Where should I stay at Disney World in Orlando? Family of 5, 2 adults 3preschoolers?

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Natterjack9

Stay at a Disney resort. There is no comparison at all with the resorts off site. Disney has a resort that will fit any budget and two things that the off site hotels can't offer, PERKS. Disney takes great care of their resort guests. For example, they offer Extra Magic Hours, where one park opens early and one stays open late for resort guests only. There is a free shuttle to and from Orlando Int'l Airport with luggage service. Also, there is the unlimited use of their transportation system. The off site hotels do offer shuttle service, but in many cases it costs extra and the time schedule is not good. Just those perks make it worth the money.

I would recommend staying at the All-Star Movies resort, or the All-Star Music resort in a family suite. The AS Movies resort is a favorite of the kids, especially ones the ages of yours. The value resorts are great for families. There is a huge pool, food court, and again transportation to and from any of the Disney attractions including Downtown Disney and the water parks. The downside to the value resorts is the rooms are on the small side, unless you are in a family suite that sleeps up to 6.

I hope this helps. I would check out the Disney website and use their resort comparison tool. You can even get a quote on your stay. You can do a whole package that includes passes. Oh, and do get the park hopper option, it is worth the little bit of extra cash. It gives you the freedom to come and go as you please instead of being stuck going to one park each day. For example, say you spend a little time at the Animal Kingdom, but decide after a rest and nap you want to go back to the Magic Kingdom in the afternoon to ride Pirates of the Caribbean. You can ONLY do that with the park hopper option added to your ticket. It just gives you the flexibility to do what you want.

Also, check out the disboards. The disboards is a message board website that has more info about going to WDW than you can possibly imagine. You can get trip reports, resort reviews, restaurant reviews, tips for avoiding crowds, and mcuh more. I put both links below.

Hope this helps, have a great trip!!

mslatin8501

stay at one of the disney resorts! Going to the resorts is one of my favorite parts when I go to disney. To stay at around $150 per night you can try the moderate resorts (Port Orleans Riverside and French Quarter, Caribbean Beach or Coronado Springs.) I've stayed at PO Riverside and Caribbean Beach and loved them both. I believe for the first week of Dec. disney is pricing them at around $145 a night.

If you want to go a little cheaper you can try the value resorts. (Allstar music, sports and movies, and pop century.) I've stayed at all of them and personally like pop century the best. Those are running around $80-$90 a night for the first week in dec.

Which ever you choose will be a great choice. I personally like the moderate resorts better because they're more laid back and not as noisy. Go to www.disneyworld.com to get the prices. Have fun! You will love Disney...I'm going back in december as well!

buildabettermousetrip

The advantage to staying in one of the Disney resorts is that you won't need a rental car and they offer the Disney Magical Express shuttle between the Disney resorts and the Orlando International Airport. Having a room on property is also nice for taking a mid-day break.

Is one of your pre-schoolers still able to sleep in a portable crib? If so, you can stay in any of the resorts - even the ones that generally have a maximum capacity of 4 people.

But, you can stay at one of the moderate resorts using the Nov. / Dec. promo for about $124 to $139 per night. This will give you some extra amenities and a little extra room.

This is your first trip so it is all going to be new and a little overwhelming. I really recommend that you have a touring plan to help with your days. It will keep you out of the long lines, which is important with little ones. One option is to buy the Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World.

I am a travel agent and do provide custom touring plans when you book through me. There is no extra charge for doing so. www.buildabettermousetrip.com

Lisa

Stay on Disney property!!! With 3 preschoolers it will be much easier being that close to the parks and using their transportation to get around. Besides if you stay on property the magic of Disney never stops! And each resort has a theme and are really worth trying out.

www.allearsnet.com has descriptions, pictures and reviews of all hotels. You should be able to find a nice one that will fit your budget. Look up Port Orleans Riverside....its one of my favorites!

Amy

in my opinion, staying in the resort area is part of the magic. there's bus service so you don't have to drive your car to most of the areas in the resort, free parking at the parks if you decide to drive, and disney 24/7! you might be able to get into a room at the moderate price resorts for under $150/ night if it's off season.

there's also a place on west irlo bronson called saratoga springs. it's townhouses. the one we stayed at had 2 bedrooms upstairs with a full bath, downstairs had a full kitchen, bathroom w/ shower, living room with fold out couch and dining area. it was very clean and the staff was very friendly.

http://www.saratogaresortvillas.com/gen-info.htm

kill_yr_television

I agree with the other respondants that lodging "on campus" is best, especially with little ones. The WDW hotels fall into 3 price ranges. IMO the "B" priced hotels are the best value, more space, more amenities, and more convenience for about an extra $20 a night. Another alternative is Fort Wilderness, a campground so luxurious it's more like an open air hotel, with capsites for about $45-$70 a night.

Think real hard about whether to pay for park hopping privilige. Even if you go back to your room for lunch and naps, is it worth the money to NOT return to the same park in the afternoon? The WDW transportation is convenient and free, but lines to get on the monorail, boat, or bus can be 30 minutes or more. If you are driving, you may prefer your own car to the WDW transportation. Some admission plans include unlimited free parking. I have heard that parking policy has changed and you can leave your parking lot then later repark in the same or another parks' lot without paying a second parking fee. Sorry, but I haven't been able to either verify that either way.

If you're on a budget, try to avoid paying for ANYTHING Disney other than your lodging and tickets. Food, film, sunscreen, souveniers, even water are VERY expensive within the parks and only slightly cheaper at the hotel convenience stores. Carry meal bars, fruits, sandwiches with you. Bring an ice chest (or get a room with kitchenette) and prepare some meals in your room or you'll spend a fortune on food.

In Florida we have frequent short but heavy rains. Be prepared with ponchos and dry sox. Everybody bring a sweater; it can be colder than a meat locker inside some of the rides. A warm hat does a lot to keep the chill away and takes little space.

Be at the park early in the morning before it opens, so you can get on a couple rides before the "let's stop for breakfast" crowd arrives. By 11 it's really crowded, a good time to go "home" for lunch and a nap. You can see the fireworks really well from the lakeshore behind the Polynesian resort. Don't wait for the monorail, it's close enough to walk! Have fun.

Cameron C

Whatever you do, do NOT stay anywhere near the I-Drive area, unless you want to be robbed.

MJR

Your choice of the first week of December is an excellent one. If at least one of your children will be under 3 at the time of your trip, I highly recommend renting Disney Vacation Club points from an owner, and staying in a studio villa on property (studio villas sleep 4 + 1 child under 3 in a crib). This can be done for around $150, and is a significantly less than staying in a villa when booking through Disney. A great place to find DVC owners looking to rent out points is The DIS Boards' DVC Rent/Trade forum; look to spend no more than $10 "per point" (DVC is a timeshare that works on a point system).

As for which DVC resort to stay in, I might recommend The Animal Kingdom Lodge Villas for your family. A Savanah View studio villa will run you less than $142 per night for your dates.

Halo Mom

Try to see if they are having special
I go a message about one bedroom on Disney on sale for about that money

If you stay off, look at suites

If one of your children are under two, they will not count them, any you can stay at any hotel at Disney
I would go to a travel agent and ask, they should know the right answer

Joyce T

Disney Port Orleans, AAA discount should get you a room with two double beds and a trundle bed for the third child. Port Orleans is beautiful.

Mrs. BooBoo Stewart

Stay at the Polynesian Resort in Disney or The Animal Kingdom Lodge.... AMAZING hotels.

You should stay at one of the Disney Resorts. They offer good deals and also you get a lot of extra benefits at Disney world like unlimited fast pass, a free shuttle ride to the park from the resort, and the park stays open later than the closing time just for the people staying at the Disney resorts.

mommy2squee

Absolutely stay IN THE PARK, and park hopper passes are a must. once you are a guest in the hotels your transport in the park is free. There are several options, from the value hotels to the Grand Floridian. Check out Disney's website, but also buy the Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World 2008.

Tivogal

disneyparks.disney.go.com

arthurfrommersbudgettravel.com

pirate_luv77

http://bookwdw.reservations.disney.go.com/ibcwdw/en_US/_framework/components/processEngine?stepName=Guest_STD_ROOM_ResortDiscovery_Step&process=false&pageRender=true

Go here Its very easy or you can plan your own stay... Here

http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/disneyparks/en_US/index?name=BookVacationLandingPage

Enjoy I hope tou have a great time!

arklatexrat

I have no idea what it costs now, but we got a great off-season deal at the Wilderness Lodge (a Disney property) about 12 years ago. It is an attraction in itself (especially if you like nature/outdoors/national parks kind of stuff, so you should try to do a meal there even if you don't end up staying there. They had a park ranger bring in live animals and do educational programs for the guests several nights while we were there, and there is a geyser/lighted water show at the lodge. There are several other resort hotels on the property with various themes that might appeal more to your kids (some with their own water parks, etc.) All of them have some sort of shuttle transportation to and from the park. (Wilderness Lodge had a ferry boat to take you across to the park). You will save a ton on parking, and if one parent wants to take one or more kids back to the hotel for a mid-afternoon nap while the other stays to do rides appropriate for older siblings, this works out great!
There are all levels of pricing for the different hotels, and you can usually get package deals that include things like character breakfasts and early park admission. If you aren't familiar with Orlando, it can be a drag getting to and from Disney. I've done both, and would definitely recommend staying onsite with little ones!
Good luck --have a great trip!

MistWing

IMO, you should stay on the resort. I've liked the Polynesian myself. If you're military, you can stay at 'Shades of Green'

Thompson-McCain

I can sell you a timeshare week for about $80/night.

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