Can't decide on hotel...

[havoc315]

I need help!

Two adults traveling with a 4 and 2 year old. 6 nights in January, so pools are not as important (Beach Club would have been easy decision if we knew weather would permit high pool usage). We do at least one character meal per day. Will spend 2 of 5 days at MK. Wife wants to be able to feel relaxed instead of typical Disney running around all day trying to make it to dining reservations and hitting parks by the time we have fast passes.

Option 1
Port Orleans French Quarter
Woods/Garden View
No Park Hoppers
$1,950
- Love this property, don't love the buses.

Option 2
Animal Kingdom Lodge
Standard View
No Park Hoppers
$2,650
- Never been to this resort but the kids love animals and the local zoo, concerned about long bus rides with young kids falling asleep + lugging stroller around.

Option 3
Polynesian
Standard View
Park Hoppers
$3,200
- Never stayed here but love the property. Would be hoping construction is over. Very convenient park access.

Option 4
Beach Club
Standard View
Park Hoppers
$2,750
Never stayed here but the kids would love the pool in warmer weather. So many food options close by. Walking to Epcot is great but kids aren't in the Epcot demographic. Is HS even worth going to if we went last year?

If money was no object I would certainly go 3, 2, 4, 1. All are within budget but I need to justify paying extra.

IMO:
Beach Club is the best value on that list. Great pool. Walking to Epcot is fantastic. And while Epcot might not seem like a young kid park, it has some advantages. Watching fireworks at night at Epcot is easy... Show is fairly early (9pm), and after the show you have an easy 5 minute stroll back to the Beach Club through the backdoor. To me, MK fireworks are a nightmare with young kids... Leaving the Park in huge crowds, line for monorail.

Poly is fantastic, but expensive as you outlined.

To me,AKL is only worthwhile if you get a Savannah View room.

 

[FantasiaMagic]

First reading what you wrote, I would say stay at Poly, since it is so close to MK, on monorail, ect. If you are honestly really worried about the construction, then maybe wait on it! As PPs said, Bc is in an amazing area. And POR has a boat to DTD and is cheaper... Best of luck deciding! I know it can be confusing!

 

[RustManFan]

I would put WL on your list and the boat is a wonderful way to get to MK

 

[brinkley07]

We just returned from the AKL with a little one who uses a stroller. We love the resort because it seems more quiet in the lobby and throughout the hotel. Having done character breakfasts most mornings, multiple days in MK and all parks, and being in all the resorts you mentioned AKL would be our first choice. The monorail was crowded causing lines and difficulty getting seats, the lobbies were packed and loud, and our lobby and busses were not. The buses from AKL ran frequently and the trips were quick with the one to MK being around 18 minutes, so it wasn't a big deal. Good luck!