Disney Downtown or Boardwalk with preschoolers?

[margaret1229]

Trying to find out which will be more fun for a 4 year old and 2 year old. We are either going to stay at Port Orleans (2 rooms) and take the ferry over to Downtwon Disney when we want free time/meals or stay at Beach Club Villas and hang out at the Boardwalk....which has more for the little ones to do/explore? Plan to go every day for a bit to take a break from the parks - is it worth the extra $$$ to be at BCV and be able to walk or is Downtown Disney more fun? Thanks!

 

[goofy4tink]

Boardwalk has nighttime performers...magicians, jugglers...that sort of thing. They are fun, but not something I would do more than once. DTD is fun..it has the Lego Store and the World of Disney store as well as many other fun shopes.
I'm not altogether sure either one would be a big draw with kids your kids ages. If I had to go with one, it would be DTD because the boatride there, and back, is fun. Also..if you are planning on heading to either of those spots, during the daytime hours, as I said...Boardwalk is 'alive' after about 7ish in the evening.

 

[DCLLVR]

Stay with PO and take the boat to DTD ... TONS more to do there for both the preschoolers and yourself. The boardwalk has very little to do and see, it's worth walking around once, maybe ... and only if you are staying at one of the boardwalk hotels ... otherwise not worth the trip. DTD is definately worth the trip from no matter where you are staying ... and really great if you are staying at POFQ or POR because you take the boat over and back and avoid the bus or parking "situation" that DTD has.

.... although, the Beach Club has a GREAT pool and is a Deluxe resort, tough decision, but if you basing your decision on the difference between DTD and the Boardwalk ... you gotta go with DTD.

Personally .... and I have a DD11 so my answer may differ based on what I know my DW and DD like ... I would save my money and stay at POFQ or POR and spend some time at DTD. If I had 2 preschoolers, my answer would be the same. The Boardwalk is just not what you think it might be ... it certainly does not compare in any way shape or form to DTD, just a warning, you may be thinking that the boardwalk area compares in some way to DTD ... it does NOT!!!

 

[hannah's dad]

I'm not sure DTD is a great place for downtime in general. Everytime we've gone it has been quite crowded (often more so than the parks) and unless your kids have more of a tolerance for shopping, I think they'd get bored pretty quickly.

Having stayed at both, I think the Beach Club is a better place to stay for downtime (Stormalong Bay is basically a mini waterpark and there is a small sand beach at the lake that is pleasant for playing and relaxing - of course, there is a price difference and PO is also a very nice resort.

 

[LeahA]

With preschoolers I would go to DTD. They have the Lego store which my kids love, the kids can actually play with tons of Lego's. They also have a little playground, a little train for kiddie rides. They have Ghiradelli for Ice Cream, yummy! They have the DTD fountains that shoot out of the ground, avoid them if you don't want the kids to get wet!

I think the kids would love the boat ride from POR. The grounds and pool are look very nice there as well!

I've never stayed at the Beach Club or POR, we are staying at POR next month and I can't wait to go.

The Boardwalk is nice, we went there a few times, but, my kids enjoy DTD better. I have 3 boys who are 4/7/10.

 

[AVACWDW]

Suggestion - Night out without the kids. Kid's Nite Out offering In-Room Childcare ages 6 weeks to 12 years. 2 children would be $16.50 per hour, minimum four-hour charge. Check it out!

 

[hifidigital]

DTD / POFQ/POR all the way!

1. Shopping thats kid friendly (World of Disney, LEGO store, Goofy Candy Co., Once Upon a Toy)
2. Activities for the kids (LEGO's, playgroud, Rainforest Cafe)
3. Excellent, relaxing boat-ride from the resort.

Just talking about it puts a smile on my face

 

[Deb & Bill]

There really isn't much for small children to do at either place. You'd be better off spending time at the pool and playing in the sand at the pool. Both the POFQ and BCV main pool would be fun for little ones.

When our son was four, we went back to the hotel every day and put him down for a nap for a couple of hours. His favorite part of that vacation was the pool. He enjoyed that more than character meals, the MK, etc.

 

[MELSMICE]

For down time I wouldn't do either of those places with young children. I'd go back to your resort & have some time at the pool.

There is a boat or walkway to both EPCOT & MGM from the Beach Club. POFQ is buses. Both are good forms of transportation. You can also take the monorail from EPCOT to MK very easily.

Have fun!

 

[mickeyluv'r]

I'm not quite clear on your intent or question. You are looking for both time away from the kids and 'downtime' with the kids?

The one thing about the Boardwalk area is that getting FROM either Epcot or MGM is going to be fast, which is good if you want the kids to have some downtime (nap, pool, quiet boat ride). If you want to dine out without the kids, tehre are more choices at DTD, but there are some nice places at the Boardwalk area too, and actually quite a few options if you include the Swan and Dolphin.
Also, if I was going to have anight out with kids that young, I'd probably want to stay somewhat close to their room. If you go with the Boardwalk, you;ll be able to go out, but still stay close to the room. From POR it will take 20-30 minutes to get back to them.

 

[IWISHFORDISNEY]

I dont know with kids that age that either place would be good for downtime. I would probably go with BCV since it is easier to get to and from the parks and the pool would be great for downtime. I would think that either place would be fun to visit one evening but not good for "downtime". So I would choose the resort with the better pool and better location to parks and IMO that would be BCV.

 

[Carrie772]

You could do either or neither. My only sugggestion is to bring your stroller. We rely on the stroller rentals at the parks and really wish we could rent at DTD too!

 

[BamaFan121s]

I think DTD.

 

[simonkodousek]

I would go with DTD. There are a lot of Disney stores that you could bring them in where they would have a good time.

 

[Deb & Bill]

I would go with DTD. There are a lot of Disney stores that you could bring them in where they would have a good time.

But you will have to hold your kids while you are in the stores so you don't wind up buying a bunch of stuff you didn't plan on buying if they break it. I don't think small children have that much fun inside the DTD stores.

 

[glass slipper girl]

After having done both with our boys ("almost 6" and 4 at BW and 7 and 5 at POR) I would disagree and say the Boardwalk is better with little ones. My sons and I loved hanging out at the Boardwalk in the evenings. We would get an ice cream or something from seashore sweets and hang out talking about our day and watching the world go by. They loved it! Downtown Disney they enjoyed for a bit but it became an endless parade of "Mom can we buy ________" and "but I really really want __________." Nothing they were willing to spend THEIR money on but stuff they felt the need to whine and complain if we didn't buy for them.

We've done the BC and the BWI but not the BCV. For the pool, the boardwalk area, proximity to 2 parks I'd go with BCV if the increase in price is not an issue. Having a full kitchen and a washer and dryer would totally tip the scales too, especially with little ones! POR was lovely and I wouldn't hesitate to stay there again but DH and I agreed that if we had the $ to stay at a deluxe, we felt the increased convenience was worth it for our family.

You won't go wrong either way but my vote would be for BCV.