Trying to plan

[ktdaiwik]

Hi everyone,
we are trying to plan a family vacation to Disney World for 2 weeks In December,most likely the beginning.It will be myself,hubby,grandparent and our 4 yr old son.My prediciment is that hubby wants to stay at the value resorts,but i want a place that has somewhat comfy beds and a place my son will feel surrounded by Disney in.Hubby also thinks we wont be spending too much time in our room.If anyone has any suggestions on what would be best please help me out.I guess hubby likes the look of the Movie one,he read that they have a Tiki Bar etc,papa is willing to watch our little man and have him stay with him in his room.How is transportation etc from there to everywhere.I am excited because I am originally from New Zealand so it will be my first trip too.Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks

[bety]

I've stayed at the value resorts plenty of times and I definitley feel surrounded by Disney. The beds are comfortable too, and I think the atmosphere of the values are more kid-friendly. I've stayed at the POP twice, and am staying there again for my trip this December. I love it!
However, if you want to stay at a moderate resort instead because you think your son will like it better, December is a good time to do that because the prices are significantly lower. Last December we stayed at the Coronado and loved it.
No matter which value or moderate you stay in, the transportation is the same and it is very very convenient.
Either way I think you will be happy and comfortable and your son will feel like he is in Disney World.

[tigger_03]

We've never stayed at a value but I think they would be kid friendly.

Here's a link that might help you decide which resort. Basic Disney Resort Information

[lorilovestigger]

If you stay in a value stay in Pop Century. It has it's own transportation whereas the All Star resorts share a bus. I love it there. I'll be there in December also for Mousefest.
Pop is very kid (and adult) friendly. And I don't think I ever had a bad bed in any Disney resort. There is great resort information over at Deb's Unofficial Walt Disney World Vacation Information Guide - WDW Planning Guide - Walt Disney World. Check it out.

Lori

[kentgurgie]

we stayed there before we had children,my only downside with it was that the bus trip to the MK seemed endless,which may be hard if your 4 year old is tired at the end of the day.Check the price for all of you to stay in the Fort Wilderness Cabins very nice.We stayed there in 06 My kids loved it they were 3 and 4 at the time,they especially loved the boats to the contemporary and the MK.


Recent past trip 2006

Going this year!!!!

[kentgurgie]

we stayed there before we had children,my only downside with it was that the bus trip to the MK seemed endless,which may be hard if your 4 year old is tired at the end of the day.Check the price for all of you to stay in the Fort Wilderness Cabins very nice.We stayed there in 06 My kids loved it they were 3 and 4 at the time,they especially loved the boats to the contemporary and the MK.


Recent past trip 2006

Going this year!!!!

[mritty]

If anything, the Values will make you feel *more* surrounded by Disney than the Moderates or Deluxes. The Moderates & Deluxes have more "adult" themes. The values are all about gigantic icons of Disneyana, Pop Culture, etc.

I'm like your husband - you need a room for a bed, roof, and shower. If I'm not sleeping or showering, I'm in the parks.

[ktdaiwik]

Thankyou all so much,we are also considering splitting the time and maybe trying the movie one and one other resort.Ok sorry to sound dumb but what is Mousefest?Also does anyone have any opinions on good Character Dining?
kt(Yahhhhhhhh I am going to get some mouse ears!)

[disneydame2004]

MouseFest is a gathering of Disney Fans from all over the internet. It takes place in December at Walt Disney World. Check out MouseFest 2007 - An International Gathering of Disney Fans for all the details.

Character dining - depends on the characters you want to see. Mickey and Friends - try Chef Mickey's at the Contemporary Resort. Pooh & Friends - Crystal Palace. Princesses - Askerhaus in Norway at Epcot or the extremely popular Cinderella's Royal Table. Those are the big ones. A complete list is available at Character Meals and Tips

[disneydame2004]

Splitting the time is a great idea - two weeks in the same room is a long time. You might try a moderate resort for part of your time - I would recommend Port Orleans: Riverside with your 4 year old. It is very family friendly, has lots of activities and space to move around in. There are rooms in one section of the resort (called the Alligator Bayou section) that have trundle beds - a smaller bed that rolls out from under the regular bed - so you could sleep up to 5 people in that room.

[First Timer]

If your going to do Chef Mickey be sure to book well in advance

[ktdaiwik]

wow you guys respond quickly!Thankyou so much once again,we are trying to have everything booked in the next couple of weeks,so hopefully you can book Character Dining now for then.
Thanks again.

[disneycrazy1956]

you can book ADR's 180 days out for most character meals. have fun

[tigger_03]

Character Dining...do you have any specific characters you'd like to see/eat with? That's how we began to figure out which character dining we wanted to book.

You can book reservations for 180 days out.

[ktdaiwik]

I think most of the usual characters,Mickey,Minnie,Goofy,Donald...
Of course I would love to go see Pooh,Tigger etc.
I found out we should do reservations in June so i need to make up our minds which ones to go to by then.
Once again thankyou for all your help.