For resort only trips??

[momto2js]

My DH will be deployed overseas this summer and I am trying to pack the summer calendar with things for the kids and I to do. I am not a "crowd" person and there is NO way I would venture into a disney park in late June with my kids (boys age 3 and 5) alone.

However, I was considering taking them to a disney resort for a couple of nights to enjoy the pool and other things. We usually stay off property but for a couple of days we could make a hotel room work.

It appears that price is not really and issue, but I need a place that my kids will LOVE. We love the water and swimming. I am thinking that if we use the resort in the morning and early evening the crowds shouldn't be too bad right??

 

[KathyK]

I think that it sounds like a great idea. A couple of years ago, when my husband forgot to ask for some time off from work for our planned trip (and couldn't get it), I made the trip with the kids who were 7 and 8 at the time. I did take them into parks, but they would have been just as happy to spend the entire trip at the Boardwalk pool.

 

[partypa]

Have a look at the Caribbean Beach, the new pool and water activity area is great for kids those ages
Port Orleans Riverside is also fun and you could take the boat to Downtown Disney for a evening out

 

[pixarmom]

momto2js, I think this is a great idea! We've done non-parks WDW visits before and we really enjoy them. Our two favorites for non-parks visits are AKL and BC.

The pools at AKL are amazing and we really love both Sanaa and Jiko. The benefit of AKL is that, if your kids would be upset by seeing the parks, not a problem! And you could drive or hop on the bus to DTD.

Our favorite option for a non-parks stay is BC. Now, the kids will be able to see Epcot, so I don't know if that's a problem. But there are so many benefits! SAB is our favorite pool on property and we have easily spent the entire day there. You would have access to all of the shopping and dining around the entire Epcot resort area, including the character breakfast at Cape May. You can also see Illuminations fireworks from a number of different places in the Epcot resort area outside the park. BC/YC also offers the pirate cruise for kids, movies on the beach at night and poolside activities during the day.

Good luck with your decision!

 

[Deb & Bill]

With two smaller children, aged 3 and 5, you won't want to go to the BC/YC complex and swim at Stormalong Bay. The pool area is huge. There are deep areas that are 8 feet deep with a swift current. It would be hard to watch two small kids.

Most of the moderates have fun pools. The value pools are a bit more plain without slides.

AKV-Kidani Village has a fun pool area for younger kids. SSR has some fun pool areas for kids, too.

 

[wlake]

We did a no park trip this past summer with our 9 and 6 year old boys and stayed at YC. We loved it! You can do SAB because the kiddie pool is huge and shallow. My boys loved digging in the sand with the lunch buckets from Hurricane Hanna's. My 6 year old rarely left the kiddie pool and was happy. We took monorail and boat rides and played mini golf.

 

[mousemamma]

The Caribbean Beach Resort has a fantastic pool but even better for small children a splash park area with very shallow water. My kids loved it! Might be perfect for a 3 and 5 year old, plus lounge chairs within arms reach for mom to relax in.

 

[minniebeth]

There are so many choices, and after thinking about this for a while, I would also recommend Carribean Beach, in a preferred room (closer to main pool/foodcourt). I think it not only has the nicest resort pools/play areas but also the most user friendly for your aged kids. The food court is right there too for easy access for food and drinks. If you have a preferred room, it's a short walk to everything.

There are several other quiet pools for use as well, and in the main pool, you can see some of the Epcot fireworks as well. There are beaches for the kids to play on and hammocks to swing on too. The food court is decent, and is not my overall favorite but Banana Cabana, the bar is great

There is a playground and great place to explore on Parrot Cay, a little island in the middle of the resort's waterways.

Bus service to other parks, etc. is good (was when we were there.)

With kids your ages, I wouldn't even do the parks, unless you really have your heart set on it, there is so much to do without them. Mini golf, Downtown Disney, resort swimming....more than enough. I really don't think the parks thin out that much at night that time of year, it's just somewhat cooler than being out in the hot sun. You'll still encounter decent waits for rides suitable for your kids.

I also second Port Orleans Riverside for another choice...like another poster said, the kids would love the pools (you can use the ammenities at POFQ too) and the boat to DTD.

I know you said money was no object, but I really think these two moderates would fulfill everything you are looking for with the kids your ages.

The one other I would say would be awesome is Bay Lake Tower. A studio there would suit your needs there perfectly and they have the refrigerator/microwave for breakfasts, etc. The pool there is wonderful, Community Hall is awesome for activities if you are not doing parks and want more resort centered activities and you have the fireworks, water parade, monorail and short walk to the MK.

No matter what you choose, I think it will be a great fun getaway!

 

[pixarmom]

Regarding SAB at BC, I just wanted to add that we have three boys (currently ages 5, 11 and 12) and we think SAB is great for little ones.

There are four entirely separate areas of the pool and only one of those separate areas have the swift current with a small area that's 8 feet deep. (Actually, none of our kids have ever been interested in that area, even the older boys.) For our youngest, the zero depth sand-bottom area is perfect. It's not only zero depth, but about 2 feet deep throughout, except for one area that's 3 feet deep. For photos of all these areas, with descriptions and specific info regarding depths, follow this link to photos I took of SAB: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2790323

 

[Roo2]

I agree with pixarmom- I was lucky enough to get to stay at the Yacht Club with my then 3-year old, and we had such a relaxing time at the shallow sandy part of SAB! My daughter was so happy to paddle in the shallow water, build sand castles, etc at the shallow sand bottomed "beach" that she never even noticed the rest of the deeper pool. You can borrow life vests and toys from the lifeguards, there are plenty of lounge chairs, and it was great to have wait staff come by periodically, to get a virgin pina colada, food, etc. There is also a "kiddie" slide on the deck of the Pirate ship, which my daughter loved, and a playground and kiddie pool closer to the Yacht club. My daughter also loved feeding the ducks in the lake and looking for lizards everywhere. In addition, they now offer movies and a campfire/marshmallow roast every night on the beach (weather permitting), and you can watch the highest fireworks from Illuminations every night, right from the beach. Taking the boat across to stroll the Boardwalk is also fun, as is exploring the Swan/Dolphin, with a miniature golf course a short walk from there. There are many dining options within walking/boating distance, and several arcades. I think you could have a fun-filled vacation at YC/BC, without ever missing the parks. Good luck with your decision!
Roo2

 

[Camno's Mama]

We are doing the same thing on our next trip...staying at AKV.

But we've stayed at ASMu and POP in the past, as well as POR. They would all work well for a trip like that. My boys loved the boat at POR...they also have surrey type rides, and there is a walkway to POFQ where you can also use the pool there. The pool at POR is just awesome. And there is entertainment at night, which is kind of on the late side, but not too bad. 8:00, I think. That would be my choice if we weren't renting points. We are actually paying less than we would for a mod with the points rental.

Good luck!

 

[fla4fun]

I would suggest a Fort Wilderness cabin, if it fits within your budget. They have tons of kids activities at the fort, and you can put the kids to bed in the bedroom and have some adult time in the living room if you want to. They updated the main pool to include a slide a couple years back, as well as a great splash area for the little ones, plus there is a quiet pool near the cabins. If you are driving, you have your own parking space right outside the cabin, and you have a full kitchen to fix meals and snacks to save money.

My favorite resorts for long weekends with no parks are FW and WL. I guess it depends on whether you're looking for an "in your face" Disney experience without the parks. Neither of my favorites is over the top Disney, but they both feel very Disney to me. Of course, you can always go to DTD to get your Mickey Mouse fix - mornings there can be very tranquil.