Help a noob pick a resort?

[erintara]

Disney noob here. We have flights booked for Disney from April 27th to May 4th, and we were planning to take advantage of the Canadian room special. After researching a few of the resorts, we felt strongly that Pop Century was the way to go. I waited too long and now the resort is all booked up for that time.
I've been trying to do more research, but thought that this might be the best way to get real life opinions. Help a girl out?
I have two boys, who will be almost 4 and almost 2. The number one criteria is kid-friendly. A zero-entry pool (walk-in) for the babes is necessary - I want the kids to enjoy themselves in the water without having me hold them the entire time and the young one isn't ready for water wings. If he can sit on the bottom of the pool, that would be perfect. A splash pad is a bonus.
We're not doing a meal plan because my kids barely eat anything, so we'll be eating at the hotel food court quite a bit.
The cheaper the better. We can't afford Deluxe.
I looked at the All-Star Sports hotel but it didn't get great reviews, the kids aren't into sports yet, and for some reason it was more expensive than some of the moderates?

Any suggestions?

 

[ujdsmd]

We have stayed at several resorts and different levels (value to deluxe villa).
The pop is best no because it has anything that the other values don't, it just has the best bus service of any of the resorts where we've vacationed.
As far as I know, no values or mods. have 0-entry pools, but all have kiddi pools and or water play areas.
I would suggest the Moves. The buildings are all themed w/different dis movies and if your kids like Toy Story, well then they will like the Movies.
The second choice would be the Music (it's closest to the Movies). The Sports being on the other end of the All Star property.
Anyone of them is fine. Each has it's own food court and pools.
Hope this was of some help. BTW Port Orleans Riverside is our fav.
'06
'07
'09
'10 twice
'11

 

[Goofy4]

Just like restaurants, people will have preferences but it's really hard to say that one Value is better than another. One may have been rehabbed more recently but you can't count on that as a guarantee that your stay will be any better or worse.

Your kids may recognize the classic Disney characters in the theming at Movies. They may also have fun with the super-size figures at Sports. I'm not sure why Sports would cost more than a Mod.

 

[minnie mum]

I'll give you a different option. CBR is a mod and is very family friendly. It has a wonderful main pool that is zero entry, with an adjacent splash pool for little ones and a good size playground. It also has quiet pools near the 'villages'. It has quite a decent food court as well as a TS restaurant. And if you're thinking about eating mostly counter service all week, don't worry. There are some great alternatives to burgers and hotdogs to be found throughout the resorts and the parks.

Check out the rates and compare with the values. Sometimes, with the discounts available, the mods can fall within restricted budgets.

We have only once stayed at a value and didn't care for the experience, but many find that they perfectly fit the bill. Take a look at the resort photos and descriptions under the resort tab on the main forums page and decide for yourself. Whatever you choose, I hope you all have a wonderful trip.

 

[henry72]

I don't know if you are interested in a moderate but I like the CBR. It has a great pool - the main one has a kid section and has a play area and of course beaches with plenty of sand to play with. We have stayed there twice with our kids and will be staying there again in May.