HELP!!! Which resort would you choose??

[PrincessBelle23]

Hello DISers!
I need your help & opinions in choosing a restort for next summer! We will be going as part of a WISH for a wonderful 5 year old girl I help nanny for. The family has considered the Grand Floridian, Poly, or the Beach Club, but would love to hear of any other opinions!

We would most likely get two adjoining rooms, and there would be 7 people all together - 4 adults and three children who by then will be 6, 5, and 2!
Obviously being kid-friendly is hugely important, but considering the conditions of the trip they want it to be super-special as well!

TIA for your help! I look forward to hearing your responses!!!

 

[suzimar57]

GF is on the monorail line, and closest to MK (which might be the favorite of a 5 y/o girl, princesses and all that) - BC is within walking distance of both EP and MGM - all depends on where you plan to spend most of your time

 

[MJMcBride]

Poly narrowly over the AKL, although I never stayed at the AKL it is beatiful with great food.

 

[kaysmommie]

Depends on waht would be super special for the little girl. If she is very girly and princessy then I would say GF. My DD really wanted to stay there on her Bday but it wasn't in the budget. If she likes animals then AKL Savannah view would be really nice. My favorite resort is Poly since it's more laid back than GF and is one of the Disney originals. If your not staying at AKL then choose a monorail resort, GF or Poly. Most everything is kid friendly at Disney.

 

[spiceycat]

polyn - easy access to both MK and epcot.

you can catch the monrail at the polyn for MK.

for Epcot you walk over to the TTC and get on its monrail there. (this is the only resort where walking to the TTC is encouraged)

you can also walk over and catch the ferry or express monrail to the MK.

just depends upon where your building is - if close to TTC - would go with TTC. if you are close to the GCH - then stick with the monrail there - it is on the 2nd floor.

 

[TigerKat]

I just adore the EPCOT resorts for the convenience to both EPCOT and DHS. Also there's such a wide variety of restaurants in that area and the Boardwalk itself is so much fun!

 

[concept5123]

i think if she likes tea parties go to gf because of that.. the tea room is greatmy wife and i love going there.

 

[Va-bear]

Depends on waht would be super special for the little girl. If she is very girly and princessy then I would say GF. My DD really wanted to stay there on her Bday but it wasn't in the budget. If she likes animals then AKL Savannah view would be really nice. My favorite resort is Poly since it's more laid back than GF and is one of the Disney originals. If your not staying at AKL then choose a monorail resort, GF or Poly. Most everything is kid friendly at Disney.

Exactly! When I was a young girl I considered princesses, etc. very, very boring and stupid (sorry all - just being honest here. ) I was ALL about the animals - so AKL would have been the one for me. Now, if she is into the outdoors at all I'd say WL - when my boys were there they went NUTS for riding the boat to MK - its fast, fun, and you're kindof outside. (We took it to Fort Wilderness too - for Hoop De DO - a HUGE hit.) Being on the monorail IS nice - espcecially if your dealing w/ a couple of strollers and/or a wheelchair.. to me Poly seems more kid-like (ie not so formal as the GF...) (So, I am voting Poly for the family's covenience but the otehrs if she leans that way.)

Hope its a good trip and everyone has a good time.

 

[PlainJane]

It would be between GF, AKL, and Poly for me.

GF: Like others have said, if she's really into princesses. The monorail transportation would also be a plus because of the two year old, you wouldn't have to fold up their stroller all the time.

AKL: I would only choose AKL if you are staying on the Savannah, and she really likes animals.

Poly: If she's more into Peter Pan, or always wanted to go to Hawaii. The transportation is by far the best at the Poly, you don't have to connect monorails to get to Epcot, which is a big time saver.

 

[Ratpack]

My vote is for the Poly. The theme is great, like being in a tropical paradise. The pool is very nice with a zero entry which is really nice since you will have a 2 yo and the slide is very fun for the older kids. You are located across from MK so you have a great view of the fireworks from the beach or pool area.

 

[MinnieSummer]

I picked Poly but with much thought. As others have stated it depends on what the little girl is into. It also depends on her physical abilities. The Beach Club pool is absolutely great for kids but if she can't go up and down steps it mights be kind of depressing as she won't be able to use the slide. My DD didn't really love the GF even though she loved the Cinderella dinner there. The Poly is great for the view of MK and O'hana's for dinner as well as the Volcano Pool. AKL is just awesome but not if you don't like animals. As you can see there is no easy answer to this question. It's a decision the family must make based on the situation.

 

[EnnEss]

I voted Poly even though I would never choose it for myself (dont have kids). I think the theming will be greatly enjoyed by the kids, the monorail even more so. Over the GF because of theming, and over all the rest because of proximity to MK and the monorail. I don't usually factor those heavily into my thought process as MK is just one of 4 parks and its the only one that is easy to use with the monorail, but I loved the monorail as a kid, so....

 

[PrincessBelle23]

Depends on waht would be super special for the little girl. If she is very girly and princessy then I would say GF. My DD really wanted to stay there on her Bday but it wasn't in the budget.

Good point - she is quite the princess!

I just adore the EPCOT resorts for the convenience to both EPCOT and DHS. Also there's such a wide variety of restaurants in that area and the Boardwalk itself is so much fun!

That's how I feel too! Most of my favorite restaurants are over there - yummy! I also heard the pool was incredible there, so I thought she may benefit from that

Hope its a good trip and everyone has a good time.

Thank you!!

I picked Poly but with much thought. As others have stated it depends on what the little girl is into. It also depends on her physical abilities. The Beach Club pool is absolutely great for kids but if she can't go up and down steps it mights be kind of depressing as she won't be able to use the slide. My DD didn't really love the GF even though she loved the Cinderella dinner there. The Poly is great for the view of MK and O'hana's for dinner as well as the Volcano Pool. AKL is just awesome but not if you don't like animals. As you can see there is no easy answer to this question. It's a decision the family must make based on the situation.

That's a really great point... though we don't know for sure where she'll be next year, the Drs have said she should be back to being herself & a regular kid. While I don't worry about her physical ability, she does tire easy and that would be a concern if she saw everyone else. Thank you!

 

[PrincessBelle23]

Thanks to everyone for your input! I'm going to print this for the family and hopefully it will help them further decide!

 

[Tinks]

If she is "quite the princess" as you said, then I would choose the GF. The GF is charming and airy and bright....all things we ladies appreciate. The transportation at the GF is also very good. Any of the monorail resorts would be.

I wouldn't suggest the BC. The pool is extremely large and fairly spread out. Also, the big slide is positioned so you have to do a bit of walking almost out of the pool area itself to climb the stairs to the top. Not especially younger child friendly, IMO.

 

[WDW LifeLong Fan]

As others have mentioned, I would do what the little girl wanted. Perhaps show her pictures or go online to view the resorts and see what "Peaks" her interest. It may be an easy choice after that.

Love all of them for different reasons. With your circumstances and group, I would choose POLY if the little girl didn't have a preference.

Good Luck!