Best resorts for families with small children

[Spring0799]

I'm a newer DVC member and looking for recommendations for families with small children. I want to gear the resort to my smaller two. 5 & 3 at our next travel date. We'll also have an almost 1 year old but I don't think she'll care where we stay. We bought into DVC because otherwise we couldn't afford to go each year, therefore we spend most of our time on property. What properties are the most fun for little ones? My daughter is into anything girly and Princess. My son likes everything. An awesome pool is our first priority! But we also need great fun activities for the kids.
Thank you!

 

[com_op_2000]

AKL - the animals, the kids wet play area at Kadani, and the interaction sessions with the CMs.
Any resort on the monorail loop if MK is a priority.
BCV - the pool area and close to two parks.
BWV - large, very good Community Hall, and close to two parks.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

What's your home resort? What's your travel date?

In general, if you are planning travel from late September through early January and want a studio, you will need to book your home resort at 11 months, and are highly likely to be unable to change resorts. The most "princess" resort of the DVC is Villas at the Grand Floridian, but a studio can be hard (and costly in points) to book at 7 months year-round. Best pool is at Beach Club Villas, but you will rarely get that at 7 months in fall or summer.

BLT sleeps 4+1 child under 3, but with that many, the studio villas are teeny. Copper Creek studios are similar.

In general, with DVC, you should be booking your home resort, then seeing what you can get later.

 

[Spring0799]

I own at Grand Floridian. I would so love to stay at Beach Club, it's at the top of my list, but I've found getting a room there is very difficult. Might have to just book through a travel agent one year to get the experience.

I'm going April 2018 and booked Jambo House at Animal Kingdom, I know high demand that time. But the following year I'm going to try and go another time. Either January or August 2019.

Grand Floridian is definitely on the list. But a few years down the road as it's a lot of points during the time we want to go and we'd like the kids to remember it more.

I wish I knew how hard getting reservations would be when buying in. I hope Disney add more rooms without too many more members.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

I hope Disney add more rooms without too many more members

That's not how DVC works. They will sell 98% of points at Copper Creek and later at Riviera, and all of those points will be in system for home resort/7 month.

 

[Spring0799]

That's not how DVC works. They will sell 98% of points at Copper Creek and later at Riviera, and all of those points will be in system for home resort/7 month.

Yes you're right, just wishful thinking. It just stinks when I'm coming from NJ and can't get a full week. My first 3 trips I had to switch hotels. My first trip I had to switch twice! Not fun with little kids. I don't live in Fl so doing 2 or 3 nights isn't an option for me. And we drive because the flights are too expensive for me. So when I go I want to spend 7-9 nights. Just wish it was easier to book. Maybe when the kids are bigger switching will be easier and kind of cool, but believe me it isn't now.

 

[BillPA]

Sorry you're have trouble booking. But DVC is for those that can plan ahead, not for last minute trips. Advice: Buy where you want to stay and book before the 7 month window opens. Otherwise you will be disappointed many times.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Switching gets more difficult with every resort added.

 

[Spring0799]

Finally figured out

Sorry you're have trouble booking. But DVC is for those that can plan ahead, not for last minute trips. Advice: Buy where you want to stay and book before the 7 month window opens. Otherwise you will be disappointed many times.

We do try to plan ahead. Last trip we wanted was for November and the morning it opened up I went to book, and I didn't get anything. I was so upset. Now after a few years we've learned to book early.

 

[BillPA]

Are you trying to book home resort at 11 months or another resort at 7 months? Generally you should book home at 11 months then try to switch if you desire at 7 months. That way you will have your room.

 

[Spring0799]

Are you trying to book home resort at 11 months or another resort at 7 months? Generally you should book home at 11 months then try to switch if you desire at 7 months. That way you will have your room.

Another resort at 7 months out. Home resort is alot of points, it's the Grand Floridian.

 

[Spring0799]

Sorry you're have trouble booking. But DVC is for those that can plan ahead, not for last minute trips. Advice: Buy where you want to stay and book before the 7 month window opens. Otherwise you will be disappointed many times.

When we bought we didn't know much, we researched but until you start to use it you don't realize a lot of things. I might add points down the line at another resort like Beach Club.

 

[Spring0799]

Switching gets more difficult with every resort added.

We don't try to switch rooms on purpose out of a want. More of a need. If I want to book 9 days it's difficult to get 9 days in a row and so I'll book 5 at one and 4 at another.

 

[jennab]

We did a split stay of BLT (studio) and BCV (1bd) one year. I thought that was great! Did MK the whole time we were at BLT (so 2-3 days) which we could walk back and forth or ride the monorail. It was also nice to be able to hop on the monorail to visit the other resorts for food. The negative was the studio was super tiny and we were only 2 adults and a child. Then we went to BCV and that was great too since we could walk easily to Epcot or walk/boat to HS. So the only time we had to deal with a bus was DTD or AK. We are thinking about renting points again next year and will probably try or BWV (try something new). We really liked the Epcot area for being able to walk back and forth to Epcot whenever we want for food or to just wonder around!

 

[miTnosnhoJ]

Your 5 yr old daughter would love the Princess Parade at the Grand Floridian. It happens every afternoon. All the young girls dress up as princesses and are led by Cinderella and Prince Charming around the lobby.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I'm a newer DVC member and looking for recommendations for families with small children. I want to gear the resort to my smaller two. 5 & 3 at our next travel date. We'll also have an almost 1 year old but I don't think she'll care where we stay. We bought into DVC because otherwise we couldn't afford to go each year, therefore we spend most of our time on property. What properties are the most fun for little ones? My daughter is into anything girly and Princess. My son likes everything. An awesome pool is our first priority! But we also need great fun activities for the kids.
Thank you!

Frankly, at that age, wherever they stay will probably be "the best resort" as far as they're concerned! A few years ago, we stayed at OKW with our DGDs, that same age. Most people might think that's by far not the best resort for kids, but they'd disagree. It had the best pool, I'm sure they thought-water, splashing, everything. And after we took DGD to BBB and she was all dressed up like Snow White, we got on the bus from OKW and the bus driver made a big announcement over the intercom that everyone should be on their best behavior because there was a Princess onboard. She loved it, and even though we all know bus drivers anywhere might do that, she remembers that the bus driver at OKW did. I tell you this because before we took them, we stressed about "what's the best resort" for them, and finally DH said "Well, we can't decide and I like OKW so we'll stay there!" This year we're taking the DGDs to AKV and I have a feeling a new "best resort" will happen!

 

[Spring0799]

We did a split stay of BLT (studio) and BCV (1bd) one year. I thought that was great! Did MK the whole time we were at BLT (so 2-3 days) which we could walk back and forth or ride the monorail. It was also nice to be able to hop on the monorail to visit the other resorts for food. The negative was the studio was super tiny and we were only 2 adults and a child. Then we went to BCV and that was great too since we could walk easily to Epcot or walk/boat to HS. So the only time we had to deal with a bus was DTD or AK. We are thinking about renting points again next year and will probably try or BWV (try something new). We really liked the Epcot area for being able to walk back and forth to Epcot whenever we want for food or to just wonder around!

I think the split hotel idea is a great one, gives you more options. But probably when the kids are a little bigger and I don't need to lug around strollers, diapers, pumps, extra clothes for accidents and so forth. Definitely will do this when they are bigger. Even though I was a bit annoyed when I had to keep doing two hotels a visit I see the perks because I got to visit two hotels in one trip. This way I could better see what I like and what works for me and what I don't like for my family.

Looking back our first DVC trip was actually 4 hotels. 1 night Saratoga, 5 nights AK Jambo, 1 night AK Kidani and then 3 nights Vero Beach. Whew that was a lot of work, luckily only 1 kid back then.

 

[Spring0799]

Your 5 yr old daughter would love the Princess Parade at the Grand Floridian. It happens every afternoon. All the young girls dress up as princesses and are led by Cinderella and Prince Charming around the lobby.

I have never heard of this!!!! This sounds awesome. Thank you so much. We're definitely doing this. She'll be so excited. Thank you for sharing!

 

[Spring0799]

Frankly, at that age, wherever they stay will probably be "the best resort" as far as they're concerned! A few years ago, we stayed at OKW with our DGDs, that same age. Most people might think that's by far not the best resort for kids, but they'd disagree. It had the best pool, I'm sure they thought-water, splashing, everything. And after we took DGD to BBB and she was all dressed up like Snow White, we got on the bus from OKW and the bus driver made a big announcement over the intercom that everyone should be on their best behavior because there was a Princess onboard. She loved it, and even though we all know bus drivers anywhere might do that, she remembers that the bus driver at OKW did. I tell you this because before we took them, we stressed about "what's the best resort" for them, and finally DH said "Well, we can't decide and I like OKW so we'll stay there!" This year we're taking the DGDs to AKV and I have a feeling a new "best resort" will happen!

Your right. My 5 year old likes everything and is always happy no matter where we go, just excited to be out and about. I'm sure with a pool and campfire each night neither of them will want for much more. (I bring my own graham crackers and hershey bars) We've seen OKW and want to book there one of our next vacations. It looks super cute.

 

[jennab]

I think the split hotel idea is a great one, gives you more options. But probably when the kids are a little bigger and I don't need to lug around strollers, diapers, pumps, extra clothes for accidents and so forth. Definitely will do this when they are bigger. Even though I was a bit annoyed when I had to keep doing two hotels a visit I see the perks because I got to visit two hotels in one trip. This way I could better see what I like and what works for me and what I don't like for my family.

Looking back our first DVC trip was actually 4 hotels. 1 night Saratoga, 5 nights AK Jambo, 1 night AK Kidani and then 3 nights Vero Beach. Whew that was a lot of work, luckily only 1 kid back then.

It wasn't too bad, but we only had one child (3yrs), not 3 to pack up and move! I know Disney will transport your luggage but we had a nice breakfast before checkout, then just took a taxi with all of our luggage to the next resort and our room was ready early so it worked out great for us!