Very OT: Walt Disney World Florida hotel options

[Mike Cross]

Yes, i'm being anal, but i'm trying to plan my first family vacation ever with our daughter for 2010, and wonder if anyone has ever stayed actually on the resort at any of the Disney hotels? I've stayed offsite and want to forgo that bit and try something new..anyone have any reccomendations?

[hellboyone]

I've never been myself but I always recommend sites like tripadvisor.com and yelp.com for good, solid reviews of places to go.

[CBM]

Yes, i'm being anal, but i'm trying to plan my first family vacation ever with our daughter for 2010, and wonder if anyone has ever stayed actually on the resort at any of the Disney hotels? I've stayed offsite and want to forgo that bit and try something new..anyone have any reccomendations?We stayed at the Wild Animal Kingdom Park and I have to say it was pretty amazing!

[Mike Cross]

Actually Christine, that was one of my choices in mind..thanks for the response on that one.

Rick, i'm thinking i'll look closer at tripadvisor as well.

[Todd H]

I've stayed in Fort Wilderness Campground four times in the past and it's pretty neat. You stay in a tricked out camper though so no room service. It's nice because it's private and as a kid I was tricked into thinking I was really camping. :D

They do a lot of activities (or they did) like a campfire sing along with Chip and Dale and a show at the petting zoo and such. I always had fun.

OH and you can rent those little speed boats out on the lake. Those are awesome. Heh heh.

My parents recently stayed at the All Star resorts and had nothing good to say about them other then they are a cheap place to lodge.

My Uncle praised the Animal kingdom and the New Orleans (I don't know if that's the actual name. It's a French quarter themed resort) but I have no personal experience.

[Asa]

My Girlfriend goes every year to Disney world in Florida, She loves the family plan that Disney offers. You get hotel, discount food Tickets, and Disney park tickets, she always recomends them to her friends who have small kids. They all get feed, and traveling to and back is so simple with the tram.

[Ken O]

Mike, you're in my back yard. Animal Kingdom Lodge is fantastic. We stayed there for our honeymoon and I actually want to go back. Spend a few days there and not leave the hotel.

My wife recommends www.passporter.com. She is a self-professed Disney geek who has acted as a tour guide and trip planner. Any questions you have, feel free to mail or PM me. In fact when she looked over my shoulder and saw the conversation was about the parks she about knocked me out of the chair to post.

Also, plan an hour or so into one of the nights so we can grab a beer.

[Mike Cross]

TWyrm, I knew you'd be the man to have the answers ( and your lovely spouse)..I'm still a few years away, but that sounds definitely like a plan to me. My initial thought was to go All Star Movies, but then the price for the Moderately priced Coronado Springs wasn't really all that much difference. i figured well how much difference could the deluxe ones be..plus a lady at Alyssa's dance class today said the deluxe Contemporary was awful to them..made me cringe to hear that.
My wife and i have stayed in Kissimmee both times we've gone since we've been together and i just figured it was time to stay onsite...Planet Hollywood would be a great place to meet for a beverage and a dinner perhaps down the road....

[Catlin]

When we went back in 1996, we stayed at Port Orleans. I was 13 and loved it. They had these family-friendly Mardi Gras parties, the pool had a sea serpent slide and they served baguettes with breakfest. We were there for over a week and right on the river so we got to rent boats and go bicycling when we were not at one of the parks. Plus we were the first hotel on that loop that the shuttle picked up at so we always got to sit down.

We also got these awesome prepaid things where the coupons were for breakfast/lunch and lunch/dinner. This meant prepaid for any priced meal, and these meals included appetizer, entree and dessert. I had three types of steaks and ehough chocolate cake to almost, ALMOST make me get tired of chocolate...for about a day ;)

OK, now I cannot believe it had been nearly 12 years since I went.

[Mike Cross]

I've read good things about Port Orleans, and that being the first in the shuttle loop is practically a winner..

[Bertowud]

We stay at the Port Orleans French Quarter at least once a year. It's pretty good. The rooms start at $149 a night.

[Ken O]

Wife to T-wyrm here (aka Rachel:) ) :

Coronado Springs is OK, but it is mainly a convention-type hotel, and it is very far away from the three main parks (it's close to Animal Kingdom.) Plus, it's very spread out.

Contemporary is also a nice hotel, but attracts a lot of convention business, which may be why your friend had such issues.

My family used to stay at the Polynesian and we had nothing but excellent service from them - they also have the largest rooms on property since they are one of the oldest hotels there.

If you go deluxe, consider them, or Wilderness Lodge, Animal Kingdom or Beach Club. AK and WL are considered "deluxe moderate", which means their prices are always a bit lower. Consider trying to get one of the concierge rooms at AK, as you can go on the Sunrise Safari (for a $) at AK. It's pretty cool.


Beach Club is one of my favs, since it's pool is like a mini-waterpark, and the hotel is right behind EPCOT.

Mod-wise, Caribbean Beach and Port Orleans are both good. The Alligator Bayou section in PO have trundle beds in them, and are kinda secluded feeling.

I am not fond of the ALL-Stars, simply because I think Pop Century (which was built later) is better. You can get a "family room" (aka suite) there which gives you more sq footage.

Difference between Deluxe, Mods, and Value? Amenities!! The deluxe hotels are closer to parks, rooms are a touch prettier and accessed through interior hallways, better restaurants and "food courts", more things to do (marinas, better shops, etc). All hotels have great guest service, bus service, and some form of room service. Mods and value have pizza delivery in lieu of a food menu.

Best resort pricing is usually in January, October and September. Basically, any time it's chilly and/or kids are in school, you will get good prices. If you want to eat at Cinderella's Castle for ANY meal (Esp. breakfast) get your reservations NOW! (ok, really it's 60 days out, but you need to get that ressie like, that morning)

Anyway, I could (and can) go on, so PM Twyrm if you have questions. I can help you make your vacation go very smoothly. It may feel like planning a battle, but trust me, it helps a lot!

[Mike Cross]

Haha, thanks for the help Rachel ( Lady TWyrm? )...I will definitely keep you two on my to contact list for all this good stuff!