April Trip

[cathyy]

I'm so excited, we just booked airfare last night, and are thinking about staying on property. There would be 4 of us, my girls are ages 6 and 3. Is it better to stay on property rather than trying to rent a car, and bring car seats etc. One of my main concerns is the fact that my girls only eat certain foods ( basically no grilled cheese, pizza, or typical kid food, their choice not mine) I just don't want them living off french fries the entire vacation because we will be eating out so often. I really want a room with a microwave/mini fridge in there. Then at least I might be able to take a taxi to a grocery store and pick up stuff they do like.
Any help would be a great help! Thanks so much!!

 

[Jessie&Buzz]

Try looking into the cabins at Ft Wilderness. They have a kitchen in them. I've not stayed there but I'm sure someone will come along that has.

 

[bradandsarabr]

Welcome to the boards.

We traveled to WDW about the time that our kids were the ages of your kids. Although you will find many different opinions, we thought staying on-site was perfect for our kids. My kids thought the Disney buses were another one of the rides. (My almost 2 year old at the time thought it was the best ride.) Also staying on-site made less hassle of getting sleepy kids in & out of car seats. They never had to leave my shoulder. The convenience of staying onsite also would work in theory for naps. My kids usually slept on the bus ride & woke up by the time we got to the resort.

We found the food-courts at the resorts to have a great variety of kid-friendly foods with a good selection of healthier meals like rotassire chicken, roast beef, & vegis.

The moderates & up have mini-fridges for free. The mini-fridges don't get that cold so you may want an ice chest. The food courts have microwaves. To avoid the walk, we usually bring a hot plate.

 

[cathyy]

Thanks for your help... I have looked at the Port Orleans and those seem like a good option, but I have also looked at the Cabins, and was wondering how much more expensive they are to stay there? They are also considered a moderate resort, so are they the same price as Port Orleans?
Has anyone stayed in the cabins before? I think this would be sooo nice to not be crammed into one room for 7 days together.

 

[CAPTAIN HOOK]

As I read your post you have two juggling acts to contend with - on or off site - 1) to avoid car rental and car seats, and 2) wanting a microwave/fridge.

The extra you pay to stay on site could be put towards the car rental and seats to drive you from a rental house/condo with its own kitchen facilities. OK, so you're not as close to the Magic, its going to be harder to let the little one take naps during the day, and you'll have to pay for your parking.

I thing you're going to have to compromise somewhere :shrug:

 

[corey154]

Port Orleans is cheaper than the Cabins. Depending the rates at that time the cabins can be expensive. Expedia had cabins in december for $169, and P.O.F.Q. for $107. But I've seen the cabins as expensive as $269 a night, so you'll have to watch and maybe try a travel agent or web based travel sight to help you find good rates. (I'd recommend the travel agent) The cabins have kitchens, but without the rental car I'm not sure how much of a selection of grocerys you can get (unless you do one of those that you order the grocerys and send them to your room..but I've never used this service) The cabins are great b/c the have more room than a standard room like Port Orleans. We just were at POFQ and the food court has basic foods....chicken quesadias, hamb, hot dogs, pizza, cheesesteak sandwhiches, chicken ceasar salad, chicken parm., and other stuff but i don't remember what else (but everything was pretty good) The little fridge in the room at these resorts are pretty small and more of a cooler than a fridge (but it did manage to keep my son's milk cold for the weekend) At Port Orleans you are a boatride from down town disney and you can find alot more dining options there too. I personally like both of these resorts..now to your original questions about on property vs. off property...that's a big decision you're going to have to really think about...we love staying on property even though it is expensive b/c the atmosphere and not having to drive anywhere. (especially if you don't know the area)

 

[cathyy]

Thanks for your help. I think we have decided to stay on property, at the Port Orleans Riverside. I just hope we don't have to walk to far back to our room from the bus stop.

Is the dining option worthwhile? it seems kinda confusing, and I'm not sure it is a good option with kids.