Best Resort with 2 kids

[Native NYer]

My parents and I are taking my nephews August 2010 to WDW as a birthday treat. My nephews will be 6.5 and 2 at the time. We've taken my older nephew to the Poly (twice) and CR and we loved both. We are thining about resort choices now before the 2010 package prices come out (we want to book right away).

We are considering returning to the Poly since we loved it so much and it's close to the TTC (easy ride to Epcot). But we are also considering the GF, AKL, and BWI. We are wondering if the boys will enjoy the GF. We think a savannah view room at AKL might go over well too. My mom and I took a stroll to the BWI last summer and loved the atmosphere, but not sure if the kids will like it. We are also considering the rooms at AKL and BWI are smaller than the rooms at the Poly and GF.

So here are our choices: Poly(garden view room), GF (garden view room), AKL (savannah view), BWI (not sure what room categories are offered).


What are your suggestions? Which would you choose?

[Traveliz]

With younger kids I just don't think you can beat the convenience of the Poly - it would be my choice.

Liz

[Native NYer]

Originally Posted by Traveliz

With younger kids I just don't think you can beat the convenience of the Poly - it would be my choice.

Liz

The Poly is VERY convenient. I think the buses only stopped at CR before the Poly and then went onto the GF last. I'm wondering how the bus service is at AKL and BWI. AKL is so beautiful, but am thinking it might be a bit remote.

[Traveliz]

We stayed at AKL last October. Keep in mind I am not an aminal person, don't like dark colors in decorating, and just not a fan of that sort of hotel. It was nice but the rooms were much smaller than the Poly, there was construction going on that distracted from our view of the Savannah and construction in the hallway that required we go up a floor and then back down to get to our room (I am sure that is done by now) so it was just ok.

The buses were fine but like All Stars you take the buses everywhere and aside from AK you are not super close to anything.

Liz

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Based on the resorts your asking about I would go with the Polynesian Garden View because you will also have the walkway to the Transportation & Ticket Center, so it will be very easy going to and coming back from Epcot.

[Pooh&OurHunny]

I would pick GF...my son loves GF. We love the grounds at GF, one stop monorail ride and one boat ride back from MK. We stayed in AKL last May (we felt it was far from the other parks), rooms were smaller than GF and beds was not as comfortable as GF. After 3 days at AKL my son said lets go back to his monorail hotel (that's what he call GF).

[Native NYer]

Originally Posted by Traveliz

We stayed at AKL last October. Keep in mind I am not an aminal person, don't like dark colors in decorating, and just not a fan of that sort of hotel. It was nice but the rooms were much smaller than the Poly, there was construction going on that distracted from our view of the Savannah and construction in the hallway that required we go up a floor and then back down to get to our room (I am sure that is done by now) so it was just ok.

The buses were fine but like All Stars you take the buses everywhere and aside from AK you are not super close to anything.

Liz

Thanks for the info on the buses. I'm not sure if getting on and off the bus with a 2 yr old, a 6 yr old, and a stroller, for every park is the best idea. I love wheeling the stroller right on the monorail.

Originally Posted by CR Resort Fan 4 Life

Based on the resorts your asking about I would go with the Polynesian Garden View because you will also have the walkway to the Transportation & Ticket Center, so it will be very easy going to and coming back from Epcot.

That is very true. We were considering trying a new resort, but it seems like the Poly is just too convenient. We stood at the CR Atrium Club lever with a Magic Kingdom view last year and it was amazing. I'm wondering what the crowd level will be like at the CR now with the addition of BLT.

[Native NYer]

Originally Posted by Pooh&OurHunny

I would pick GF...my son loves GF. We love the grounds at GF, one stop monorail ride and one boat ride back from MK. We stayed in AKL last May (we felt it was far from the other parks), rooms were smaller than GF and beds was not as comfortable as GF. After 3 days at AKL my son said lets go back to his monorail hotel (that's what he call GF).

What kinds of children's activities are available at the GF? I know about the tea parties, but my nephew is not going to be interested in that

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Originally Posted by Native NYer

That is very true. We were considering trying a new resort, but it seems like the Poly is just too convenient. We stood at the CR Atrium Club lever with a Magic Kingdom view last year and it was amazing. I'm wondering what the crowd level will be like at the CR now with the addition of BLT.

Personally I don't think the Bay Lake Tower guests will have much of an impact as you might think. When they use have the North Garden Wing building they had more total rooms then what Bay Lake Tower is getting. Plus the Contemporary always gets a lot of none guests for the California Grill, Chef Mickey's and The Wave, so if you see a lot of people walking around the lobby or the 4th floor how can you tell where they are staying? Now the only place that might be more busy is the check-in desk in the lobby, since Bay Lake Tower guests will need to check-in at the Contemporary. However with the addition of the online check-in that should make things go much faster depending on how many guests use it. Plus those with Club Level reservations on the 12th and 14th floors can check-in on their floor until 10:00 PM, so they don't need to check-in at the lobby or use online check-in.

[Pooh&OurHunny]

There are activities at the pool during the day. There is a Pirate Adventure - Children wear pirate bandannas and follow clues to search Bay Lake and the Seven Seas Lagoon for buried treasure. They sail to many exotic "ports of call" (Resort Marinas) to collect treasure. Children who are potty trained (no pull-ups) and ages 4-12 may attend. Lunch is provided (Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich, Gummy bears, Krispy Treat and Juice box).
When we stayed at GF my son just turn 2 and the other time he was 2 1/2 so he did not get to do that but I'm sure the 6.5 DN will enjoy it.

[Native NYer]

Originally Posted by CR Resort Fan 4 Life

Personally I don't think the Bay Lake Tower guests will have much of an impact as you might think. When they use have the North Garden Wing building they had more total rooms then what Bay Lake Tower is getting. Plus the Contemporary always gets a lot of none guests for the California Grill, Chef Mickey's and The Wave, so if you see a lot of people walking around the lobby or the 4th floor how can you tell where they are staying? Now the only place that might be more busy is the check-in desk in the lobby, since Bay Lake Tower guests will need to check-in at the Contemporary. However with the addition of the online check-in that should make things go much faster depending on how many guests use it. Plus those with Club Level reservations on the 12th and 14th floors can check-in on their floor until 10:00 PM, so they don't need to check-in at the lobby or use online check-in.

Online check-in will definitely help. I love that that restaurants in the Poly are in the Great Ceremonial House, not in the same building as guest rooms.

Originally Posted by Pooh&OurHunny

There are activities at the pool during the day. There is a Pirate Adventure - Children wear pirate bandannas and follow clues to search Bay Lake and the Seven Seas Lagoon for buried treasure. They sail to many exotic "ports of call" (Resort Marinas) to collect treasure. Children who are potty trained (no pull-ups) and ages 4-12 may attend. Lunch is provided (Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich, Gummy bears, Krispy Treat and Juice box).
When we stayed at GF my son just turn 2 and the other time he was 2 1/2 so he did not get to do that but I'm sure the 6.5 DN will enjoy it.

Thanks for the info. The Pirate Adventure sounds great!!!

[Traveliz]

You don't have to be a guest of the GF to participate in the Pirate Adventure that leaves from there. I was at the Poly and had my niece do the Disney Princess Tea and my nephew do the Pirate Cruise on our trip one year.

Liz

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Originally Posted by Native NYer

Online check-in will definitely help. I love that that restaurants in the Poly are in the Great Ceremonial House, not in the same building as guest rooms.

I like how all the restaurants and counter service locations are in the Tower at the Contemporary, because if your staying in the Tower then your an elevator ride away from them. Now if your staying in the South Garden Wing you only have a 5 minute or less walk to the Tower.

[MickeyNicki]

We took our nieces to the Poly in January and they loved everything about it...the girls were just over the house this weekend and they asked when we would take them back to their Hawaii House!

[KatMark]

We've only stayed at one of your four choices and that is the Poly which you already know you love (as do we). We are doing a split stay (hopefully) with our home away from home, the CSR, and the Animal Kingdom Lodge next year. We've no interest in the BWI and we do not like and would never stay at the GF (too stuffy/fancy for us). I would go with the Poly or the AKL for the ages of the kids you are bringing.