Penmac
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Mar 31, 2017
Hello!
Looking for some planning advice and can't think of a better place to ask! I am driving myself crazy making a choice on accommodation for our large family of 7 (5 kids ages 1-8). We are traveling in August 2017, and really need to be budget conscious. We like to visit Disney frequently, but with a large family we have to cut corners to make sure we can come back again. If it was a "once in a lifetime vacation" I would spend more $, but our goal is to enjoy Disney a few times while our kids are growing so we need to make cost effective choices. Bearing this in mind, we have ruled out staying onsite. We have also ruled out staying offsite in a suite hotel due to daily parking rates and limited space/no full kitchen (we are driving from the Northeast so will have a car). Our oldest is only 8 and we still have one in diapers, so feel we really need a condo to spread out a bit and be able to do laundry and cook for ourselves.
We have stayed at The Sheraton Vistana and Marriott Royal Palms in the past (Palms was a good deal through a friend's timeshare), but both are over our nightly budget for this trip. We want to stay around the $100/night mark. I would maybe be willing to go up to $125/night for a place that meets all our needs. I have narrowed down a few places and looking for some opinions. Dream condo would be Wyndham Bonnet Creek, but the cheapest I can find is $180 before tax, so not doable this time.
Windsor Hills- seems like it has a nice pool area, but are many of the units within waking distance to this pool or will we have to schlep 5 wet kids in and out of the car? Also heard rumors of a pool renovation.
Blue Heron- love the idea of being able to watch nightly fireworks, but the pool seems lacking here. We will probably have at least one full pool day and not sure this place will fit the bill. Since the condos are a bit dated, it would be nice to have an awesome pool to offset that.
Liki Tiki- Water park seems age appropriate for little ones. Assume the condos are basic, but would meet our needs. Is this a reasonable distance from the parks? We will probably come home for lunch and return in the evening for fireworks at least one night. Also noticed there are TONS of recreational activities onsite that we would not utilize while here since we are going to spend most time at the park. Will it be more chaotic than it's worth?
Any other recommendations? I really want to be close to the parks.... Possibly be able to watch fireworks, and have access to a good pool. Any advice appreciated!
Looking for some planning advice and can't think of a better place to ask! I am driving myself crazy making a choice on accommodation for our large family of 7 (5 kids ages 1-8). We are traveling in August 2017, and really need to be budget conscious. We like to visit Disney frequently, but with a large family we have to cut corners to make sure we can come back again. If it was a "once in a lifetime vacation" I would spend more $, but our goal is to enjoy Disney a few times while our kids are growing so we need to make cost effective choices. Bearing this in mind, we have ruled out staying onsite. We have also ruled out staying offsite in a suite hotel due to daily parking rates and limited space/no full kitchen (we are driving from the Northeast so will have a car). Our oldest is only 8 and we still have one in diapers, so feel we really need a condo to spread out a bit and be able to do laundry and cook for ourselves.
We have stayed at The Sheraton Vistana and Marriott Royal Palms in the past (Palms was a good deal through a friend's timeshare), but both are over our nightly budget for this trip. We want to stay around the $100/night mark. I would maybe be willing to go up to $125/night for a place that meets all our needs. I have narrowed down a few places and looking for some opinions. Dream condo would be Wyndham Bonnet Creek, but the cheapest I can find is $180 before tax, so not doable this time.
Windsor Hills- seems like it has a nice pool area, but are many of the units within waking distance to this pool or will we have to schlep 5 wet kids in and out of the car? Also heard rumors of a pool renovation.
Blue Heron- love the idea of being able to watch nightly fireworks, but the pool seems lacking here. We will probably have at least one full pool day and not sure this place will fit the bill. Since the condos are a bit dated, it would be nice to have an awesome pool to offset that.
Liki Tiki- Water park seems age appropriate for little ones. Assume the condos are basic, but would meet our needs. Is this a reasonable distance from the parks? We will probably come home for lunch and return in the evening for fireworks at least one night. Also noticed there are TONS of recreational activities onsite that we would not utilize while here since we are going to spend most time at the park. Will it be more chaotic than it's worth?
Any other recommendations? I really want to be close to the parks.... Possibly be able to watch fireworks, and have access to a good pool. Any advice appreciated!
). If Windsor Hills is out of the question cause of the construction; there are other communities nearby. Next door to Windsor Hills is Crestwynd Bay which is primarily townhomes. Also close to Windsor Hills is Windsor Palms which has condos, town homes, and houses. If you are looking for a house with a private pool in that area, Indian Creek and Rolling Hills are other nice communities in addition to Windsor Hills (and the rates seem very competitive too on VRBO). Good luck 
