Looking for parent input on resorts...

[happybratpack]

OK, if you've read any of my other threads you already know this. If not, here's my story...I'm 31, no kids of my own, no prior children experience at all until this last year and I now have two wonderful stepkids, 3 and 6. We are taking them for their first WDW trip the last week of July (I know, I know, but this is the only time we can schedule wise w/ them) We're trying to make this an annual event for us, we will take a couple's WDW trip mid-year and various weekends so this is definitely THEIR week.

We are big POR, WL, AKL fans when we go as a couple, but we're kind of floundering about the resort choice w/ the kids. We know we'll be spending a lot more time at the resort w/ afternoon swimming, naps, etc and we want to pick somewhere that would be best for them both entertainment and transportation wise. Unfortunately I think the monorail resorts are out just for $$$$ reasons. We considered Pop but the transportation & noise stories we're not too excited about. We don't mind a big resort like POR, we'll have the stroller.

Anyway - overall what would you say has been your best resort pick for trips with little ones? I'm trying to take into serious consideration transportation and things to do at the resort. We're leaning back towards Riverside again but are also trying to consider other options.

Thanks!!

 

[Hunnybee]

Okay, I'm not the best person to answer your question, since the only resort we've stayed at since our children were born is PO-FQ. But, I will tell you why I think that was a good choice. We went to WDW in November of 2002 to celebrate DS's 3rd b-day with about 9 people. We stayed a week at French Quarter. We loved it because we were so close to the busses (didn't have a mile walk back to the hotel room after being dropped off by the bus), took the boat trip to Downtown Disney several times, liked the looks of the pool there (didn't swim -- it was a little too chilly on the days we had time available), great food at their food court -- overall fun theming and good service. We also didn't have long waits for the bus either.

I'm sure others will be more qualified to answer your question, but we did love PO-FQ with our 3 year old.

We're not exactly sure where we're staying when we go down for DD's 3rd birthday celebration next May. This time we were thinking all-stars but would like to do moderate if the price isn't too much more. I'll be interested in reading other people's responses to your question.

Have a great time!

 

[jpmom97]

We stayed at POR and loved it. Our room was right next to a quiet pool so that worked out great for us! My son loved all the birds everywhere and the theme pool was fun as well. We were also very close to a bus stop so not too much walking to that. DS also loved our nightly walk to the main buliding for drinks and snacks. We took the boat ride to DTD which was fun for him as well. Nothing was ever crowded either.

 

[tongatoast]

We stayed at POR when our daughter was 4, and she loved it!! Ole' Man Island theme pool was lots of fun for her, and then there are all the quiet pools. Having a food court is also a plus with kids.

Have fun!!

 

[rt2dz]

DS4 is very upset with me that we are not staying at AKL this trip, there were no AP rates available for our dates. I'm trying to get him psyched up about WL, but he just keeps saying that AKL is were he wants to stay--it's his favorite resort. My niece (9) & nephew (11) love the Yatch club because of the pool.

 

[vicb]

When my children were 3 and 6 we stayed at the Poly and it was perfect! The three things they most wanted to do were: MK, swim and ride the monorail! At the Poly we could ride the monorail to MK, ride it back in the afternoon for a swim break easily and go back for the evening if we wanted. Next trip my kids were 6 and 9 and we stayed at the BWI and they loved that too. We spent more time in MGM and Epcot than MK. We have stayed at BWI twice now. Cute clown pool, great atmosphere probably wouldn't go back now to the Poly because we prefer the Epcot area.

That's our experience. Good luck.

 

[oogieboogie]

My youngest (4) loves POP, and my oldest (7) loves POFQ, and mommy and daddy love WL. So... what do we do? We split stay!

Actually, my kids really like WL for the following reasons:
1. It's the Ketchup Hotel because it has Whispering Canyon.
2. It has bunkbeds!
3. The pool is neat! The slide is cool and there's a little beach to play sand with.
4. The lobby is so much fun to play around, especially with the little bridge with the bubbling water.
5. They got to raise the flag as flag family one day.
6. Going to MK is a breeze... a nice short boat ride away, which for kids is really cool!
7. Going from the lobby to Roaring Fork is fun - you get to run full tilt down an incline!

 

[DisneyMomx7]

Have you thought about WL? It's not a monorail resort but it has the ferry that goes to MK and FW which makes it nice. THe pool is great and most kids love it. You'd be close to the Magic Kingdom and there is a lot for kids that age to do at Fort Wilderness, and its a little bit more reasonable than Poly, GF or Cont. ALso if you're planning on making this an annual event I would definitely see if good AP rates comes out and get APs. We get two trips in the years time (we just move the trip up a few weeks the second year). Last year we activated our APS on July 18, this year we check into WDW on July 1. Plus the AP discount up to July 4 was $100 off a deluxe room (which really makes the WL so much more affordable). Have a wonderful trip.

 

[Our 2 Princesses]

Last year when my girls were 4 and 8 we stayed at PoR. We loved that resort, esp because we were given a room with a trundle bed. My daughters are terrible when they have to sleep together so the trundle bed helped alot! Next year if we go, we are going to stay at PO-FQ. I really liked that resort. The pool is cute and you still can catch the boat to DTD which we really liked.

 

[Madi100]

We stayed at Pop and noise was not a problem for us. My daughter LOVED All-Star Movies, though. They have the neatest theming for kids. Transportation won't be as good as a monorail, but the All-Stars only share a bus with those three resorts, and don't stop all over. Pop has their own bus. We had a 2 and 6 year old last time. 2 was almost 3. Never any complaining from them about transportation.

 

[dtsaos]

You might want to consider renting points from someone to stay in a DVC resort. If yoy only rent sun-thurs. it can be really inexpensive-the points for weekends are MUCH higher. For our next trip, we staying at ASMo for the time that includes weekends and then switching to a DVC resort for a sun-thur stay. I think this is a great alternative for people on a budget who want to stay at a deluxe resort. Check out the DVC boards.
Good luck deciding!

 

[mom2cinderella]

We stayed at CSR with a 3 y.o. and a 4.5 y.o. and had a wonderful trip! We did not get a chance to go to the Pyramid pool or dig site, but they still talk about the hammocks on the "beach"!

Michele