I need resort opinions.

[ZehnJahren]

My mom and I canceled taking my 2 year old to Disney this October, staying at SS. We've decided to reschedule for the last week of April 2021 but I'm having an issue deciding where we're going to stay! We want to stay deluxe or DVC for sure, and we had decided on our favorite resort, Beach Club! But now I'm not so sure.

Background: I've been to Disney quite a bit, and have stayed at AKL, BWV, Poly, BC, YC, and CR. My mom is late 60s, I'm early 40s, and my daughter will be 3. We will be there for 7 nights, but we'll only be doing 4 Park days, and even those will probably be really relaxed because my daughter is very busy and my mom has some medical issues.

We want to take it easy this trip, just like we were going to do this month. We were excited about staying at SS because my mom was going to hang out with my daughter at Disney Springs sometimes while I did other stuff. But we figured that if we were coming back after a pandemic, we wanted to stay at our favorite place with our favorite pool!

But then I started thinking maybe we should stay somewhere like WL - a little cheaper but closer to MK. and we talked about staying at AKL - my almost-three year old would love the animals and the pools. I also thought about BW, since it's also a bit cheaper and I like the Boardwalk area! I think we might be sad looking across at BC though.

We don't want to stay at Poly, GF, OKW, or CR. What would be your choice?

 

[MarBee]

My mom and I canceled taking my 2 year old to Disney this October, staying at SS. We've decided to reschedule for the last week of April 2021 but I'm having an issue deciding where we're going to stay! We want to stay deluxe or DVC for sure, and we had decided on our favorite resort, Beach Club! But now I'm not so sure.

Background: I've been to Disney quite a bit, and have stayed at AKL, BWV, Poly, BC, YC, and CR. My mom is late 60s, I'm early 40s, and my daughter will be 3. We will be there for 7 nights, but we'll only be doing 4 Park days, and even those will probably be really relaxed because my daughter is very busy and my mom has some medical issues.

We want to take it easy this trip, just like we were going to do this month. We were excited about staying at SS because my mom was going to hang out with my daughter at Disney Springs sometimes while I did other stuff. But we figured that if we were coming back after a pandemic, we wanted to stay at our favorite place with our favorite pool!

But then I started thinking maybe we should stay somewhere like WL - a little cheaper but closer to MK. and we talked about staying at AKL - my almost-three year old would love the animals and the pools. I also thought about BW, since it's also a bit cheaper and I like the Boardwalk area! I think we might be sad looking across at BC though.

We don't want to stay at Poly, GF, OKW, or CR. What would be your choice?

I love BC, but with a little one I find the pool area there to be a bit daunting. Since everything is sort of broken up at Stormalong Bay (slide outside of pool area, bridges and walls blocking different parts of pools, etc), I typically don’t recommend it to people with little ones who can’t swim on their own even though I love the resort!
With a 2 year old, I’d recommend a resort with a spray ground. I believe AKL, WL, SSR, and BW all have one. Of that group, I’d go by location of the resort. If you want to spend a lot of time at DS, I’d go With SSR. If you want to spend a lot of time at MK, I’d go with WL. If you plant to spend a lot of time at Epcot or HS, I’d go with Boardwalk. And if you get nostalgic for BC, go on over and visit since it’s a short walk. Maybe book a meal at Cape May Cafe (if they’re open by then) or Beaches and Cream.
I’m super indecisive so I know what you’re going through, but I really feel like there isn’t a bad place to stay out of your choices. Have so much fun!

 

[ladyelizabeth]

I think wilderness lodge is a perfect resort and you can choose between the copper creek villas or Boulder ridge if the hotel side isn’t open yet. The resort is contained, the pool areas are lovely and not as daunting at BC (I always feel like I would lose tracks of kids at stormalong bay because of all the bends), with a nice splash area for the littles. Also you have multiple dining options: roaring forks, geyser point, whispering canyon. AND you can take the boat to the magic kingdom. But I’m a little biased towards the wilderness lodge.

 

[gottalovepluto]

My gut says WL but I haven’t read what’s open with COVID. Peaceful. Beautiful. It kinda blocks everything else out, you can melt away into the ambiance.

*at this time you cannot book AKL, WL, BW or BC. Until they have an opening date they will remain unavailable to book. You can book the DVC portion of each property though. So if you book a DVC that has a full kitchen maybe you can upgrade to the property you want using the money you save by doing some meals on your own?

 

[Marthasor]

BCV is my absolute favorite - the rooms are beautiful and it's in such close proximity to so many things - two parks, the Skyliner, the BC bus stop, tons of restaurants. I found, particularly when my DS was younger, it was so nice to simply put him in a stroller and use our feet to access so much. WL is beautiful (particularly CCV), but, one of the reasons we liked it was the resort boats that went to Ft. W and CR so we could easily access the restaurants and other activities there (stables, pony rides, etc. at Ft. W). Those boats aren't operating right now. We don't really like feeling "trapped" at a resort or having to rely too much on Disney transportation to get to places. The more we can take transportation out of the equation the better for us.

 

[MomOTwins]

WL for sure for the boat to MK, more kid friendly pool and splash pad. Plus the quick service food options are much better at the moment than Beach Club or AKL.

Riviera could also be a good choice. Our little one loved the pools splash pad and riding the gondolas. Rack rates are insane there though so would only stay with points or a big discount

 

[quinacciani]

I LOVE the Epcot resorts and BC is my all time fave, but if park-hopping is not back by then, that area is knocked down a few pegs for me. We are take it slow people too, but I loved being able to pop in to Epcot for dinner after the day in another park, or strolling the Broadwalk area at night.

If WL is open that would be an awesome pic for a kid IMO. Same with AKL. I feel like both are usually knocked for distance to the parks, but with that kind of trip I would say it's less of an issue.

 

[Deb & Bill]

If you are looking at DVC studios, it may come down to who gets to sleep in the real bed and who gets stuck with the sleeper sofa. All the DVC resorts you have selected have one queen bed and either one double or one queen sleeper sofa. Only OKW will have two real queen beds in the studio.

 

[sponica]

Not that I've stayed at either, but I would do either the DVC at wilderness Lodge or AKL (which I think is DVC only right now). I couldn't stay at the epcot area resorts without going to the parks everyday.

 

[Handykapper]

Old Key West members and love the relaxed atmosphere here.

 

[crazylady]

I would choose AKL.

 

[Ricguz]

My mom and I canceled taking my 2 year old to Disney this October, staying at SS. We've decided to reschedule for the last week of April 2021 but I'm having an issue deciding where we're going to stay! We want to stay deluxe or DVC for sure, and we had decided on our favorite resort, Beach Club! But now I'm not so sure.

Background: I've been to Disney quite a bit, and have stayed at AKL, BWV, Poly, BC, YC, and CR. My mom is late 60s, I'm early 40s, and my daughter will be 3. We will be there for 7 nights, but we'll only be doing 4 Park days, and even those will probably be really relaxed because my daughter is very busy and my mom has some medical issues.

We want to take it easy this trip, just like we were going to do this month. We were excited about staying at SS because my mom was going to hang out with my daughter at Disney Springs sometimes while I did other stuff. But we figured that if we were coming back after a pandemic, we wanted to stay at our favorite place with our favorite pool!

But then I started thinking maybe we should stay somewhere like WL - a little cheaper but closer to MK. and we talked about staying at AKL - my almost-three year old would love the animals and the pools. I also thought about BW, since it's also a bit cheaper and I like the Boardwalk area! I think we might be sad looking across at BC though.

We don't want to stay at Poly, GF, OKW, or CR. What would be your choice?

We are a BC/YC couple. Your close to two parks, boardwalk activities and restaurants. Nice choices at BC/YC restaurants plus the best pool at Disney. Others like other resorts but like you have been to Disney dozen or so times and always stay at the BC or YC CL WV. There are many things to see and I always feel I’m in the middle of the action but not overwhelmed.

 

[ZehnJahren]

I love BC, but with a little one I find the pool area there to be a bit daunting. Since everything is sort of broken up at Stormalong Bay (slide outside of pool area, bridges and walls blocking different parts of pools, etc), I typically don’t recommend it to people with little ones who can’t swim on their own even though I love the resort!

We did a split stay with 3 nights at BC last year and the baby was almost 2 and not moving nearly so fast - didn't really think about the fact that SAB is so darn big once they're super mobile. I think she'd love the sand bottom pool, but she's also super independent so I suddenly had an image of her heading towards the "lazy river" part. Maybe it's not the best idea.

-------------------------------
We are leaning hard towards the WL area now - CCR / VWL. I've only visited once to go to the restaurant there, but we've never stayed. I also am thinking that AKL may be a good idea too, esp a savanna room. Its just really hard to give up BC; it's been our favorite since the first time we visited!

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

While I loved our room at BCV, the food situation there was not good. And SB didn’t entertain our then 2 year old like we thought. He got bored playing with sandcastles and wanted to swim in the bigger areas.

 

[AliceIn]

If you are looking at DVC studios, it may come down to who gets to sleep in the real bed and who gets stuck with the sleeper sofa. All the DVC resorts you have selected have one queen bed and either one double or one queen sleeper sofa. Only OKW will have two real queen beds in the studio.

The new preferred rooms at SS have a real queen Murphy bed in the studio now, the rest of the resort is in process. The two real beds is a consideration for sure if you are traveling with an older person.

 

[MarBee]

We did a split stay with 3 nights at BC last year and the baby was almost 2 and not moving nearly so fast - didn't really think about the fact that SAB is so darn big once they're super mobile. I think she'd love the sand bottom pool, but she's also super independent so I suddenly had an image of her heading towards the "lazy river" part. Maybe it's not the best idea.

-------------------------------
We are leaning hard towards the WL area now - CCR / VWL. I've only visited once to go to the restaurant there, but we've never stayed. I also am thinking that AKL may be a good idea too, esp a savanna room. Its just really hard to give up BC; it's been our favorite since the first time we visited!

BC is one of my favs for sure, but so is WL. We’ve only stayed on the hotel side of WL and not DVC, but the atmosphere is really fun and relaxing. Very chill yet also a ton for kids to do around the resort. I think you’ll love it

 

[ZehnJahren]

The new preferred rooms at SS have a real queen Murphy bed in the studio now, the rest of the resort is in process. The two real beds is a consideration for sure if you are traveling with an older person.

That is a consideration. I figured my mom could have the regular bed and I'd buff up the pull out with a foam topper, feathery bed, or some thing (we're driving so we have options!) - hoping that works!!

 

[DL1WDW2]

I would consider the Riviera Resort Studio . The amenities would be easier for your mother to manipulate for herself and a 3 yr old child.
Relaxing swing benches in courtyard plus a very nice children’s pool area . Convenient to take small walks immediately around Resort with areas to sit and watch the SkyLiner. Also has an evening campfire to roast marshmallows and the outdoor movie screen is the nicest for family viewing. And the castmembers are very attentive and available .

My other choice might seem odd but POP Century has updated their rooms . I often stay here and choose the preferred pool location. The small children’s pool area offers enough fun for this young age. I am grandmother with this similar situation. It is exhausting to worry about the slides and rambunctious fun at theSplashPads since they entice the more active older age group child . Plus the nearby SkyLiner is probably as much fun as a day at park! Morning or night mini trip while giving you A few hours freedom .
Maybe a simple trip plan is your answer.

 

[Sue M]

Hard decision! I love YC, and the Boardwalk area is nice to walk around. AKL is great too. But with a short stay I think WL is great. IMO Roaring Forks isn’t what it used to be, but the new Grill is great. And a boat over to Ft W for dining if Trails End is open, and walking around the barn. They have pony rides too. The Boulder Ridge pool is gradual entry. Perfect for little ones to sit and splash.

 

[MomOTwins]

So I will say, the murphy bed at Riviera was much nicer than the sofa pull outs, so if thinking DVC and you and your mom want separate beds, that would give an edge to Riviera in my book.