suggest a resort for us

[mamaj]

Hello!

We are thinking about, but have not decided on, a Disney vacation for september. Would appreciate answers to the following questions:

1) Which is the nicest resort for travelling with a toddler? (moderate) Do they all have playgrounds and kiddie pools?

2) Our son is only two and has never seen a Disney movie (I'm sorry!) so we will probably only go to the park one day, and spend the rest at the hotel. So which resort has the most to do and the nicest rooms and pool, since we would be spending a lot of time there?

3) Also we don't do fast food and food courts, where would we find the best dining?

Thanks for your input!

 

[Selket]

I think your best choice is Port Orleans French Quarter. It is smaller than other moderates making it a short walk to the pool or to refill a mug at the food court. The pool is very well themed and has a baby pool adjacent. You can also walk to PO Riverside and use their pool. There is a sit-down restaurant over there too. I think all the moderates have baby pools and the rooms are fairly similar in size. The POFQ was recently renovated.

But the biggest reason for your family to stay at POFQ or POR is if you don't do food courts there is really no where else to eat - or at least you'd get sick of eating in the same sit down restaurant I'd think. Those 2 hotels offer a boat service to DTD as well as bus service.

Any of the moderates woud work however - you can always get a bus to DTD (downtown Disney).

 

[SpoonfulofSugar]

I think you would love the Beach/Yacht Club (although a deluxe not a moderate)!!! The pool is the best on property, there are lots of sit downs within walking distance (with the boardwalk being right there and Epcot just a walk anyway and even the swan and dolphin can be walked to). They also have a small playground.
Otherwise I agree with the Port Orleans and being close to DTD!!!
Yes they all have kiddie pools and playgrounds!

 

[MickeyMacks]

I have seen another post indicating that CBR does not have such a good pool for young children because visibility is obstructed by the structures over and around the pool and the water is deep (5 ft?) at the end of the slide.

The POFQ sounds like a good resort because it is compact and the pool is very colorful and themed attractively for young children.

 

[Merandab4]

You mentioned you would only be going to the park that one day????? I am assuming you mean Magic Kingdom? Don't you want to take your child to Animal Kingdom or Epcot? I think weather or not your child has seen Disney movies is irrelevant. If he/she likes animals they will love Animal Kingdom. You and your Spouse would love Epcot as well as MGM studios. Not all Disney is based on Disney movies.
On the other hand, if you do not plan to go to other parks, I would suggest (as did another poster), staying at one of the Epcot resorts, Boardwalk Inn, Yacht Club, Beach Club, Swan or Dolphin.
There you will have plenty of Sit Down meal options all with in walking distance. There is also other entertainment options if you do not plan on going to any other parks. You have the Boardwalk, you have a great pool area, you can also see illuminations from that areas as well. If you choose to you could even take the boat or walk to MGM or Epcot if you change your mind.

Other than that, I would suggest POFQ as well, just for the fact that there is easy access to DTD.

 

[Buzz2001]

THE PROS
No sharing bus service with other resorts
Centrally located with short rides to the parks
Largest hot tub on WDW property
Awesome main pool area with bar, snack bar, playground and kiddie pool
3 quiet pools
New shuttle service eliminates long walks to any of the villages
High speed internet service
WiFi available too
Free use of the gym
Spa
Fridge in the room
Coffeemaker in the room
Iron and ironing board
full room service menu
2 arcades
beautifully landscaped
central air, not a noisey wall unit

THE CONS
Full size beds (kings size beds are available)
one sink

IN THE MIDDLE
The Pepper Market is either a love it or hate it place. We love it but some folks just don't care for it.

Convention resort - some guests don't like seeing other guests at work. Doesn't bother us and helps keep the buses empty. GF, Cont, BW, Y & B Club are also convention resorts.

Check out my website below

 

[Suzanne74]

We are staying at our first moderate (we ususally stay deluxes) and picked Coronado Springs since it has a lot of ammentities. The resort is very large so it seems there will be lots of quiet areas as well as fun things to do. The Myan Pyramid pool and Dig Site look great for kids. Play sand, swings, slides, baby pool with water jets, HUGE pool with waterslide, huge hot tub as well. All is open and accessible to watching kids. There are also 3 quiet pools surrounding the resort as well. There is a sit down restaurant for all three meals and then the Pepper Court which is more upscale food court per say - lots of options. It is also the only moderate that has a health club and beauty salon/spa if that interests you at all. The resorts has a Mexican feel to it. It is sorta like going to Riviera Maya on vacation but then there are the parks too!!

Here are some pics...
http://www.wdwinfo.com/photos/coronado_springs/index.htm

The other moderates...
Carribean Beach obviously has a carribean feel to it but is VERY sprawled out, LOTS of walking
POR has a quiet deep south feel to it
POFQ has a New Orleans feel to it (this one does not have any sit down restaurant) The 2 PO have a boat to DTD

HTH