POP, CBR or AoA for young children

[HelloMinnie]

Looking to book the room discount offer but keep changing my mind about resorts

Traveling with 2 kids (5 & 2) and DH - for 4 nights. Looking to spend only 2 days at the parks and other days at the resort.

We've only stayed at POR and POFQ but want something new.

We've narrowed it down to 3 but don't know if these resorts have enough to keep them busy and entertained and which has the best selection of food as we probably will be having breakfast and lunches there. Dinner will be at other resorts that we can't afford to stay in. Looking for rooms that are comfortable and spacious (younger child still naps) as we are not the just use the room to sleep type of family.

POP - price is right
AoA - Only interested in LM room which isn't on discount but still within our budget. Want to see the newest resort
CBR - kids love the beach which is why this one is on the list

Any recommendations?

Need help! Going in a month and need to set it and forget it. Every day I change my mind

[OntarioDisneyMom]

Pop is awesome for kids, well adults too. We Loved it. Better than POR for kids IMHO. We still love POR but thought that pop was better. It fealt more "Disney" to us......we would be going back this year except for the fact that we want to go to AofA because my dd4 LOVES Ariel....

[tarzansmom]

We have not been to AoA yet but we have been to both CBR and POP. I personally love POP, been there several trips (even once an adult only trip). I think the larger than life icons and the theming just screams Disney. I hope to stay at AoA for the same reasons. I think the atmosphere just adds to the Disney magic. We also enjoyed CBR. We stayed in a pirate room with our son and the theming was fun but the resort itself doesn't feel as disney to me as POP. I am sure to be in the minority but even after staying at several mods and one deluxe, pop is my favorite disney resort.

[ADisneyQueen]

POP is nice, but for young children I don't think this would be as much fun as the AOA theming. We visited AOA and it is great for kids, just check the menus on allears to make sure there is food there that your kids will eat.
What month are you going? Our trip to CBR one december was disappointing b/c it was too cold to swim. If you are going when it is warmer, the children's water play area would be great. They can play on the beach in the sand,but remember they can't go in the lake. My friend went there years ago and thought it was a real beach area with swimming!

[disneydreamfan14]

Your kids will LOVE the LM rooms at AoA! The resort is perfect for their ages, plus it still has that 'new resort' feel that everyone enjoys!

There are plenty of options at the food court. And the main pool has underwater speakers which will probably entertain the kids for a solid half hour! There are also CMs at the pools hosting games like hula hoop contests.

Have fun!

[PatchPixie]

AoA is my kids' favorite hotel *ever*! They lived it, especially the pools, spray ground, playground, and statues

[jcemom]

My DD is now 10 and she has never liked Pop (we've stayed there three times over the years). We stayed at CBR when she was 8 and she LOVED it! CBR has a lot more to entertain kids on non-park days than Pop, IMO...the beaches, the pool slides, the water play area, a Pirate adventure just for kids (though I think your little one is too young for that). Plus, they have a hot tub, which appeals to ME.

The playground area is nice too, but not much different than those at any of the other resorts.

After seeing all the commercials on tv, DD has expressed interest in staying at AoA. Who wouldn't be interested, right? The theming looks awesome. (But no pool slide and no hot tub.) We usually go for around 10 days, and she said she'd like to stay there, but only for a few days, not the entire time. I think that's what we'll do on our next trip...two nights at AoA then switch to another resort.

Your little ones would have to love AoA. It's so bright and colorful, with familiar characters depicted everywhere. I'm not sure that there's anything to do on non-park days though, other than going to the pool.

So, I'd choose CBR or AoA, not Pop.

[HelloMinnie]

Thanks for all the replies!

ADisneyQueen - good question! We are going at the beginning of March so not sure if it will be warm enough for us to use the beach. Oh yes, we are aware of not going into the lake - kids just want to play in the sand. I checked the menus too like you suggested. I think the kids would prefer Pop's menu over AoA

I read somewhere (probably here) that AoA is walking distance from Pop. How long does it take to cross over? Assuming we stay at AoA and eat lunch at Pop.

Think it's going to be between AoA or Pop now.

[Salrx95]

Originally Posted by HelloMinnie

Thanks for all the replies!

ADisneyQueen - good question! We are going at the beginning of March so not sure if it will be warm enough for us to use the beach. Oh yes, we are aware of not going into the lake - kids just want to play in the sand. I checked the menus too like you suggested. I think the kids would prefer Pop's menu over AoA

I read somewhere (probably here) that AoA is walking distance from Pop. How long does it take to cross over? Assuming we stay at AoA and eat lunch at Pop.

Think it's going to be between AoA or Pop now.

We are doing 2 nights at an AoA Cars suite and then off to 5 nights at PoP, mostly due to us being be able to walk over the bridge and enjoy all of AoA still when we want except the suite , obviously , and pool. We understand it to be a short walk. We can't wait as we check in about 33 days.

[ADisneyQueen]

I can't quite remember but I think it was only about 10 min. or less to walk from one food court to the next.

We had a room in the 60s at POP. It was a lakeview and near the bridge. Even though we had to walk down the stairs, it was a short walk over to AOA's food court. It was really nice to have a choice of two different places to eat. This is just something to keep in mind when choosing a room location at POP.

[minnie mum]

Might as well throw my 2 cents worth in. I think that your kids (especially at that age) would be happy no matter which resort they were at. They will have the parks, a swimming pool, a playground and happy parents.

What I think is important, if you will be spending the majority of the time at the resort, is that you pick a place where Mommy and Daddy will be happy to be all day! And to me, this is not at a value. CBR will give you a larger room, much nicer grounds, a fabulous tropical atmosphere. The pool/splash pad, and play area at CBR is great (and there's an outdoor bar for the adults). And there are the quiet pools if the main pool gets too boisterous.

A couple of years from now, when the kids are a little older, I think you could consider one of the values (just for the theming) to please the kids. Right now, I doubt that they would really care.