Best DVC resort for toddler

[TinkB278]

I’m sure this topic has been covered but a lot has changed in the last two years so I’m curious of anyone’s thoughts or advice. Next spring we are taking our 2 year old son (well almost 3 by then) for his first disney trip. As of right now we are booked at our home resort, RIV, and I’m excited about the splash pad for him, I think it’s perfect for small kids. However, I’m a bit traumatized from our last two stays at riviera (I got almost no sleep for three nights due to noise: loud snoring neighbor, and room directly under Topolinos. Also light in the room at night was a big issue due to the microwave, thermostat and smoke detectors having bright lights). It’s really upsetting because I want to love it there…

Anyways, my issues with riviera have me considering a different resort. We love Polynesian and think it would be nice to stay at an MK resort since that’s most likely the park we will spend the most time at. However, the splash pad there seems to be better for bigger kids? I also love AKL but the bus issues with an impatient kid makes that resort complicated.

I was just curious to hear anyone’s thoughts and experiences on the different DVC resorts with a small kid. I’ve been to disney so many times, but never with my own child. I just want to make the best decision I can so the trip can be as relaxing and stress free as possible with a two year old.

We are also open to doing a split stay. I’m not sure if that is a terrible idea with a 2/3 year old?

Thanks!

 

[_auroraborealis_]

If you could get CCV it has a great splash pad, as does VGF. Both can be harder to get though.

I would avoid BRV until we know when they are doing the refurb if you are worried for noise.

 

[Haley R]

We used the splash pad at the Polynesian in august when our son was only 16 months and he loved it! It’s definitely not just for big kids. There is a little slide and lots of things they can pull to tip water over. We’ve also stayed at GF and that splash pad was great for our son

We’re local so have our own car but I would choose to stay somewhere with a monorail or boat to the parks. Our son hates sitting still even on the boat. The walk to MK from GF was awesome and really quick

 

[DeeBee3]

Also recommend CCV. Was there with similar age child when it first became "CCV." She LOVED the boat ride to MK. That in itself was a "ride" for her. Ha Ha. She saw the Castle as we got closer to the dock and her face just said it all. Honestly, it was amazing. I still remember it and that was 5 years ago.

I think split stays are totally doable. We just did one in August between Boardwalk and AK. I now have a 3 and 8 yr old and it was fine. Definitely "long" ride to MK, but it all depends on your kid.

Food choices at CCV are also pretty good.

Good luck! Just depends on when in Spring you are going, as CCV studios are hard to get.

 

[BillPA]

AK-K according to my grand kids has the best splash area.

 

[Dizzydizney]

Too bad about the noisy room. The restaurant noise can be resolved by requesting a lower floor and/or standard view if available....I may be assuming wrong, but I think that would be preferred if facing away from the parking lot. That is probably the only DVC resort with that issue. You must have been in a studio if the various “nightlights” were a bother. Totally agree, but most studios have a similar set up. The studios are spacious there though. One remedy could be using some dark colored post it notes over the glare of the micro and unplugging the coffee pot. The others are standard in every room.

Boardwalks feature pool does not have a zero entry if I recall correctly. Not sure about Beach Club.

Bay Lake does have a zero entry pool but the water temp can be chilly due to not enough sun from the towers blocking the sun. It also has a cute splash area. Can’t beat the short walk to MK and the quick service and Chef Mickeys right next door at the Contemporary. Drawback is the size of the studios...
Small compared to Riviera.

Grand Floridian has a fun pool and a really nice splash area....lots of fun features. And point-wise it is on par with the Riviera. You can walk to MK now, but it is a bit longer than BLT.

If you are open to split stay (you said you were thinking about it) I would do some nights at Riviera (easy access to Hollywood and Epcot) and end with some nights at an MK resort. Don’t know if you will have your own vehicle, but Riviera is easy to move in and out of. The resort will transfer your luggage and you can bring along a backpack with a change of clothes and your swimsuits to whatever park you are visiting so it will be handy when you get to your next resort and your room isn’t ready. Walking thru the security gates is so much easier now since they don’t have to search every bag and backpack.

Edited to add: we’ve heard snoring through the walls at Beach Club and a screaming child thru the door of our lock off studio at BWV. So that can happen anywhere. I like the studios at BLT because the lockoff door is by the entry foyer instead of the living area.

 

[crisi]

AK-K according to my grand kids has the best splash area.

It is pretty awesome. And kids are often surprisingly patient. Or you could decide that for this trip you'll rent a car since toddler/stroller/buses aren't fun.

 

[Brett Wyman]

Many consider the Riviera's splash pad the best on property right now. Sorry about the noise. Weve stayed 3 times at the Riviera with zero noise issues, so maybe that was just bad luck. You're going to have the lights from the appliances in any DVC unit. You can turn some down in their settings or cover them up with tape/sticky notes if they really bother you.

At 2-3 age range my kids were most fascinated by the sandy area at Storm Along Bay, but of course they have no splash area, and no zero entry in the main pool. After that they thought the Poly's splash area was the best(Poly gets my personal vote for best splash area). 3rd place would go to VGF. Great splash pad and two zero entry pools. AKV does have the most elaborate kids splash area. It's huge, and two zero entry pools. But we personally don't stay there as its too far from the parks. We used to pool hop their frequently though when it was allowed.

I can say our absolute least favorites pools are BLT and Boardwalk.

SSRs pools are amazing too, with four to choose from. We usually stay there for resort only trips where park distance isnt an issue.

 

[The Jackal]

I have no idea why they have to make appliances with super bright lights. I like the room to be dark. Light, especially blue light isn’t good for sleeping. I know led lights use less power, but I don’t need enough light to read a book from lights from appliances or alarm clocks.

 

[LYSE]

Definitely in between Kidani (the best splash pad) and ccv (or brv) splash pad!

My now 4 year old stayed at both right in that 2-3 age and had a blast a both, AKV also has the savanna which is a big hit.

 

[Minniemoo15]

Poly is amazing for young kids- the splash pad is perfect. Combine that with the transportation options (walk/boat/monorail to MK and monorail to Epcot) and it’s pretty much perfect. AKV Kidani is a close second - the splash pad and pool there is great as is the view of the animals. But the transportation drops it to 2nd place for me.

 

[TinkB278]

I have no idea why they have to make appliances with super bright lights. I like the room to be dark. Light, especially blue light isn’t good for sleeping. I know led lights use less power, but I don’t need enough light to read a book from lights from appliances or alarm clocks.

I agree! My husband covered every source of light with articles of clothing but it was a pain and junked up the room! We also stayed at Polynesian and BWV during the same trip and did not have the same issues with light, or noise for that matter.

 

[Brett Wyman]

I agree! My husband covered every source of light with articles of clothing but it was a pain and junked up the room! We also stayed at Polynesian and BWV during the same trip and did not have the same issues with light, or noise for that matter.

Just bring painters tape! Easy to stick, blocks all light and peels off without issue.

 

[peabody58]

Best DVC Resort for PARENTS with Toddler.

There, I fixed it for you. Trust me, the toddlers will love anyplace that the parents like. And will most likely only remember the 'vibe' vs. any actual location or details.

 

[RoseGold]

If it’s too cold to swim, AKL. Disney has almost no playgrounds. A big exception is AKL. Anyone on a savanna view room is going to love it. It’s one of my favorite memories of my then two year old.

VGF also has a good splash pad and youre near the Poly beach.

ive never not done a split stay, but if moving nap time is a disaster for your kid, maybe not a great idea.