Where to stay?

So you have decided "We are going to Disney!"...now what?

Once I decided on when and how long I like to find my hotel first. Disney offers hotels to fit any size family but you can also stay "off grounds" too. I have done both.

Here are my pros & cons.

Staying Off Site:
Pros: Cheaper
Cons: Can't use the Disney Transportation, Can't experience Extra Magic Hours (EMH), Can't have the Disney Dining Plan (DDP).

Staying On Site:
Pros: Disney Transportation, EMH, DDP, Atmosphere!
Cons: Haven't found any yet.

I love the Disney resorts! You can tell that they were designed with all families in mind. There are different levels of resort to choose from!

Value: these are the least expensive but I LOVE the value resorts. They are called "ALL STAR" (music, movies, sports) and Pop Century! These colorful resorts have a great vibe and are excellent for a family on a budget. I stayed at the All Star Music in Spring '99 and enjoyed it so much we will be staying there again this summer, but in the Family Suites! (sleeps 6 plus baby in a crib!) Todd and I toured the Pop Century Resort this past summer! It is full of great nostalgic items like the "classic mickey phone", SUPER SIZED big wheel and more! Also, they had a "splash fountain" that all the cute pirates and princesses were piddling in! Note: these rooms do not have microwaves or fridges but can be requested. Also they have a food court instead of restaurant. Fun tip! All star Music shows movies by the pool each night!

Moderate: This is the next "LEVEL" up. We stayed at the Caribbean Beach Resort (CBR) this past summer! It is the largest moderate resort and we thought this would be no big deal! Well let me tell you about it! The check in area is in a separate building from all the "islands", the pool-restaurant-shop was a 10 minute walk from our room, and it has an INTERNAL shuttle. With all the negatives said, let me tell you about all the positives. Each "island" has a pool, never crowded alot of fun! The main pool was amazing with a kids pool area that was awesome. The staff was so gracious, the grounds were beautiful (hammocks, sand, playground) they had activities around the grounds and so on. I loved this resort, but it was a good thing we had our car there! This hotel does have mini-fridges in each room and you can request microwaves! The rooms are NEMO themed or you can up grade to a Pirate room!
Also in this level is "The Cabins at Ft. Wilderness", Coronado Springs, Port Orleans Riverside, Port Orleans French Quarter! They all have a unique decor. Madyson & I toured Ft. Wilderness and loved the atmosphere! Tons of activities, great "at home" feel! Fun Tip: Ft. Wilderness is the home to Mickey's Backyard BBQ, Hoop-de-doo Musical Review, and Chip-N-Dale's Campfire sing-a-long *a free event*

Deluxe: OOO La La! Now here is vacationing at its finest (all though I have never stayed at this level I have toured some of these!)
In the Deluxe category there is the Animal Kingdom Lodge, Beach Club Resort, Boardwalk Inn, Contemporary Resort, Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Polynesian Resort, Wilderness Lodge Resort, Yacht Club. At these resorts you will find alot of great amenities such as room service, on site fine dining, character meals, massage & fitness centers & spas, plus amazing atmospheres!

My three favorites are the Animal Kingdom Lodge, The Contemporary Resort, and The Grand Floridian. Madyson and I toured these this past summer and let me tell you...before I am 30 I will stay at one (even if it is by myself!!)

The Animal Kingdom trumps the other 2 in capacity. You can sleep 8 in certain rooms! Some rooms overlook the savanna where giraffes, zebras, and other animals graze *Keep in mind animals aren't actors, they do what they want so seeing them might not always be the easiest thing, but at the room I looked at, you could see them GREAT!* Some amenities here are
Satellite TV with Disney Programming
High-speed Internet Access (for an additional fee)
Refrigerator
Hairdryer
Iron and Iron Board
Coffee Maker
Alarm Clock with CD Player (available in all Club Level Guest rooms)
DVD Player (available in all Club Level Guest rooms)
Microwave (can be requested in Club Level Guest rooms)

The Contemporary Resort is on the monorail, I mean HOW COOL IS THAT? Plus it is the home to Chef Mickey's a great Character Buffet! You can see Cinderellas castle from this hotel, so that is just another plus! We walked through this hotel and fell in love with all the aspects! Also the California Grill (a signature dining spot) is located here! *GUYS this is a great romantic place to have a delicious meal and see the fireworks over the castle!! Perfect Proposal?? I think so!!

Last but not least is the Grand Floridian. Everything about this resort is grand. The decor makes you feel like you are the most wealthiest person in the world, 1900 Park Fare is located here (a great character dining spot with some amazing Strawberry Soup!), you can have tea with Alice...venture over to the Disney wedding pavilion! (I DID!! OHHHH FANTASY!!) Eat a Victoria & Albert's (an AMAZING RESTAURANT!!!) and soo much more!

Disney also has a variety of Villas that are available at different resorts. The only one I have any tips on is the Bay Lake Towers at the Contemporary Resort. These were being finished when we were down there this past summer and they LOOKED AMAZING! Flat screen tvs, whirlpool tubs, you name it...they've got it!

Now...where do you want to stay?