Where to Stay With 2 Little Boys

lucyem

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Nov 26, 2004
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My sons are 7 & 4. I have been to WDW twice but it has been quite some time. We were at the Polynesian last time and am open to there again but would prefer a change. Where would the boys have the most fun in the pool and with other amenities in the hotel? I have just started looking and am already overwhelmed with choices LOL
 
Here's my 2cents:
1) Deluxe-Beach Club- The boys will LOVE Storm-along-Bay!
2)Mod-Coronado Springs-The Dig site is amazing! Pool is great and has a nice water slide
3)Value-All Star Sports- Great theming for younger boys!
 
Beach Club! Here's why:
1. StormAlong Bay is the best pool! So much to do, and they don't get bored!
2. Beaches and Cream for ice cream.
3. Short walk to Boardwalk in evening to watch the "street performers". My boys (7 and 4 on our last trip) wanted to do this several nights.
4. Walk right out the International Gateway from Illuminations, and you are back at your hotel!
5. StormAlong Bay!
6. Beachside movies.
7. Lots of dining choices by just popping into Epcot.
8. Did I mention StormAlong Bay????
 
We always stayed at the Contemporary or Poly. One year we were taking a last minute trip for a few days and neither one was available. There had evidently been a cancellation at All Star Movies so I (reluctantly) took it. My kids loved it!!! After that every time we were booking a trip they wanted to stay there (with the Dalmations).
 

If you are going Deluxe (I assume so, since you stayed at Poly last time), here are my choices for you:

1. Contemporary OR Bay Lake Tower:
I know a lot of people don't like this hotel, but I think it's really cool, ESPECIALLY for boys. The monorail is cool (boys usually love trains...), the newly refurbished pool area is really nice, with a cool slide that both boys will love as well as a new "tomorrowland/futuristic" themed kid's splash play area. The ability to rent boats there is a plus. There is a fantastic beach (just as nice as the Poly, in my opinion), with hammocks and a lot of space for "sand play". There will be a playground opening on September 1 (a brand spanking new one!). Plus, Chef Mickey's is there, and the whole vibe inside the Concourse level is fun. Contempo Cafe (the CS restaurant) has really good food and they provide coloring pages and crayons for the kids. And, the BEST part about Contemporary is the SUPER SHORT WALK to Magic Kingdom! Can't beat it! I love the Contemporary. And, if you consider Bay Lake Tower, you can stay in a 1br villa and get a full kitchen, washer and dryer AND a separate bedroom for mom and dad ;) for just a bit more than a tower room at CR. Plus, you'd get to use the pool at BOTH. This resort (Bay Lake Tower Villa) is the front runner for our family's first trip next spring (our boys will be almost 6 and 4, so very similar to yours).

2. Boardwalk Inn- In contrast to the Beach Club/Yacht Club that everyone suggests, I will suggest BWI. I think the pool here is more suitable for younger kids. I have heard that the pool at BC/YC is really only great for adept swimmers and older kids, due to the sprawling nature and several areas of deep water, not to mention the LONG enclosed slide across the street from the pool... Plus, I am not sure about your kids, but mine don't particularly LOVE the feeling of wet sand on them, either in their feet or in their swimsuits. Going to the beach is a bit of sensory overload, and there's a lot of "I wanna wash the itchies out" going on when the sand gets in crevices where it shouldn't be, if you get my drift. I hear that happens with the pool there, what with the sand and all. It's a large grain sand, and it gets in your suit, and it does not come out easily. I'll leave it at that. That and it's not the kind of sand that you can make sandcastles out of, and that would frustrate the heck out of my kids, in a BAD WAY. So, I think we'll stay away from that hotel, as nice as the pool looks. Just thought I'd provide that info, in case you are not aware, as I was not, and it helped sway me away from that hotel, since I was considering it, and I'm glad I learned those things prior to making my choice! Boardwalk, on the other hand, is just a regular pool, with a fun theme. The slide is fun looking, but completely open, so less scary. There is a really nice playground for the kids (the one at BC/YC is OLD and tiny!). There are hot tubs and a kiddie pool all located in the same vicinity at BWI pool area, not all spread around like at BC/YC. Plus the "nighttime entertainment" is at BWI, so you won't have to walk over there, since it'll be right there! BWI just seems to have a more lively vibe, and seems a bit more luxurious to me, than BC/YC.

3. Wilderness Lodge: My favorite hotel. Although, transportation lacks at times. This is its only downfall (and the smaller rooms). I would stay here in a bunkbed room with the kids those ages. This hotel is great because it's got it all: THEME to the hilt, good eateries, fun kids activities, a kid's club onsite, playground, beach, pool, waterslide, kiddie pool, hottubs, a fun geyser by the pool (that the kids love), ability to boat to MK, watch the EWP on the beach. And, just the whole lodge atmosphere can't be beat. I love it there. However, the rooms ARE a bit small. IF you can splurge a bit, get a Deluxe Room, they come with Club Level and that makes it a better deal, but they still run about $525+ per night. But, you get, essentially, a Junior Suite set up, which might or might not be worth it to you.
 
Yacht Club - We have never stayed here, but would sure love too! My boys did the Albatross Pirate Adventure from the Yacht Club and we couldn't believe how cool the pool was. The pirate ship was amazing to look at...I'm sure it's more amazing to play on. If we could afford it, we would be at the Yacht Club this coming spring.

Coronado Springs had a really great pool. Our boys loved the slide and the Dig Site.
 
Caribbean Beach Resort has pirate themed rooms and a remodeled pirate themed pool area.
 
Hmm....Stormalong Bay is great, but it's a lot like a water park. Please factor in if you'll be able to keep up with two little ones here.

On the Value side, I'd stay at Sports or Pop. Fun and colorful.

For Moderate, Port Orleans or Coronodo Springs. Comfortable, and nice pools.

For Deluxe, Animal Kingdom. Animals, great pools, lots of services like kids clubs, bars, restaurans.

In DVC, Wilderness Lodge or Animal Kingdom.
 
I second the Boardwalk!

Nice pool, close to Epcot and kidcot station/kim possible missions. Close to DHS also ME is less crawded than the moderates or Values. ( Important! when traveling with small childern)

MORE SPACE IN THE ROOMS!

Beach Club is also right there too and that is our second choice when we go, it also has a nice (better actually) pool similar rooms and a additional option for food.
 
I'll add in my vote for a pirate room at CBR. We stayed there for the first time in June with DS6 and DS4. They absolutely loved the room with all the pirate theming in there. They even enjoyed coming home to play in the room. There was a pirate ship kiddie pool that they had a blast in, along with the main pool that had 2 water slides. What made this more special or different for them was definitely the pirate room. Great to try at least once!!! My June trip report has some pictures of the pirate room.

Next place for us to try is BC/YC mainly because of the StormAlongBay pool.

Have a wonderful trip.
 
Coronado or Caribbean.

The Dig site/main pool at Coronado are not to be missed and the rooms are soooooooooo quiet!

The reviews on the new pirate rooms have been good - what fun!
 
Easy...Beach Club

Stormalong Bay, walk to EPCOT, boat to HWS

We are trying Poly next, but I'm sure we will be back to Beach!
 
I'd also vote for CBR. :thumbsup2 We stayed there in May and we loved it - the boys did too! The new pool area is great. I like that the main pool is zero entry. The pirate ship water area is great for kids too! My boys would have stayed for hours if we would've let them.

Also, if I'm not mistaken, the rooms at CBR are slightly larger than any other moderate resorts. It is always nice to have a little extra space. All the rooms were also recently refurbished.

I think, too, that the grounds are beautiful. We liked walking around and "exploring". Lots of wildlife and things to see.

I thought CBR was very relaxing and a nice place to return to after a long day in the parks. ;)
 


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