[Leigh]

My husband has decided that we can go to WDW in Feb 2005 before the peak time starts. We had orginally decided to go during our childrens spring break. Here in Mississippi it is the second week of March.

My only problem with going really early is that we would go around February 5. My children would be upset if they could not swim on our trip. My children will be 15 and 13 by then.

Okay Here are a couple of questions on chosing a resort. I really need help with this one because we have never stayed on site before. (We always thought it was too expensive) What resort do we stay at if we want some of the following things.
1. Maybe a heated pool.
2. An arcade or activity room for them.
3. Not anything real fancy
4. How busy are the parks at this time of year
5. Is it really cold in Florida in early Feb?
6. How do I go about getting codes for more discount on rooms

Thank you to anyone who can help me with some or all of the questions.

[mickey]

We stayed at Beach Club Villas the last week of February, 2004, and with the exception of the first day there, the rest of the days were around 80, just fine for swimming. Most likely, you will be fine, plus, the pools are heated, so even if it is a bit cool outside, the pools will be fine for the kids.

I am pretty sure that all of the resorts have some sort of arcade, so that isn't an issue, as are the heated pools.

For your first time on site, I usually suggest a moderate or Wilderness Lodge if you can swing it. If you can go prior to President's Day Weekend, the prices will be much cheaper, and basically no crowds at all. During Spring Break, it comes down to luck. We had no crowds at all, yet my parents were there a week after us, and it was packed all week.

Just to give you an idea, here are the discounted rates for 2004:

Value Resorts: $54
Moderates: $84
Wilderness Lodge: $109

These are the nightly prices, and do not include the 11.5% sales tax (12% at the All-Stars). Of course, most likely room rates will increase for 2005, so the rates may be a little higher, and it is possible that there may not be room only discounts, and you will have to do a package.

For the codes, you have two choices:

1. Book the stuff yourself, and then watch the front page here for codes to be released, call and change them, watch for even better codes, call and change again, etc.

2. Book your trip through Disney only travel agency, and let them worry abou the codes.

[Leigh]

Oh my Gosh thanks Mickey for responding so quickly. I have been so excited about going early I could barely stand it. We would be going February 5, so that should be well before President's Day.

I never thought that we would be able to stay at a moderate resort. It excites me even more to know that we could stay at the Wilderness lodge.

Last year we went the second week of March. Weather was really good. Crowds were not really heavy.

We stayed at the Quality Suites Maingate East. It was so so. And we paid $111 a night. We needed the extra room this past year since we took my 21 year old nephew.

This next year it is just the four of us going. DH, me, DS15, DD13. I told them somehow someway we were going to stay at a Disney resort.

This looks really doable. I would love to hand over preperations for our vacation to someone else and let them worry about it, but I become obsessive about trip preperations.

[DisneyTeacher]

Originally Posted by Leigh

I never thought that we would be able to stay at a moderate resort. It excites me even more to know that we could stay at the Wilderness lodge.

Leigh, I stayed at WL last summer for the first time and fell in love with the entire resort. From the moment we walked into the beautiful lobby to the day we checked out we were nothing but pleased. We were upgraded from a standard view to a courtyard view at check in with out asking and no extra charge. We were also lucky enough to be a flag family on our last morning. Our rooms were kept very clean by mousekeeping and were left towel creatures every day. The rooms are not huge but plenty big. My 5 year old loved the pool and the game room.

[Leigh]

Thanks DisneyTeacher . I need all the help i can get. We have been to Disney quite a few times but never thought we could stay on site.

I gave my word to my kids that they would stay on site the next time we go. I am really excited about the idea of staying at the WL.

[crystalrp]

WL is my family's very favorite resort. Even with a standard view, you will NOT be disappointed!

[roxie]

The WL is wonderful! It's beautiful and everyone was so nice there. It gets knocked sometimes for not being on the monorail line, but I loved taking the boat over to the MK. You'll love it.

[Willbegone]

I would definetly let someone else handle it, like Mousketrips. We used them this time and they are AWESOME. I too am a little obsessive and bugged them alot but they were always great. Try it!

[SummerSchoolMat]

February is a wonderful time to visit WDW. We've been there twice (some point during the second week thru President's weekend) and found the weather accommodating. You should be able to wear shorts or capri's, but it's advisable to have a light jacket or pullover to wear before 10:00am and after 5:00pm. Although we never took a dip in the pools, we did see plenty of people enjoying them.

We have found the Contemporary very comfortable and convenient since part of our trip carried over into President's weekend (ie. crowded). Friends have given the Wilderness Lodge high marks despite it not being on the monorail.

Along with this site, we also found www.mousesavers.com very helpful. Mary has a monthly newsletter that will keep you abreast of discount codes.

Hope you have a wonderful trip. We are planning a return visit next February but it sounds like we'll be passing on the road.

Regards,

[kphil89]

Originally Posted by SummerSchoolMat

We have found the Contemporary very comfortable and convenient since part of our trip carried over into President's weekend (ie. crowded).

I am planning to take DD to WDW the week of President's day, I was wondering when do the crowds come in? Is it the weekend thru that Mon or is it all week long?

[mickaholic4077]

I would like to put in my two cents worth for Animal Kingdom Lodge. It is a gorgeous deluxe property and is the least expensive of the deluxes. the bus system is wonderful and will get you to the parks in plenty of time.

[mickey]

Originally Posted by kphil89

I am planning to take DD to WDW the week of President's day, I was wondering when do the crowds come in? Is it the weekend thru that Mon or is it all week long?

You will start seeing crowds on Thursday before the weekend, and then until the next Wednesday or so. The weekend is pretty crowded, similar to a heavy summer day.

[Dana]

Originally Posted by Leigh

1. Maybe a heated pool.
2. An arcade or activity room for them.
3. Not anything real fancy
4. How busy are the parks at this time of year
5. Is it really cold in Florida in early Feb?
6. How do I go about getting codes for more discount on rooms

Thank you to anyone who can help me with some or all of the questions.

Leigh -
I think all of the pools are heated. I went that time last year, and my DD was able to swim on at least two of those days without freezing. We actually had shorts and T-shirts on one of the days. The crowds were ideal. Think NO waiting longer than 20min. How about one of the moderates like Port Orleans? I stayed at AKL that time of year and the rates were awesome. I could never afford to stay at a deluxe during peak season, but was able to swing it during Value. Another excellent deluxe that isn't going to break the bank is Wilderness Lodge. I stayed there in 2000 and it is great. Not too fancy, but very homey and fun! The weather can vary with an average temp of around 70 degrees give or take....excellent for touring without melting. Oh...all of the resorts have an arcade and being as how they are a bit older, they will be able to roam around and go to the pool area and be occupied should they want to do some exploring. I am so excited for your upcoming trip and am even more excited that you are going to stay on site! You and I can wait it out together. I am going a few weeks before you on Janury 18th and staying until the 23rd at the Poly. Happy planning!!

[SummerSchoolMat]

The Wednesday - Friday before President's weekend are very managable. Although there was some waiting (can't remember anything over 20 minutes), we pretty much were able to do whatever we liked.

The Saturday - Monday of President's weekend are managable at 3 of the 4 parks. Take a guess which one wasn't? MK. I'll never forget my first trip there in '02 walking down the ramp from the monorail that Saturday morning. My jaw hit the floor. It was like a sea of ants! Completely different than the day before. We stayed at MK about an hour and a half and then moved on to MGM where it was more managable. Not to say the other parks aren't well populated. It just didn't seem like I was rubbing shoulders with the person beside me. MK gets very crowded that holiday weekend.

You guys are getting me tooo excited and I've got another 9 months!

Regards,

[Leigh]

Thank you for everyone's advice. I have searching the net all day today for information. My daughter really wants to stay at CBR-Jamaca. Why I don't know, she saw something about it.

Any one have any information about that one?

Yes Dana I am soooooo very excited, my husband can barely stand me now and look at how long i have to wait.