Best summer resort?

[threedisprincesses]

Hi everybody. I'm looking for DIS help in planning a 2012 summer vacation for a family of DH, 3 girls (9,7,&2), & me. We LOVE the water and run a normal DIS schedule (rope drop...naps... all of the great planning tips).
Last February we stayed at BCV. We did get to go into SAB once and that was nice,but we do try to experience different resorts. Also, I think with the ages, I will try to avoid the Epcot area. I loved it last time-just looking or something new this time.
Enough background (I think...)
What is the best summer resort for a family that will be using all water activities but also will be traveling back & forth from resort to all parks?
Looking forward to the conversation!
TIA!
Kelly

 

[mickeynut1]

My suggestion would be the Poly . We think the volcano pool is great and it's so magical having a dead on view of the castle while swimming.....plus the beach is great for watching the fireworks . We love everything about the Poly, especially the large rooms, beautiful surroundings, and good transportation to the parks .

 

[sharadoc]

I would suggest looking into a DVC resort that has a Community Hall. That would include OKW, SSR, Boardwalk. They have good pools and activities every day.

We love OKW. They have kids bingo, sand castle building, karaoke around the pool, crafts and even some family activities. MY DD will be 10 when we go this June, but she still loves all the things we can do there.

Community Hall has a couple of free video games, foosball or air hockey, different home video systems, board games, DVDs that you can borrow - lots of stuff to do. There's entertainment CMs that run all kinds of fun all afternoon.

Oh, and the pool is great too. Nice slide and a couple of quiet pools too. Playgrounds, watercraft rentals and a boat to DTD at OKW is what we like about it. The rooms are the largest of all the DVC resorts.

With the ages of your DDs, you may find that the 2 YO wants to nap and the older ones would rather swim or do something else. OKW gives you options for all of them.

In the summer, the bus system has been great. There are a few stops, but they don't take any longer than going for instance from the BW to S&D to parks, or all around POR or CSR. If you stay at South Pointe, you're first on the bus. Last summer, we would see multiple park buses within 5 minutes of each other, especially to the EMH parks. We had zero complaints about bus service. At MK and DHS, the OKW bus stop was the one closest to the entrance, too!

If you stay in a studio, you have free use of the Washers and Dryers near the pool, or in a 1BR you'll have one in your room. That comes in REALLY handy on a summer trip.

If you're looking for a fun yet relaxing resort experience, then I highly recommend OKW. For us, we spend as much time at the resort as the parks, so OKW is a great fit for us.

 

[bookwormde]

I second a 1br at OKW.

 

[kappyfamily]

Poly for sure! The Hawaiian theme plus the beach with hammocks is all we need! Also taking the five minute boat ride to/from mk for naps is ideal. Have a blast!

 

[kappyfamily]

One other thing, the rooms at the poly are huge!

 

[BLTtinkerbell]

So many choices!
My family of 5 has stayed at CR many times & it is one of our favorite! Reminds me of a busy city. We have stayed in the wing as well as tower MKV, LV, and MKV CL. The rooms are the same no matter what category. All have 2 queen beds and a daybed. Large bathroom with double sinks & tub, separate area for toilet with door. We stay in the wing when we need to save money. MKV is great for watching the fireworks from your balcony and LV is nice to relax and watch all the water activity! CL means you have access to the club lounge for light breakfast, snacks, drinks..... and they help w/reservations. CR has two pools, one with a slide, a hot tub, kiddie splash area. Love the easy walk to/from MK. Monorail over to TTC to get to Epcot. Boat to WL & FW. Lots of shops & restaurant choices.
We own DVC at BLT and love it there too. Not sure if you are interested in villas.

Have also stayed at Poly and really like it there. Romantic, tropical feel. The rooms have 2 queen beds and a daybed. Nice bathroom with double sinks and tub. The toilet area is separate, but no extra door, like at CR. There are two pools. Love the volcano pool! The other pool is quiet and relaxing. Easy monorail to MK & TTC for Epcot. Also walk to/from TTC to get to Epcot. Boat to MK too!

Would you be interested in a cabin at FW? I have stayed there too. Just don't want to overwhelm you with info.

 

[threedisprincesses]

I love the DIS!!!! People of "my kind"

A bit more information....

In the early stages of planning this trip, it all began as a possible land & sea (7 days land, 3-4 days DC). About a month ago, we began looking into the DC only to find out that the cabin we would need is sold out for June 2012. So now our land & sea has turned into a 10 day land....I'm ok with this b/c of my true love of all things DW.

The first week will be spent in a (hopefully) 2 bedroom via a RCI trade. We were able to do a 2 bedroom at BCV for our last stay. However, it has looked like the 2 bedrooms are few & far between these days. I am hoping for a 2 bedroom at OKW, so I was VERY hapy to read that a PP really liked that resort. Also, I had forgotten about all the kids activities offered at the villa level! They are great!!! The older girls really enjoyed that at the BCV last February. So now I would be happy with a 2 bed at OKW. Let's be honest....I'd be happy in a sleeping bag if it was on DW property!

So what I am looking for is a GREAT place to spend the last two days of this fab vacation. I figure by the last few days the family will need some time away from the parks to just chill out by the pool & relax. Therefore, i am all for spending a bit more at a delux with a great pool since the kids are such water people. However, DH isn't really the "relaxing" kind. He feels if we are at DW we should be in a park.

With all of this being said, I am thinking the Polly would be our best bet. It seems dark & cool for summer and has always been my dream resort. I am just hoping they will offer a room discount.

 

[threedisprincesses]

So many choices!
My family of 5 has stayed at CR many times & it is one of our favorite! Reminds me of a busy city. We have stayed in the wing as well as tower MKV, LV, and MKV CL. The rooms are the same no matter what category. All have 2 queen beds and a daybed. Large bathroom with double sinks & tub, separate area for toilet with door. We stay in the wing when we need to save money. MKV is great for watching the fireworks from your balcony and LV is nice to relax and watch all the water activity! CL means you have access to the club lounge for light breakfast, snacks, drinks..... and they help w/reservations. CR has two pools, one with a slide, a hot tub, kiddie splash area. Love the easy walk to/from MK. Monorail over to TTC to get to Epcot. Boat to WL & FW. Lots of shops & restaurant choices.
We own DVC at BLT and love it there too. Not sure if you are interested in villas.

Have also stayed at Poly and really like it there. Romantic, tropical feel. The rooms have 2 queen beds and a daybed. Nice bathroom with double sinks and tub. The toilet area is separate, but no extra door, like at CR. There are two pools. Love the volcano pool! The other pool is quiet and relaxing. Easy monorail to MK & TTC for Epcot. Also walk to/from TTC to get to Epcot. Boat to MK too!

Would you be interested in a cabin at FW? I have stayed there too. Just don't want to overwhelm you with info.

NEVER too much information!!!! If I am spending all this money, I want as much information as I can get. (Probably not that funny...)
What about "things to do" for the kids between CR & Polly? Also, which is going to more relaxing during the month of June?