children ages 4, 3 and (almost) 2

[adamtraci]

Where would u stay and why?

We are planning to go in May 2010 for 8 days and want to stay in one of the resorts.

TIA!

 

[adamtraci]

OK so my girls will be aged 5 and 4 with the baby being almost two at the time of our trip. My 1st post and I didnt even get the age of my own kids correct! sheesh

 

[GatorLady]

With three small children, if you can afford it, I would definitely suggest staying at one of the monorail resorts. (Contemporary, Poly of GF)

 

[adamtraci]

yes, we plan to but can you tell me which one of them and what the highlights would be for children of these ages.

 

[Perditamarie]

I would pick the Contemporary for the walking path to the MK. It is great to stroll out of your hotel and be at the MK in 5-7 minutes!!!!

Here are some pics from Allearsnet.com:

http://allears.net/acc/g_contm.htm

If not the Contemporary, then the Poly has a cool themed pool and convenient monorail transport to both MK and Epcot.

HTH!

 

[KatMark]

We've stayed at the CR and the Poly when the kids were younger (the GF does not appeal to us at all--too fancy and too girly). Our boys and DH and I much preferred the Poly over the CR.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I would also go with the Contemporary because of they are the closest resort to the Magic Kingdom, they have a walkway which goes there, and transportation wise I would say they are the best.

 

[adamtraci]

OK thanks.

I have heard great things about the Poly, although some said it was in need of some refusrbishments because it is an older resort. What are your thoughts on that?

From what I can gather, the CR is conveniently placed and within easy walking distance from MK, but perhaps not so appealing for little kids (girls 5 and 4)??

I think we've definitely narrowed down our picks to CR or Poly. Just not sure which one!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I would say the Contemporary is very appealing for little kids because they have a very good arcade on the 4th floor, Chef Mickey's and right now they are adding a kids splash play area by the swimming pool. So when you factor in all of that, it's location and everything being inside the Tower you can't beat what the Contemporary has to offer.

Finally here is a link to the Contemporary FAQ thread so you can read more about it.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2140296

 

[KatMark]

CR might have a little edge in convenience, but my kids really did not care for it at all. They much preferred the Poly--more open space, not so much cement, lovely landscaping, great pool, etc.

 

[mmmears]

OK thanks.

I have heard great things about the Poly, although some said it was in need of some refusrbishments because it is an older resort. What are your thoughts on that?

From what I can gather, the CR is conveniently placed and within easy walking distance from MK, but perhaps not so appealing for little kids (girls 5 and 4)??

I think we've definitely narrowed down our picks to CR or Poly. Just not sure which one!

We've stayed at both the GF and the Poly and I love them both!

We were just at the Poly a few weeks ago -- I found it well taken-care-of and the refurbished rooms are really, really nice.

We prefer the laid-back feeling and lower buildings of the Poly, and the theme, to the CR. The Poly has a great boat (and of course, the monorail) to the MK. I liked it because of the gardens, the theming, the fun pool and beach (my DD spent every afternoon playing there) with a fantastic view of the castle. We loved watching the fireworks every night -- you can see them from the pool and the beach (in addition to the lagoon and MK-view rooms).

Poly doesn't have a jacuzzi -- no big deal for me. About 2/3 of the rooms have patios or balconies, so if you really want one, you need to request it. A really nice thing about the 1st floor rooms is that the patios lead onto grass and gardens, so with little kids, it gives them an extra space to run around while you can relax and still watch them.

To me, CR seems cold, but you can see that many people just love it there. It's really a matter of personal preference (theming, etc.).

Both have their pros in the transportation dept (Poly can walk to TTC, CR can walk to MK), both have really nicely re-done rooms, both have great views (but different). I dont think that one is necessarily better than the other, but people definitely have their preferences.

I suggest you check out the photo threads for each resort -- you can get a good feel for which one would make a better "home away from home" for you and your family.

 

[adamtraci]

I would say the Contemporary is very appealing for little kids because they have a very good arcade on the 4th floor, Chef Mickey's and right now they are adding a kids splash play area by the swimming pool. So when you factor in all of that, it's location and everything being inside the Tower you can't beat what the Contemporary has to offer.

Finally here is a link to the Contemporary FAQ thread so you can read more about it.

thanks. I'll read about it now. Didn't realize they had a beach too. Only ever read about the Poly having a beach.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

thanks. I'll read about it now. Didn't realize they had a beach too. Only ever read about the Poly having a beach.

You're welcome and I believe the Contemporary beach is bigger then the Polynesian beach.

 

[Coconuts]

OK thanks.

I have heard great things about the Poly, although some said it was in need of some refusrbishments because it is an older resort. What are your thoughts on that?

From what I can gather, the CR is conveniently placed and within easy walking distance from MK, but perhaps not so appealing for little kids (girls 5 and 4)??

I think we've definitely narrowed down our picks to CR or Poly. Just not sure which one!

While CR is convenient for walking distance to MK, it is very sterile and hotel-like in its decor. My kids were at Poly when they were 5 and almost 3 and they loved it. They loved the lobby, volcano pool with zero entry, beach, boat to MK, monorail. You can't go wrong with either.

 

[Deb & Bill]

thanks. I'll read about it now. Didn't realize they had a beach too. Only ever read about the Poly having a beach.

You know you can't swim off that beach correct? You can play in the sand, but not go in the water. GF also has a beach area to play in the sand.

WL is also pretty nice. Rooms would be smaller than CR, but theming is really cool. And you are just a boat ride away from the MK. And it also has a sandy beach for playing.

Since one of your children will be under the age of three when you arrive, you are really considered a family of four (two adults and two children) plus one under the age of three. So you can stay at any resort that has an occupancy of four per room.

We stayed at the Polynesian on our first trip (our son was 4 and we brought his two cousins along - 9 and 11). He was in utter heaven in the pool (and it wasn't the cool theming they have now). It probably wouldn't have mattered which pool he was in. He just loved the pool. It was convenient to be able to head back to the room for an afternoon nap break/swim break every day, which we did, no matter what park we visited.

CR had the largest room (our room at the Polynesian was big, but not as big) and the GF had the smallest rooms of the three monorail resorts.

CR Tower rooms will require you use elevators unless you stay in the wing rooms (we stayed there and loved them). GF and Polynesian will be limited to three floors, so you can use the stairs if you choose. If you are lugging a stroller, you'll want to use that elevator.

 

[Picabo]

We have girls who will be 2 1/2 and almost 4 when we go (early Dec) and we choose to stay at the Poly. They love "beachy" things, for one reason. But the pool seems most intriging for little kids, if you ask me. Zero-level entry. We just liked the theming more. CR didn't seem to have anything exciting aside from a "fancy hotel" feel and we liked the idea of having all the grassy areas around for them to run around and play, too.

I don't think you can go wrong with either one, to be honest. It's DISNEY sho what's not to like! Another thought would be Wilderness Lodge. I beleive it's just a boat ride over to MK.

 

[maxiesmom]

The one thing the Poly has over the Contemorary is that you can watch Wishes from the Poly beach. So if you are tired, or just want to go back to the resort to swim at night, you can do that and watch Wishes at the same time.

They are both great resorts, but I would go with the Poly.

 

[Aliceacc]

I would (and have) chosen the Poly.

It's just so RELAXING!!!! After the frenetic activity of the parks, it's wonderful to have a different world as an escape.

And the volcano pool has a waterfall. Sit under it and let that water massage your back and neck. It's wonderful!!!

I also LOVE the walk to the TTC. It makes the trip to Epcot a breeze, especially if you're lucky enough to get a longhouse at that end of the property.

 

[Marie17]

In my opinion the best place to be is the Cabins at Fort Wilderness with this age group. With three little boys (as I have) we have always found it best to be somewhere with ample space whenever you stay at Disney for more than 3 days.

Cabins will allow you to have some chill out time at the end of the day or the start. The kids always felt like they had enough space to run around in their own room or on the patio. Brought their favorite snacks and goodies like ice cream to the cabin and had it available for them at night. They liked looking up at the stars and I truly think this allowed "THEM" to totally relax without having to deal with going to a food court or somewhere else to eat or drink and wait to be served. The pool is basic but at this age as long it was something they can get into and swim - it doesn't matter. My kids enjoy the outdoors so seeing the horses on trails was a plus. Nightly campside fires with a movie too. Downside, having only 1 bathroom but the actual bathtub size is larger than I believe than the regular hotel rooms. And while you are planning on going in May - the trees/shade would make it cooler whenever you are there. Maid service is done - and just about always wonderful. They even do any dishes for you. Getting to the parks is easy - just take your own car or the bus. We always find it easier to transport the stroller (double one) in our own vehicle than on the bus since you have to carry it on yourself. The boat to Magic Kingdom does not require you to do that - just stroll the kids on. You can get a golf-cart for a rental and go exploring and drive it to the boat launch.

The other choice is stay at POP century and get an adjoining/connecting room and it is a guarantee since your children are young. Just make sure you let them know. They would definitely like the theming as it is fun and designed to be for little ones. It would cost most probably a third of the cabin even when you get two rooms adjoining, so it would be cheaper.

 

[Coconuts]

... you can watch Wishes from the Poly beach...

One night we left MK a little early to avoid the Wishes crowds returning to Poly, and we took the boat back. Just at the time we reached the dock, Wishes started and there were benches on the Poly dock that were perfect for watching.