DownSyn Forum

Grady's Mommy

We're thinking of doing this for spring break. Haven't been on vacation in almost 3 years and I'd like to do something with the older two before the new baby comes.

So, where did you stay? I'm having a hard time deciding whether I want to splurge on a bigger room or just save money since we won't be spending a lot of time in the room. The kids have never shared a bed with anyone and they don't sleep away from home so I'm afraid of what it's going to be like. I think we need to at least make sure they have their own beds.

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~Kathy
Grady (DS 5/26/04)
Hailey 9/20/06
Expecting #3 8/1/10

Momtoseven · Posted: January 14 2010, 5:46 PM Post subject:

We've been there twice - Once we stayed in a cheap(non-Disney) hotel and I think that was perfect of course we were young and pretty broke at the time Smile

but it did save us a lot of money - especially since all you do is sleep there! My brother moved to Clearwater Beach after that first trip and so we stayed with him on the 2nd trip Very Happy

!! My kids get so exhausted after being at the park all day I think they would have slept anywhere!! Have fun - I love that place as much(and maybe more) than the kids!

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Maureen - Mom to Daniel(21), Brandon(19), Jordan(13)PDD, Thomas(11), Carrie(7), Samuel(4) and Mark (2 - ds, av canal -repaired 6/10/08, pulmonary hypertension)
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Tom · Posted: January 14 2010, 5:53 PM Post subject:

I wouldn't worry about sleeping. After a day at Disney they will be exhausted.

If you are going to stay on property then it is best to find somewhere convenient to the park you expect to spend the most time visiting.

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Tom

Dad to Beth (17) and Mikey (13 - Ds and PDD-NOS)
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Courtney · Posted: January 14 2010, 7:53 PM Post subject:

We honeymooned at Disney and stayed at the Port Orleans-French Quarter resort on grounds. It was really cute and the transportation to all the parks was a huge bonus!

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~Courtney
{Lucy, 3, Ds, AVSD repaired 1/08; Brodie, 1}

Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another, "What! You too? I thought I was the only one!" -CS Lewis

violettesmom · Posted: January 14 2010, 11:04 PM Post subject:

Wow...tough question. I've stayed at Coronado Springs, Wilderness Lodge (which is fantastic - they have rooms with bunks for the kids - it is a great spot too), the Boardwalk, polynesian and the Contemporary when I was really little, Buena Vista (which has recently been renovated and I've heard is lovely) the Hilton (which is nice), and the Dolphin (and probably a few more, but it is late - i'll try to remember for you tomorrow.

Wilderness was my favorite with our kids. But the Boardwalk was great as well

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MommyAngela · Posted: January 14 2010, 11:34 PM Post subject:

We were just there last week!!! It was my first time there. We left Benjamin at my parents' house and so it was just me, my hubby, and Andrew, our 3 1/2 year old.

We stayed on the property at the Boardwalk Villas. We paid extra for a one-bedroom so that we could put Andrew to bed and then not have to be in the same room w/him. We put him to bed in our bed and then when we went to bed, we moved him to the queen sleeper sofa. It was WELL worth the splurge ESPECIALLY b/c the one-bedroom came with a full kitchen and a washer/dryer. So, so worth it.

I loved the Boardwalk Villas! The pool was amazing looking w/a huge water slide and would have been so fun had it not been 35 degrees. LOL

We were within a ten-minute walking distance from Epcot. Or we could take a boat (about 20 min) to Epcot and a 20 min boat ride to Hollywood Studios. Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom were each about a 20-min bus ride. Buses come every 15 minutes.

If you stay in the park, do the dining plan!! Esp if you want to do character meals. SO worth the money.

Are you on Facebook? If so, and you want to see my pictures (I have two Disney albums under My Photos), feel free to send me a friend request! My name is Angela Crosby Amick. Smile

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Angela
Wife to Matthew
Mom to three wonderful sons:
Andrew James--3/24/06
Benjamin Matthew--4/24/08 DS--VSD & ASD repaired 10/3/08, intestinal obstruction repaired 1/13/09, hypospadias & ventral hernia repaired 8/21/09
Thomas Alexander--3/25/10

www.theamicks-angela.blogspot.com

JMMH · Posted: January 15 2010, 2:19 PM Post subject:

We were just there last week, too. It was freezing! It was also a lot different taking 2 little ones instead of just adults. We wouldn't have taken the kids so young, but it was for my sister's wedding.

We like to stay at the Contemporary because it's the least expensive on the monorail and you can walk to the Magic Kingdom in about 5 -10 minutes. You can take the monorail to Epcot and can drive or take the bus to the other two parks (parking is free for Disney resort guests, so we drove because of the 2 strollers). They have two queen sized beds and a pullout sofa, but we brought two pack-n-plays, so only used one bed. I think the deluxe resorts are the only ones that sleep 5 people (by using the sofa).

I've also stayed at the Polynesian, Grand Floridian, and Caribbean Beach, but I like the convenience of the Contemporary the most for our family.

It really does depend on which park you plan on spending the most time at and picking a convenient one.

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Melissa & Jason
Matthew (DS) and Zachary

Joey'sMom · Posted: February 09 2010, 4:21 PM Post subject:

We go every summer! Joey will be 6 next month and he has been 5 times - I have been 11). Since we have had him, we have always stayed at the Wilderness Lodge! We LOVE that hotel. They come with 2 queens beds or 1 queen and a bunk bed. It is only a boat ride to MK and the Contempory which has Chef Mickey - a must for Character Breakfast/Dinner!!!!! But I have also stayed at the Dolphin (teacher rates) and that is a great location - walk to Boardwalk, walk to Epcot (country entrance), boat ride to Epcot and HS. If you are looking to go moderate, I would recommend Port Orleans Riverside - all bus rides to all parks, boat to Downtown Disney but nice hotel. I would also highly recommend staying at a resort hotel not outside of the park. I have TONS more tips if you would like them!!!! Email me and I will share!!! I believe I commented on another post (about ID braclets - we get the temporary tattoos with our cell # - http://www.safetytats.com ) - that I would definitey recommend a stroller!!!! We used one for my older son until he was 8!!! We would rent one of theirs. We bring our own (Maclaren) umbrella - gets to be a long/tiring day even if you split your day and Joey is too heavy to carry when he is sleeping.

If I don't hear from you and you go ENJOY!!!!!!!!!! Our favorite vacation spot year after year!!!!!

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~Melissa~ Mom to David (11) and Joey~Ds(6) and wife to Michael

Susan, Lily's aunt · Posted: February 09 2010, 5:25 PM Post subject:

Hey, we are going in May and are staying at the Pop Century ( a value resort). Ususally when we go we rent a vacation house, because there are usually 10-15 of us, but this year we wanted to stay on property. We got a great deal on our rooms only $68, so it will be worth it especially since you can ride the bus to the park. Check out allears.net for a lot of great info.

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Susan, Lily's aunt 7/27/06

Joey'sMom · Posted: February 09 2010, 6:41 PM Post subject:

Other great info websites for tips, discounts, whatever are:

http://www.mousesavers.com
http://www.disboards.com

The 1st gives all discounts and promos/codes as they become available (sign up for the newsletter (comes out around the 15th of each month) for xtra discounts.
The 2nd is a forum where they have all the info you might be looking for, they have a sections on resorts, parks, disAbilities, etc.

Edited to say: on mousesavers, click on Walt Disney World (left side column) then click on Walt Disney World Resorts, then click CLICK Here to go Straight to Discounts

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~Melissa~ Mom to David (11) and Joey~Ds(6) and wife to Michael

happymom · Posted: February 09 2010, 9:23 PM Post subject:

We just went to Magic Kingdom for a day. We were on vacation in Miami & decided spur of the moment to go . But what I wanted to tell you is that they were so incredibly nice. They gave us a sticker for the stroller that gave us wheelchair accesibility & a pass that we didn't have to wait on lines. Netanel doesn't do well waiting, so it was really great.

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Married ,Mommy to 8
girl 24 married with dd & baby boy 3/21/09, boy23 married with baby boy 11/30/08, boy 21, girl 18,girl 16, boy 13, boy 11, Netanel 4 with Down syn

Vicki89 · Posted: February 10 2010, 1:58 AM Post subject:

i went when i was younger with a friend and her family. they rented a rv and stayed at Disneys RV park (cant remember the name of it) it was great there, they had transportation to and from all the parks, they also had pools and what not. its a blast. good luck

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Mommy to Kole 10/7/2009 (DS, ASD & VSD)

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mom2alex · Posted: February 12 2010, 11:16 AM Post subject:

I cannot recommend enough the Wilderness Cabins. Not the Wilderness lodge which is on the same property..These are actual cabins. We loved it. After being in the park all day the last thing I wanted to do was have the hustle and bustle of a hotel.

The log cabins are fabulous..have mini kitchens so we made breakfast there each day and packed snacks for the parks. We flew to Disney so we didn't have a car but we rented from the property a golf cart which is the mode of transportation and it was so fun. They grounds have several pools..the famous Hoop de Do dinner show, shops everything you will need.

We found a supermarket delivery service before we left and when we arrived at the cabin we had groceries delivered.

If we go again we will do the same. It was great to have our own place..a nice big porch to drink our morning coffee on...the peace and quiet before we hit the park each day.

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Nicol - Mom to Alex -18