Best resort for family of 5 w young children

[MammerJammer]

Hi all,

Okay, we're a family of five with children aged 8, 5, and 3--what would you recommend? Considerations would be room size, transportation, themeing--things like that. I'm thinking about a deluxe like BC, a moderate like POR, and a value like AOA (family suite, obvs).

BC would be for the transportation (walking to two parks) and the pool. POR would be because it's a really good deal for 5 (cheaper than a family suite at a moderate), and AOA would be because it's got a separate bedroom for us to sleep in, two bathrooms, plus the themeing for the little ones.

What are your experiences? Thanks.

 

[MandiC]

This just depends on what you want and your budget. We loved Port Orleans Riverside, we had a room with a murphey bed and it worked well (I will say we were only ever in our room to sleep and get ready). If it were still an option for us we would gladly go there again because it would save so much money over our other two options (cabin at Fort Wilderness or family suite at a value...deluxes are absolutely out of our budget).

 

[tzolkin]

The prices for those three options are drastically different, so I think budget would need to be your first consideration.

If your budget is large enough that you would think nothing of the cost of BC, I would say that would be your best option.

POR would be the least expensive option. Nice relaxing atmosphere and a boat to DTD.

AOA will be louder and busier like the other values. My family prefers a quieter atmosphere, but some families thrive on the stimulation so you may love it. The only benefit here for me would be the additional space.

 

[dprincessmom]

I think you would love POR. Pools, food court and transportation are all awesome.

 

[Madame]

We loved the family suite at AoA (my twins are Cars obsessed). Dedicated bussing, decent food court, awesome theming, great pools. We did not , however, enjoy the price tag lol! We are at POR in 5 days & am sure we'll miss the 2 bathrooms & seperate bedroom to escape the kids that we had at AoA!!

 

[3pletprincesses]

It depends on budget. we like POr the best and our DDs are 9, 9, 9, and 2. We've been going there since my oldests were 2 yo. We like POr becasue ti's green and the resort is very big and it's a nice break from all the extreme colors and noise from the parks.

 

[Sgt Mickey]

The cabins.

Cons you need two buses for the parks.

Pros-full kitchen, an actual bedroom, living room, kitchen area and outside porch. My kids LOVED the cabins......not as much as Animal Kingdom Lodge but a close second.

 

[maxiesmom]

I would go with a family suite, either at AoA or the All Star Music. If budget is a big factor, then the suites at ASMu are considerably cheaper than those at AoA. But with a large family, having 2 (or 3 at AoA) sleeping spaces is great! As is having 2 bathrooms, and a kitchenette. I love POR, but I think the rooms are tight for more than 4. Plus some of the storage space was taken away when they added the fold down bed.

 

[smiths02]

As an aside, given that deluxe are more heavily discounted than values....sometimes a room at a deluxe can be pretty comparable to a family suite. That is if you are going when you can get a discount.

We have stayed deluxe (AKL) and moderate before (CBR). We are choosing AoA suite this time. I just think the kids will love it and the space is a plus.
We prefer heavy theming over other factors. We are from GA and we have a car, so I think I would actually go off property (WBC) instead of POR Alligator Bayou room, but that is just our preference. I just wouldn't squeeze us in one room unless it was a dream resort (we did 4 adults and toddler in AKL, so it is do-able, just not what I prefer).

 

[Stoneham92]

Have you considered ft wilderness cabins - great fit for family of six

 

[philschrek]

Beach Club! We stayed last May as a family of 6 (baby was under a year). We absolutely loved it! The location is great because you can walk to Epcot and Hollywood Studios so less dealing with bus and strollers. We weren't too sure about how much we'd use Stormalong Bay but it ended up being one of our favorite parts of the vacation! The zero entry sand areas were great for our kids 11 months, 3, and 5. The older one, age 10, loved the big slide and all the different areas of the pool. We loved it so much we're staying again this April Prior to that we stayed at WL but our family is too large now. I would recommend it if your family fits and you're looking to stay a bit cheaper than BC.

 

[NOLA_Tink]

We're staying at the cabins in a few weeks & I'm really excited! The bedroom has three beds (one double & bunks), which would be great for your kids. Adults can sleep in the living room on the murphy bed, plus you have lots of space to spread out (and a full kitchen).

 

[Disney Khaleesi]

POR is my favorite resort-so that would be my first pick.

However, the AOA Suites have themes that would probably appeal more to younger children.

 

[the guardian]

Your kids will love the theming at AOA and if you decide on a resort where the max occupancy is 4, I wouldn't even mention your youngest one.

 

[maxiesmom]

Your kids will love the theming at AOA and if you decide on a resort where the max occupancy is 4, I wouldn't even mention your youngest one.

That is not only against Disney's rules, but it is against the rules of the Disboards to suggest. As you seem to be unaware, it is against the rules to post any way to get around any of Disney's rules and regulations. Not to mention, if a guest tried it and was caught (which has happened) they would either have to pay rack rate for another room or be told to leave.

 

[sbd78]

I know Caribbean Beach has rooms that sleep 5, and their pool looks great for young kids.

 

[2Pirates2Princesses]

The prices for those three options are drastically different, so I think budget would need to be your first consideration.

If your budget is large enough that you would think nothing of the cost of BC, I would say that would be your best option.

POR would be the least expensive option. Nice relaxing atmosphere and a boat to DTD.

AOA will be louder and busier like the other values. My family prefers a quieter atmosphere, but some families thrive on the stimulation so you may love it. The only benefit here for me would be the additional space.

I agree with other posters, the three resorts OP mentioned are three different resort levels with vastly different price ranges. OP, you mentioned some of the key characteristics of each type of resort, but deciding which factors are the most important to your family might make it easier to reach a decision.

 

[Southern Bell]

My husband and I stayed at AOA with our daughter, her husband their children ( my 6 yr old grandson, and my 3 yr old granddaughter). We loved it. We stayed in the car suites, and found them and our pool area to be quite. Going to the game room full of children is a different story of course! LOL!