Taking MIL and 2 kids - hotel suggestions?

[ZazaNicole]

We're taking our two girls (10 and 6) for their first visit to DW, probably staying about 6 nights or so in late August. We're also taking my MIL and paying all her expenses. We've been to DL a couple of times, staying at the DL Hotel (without MIL). Trying to figure out how to get two separate rooms comparable in quality to the DL Hotel without totally breaking the bank and without getting the kids totally worn out with the walk back to the hotel after a busy day. We're looking for some nice water features for the kids as well ... maybe we can let them use the hotel water features to get around having to do the water parks? They're not great swimmers so won't be into the big slides, but would enjoy more moderate stuff. My husband and I would like a pool bar but not required. Any suggestions?

Also, are moderate hotels at DW comparable to DL Hotel or would I need to go up a level for that? Thanks.

[jengold29]

I think the DL hotel would be considered a deluxe hotel.

In late August it's going to be hot and it's going to rain (usually for a short period of time in the afternoon).

You're all going to be exhausted-- walk or no walk (and at WDW no hotel is really within walking distance to every park), you're going to have to bus, boat, monorail, or taxi somewhere.

I'm not sure what your budget is but if your girls aren't big swimmers, I'd look at a moderate, Coronado Springs has a great pool area, and the POFQ is great because of it's smaller size. All the hotels (value, mod, deluxe) have pool bars.

HTH

[Drince88]

Also, are moderate hotels at DW comparable to DL Hotel or would I need to go up a level for that? Thanks.
I agree with JenGold on what she said. To expand a little on this point - -the moderate and values all have entrances directly from the outside, no interior hallways on the buildings, and the only window is directly onto the walkway that people use to get to/from their rooms. No private balconies/patios of any sort.

The Value resorts (WELL below DL hotel) don't have slides, and all the beds in the regular rooms double/full size, NOT queen size.

The moderate resorts, except for Coronado springs all have double/full beds as well, Coronado has Queen in their standard size rooms.

With the number of adults you have, Disney will NOT guarantee that your two rooms will be connecting (door directly between the rooms) nor will they guarantee adjoining (have to go 'outside' between rooms but they do share a wall), but you can request connecting.

[ZazaNicole]

Thanks -- all of that is very helpful information. I don't really need adjoining or connecting rooms ... actually the reason we're bringing mom is for some privacy every now and then. I was kind of hoping for a park view, but it doesn't sound like that would happen in a moderate.

Our budget for the time at the parks is about $6K for 6 nights. That's for everything ... food, transportation, souvenirs, tickets, 2 hotel rooms, etc. I figure I should be able to do that if I can keep my room price at $300 or less, or $600 for 2 rooms. I'm also considering only having MIL there only part of that time, maybe 3/4 nights. I'm not sure she would be up for more than that. So there's a possibility we could do 3/4 nights at a moderate then move someplace nicer for the last couple of nights. I think my kids would enjoy the safari themed one (can't recall the name offhand).

[Samrain]

Thanks -- all of that is very helpful information. I don't really need adjoining or connecting rooms ... actually the reason we're bringing mom is for some privacy every now and then. I was kind of hoping for a park view, but it doesn't sound like that would happen in a moderate.

Our budget for the time at the parks is about $6K for 6 nights. That's for everything ... food, transportation, souvenirs, tickets, 2 hotel rooms, etc. I figure I should be able to do that if I can keep my room price at $300 or less, or $600 for 2 rooms. I'm also considering only having MIL there only part of that time, maybe 3/4 nights. I'm not sure she would be up for more than that. So there's a possibility we could do 3/4 nights at a moderate then move someplace nicer for the last couple of nights. I think my kids would enjoy the safari themed one (can't recall the name offhand).

If you're looking to spend ~ $300/room/night, I would check out Wilderness Lodge or Animal Kingdom Lodge. Both are deluxe resorts, but tend to be the most reasonably priced deluxes. We've stayed at both and love both. It's mostly a toss up for us as we like AKL as a resort better (what's better than waking up to see giraffes, elephants, etc... roaming outside your balcony), but WL has more convenient transportation options so it's usually the winner for us.

At the end of August, you should be able to find and apply some sort of discount - that's usually when we go and I don't think we've ever paid full price (sometimes it's free dining and last year, it was the stay 4 nights, get 3 more free deal). Keep an eye on the discount page at mousesavers.com to see what deals are available.

[Drince88]

Animal Kingdom Lodge is a nice choice. I believe the same firm designed that one, the Wilderness Lodge, and the Grand Californian.

The only resorts that have 'theme park views' are the deluxe ones near the Magic Kingdom (Contemporary, Polynesian, Grand Floridian, and maybe Wilderness Lodge). Even the other deluxes don't have views of the theme parks.

[mom22gls]

If you are a AAA member, I would either make your reservation through AAA, or contact Disney for the AAA rate-that can save you 10-15%. I have stayed at both the Wilderness Lodge and the Animal Kingdom Lodge, and I love both hotels. They are both beautiful, and have full Deluxe hotel amenities, nice pools, and good restaurants. The WL has a boat to/from the Magic Kingdom, in addition to bus transportation. If you have not been to Disney World before, you have to realize it is very large, and just getting from your hotel to a park, can easily take you half an hour or more-you may be traveling several miles. With the exception of the Boardwalk area hotels, which are close to both Epcot (the International Gateway entrance) and Hollywood Studios; and, the Contemporary which is right next to the Magic Kingdom (most people would take the monorail, because it's more fun), there is no walking from any hotel to any park.

[mickeymom5]

I just have to suggest Beach Club or Yacht Club. It is great to be able to walk back to your resort from Epcot. On our first visit to WDW, we stayed at the Beach Club and we would go to one park in the morning come back and enjoy Stormalong Bay (the pool area--which is like a mini-water park) and then wind up our day at Epcot. We would eat a late dinner at one of the restaurants in World Showcase and then stroll back to the resort...nice!

You really can't go wrong...we have stayed at all levels of resorts...value, moderate and deluxe and we have always received that special Disney service! On our next trip we are trying out the cabins at Ft. Wilderness, I'll let you know how that goes!

[Rainwater]

My thought would be to get at least two rooms. If that means staying at a value, then so be it. I really think you are going to need some private time.

[mom22gls]

My thought would be to get at least two rooms. If that means staying at a value, then so be it. I really think you are going to need some private time.

Actually, it appears that they will have to have two rooms, because of occupancy limitations. If it is a couple, two kids (beyond crib stage), and another adult, they can't fit ("legally" or comfortably) in one room. anyway. Grandma will really want her own space, anyway. When we traveled with my parents, and my kids were about the same age as the OP's, we had a two bedroom DVC villa. My parents often went to bed earlier, and got up earlier, than we did. They had their own bathroom, and my Dad, often, sat quietly on the balcony reading. The kids could watch TV without bothering anyone, and we had two full bathrooms. At the very least, the family will need two standard hotel rooms, at whatever level they can afford. You might be able to manage two rooms at the Wilderness Lodge or Animal Kingdom lodge, on your stated budget. If you need to "downgrade" to a moderate, we stayed at Coronado Springs, and it was very nice. It's a convention hotel, so it has decent dining facilities, and there is a themed pool area (with a bar) and play area your kids would enjoy. It's a big resort, but the bus service to the parks was fine.

[ZazaNicole]

That's all great information. But yes, we would definitely be getting two rooms. Having some privacy is the main reason I'm paying her way ... the kids will be with her in the evening part of the time, and part of the time with us.

[mkraemer]

We're taking our two girls (10 and 6) for their first visit to DW, probably staying about 6 nights or so in late August. We're also taking my MIL and paying all her expenses. We've been to DL a couple of times, staying at the DL Hotel (without MIL). Trying to figure out how to get two separate rooms comparable in quality to the DL Hotel without totally breaking the bank and without getting the kids totally worn out with the walk back to the hotel after a busy day. We're looking for some nice water features for the kids as well ... maybe we can let them use the hotel water features to get around having to do the water parks? They're not great swimmers so won't be into the big slides, but would enjoy more moderate stuff. My husband and I would like a pool bar but not required. Any suggestions?

Also, are moderate hotels at DW comparable to DL Hotel or would I need to go up a level for that? Thanks.

Compared with Disneyland, Walt Disney World is vast. My general rule of thumb for getting from Point A to Point B at WDW is to allow an hour--and this changes for very busy times such as the end of the day when everyone is exiting a park and there are very long lines for buses/trams/monorails.

The most convenient hotels for access to the Magic Kingdom are the monorail hotels, which are deluxe resorts: the Grand Californian, the Contemporary, and the Polynesian. The Wilderness Lodge has boat access to the Magic Kingdom. The Polynesian is the resort located closest to the Ticketing and Transportation center, so it's an excellent choice for getting to the other parks. (Personally, the Poly is my favorite resort for many reasons, including its convenient location.)

If you want to be able to walk to Epcot, there are several resorts where you can do so: the Boardwalk, Yacht and Beach Club. All of these resorts are on the deluxe level.

Many of the deluxe resorts offer a daybed in the room, so you can sleep five, but that does not sound like what you want to book for your trip. You might want to consider the villa options, where you also have kitchen and washer/dryer in the unit.

Stormalong Bay at the Beach Club is a fantastic pool, one of the favorites at WDW. I like the pool at the Poly, and we've also enjoyed the Luna Park pool at the Boardwalk.

Other posters have mentioned moderate resorts, and there are some very nice options available. Coronado Springs is the only moderate level resort that has queen beds, and it also has a great themed pool as well as an extensive food court.

Another option, if you want privacy from the kids, would be the family suite at the All Star Music resort. The parents have a separate room from the kids, and there's a kitchenette too. Because ASM is a value resort, it is not the same level of hotel accommodations as the Disneyland Hotel, though.

Walt Disney World has an extensive transportation system to get you around from place to place, and it is relatively efficient, but you *will* spend time in transit. There are mixed opinions about having a rental car onsite compared with using the bus system.

There are also onsite child care centers at some of the deluxe resorts for kids age 4-12, in the evenings. You will have MIL with you, but this is also an option to consider.

If you have other questions, please feel free to PM me.