[pinkpeony08]

We were contemplating spring 2020 trip with what will be then almost 5 yo and 7.5 yo.  We had envisioned going just our family, but my in laws are already talking about it (honestly with us mentioning barely in passing) and clearly planning to join us.  I'm annoyed, but I'm guessing despite anything we say, they will be going.  They already go several times a year (have only week day annual passes).  It sounds like my sister in law and her husband may be coming as well with what will then be her almost 3 year old.  So in addition to all emotional part of envisioning this differently than it will likely pan out... it leads to more questions.  

I envision we will really just do a one time trip, guessing only 3 days.  Guessing we will not be making this a regular thing despite my in laws adoration for Disney.  That being said, I'm ok with splurging.  My older child currently gets car sick.  Given that and what I've read about the buses, I'm inclined to stay at a deluxe resort on the monorail to maximize time at the park/ease of going back to the hotel for nap/pool/break.  I stayed at the Poly on my one trip as a child and have fond memories of the pool.  But my in laws are super cheap.  They usually stay at the cheapest hotel, regardless of inconveniences or if it's gross/dirty, etc.  

Suggestions?  I would prefer to not share a suite with them (they kind of drive me batty, ha), so any big room rental is out if I want to enjoy the trip.   Presumably there is no way to please everyone?

[lurkydoodle]

It sounds to me like if possible you should get a room for just your family. Let the ILs do whatever it is they're going to do, KWIM? That way you at least have some breathing room once you're at your hotel. And monorails may sound like they're going to solve your problem, but aside from Magic Kingdom and Epcot they don't run anywhere else. You still need to find a way to Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios if you plan on going to those, not to mention Disney Springs and the water parks if those are on your radar. Any way you slice it if your goal is a one-time-only trip 3 days is really not enough time.

[TamiTaylor]

Nov 9, 2018 15:08:42 GMT -5 pinkpeony08 said:

We were contemplating spring 2020 trip with what will be then almost 5 yo and 7.5 yo.  We had envisioned going just our family, but my in laws are already talking about it (honestly with us mentioning barely in passing) and clearly planning to join us.  I'm annoyed, but I'm guessing despite anything we say, they will be going.  They already go several times a year (have only week day annual passes).  It sounds like my sister in law and her husband may be coming as well with what will then be her almost 3 year old.  So in addition to all emotional part of envisioning this differently than it will likely pan out... it leads to more questions.  

I envision we will really just do a one time trip, guessing only 3 days.  Guessing we will not be making this a regular thing despite my in laws adoration for Disney.  That being said, I'm ok with splurging.  My older child currently gets car sick.  Given that and what I've read about the buses, I'm inclined to stay at a deluxe resort on the monorail to maximize time at the park/ease of going back to the hotel for nap/pool/break.  I stayed at the Poly on my one trip as a child and have fond memories of the pool.  But my in laws are super cheap.  They usually stay at the cheapest hotel, regardless of inconveniences or if it's gross/dirty, etc.  

Suggestions?  I would prefer to not share a suite with them (they kind of drive me batty, ha), so any big room rental is out if I want to enjoy the trip.   Presumably there is no way to please everyone?

I love the Poly. I personally would look into the Poly, aGF, Cabins at FT Wilderness, AoA, POR, or Beach Club. Let me know if you need any help.

[daisyfay25]

Can your husband not gently tell them that this is just a trip for the 4 of you? I wouldn't want my one Disney vacation to be spent with in laws that irritate me.

[alleinesein]

Honestly if all you want to do is hit up the MK, dont bother with a 3 day trip to WDW. Opt for Disneyland and it solves all your problems. You can walk to both parks so you don't have to worry about car sickness and your inlaws wont be able to pop over and crash your trip.

[pinkpeony08]

Thanks. I’m well aware that we won’t be able to see all of wdw in three days. Hoping to see magic kingdom and Epcot, third day is not decided yet. We would be tacking it on to our annual trip to sw Florida to visit family. My in laws also live in sw Florida, hence their regular visits to Orlando. We really love our low key beach vacation with family in sw Florida hence not wanting to give up too much time of our week in wdw, which will not be relaxing the same way playing in the sand is.

I’ll check out the other hotel ideas.

I’m afraid even if we went to Disney land, my in laws would figure out wanting to go. My sister in law doesn’t live far from there, and they have actually already been to disneyland with her and her family.

[bex]

I would stay where you want to stay and let your ILs figure it out from there. There ARE options that would accommodate all or most of you - a villa for example - but if you don't want to do that, then just make your plans and let your ILs know about it afterwards. A monorail resort would help a great deal for MK and Epcot but not for HS and AKL, so if you want to visit those parks you just need to factor in the bus time. You could also look at Wilderness Lodge, which typically is a bit cheaper than other deluxe resorts but you still have boat service to MK instead of bus, which is fun and a lot less stressful in my opinion than the bus.

I understand not wanting to sacrifice your normal beach vacation for Disney, but I will say that the longer you are at Disney the less stressful it is. If you are only there three days, I think it will be fairly jam packed and busy and stressful, but if you are there closer to a week, you will probably enjoy the pools and such a lot more and get more downtime than you might expect. sometimes 2-3 days is all that works and if so, you can still have a great time. But if you have the ability to take a few more days there, I would do it.

[mslhb]

Our last trip we stayed at the Poly and loved it. You have the resort monorail and then the TTC is right there so there are lots of ways to get to MK and the monorail to Epcot. We rented points for a DVC studio and the process was super easy.

[pinkpeony08]

Also, if we are at a different hotel from grandparents, will we be able to go to the pool with them? Do they really limit the pool to people actually sleeping at the hotel or would they be able to join us for swimming regardless of where they stay?

[redheadk]

Nov 10, 2018 16:14:38 GMT -5 pinkpeony08 said:

Also, if we are at a different hotel from grandparents, will we be able to go to the pool with them? Do they really limit the pool to people actually sleeping at the hotel or would they be able to join us for swimming regardless of where they stay?

Officially, you are only supposed to go to the pool at your hotel. In reality, I think it's mostly just enforced at properties with more popular pools. For example, we stayed at Beach Club and they scan your MagicBand at the entrance to the pool (there is a cast member at each entrance) and give you a wristband for the day. They didn't do it in the evenings, though. 

[jd15]

I think 3 days is plenty for mk and Epcot. We did only 2 and we hit everything we wanted to except old thunder mountain - even tho it was a tad rushed (3 days would have been perfect). After Disney we got the beach (which is definitely my vacation preference).

My parents wanted to join and we said no. Lots of times while we were there dh and I commented to each other we were so glad we put our foot down bc trying to accommodate them (and anyone else) would have been a shit show. Save for getting the grandparents to babysit one night and meeting up for sit down/character meals (which is all we would plan to do together if we ever make it back).

[curbsideprophet]

I would probably stay at the Contemporary or BLT. Being able to walk to MK is great. Since it is such a short trip convenience will really help.

I am not sure how strict they are on the pools. Beach Club definitely requires everyone to scan their Magic Band.

[pinkpeony08]

I talked with my husband a bit. He’s on the same page as me. Thinking we will tell grandma and grandpa they can come for the third day and take ge kids to whatever they want. Then we can go what we want and they will hopefully be happy with time to do what they want with the kids. Will just wait and see how my sister in law fits in if she really wants to do wdw with us or if she wants to just meet us in sw Florida.

[bowies]

Nov 11, 2018 10:36:47 GMT -5 pinkpeony08 said:

I talked with my husband a bit. He’s on the same page as me. Thinking we will tell grandma and grandpa they can come for the third day and take ge kids to whatever they want. Then we can go what we want and they will hopefully be happy with time to do what they want with the kids. Will just wait and see how my sister in law fits in if she really wants to do wdw with us or if she wants to just meet us in sw Florida.

This is what we did with my parents and ILs. We spent a day with each, rest of the vacation was ours. It was a nice compromise.

[rainbowchip]

Nov 10, 2018 16:14:38 GMT -5 pinkpeony08 said:

Also, if we are at a different hotel from grandparents, will we be able to go to the pool with them? Do they really limit the pool to people actually sleeping at the hotel or would they be able to join us for swimming regardless of where they stay?

I was reading on Disboards (I think) that you can get day resort passes for family members to come visit your resort and use the pool. You have to go to the front desk to get the pass.