Help us pick a resort (newbie)

[TracyCT]

We are just starting to look at all things Disney World. Overwhelming, and yet underwhelming on the official website as far as information on each resort goes. (That's my last complaint).

We are a family of 4...looking to go in a year when our boys will be 6 and 7 1/2. Our younger son has some developmental delays. Our older one does not, but he does have some issues with over-stimulation...(why the heck are we going? oh yeah...they and my husband...LOVE star wars...)...

So my concerns with where to stay include - easy enough to get to/from attractions and resort, simple food options for kids (pizza, grill cheese, snacks) so a kid friendly restaurant where we can all enjoy our dinner. I like the idea of a really fun pool. My husband would rather "go all out" and I don't think that's necessary. One thing I've read about the budget level is the lines for busses and smaller rooms - true? So maybe we go middle of the road? But will those meet my other concerns? Do we choose meals/restaurants based on which resort will be at each day and not worry about hotel restaurants? TIA

 

[Ensusieasm]

We are just starting to look at all things Disney World. Overwhelming, and yet underwhelming on the official website as far as information on each resort goes. (That's my last complaint).

We are a family of 4...looking to go in a year when our boys will be 6 and 7 1/2. Our younger son has some developmental delays. Our older one does not, but he does have some issues with over-stimulation...(why the heck are we going? oh yeah...they and my husband...LOVE star wars...)...

So my concerns with where to stay include - easy enough to get to/from attractions and resort, simple food options for kids (pizza, grill cheese, snacks) so a kid friendly restaurant where we can all enjoy our dinner. I like the idea of a really fun pool. My husband would rather "go all out" and I don't think that's necessary. One thing I've read about the budget level is the lines for busses and smaller rooms - true? So maybe we go middle of the road? But will those meet my other concerns? Do we choose meals/restaurants based on which resort will be at each day and not worry about hotel restaurants? TIA

Beach Club or Yacht club resorts share a pool called Storm Along Bay which is a very fun pool. These are deluxe resorts, so not cheap, but you can walk (20 min) or take a boat to Hollywood Studios where The Force Awakens. Another option is a moderately priced resort. Port Orleans Riverside or Caribbean Beach Resort are in this Moderate Category. The pool at Caribbean Beach is a kid favorite. These Moderate resorts have bus transportation to all the parks and large counter service food courts with many food options. Have fun planning!

 

[TracyCT]

Beach Club or Yacht club resorts share a pool called Storm Along Bay which is a very fun pool. These are deluxe resorts, so not cheap, but you can walk (20 min) or take a boat to Hollywood Studios where The Force Awakens. Another option is a moderately priced resort. Port Orleans Riverside or Caribbean Beach Resort are in this Moderate Category. The pool at Caribbean Beach is a kid favorite. These Moderate resorts have bus transportation to all the parks and large counter service food courts with many food options. Have fun planning!

Thank you so much!

 

[beagee]

So my concerns with where to stay include - easy enough to get to/from attractions and resort, simple food options for kids (pizza, grill cheese, snacks) so a kid friendly restaurant where we can all enjoy our dinner. I like the idea of a really fun pool. My husband would rather "go all out" and I don't think that's necessary. One thing I've read about the budget level is the lines for busses and smaller rooms - true? So maybe we go middle of the road? But will those meet my other concerns? Do we choose meals/restaurants based on which resort will be at each day and not worry about hotel restaurants? TIA

I wouldn't worry too much about the food at the resort if your primary concern is finding a kid-friendly meal. From the Grand Floridan to Pop Century, every Disney resort offers at least one place where you can get basic, kid-friendly options like pizza and chicken fingers and apple slices. It's Disney -- they're pretty good at feeding kids. Personally, I would put a higher priority on transportation. Your kids are going to be exhausted leaving the parks, which is what we call The Meltdown Zone. Being able to get back to the hotel quickly and efficiently is important for us.

If you're doing a moderate resort, French Quarter is a good option because of the buses (first to pick up and drop off). The pool also has a great slide, and our girls loved it. It's quiet and small resort. It doesn't have a table service restaurant, but that's probably not a big drawback for you.

If you're thinking about a Deluxe, Beach Club is a great choice with the pool and easy access to Epcot and HS.
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[TracyCT]

I wouldn't worry too much about the food at the resort if your primary concern is finding a kid-friendly meal. From the Grand Floridan to Pop Century, every Disney resort offers at least one place where you can get basic, kid-friendly options like pizza and chicken fingers and apple slices. It's Disney -- they're pretty good at feeding kids. Personally, I would put a higher priority on transportation. Your kids are going to be exhausted leaving the parks, which is what we call The Meltdown Zone. Being able to get back to the hotel quickly and efficiently is important for us.

If you're doing a moderate resort, French Quarter is a good option because of the buses (first to pick up and drop off). The pool also has a great slide, and our girls loved it. It's quiet and small resort. It doesn't have a table service restaurant, but that's probably not a big drawback for you.

If you're thinking about a Deluxe, Beach Club is a great choice with the pool and easy access to Epcot and HS.
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I think you're right about transportation being more important than food...makes sense. Meltdown zone - love it! If we do deluxe, I am leaning toward Beach Club. Wilderness lodge pool is closed thru 2017 it says on the site...otherwise I might have thought about that. I need to go look at French Quarter again. TY!

 

[beagee]

Wilderness lodge pool is closed thru 2017 it says on the site

I think that's actually just the WL "quiet" pool that's closed right now, not the main pool, which has just been redone and is awesome. We were there last September and loved it. We are big fans of WL. It has possibly the best family table service restaurant of any resort -- Whispering Canyon -- which is actually worth a trip there just for dinner, even if you don't stay there. So fun, especially for kids your boys' ages.

 

[lovetoscrap]

Moving this to the Resorts Board.

 

[TGM]

Try the Boardwalk. It is very close to EPCOT and Disney's Hollywood Studios (where all of the Star Wars stuff is). There are 2 pools, one of which with a slide, and elephants that shoot water. There is a wide variety of food selections with the boardwalk outside (Cat Cora's italian place, Big River Grill, The Bakery, etc.). The resort has a lot of places to run around and explore too!

 

[whitney250]

I really loved Pop! when we stayed there in July. The theme is really cute an their food choices are great! Pop doesn't share busses with other resorts, so that is definitely a plus, and if you get a preferred room you are closer to the buses and food court.

 

[AinsleyLM]

If you go middle of the road, I vote for Caribbean Beach. I love the feel of this resort. It really feels like you are somewhere tropical. Great pool for the kids. It's pirate themed which my nephew LOVED. Great food court with several different options. The bus stops at each "village" and at the food court. I have never had a problem with transportation there.

 

[disBEAST]

Value: Art of Animation. Even though you are paying more for a suite if you book it, the pool is the largest in WDW and is wonderfully themed. There is also a wet play area and a dry playground in the main pool vicinity. The food court is large and has plenty of options, and if you get bored of Landscape of Flavors you can walk across the bridge to Pop Century and eat at their food court. Speaking of the bridge, you can also take the Pop Century bus to get to AoA, and vice versa. For value resorts this is the best transportation set up you will find and it even beats most Moderate and Deluxe resorts. Pop is also an excellent choice for park warriors who don't mind a small room, but if you want more space and a little more magic in your room then go with AoA.

Moderate: I haven't stayed at any of this tier, as I tend to go Deluxe or Value, depending on the type of trip. I hear good things about Caribbean Beach and Port Orleans French Quarter, but I tend to step either up or down to take advantage of more amenities or save money.

Deluxe: The best resorts for travel time are the Epcot resorts. Yacht/Beach and Boardwalk are all walking distance to two parks and quick buses to the other two. Yacht/Beach has the better pool as PP noted. If you want a MK Deluxe I would go with Poly. The pool is fantastic and you are two stops away from MK on the resort monorail. You can also walk to the TTC to access the Epcot monorail.

 

[ChasingLeslie]

I'd recommend CSR (great bus service, centrally located, wonderful theme pool & slide, many food options) or BC/YC (stormalong bay, Epcot area/walkable to several excellent restaurants).

 

[bphilb]

I would also recommend Art of Animation. The pool is wonderful and the food court is great. The kids can get their go to foods such as pizza and burgers, but adults can choose Italian, Asian or something different if you desire. Also, the theming is fantastic. The only downside is you will bus to all parks and given it is a newer resort the bus stop for AoA is almost always near the end. Other than that though it is a really fun resort and if you get the suite you can have separate beds for the kids and will be able to have a room to yourself when they go to sleep. Good luck on your decision (you really can't go wrong) and do some research. Too me that is almost as fun as the trip.

 

[Dug720]

Another vote for CBR! Love everything about this resort.

 

[LSLS]

I would agree with what most are saying. I think CBR would be good if you want moderate. If you want a deluxe, Beach/Yacht would be a perfect fit. Quick and easy access to Epcot and Hollywood Studios (you can walk to either one or take the boat); lots of food options with the two resorts, the Boardwalk (a 5 minute walk), and Epcot all right there; and the best pool in Disney bar none. At night you could walk over to the Boardwalk to watch street performers, watch a movie on the beach, and they also have a large arcade.

 

[dancemonkey]

So I'm the probably the only who thinks this, but I find Stormalong Bay to be chaotic. I also feel the quick service options are way better at the moderates. That being said I have not stayed at a value. We like having a car at Disney. That way we don't feel trapped. We will use the Disney Transportation too! They're are lots of great choices. You really can't go wrong with whatever you choose. We're MK fans so we always choose a monorail resort.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Recommendations: pop or movies (art of animation suites way overpriced)

Coronado or French quarter

Beach club, Boardwalk, or animal kingdom (wilderness lodge too ripped up)

 

[nilla]

Coronado.

 

[Disney Dreamer 24]

Value: Pop Moderate: POR!

 

[wdw4rfam]

Another vote for CBR. It's our families favorite, and we found it had a great foodcourt for kid friendly items.its has a great pirate pool that kids love, and a zero entry pool.