Best resort for resort itself?

[Cabius]

The Poly, Wilderness Lodge, and Animal Kingdom Lodge are the three that I would gladly stay at for an extended period of time even if they were not park-adjacent. Amazing theming, wonderful amenities -- sometimes I really with they weren't at WDW so I could really enjoy them properly without running off to the parks every day!

 

[JFDIS]

GF would be my top choice. Not folding a stroller is of the highest value to me. Getting the stroller and two toddlers on the Skyliner is not relaxing. Also, the dining options at GF and the MK area are plentiful. We prefer quick service with our kids and both GF and Poly have fantastic quick service dining. My kids are also entertained with splash pads and pool slides.

 

[DizKids2]

For spending time at the resort, I would recommend Animal Kingdom Lodge.

I would recommend looking into more park days though, possibly with a stay at one of the monorail resorts. We love staying at the contemporary and being able to walk back and forth to MK. We will often do a park in the morning, head back to the resort, out to dinner, and then back over to MK to do a couple rides or fireworks, then not have to worry about getting tired kids and strollers back onto a bus. GF has a walking path now too, which is nice when the park closes and monorails are busy.
It really gives opportunity to do more of what Disney has to offer at a slower pace.

 

[PoohBearFamily]

For kids that age...I would recommend Art of Animation.

Thank you!!

 

[PoohBearFamily]

Resort for resort's sake: choose a deluxe resort, as those have the most comfortable rooms, the best pools & other amenities. Can your children swim? If so, I recommend Beach Club or Yacht Club, due to its extraordinary Stormalong Bay pool complex (sandy bottom pool, huge water slide, sand castle building area, mini-lazy river, waterfall, etc.) The lazy river is deep, so if your children aren't independent swimmers, that might not be the best choice. It's also on Crescent Lake and across from the Boardwalk, which has various minor attractions available, and is not far from Fantasia Miniature Golf (a leisurely walk or a short drive).

If your children aren't independent swimmers, I recommend Grand Floridian, which has a very nice though less spectacular pool with no deep areas, and also has great views and easy access to many good restaurants. Riviera would be my 3rd choice. Contemporary and Art of Animation have very mediocre pools, so they aren't the best choice for a warm weather resort trip.

These are all great tips, thank you! They're not independent swimmers yet. Grand Floridian looks beautiful

 

[PoohBearFamily]

Your first consideration will be defined with finding a Resort to sleep a family of 6, correct. ? Maybe give us more info about the youngest ages in your group and would a paknplay be comfortable for that long stay? Also do you want just a mini frig or a small refrigerator in room.
DisneyWorld has cash rooms and also DVC resort rooms .
In general my first response be a monorail resort (Poly Contemporary BLT or GF ). With this age group you would want to be closest to the MK. Also staying on a monorail resort gives you lots of simple selections to jump on monorail and go to the Different resorts to visit the lobbies or the restaurants or the gift shops which is a wider selection if it happens to rain Or somebody needs to take a nap and the others need to have something else to do… Any other location means you are basically stuck in a hotel room with a TV and a restaurant and a QS to choose from. Also you can walk from the Contempory or BLT Bay Lake Tower to the MK if their are other delays with transportation … due to weather or breakdowns… But I am not sure about room capacity for your family. And also budget . But if I had a small family I would think they would be just as fascinated with taking a monorail or the large FerryBoat or the smaller water boat taxis, etc as actually going on an attraction.

The other second best choice would be a family suite at Art of Animation because this resort is a simple walk from AoA over Bridge to the SkyLiner or walk to POP Century ( must be Preferred Pool View when making reservation for me) so more gift shops and quick service and so much “Disney” theming to walk around and explore at both resorts! I love POP and I have a reservation for first time at Art of Animation in September for myself to check this out.

Be sure to check room charts and amenities, etc. online.

This is your first visit and I suggest you consider more than just the swimming pool… Also a stay at one of the monorail resorts includes the simpler viewing of the fireworks from these locations and also the nightly Electric Water Pageant Parade which would delight this age group..
My grandchildren (visits from age 3 up to 14 ) and their first visit was going home to rewatch the Electric Water Pageant over and over online since we stayed at Bay Lake Tower and still they want to stay at BLT with every yearly visit… And must see the Water Pageant… or the visit is not a success. And the first dining reservation always must be for the SciFi at HollyWood Studios!!! That is all they ask for and hope and dream of . BLT, Water Pageant, Fireworks and SciFi.

How do you use DVC rooms? Does this save money in the deluxe resorts? Thanks for all your tips! Amazing advice

 

[Cheburashka]

These are all great tips, thank you! They're not independent swimmers yet. Grand Floridian looks beautiful

It's a great resort for a first trip with young kids. Excellent Magic Kingdom access, beautiful views, great pools, nice rooms, etc.

 

[Cheburashka]

How do you use DVC rooms? Does this save money in the deluxe resorts? Thanks for all your tips! Amazing advice

Keep in mind that DVC rooms are not the same as resort rooms. Except at the Riviera, the DVC studios have only one queen bed and the other is a sofa that pulls out into a (not-so-great) bed & in the process takes up much of the living space in the room. They're decorated differently from the resort rooms, too. If you get a DVC 1-bedroom, those have more space, but they're also more expensive. If you rent points to book them, those rentals are unchangeable and nonrefundable. DVC rental can be a deal under certain circumstances, but you should have your eyes wide open going in, because there are also potential pitfalls.

 

[PoohBearFamily]

Animal Kingdom hands down! I own DVC there and love every bit of it. It’s a destination in itself. And you asked for resorts alone with kids under 7. They will enjoy 2 Savannah’s and 2 different pools. Arguably the best restaurants on property. You’ll hear some negatives about transportation, but I’ve never had an issue and you’ll only be traveling “far” to MK. EP and HS aren’t as bad and AK is right next door. You will not be disappointed staying here.

If you don't own DVC, can you borrow DVC to get discounts? Is that correct? I keep hearing the tip to use DVC. Thank you for the advice! I see Animal Kingdom mentioned a lot here in the thread!

 

[PoohBearFamily]

Wilderness Lodge - a nice pool, a boat ride away from MK and the monorail resorts, and it's next door to Fort Wilderness which has lots of kid-friendly activities! And with that many vacation days, I would advocate for one more park day at Magic Kingdom considering the kiddos ages.

Wilderness Lodge sounds fun! What are the kid friendly activities there? Thanks!

 

[PoohBearFamily]

Disney's Grand Floridian Resort is what I consider to be the best all-around resort for kids of all ages. In normal times when everything is functioning, it has more for kids and adults alike to do than any other Walt Disney World Resort. Disney's Beach Club Resort would be another great choice IMO. But truly, almost any Deluxe Resort would fit the bill

Thank you! I think Grand Floridian looks amazing! Haven't checked out Beach Club yet but will do!

 

[PoohBearFamily]

I would do GF. Not only do you get all of the amenities (zero entry pool, splash pad for younger children), you will have a ton of dining options and the ability to walk to Poly and MK for even easier access to a park and more dining and recreation opportunities. If staying there, I would also consider going to Ft. W for a morning or afternoon (monorail to MK, boat to Ft. W). They have a great playground and a stable where younger children can take pony rides.

CR is fine, but it's biggest advantage is the walk to MK. GF now has a path as well, so that CR advantage is not as prominent. RIV is lovely, but does not have the number of amenities at GF and if the Skyliner isn't operational, you are kind of trapped there having to take buses everywhere. AoA is a value resort and, while cute, if you have a deluxe budget, I would take it off your list. I stayed there the first year it opened and the walls are incredibly thin and the bedding is not comfortable. It was cute when we checked in, but the cuteness wore off quickly and we were stuck in an uncomfortable hotel having to take buses everywhere - there is also only one food court at AoA, so very limited food options.

You mention walking to Poly from Grand Floridian, does this mean you can use the ammenties at other resorts? Restaurants?

Is CR the contemporary resort? And I didn't know that about AoA, so thank you!

 

[PoohBearFamily]

No hot tub at Art of Animation. That would be a big no for me!

Oh good to know!

 

[PoohBearFamily]

Hard Rock or Portifino at Universal.

I'll have to check these out! Are these cheaper than the Disney resorts usually? Is it a far drive if we rented a car?

 

[PoohBearFamily]

As a PP said, you will need to decide how you are sleeping 6 people. Will only 1 room work? Are you looking at booking 2 rooms (WDW will not guarantee connecting/adjoining rooms) or looking at a villa or cabin? That would be what I would look into first. Cost vary GREATLY with resort and room type, which may or may not make a difference to you.

I would choose a resort that is close to other resorts that have additional/different food and activity options. So I would choose either a monorail resort (GF, Poly, Contemp/Bay Lake) or a Crescent Lake resort (YC, BC, BW). (Other than the All-Star Resorts, I don't think you are allowed to use pools at other resorts, just FYI.) Each of these Deluxe resorts also have more transportation options than values or mods, including walking to parks. And as previously mentioned, views of fireworks either from your own balcony or at least your resort.

I would avoid the huge, sprawling value and moderate resorts, as buildings and amenities can be very far from each other and often have less transportation and food options.

I am super excited for you and your family! Your strategy of every other day sounds wonderful!

1 room for sure with how young our kids are, I think! Fireworks views sound amazing. Is this available from all the Deluxe resorts?

Thanks so much!!

 

[HopperFan]

Maybe do 4 park days (we have four kiddos, all under 7 yrs old) so we don't overdo it. 9 nights gives us 8 full, non-travelling days to enjoy, and I was thinking about doing the four parks with 1 day "off" for relaxing at the resort in between. We'll likely spend the late afternoons/early evenings-nighttime at the resort as well, due to our kids ages.

What resort do you all think would be the best for enjoying the amenties/pool etc.? I have my eye on the Contemporary, Riveria, Art of Animation, and Grand Floridian...but like I said, have never been! Please give me your best advice, thank you!

So 6 people in one "room" ... first thing I would do is compare the rooms you can get at each of those resorts and see if they will work for you for 9 nights.

Then look at the pool areas, playgrounds and dining to see if they can work for you during your down time.

While Contemporary and GF offer close proximity to MK, transport to other parks no plus. And for only 4 park days I wouldn't pick any resort based on transportation.

Personally I would pick AoA.
Art of Animation suites give you two bathrooms and plenty of space for everyone. The decor in the resort will be a rockstar for your kids. We love walking all around, enjoying the landscape and decor EVERYWHERE. Cars area is like you are in the movie. You can even go on Skyliner rides just for fun there on off days. Food court is great and you can walk over to POP and enjoy all their decor. You would get so many great DISNEY-FIED photographs just at the resort. Main pool is zero entry and you have two highly themed quiet pools. And you can use Skyliner to dine at CBR and Riviera - even over to Boardwalk area without driving.

 

[PoohBearFamily]

4 kids under 7?

Get a suite at AofA.
Splash pad, small playground, 3 nicely themed pools, skyliner.

Sounds like a good choice, thanks!

 

[PoohBearFamily]

I think with 4 kids under 7 I would also pick AOA. You will have lots of space in the suites, 2 bathrooms, and a separate room so you guys don’t have to go to bed at the same time as the kiddos. They will love the theming, and I don’t think a lack of slide or hot tub matter so much in this case. 3 pools amd a great splash pad. And because of the sky liner you have access to eating at CBR and the Riviera, as well as the boardwalk area.

That is so cool! Thanks for the advice on AoA. Can you see fireworks from this resort?

 

[PoohBearFamily]

Another vote of AKL, it's my favorite Deluxe because of the animals, and the restaurants. The pool and hot tubs are also very nice!

Wow I don't know why I didn't consider / notice AKL before. I'll definitely look into it!

 

[PoohBearFamily]

I have 2 kids under 5 and will pay THOUSANDS extra for a deluxe for one reason: not having to fold the stroller (as often). So that means I need walking, monorail, or skyliner access to parks.

We always stay at Poly. I love it because we can monorail (or walk) to MK, or walk to the Epcot monorail at TTC. The pool areas are awesome and my kids love the splash pad, which is more like a water playground with a pool at the bottom. At night it’s sooo relaxing and transporting with the tiki torches everywhere.

We also liked AKL for a resort-heavy stay (awesome pools, great ambiance, great food), but IMO nothing beats staying on the monorail.

Grand Floridian and Contemporary were both meh IMO. I think the room design at GF is VERY underwhelming even if I were to pay moderate prices for it (but I do LOVE the design at the GF villas).

I also love the Boardwalk villas and the Beach Club but we won’t stay there again until kiddos are independent swimmers.

The Polynesian sounds lovely, the way you describe it! Haha love the stroller comment. We'll be strolling the youngest everywhere so that's good to know. Thank you!