We took the
ABD trip that included Manuel Antonio in 2007 and we added 2 days in Torteguero on our own with Costa Rica Expeditions afterwards. In our opinion, Torteguero was an absolute highlight, and Manual Antonio was a bit of a disapoinment...but our family may be different from yours so let me explain:
MA was a very well travelled National Park; it never felt wild and pristine, the animals were so habituated to peope that the monkeys were super easy to see, but a little aggressive. MA had more of a touristy feel and my family LOVES to see animals in the wilderness. The beaches were beautiful and you'll get a couple of part days on the coast, surfing and body surfing opportunities, which is a priority for some families. Also during our trip, we did not stay on the beach, but high up on the hill with a view of the sea, so you couldn't walk down to the beach on your own.
Torteguero felt much more wild...like a real life jungle cruise. We did not stay at the Disney accomodations but I imagine it would be similar ( tho ours were not w/ AC, I'll bet ABD's hotel will have it)to what we experienced. We stayed right along the canal and it felt like you were on a boat (with out the motion!), you could dine on a porch right over the water! The whole community is on a series of canals and you'll go off in boats on the canals (the National Park there is only accessible by boat on the canals) It's steamy, rainy jungle and it's teaming with wildlife. Some families might be miserable in that kind of envornment, if they don't have interest in wildlife. There is no swimming on the coast (too rough) or the canals (huge
crocs!!), tho some hotels have a pool. My family puts it up there with our African Safari (though the animals are harder to spot in a jungle!)
I wish you luck with your trip...only you know what will meet the need of your family!
Happy to answer any other ??ss for you!