Looking for a kid friendly deluxe, CR, Poly or AKL

[Fish2girls]

Hi everyone, We are booking a DV for November 2008 and would like to know which deluxe is the best for kids. Someplace that has a lot for kids to do and is not too formal "for adults". We are currently looking into the CR and I am getting excited about what they offer for convenience to MK. My husband on the other hand thinks it's a bit to cold or "adult like".

Any suggestions??
Thanks

 

[MindyLuvsMickey]

I've only stayed at the Poly, but we found it to be very kid and adult friendly. Our son enjoyed everything about it. It was also very convenient to the MK. Just a monorail ride away!

 

[JanB]

What's best for kids really depends on what your kids like.

CR is, indeed, a great place for families. It supposedly has a great arcade. For adults (at least for me), I don't care for the theming as much as other places.

I think that AKL is a great place for kids, and the theming is great for adults, as well. Of course, there are the animals to see, it has a great pool, and they do have some special kid activities -- such as storytelling around the firepit at night.

 

[Kimi313]

I have stayed at Poly and CR and found them fun for the kids and I would think AKL would be fun also. But remember they are deluxes so I don't think kids are just wowed by them but they do enjoy the boat rides, the monorail rides, and the pool. We ususally stay at deluxes but last spring break we went down with my brother and his family, my mom, and me sisters daughter so we stayed at the All-Stars Movies, my daughter is now 16 and after we got there she said I can't believe we've never stayed here, this feels more like the magic kingdom! But when we went back last week we still went back to the Poly go figure.

 

[simonkodousek]

Hi everyone, We are booking a DV for November 2008 and would like to know which deluxe is the best for kids. Someplace that has a lot for kids to do and is not too formal "for adults". We are currently looking into the CR and I am getting excited about what they offer for convenience to MK. My husband on the other hand thinks it's a bit to cold or "adult like".

Any suggestions??
Thanks

I'm sorry to say, but I agree with your husband. The CR is more like a business hotel than any other WDW resorts. I give my vote for the Poly!

 

[princess lovers mom]

I think it depends on how old your kids are and what you plan on doing...a lot of time at the resort or mostly just a spot to stop and rest and sleep...

we love the Poly and the Beach Club...we tend to stay at the Poly when we know it will be a MK focused trip...the Beach Club otherwise...great to walk to EPCOT from there...food and wine fest this trip....MNSSHP also.... BC has a great pool for kids of all ages!!

 

[MonoManBlue]

Poly is by far the best, at least in my opinion

 

[Fish2girls]

What's best for kids really depends on what your kids like.

CR is, indeed, a great place for families. It supposedly has a great arcade. For adults (at least for me), I don't care for the theming as much as other places.

I think that AKL is a great place for kids, and the theming is great for adults, as well. Of course, there are the animals to see, it has a great pool, and they do have some special kid activities -- such as storytelling around the firepit at night.

Do you know if AKL is in the middle of construction? I keep reading threads about how inconvenient it is now.

I also should have mentioned I have 2 girls ages 6 and 2. Maybe that would make a difference when it comes to choosing a resort?
Thanks

 

[alldiz]

With construction at AKL and CR...

I would definately go with the POLY....
WL is great also..
Kerri

 

[ImagineerM]

My little cousins (6 and 12) absolutely LOVED the Poly.

 

[cara loves the poly]

The Poly is a GREAT place for kids!

 

[Fish2girls]

With construction at AKL and CR...

I would definately go with the POLY....
WL is great also..
Kerri

No construction at Poly? Also, how are the standard rooms, I looked at the rates for 2007 and the cheapest is I think $365 with a garden view. How can you save at the Poly?

 

[cara loves the poly]

All of the rooms look the same no matter what view you reserve. They are great! google tikiman polynesian and you will find tons of info about the poly, lots of picutres!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I'm sorry to say, but I agree with your husband. The CR is more like a business hotel than any other WDW resorts. I give my vote for the Poly!

If you're going to say that then I guess you can say Coronado Springs, Boardwalk, Yacht Club and the Grand Floridian are also business hotels since they also have a convention center and hosts a lot of conventions during the year? So I think it's un fair to give the Contemporary that kind of stereotype. I agree they do host a lot of covnentions during the year, however they are not the only WDW Resort which does that.

 

[chocovrdmicears]

My kids LOVED the Poly and they were 3 & 4. The zero entry pool was fantastic and they spent hours playing in the sand on the beach. The monorail was a blessing with our ds3 who is special needs.. All that being said, we are trying the CSR because the price of the Poly is just too much for our budget this year and we are very excited!

 

[Fish2girls]

My kids LOVED the Poly and they were 3 & 4. The zero entry pool was fantastic and they spent hours playing in the sand on the beach. The monorail was a blessing with our ds3 who is special needs.. All that being said, we are trying the CSR because the price of the Poly is just too much for our budget this year and we are very excited!

I agree about the price, that is why I was thinking of staying in either the CR or AKL. Still unsure, we have stayed at AKL before and I was thinking of trying something new, but my DH is stuck on AKL because of the views and the animals. Oh, such decisions!

Any other resort suggestons??
Thanks

 

[jenb1023]

My DD 3 1/2 loved Wilderness Lodge. Nice themes and pool, arcade and she enjoyed the boat ride to MK.

 

[Anc96]

My vote would be for AKL. That's considering pricing and fun for your kids.

My vote for best pool would be BC, but that's for the lazy river and slide features. Features your girls won't need.
I also feel the CR is too business-like. And not because of the conventions. It feels to me like I'm in a very large office building, the kind that has malls and restaurants on some floors. It is very nice though and the arcade is probably the best on property.

The pool at AKl would be just as good for your girls as the pool at the Poly. The only thing missing would be the sand at the beach.
The monorail makes the poly a better pick for transportation... so that may be a consideration for you. But if price is a consideration too.. remember that AKL does not share their busses so it makes the bus trip much quicker than most resorts. At about $100 per night less than the Poly, you could rent a car too!

AKL has so many activities for kids. The storytelling and the nightly music parade when the kids choose instruments and march around the resort, would suit both girls. They have activities that earn special beads for a necklace they make. I believe even the little one would be able to do most of the activites with your help. They have medalion rubbing where they give you paper and pencils/crayons to make rubbings of the large medalions set in the floor of the lobby... all free. Then they have other activities that cost a small fee, t-shirt making and such.
This is my daughter's favorite resort ever! I love it too. We just came back from a wonderful 3 week vacation with our last 10 nights at the BC CL, yet I would still choose AKL savannah over that! I didn't book AKL this year because I was concerned about the construction.

Anyway.. the Poly is a beautiful resort. If you don't stay there.. at least eat at Ohanas. Your girls, and you, would love the fun of it... foods pretty good too!

Have a great time!

 

[cantwait4disney]

My vote is for CR. Several reasons:
1) Walking distance to MK
2) Incredible, if not the best, views of MK
3) Watch the fireworks from our balcony
4) Monorail inside hotel
5) Best character dining in Chef Mickey's
6) It's quintessential Disney

I personally loved the photos of the new rooms. Even my kids oohed and aahhed over them. Whatever your decision, regardless of the hotel, you'll be immersed in all things Disney. Good luck!

 

[alldiz]

No construction at Poly? Also, how are the standard rooms, I looked at the rates for 2007 and the cheapest is I think $365 with a garden view. How can you save at the Poly?

If you're going to say that then I guess you can say Coronado Springs, Boardwalk, Yacht Club and the Grand Floridian are also business hotels since they also have a convention center and hosts a lot of conventions during the year? So I think it's un fair to give the Contemporary that kind of stereotype. I agree they do host a lot of covnentions during the year, however they are not the only WDW Resort which does that.

The poly is very pricey...
Discounts usually come at the last minute....
It is awesome though....I'm dyin to stay there....

WL....is also fabulous....it is cheaper....room is smaller...
same as AKL....


I think when people say that they think of CR as business....
It has nothing to do with convention facilities.....

Everything to do with the feeling of concrete everywhere....
No warmth....nice place to visit....
then move on to my lushly landscaped and decorated resort.
Kerri