Best Deluxe Resort for Family of 5?

[LeahA]

What in your opinion is the best Deluxe resort for a family of 5? There will be 2 adults and 3 children, all boys, ages, 6-1/2, 3-1/2 and 7 months.

Thank you,

Leah

 

[Saphire]

Hi! Our family of five has stayed at the Polynesian, Contemporary and Yacht Club. Given the ages of your children, my pick would be the Polynesian. Since you will most likely want to take a break for nap(s) mid-day, this is the most convenient resort. If you choose a longhouse near the transportation and ticket center, the rooms are larger, and fit a crib quite nicely. Also, the proximity to the TTC makes it an easy monorail commute to the Magic Kingdom or Epcot. Some of my fondest memories are watching my kids skip along the pretty, winding sidewalks as we made our way to or from the longhouse. I would be happy to answer any other specific questions. Enjoy!

 

[kc&dmom]

On our last trip the kids were 6, 4 & 3 ----and they loved this resort. The monorail, zero entry volcano pool, the torch lighting ceremony were all attractions in themselves and our little guy just loved the boat ride to MK (the part he remembers the most). Family friendly and beautiful to boot ---- you can not go wrong in choosing the Poly.

I think because you still have one in a crib you are not as restricted as we were and could in fact stay at any Disney property. I would still consider the Poly the best choice --- the rooms are among the largest and spare inches count with 5 in a room.

 

[Tinkbell]

I would avoid WL and AKL. Their standard rooms are smaller than the rest of the deluxes. I think the Contemporary will provide you with lots of room and great monorail access. Also, their MK tower view can't be beat!

 

[Sandra]

Another vote for the Poly... we only have two children, but we stayed there when one was a baby and the crib fit fine. I would absolutely stay there again - the kids & adults loved it!!! And you can't beat having the monorail and being such a short ride away from MK!

 

[MJames41]

I would vote for the Contemporary, but that is just my preference. You are right there on the monorail, which is fantastic.

You didn't mention if money is an object. If it's not, another option might be a 1 bedroom at the Villa's of Wilderness Lodge, or the Beach Club Villas (although with the age of your kids I would stay towards the Magic Kingdom). Just my thoughts.

Enjoy.

 

[Demosthenes]

I'd go for the CR tower. The CR is very convenient to MK and Epcot, and has very large rooms. Also, you can't beat the monorail passing through the atrium of the hotel for convenience.

 

[PartyOf5]

Since you have 3 boys, at the ages they are, I'm going to vote for the Contemporary, Tower if you can afford it. The reason I say this is I also have 3 children, 2 being boys and they loved their stay at the Contemporary. There is nothing more exciting for a young boy to see the monorail come through their resort. In addition, it is also convenient to come off the monorail, head up an elevator to your room without having to walk through a resort with the little ones after a long day at the parks.

In addition, our family prefers the pool area at the Contemporary. It seems bigger and the entire family can enjoy the water slide there. My younger two (6 and 4 at the time) would not go down the volcano waterslide. It is dark, fast and too scary for them.

That being said, I like the theming of the Poly better but would recommend the Contemporary based on the above.

Have fun deciding!

 

[ducklite]

The only logical choice is the Polynesian. Full sized day bed for one of the boys, large rooms which will easily hold a pack-n-play for the youngest, easy access to the MK, zero entry pool, 24 hour food service at Captain Cooks, etc.

You might want to look into concierge service, in your case it could be a "break even deal". You'd get cold breakfast every morning, afternoon snacks, bottled water which you are encouraged to take to the parks, free strollers to borrow, a minifrdige in the room, evening desserts, a lounge to relax in.

Anne

 

[soccer mom]

I vote for the Poly too. They will love the volcano pool!

 

[LeahA]

Thank you for all your responses! We have been to Disney the last 5 years and have stayed offsite. I know staying at a Deluxe onsite resort will be much higher, but, last year it felt like we spent so much time in our car commuting everywhere, it didn't feel like a real vacation. We might just splurge for our trip next year!

The Poly Longhouse room near the TTC, what type of room is that, garden view, lagoon view, etc..?

Thank you,

Leah

 

[erikthewise]

Strictly in terms of space, the monorail resorts (GF, CR, PR) are your best bet, as they have the largest rooms. AKL and WL can only accommodate 5 in "deluxe" rooms, which will be as expensive as staying at a monorail resort. I agree with the Polynesian, and concierge if you can swing it. (discounted rates really help!) We did that a couple years ago when our boys were 8 and 5 and it was really nice. But I think GF or CR would also be fine.

 

[FeeFeeWhite]

Please check out the cabins at Ft. Wilderness!

 

[Saphire]

Hi again Leah. There is a longhouse near the TTC which has the large rooms, it is called Tahiti and it has has both garden view and lagoon view rooms. This is our favorite, as either type room is pleasant. The other longhouses with large rooms close to TTC are Tokelau and Rapi Nui. Each time we have requested Tahiti we have gotten it. It is in a perfect location.

 

[MELSMICE]

Originally posted by FeeFeeWhite
Please check out the cabins at Ft. Wilderness!

I can't believe no one else mentioned the cabins, especially since you have 3 boys. I have 3 girls & this is their absolute favorite place to stay.

The accommodations are large, you get a full kitchen (even if you choose not to cook it is convenient for drinks & snacks) a large outdoor deck & there is soooooo much to do at FW. I suggest checking into it also. It is only a boat ride from the MK or a boat ride to the Contemporary & then you can hop on the monorail to EPCOT if you do not have a car.

Another option for 5 would be to rent points from a DVC member & stay in a 2BR DVC unit. They are great!!!

 

[Alice28]

We have two boys (5 & 2) and we stayed at the CR- our 5 year old LOVED IT! He loves watching the monorails zoom in and out, the crazy colors, and especially being able to refill his mug with ICEE!! (We bought the refillable soda mugs- they have cherry and Coke Icee as drink options there). Also, the arcade there is pretty awesome. The rooms are huge- there were four of us, with a pack and play and the stroller in the room, and there was still lots of elbow room. We swam at both the Poly and the GF (The CR pool was being renovated at the time and we were allowed to swim there) and by far our DS5 liked our hotel the best. I liked it too, although I found the theming of the Poly and GF more to my liking.

 

[luvdisney14]

I vote YC/BC - the pool area is great for all ages. They have a beach sand area hardly no water around. Also, near the boardwalk you can spend time walking the baby in the carriage and enjoy the boardwalk. If you want to save money, stay at CBR or CS. I wouldn't suggest POR.

 

[MJames41]

I would also mention the Contemporary Wings if money is a problem. We love them, and the price (if a discount is available) can be about 1/2 the cost of a Tower room or a Poly room.

 

[Tiffany]

Originally posted by LeahA
What in your opinion is the best Deluxe resort for a family of 5? There will be 2 adults and 3 children, all boys, ages, 6-1/2, 3-1/2 and 7 months.

Thank you,

Leah

This really depends on what you are looking for out of the vacation. If you plan on spending most of your time at the MK (your childrens ages suggest that that would be the park you are going to spend the most time at) then I would vote for the POLY. It is very close to the MK via monorail and from what people have posted is very family friendly.