[dab]

I'm leaving for my trip in 15 days and am already thinking about my next trip Dec 2003. I want to look at a few home away from home resorts while I'm there. We need to do some careful planning as we will hopefully have a new addition to the family by that date and would like to have all the comforts of home. I can't imagine having to stay at a resort without monorail service so it will take some convincing. Our family (me, husband, daughter will be 5 and hopefully new baby) will be spending the bulk of our time at MK but will do some park hopping. So, I need some opinions on what is the most convient home away from home resort for us.

[BDavis932]

I don't know about any of the others, but we are DVC members and own at Old Key West. We love it there. It is really close to Downtown Disney and the main 4 parks are only a few minutes drive.

Old Key West is VERY relaxing, and everyone there makes you feel like you are at home!

[buzzsmommy]

We are also a family with young children (2 & 3) and need some "comforts of home" for our trip. We are also taking grandparents (one who can't walk very well) so we definetly needed a good location, space, and kitchen. We will also probably spend most of our time at the MK, with maybe a trip to MGM or AK but aren't even considering Epcot for the kids. (Might do it alone with DH if we get some time away for ourselves.) We are going in Nov., and although I've always wanted a monorail hotel, we settled on the villas at Wilderness Lodge.

From all that I can gather, (never stayed at any villas before so its new to me too) the WL is very close to MK and TTC. You take a leisurely boat ride to MK (my two little guys will think this an official ride I'm sure). Our villa will have 2 brs, 2 bths, full kitchen, and lr. It will be nice to be able to have a kitchen to feed the kids breakfast and maybe a dinner or two. I just can't imagine taking the 2 and 3 yr-olds to a restuarant 3x day for 7 days! Knowing we can have a down day if we need it helps me stay sane!!! :dazed Plus, the adults will all have some private space.

I've also heard the WL has outstanding restuaurants, a great pool, and a lobby to die for! It just seems better for us than being on the boardwalk which is close to Epcot when we probable won't even go there with the kids.

I'll post a trip report when we get back to give you the details. Hope this helps (we used the Disney Club to get a good rate also). Best of luck:) :) :)

[dab]

buzzsmommy- Thanks for the tip. I never thought of the WLV having the ferry boat to MK. That might be just as good as the monorail! I will see if I can take a tour when we go. Did you ever look into buying/renting DVC points for your stay. I am going to do a little research into that too. Just curious to know your take on that. We did join the Dis. Club and will be getting annual passes so I imagine we will be able to get a pretty good rate.

[TINK61]

I would love to stay at the Fort Wilderness Cabins. In fact I've been trying to get a ressie there for the week of Thanksgiving, but they're all booked up. I'll just keep checking. But it looks like we'll have to keep our ressies at ASMu for now. Either way, we'll have a great trip. But since you have plenty of time - you might want to check into the cabins for next year. They seem really nice and close to the MK. :)

[mickey]

We have stayed at Old Key West and Boardwalk Villas, and we love them both, for different reasons. If you are interested in EPCOT at all, the new Beach Club Villas can't be beat. Great location right next to an entrance of EPCOT, and boat service to MGM. If your center of attention is going to be MK, then I would suggest the Villas at Wilderness Lodge or Old Key West. The villas at OKW are a little bigger, and everything is much more spread out, but it isn't as close to MK as VWL. OKW is a little cheaper as well, if that matters to you. I would go take a tour of the Beach Club Villas, the rooms will be the same size and shape, only decorated differently.

We love staying in the villas, they are as nice as a deluxe resort, and less money for our big family.

Tink61, welcome to DisneyCentral!

[dab]

Thanks Mickey. I looked at some photos and reviews of Beach Club Villas and they are really beautiful; however, we will be spending the majority of our time at MK. So, I guess I'll try to take a tour when we go.

Tink61, Welcome!!:D

[melanie18]

My husband & I (before our daughter was born) also loved staying anywhere with monorail access. Several months ago we purchased DVC and stayed at OKW. Surprisingly, it didn't bother us not having the monorail (although we did have a rental car - I think that makes a big difference). We stayed in a 1-bedroom and now I cannot imagine being a small hotel room for a week with a 2-year old. It was wonderful to be able to put our daughter down for a nap in the bedroom and not have to tiptoe around. You also have a washer and dryer in the room (unless it's a studio I think) which is a big bonus when you have kids.

Good luck!

[dab]

I'm really starting to like the idea of the villas more! Thanks for the advice!