Having made that list and checked it thrice, you check the web and what to your wondering eyes should appear but MORE choices for you!
Accommodations, these are most important, will you stay on or off grounds?
The best way to enjoy Disney World (IMHO) is to stay on grounds, as there is free transport to all the Disney attractions, they also offer some fun activities, and when traveling with kiddies (be they 2 or 22) it's always nice to have diversions.
Keep in mind that exhaustion can set in relatively quickly after a day of walking around any of the parks and having the luxury of letting someone else do the driving is wonderful, and when you are on grounds most hotels are less than 10-15 minuets ride.
Again choosing a hotel depends upon your finances.
The least expensive way I have found to enjoy Walt Disney World Resort has been via a package deal though Disney. Going via their website allows you to compare prices of hotels, and all the services and perks for your package.
The Magic your Way is GREAT!
Package deals offer various dinning and ticket opptions (ie park hopper passes, park hopper with water parks (and DisneyQuest) Quick service Meals, Full Dinning ect)
The choice is yours, keep in mind while in the long it is less expensive, in the short run YIKES! But the good thing is you can pay off the vacation when you book through Disney, as long as you are paid up 30 days in advance AND you also have the option of checking into your hotel 10 days before, so that when you arrive your room is ready!
Check out the website @ disneyparks.disney.go.com
The site is great for all Disney Vacation needs, from the planning to the reservations, you can even check out the restaurants before you go, make dinning reservations and get the latest park news! (WOW I sound like an advert, I'm not)
If you chose to stay on grounds, the hotels are broken down by price, and by what park they are near:
Example : The Grand Floridan , Polynesian and Contemporary and Fort Wilderness are Classified as "Magic Kingdom" Resorts as this is the park that is nearest (either by Monorail or boat or even walking!)
Among my favourite Disney Hotels are :
The Contemporary: $$$$$
I love this A-frame Monorail house (as I used to call it) I have stayed here twice, I regret not taking an upgrade to the tower when I had the chance, if you can stay HERE (again finance permitting) The views are spectacular, especially of The Magic Kingdom! (and it's just 1 Monorail stop away, or a short walk.
Port Orleans: $$$$
It has that New Orleans feel to it, and my stay here was quite enjoyable
Fort Wilderness: $$$
I have yet to stay here but I have visited the camp grounds on many occasions and this is an amazing place, with three restaurants (The Hoop-De-Doo Review and Mickey's Back Yard BBQ being the "Show" restaurants as it were). You can rent cabins that will fit the entire family (which is a more costly option) or for less you can reserve a camp site. There is plenty to see and do here for children of all ages.
The All Start Resorts: (Movies, Sports, Music) $$
Take your pick of a theme here,I have stayed at all three! These are some of the most fun resorts, with lots to do for the kids, the specially themed heated pools are fantastic! Down side here is that these hotels tens to be loud, as it seems to be the preferred hotels for high school trips, and families with screaming uh I mean small children.
The Pop Century:$$
This is my all time favourite, I stayed here three times, each decade has it's own theme from the buildings to the pools. Again lots to see and do for people of all ages, and it is now connected via car park and bridge (that you walk over) to the new Art of Animation (which I have explored but not stayed at.) looks amazing, my only complaint is with so many wonderful movies to chose from why just the few they chose. (The Little Mermaid, Finding Nemo, Cars, and The Lion King) Hopefully they will add more, personally I would love to see a Jungle Book, Beauty and the Beast, or even a Robin Hood theme.
Though most hotels have room service, the All Star Resorts, Pop Century and Art of Animation offer Pizza Delivery (AWESOME Pizza in my Opinion (there are other items on the menu as well)) As with anything Disney there is a price..
If you chose to stay off grounds there are several hotels that offer transport to the parks, not sure if they offer Downtown Disney (A shopaholics paradise!).
International Drive is a good place to look for hotels, they have reasonable rates and some overpriced, but it is worth the look as they are fairly close as well. There are two on the property that are not Disney Owned. The Swan & Dolphin, both are nice and a little on the pricey side.
Now you must decide on mode of transport, obviously for far off visitors it's a plane choice, for those not so far off perhaps a train, for for those even closer ROAD TRIP!
More to come:
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