Best Resort for kids 3 & 5

[JRennie]

Which is your favourite for small kids and why?

Thank you

 

[Marthasor]

Depends on your budget. When my DS was smaller, the best resort for us was the one that was closest to the parks we were visiting and had the easiest access to transportation and dining.

 

[Kae]

Set a budget first we have stayed in Value , mod and deluxe. the nice thing about deluxe is a balcony we would sit on the balcony at night while the kids were sleeping. Our Favorite was WL close to the MK everything in one building.

 

[Labaker.pa]

This is a test post so I can PM.

 

[Aurora79]

It really depends on what you are wanting out of the resort and what your kids’ interests are. The monorail resorts are great for easy transportation to MK and Epcot. AKL is best if your kids love animals. AOA is good if they love the large character theming. My son is obsessed with GF because he wants to feel like a prince on vacation.

 

[JRennie]

Depends on your budget. When my DS was smaller, the best resort for us was the one that was closest to the parks we were visiting and had the easiest access to transportation and dining.

Budget is flexible. I was considering renting DVC points and stating deluxe.

 

[LMO429]

I would say the Polynesian pool area has a splash pad that is great for that age and alot of activities on the lawn for them to participate in. close to MK as well. always helpful to be able to walk to one park with kids that age.

 

[Marthasor]

Budget is flexible. I was considering renting DVC points and stating deluxe.

I would then also consider which parks you will be visiting the most. If it's EP/DHS, consider Beach Club Villas for best access to EP, the Skyliner, other park buses and QS/TS dining (the pool isn't great for young children, however). In the MK area, consider Poly, VGF, BLT and CCV.

 

[kylenne]

If deluxe is in the budget I would definitely second the advice to pick your resort based on proximity to parks you'll be at the most. After seeing so many exhausted parents struggling with folding up strollers on the buses, if I had small kids I would try to minimize having to do that as much as possible. I would suggest a monorail resort for that reason, you can't beat the convenience, and you can even walk to MK from all 3 now. All three have kid appeal--don't let people tell you GF is "stuffy", when I stayed at GF last summer the kids were losing their minds at that splash pad. I think that one and the one at the Poly are probably the most fun for small kids.

 

[Bird003]

I would say the Polynesian pool area has a splash pad that is great for that age and alot of activities on the lawn for them to participate in. close to MK as well. always helpful to be able to walk to one park with kids that age.

I agree. We did poly for my daughter and 3 and 4. The monorail was a lifesaver with the stroller

 

[Wendysofftoneverland]

My 5 year old loved the pirate-themed kids splashground and Skyliner at Caribbean Beach. However, with CBR not included in the most recent discounts, renting DVC points might be cheaper. We love Fort Wilderness and the boat transportation to MK...perhaps Wilderness Lodge?

 

[GinnyBear's_mom]

If a value resort is your budget- All Star Movies has tons of Disney theming. They loved walking around the big statues of Disney characters all over the resort. My daughters loved it here when they were toddlers.

If you have the budget for a deluxe resort, I'm split. AKL is a good choice due to the animals and fun splash area but if you plan on taking breaks during the day the monorail resorts are so convenient.

 

[74Kilos]

We're planning a stay at Polynesian with a 2 & 5 yr old for many of the reasons listed already, including:

- Roll on transportation with a double stroller to the parks we intend to spend most time in (MK, Epcot). I want to avoid folding the stroller as much as possible and more importantly avoid carrying the stuff that comes with that on a crowded bus

- Great pool for kids with great theming

- Best on site food options for our tastes and easy access to Epcot if we get parkhopper and other MK resort restaurants.

- Nice level of total property/room theming

- DVC studios with two bathrooms and seriously spacious. Love the efficiency of the double Murphy bed behind the couch. Recently refurbed and looks most luxurious/appeals most to our style. This is lowest priority, but still a nice bonus

 

[stinkpickle]

I always tell parents to pick the one they want. Kids will love it, regardless.

 

[Col. Forbin]

I like staying at Bay Lake Tower for easy access to MK.

 

[tamu91]

the pool / beach play area at the Beach Club can't be beat. Also very short stroll to the Boardwalk area (beaches and cream, bakery, activities for kids). You can also catch the skyliner from Epcot entry to Hollywood Studios.

 

[MinneTinK]

My kids are 3 & 6, our last visit was June 21, we stayed at beach club and it was amazing. As others have said the pool area is fantastic, we spent most time in the shallow sand bottom poof (I think 2ft?) with a sand bar in the middle where they could build castles, while we were usually in with them & im not a mom to ever take my eye off them, it was also small enough that I could easily watch them from lounge chairs. The proximity to both Epcot & Hollywood studios can’t be beat, walking to 2 parks is our favorite thing & really suits our touring style. We rope drop, return to resort for lunch by the pool, swim, nap/shower, return to park for dinner. I also liked that the resort isn’t too big so if one of us wanted to run down to grab a coffee or snack it would only take 5min. The resort is beautiful & the staff is outstanding. PM with any questions

 

[westie55]

Kids will enjoy ANY Disney resort. They are all kid friendly with gift shops, pools, and Mickey bars for sale lol.

As a parent, I have come to appreciate the following: 1) on site dining that I want to go to.
2) the ability to avoid folding a stroller and waking up a sleeping child-- priceless
3) convenience to the park I plan to attend most
4) extra space-- with little ones, the ability to do laundry or eat breakfast in the room in a 1BR villa is fantastic

To my family, staying deluxe is worth it if you can afford it. However, I have also stayed at POR, CBR, POFQ, and AoA and had wonderful trips at all of those. My current favorites for conveniences and amenities are WL and GF. I've stayed at the Yacht Club but I prefer the MK resort area. To me it is more magical.