Orlando - Disney Hotel Advice

My family (wife and 2 children 16 months and almost 3) are going to do a quick trip to Disney world in October. We will be driving up on Thursday afternoon (during kids nap times) and going to the Magic Kindgdom on Friday. What I'm looking for is a Hotel near the park that has a nice pool for kids for that Thursday late afternoon. I would also like a view of the fireworks at night...Starwoods properties would be a bonus, but it doesn't have to be...can anyone help me here?

If you want to stay on site, both the Dolphin and Swan are starwood properties. Off site, there's the Sheraton World Resort. Ask for a room in the tower - they are the newest. Hotel is very kiddie friendly. Don't know about the fireworks. If you do see them, they'll be from Seaworld which is right next door.
www.sheratonworld.com

Not really much to see for the fireworks at the Disney properties, unless you are there I would guess. I stayed at the Marriott World Center lookign toward the parks. Got a few minutes of the Epcot show, but most is below the tree line. Never saw anything from another park. They do have a movie pool side on Saturday Nights for the kids.

I just got back from a Saturday night at the Renassiance Sea World. If you get a room facing Sea World and clear the trees, you see the fireworks and water show fairly well. Does not last long, but only thing between you and the show is a road and the parking lot.

Forgot to add - now in August the fireworks are at 10 PM

The very best would be Disney's Contemporary Resort. It's across the street from the Magic Kingdom (it's a 5 minute walk) and also on the monorail line which connects it to the Magic Kingdom, MK Resorts, and Epcot.

Any room facing the Magic Kingdom will give you at least a decent (if not a good) view of the fireworks. They also have 2 fireworks viewing areas. One is open to the public on the fourth floor, the other is on the 15th floor in the California Grille (tip- if you don't want to eat there, just get a drink from the bar and step outside to the observation deck).

And it also has a pool ;)

Here's a link to the resorts website. (http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/resorts/resortLanding?id=contemporaryResortLandingPage&bhcp=1)

Not really much to see for the fireworks at the Disney properties, unless you are there I would guess. I stayed at the Marriott World Center lookign toward the parks. Got a few minutes of the Epcot show, but most is below the tree line. If you can get a room at the top of the World Center Tower you should be able to see the fireworks fairly well. Also, this property has a very nice pool with a big water slide, water falls, etc. It is all very kid friendly. (Of course I'm sure that there are quite a few 'kid friendly' hotels in Orlando. ;) )

The easiest for you, as MKT said, is to stay at the Contemporary. You can walk into the Magic Kingdom, which is a big bonus, particularly if you're there at night.

My second choices would be either the Polynesian or Grand Floridian. They both have a small launch type boat to get you to the Magic Kingdom as well as the monorail. An upside is the pools are nicer than the Contemporaries.

No matter which of the 3 you pick, they're all good and you can see the fireworks from all of them, as well as a light parade on the lagoon that goes from hotel to hotel.

The Contemporary is the oldest Disney Resort hotel but it does have the best fireworks view. I would reccomend the Grand Floridian or the Polynesian. I always stay at the Grand Floridian and it is very nice. You can see the fireworks from your balcony (request Magic Kingdom view). Grand Floridian Pics (http://www.geoffreypalcher.com/disney4h.htm) :)

The monorail connects the Grand Floridian, Polynesian, and Comtemporary to the Magic Kingdom and Epcot which is nice.

If you decide to stay at the Swan or Dolphin book the room on starwood.com as it is cheaper than disneyworld.com

Great advice from others here. For such a short trip I absolutely recommend staying at a Disney hotel so that you can avoid wasting time driving, parking, etc.

The Polynesian has perhaps the best pool on Disney property but I had a pretty disappointing experience with my last stay there regarding guest service overall. Both the Grand Floridian and the Contemporary have never failed to knock my socks off.

I was at the Poly for a week in June and didn't have any problems. But I also wasn't expecting much. Heck, I've learned never to expect more than 2 star treatment at 4 star prices at Disney.

BUT the pool is crowded. I spent all of my time at the quiet pool.

Since the OP only has 1 day for the parks, it would help us to know what else is planned.

Like I said, the easiest would be the Contemporary, and with children so young, I doubt the design of the pool matters much - water is all that counts :)

But the OPs time frame is lower season and I don't think he'd have those issues.

Thanks for all the great advice...the only thing we have planned is basically the pool in the afternoon/evening we check in, and then the magic kingdom on the following day...then it's back to Sarasota.
I think we will try out one of the disney hotels mentioned...now I'm going to get specific and see if anyone can help...do any of the hotels have a pool with a "beach" type of entrance? My soon to be 3 year old is going through his "independent" stage and will want to enter the pool all by himself...so this is helpful, but not an absolute must.
Also, anyone know the best place to book these hotels?

You should definately take the kids to the Magic Kingdom for the fireworks because they will miss the parade before hand which kids of your age will really enjoy. Don't worry at all about little tykes sleeping patterns. They will sleep when they are tired. I was there every year from when my oldest was 9 mos. Also, I avoid Disney hotels. I like a suites property (although I had more than 2 kids). The price was so much better and if you have AAA get the book and look at the pools. One place in particular which is an easy drive is the Carrbe Royale http://cariberoyale.com/ with fantastic facilities for real little kids and such an easy drive to Disney and included breakfast when I was there. There are many other wonderful choices too.

I'm certain the Poly and the Grand Floridian have zero entry pools. I walked passed the Contemporary, but I honestly can't recall if they put one in. I'll see if I can find you some info.

For the most current and best pricing info, go to www.mousesavers.com. You can call Disney direct and get a AAA discount if you're a member (& have the card handy). If discounts become available you can call and revise it. It may be a bit too early for Oct discounts, but mousesavers will have all the info. Watch it on a regular basis. Some people make a sport of catching all the discounts and they do sell our fairly quickly :)

Other than those 2 suggestions, there's not much else you can do to save $$$ on disney hotels. Just remember, the price you are paying is for access - not amenities. Though the hotels are nice, they're not what most people would expect for the price paid.

If you want to stay on site, both the Dolphin and Swan are starwood properties. Off site, there's the Sheraton World Resort. Ask for a room in the tower - they are the newest. Hotel is very kiddie friendly. Don't know about the fireworks. If you do see them, they'll be from Seaworld which is right next door.
www.sheratonworld.com

FYI - The Sheraton World Resort stopped being a Sheraton/Starwoods property almost a year ago now. The closest off-property *woods hotel is the Sheraton Safari.

You should definately take the kids to the Magic Kingdom for the fireworks because they will miss the parade before hand which kids of your age will really enjoy. Don't worry at all about little tykes sleeping patterns. They will sleep when they are tired. I was there every year from when my oldest was 9 mos. Also, I avoid Disney hotels. I like a suites property (although I had more than 2 kids). The price was so much better and if you have AAA get the book and look at the pools. One place in particular which is an easy drive is the Carrbe Royale http://cariberoyale.com/ with fantastic facilities for real little kids and such an easy drive to Disney and included breakfast when I was there. There are many other wonderful choices too.
I don't believe the contemporary has a zero entry pool, but I know that the Polynesian and Grand Floridian both have them. mousesavers.com (http://www.mousesavers.com) is the best place for disney discounts, check them out.

As for booking Disney travel, you have to go through Disney (http://www.disneyworld.com) directly (http://www.disneyworld.com/ or 407-824-2222) or a travel agent to book most Disney travel. For a travel agent, I recommend Kingdom Konsultants (http://www.kingdomkonsultants.com/), as I've dealt with them before and have had positive experiences.

I don't really think it necessary to use a travel agent for a 2 night room only stay.

If you have AAA you can save 10 or 15% on the room rate, if there are no code discounts available (you will find when they are on mousesavers).

The only time I would say to use a travel agent is if that agent is AAA. The have "disney weeks" several times a year and you might get something additional besides the standard discount.

Nothing against agents, but most of us here are savvy enough not to need their services for a 2 night stay where nothing else is required.

Mary,
Thanks, I think I've used a travel agent exactly one time in the last 5+ years...and that was to book the broadmoor b/c we got a bunch of freebies...If I recall correctly aren't you a big fan of the Hyatt in Orlando? If so, how do they treat diamonds...do I have a snowballs chance of getting upgraded on a FFN (assuming they have one prior to Oct?), what about upgrades on a revenue stay?
Also, how are their pools for kids? Do they have the zero entry pools? Any rooms have views of fireworks?

So many questions :)

If I recall correctly aren't you a big fan of the Hyatt in Orlando? If so, how do they treat diamonds...do I have a snowballs chance of getting upgraded on a FFN (assuming they have one prior to Oct?), what about upgrades on a revenue stay?
Yes, very well, yes, and yes :)

I've always been up on the RC floor and a few times on the PH floor with access to the RC.

You have to be careful with the room they put you in though. While you most likely will be upgraded, you might get stuck in one of the rooms facing the entry and Rte 535. If you look at a picture of the hotel, that's the front of the hotel and the only straight section. The back of the hotel has 3 wings that jut out from that long stretch and those are the rooms with a chance of having a view of the Epcot fireworks at 9pm. At worst, you can leave your room and go to the atrium area and look thru the wall of windows. We were there on New Years Eve, and it was quite a site - fireworks in all directions plus balloons floating down thru the atrium.

You would need to request a pool or lake view room and add Regency Club floor (11) to your request so they have a clue that you know what you're talking about.

I don't think it's likely we'll get a FFN by Oct. This hotel also does a lot of groups around that time, so the rates may not be so inexpensive. I'll be there for Labor Day at a $150 rate - but it's also hurricane season and hot as h3ll :). Oct. is perfect weather. I've paid as much as $250 per night and as little as $139, with a smattering of FFN thrown in.

Don't forget those stay/weekend certificates. You should be able to get it, and for $249, including tax and full breakfast (on the weekend cert), it might be worth it for you. Note that some resorts accept weekend certs any day of the week.

Also, how are their pools for kids? Do they have the zero entry pools? The pool is great, with slides, etc. Actually, it's pools with hot tubs in grottos, etc. If you've been to the Hyatt Kauai, it's a bit like the pool there, tho not as large. I don't recall if there's a zero entry pool, but I don't think so.

There's also free bike rentals and paddleboats on the lake.

It;s a quite nice resort in the middle of mouseland and under 1 miles from the entrance to their property (near Downtown Disney).

Any rooms have views of fireworks?
See room location discussion above :)

In addition to www.mousesavers.com, there is www.allearsnet.com for lots of info. Also www.disboards.com and various Yahoo groups.

Searching those should answer almost any conceivable Disney question. Or you can always post and get one that way.

I think your kids may prefer to watch the fireworks from inside the Magic Kingdom, rather than from a hotel (you can't see Tinkerbelle otherwise and the sound is better). Unless, of course, loud firework noises bother them a lot.

If you feel like renting Disney Vacation Club points from someone, you might be able to get a room at the Beach Club Villas. The pool there (Stormalong Bay) is considered by many to be the best in "The World" (several acres in size and zero entry, I'm told). You should pay a lot less than at Contemporary/Poly/Grand (12 DVC points a night on Thursday in October, ought to be under $145 all-in). Might be a little late now to get a ressie, but you never know. Now that I think about it, I seem to remember zero entry at some of the other DVC resorts, but I can't recall for sure. There's a Yahoo group for DVC and someone would know.

You may end up buying a DVC membership, like 120,000+ other families.

PM me if you want more info.

Have fun.

If you want the better service I'd go for the Grand Floridian - they have a much better staff to guest ratio than the Contemporary and Poly and check-in, service, etc. are just a whole lot faster and better. The pool area is also a lot less crowded. With small kids the garden rooms at Big Pine Key building are great (1st or 2nd fl away from the elevator), The higher floor will give you pretty good firework views, and it is very close to the pool and main building.

The only big plus of the Contemporary is that you can walk to to the Magic Kingdom entrance. They did recently refurbish most of their rooms so that would not be a major consideration. OTOH if you have to wait hours for check-in or for your room to be readied it can really spoil the fun.

Actually, if you want excellent service stay anywhere but in a Disney deluxe hotel. You're not paying for service, you're paying for access and proximity to the Magic Kingdom (most of them).

Until I stayed at the Hyatt in MCO I had forgotten just how medicore the service is at Disney hotels. The front desk staff is useless. They use college interns with minimal training. It's customer service by manual. Ask them a questions that's a bit out of the ordinary and they have to go running to the office to get an answer.

Ditto for guest services.

Don't get me wrong. Disney does things very very well, but in order to do so, have to do it according to a formula. That does not bode well for customer service aspects of the hotel business.

And for upwards of $350 per night for the cheapest room, I expect more customer service than they provide - even at the Grand Floridian, which just lost it's 4th star due to less then 4 star service.

Until I stayed at the Hyatt in MCO I had forgotten just how medicore the service is at Disney hotels.

Mary - do you find the concierge floors to be better? My last stay at the Contemporary was on the Tower Concierge floor and the service was much better.

It will be interesting to see how the new on property Four Seasons does.

I have only stayed in conceirge at the Poly, and while service is better, for the money charged, most would expect it to be at the Four Seasons level.

Consider that a concierge level room at the Poly is now going in the $600 range, which is right on par with 5 star hotels, and there just isn't any comparison.

With a Disney deluxe, you pay for access, which is why I paid for it. Not for the amenities. I now choose Disney hotels when it makes sense to have easy access to the activities I want. When I want a resort experience with good service at a reasonable price, I stay at the Hyatt.

The new onsite Four Seasons will be interesting. I can only imagine what they will charge. If a deluxe room starts at $350, well, the 4s is going to be much much higher. But, it will not be as well located as the Disney hotels, and, IMHO, will be catering to those who want more of a golf experience with a little theme park thrown in for the kids :)

I have only stayed in conceirge at the Poly, and while service is better, for the money charged, most would expect it to be at the Four Seasons level.

Consider that a concierge level room at the Poly is now going in the $600 range, which is right on par with 5 star hotels, and there just isn't any comparison.



Very valid point. I only stay in concierge when I get a good off season passholder rate (as I've been lucky to get again for October). For me, the ability to walk to MK and watch the fireworks from the balcony make the expense worthwhile...but you are certainly correct that, by luxury hotel standards, the service quality is lacking.

THe Four Seasons will be an interesting experiment. I certainly won't expect Mickey to be running the Evian spritzes :)

Has anyone tried the new concierge level at the Animal Kingdom Lodge of the Disney Vacation Club?

Until I stayed at the Hyatt in MCO I had forgotten just how medicore the service is at Disney hotels. The front desk staff is useless. They use college interns with minimal training. It's customer service by manual. Ask them a questions that's a bit out of the ordinary and they have to go running to the office to get an answer.

As a veteran of Disney, I can say this was one of the many reasons I was glad to have been "creatively dismissed." I actually framed my last paycheck of ($3.12) as a reminder of what I was worth to them.

Anyway, a few years ago during the shareholder revolts, savedisney, etc- I was one of the founders of d-troops.com. We were fans of the parks, and shareholders, who were disappointed in what we saw the parks become. It was quite disheartening. Anyway, the last essay I worked on before I left the site was "The declining standards of Disney guest service."

It's a shame it was never published, but in it I blasted Disney's wages, willingness to cave into union demands vs. guest needs, and reliance on the college program for cheap labor as the three primary causes of this.

I really need to find it and publish it elsewhere

Has anyone tried the new concierge level at the Animal Kingdom Lodge of the Disney Vacation Club?

Is there something new there? I stayed at AKL concierge a few years ago, but only to have access to their Sunrise Safari at the park. Normally, I can't justify concierge for me--the extras you get just aren't worth the price.

Has anyone tried the new concierge level at the Animal Kingdom Lodge of the Disney Vacation Club?
I have not, but I know a few people who have.

It is essentially the same concierge experience as the rest of the deluxe hotels. Remember - they all operate on the same formula.

The hotel is quite nice, and the animals are a nice novelty, but I find it too far away from anything else I want to be at.

For people with young children, there's no place better to stay than at one of the hotels around the Magic Kingdom, if you want to be on property.

I would check out the Nickelodian Suites hotel, www.nickhotel.com. I took my kids there many times and the pools are about the best in the area for kids, and it's right across the street from the Marriott resort about a mile from Disney.

Is there something new there? I stayed at AKL concierge a few years ago, but only to have access to their Sunrise Safari at the park. Normally, I can't justify concierge for me--the extras you get just aren't worth the price.

This is in the new DVC AK resort, just opened and mostly still being built. For concierge service, it's just a couple extra DVC points a night versus a regular, maybe $20 more. Pretty cheap compared to what I've been told about other Disney concierge service.

This is in the new DVC AK resort, just opened and mostly still being built. For concierge service, it's just a couple extra DVC points a night versus a regular, maybe $20 more. Pretty cheap compared to what I've been told about other Disney concierge service.
My fault...I missed the "DVC" in the original post.

The Contemporary is the oldest Disney Resort hotel but it does have the best fireworks view. I would reccomend the Grand Floridian or the Polynesian. I always stay at the Grand Floridian and it is very nice. You can see the fireworks from your balcony (request Magic Kingdom view). Grand Floridian Pics (http://www.geoffreypalcher.com/disney4h.htm) :)

The monorail connects the Grand Floridian, Polynesian, and Comtemporary to the Magic Kingdom and Epcot which is nice.

If you decide to stay at the Swan or Dolphin book the room on starwood.com as it is cheaper than disneyworld.com

My wife and I live in Orlando and visit often (we are passholders). I studying the park design (I am a self admitted Disney nerd) I found that the view from the Wedding Chapel new to the Grand Floridian. It was designed to be this way for wedding photos in the chapel with the castle in the background. My reccomendation is that since you will not be able to get in the chapel just get the to Grand Floridian and then walk the short beach line. It is a romantic walk and fun with the kids on the lake shore. Plan it "just right" and you will reach the chapel just in time for a great unobstructed view of the MK fireworks program and the various lighting effects done on the castle.

Studying park design... Rosen?

Another Disney freak here.

The Polynesian has a zero-entry pool and a nice beach, although you may not swim from the beach. It is a laid back place although the pool is crowded.

The Contemporary is nice only because it is within walking distance.

If I were you I would stay at one of these hotels, preferably the Poly. Are you planning to stay Friday night as well? Because if you are mid-day naps are mandatory for the children and being close to the hotel is what makes the monorail location so important.

If you AREN'T planning on staying Friday night, Friday is going to be a tough day for the kids. But you might as well stay anywhere. If money matters at all I would suggest the Port Orleans French Quarter, which has a nice pool and slide, although its not zero entry.

Final advice. You MUST, no exception, be at the park entrance gate ticket in hand 20 minutes before the scheduled opening. You MUST go directly to Fantasyland at a near-run and get a FASTPASS to Winnie The Pooh, then ride Dumbo, then ride Peter Pan, then ride Mickey's Philharmagic, then ride the Carosel. When it is time to get on Winnie the Pooh, get a FASTPASS to ride it again or else to ride Peter Pan again. Use your Winnie The Pooh FASTPASS. Do not stop to have any character interactions during the first 90 minutes of park opening. You are now on your own.

Be aware that Snow White scares many children. Do not ride it first or your children may not want to get on the other rides.

I'm thinking about going to either the starwood-owned swan or dolphin Dec. 18-21st. Any particular recommendations? Differences? How's there standard room? Any coupons out there? How's the pool/beach there, and will I be able to swimm in December weather?

Thanks!

I'm thinking about going to either the starwood-owned swan or dolphin Dec. 18-21st. Any particular recommendations? Differences? How's there standard room? Any coupons out there? How's the pool/beach there, and will I be able to swimm in December weather?

Thanks!

Swan and Dolphin are pretty similar, but there are differences, which have been discussed before in this forum and also the Starwood forum, and searches will yield everything you need to know.

December weather might be OK for swimming (pools are heated, or have been in the past), but it was too cold for me last time I went then. My son was fine with it, though.

Teachers get discounts at Swan/Dolphin (or used to). That's the only real deal I know of, but there must be others.

searches will yield everything you need to know.

Thanks, I searched within a few thread, but forgot (like a newbie) to search the whole forum. Will do! Any updated info is welcome too!