Best resort for 6 year old

[gemma85]

Hi, I've never been WDW and I am hopefully planning to go in aug 2014 when my son will be 6. I would like to do a resort that covers free dining plan if is out in 2014 which won't include any of the basic hotels. I would like an idea with what would suit a child this age with regards to easy access to parks etc. thanks

 

[wilma-bride]

Hi Gemma

There are so many different resorts at WDW, it can be a difficult choice.

In my opinion, the value resorts are the best for young children in terms of decor. They are not necessarily the most conveniently placed for the parks, however, they aren't more than a 20-minute bus ride away. Definitely I can imagine your son would enjoy All Star Movies or the new Art of Animastion resort and, to me, the value resorts just scream 'Disney'. As you say, the free dining won't be offered for these resorts though.

There are no guarantees that free dining will even be offered for 2014 (although as it has been for the last few years, there's a good chance). If historical offers are repeated, then there are likely to be hefty discounts offered at Saratoga Springs Resort (SSR) or Old Key West (OKW). Both resorts are great and have plenty to offer a young child, however, they aren't in particularly close proximity to the parks.

If money were no object, personally I would choose Wilderness Lodge above all others, due to the location (near Magic Kingdom), facilities and overall sheer beauty.

Perhaps if you can give us an idea of your budget or what your familiy's needs are, we might be able to offer some better suggestions.

 

[RunnerMomO]

My 6 year old son (and 10 yr old) really likes Yacht and Beach Club for the most amazing pool area. They have a sandy bottom pool with a large ship and slide into the pool. You can take a boat the Hollywood Studios or EPCOT. This is a more pricey option, but we like being closer to our hotel for afternoon naps or even at end of a late night enjoying fireworks. Good luck!

 

[queendisney]

The Cars section of AOA resort looks wonderful and can imagine a 6 year old boy would LOVE LOVE LOVE it.

 

[gemma85]

Well I wouldn't have a big budget as its only me in household that works so nothing in to expensive, I wouldn't mind going basic hotels but never been America so wouldn't have a clue on how much to take for food. Currently my son doesn't eat much but that can change in 2 years. At the moment he likes toy story, finding nemo and cars etc

 

[wayneg]

We stayed at AS Movies when DS was 6, took us 8 years to try another Disney hotel we disliked it so much. Then we tried Animal Kingdom Lodge which was great with a view of the animals. Since then stayed at Old Key west 3 times (back for 4th time this month)
For us it would have to be deluxe, the value resorts do nothing for us, we decided to have meal at Pop Century last year, reminded us why we dislike them.
Saying that others love the values, you won't know til you have been yourself.
OKW has a great bus service to all the parks, if you can get a good discount and free Dining that would be the place for me, love it there but we all have our own favourites for various reasons.

 

[wilma-bride]

Well I wouldn't have a big budget as its only me in household that works so nothing in to expensive, I wouldn't mind going basic hotels but never been America so wouldn't have a clue on how much to take for food. Currently my son doesn't eat much but that can change in 2 years. At the moment he likes toy story, finding nemo and cars etc

In that case, he would definitely love the value resorts, particularly the two I mention above. As far as food is concerned, you would still be able to add the dining plan at the value resorts, you just wouldn't be entitled to get it free. Would you have a car? If so, there are plenty of reasonably-priced places to eat off-site. Eating on-site is expensive and we certainly don't do it for every meal. In my opinion, unless you plan to spend every single day at Disney, booking a package (free dining or no free dining) is not always the best or cheapest option. If you would want to visit some of the other parks (Universal, Islands of Adventure, Sea World to name but a few) then you might be better off staying off-site at a hotel that provides a shuttle service.

If on-site is the best option for you, consider staying at a value resort without the dining plan. There are lots of less expensive options than table service restaurants. Counter (quick) service restaurants are great at Disney and you don't have to spend the whole time eating burgers and fries. Another option, if just you and your son, would be to split meals. The portions are plenty big enough, particularly if he doesn't have that big an appetite.

There are plenty of people here who can give you sound advice on how to save money. Just be aware that WDW is no longer (if it ever even was) a budget holiday. It is worth every single penny though

 

[gemma85]

I think staying on site for our first trip would be best and then eventually branch out to offsite. I may look on some restaurant menus to give me an idea. Hopefully in 2 years I won't be single so can share costs

 

[wilma-bride]

Hopefully in 2 years I won't be single so can share costs

Love your positive thinking That's why I got married

 

[wayneg]

Hopefully in 2 years I won't be single so can share costs

That's why I got married

Thats why I have no money

 

[wilma-bride]

Thats why I have no money

That's what my husband says

 

[gemma85]

Bit off topic with hotels but do any of you have any favourite counter service places, buffets etc? I am red meat mad so would have to visit at least one steakhouse. Are kids meals fairly big? My son doesn't eat a lot and such a skinny boy. Doesn't take after me for appetite though

 

[wilma-bride]

Favourite counter service places:

Magic Kingdom - Columbia Harbour House
Epcot - Lotus Blossom Cafe, Yorkshire County Fish Shop, Sunshine Seasons
DHS - Fairfax Fare, Starring Rolls
AK - Yak & Yeti (the CS bit), Flame Tree BBQ
DTD - Wolfgang Puck Express, Earl of Sandwich, Cookes of Dublin and ice-cream sundaes from Ghirardelli
Other locations - Sassagoula Floatworks, Port Orleans French Quarter

For a decent steak without paying top notch prices, Kona Cafe is good. If you are a true carnivore like me, you would probably enjoy dinner at 'Ohana.

 

[gemma85]

Favourite counter service places:

Magic Kingdom - Columbia Harbour House
Epcot - Lotus Blossom Cafe, Yorkshire County Fish Shop, Sunshine Seasons
DHS - Fairfax Fare, Starring Rolls
AK - Yak & Yeti (the CS bit), Flame Tree BBQ
DTD - Wolfgang Puck Express, Earl of Sandwich, Cookes of Dublin and ice-cream sundaes from Ghirardelli
Other locations - Sassagoula Floatworks, Port Orleans French Quarter

For a decent steak without paying top notch prices, Kona Cafe is good. If you are a true carnivore like me, you would probably enjoy dinner at 'Ohana.

Thank you so much for that. I'm rubbish at holiday planning. You would think at 26 I would be able to but never really gone on holiday since leaving home at 16. Trip to dlp in feb will be my first holiday in different country since I was 10 :-/

 

[wilma-bride]

Thank you so much for that. I'm rubbish at holiday planning. You would think at 26 I would be able to but never really gone on holiday since leaving home at 16. Trip to dlp in feb will be my first holiday in different country since I was 10 :-/

I was 25 before I went on my first ever holiday. I didn't visit WDW for the first time until I was 31 (my honeymoon). Ask all the questions you like here, everyone is really friendly and eager to offer advice. It can seem overwhelming but you have plenty of time to plan

 

[LauraDaveCharlie]

Hi. We took our son for his first onsite stay last summer when he was 5. We stayed at the Port Orleans French Quarter which we love from way before her was born. He loved the pool, the pool slide, the food court, the movies on the lawn at night, the marshmallow roasting in the fire pit and the boat down to Downtown Disney. I also think it is a really good location because it is not very far away from any of the parks. We are going back next summer.

We had free dining last year and have it next year and had the quick service plan so I did a lot of research into the variety of food offered. Our favourites were:
MK
Columbia Harbour House
Cosmic Rays Cafe
(Very interested in Be Our Guest for next summer)
Epcot
Sunshine Food Fayre
France Boulangerie
DHS
ABC Commisary
Starring Rolls
AK
Flame Tree Barbecue
DTD
Wolfgang Puck Cafe
Earl of Sandwich
Cookes of Dublin

We also really, really liked the Port Orleans Riverside Food Court which had some fabulous eating options for counter service and we loved the Contempo Cafe at the Contemporary Resort (best ever cupcakes!).

Overall, if you want a bit more luxury than a value resort and don't want to pay deluxe prices, the POFQ is great. Have fun making all your plans - whatever you decide I am sure you and your son will have a great time!

 

[starrysky]

POFQ was going to be my suggestion as well. Its a lovely resort and unlike the others its a very easy size to navigate. None of the buildings are too far from the main hub of the resort.

The food court was good and they have evening entertainment in the bar certain nights that is family friendly.

There is a boat to DTD which adds on to the options of both non park things to do and places to eat. Plus being in walking distance of POR you can use all the facilities including the main pool there. So its two resorts for the price of one. Good shops at both but the one at POR is much larger.

If you get the QSP for free there are so many places that you can really have a massive choice of food. We did this option a couple of years ago and we never touched a burger once the whole trip.

Rooms are a good size and have a small fridge so you could get some cereal and milk for breakfast to save costs.

 

[Disney Princesses LW]

Hi Gemma

There are so many different resorts at WDW, it can be a difficult choice.

In my opinion, the value resorts are the best for young children in terms of decor. They are not necessarily the most conveniently placed for the parks, however, they aren't more than a 20-minute bus ride away. Definitely I can imagine your son would enjoy All Star Movies or the new Art of Animastion resort and, to me, the value resorts just scream 'Disney'. As you say, the free dining won't be offered for these resorts though.

There are no guarantees that free dining will even be offered for 2014 (although as it has been for the last few years, there's a good chance). If historical offers are repeated, then there are likely to be hefty discounts offered at Saratoga Springs Resort (SSR) or Old Key West (OKW). Both resorts are great and have plenty to offer a young child, however, they aren't in particularly close proximity to the parks.

If money were no object, personally I would choose Wilderness Lodge above all others, due to the location (near Magic Kingdom), facilities and overall sheer beauty.

Perhaps if you can give us an idea of your budget or what your familiy's needs are, we might be able to offer some better suggestions.

just out of interest, how far away from the parks are SSR and OKW? Say to MK how long is the bus ride???

 

[Elise79]

just out of interest, how far away from the parks are SSR and OKW? Say to MK how long is the bus ride???

We timed it at 15 mins from boarding at MK to getting off at Turtle Pond (3rd stop) - 10 mins resort to park. Epcot is only 5 mind resort to park and we didn't do Studios or AK on the bus. The drive to studios was about 10 mins in the car though.

 

[wayneg]

We like to stay on Millers Rd OKW, its the last stop before leaving the resort, about 10 mins. On return we were then the last to be dropped off unless it was late at night and then the driver took us straight to Millers Rd without going around the resort.