Where to stay at WDW?

[BDKmom]

We will be going to Orlando over our spring break (end of March) and are planning to do 3 days at Disney and 3 days at Universal. It will be me and DH, DS (10) and DD (almost 8). We have stayed on property at Universal, so we are good on that portion of the trip, but we usually stay at the Homewood Suites when we go to Disney because when the kids were younger, a separate sleeping space for them was a must, and we didn’t want to pay $$$ for a suite at Disney. This year we feel like they are old enough to be good in a room with us and want to stay on property at Disney.

Looking for a moderate level resort with convenient transportation to Magic Kingdom. We don’t really care about theming or pools. We are doing two days at Magic Kingdom and one at Hollywood Studios and will be in the parks for the majority of the day. I am hoping to avoid long lines for busses at the end of the night. I was considering Port Orleans FQ until I read the reviews about how thin the walls are and how noisy it is and how slow service is at the food court. Seems like it’s just old. So, hoping to stay somewhere newer but still convenient to MK. Would consider going up to deluxe if that’s what works best. TIA for any suggestions/direction!

[WatchingThemGrow]

We just enjoyed a room at The Beach Club for a trip to Hollywood Studios. Our room for 5 on Jan 2 was $330 plus tax. It was amazing, and it was great to walk to DHS in the early morning hours since the new Star Wars rides are demanding that guests must be inside the park before it actually opens. Read up on disboards about how Rise of the Resistance is booking up in just minutes...for the whole day. The day we were there, all the seats for the DAY were filled up by 7:03am.

Forgot to say we were able to walk back to our room for a break. At the end of the night we waited for a boat, then enjoyed a Kitchen Sink giant sundae at Beaches and Cream soda shop. So fun!

[wendibird22]

We stayed at Coronado Springs last year which is super close to HS. We had a rental car so we drove to parks instead of waiting on the shuttle but a lot of people also use Uber/Lyft (I think they have a deal with Lyft...the Minnie Lyft) so you can come and go as you wish.

And yes look into what you need to do for Star Wars if that's on your wish list. Friends of ours were there a few weeks before Xmas and they had to enter the park at 5am in order to even get a spot in the line to see if they could get on the ride.

[SnuggleBuggles]

Not official Disney but what about Swan or Dolphin? Cheaper than the nearby deluxes and the location is so awesome! Good hotels to boot. I can't pay Disney prices when I can get a better hotel for the money in a great location.

[AnnieW625]

Not official Disney but what about Swan or Dolphin? Cheaper than the nearby deluxes and the location is so awesome! Good hotels to boot. I can't pay Disney prices when I can get a better hotel for the money in a great location.

Yes to the above (although we have never been to Dinseyworld) then why not just continue to stay at The Homewood Suites? What about the Wyndham Bonnet Creek? If you aren’t into the amenities at the resort then why pay the extra? If you are going to be gone 90% of the time at the parks and only have two days then I would definitely consider off site and splurge elsewhere in the parks on other stuff like fast passes and the photo pass.


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[SnuggleBuggles]

Yes to the above (although we have never been to Dinseyworld) then why not just continue to stay at The Homewood Suites? What about the Wyndham Bonnet Creek? If you aren’t into the amenities at the resort then why pay the extra? If you are going to be gone 90% of the time at the parks and only have two days then I would definitely consider off site and splurge elsewhere in the parks on other stuff like fast passes and the photo pass.


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WDW is a whole different animal than DL. Onsite really isn’t that needed at DL but they definitely dangle some good carrots for onsite (or official hotels like Swan, Dolphin and the Disney Springs ones). You can’t buy fast passes at WDW unlike Max Pass. Mostly people pay for proximity to parks, airport transportation and the ability to book fast passes 60 days ahead vs 30 (which is what offsite people get).


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[AnnieW625]

WDW is a whole different animal than DL. Onsite really isn’t that needed at DL but they definitely dangle some good carrots for onsite (or official hotels like Swan, Dolphin and the Disney Springs ones). You can’t buy fast passes at WDW unlike Max Pass. Mostly people pay for proximity to parks, airport transportation and the ability to book fast passes 60 days ahead vs 30 (which is what offsite people get).


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Gosh it seems to get more complicated each year....

FWIW at DL they have built probably another 5-10 hotels near the parks in the last 2-3 years. You can’t see the Matterhorn anymore from I-5.


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[BDKmom]

Swan and Dolphin are both booked for our dates.

I will look at the others mentioned.

Not worried about the Star Wars stuff this trip, but thanks for the heads up.

Mostly wanting to stay on property to take advantage of the earlier fast pass window.

[WatchingThemGrow]

What are the choices of properties in your price range for your dates?


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[BDKmom]

What are the choices of properties in your price range for your dates?


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Finally sat down and made a list:
Yacht Club
Animal Kingdom Lodge or villas
Boardwalk Inn
Port Orleans FQ
Port Orleans Riverside
Saratoga springs
Boulder ridge villas at wilderness lodge
Old key west resort
Art of animation

With the gift of magic room special, lots of options in our price range, which is nice, but a bit overwhelming. Probably have been reading too many trip advisor reviews.

Main priority is somewhat easy accessibility to magic kingdom. We are flying for the first time and are trying to avoid renting a car, so we will be relying on park transportation. I would rather not wait an hour for a bus after a long day at MK.