What do you think is the best resort for children?

[dulcimersong]

This has probably been asked a gillion times .... but what is the best resort for children? I'm planning a trip, dreaming really, and want to stay at a Disney resort but I don't know which one to pick! My son is 7 yrs. old and i am a single mom. We will probably be there alone unless i can talk a friend of mine into going with us ...then it will be two single moms and three children ages 8, 7 and 6.

I want a hotel that is kid friendly, and has a great view. This is probably all the resorts I was thinking a view of the Magic Kingdom Castle or one where the fireworks are visable at night.

What do you all think?

Thanks!

dulcimersong

 

[Barb D]

If money is no object, definitely stay at one of the monorail resorts. Of those, the Contemporary is the only one I've stayed at. It's very convenient and has a great view of the MK, but the hotel itself is UGLY and the pool is nothing special. (I liked the Port Orleans Riverside rooms, surroundings, and pool much better, but it doesn't have the view or the convenience.)

If money IS an object, my favorite is All Star Movies. Of all the resorts, it's the one with the BEST Disney theming. It also doesn't have the view or the convenience of a monorail resort, but it is CHEAP.

Actually, if I had *MY* way and I had lots of money (neither of which is ever likely to be true) I'd stay at the Beach Club. It's within walking distance of the World Showcase at EPCOT, and you can see the lights of the Boardwalk across the lake.

 

[Memaw2Wm]

We just stayed at the All Stars Movies resort a couple of weeks ago. My grandkids (7 & 8) loved the resort. We were in the Mighty Ducks building 2 and although I would have been happier closer to the food court (to refill my mug), William and Cissy loved having the Duck Pond Pool right there.

We've also stayed in a cabin in Fort Wilderness and the grandkids loved it there too.

 

[juliesue]

All the resorts are great for kids! If you re looking to be close to MK, be prepared to pay more. The Polynesian is beautiful and so is Wilderness Lodge. You will not be able to see the fireworks from WL, but there is an electrical parade show on Bay Lake that goes right by the Poly.

My kids have stayed at a number of the resorts and each has their own special attraction for kids. Make a choice based on price and other things that are important. Your kids will have a great time no matter where you stay!!

 

[campingcorgi]

If your friend can go then I would look at a cabin at Fort Wilderness. There are tons of activities for kids--pools, playgrounds, petting zoo, pony rides, campfire with Chip and Dale, planned activities at the pool daily, room to run and play, etc! You can see the MK fireworks, the EWP and Cinderella's castle from the beach. You would have a bedroom in the back for your friend with a double and two bunks and a Murphy bed (really quite comfortable) up front you you and yours (or any other sleeping arrangement that worked for you.) You would have a full kitchen for breakfast and snacks and the fridge is great for keeping drinks cold! Don't forget--you get maid service! Pizza at the Trail's End is a good deal, too!

The bus and boat transportation is pretty convenient (now--they've been improving it!) and you can often get a cabin for about 150 a night. (Sorry, the dollar sign isn't working--small kids and ice cream and keyboards don't mix!)

Here is a link to some good information about FW:

http://fly.hiwaay.net/~jlspence/faq_fw.htm

Have fun dreaming and planning!

 

[mbb]

You may want to post this question over on the Resorts Board, too...you'll get lots of great tips and opinions...

My 2cents would be the Polynesian, Lagoon View.
Wishes, the nighttime lake parade - can't think of what it's called right now - the volcano pool with zero entry, sandy beach, Character breakfast, where they bring the food to you, family style(no lineup at the buffet), monorail access, awesome kids club...I could go on and on...you get the idea!!

LOVE the Polynesian!!

 

[mbb]

Originally posted by Barb D


Actually, if I had *MY* way and I had lots of money (neither of which is ever likely to be true) I'd stay at the Beach Club. It's within walking distance of the World Showcase at EPCOT, and you can see the lights of the Boardwalk across the lake.

Oh, Barb D, you need to get the DVC info!! (OT, I know, but we're always looking for "new recruits"!!

We love our home at Beach Club for those very same reasons!!

 

[Barb D]

Originally posted by mbb
Oh, Barb D, you need to get the DVC info!! (OT, I know, but we're always looking for "new recruits"!!

We love our home at Beach Club for those very same reasons!!

Sigh.... I wish. Even though we seem to get to WDW about once a year, usually it's only for a day or two and on a tight budget. And I always think "this trip is going to be the last one for a while," but something always comes up to give us the opportunity to go again.

 

[disneymama73]

My vote is for WL! We love it there! Fireworks are visible and you can also watch the water pageant at night. They also have a very nice pool. MK is just a quick boatride away.... (WL is also our DVC home resort!)

If you're looking for a good value, we loved the All-Star resorts! They have great food courts and pools. The theming is a big hit with kids! But you won't have your view...

 

[dulcimersong]

Thank you all for the great ideas! A bit more info about my son and I....

My son is autistic...very high functioning but tends to be very picky about food and has the occassional (daily) meltdown that can be quite dramatic and stressfull. We have never been to Disney and he has been begging me to go. I think that if i plan it well, and try to do it so we don't hurry then we always get along better than an ill planned trip.

I am truly a beginner with all of this and want to do my best to do it right. I have a feeling that we will all be tired by the time the fireworks happen so being able to see them from our balcony in the room (if we have one) will be the best option....

What is the best time of year for low crowds? I can schedule my vacation any time if i give my workplace enough notice....

How do the discounts work? Are there lots of ways to save? Or should i just start saving my money because i know this is going to be expensive.

grin

dulcimersong

 

[Kimberle]

You should pick a resort that is closest to the park(s) you'll be spending the most time at.

My fav is WL. It has a very nice boat ride to MK. Plus, the smaller boat to CR & FW. It is quiet & relaxing.

We have also stayed at CR. We loved it too. But I do think WL is "better" for children.

 

[Ellester]

Go to www.mousesavers.com and sign up for her newsletter. It is a wonderful site to help you save money, the lastest codes/discounts are always posted there.

The slowest times of the year are usually the "value season". That's when Disney cuts their prices (and their park hours). For 2004, the value times are: January 1 - February 11; August 29 - September 29; October 31- December 19 (although I would think Thanksgiving week would be very crowded). If you can time a trip during those periods, I think you'll see the least amount of crowds.

~Ellen

 

[goofy4tink]

If seeing the fireworks from your room are really important, then the Polynesian will fit the bill. But, it is expensive!!! But, if you go during a value time it might not be quite so bad. If you can make do without the fireworks and view of the castle, I would say one of the AllStars. We've stayed at AllStarMu and the Polynesian. We actually really liked the AllStars. It's geared towards kids. But, no fireworks. You are looking at probably a difference of about $250 a night between a value room and Polynesian lagoon view. A nice alternative would be Wilderness Lodge. Closer to MK, a boatride away, but cheaper than those on the monorail. Have fun planning.

 

[honeymom]

My daughter has adhd and is noise sensitive. We have decided to stay at WL because it is supposed to be a quiet, relaxing resort. She tends to get overstimulated, especially at WDW, and we were thinking that this resort would be calming.