Best deluxe resort for 2 little kids?

[gobc]

We're going to WDW in November. My daughter will be 3 1/2 and my son will be 1 1/2. What do you think is the best place to stay? We're only staying 3 days and planning on going to Magic Kingdom and MGM, and the third day we're not sure which park we'll go to. Last year we stayed at the Polynesian. So far it looks like I'm deciding between the Boardwalk Inn, Beach/Yacht Club, Contemporary (to save a few hundred dollars), Animal Kingdom, or doing Polynesian again. Or is it maybe worth it to save a ton of money and stay at a Port Orleans Resort? Your thoughts would be GREATLY appreciated. Thanks!

 

[swilphil]

Since you are only going there for 3 days, I would recommend the Contemporary. We stayed in a lower level wing room with our 4 year old and 2 year old, and it was great being able to walk to MK in 10 minutes. We saved so much time on transportation. The bus to MGM wasn't bad either. The kids loved the monorail--it was like another ride to them. For your 3rd day I would recommend monorailing it over to Epcot. My kids loved doing the Kidcot stations in World Showcase and "exploring" in the different countries.

 

[grimley1968]

For quick transport, no other resort comes close to the Poly, with its next-door status to the TTC. I've stayed at BC and WL as well, and while I like those 2 resorts, Poly just has them both beat big time in the transportation department. With 2 little ones of our own, convenient and quick transportation is our biggest need.

 

[unixadm]

Our kids were the same age when we stayed at the Polynesian in Jan 04.

They LOVED it.

We stayed one night at Contemporary this past May and weren't impressed at all.

 

[jezebella]

I would use the boardwalk. The first time I took my daughter was when she was 6 months. I then moved down here and we go at least twice a month (she's now 4). But I found that for little ones, old key west and the boardwalk are best because they have the full kitchens and are a bit more "homelike" than the typical hotel rooms. Plus with the boardwalk you have boat access to epcot and with old key west you have access to downtown disney via boat.

 

[grimley1968]

I would use the boardwalk. The first time I took my daughter was when she was 6 months. I then moved down here and we go at least twice a month (she's now 4). But I found that for little ones, old key west and the boardwalk are best because they have the full kitchens and are a bit more "homelike" than the typical hotel rooms. Plus with the boardwalk you have boat access to epcot and with old key west you have access to downtown disney via boat.

Those are DVC villa resorts. The OP was considering regular Disney resorts, none of which have kitchenettes in the rooms, unless you rent points to stay at one of the connected DVC resorts.

 

[jezebella]

I understand that---you can manage to stay there though. I've been a dvc member for 14 years. If you don't want to use that then go to the contemporary....that's the first place I stayed when I was 4 and loved it.

 

[catbertdave99]

Although location-wise it's not real close to MK, I'd recommend AKL -- savannah view. My kids loved being on our balcony and watching the animals -- and there were ALWAYS animals out there -- just different ones at different times of day. There are also dozens of lookouts and large windows throughout the resort where they can see the animals.

In addition, the zero-entry part of the pool seemed to be a place for little kids to play, and there is a savannah viewing area off the pool area as well.

The downside, in addition to location of the resort, is that the food at the restaurants wasn't as kid-friendly for my youngest as most other resorts. The snack bar was great, though.

Bottom line, you're at Disney, so any resort is a good resort -- all the others mentioned here would be great choices as well!

 

[rt2dz]

My kids absolute favorite resort is AKL. They ask to stay there each time, now DS4 and DS1. Last time we were there they were 3 and 7 months. We didn't find the transportation an issue at all.

 

[disney102105]

Hi there, I am staying at the Boardwalk Inn with my 2 girls, 3 1/2 and 1 1/2 this October. We actually have a standard rm with 2 queens and a crib. I am looking forword to the short walk to Epcot and easy access to MGM. Disney dining is one of our favorite parts of the trip so being close to all the great food at Epcot and the Boardwalk means a lot to us. we have been to WDW 5 times in the past 8 yrs and we love this resort!! Good luck, Vanessa

 

[southjerseymom]

We've stayed at the WL, Poly, and BC in the past 18 months. My kids are 2 and 4. We loved all of them...but for 3 days I would have to go with a monorail/Bay Lake/boat resort. It just makes sense time wise.