Where did you stay and a brief review

[Deleted]

January 16th-20th is the only M-F at the poly with availability that month

[katrinabennett]

That may make my choice even easier.
We want to go February 27-March 5.
I think the first few days are possibly busy from the marathon but the park predictions were that it wouldn't be too busy.
I hope it's a good choice.

[Deleted]

DVC availability

Everything at AKL is available ( besides value rooms & concierge)
1 bedroom @ Beach Club is available
GV Studios 1 & 2 bedrooms are available at Boardwalk
SV studios are at Poly & LV studios at Poly
Lots of LV & TPV availability at BLT studios 1 & 2 bedrooms

[bronxgirl]

I've stayed at Port Orleans Riverside and Coronado Springs resort. internal bus stops is actually a good thing- it means there will be a stop close to your room, vs. having to walk long distances at the end of the day when you're exhausted.

[was5]

Aug 8, 2016 15:52:47 GMT -5 @savestheday said:

Aug 8, 2016 15:08:12 GMT -5 was5 said:

I know you were referring to the OP, but my original plan was to go the week of President's Day, 2018. After finding out that week is now one of the busy times (with the addition of marathon activities) we are looking at early January 2018. DD will just have to miss a few , or 5, days of school

I like the week of before MLK

How long do they normally keep Christmas decorations up? I would love to see WDW decorated without dealing with the ridiculous crowds.

[Deleted]

Aug 9, 2016 8:45:35 GMT -5 was5 said:

Aug 8, 2016 15:52:47 GMT -5 @savestheday said:

I like the week of before MLK

How long do they normally keep Christmas decorations up? I would love to see WDW decorated without dealing with the ridiculous crowds. 

They start coming down in early January. I have heard of them being up until the 9th or 11th in the MK and later in other parks. I saw the AK Christmas Tree still up on January 13th last year but it was gone the next day. 

[dcrunnergirl52]

Aug 9, 2016 8:45:35 GMT -5 was5 said:

Aug 8, 2016 15:52:47 GMT -5 @savestheday said:

I like the week of before MLK

How long do they normally keep Christmas decorations up? I would love to see WDW decorated without dealing with the ridiculous crowds.

We were there at MLK week this year, and there were no decorations up. 

[was5]

Aug 9, 2016 8:48:51 GMT -5 @savestheday said:

Aug 9, 2016 8:45:35 GMT -5 was5 said:

How long do they normally keep Christmas decorations up? I would love to see WDW decorated without dealing with the ridiculous crowds. 

They start coming down in early January. I have heard of them being up until the 9th or 11th in the MK and later in other parks. I saw the AK Christmas Tree still up on January 13th last year but it was gone the next day. 

I was leaning toward extending DD's Christmas/Holiday break and maybe going the Dec 31 through Jan 6 or 7, 2018. Since Christmas will fall on a Monday that year I wonder if they won't have any days off the week before Christmas and will have a few extra days into the first of the year. Of course, that will probably mean more schools across the country have that time off too and it will be super crowded.

I don't know if I'd want to be in a park on NY Eve though. I read a little bit about it online and you have to get to the parks early and can't leave for a break because they fill to capacity. It might be fun just to be in our hotel room and see if there are any activities at the resort with a NYE theme. Do you know if Jan 1 is typically busy or are most people making their way home that day? It will be a Monday in 2018.

[Deleted]

was5,January 1st is busy. January 2nd- 7th will be decreasingly less busy.

[ribollita]

Aug 9, 2016 8:45:35 GMT -5 was5 said:

Aug 8, 2016 15:52:47 GMT -5 @savestheday said:

I like the week of before MLK

How long do they normally keep Christmas decorations up? I would love to see WDW decorated without dealing with the ridiculous crowds.

I believe through marathon weekend.

[revolution]

Aug 8, 2016 17:44:42 GMT -5 katrinabennett said:

That may make my choice even easier.
We want to go February 27-March 5.
I think the first few days are possibly busy from the marathon but the park predictions were that it wouldn't be too busy.
I hope it's a good choice.

We've gone that week a couple of times.  It's a nice week to go.  

[Wines Not Whines]

My favorite deluxe resorts are the Polynesian and Yacht/Beach clubs (I lump those together because they're connected to each other and nearly identical). I would choose between those based on location. The Poly is more convenient to MK, and Yacht/Beach are more convenient to Epcot and Holywood Studios. We generally prefer staying at Yacht/Beach because it's so close to the World Showcase at Epcot, and my son loves the pool at the hotel. But I would have no hesitation to stay at the Poly.

We've also stayed at the Wilderness resort. I love the holiday decorations there, but it's less convenient than other deluxe resorts.

My favorite moderate resort is Port Orleans Riverside. I love the theming, the rooms are nice, and they have decent food options. I wasn't as impressed with Coronado.

I haven't stayed at a value resort, but I've visited AoA a few times, and it seemed nice. That would be my pick for a value.

[stephm0188]

Beach Club- easily my favorite. The location is great, the rooms are lovely, and the pool is amazing.

Wilderness Lodge- Smaller, more intimate, still a great location. Have stayed there multiple times.

Coronado Springs was underwhelming, but my opinion might be jaded by the fact that we were there for a half marathon and our room was a half mile away from the lobby/food court. That's not an exaggeration. One mile round trip to get a snack. Nope.

Port Orleans Riverside- my son loved the royal room.

Pop Century - clean, basic, good food options. My kid loves the theme and loves to stay there. It's his favorite behind Beach Club. Go figure.


I don't doubt that AoA is lovely, but I have a hard time paying that much for a value resort. I'd rather be at a moderate or lower price deluxe with better amenities or explore DVC.

[Deleted]

I've only stayed at the Grand Floridian. Twice in regular rooms, most recently in a DVC one bedroom.

The first two times I LOVED it. So accessible to everything, on the monorail and I loved the food options especially narcoosees. I also liked that it seemed a bit more adult friendly.

However my most recent stay in The DVC changed my mind. The room was amazing!!! But the property itself seems worn and the service wasn't up to par at all. Next time we are definitely staying at the Beach Club DVC. We tend to end up at Epcot most evenings for dinner so it's perfect for my family. (I travel with all adults)

[alleinesein]

Aug 9, 2016 8:45:35 GMT -5 was5 said:

Aug 8, 2016 15:52:47 GMT -5 @savestheday said:

I like the week of before MLK

How long do they normally keep Christmas decorations up? I would love to see WDW decorated without dealing with the ridiculous crowds.

They usually keep them up until 3 Kings Day (Jan 6th) and then they come down within a few days after that.  

[Deleted]

katrinabennett, Did you choose a hotel yet? I am like dying to know.

[katrinabennett]

Aug 10, 2016 10:20:36 GMT -5 @savestheday said:

katrinabennett, Did you choose a hotel yet? I am like dying to know.

I think we are going to go with port Orleans riverside. It seems to be 'fancy' enough but still budget enough. And sooo many amazing reviews. Almost everyone just said 'it feels like home'. That is such a good review.
My main reason for hesitating between this and A of A is that we kind of want a suite. But the suite at AofA is more $$ than POrt regular room which seems to have more stuff.
My H is hesitating because he isn't sure if he can forgo a suite. I also think he is hesitant about the crazy total cost. He can't believe Disney is so $$. Lol.

[katrinabennett]

Aug 10, 2016 10:20:36 GMT -5 @savestheday said:

katrinabennett, Did you choose a hotel yet? I am like dying to know.

And you are such a great guide. Is this your job because it could be. And since you are here, do you have any tips for extra magic hours? Should we do the extra magic hours in that park and then hop to another park when the extra hours are done? (Or beforehand)
Do you think fast passes before 11am are needed?
How long is the average character meal?

[ribollita]

Aug 11, 2016 7:26:30 GMT -5 katrinabennett said:

Aug 10, 2016 10:20:36 GMT -5 @savestheday said:

katrinabennett, Did you choose a hotel yet? I am like dying to know.

I think we are going to go with port Orleans riverside. It seems to be 'fancy' enough but still budget enough. And sooo many amazing reviews. Almost everyone just said 'it feels like home'. That is such a good review.
My main reason for hesitating between this and A of A is that we kind of want a suite. But the suite at AofA is more $$ than POrt regular room which seems to have more stuff.
My H is hesitating because he isn't sure if he can forgo a suite. I also think he is hesitant about the crazy total cost. He can't believe Disney is so $$. Lol.

I've been to both (although only stayed at AoA) and would choose AoA suite every time, especially with your DDs age. However POR is a nice resort and I'm sure you'd be happy there!

[katrinabennett]

Aug 11, 2016 7:30:16 GMT -5 ribollita said:

Aug 11, 2016 7:26:30 GMT -5 katrinabennett said:

I think we are going to go with port Orleans riverside. It seems to be 'fancy' enough but still budget enough. And sooo many amazing reviews. Almost everyone just said 'it feels like home'. That is such a good review.
My main reason for hesitating between this and A of A is that we kind of want a suite. But the suite at AofA is more $$ than POrt regular room which seems to have more stuff.
My H is hesitating because he isn't sure if he can forgo a suite. I also think he is hesitant about the crazy total cost. He can't believe Disney is so $$. Lol.

I've been to both (although only stayed at AoA) and would choose AoA suite every time, especially with your DDs age. However
POR is a nice resort and I'm sure you'd be happy there!

[
Ahhhh!!!! What to do!!!
Question. Is it true that art of animation suites don't go on sale? I am crossing fingers for a sale of some kind to price adjust our cost. Sometimes sales happen in the fall. Do I have more chance to get a sale on POR room vs AofA suite? Are there non little mermaid suites because they seem to be the no-sale ones. Then I can just make my final decision on cost.

[was5]

Aug 11, 2016 7:26:30 GMT -5 katrinabennett said:

Aug 10, 2016 10:20:36 GMT -5 @savestheday said:

katrinabennett , Did you choose a hotel yet? I am like dying to know.

I think we are going to go with port Orleans riverside. It seems to be 'fancy' enough but still budget enough. And sooo many amazing reviews. Almost everyone just said 'it feels like home'. That is such a good review.
My main reason for hesitating between this and A of A is that we kind of want a suite. But the suite at AofA is more $$ than POrt regular room which seems to have more stuff.
My H is hesitating because he isn't sure if he can forgo a suite. I also think he is hesitant about the crazy total cost. He can't believe Disney is so $$. Lol.

I am debating between the suite at AoA and POR Riverside and we have 3 kids. I would definitely spend less money for a moderate resort with a 3 person family. Are you going to get a princess room with the headboards that light up? Unfortunately for us, princess rooms are not available for rooms that sleep 5 people

[was5]

Aug 11, 2016 7:32:49 GMT -5 katrinabennett said:

Aug 11, 2016 7:30:16 GMT -5 ribollita said:

I've been to both (although only stayed at AoA) and would choose AoA suite every time, especially with your DDs age. However
POR is a nice resort and I'm sure you'd be happy there!

[
Ahhhh!!!! What to do!!!
Question. Is it true that art of animation suites don't go on sale? I am crossing fingers for a sale of some kind to price adjust our cost. Sometimes sales happen in the fall. Do I have more chance to get a sale on POR room vs AofA suite? Are there non little mermaid suites because they seem to be the no-sale ones. Then I can just make my final decision on cost.

The Little Mermaid rooms aren't suites. They just have 2 double beds. We stayed in a Little Mermaid room in 2015.

The suites are Nemo (usually a little more expensive than the other suites, right next to the pool), Cars and Lion King.

I think suites are included when rooms go on sale, but since they are at a budget resort the discount is 15%. I think moderate resorts usually have a 20% discount during sales. I thought we had a discount on our Little Mermaid room, but things might have changed in the last couple years. It also looks like LM rooms are more expensive than they were compared to other similar types of budget rooms (e.g. Pop).

[katrinabennett]

Aug 11, 2016 7:37:53 GMT -5 was5 said:

Aug 11, 2016 7:32:49 GMT -5 katrinabennett said:

[
Ahhhh!!!! What to do!!!
Question. Is it true that art of animation suites don't go on sale? I am crossing fingers for a sale of some kind to price adjust our cost. Sometimes sales happen in the fall. Do I have more chance to get a sale on POR room vs AofA suite? Are there non little mermaid suites because they seem to be the no-sale ones. Then I can just make my final decision on cost.

The Little Mermaid rooms aren't suites. They just have 2 double beds. We stayed in a Little Mermaid room in 2015.

The suites are Nemo (usually a little more expensive than the other suites, right next to the pool), Cars and Lion King.

I think suites are included when rooms go on sale, but since they are at a budget resort the discount is 15%. I think moderate resorts usually have a 20% discount during sales. I thought we had a discount on our Little Mermaid room, but things might have changed in the last couple years. It also looks like LM rooms are more expensive than they were compared to other similar types of budget rooms (e.g. Pop).

Great information. Thanks.

[katrinabennett]

Aug 11, 2016 7:35:04 GMT -5 was5 said:

Aug 11, 2016 7:26:30 GMT -5 katrinabennett said:

I think we are going to go with port Orleans riverside. It seems to be 'fancy' enough but still budget enough. And sooo many amazing reviews. Almost everyone just said 'it feels like home'. That is such a good review.
My main reason for hesitating between this and A of A is that we kind of want a suite. But the suite at AofA is more $$ than POrt regular room which seems to have more stuff.
My H is hesitating because he isn't sure if he can forgo a suite. I also think he is hesitant about the crazy total cost. He can't believe Disney is so $$. Lol.

I am debating between the suite at AoA and POR Riverside and we have 3 kids. I would definitely spend less money for a moderate resort with a 3 person family. Are you going to get a princess room with the headboards that light up? Unfortunately for us, princess rooms are not available for rooms that sleep 5 people

If we go POR we will get the princess room. It's all about the princesses.
With our luck, we will finally make a choice and then the room will be booked and we will end up at some random resort that has rooms leftover. Lol.
I blame my husband.

[Deleted]

Aug 11, 2016 7:27:00 GMT -5 katrinabennett said:

Aug 10, 2016 10:20:36 GMT -5 @savestheday said:

katrinabennett , Did you choose a hotel yet? I am like dying to know.

And you are such a great guide. Is this your job because it could be. And since you are here, do you have any tips for extra magic hours? Should we do the extra magic hours in that park and then hop to another park when the extra hours are done? (Or beforehand)
Do you think fast passes before 11am are needed?
How long is the average character meal?

Thank You! 

So EMHs are controversial. Some people do EXACTLY what you say. Get there for the whole EMH and then leave for another park where there FPs are at like 10:30-11:00 am. I haven't really ever found it necessary. Especially at Epcot where very few rides are open for EMHs. I like to start have a whole morning and early afternoon at one park and then go back to the resort, and go to a second park for evening entertainment. 

So with FP plus now being available on the phone for 4th FP and beyond I like to start my FPs around 10:00am. Use the first hour to RD a few rides ( like for example at MK RD Peter Pan and Pooh and maybe the Speedway and THEN at 10:00am have a FP plus for 7 Dwarves Mine Train. That way you can get more FPs easily. 

The average character meal is 60-90 minutes. If you are doing a pre-park opening character meal, they will let you into the park at 7:45am. When you get to the meal ask for your check before you order so you can pay and be on your way to rides BEFORE the RD crowd gets there. 

I think you will like POR. It's very pretty and if she likes Princesses the " Royal" rooms are fun and also likely to have a discount you can apply later. The ONLY thing I don't LOVE about that resort is the bussing. It's a HUGE resort and the waits for busses can be LONG at the end of the night ( although in the past year and a half Disney busses have gotten SO SO SO much better) 

But Yee Haw Bob and the carriage ride ( book a carriage ride) and renting a Surrey bike on the grounds and walking to POFQ for beignets is pretty awesome. Remember you CAN use the pool at FQ too. 

Are you thinking about Bibbity Bobbity Bou

[Deleted]

Aug 11, 2016 8:34:42 GMT -5 katrinabennett said:

Aug 11, 2016 7:35:04 GMT -5 was5 said:

I am debating between the suite at AoA and POR Riverside and we have 3 kids. I would definitely spend less money for a moderate resort with a 3 person family. Are you going to get a princess room with the headboards that light up? Unfortunately for us, princess rooms are not available for rooms that sleep 5 people

If we go POR we will get the princess room. It's all about the princesses.
With our luck, we will finally make a choice and then the room will be booked and we will end up at some random resort that has rooms leftover. Lol.
I blame my husband.

Book it now. You can always cancel up to like 60 days in advance. 

[Deleted]

I book hotel rooms all the time IN CASE my DVC room I want isn't available when the date gets closer and then I cancel.

[katrinabennett]

Okay @savestheday - one more question.
What does 'budget ' mean? What am I missing out on? My husband doesn't like the wording of budget. He also doesn't understand how. Budget costs so much. Lol.
Are all the beds smaller? Harder?
Less pools but still a good pool. Do I need 4-5 pools with skides? We only have 1 off day and it's the end of February.
Two big things about A of A that appeal to me besides how cute it is. Dedicated bus. And suite.
Huge appeal of Port Orleans -seems to be cozier. Cheaper and moderate.
I apologize for my 2 page thread about choosing a resort.

[was5]

Aug 11, 2016 8:34:42 GMT -5 katrinabennett said:

Aug 11, 2016 7:35:04 GMT -5 was5 said:

I am debating between the suite at AoA and POR Riverside and we have 3 kids. I would definitely spend less money for a moderate resort with a 3 person family. Are you going to get a princess room with the headboards that light up? Unfortunately for us, princess rooms are not available for rooms that sleep 5 people

If we go POR we will get the princess room. It's all about the princesses.
With our luck, we will finally make a choice and then the room will be booked and we will end up at some random resort that has rooms leftover. Lol.
I blame my husband.

Ha. H's always get in the way   If he's concerned about the cost, I would do a side by side comparison of a POR princess room and an AoA suite. Maybe the lower price will convince him to go with POR. There is also a whole fan website devoted to POR Riverside. Not sure if you found it while you were researching www.portorleans.org/riverside-info.php

[was5]

I'm going to throw one more thought out there about getting a suite when you have one child. Will your 5 year old feel comfortable/safe sleeping in a separate room alone in a strange, new place or will she/he be nervous and want to sleep in the same room with you anyway? Something to consider depending on the temperament of your child.