favorite resort for toddlers

[emmababy]

Can you all give me tips on your favorite resorts for when your kiddies were less than 5. We own at BWV, but are thinking it won't be conducive to our little brood because of no counter service and being inside. We liked OKW when we stayed there because it was spread out and they had water activities. And the CS was right by the pool for those lazy days. Just didn't care for the location. Any other tips or suggestions would be great. Are BCV and Saratoga the only dvc with zero entry pools? Do all the pools have slides?

 

[PIERCEDRN]

My Daughters 4 and 1 both loved the AKV the most it is so convenient for one of the best CS Mara. The whole place is eye candy with its theming; any time we walked anywhere, my 4yo would ask "Daddy are we going on an adventure?" The pool was her favorite but we had a short stirring experience with the Zero Entry area. She walked in without any float and hung by the side for 2 minutes and then bravely "Zero Entri-ed" her way into water way above her head. I jumped in with my clothes still on and grabbed her so no harm done but I only took my eye off her for only 10 seconds. She stayed in the deeper part with water wings the rest of the stay. The slide RULES! Don't forget to look up when the ceramic painting is at the Cub's Den. The Ariel she painted herself is her most prized souvenir. It is SO worth being a bit further from the parks.

The VWL was really nice and the kids would wander the lobby and have a blast. The pool was nice with a cool silde, but no zero entry. The restaurants are convenient, but I always thought the CS looks dumpy, time for a facelift. My girls loved the ferry to the MK!

SSR was too spread out for my tastes even though we were in Grandstand right by the office. The grandstand quiet pool was lots of fun and has a nice kiddie spray section and has a drink refill. The big pool had a nice slide and kids area too. We own here but not the biggest fan, mostly bought for extra 12 yrs. But when they are older, I will love walking to golf course!
BOB

 

[happymommy]

I have to say that the only DVC resort we've stayed at is BWV (once when our kids were 2 and 4, once 4 years later). They loved it since we loved it. It was our youngest's first trip to WDW when she was two, and it was wonderful to have the full kitchen (we drove down, so brought lots of dry goods foods with us) and the space was nice. Honestly, they'll love anywhere, and probably only remember the time they had with you. I loved the fact that we were in Epcot (my kids' favorite theme park) one day, and my son's socks got wet. My DH said he'd go back to the room to get a dry pair, and he was back in about 20 minutes or less. It was amazing. One night, my DH was chilling and DD was ready to sleep (at 2yo) and DS was crying to see spaceship earth one more time that night, so I strapped him into the double stroller, walked him to the ride, we did his favorite ride, he fell asleep on the way back, and it was so fun. So if you ask me, it's up to you. We LOVE Epcot. Therefore, our kids LOVE Epcot. When I give them a choice, especially at the end of a vacation, they want to see something there! I think it brings them happy thoughts, and if you own at BWV I'd stay there.

Yes, there is a slide. And you can get pizza by the slice and some other things at the Boardwalk. I never ate at the pool, but if you have a kitchen and little kids, I think the easiest thing to do is bring a small cooler to the pool with their favorite snacks. I agree that I wish there were counter service at the BWV. In the afternoon, the hot dog cart on the boardwalk has some awsome hot dogs and onion rings (and they are super not expensive). We did them a couple of times. Also, Epcot is so close, that we actually did a run to a place there for food to bring back. Seriously.

Good luck!

 

[emmababy]

Thanks for all of your great input!! I can't wait to stay at BWV and see what we think. We visited it last year when we were at Epcot, and it felt like we were "home" and couldn't wait to stay there. Now we'll see what we think. I love it from a points value and location, so we'll see how I like the other parts.

Do they have a kids club there? Once they are older we would love to go to Jellyrolls!

 

[jpolak]

I have to say our last stay was at BWV and before the trip my biggest concern was the lack of a sit down or cs location in the actual resort. I do have to say BWV is now by far our fav. The walk to the BW Bakery for a CS was not bad. I would make the walk while the girls relaxed by the pool. DD loved the water slide and walking to Epcot adn MGM was great. We have stayed at almost all of the DVC resorts and they all have had their pros and cons for our little one. BCV was great for the location since we spent a lot of time at studios (DD couldn't get enough of playhouse disney). The zero entry part of the pool was great for her to sit and play in the water. Having cape may cafe made meals real easy and convienent. WLV was great again for the convience of meal locations and boat to MK was really nice. SSR was nice, the walk to AP was not so bad and DD really liked the kiddie slide(this was pre BWV). Good luck with your decision, it really is a nice problem to have.

 

[dvcdisney]

With our two children, we find BCV is the favourite. Not only because it's convenient to two parks (can just walk the stroller over to Epcot or MGM), but also the pool has a large area for little ones. Usually other resorts will have an area where the water is low and there's some sand, but I find that SALB is truly one of the better pools.

 

[surfer_ed]

I might sugest you also think of Wilderness Lodge. You can wheel your stroller onto the ferry instead f carrying a sleeping kid on and off the bus.

 

[emmababy]

Thanks for everyone's great tips!! We won't be making our first trip with both kids until next year, so it gives us some time to think! I would love to eventually stay at all the resorts!

For those with two kids, do any of you do studios?

 

[bobbiwoz]

We've only stayed at VWL with our DGC. June will be our 3rd year there, and they began coming when they were 1,2 and 3.

The boat ride to MK has been very convenient. We've done the Cinderella family meal at GF, and have had no problems getting there. We've done things at FW as well.

This November we are going to try BCV as our next WDW location.

Bobbi

 

[PIERCEDRN]

We did studios and used the balcony a lot when we were putting the 1yo to sleep. Our 4yo would get a head start on bed while we give the lil one wind down time on the balcony (she would love to snuggle and watch animals at AKV ). The 1 bedroom we had at SSR was really easy though, but we can't justify that every time. I would also take the 4yo for a walk to get hot chocolate and sit by the fire at AKV or VWL and come back when the lil one was asleep. Obviously that can't work unless you have two adults available. BOB

 

[happymommy]

I think the washer/dryer in the 1br is such a draw, plus having the kitchen is nice. It's nice to put the younger one to bed in the bedroom and shut the door (when DD was 2, she tried the pack and play, but that didn't do too well, so she slept with me in the bedroom, DS and DH did the pull out sofa, well, it's like musical beds sometimes depending on who's sleepy early).

The studios don't have any draw to me, with two kids.

I don't think there are any kids' clubs in the Boardwalk area. You could go to another resort and use them, like the one at the Poly, or the AKL has Simba's Cubhouse, if you want to go to Jiko (we did that one time), but then you'll have to go all the way back to your resort. Honestly, we did that one time, when we were staying at AKL, and both agreed it was silly. The restaurants are so kid friendly anyway, and it's expensive ($60 for the 3 hours for 2 kids). My son just played video games the whole time, as he was almost 7, and it is really more for little kids. DD was 4 1/2 and loved it, but I wouldn't do it again. For us, but night time at WDW we're as tired as the kids!

 

[DVC Mary]

#1 VWL b/c when they were that little we went to MK more times than any other park, kids loved the pool & geyser, access to the beach to watch the Electrical Lights Water Parade/watch MK fireworks (while waiting they could play at the playground or in the sand, stroller on & off boats, VWL seems likes the resort which is closest to the bus stop, counter food close to the pool, & sit down restaurant Whispering Canyon is family friendly w/ Lincoln Logs, pony races led by the servers, etc. And they have a kids club on site if you want to enjoy a more adult meal at a fantastic restaurant whose name escapes me this early.

#2 AKL for the animals, great pool, wonderful free kids activities around the pool area, storytelling around the fire at night, great counter service, & my kids enjoyed Boma's buffet--some kids don't enjoy trying new foods. My toddler at that time loved quinoa & pap ???, cookie decorating, so much to see & learn just from walking around the resort. My then 5 yr old never stopped talking about getting to try the night vision binocular w/ one of the CMs, great kids club & wonderful more adult restaurant w/ fantastic South African wines at Jiko. If you stay Concierge on the right days you can pay extra for a early morning family safari before the park opens that is like no other & ends w/ a fantastic breakfast buffet in the park w/ the guide.

#3 BCV for the pool, location, Cape May character breakfast, easy access to counter service--including Beaches & Cream for yummy ice cream.

We own at BWV, but have only stayed there twice, b/c DH's fav is AKL & mine is VWL.

My kids are older now enjoy the ESPN zone when we stay at BWV.

Have a great trip!