Family resorts that are like Disney but not Disney?

[mgc]

I have to admit, my favorite thing about Disney World is the resorts (Don't get me wrong, the theme parks are great but I love my resort days!)....My question is- have you ever stayed at a resort anywhere else- US or international-that reminded you of a Disney resort in terms of customer service, fun or themed pools, and family friendly accommodations and activities? Just wondering if there is anywhere else that does it as good as Disney? Thanks!

 

[e_yerger]

I mean, i’m not sure anywhere does it as great as Disney. But i’ve heard great things about Great Wolf Lodge from people with little kids.

 

[Marthasor]

We stayed at the Woodloch Resort in the Poconos last summer. It didn't remind me of a WDW resort, per se, but it's a very, family friendly, all-inclusive resort on a beautiful lake with a TON of included activities and an included meal plan. It was very enjoyable and we would definitely consider going back. My DS13 loved it.

 

[mgc]

We stayed at the Woodloch Resort in the Poconos last summer. It didn't remind me of a WDW resort, per se, but it's a very, family friendly, all-inclusive resort on a beautiful lake with a TON of included activities and an included meal plan. It was very enjoyable and we would definitely consider going back. My DS13 loved it.

Thanks! I just looked it up and it looks like a great family vacation spot!

 

[shosh1530]

We do annual trip to a Fairmont resort 2 hours from us (Scottsdale Princess) that we enjoy greatly. It doesn't have the level of theming that a Disney resort does, but in the summers there is usually a theme (e.g. superheroes, this year is space) with different elements around the resort, kids activities, movie nights, fireworks, etc. They have 6 pools and several restaurants, plus spa. My kid says he likes it as much or maybe more than our recent Grand California stay (although we just stayed at GCH post covid and there weren't any kid activities.

They also do a lot of theming around holidays (Halloween and Christmas). It all is a step above other local resorts, but not as exciting to me as Disney. No idea if other properties in the Fairmont brand are similar.

My kids favorite hotel experience is still hands down the Legoland Castle hotel. He complained that Disney didn't do anything nearly as cool.

 

[Beckyb3]

I was just going to say Legoland resort. Of all the family resorts we have been to, that one was probably best for theming and being family friendly. It is just a really fun resort if you have young kids and super easy for parents.

I live in NY and there are a bunch of fun family resorts in my area. Similar to Woodloch mentioned above there is Rocking Horse Ranch. Its in the NY area. It’s another all inclusive for food activities (not alcohol though you can bring your own) with so much to do. There is also Skytop Resort in the poconos. That’s great for the variety of activities depending on the season. Myrtle Beach is another good area for family resorts. I am not sure about the caliber of service at some of them but lots have water parks. We stayed at the Marriott Vacation Club resort there which didn’t have the water parks but had a few pools and a ton of family friendly activities. The nicest thing about that was that most everything was included. I get frustrated when i pay a lot for my resort and then they want to charge extra for s’mores supplies. That resort kept us busy for the whole week.

I think I have come across others but I am blanking on them. I am always on the lookout for new places though. The one thing I could never find that I loved about Disney which of course they are getting rid of is the magical express. Nothing has ever been so great as not having to worry about getting your luggage at the airport with small kids. It’s what first got me really into Disney. I am so sad it’s going away or I guess is actually gone because of Covid now.

 

[jimmymc]

This might be a cheap answer but Universal. The resorts there have all the same amenities, theming, and service level as Disney, but are usually less crowded, like you can easily find a pool chair in the late afternoon.

I'm not normally one who stays at family resorts (Disney excluded), but the closest I think I've been was the Marriott Hutchinson Island beach resort. Located close to Ft. Lauderdale, there wasn't much theming but the service and staff were great. It reminds me of Vero beach with more activities.

 

[zemmer]

Beaches Resort in Turks and Caicos is one of it favorite places. Beautiful and so many family activities!

 

[Beckyb3]

Beaches Resort in Turks and Caicos is one of it favorite places. Beautiful and so many family activities!

Oh I am dying to try that resort! Friends of ours talk about how amazing it is and we always think about going together but we haven’t been able to coordinate yet.

 

[jimmymc]

Beaches Resort in Turks and Caicos is one of it favorite places. Beautiful and so many family activities!

Heard great things from some friends who visited. I've been to that part of the island but stayed at a different resort and it was very nice.

 

[ramee]

Dollywood. Hersheypark. Jellystone campgrounds.

 

[nerdboyrockstar]

I don't know how "family" this is but Mohegan Sun Resort in Uncasville, CT had me thinking this is what it would feel like if Disney built a Vegas hotel.

 

[Jenkinsfanatic]

The Kalahari, I know there is one in the Wisconsin Dells (and presumably other places). I've stayed there before and it definitely gave me Disney vibes (animal kingdom lodge vibes, but sadly no animals on site).

They do have an indoor water park though.

 

[CharissaOKC]

Big Cedar Lodge in Missouri is great but pricey. They have a lot of activities that are included and some that are extra. Beautiful property! It’s also close to Silver Dollar City which is the nicest theme park we have been to outside of Disney.

 

[iheartglaciers]

We stayed at the Woodloch Resort in the Poconos last summer. It didn't remind me of a WDW resort, per se, but it's a very, family friendly, all-inclusive resort on a beautiful lake with a TON of included activities and an included meal plan. It was very enjoyable and we would definitely consider going back. My DS13 loved it.

I grew up going to Woodloch every summer and my family loved it! All of my experience is 20 years old now, but my coworkers' family has gone more recently and they also go annually. There are so many fun activities (interactive and solo) and lots of entertainment. The staff and other families are really friendly.

 

[mgc]

We do annual trip to a Fairmont resort 2 hours from us (Scottsdale Princess) that we enjoy greatly. It doesn't have the level of theming that a Disney resort does, but in the summers there is usually a theme (e.g. superheroes, this year is space) with different elements around the resort, kids activities, movie nights, fireworks, etc. They have 6 pools and several restaurants, plus spa. My kid says he likes it as much or maybe more than our recent Grand California stay (although we just stayed at GCH post covid and there weren't any kid activities.

They also do a lot of theming around holidays (Halloween and Christmas). It all is a step above other local resorts, but not as exciting to me as Disney. No idea if other properties in the Fairmont brand are similar.

My kids favorite hotel experience is still hands down the Legoland Castle hotel. He complained that Disney didn't do anything nearly as cool.

Oooh, the Fairmont sounds amazing! Thanks for sharing! Legoland has been on our list but haven't gone yet. It does looks so fun though!

 

[mgc]

I was just going to say Legoland resort. Of all the family resorts we have been to, that one was probably best for theming and being family friendly. It is just a really fun resort if you have young kids and super easy for parents.

I live in NY and there are a bunch of fun family resorts in my area. Similar to Woodloch mentioned above there is Rocking Horse Ranch. Its in the NY area. It’s another all inclusive for food activities (not alcohol though you can bring your own) with so much to do. There is also Skytop Resort in the poconos. That’s great for the variety of activities depending on the season. Myrtle Beach is another good area for family resorts. I am not sure about the caliber of service at some of them but lots have water parks. We stayed at the Marriott Vacation Club resort there which didn’t have the water parks but had a few pools and a ton of family friendly activities. The nicest thing about that was that most everything was included. I get frustrated when i pay a lot for my resort and then they want to charge extra for s’mores supplies. That resort kept us busy for the whole week.

I think I have come across others but I am blanking on them. I am always on the lookout for new places though. The one thing I could never find that I loved about Disney which of course they are getting rid of is the magical express. Nothing has ever been so great as not having to worry about getting your luggage at the airport with small kids. It’s what first got me really into Disney. I am so sad it’s going away or I guess is actually gone because of Covid now.

Thanks for the great suggestions!
It's funny you say the magical express is how you got into Disney- same with me! My first trip as an adult was with my then 2.5 year old son and my mom (My husband was on an extended business trip so we decided to head to Disney for few days)...The fact that I could get off the plane and onto a bus without dealing with luggage hassles, go to a hotel room with a pack and play all set up, dine in restaurants that all had food my picky toddler would eat AND enjoy a fun/nice pool ( we stayed at AofA that trip) made me a Disney fan.... the theme parks were just a bonus as far as I was concerned!

 

[mgc]

This might be a cheap answer but Universal. The resorts there have all the same amenities, theming, and service level as Disney, but are usually less crowded, like you can easily find a pool chair in the late afternoon.

I'm not normally one who stays at family resorts (Disney excluded), but the closest I think I've been was the Marriott Hutchinson Island beach resort. Located close to Ft. Lauderdale, there wasn't much theming but the service and staff were great. It reminds me of Vero beach with more activities.

As my son gets older, I think we will be trying out Universal soon. Thanks for the info!

 

[mgc]

I don't know how "family" this is but Mohegan Sun Resort in Uncasville, CT had me thinking this is what it would feel like if Disney built a Vegas hotel.

We have friends who go to Mohegan all the time (pre-COVID, not sure if they've been recently)...Their son always had a blast in the kids club while they enjoyed the black jack tables or went to see a show

 

[Beckyb3]

Thanks for the great suggestions!
It's funny you say the magical express is how you got into Disney- same with me! My first trip as an adult was with my then 2.5 year old son and my mom (My husband was on an extended business trip so we decided to head to Disney for few days)...The fact that I could get off the plane and onto a bus without dealing with luggage hassles, go to a hotel room with a pack and play all set up, dine in restaurants that all had food my picky toddler would eat AND enjoy a fun/nice pool ( we stayed at AofA that trip) made me a Disney fan.... the theme parks were just a bonus as far as I was concerned!

I agree with you wholeheartedly! When my kids were very young it was just so hard to travel because of all the stuff you have to drag along with you. It just made it so easy not worrying about car seats and luggage and then everything else was easy and relaxed too! I was totally converted! Also I always felt super safe with the kids at the pools with them having life jackets and good lifeguards. It took the stress out of vacationing with a young child. I loved it as a child but not as much as I do as a parent and now just as an adult! If you haven't tried a Disney cruise you should! I don't like cruising in general but with the kids its better because of the same reasons. It's nice to see different places and have everything be so perfectly planned for families. Plus my children LOVED the kids club so it was nice to have family time and adult time.