Your Dream WDW Vacation

heidijanesmith · Jan 31, 2018

I vote for the Poly!! It's a fantastic location and the theme is beautiful.

The rooms are large and every room has a daybed. We really loved our Poly stays.

The Poly has a quick Monorail ride to MK and a quick walk to the TTC to catch the EPCOT monorail. There are great food options and many more options a short monorail ride away. We do not like driving while at WDW, so we take the bus or a taxi depending on our destination.

I have stayed at AKL and really like it, but the Poly location is so much better and there are other resorts a very short distance.

happymommy · Jan 31, 2018

We never rent a car, unless we stay off site. I enjoy some adult beverages, and if I don't want to take a bus, Uber is always around for only a few dollars (like, under $10 most of the time).

Beachmom0317 · Jan 31, 2018

I think you’ll have to weigh what matters to your family the most. For theming at Christmas time I’d vote hands down the WL. You are still close to MK and the short boat rides to Fort Wilderness, CR and MK are awesome.
For transportation purposes I think GF and the poly really can’t be beat. Also the GF has that amazing gingerbread house in their lobby that is incredible and totally worth a visit even if you stay somewhere else!

I agree with PP, if this is your first family trip, I’d maximize FP and ADRs. I’ve looked at maps of each park on WDW website and you can filter attractions based on shows, rides, age group, etc and that’s helped me pick and choose things I have bookmarked. Even though this is your dream trip, WDW is so big you def won’t see it all

Beachmom0317 · Jan 31, 2018

I forgot to add we are also rental car people. The husband doesn’t like public transportation and we’ve always had smooth travels with the rental car driving around Disney. Just wanted to chime in, in case you’re considering a rental

toodycat · Jan 31, 2018

For a a Christmas visit, I would go in early December because the decorations are up, but the parks aren’t that crowded. Although WL and AKL are great resorts with beautiful holiday theming, if you’re coming from CA and have already stayed at the GC, the architecture is going to seem redundant. I would stay at the GF or BC. Both have gorgeous Christmas theming and are a contrast to the GC. I would definitely get tickets to MVMCP. Transportation at the GF is excellent and you can watch the fireworks from the beach. BC is walking distance to Epcot, which is a great convenience. Also, I would do the Fantasmic dinner package. Have fun!

CynBeth · Jan 31, 2018

I would do WL or Poly. We love the theming at WL and the boat transportaion to MK and the resorts. WCC is our favorite breakfast. For Poly we love the tropical feel with the torches at night plus views of the MK fireworks. It is an easy walk to the TTC for the Epcot monorail. With both resorts you have the electrical water pageant.

MacMama0930 · Jan 31, 2018

Thank you guys again, so much!

I’m hoping that I’ll be able to scope out a few resorts while I’m there in April so I can get a better idea what fits our style better. I lean towards staying closer to MK, like Poly. But then I think about Toy Story Land which will be in HS, right? That will be totally new and different for my kids so I can see them wanting to spend time there. Not sure about Epcot, though.

Will I be kicking myself if I wait to book my trip in April once I know if WDW is for me or not? Or will all the good stuff be gone?

hereforthechurros · Jan 31, 2018

Split stay Poly bungalow and WL cabin, 4 nights at each, 6 day park hopper passes, deluxe dining plan, V&A chef’s table dinner, AK Safari Trek. Off the top of my head :upsidedow

In October so we could hit the Halloween party.

Or maybe Four Seasons...

Edit: just saw you wanted to know about Christmas. Maybe GF for Christmas those gingerbread houses look amazing.

Beachmom0317 · Feb 1, 2018

MacMama0930 said:
Will I be kicking myself if I wait to book my trip in April once I know if WDW is for me or not? Or will all the good stuff be gone?

As far as ADRs, those won’t be available until June for a December 2018 trip so you’ll be good there. Also FP aren’t able to be booked until 60 days before your trip (if you’re staying onsite at a Disney hotel), so you’ll also be fine waiting to book in April as far as those go!

Tonberry · Feb 1, 2018

December at the Poly, on the beach, at sunset, complete enjoyment of life.

revdon64 · Feb 1, 2018

Poly, club level, theme park view. Get the concierge to book anything you think you'd like. I have a friend who does this (wish I had his expendable cash!)

Minnesota! · Feb 1, 2018

AKL is my favorite. It is SO quiet and removed and beautiful!

megs1313 · Feb 1, 2018

if money were no object, we would stay at WL for 5 days, Poly for 5 days and AKL for 4 days. I'd stay club level at WL and Poly.

MacMama0930 · Feb 17, 2018

Welp, after the whole family watched and read about all the different resorts, we decided on Contemporary. I have ya booked the week after Thanksgiving in a tower Theme Park view with Club Level service

I was surprised at how few rooms were available! So I decided not to wait until I can explore things in April. Worst case is I hate WDW (unlikely) and cancel the package.

We’ll be there 6 nights with 5 day hoppers. Hoping to attend a Christmas party while we’re there. Yay!!

clapton · Feb 17, 2018

GF is beautiful at Christmas, can't beat that lobby and the grounds are stunning! I'm biased it's my favorite resort!

reluctantredhead · Feb 17, 2018

MacMama0930 said:
Welp, after the whole family watched and read about all the different resorts, we decided on Contemporary. I have ya booked the week after Thanksgiving in a tower Theme Park view with Club Level service

I was surprised at how few rooms were available! So I decided not to wait until I can explore things in April. Worst case is I hate WDW (unlikely) and cancel the package.

We’ll be there 6 nights with 5 day hoppers. Hoping to attend a Christmas party while we’re there. Yay!!

So happy for you! I think the CR is a great choice for you given the age of your kids and the monorail access. We stayed in the tower with a theme park view (though not CL) with our D when she was about 7 and she loved being able to see the fireworks from our room, and was fascinated with the monorail actually going through the hotel!

The last time I wrote on this thread I don't think I was yet aware of the new CL benefit of being able to get your FP+ at 90 days out, and being able to get 3 extra ones with no tier/park limits. This is a HUGE benefit IMHO, if you can swing it financially (it's an extra $50 pp/pd/+tax, and you have to get it for at least 3 nights of your stay), and if it's still being offered at the time of your trip. Right now it's a "test program" only being offered to CL guests, and Disney could supposedly end it at any time. But I think many people are guessing it will be here to stay because there will be plenty of people willing to pay up for the big advantage it offers with FP+. Oh, and I forgot...you also get reserved fireworks seating/areas included (one per night)! I know you mentioned doing the dessert parties to get this (like we are doing), so the combination of these two benefits has H and I convinced that we will book CL for our holiday trip...despite the fact that we don't plan to take advantage of the lounge. It's just crowded enough at the holidays to feel like it's worth it to us to pay extra so that we can take advantage of the 6 FP+ at 90 days and the reserved fireworks areas. Not sure where we will stay yet, though...we LOVE the Epcot resorts now because of being walking distance to Ep and HS, but the holiday time frame may nudge us toward the Poly so we can avoid the dreaded T&TC parking lot, lol (even though I actually prefer the decor/amenities at CR and GF, the Poly transportation just can't be beat). We may end up going with whatever we can get the best deal on, though...we actually decided to buy APs because we're making 3 trips this year (April, June, & Dec), so we're crossing our fingers for an AP rate on a CL room at a monorail hotel.

I hope that you enjoy WDW in April and that you and your family have a magical holiday trip!!!

fhtpdw20 · Feb 18, 2018

You should go to the theme park board and look at the stickee for Robo's Maps. It will give you a little idea of how big the parks and resorts are. I think every resort is beautiful at Christmas as each has its own special take on the holidays. I am going to be oddball for not suggesting the Poly. I have a poor sense of direction and kept getting lost as all the long houses look alike and there is no direction signage on the paths. Fantasmic is going to blow you away. Instead of a 60 seat vip ticket area, think of football stadium site type of bench seating. Just don't sit in the first 16 or so rows up front if you don't want to get wet from any wind blowing through the mist screens. Most tours you have to be 16 or older but the Behind the Seeds tour is good for young ones and is only about an hour long so it makes for a good introduction. The Candlelight Processional at Epcot will be different from DL and you can get priority seating by using one of the dining restaurants. Tower of Terror is going to be different from what was at DL. On a backstage tour I learned that where DL ride was stationary, the ride vehicle at WDW moves you into the drop area. The biggest thing between DL and WDW is you HAVE to PLAN if you want to make the most of your time and you have to understand that you WILL NOT see everything in one trip. Pick you favorites and be prepared that some rides will be totally different (ie Pirates of Carribean- no ride through Blue Bayou and smaller drop) and park layout is a lot different which will feel strange. Enjoy your trip.

MacMama0930 · Feb 18, 2018

I wanted to mention, I was personally sold on Poly, but from what I could gather, there aren’t many floors. My husband is very particular about staying on an high floor. It has something to do with he’s not used to seeing mountain ranges and the one time he went to FL he would “lose his bearings”. I don’t know...seems like he’s just being stubborn but that is why we settled on Contemporary. Are there any other that has higher levels??

vacamom4 · Feb 18, 2018

I would do a split say between GF and BC. Monorail resort and Epcot area resort. Can check out a number of other resort's Christmas decorations and close to the parks (except AK) for their Christmas activities. I'm doing a split stay this summer between AKL and BC (my two favorites). My kids are older and have been several times. We've been out west several times and Wilderness Lodge reminds me of those trips, not necessarily a bad thing, but I don't have much desire to stay there while in Florida.

Edit: Just saw you chose the Contemporary. Have fun!

MacMama0930 · Feb 18, 2018

vacamom4 said:
I would do a split say between GF and BC. Monorail resort and Epcot area resort. Can check out a number of other resort's Christmas decorations and close to the parks (except AK) for their Christmas activities. I'm doing a split stay this summer between AKL and BC (my two favorites). My kids are older and have been several times. We've been out west several times and Wilderness Lodge reminds me of those trips, not necessarily a bad thing, but I don't have much desire to stay there while in Florida.

Edit: Just saw you chose the Contemporary. Have fun!

I way second guessed my decision so I also booked Poly . I need to cancel one of them. I think I’ll end up going with Poly CL, maybe requesting the 3rd floor will help my husband not feel too low to the ground!

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