Need opinions on resorts for our next trip and other questions

[popsicletrees]

The family is returning to WDW in January 2010. Our plan is to travel down on 1/2 and stay for an entire week. So, I will begin by asking how long are the Christmas decorations up after the beginning of the year?

For the first few days of the trip we will have 5 adults. Then, my sister, brother-in-law, and nephew will be joining us. During the first few days, we plan on staying at either Pop or Shades of Green. If we stay at Pop we will get two rooms. We have never stayed at either, so any opinions would be great.

Once the rest of the group arrives, we plan on staying at a deluxe resort. There will be 5 adults in one room, and two adults and a toddler in another. We have narrowed down our options to Boardwalk, Beach Club, Yacht Club, and the Contemporary. We have stayed at the Contemporary and Beach Club, but it was several years ago. Do any of the resorts have heated pools? Do they have good play areas for my nephew? Do either of those resorts allow a 6th person in the room if the 6th person is under 3? We also need a place that is convenient for my grandmother to travel around. She will have a scooter.

Since the Disney marathons will be happening around that time, do they have a big impact on the crowds in the parks?

Last question: 1/4 is a Monday, and we plan on going to Universal that day. Does anyone know what the crowds for Universal are like that time of the year?

This will be my fiance's first trip to WDW, and I really want him to have the best experience possible. Any opinions are much welcomed! If you choose to vote in the poll, please pick an option for the deluxe and an option for Pop or Shades of Green. :wave:

 

[pixiesteno]

I believe that all the pools on property are heated. Just so that you are aware SOG is not considered to be fully "on-property" there are some perks that 'on-property' guest have that you don't get with SOG, like charging stuff to your room around the kingdom. And I am not sure that the buses actually go to SOG or they have their own buses that go to the parks.
Pop Century has a lot of bright interesting icons from the 20th century around the property and spending the time inspecting all the display boxes in the lobby is well worth the time. Pop has a great gift shop and extensive food court. We have stayed there 4 times and have had wonderful service every time.
I picked the Beach club resort for your Deluxe stay due the the close proximity to EPCOT, their wonderful Cape May resturant, which has a great character buffet for breakfast every morning but is in a bit clamer setting than Chef Mickey's. The Beach Club also has an extensive pool, called Storm a long bay, which has just been refurb. As I understand it, the pool is somewhat of a mini water park and admittance is strictly controlled to resort guests only.
As this is your fiance's first visit, schedule some time for the two of you to do something wonderful together, like the 'kiss good night' at the MK, special dinner for two, carriage ride. You could always check with guest services at your resort for suggestions.
All of the resorts are property are handicapped accessible but be sure to mention this when booking your room so that your grandmother has the accessibility that she needs in the hotel room, etc. I have always found guest services to be wonderful to work with.
Most of all, enjoy your stay.:sohappy::sohappy:

 

[pcarathers]

the pools are heated, but it is when you get out of the pool that you FREEZE your patootie off!!!!!!!!!!! My personal favorite resort is the Contemporary. We have yet to stay there, but we visit it every trip. Our next trip is planned for Dec 2010 and that is our choice of resort! There will be 10-15 of us for that trip and we can't wait. Albeit, we just got back a week ago from All Star Sports! I'm already missing it!!!!!!!

 

[popsicletrees]

Thanks for the comments. We really like the Contemporary and the Beach Club. Both are very convenient in their own way. It is really nice to know that the pools are heated. Since we will be there for a week, we will have a nice long time to enjoy the pools. If anyone else has any more comments, please feel free to share.

 

[mousebymarriage]

We have stayed at Pop 3 times (we love it) and always get 2 rooms (connecting, 1 for the kids, one for us) plus by getting 2 rooms at Pop it also gives you 2 bathrooms, so getting ready in the morning is so much faster.
If I am not mistaken the decorations come down during the first week of January.(not sure of the exact date)

 

[SleepingMonk]

For that time of year with the holiday decorations and the cool weather our favorite is the Wilderness Lodge.

 

[MKCP 1985]

hmm . . . I didn't read the directions carefully before voting. As between Pop and Shades of Green, Shades of Green provides much nicer amenities and I would personally prefer to stay there.

I would prefer the Contemporary Hotel but voted for the Boardwalk for your group primarily because I think your fiancee would probably enjoy its proximity to all the adult things to do in that area, more so than the other options.

Of course, chances are great that no matter what you choose, you will have a great time!

As for crowds, I don't think the runners make the parks too crowded.

edit: I stayed at the Wilderness Lodge for this year's marathon weekend and the Christmas decorations were already gone (Jan 9-10) so don't book your stay based on the Christmas decorations.

 

[Mystic]

Decorations are usually up until around Jan 4/5 which is when they start coming down. You don't mention whether or not someone in your family is in the military or a member of the DOD. I mention this because this is a requirement for staying at Shades of Green, that's why it's not truly considered an "On property" resort and doesn't get the same "amenities" as all the other "on property" resorts.

I have to second the Wilderness Lodge. There is nothing like the Lodge and Christmas Decorations to put you in the right mood.

 

[WDW 3]

I believe that all the pools on property are heated. Just so that you are aware SOG is not considered to be fully "on-property" there are some perks that 'on-property' guest have that you don't get with SOG, like charging stuff to your room around the kingdom. And I am not sure that the buses actually go to SOG or they have their own buses that go to the parks.
Pop Century has a lot of bright interesting icons from the 20th century around the property and spending the time inspecting all the display boxes in the lobby is well worth the time. Pop has a great gift shop and extensive food court. We have stayed there 4 times and have had wonderful service every time.
I picked the Beach club resort for your Deluxe stay due the the close proximity to EPCOT, their wonderful Cape May resturant, which has a great character buffet for breakfast every morning but is in a bit clamer setting than Chef Mickey's. The Beach Club also has an extensive pool, called Storm a long bay, which has just been refurb. As I understand it, the pool is somewhat of a mini water park and admittance is strictly controlled to resort guests only.
As this is your fiance's first visit, schedule some time for the two of you to do something wonderful together, like the 'kiss good night' at the MK, special dinner for two, carriage ride. You could always check with guest services at your resort for suggestions.
All of the resorts are property are handicapped accessible but be sure to mention this when booking your room so that your grandmother has the accessibility that she needs in the hotel room, etc. I have always found guest services to be wonderful to work with.
Most of all, enjoy your stay.:sohappy::sohappy:

SOG has the best transporation system of all. You can use their dedicated buses AND everything that Disney has. Don't limit yourself to thinking that you are tied to SOG buses and that's it!
It is fully "On property" it is closer to the Poly (and their buses and the monorail) than the Poly is to the TTC, really close walking distance.
You may not be able to use a room key to charge, but you still have the package delivery from the parks, we used it for all our purchases last October, even the ride photos.
SOG isn't in the same catagory as POP. If you can't tell, SOG has my vote.

 

[KaliSplash]

Hi. Voted for Contemporary for you. You are aware of the extra charges for anything beyond 2 adults per room at standard hotel rooms. Also, 5th person in a room at the Contemporary needs to be short for that fifth bed. I do think they will let a 6th person under six stay, though.

I'm with Mystic on The Wilderness Lodge. Probably our favorite resort at WDW, though there's no where for five adults unless you get a suite.

Also, as has been pointed out, I assume someone in your party qualifies for the SOG, meaning they work for or in the military.

Hope you have a great trip.

 

[heliumalias]

Considering the number of people in your party it's probably worth considering the various "villas". A 2 bedroom villa sleeps 8 I believe, 3 bedroom - 12. This may work out better for you then the traditional hotel room style accommodation (if staying in a deluxe resort). It may also work out better for you to stay in the same place for the whole trip (saves time having to move rooms/hotels).

Out of the places you listed my personal favorite is the Contemporary.

 

[Susan Savia]

We were last at Disney in January (10th thru 18th). The marathon was running our first day in the parks and we found it wasn't bad at all getting around. The decorations were gone by our visit.

 

[corey154]

The Contemporary would be best for the scooter and any strollers you may have. You can take the monorail to MK and Epcot without the hassle of loading up on a bus. You just drive the scooter right on the monorail. In my opinion it's so much easier than a bus.

Pop Century is a great place too. It's my favorite value resort. So much to look at, we enjoy just walking around the grounds and people watching in the food court area. (also has alot of choices for food) The only downside is this is a popular resort with ALOT of rooms so the foodcourt and buses can be crowded (even in the winter).

 

[DisneyPrincess5]

I voted for the Contemporary!

Having this trip be your fiance's first WDW trip, I'd recommend staying here so he gets the experience of staying RIGHT next door to MK (so fun) and having the monorail to both MK and Epcot.

I also highly recommend the Poly. It's our favorite and IMO even more magical and beautiful than the Contemporary.

 

[popsicletrees]

Thanks for the comments everyone.

My father was honorably discharged from the Navy, and nonactive military can stay in SOG in September and January. So, that is where that option fits in.

We originally considered the Wilderness Lodge. It is one of my favorite resorts on property. The only problem is that the rooms do not come with a day bed, and we only planned on getting one room for the five of us when we stayed at a deluxe. I do plan on taking my fiance over there though.

We are going to do the dining plan. So, we will definitely paying for extra adults in the room.

It is a relief to know that the Christmas decorations will be up at least in part if not the entire time we are there. In my opinion, that is when Disney shows off their best they have to offer in decor, and it will be great to show my fiance all of the decorations.

As far as deluxe resorts we are torn between the Contemporary, the Beach Club, and the Yacht Club. We have stayed in all but the Yacht.

The plan is to make our reservations this month. My uncle is a DVC member and is upgrading his points to buy into Bay Lake Tower. He and his wife are thinking about coming with us in January. If so, I know where my mom is going to try to get us to stay. :lol: It would be fine with me though!

Again, thank you everyone for your input.

 

[toystorymaniacs]

You can not beat the Contemporary for convenince. You can walk to MK and monorail to Epcot. Plus it's a great resort!

 

[Chrononymous]

I voted for boardwalk. It truly looks magical at that time of year, and there's a few extra fun things to do there.
I once stayed at the Boardwalk villas...which would be perfect for the number in your party!