Gonna go crazy trying to pick...

[asaj]

My wife and I are taking our 6 year old to WDW in Oct. We went in 2003 and stayed at the AKL, and we loved it. We were thinking we would stay at the Beach Club this year, to change things up, but now we don't know. I know she would love the pool (she was all about the water slide at AKL), but I worry that it is a bit too crowded there, and not as quaint as AKL. What are your thoughts? Is it not too bad in Oct?

The other resort we were contemplating was the Wilderness Lodge. I read good things about it, but when we went in 2003 we went with a friend who stayed at WL. We were not as impressed with his room as we were with ours at AKL, so that puts doubt in my mind there.

So, I am starting to go a little crazy, and I still have 10 months til the vacation. I guess I am looking for any insights from the more experienced WDW experts out there. I am not ruling out the moderate resorts either. In fact, I am going to start researching them now. My main requirements are nice quiet (as quiet as can be expected) rooms, and an excellent pool with a water slide (thats my 6 year olds requirement).

Thanks in advance for helping me maintain my sanity...

Andy

 

[Eeyore1928]

Beach Club all the way. Nothing else to say. If pool is a major factor..this is the best one on property! Rooms are nice and big and the resort is kid friendly. The pool has never been too crowed as far as I am concerned..especially during the month of October!

 

[mkymouse4ever]

The bc is a good choice, and you should be ery happy there. The resort is beauitful, great pool, and great location. Check out joe cool's faq it is loaded with info. IMHO we stayed at WL and we not impressed with the resort that much either in comparison to others. The main building is beauitful but the rooms where small for "deluxe" and the pool has a "current" in it, which I don't swim well and found it rather strong. So we have so far choosen not to return, to the wl.

Happy planning, MKY

 

[lagunaseca]

Well, the good news is that I really think you'll be happy at whichever resort you choose. We loved the location of the Beach Club but I'm not going to fib to you, the pool and waterslide were crowded when we were there but that was in May and a couple years ago before they checked resort id's very much. We've stayed at the WL and we really thought the pool there was relaxing and the atmosphere is so neat with the geyser going off etc Our kids LOVED the waterslide. But as you said the downside to the Lodge is that the room itself was pretty small. As far as moderates go we liked POR. It was very quiet and peaceful. The pool isn't as impressive at the others but it does have a waterslide that my children really enjoyed also. I guess I'm not much help but I don't think you can really go wrong with the choices you mentioned.

 

[fantasmicwdw]

Our family loved the Beach Club, especially for its location. We loved having the option to walk to the World Showcase, MGM, and the Boardwalk area. Being so close to the F&W Festival would be great, as well as being able to indulge in the delicious ice cream at Beaches 'N' Cream at any time. Hopefully we'll see you there!

 

[eeyore0062]

Definitely the Beach Club. October would be a good month... Stormalong Bay won't be a crowded with kids and you might be able to claim a chair for yourself, too! No seriously... I think you will LOVE Beach Club. It is very family friendly, convenient and has good restaurants there and close by. The atmosphere is so cheery and bright... like a warm spring day (I would say summer, but I live in Florida... who are we kidding IT IS HOT!) it makes me feel good just to go into the lobby! Next time we go, that is where we are planning to stay. We like our vacations in Oct... maybe we'll see you there!

We have stayed at WL and it was fine, but didn't rock my world. The pool and lobby are nice, but we weren't thrilled with the rooms.... no bigger than the moderates, and with all of that oversized heavy furniture it felt like you just couldn't move around comfortably.

But, to each his own. Whatever you pick, have a wonderful time!

 

[asaj]

I think we have ruled out WL now. But, Coronado Springs sounds like it may be good as well. Will save us about $1400 for the 8-day trip. I guess my main concern with the Beach Club was how crowded it could be. but if everybody is saying Oct won't be bad, than maybe we shouldn't be concerned with that...

I appreciate the input, keep it coming!!!

Thanks.

 

[markm0926]

Funny......Our first stay was at AKL, and we had the same delima afterwards.
Anyways we went with the Beach Club our second year at it was AWESOME.
Third trip we did the Contemporary and this year will finally be at Wilderness Lodge.
If it were me I'd go Beach Club if possible!
Have Fun!!

 

[Micca]

BC is a terrific location. CSR is also very nice and if you think you could use the $1400 elsewhere...

 

[RobinMarie]

I think I'd recommend the PORiverside Resort. My now 7 yo dd loved the Old Man Swimming Hole there. I enjoyed my morning strolls past the ducks in the river, the butterfly gardens and gazebos. I thought this place was a great value for the money.

While we enjoyed the BC, it seemed large, crowded and city-like to us. The Poly and WL are so-so in our opinions, with regards to the pool though we loved the location of both. We have not visited CBR since the renovation.

Typhoon Lagoon is getting to be a regular visit for us each trip, have you considered doing this to get your 'fix' of water slides?

My favorite pool was at the Grand Floridian - the slide seemed steep and I loved the way the beach and pool were close.

Let us know what you choose!

 

[robinb]

Is your 6 year old a very strong swimmer and fearless? If not, Stormalong Bay is not the place for her. My 5 year old is on swim team and I would think twice about letting her down the SAB slide, even though she is an expert at the BWV slide. The AKL slide is a kiddie ride compared to SAB's E-ticket slide. It's very long and very fast and dumps into deep water. Kids must be able to swim away from the slide and cannot wear life vests or floaties down the slide.

If a slide is that important to you and your DD is not a strong swimmer I would pick another resort. The Coronado Springs pool looks very nice and many people love that resort. The Boardwalk Scary Clown Slide is probably the 2nd longest/scary slide on property and I've heard the Boardwalk Inn is quite nice. You can also look into renting points from DVC members over on the Villas side. The studios are very comfortable for a small family.

 

[asaj]

Is your 6 year old a very strong swimmer and fearless? If not, Stormalong Bay is not the place for her. My 5 year old is on swim team and I would think twice about letting her down the SAB slide, even though she is an expert at the BWV slide. The AKL slide is a kiddie ride compared to SAB's E-ticket slide. It's very long and very fast and dumps into deep water. Kids must be able to swim away from the slide and cannot wear life vests or floaties down the slide.

If a slide is that important to you and your DD is not a strong swimmer I would pick another resort. The Coronado Springs pool looks very nice and many people love that resort. The Boardwalk Scary Clown Slide is probably the 2nd longest/scary slide on property and I've heard the Boardwalk Inn is quite nice. You can also look into renting points from DVC members over on the Villas side. The studios are very comfortable for a small family.

That's good info, because I know she would go down the slide without a problem, but she would definitely need a life jacket. thanks for the insight.

 

[kldmom2000]

In my personal opinion, we won't stay anywhere but the Yacht or Beach Club-everything about it is wonderful-the pool, location, etc.... you can't go wrong here!! LOVE THIS HOTEL!!!!