Best Resorts for Kids

[Disgirl2011]

Hey fellow Disers! I am taking my Sister, Brother in Law and Nephew Liam who will be turning 5 during our trip this January! And I want to rent DVC points, what I was wondering is what resorts would be best for us with a 5 year old?

Originally I was thinking AKV but after some consideration I was thinking a resort closer to all the parks would be more convenient especially in the case of nap time

Thanks for any recommendations!!

 

[simmons_m]

BLT followed by BWV or BCV, then VWL or AKL
BLT for proximity to magic kingdom and the monorail (Epcot)
BWV/BCV for proximity to Epcot
VWL theme and boat to MK.
AKL - animals, animals, animals

In other words, I don't think you can make a bad decision.

 

[crisi]

The five year old may not nap at Disney. He might. Even a regular napper can get too keyed up (in which case work with early evenings - in January the parks close early anyway). And even a normal non-napper can need a nap. At that age, for our kids, "down time" worked far better than naps. A schedule that mid-day had us sitting through the Hall of Presidents

As to "best" - each resort has their pros and cons. I wouldn't worry about the pool in January, its usually too cold to make too much use of it. BLT or VWL would have proximity to the MK, but VAKL has the animals, and at that age that is a huge treat. Nothing is close to everything, so there are more often than not trips back to the room if you nap.

 

[madelyn]

That's a good point about a 5 year old not napping at Disney World. Does the child nap at home? I have a 5 year old that typically does not nap at home but if we are on vacation and staying up late and getting up earlier or at the same time that she is used to she might fall asleep mid-day but probably would not fall asleep if forced to nap in a hotel room. I have boys who are now 13 and 10 and when they were younger I remember them falling asleep sitting up on a resort bus once when we were hopping over to another park. "Restful" times in shows like "Presidents" is a good idea. Heck, I've even seen adults fall asleep there! Or a 5 year old MIGHT fall asleep in a stroller.

 

[spiceycat]

might go with one further away but has a good playground

OKW has several excellent playground - so he can run and play. - OKW also has the only studio with 2 queen beds. (the other have a queen bed and double sleeper sofa)

BLT does not have even one - although FW has several - VWL has one. (playgrounds)

BWV definitely has a nice one and it is close to Epcot and Studios - you can walk to both or take the boat. (playground)

 

[Luv2trav]

With a 5 year old I would pick VWL... for sure.. Close to MK, Boat ride to MK and the pool isn't too overwhelming. It has the beach and playground. Perfect for younger children.

 

[dgagnon519]

I have an 11 yr old and 8 yr old.....We have done BLT, AKV, AKL, BWV, SSR, and OKW in the last 3 yrs.
This their favorites in order

AKL
AKV
OKW
SSR
BLT
BWV

I think they will be happy with whatever you pick. My kids have been doing disney since my my youngest was 3 and has never took a nap time. They have fell asleep on the bus or on the indoor long rides.
AKL and AKV is great because of the animals and it is beautiful. It is further from the parks, but not too bad everything in Disney is pretty convenient for distance.
OKW my kids loved the pool and slide. They liked all the space outside and the boat over to DTD, we went to the movies and dq and out to eat in dtd so that was nice to have.
SSR had so many activities going on for the kids which was great.
BLT we felt was more for adults but location is perfect.
We were disappointed with BWV, it was great but don't know if we would stay there again.

 

[joeytdog]

I have gone 4times in past 6 years--my kids are now just turning 7 and 8 so I know where you are coming from-----we always did a one bedroom

we did BWV, BCV, BWV, and BLT in that order......

I agree with OP who said dont worry about pools since it will be January

Based on that I would definately choose BLT---the monorial for MK is going to be worth it alone---another benefit is being able to view the fireworks from your balcony---i.e. no fighting crowds all the time---

Some of my tips are:

-Do Lake View and request north tower, even numbered room--this will give you an excellent chance of a pretty good MK view room---if money is not an object than get the MK room but if you are looking for a way to pay for Lake View and get an MK view then do the requests--just be prepared it might not happen

-I would do one night at MK so you can see the parade--otherwise enjoy it from the balcony

-Get to MK at ropedrop---do some rides--go back to BLT and chill for a few hours (nap or movie...) shower up and head out to dinner and more parks or whatever

-Experience the boardwalk one night---great for a 5 year old---there are magicians jugglers etc etc

--Plan as many ADR's around the monorail as possible (utilize BLT's advantage!!!) like Ohanas at Poly Chef Mickeys etc etc

-Do Chef Mickeys asap so you can get main chharacters out of the way---no need to wait in long lines to see them at park

Just a few thoughts

Best of Luck

 

[kamikazecat]

My son is six and his favorite resort is BLT. He has stayed at SSR, BLT, OKW, BCV, and VWL.

 

[Disgirl2011]

Thanks for all the responses guys!

I'm thinking I want to choose something on the cheaper side, so I'm contemplating between OKW, AKV, and BWV.

Distance wise I know AKV is technically further away but the resort itself is super cool. I like that OKW has the two queen beds so we wouldnt have to deal with that every day! And BWV is walking distance to Epcot.


I keep going back and forth lol. Hopefully I can make up my mind soon!!

 

[crisi]

Thanks for all the responses guys!

I'm thinking I want to choose something on the cheaper side, so I'm contemplating between OKW, AKV, and BWV.

Distance wise I know AKV is technically further away but the resort itself is super cool. I like that OKW has the two queen beds so we wouldnt have to deal with that every day! And BWV is walking distance to Epcot.


I keep going back and forth lol. Hopefully I can make up my mind soon!!

OK, be aware that those cheap rooms you are looking at at VAKL and BWV are in short supply...they may be gone already (probably not for January). Make up your mind and book quickly, and find an owner who has points there quickly...if you wait until six months out those cheaper rooms will likely not be available.