So it's the day after Christmas, and the day after MaddieMouse turned 4 (yes, she's a Christmas Baby!) and DaddyMouse and I just started tossing around the idea of going to WDW next Christmas, when she turns 5. Our dates would be 12/23 thru 12/28. I went on the disneyworld.com site, and found we can stay at POP for $2329.70, Coronado Springs for $2826.78, or the Contemporary for $3861.80.* It will be me, Daddy, EvanMouse (age 11 then) and MaddieMouse (just turning 5) so we don't think we'll need to worry about the stroller anymore at that point.

Opinions, ideas, suggestions? I'll probably make a final decision and book sometime mid-to-end of January.


*this is the room, and magic your way with dining package price

Personally, if you can swing it, I'd go with Coronado for a trip that time of year, just because there's a bit more room than at Pop. The location of the Contemporary is great, especially for the MK, but $1000 is a chunk of change. Also, make sure you look at the particulars of the dining plan before you decide to do that for sure, since they've changed it for 2008 and may not be as advantageous financially as the 2007 plan.

I'd go with coronado. I liked the theming and our room was really convenient to the bus stop and one of the quiet pools. I beleive it was the first stop on the bus after the main stop. But if money is not an issue, contemporary would make a very memorable vacation. the veiw is great and the kids will enjoy the close proximity to the magic kingdom. but of course, wherever you stay, your vacation will be amazing. remember to get a birhtday pin!

I'd go with a moderate (I'm partial to POR, but if coronado's your thing, that's cool too). Just think of all the cool Disney souvenirs and memorabilia or other special extras $1000 could buy: 2 giclees or a half an original at the Art of Disney stores? wine/drinks with dinner? a couple's massage for you and dad and daycare for the kids? Dinner at V&A and some more daycare? Extend your stay a day or two?

If money's truly no object and you can do all that other stuff without feeling financial strain anyway, then: (a) I'm openly and unabashedly envious and (b) why are you even asking the question? Of course you should choose Deluxe. I doubt that's the case, though, as you *are* asking the question, so I think moderate's the way to go. :D Have a great time with whatever you decide!

:)Have you look into one of the family suites at POP. Might save you some money.:)

:)Have you look into one of the family suites at POP. Might save you some money.:)

Family suites? This is honestly the first I've heard of them there---I thought they were only at one of the All-Stars! We were discussing this with EvanMouse last night, that if we do this, he won't get "Santa presents" (he doesn't believe anymore :crying:) and he was "totally cool with it, Mom". But his request was that we stay at POP---we've stayed there twice and he loves it there. I figure I have a year to fully plan, but I like getting started as soon as the impulse hits me!



PS: Moderator, thank you for placing this in the right spot, there's been a lot of changes to the site since our last trip in July, and I wasn't sure where to post

I've stayed at POP, ASM. POFQ and GF and I really also like POP. If you are OK also with POP - it's Disney and you even save another $500 to spend on other things. How much time do you spend at the resort? POP is really fun for an 11 yo so that makes sense to me.

I think if I did upgrade in your situation it wouldn't be CS or the Contemporary with kids. I would choose POR, AKL, YC/BC or WL. but hey stick with POP if it works. I'm going back to POP for sure someday.

Just my $.02

PS. I didn't think POP had family suites, but ASM does and that would be fun for an 11 yo as well.

If I could get the Contemporary with a park-view and could afford it, I would do that. Otherwise, I really enjoyed POP!

The rooms at the values are 260 sq ft (this includes all space in the room). At the moderates the rooms are 314 sq ft. At the Contemporary they are 440 sq ft.

The values and moderates all have two double beds. The CR has two queens plus a day bed.

You've picked my favorites in each of the categories, so it's a tough decision. If you've got the money to spare, go plush and take the Contemporary. If it were me I'd go for the Coronado Springs, one of my favorite hotels anywhere on the planet. But if your son is really stuck on the Pop, go there and enjoy. It's really not going to make that much difference to the kids - they're not gonna be overly impressed with a higher dollar hotel. So if the Pop turns his key, then that's your best choice.

Let us know what you decide, and have a terrific time!

Give me the Contemporary

If it were during a warmer season, then I would spring for CS because we really love the pool and the Jaguar slide.

However, I wouldn't probably enjoy sliding in December so I would probably go with Pop.

(Although I did see kids in the pool at Pop when I had on a jacket, hat, and gloves!)

There are only family suites at All-star Music. I have stayed at the Pop Century and I loved it...it is my favorite of the Value resorts. The theme is great and it is the newest of the Value's.

I have heard that the Coronado has more of a convention center type feel..not that appealing for a family.

I can counter that, mckyfan. While the Coronado Springs is indeed a convention resort, the convention center is over on the far side of the central buildings, and for the most part the conventioneers don't impact on the rest of the resort at all. As I said above it's my favorite of the moderates, with a great southwestern theme, beautiful central lagoon, and tasty food court and sit down restaurants.

Coronado is beautiful and it is my favorite too.

Of course I haven't stayed at all the resorts....

(Yet:))

I can counter that, mckyfan. While the Coronado Springs is indeed a convention resort, the convention center is over on the far side of the central buildings, and for the most part the conventioneers don't impact on the rest of the resort at all. As I said above it's my favorite of the moderates, with a great southwestern theme, beautiful central lagoon, and tasty food court and sit down restaurants.

I haven't been able to see menus yet (maybe I'm looking in the wrong places) and I'm wondering if it's Mexican-type food on the menu? Or is it pretty much basic American fare?

I was set on the Contemporary, but am getting scared of the cost already (big chicken!) and I'm leaning toward a moderate again.

The food court is sort of a southwestern theme with a lot of variety. They have something called a wet burrito that's really good. Also their breakfast scramble skillet is a terrific breakfast. The Maya is the sitdown restaurant, and is indeed mexican food. I haven't eaten in there in years, but the last time I did was really tasty.

I wouldn't ditch the stroller idea. We went with a 5 year old and he really needed it. It was a lot of walking for a kid his age.

I would stay at Contemporary if I ever had the chance but remember that your youngest isn't going to remember it. I would rather stay someplace and remember it.

I wouldn't ditch the stroller idea. We went with a 5 year old and he really needed it. It was a lot of walking for a kid his age.

I would stay at Contemporary if I ever had the chance but remember that your youngest isn't going to remember it. I would rather stay someplace and remember it.

This is actually probably true, although MaddieMouse seems to have a fantastic memory right now, she claims she remembers meeting Sleeping Beauty (we didn't see her this last trip, so the memory she has would be from when she was 18 months old), she remembers that the "Three Wise Men" gave her Cinderella high heels a year ago Christmas (she was just turning 3), and, eerily enough, she has "memories" of my great aunt holding her. My great aunt passed away 6 months before MaddieMouse was even conceived. (But that's a whole different thread!)

We are now looking at ASMu, for the family suites. I'm so fickle! :p

I personally like POR but also stayed at PC. Most of my stays were in warmer weather so the pool area was a big draw. But at that time of year with the crowds you might thing about how much time you want to spend on the transportation buses with kids that age.