My spouse and I have been to Disney a few times, staying in the Wilderness Lodge and the Grand Californian, with one random night at a value (All Star Sports, I think).
We are planning a first time trip for our first-grader and are having a little trouble sorting the hotel.
It seems that with a child, the parameters for what makes a good hotel might be different.
I'm hoping if I dump my disorganized thoughts here, you folks can help me sort through it to a conclusion.
And so:
We have always been rope-drop to close kind of folks, but this seems unlikely with a child.
As such, we haven't really much about the resort amenities, haven't used the pool, the arcades, shops, etc.
Outside of one character breakfast, we haven't used the dining in the hotel, preferring to snack all day.
We enjoy the "Disney Experience" like you get when you walk into somewhere like WL. The values have a super 8 with artwork vibe.
With a family, cost is a consideration that wasn't as important previously.
With a family, morning to night park time will be harder, so more time may be spent in the actual resort than before.
We dislike "long commutes". Don't mind a bus, particularly, but don't want to do multiple buses, lots of stops, etc.
Generally will stick to MK and Epcot.
Probably going for about a week.
Never been to a mid-level resort, even to tour, so not sure how they compare in the "Bubble". Are they a good "middle ground" or are they the 89 octane of Disney resorts?
Prefer interior doors as a rule, but not a deal breaker.
Playgrounds, pools, etc? I have no idea, I assume we would use them during Park breaks, but I really don't know.
Have been looking at the Contemporary and one of the Port ones. In value, looking at the Animation.
As you can see, I'm all over the place.
Will a 6 year old even notice the difference between value/moderate/deluxe? It seems likely that she'd be so overwhelmed with "Disney!" that it won't make a lick of difference.
On the other hand, I'd like to go all in on the experience so my spouse will enjoy it.
On the third hand, if I can save several thousand dollars, that's airfare.
Help me, Obi Wan.
We are planning a first time trip for our first-grader and are having a little trouble sorting the hotel.
It seems that with a child, the parameters for what makes a good hotel might be different.
I'm hoping if I dump my disorganized thoughts here, you folks can help me sort through it to a conclusion.
And so:
We have always been rope-drop to close kind of folks, but this seems unlikely with a child.
As such, we haven't really much about the resort amenities, haven't used the pool, the arcades, shops, etc.
Outside of one character breakfast, we haven't used the dining in the hotel, preferring to snack all day.
We enjoy the "Disney Experience" like you get when you walk into somewhere like WL. The values have a super 8 with artwork vibe.
With a family, cost is a consideration that wasn't as important previously.
With a family, morning to night park time will be harder, so more time may be spent in the actual resort than before.
We dislike "long commutes". Don't mind a bus, particularly, but don't want to do multiple buses, lots of stops, etc.
Generally will stick to MK and Epcot.
Probably going for about a week.
Never been to a mid-level resort, even to tour, so not sure how they compare in the "Bubble". Are they a good "middle ground" or are they the 89 octane of Disney resorts?
Prefer interior doors as a rule, but not a deal breaker.
Playgrounds, pools, etc? I have no idea, I assume we would use them during Park breaks, but I really don't know.
Have been looking at the Contemporary and one of the Port ones. In value, looking at the Animation.
As you can see, I'm all over the place.
Will a 6 year old even notice the difference between value/moderate/deluxe? It seems likely that she'd be so overwhelmed with "Disney!" that it won't make a lick of difference.
On the other hand, I'd like to go all in on the experience so my spouse will enjoy it.
On the third hand, if I can save several thousand dollars, that's airfare.
Help me, Obi Wan.
. We stayed at POR and All Star Sports when my son was 4 and 5. All he could talk about was the Contemporary (we has visited the resort.) When we stayed there when he was 6, his comment when we arrived was, "I can't believe I'm not dreaming!!"
