Advice on which hotel to choose

We have never stayed at a US hotel - and honestly the last time i went to US was over 20 years ago so this is a whole new experience. We will be a family of 5 (2 adults, 2 -12 yo boys and 5 yo dtr) We will also be traveling with the in laws (in their 70's, but very active). We will stay at the same resort but not the share a room with them.

I think what we are looking for something walkable to the parks, provides the EE and the ride express pass. What else should we look at or consider?- this trip isn't until early 2018 , but i want to research our options and report back to the family. I have been reading about the hotels but wanted to know from experience what would be best for our family make up -- we will only be there 2 nights and 3 days of parks so we are going to be park comandos with probably little down time at the resort.

Let me know if there is anything else that i need to think about or consider.

Rpr would be my choice

Short 6 minute walk to ioa and city walk

Water taxi also available to reach the places

I agree especially once you said park commandos. The other two hotels offering the express pass are more pricey, so if you aren't planning on doing much in the hotel, stick with RPR. Unless your 12 year old boys are really into music, in which case they would thoroughly enjoy the Hard Rock ambiance. I've never been to Portofino so I don't know anything about that option. We generally stay at RPR unless we get a good rate on HRH, because that's my DD18's favorite (she is REALLY into music from the fifties on up). The complimentary ferry boat option is nice at RPR too.

Royal Pacific and Hard Rock would both fit the bill. Take a look at the design and rooms of both, as well as the pools and see which one suites your fancy more.