Where would you stay? First visit with little kids.

[Canchaser143]

Hey everyone! We are making our first ever trip to WDW in May 2025, typically we are DLR people I am struggling with deciding where to stay, DLR makes it easy with only two DVC options lol My little ones will be 4 and 1. Goal is to stay in a 1 bedroom because I enjoy space lol Trip will be 6 nights, I do not want to do a split stay this time around. While we will be visiting MK, I am not sure this will be our main focus, being that Disneyland has many of the same things. Pool and splash pad area are important to us. Where would you stay at? Looking forward to everyone's feedback

 

[disneydreamer1980]

AKL has an awesome pool and splash pad, and kids love the animals. It’s kind of far out from the parks though. Poly is also good for kids, but unless you’re in the new tower there’s no 1 BRs. The pool complex at BCV will be closed for your dates. I’d probably go with AKL.

 

[DeeBee3]

We love Wilderness Lodge, but you have Grand Cal. They have the splash pad. The boat ride to MK is also fun.

We LOVE the Epcot resorts. Going through International Gateway is amazing. So that would be Boardwalk, beach club or Riviera.

I will say my kids loved Poly, but that’s only studios unless you go to the new tower.

 

[CarolMN]

My "vote" is for AKV. You'll have the animals to enjoy; there are great spots within both Jambo and Kidani to see them if you don't book savanna view, and two great pools to choose between. For little ones, even the bus rides are special. Wherever you end up, have fun!

 

[supercarrie]

I also suggest AKV as the top choice. The villas are due a refurb so they aren't the most up to date, but the pool, splash pad, activities and animals can't be beat. The kids will also love the bus rides.

If you could get into a Poly 1 bedroom when they become available for booking, I'd suggest that as well, but I think it will be a challenge to get six nights without being a Poly owner (even though we are close to seven months out, you still can't book on points, and Poly owners will get a priority period once they are available for points). However, the projected points chart is likely to be ridiculously high compared to AKV, which has a super reasonable chart.

The other option I'd consider is Boardwalk. The pool is decent (not as special as AKV or Poly though), there is a Community Hall (like AKV has) for activities, you have the action and games on the Boardwalk, the boats, and you can walk to Epcot or HS. I'd look at the splash pad though - it is really is pretty minimal compared to AKV or Poly.

 

[CarolynFH]

I personally love AKV - Kidani specifically, for the extra bathroom as well as a walk-in shower in the 1BR - but I will also say that when we stayed at VGF I was wishing I had a little person with me so I could play on that splash pad!

 

[Disdreaming479]

If you’d like a unique and completely different experience than dlr for the younger kids, I would pick AKL. It is truly special in every way. Yes the rooms need a refurb but the resort is spectacularly themed. The buses aren’t a concern for me as I always want to have a vacation from driving while at wdw.

 

[Canchaser143]

Look at all these AKL recommendations! Not what I was expecting!

 

[Canchaser143]

I personally love AKV - Kidani specifically, for the extra bathroom as well as a walk-in shower in the 1BR - but I will also say that when we stayed at VGF I was wishing I had a little person with me so I could play on that splash pad!

That splash pad looks so amazing!!

 

[CarolynFH]

That splash pad looks so amazing!!

Please note, I’ve never seen the one at Kidani, but I’ve read many times that it’s one of the best at WDW, so keep that in mind!

 

[JackosinDIS]

I agree with AKL Kidani for the pool. The splash pad is great, it has a separate area for kids under 5 and is nice and shaded - easy to keep an eye on them. However, if you are not in a room close to the pool it can be quite a walk to get there.

Having just been with a 5 year old, I will say that they enjoyed the Saratoga pools more than AKL, and it was literally right outside the door of the building so much easier to get to and from the room. No animals but lots of fund stuff to do there!

 

[Canchaser143]

I agree with AKL Kidani for the pool. The splash pad is great, it has a separate area for kids under 5 and is nice and shaded - easy to keep an eye on them. However, if you are not in a room close to the pool it can be quite a walk to get there.

Having just been with a 5 year old, I will say that they enjoyed the Saratoga pools more than AKL, and it was literally right outside the door of the building so much easier to get to and from the room. No animals but lots of fund stuff to do there!

I love horses, so the theming really appeals to me. The pools and splash pads look great, I just worry about those internal buses Did you find them to be bad?

 

[JackosinDIS]

I love horses, so the theming really appeals to me. The pools and splash pads look great, I just worry about those internal buses Did you find them to be bad?

We were there 7 days and I didn’t have any issues with the internal buses. Stayed in Grandstand, so the first bus stop on the loop, but there was always plenty of room for everyone at all stops.
The internal loop takes around 12 mins from first stop to last, so can get a little annoying if you are in a rush, but once you leave the resort it is a short trip to the parks. I didn’t mind relying on the buses at all. You can also hop over to DS and get a bus to any resort from there.

 

[CarolynFH]

I love horses, so the theming really appeals to me. The pools and splash pads look great, I just worry about those internal buses Did you find them to be bad?

We didn’t find the buses at SSR to be a problem, although we weren’t traveling with littles. BTW there are no transfers involved - the bus drives into the resort, picks up along the route (Grandstand, Carousel, Paddock, Congress Park, Springs) and then goes to whichever park. Takes maybe 15 minutes, maybe 20? Can’t remember, didn’t seem like a terribly long time to us.

 

[CastAStone]

We stayed at Kidani when my kids were 3 and 1-almost-2 and it was phenomenal. My older son played on the splash pad for hours, my younger son loved the pool and some of the lower impact splash pad areas.

The biggest difference between DLR and WDW with small kids is the transportation. It’s awful by comparison to DLR’s lovely ability to just walk to the parks, and it often has long waits, which i have found intolerable with impatient kids. I strongly recommend renting a car and taking it to AK, Epcot, and DHS, and only using the Disney buses to MK. It’s also a million times easier to get a sleeping kid transferred in and out of a car than a bus, and a lot easier to manage the stroller in a car.

Renting a car would be my recommendation at any resort, and as long as you have one, Kidani becomes an incredible option, with the parking garage under the building, so you can park close to whichever elevator takes you closest to your room.

Next best option IMO is Poly. The pools at GF and BLT are disappointing compared to Poly and AKL, so Poly is the best Monorail option for small children to me.

SSR is also a strong option if you’re renting a car, it has 3 different splash pads so you can find your favorite one.

 

[OnThisMagicNight]

My suggestion would be Riviera. You have the Skyliner access to Epcot and Hollywood Studios plus it's a smaller resort with a dedicated bus for the other parks that does not stop and share with other resorts. The Fantasia themed splash pad is great (my kids' 2nd favorite on property) and there's one of the best character breakfasts on property there. Plus, assuming you are using DVC points to book, it's probably not that difficult to snag a 1 bedroom preferred view at 7 months for the amount of nights you are looking for. The rooms are beautiful and up to date.

I know you mentioned you weren't necessarily focused on the MK area, but VGF is our #1 (and yes, we own there, so we're biased.) The Alice in Wonderland splash pad is the best and the many transportation options are also a plus. The issue is the lobby is due for a refurbishment and no one knows exactly when that's going to start, so if construction is an issue for you, I'd avoid (the convention center there will be under refurbishment next year I believe.) And honestly the other 2 monorail resorts are in the same boat, with Bay Lake Tower's refurbishment going through Sept 25 and the Poly website stating there will be visible construction through 2026. I also have a special place in my heart for AKL, but we personally decided to wait until the rooms are refurbed before making another trip there.

 

[Bibbidi_Boo]

My suggestion would be Riviera. You have the Skyliner access to Epcot and Hollywood Studios plus it's a smaller resort with a dedicated bus for the other parks that does not stop and share with other resorts. The Fantasia themed splash pad is great (my kids' 2nd favorite on property) and there's one of the best character breakfasts on property there. Plus, assuming you are using DVC points to book, it's probably not that difficult to snag a 1 bedroom preferred view at 7 months for the amount of nights you are looking for. The rooms are beautiful and up to date.

I know you mentioned you weren't necessarily focused on the MK area, but VGF is our #1 (and yes, we own there, so we're biased.) The Alice in Wonderland splash pad is the best and the many transportation options are also a plus. The issue is the lobby is due for a refurbishment and no one knows exactly when that's going to start, so if construction is an issue for you, I'd avoid (the convention center there will be under refurbishment next year I believe.) And honestly the other 2 monorail resorts are in the same boat, with Bay Lake Tower's refurbishment going through Sept 25 and the Poly website stating there will be visible construction through 2026. I also have a special place in my heart for AKL, but we personally decided to wait until the rooms are refurbed before making another trip there.

I vote Riveria also. With a 4 and 1 year old having the skyliner to two parks is so worth it and don't have to fold stroller. The resort is not crazy big so easy to get around.

 

[MICKIMINI]

AKV Jambo House because you have access to The Mara a QS and Boma though that might be a challenge with two little kids! There is a great firepit outside with rockers, both grown up and kid sized near the animals. We have been to Kidani and eaten there, just don't love it as much

Jambo has 1 BR Value's which are a great deal if you can get them. Enjoy!

 

[WinterSolider]

Animal Kingdom Lodge might be my favorite place on the planet but I can't recommend it to someone needing to use the living room beds because those pull-outs are genuinely terrible, even for kids.

I would do an AKV 2 bedroom if it's in the budget or a 1 bedroom or Studio if you only needed one bed, but the sofa bed in the living room really really sucks.

My vote would be a Poly Studio or a Boulder Ridge 1 bedroom.

We love Saratoga but it definitely has kind of a retiree vibe and isn't what I'd call out as super special or magical for first-timers.

 

[pks_domer]

We took ours at 4 and 1 and stayed at BLT in a 2br with the grandparents. Super-easy walk to MK, and easy monorail access for transfer to Epcot. We did a night before the grandparents came at CCV. The splash pad there was great and the boat to MK is fun. Since then we've had them at Jambo (amazing, and easy to get to Kidani for the pool), OKW (meh), and Poly (by far our favorite resort with the kids).

Beyond pool and splash pad, what else is important for you? For us, it's getting around with a double stroller, and that the youngest has needed to get back to the hotel for a nap in the afternoon. So, though we typically have a car, logistics are still pretty important for us. That may help sway you one direction or another...

EDIT: concur with WinterSoldier. Those AK pull-outs are harsh. Mousekeeping may have mattress pads to help a little, but it still hurts.