Which Deluxe for a 4 year-old first timer?

[DarthGoofy]

What deluxe do you think my son would enjoy the best? This will be his first trip to WDW and we want it to be special.

We are going the first week of May (1-6) and currently have ressies at POP Century, but are seriously thinking about an uprade.

As always thanks for the advice. You guys are the best!

 

[dandave]

DarthGoofy, I can't think of a deluxe resort that a 4 year old boy would like better than the WL.

 

[justhat]

I would say either Animal Kingdom Lodge or the Contemporary. At AKL, he could see the animals on the different savannahs and they had some good activities he could participate it. At the CR I think he'd like watching the monorail drive through the building, watching the fireworks from teh observation decks, and since Chef Mickey's is there, you can always peek in or look from a higher floor in the tower at Mickey and friends. If you're planning to stay at one, both have good pools for young kids, with a slide, and AKL has bunk beds in some rooms, which is often a cool thing for a 4 year old.

 

[JennSaint]

My boys love AKL! We've stayed there twice now and they keep saying they want to stay there for our next WDW trip. The first time we stayed there they were 5 & 6 years old. It's alot of fun watching the animals from your balcony. And even if you don't get a savannah view room there are plenty of public viewing spots. Have fun deciding! Planning the trip is 1/2 the fun!

 

[MAGICinMYHEART]

While I agree AKL is a beautiful and wounderful Resort, my five nephews always want to stay at WL. So much so that I bought a DVC Membership there.

When not in the pool, we a riding bikes to Ft. Wilderness or enjoying the watermouse out on Bay Lake...so many activities to enjoy.

 

[Kimberle]

Hi there,
My 4 yo just LOVED WL! She loved riding the boats. (2 boat's, 1st goes WL/FW/MK, 2nd goes WL/CR/FW). She doesn't know how to swim, so she really loved the kiddie pool. (No kiddie pool at CR.) She loved playing on the playground (on beach).

But, where ever you stay, you'll have a wonderful time!

 

[Gupsmom]

I think your 4 yr old will LOVE any resort...from All Stars right through Grand Floridian. With that in mind, one thing you might consider is the benefits of being on the monorail. Getting to and from Magic Kingdom and Epcot on the monorail is great. You don't have to budget in bus time...you just decide when you want to get to Magic Kingdom and walk to the monorail about 20 minutes before that. It's great for returning from the park with a tired child....no waiting 40 minutes for a bus. Also, you can get to all the monorail places to eat without worrying about taking a bus to a park and then transfering to another bus to go to the place your eating. you just hop the monorail and you're there.

You could split your stay. We love splitting. It lets us experience 2 resorts in 1 trip. We find that it's like starting our vacation all over again on day 4...new pool, new place to eat, new room..

Jess

 

[JayCT]

We too are going the first week of May and are staying at WL, primarily because of price (I am not sure that there will be a code out for the week we are going to be there). When we went in 02, our sons were 4 and 6. Of all the parks, they liked MK best, so we went there several times. We stayed at the Poly and loved it. Because of the monorail, it is very convenient to MK and Epcot (though our kids did not like Epcot much). They did not care for AK that much so we only spent a half day there. Things are too spread out, especially for the 4 year old that refuses to use a stoller.

I would say that the Poly is best for kids, but it is also the most expensive (that is why we are staying at WL this trip). They have a great pool and a great beach that our kids loved. There is also the Neverland Club if you want a night out without him. Our kids loved it there and wanted to go back there before any of the parks except MK. I think GF is too formal for kids, especially our very active boys. I also feel that CR would be better when the kids are older. WL looks like a good alternative for the price, that is why we are staying there this trip. The other deluxes (YC, BC, BW) are closer to Epcot or MGM, which is fine if that was where you were going to spend most of your time. Anyway, these are just my thoughts. All of the resorts are great. Good luck.

 

[frndofpooh]

I came to this thread ready to recommend either BC/YC or Boardwalk because of the pools, the proximity to Boardwalk attractions, the boat to Epcot and MGM (for some reason my sons think the boat ride to the parks is one of the best parts of the trip), and the overall layout and amenities of the resorts. After reading all of the other responses, however, I can't disagree with any of them. AKL, WL and the monorail resorts all have great advantages for a 4 year old. I guess now I am of the view that you can't go wrong with any of them! Your decision should probably be based upon your son's individual likes and dislikes. What will he like best? Seeing the animals at AKL? The overall theming and fun of WL? The convenience and "wow" factor of the monorail? The fun, attractions and proximity to Epcot and MGM of Boardwalk or BC/YC? In the end, your son probably won't appreciate the room accomodations that make these resorts "deluxe," but he will like the extra fun features that each can offer. Any choice will be a good one, but the best choice is the one that appeals to your son's individual preferences.

Also, don't completely overlook your own preferences. He will have fun no matter where you stay, but if you strongly prefer one of the deluxe resorts for your own reasons, please consider yourself as well as your son. Whatever you choose, have a great time!

 

[Tinks]

I have to vote for the Poly. There's a great pool area with a slide right through a "volcano"...mom, dad, and kids love it. At the Poly you are also on the monorail, which having 3 kids of my own I say you must do---stay at a monorail resort! It is so much more convenient! If your little one gets tired you can be back to your room very quickly for a short nap. WL is also fun, but the extra money to be on the monorail line has always been worth it for us because of the kids. Have fun planning!

 

[bigsis1970]

I would vote for a split stay and please don't be offended but what if he would expect that every time you go to disney he stays in the Poly, Contemp or Grand Flordian .. I split my stays for that reason my kids are now 10 and 7 and we usually do an offsite or value then a DVC rental in a studio or a Mod then back to value . They know that if we do it that way we can afford to stay at one really nice place for 4-5 days right in the middle of our vacation but as a single mom that is also all I can afford . never to early to learn the value of the almighty dollar.. good luck on whatever you decide. you have come to the right place to help with your decision.. Michelle and again hope to have not offended anyone here.. not my intentions at all .. just my perspective. Michelle

 

[wdwphanatic]

... and he LOVED IT! Although I agree with everyone about the benefits of being at a monorail resort, to me the atmosphere at WL cannot be beat if your ds likes a lincoln-logs, camp-out sort of theme. I stayed at the Poly when I was a kid and loved it, but I feel that it's a bit dated now. CR just doesn't do it for me at all theme-wise -- I have never found the stark, contemporary look particularly appealing... To me, WL is much more reasonably priced and has an atmosphere that kids would prefer. I also find the fact that it's so close to MK wonderful and that you get there via boat kind of cool and fun! All that being said, my favorite place now is BC/BCV because of the awesome pool!! I've also heard that AKL is fabulous and hope to stay there with my ds's at some point as well!

Happy planning,
Sarah

 

[kimberwing]

....the Poly. We also had an 18 mo old. They loved the volcano pool (especially opening ceremonies) and the convenience with the mono cannot be beat.

We are staying at AKL in April just because of the $$. But if I had big bucks, we'd be at the Poly again for sure.

 

[Minnie Mi]

Our 4 year old loved the Wilderness Lodge. Its proximity to the Magic Kingdom was a huge plus in reducing transportation time. The boat ride is short (as is the bus ride.) Our son still naps so we didn't want to waste time going to and from the parks. Agree with others re: lincoln logs, kiddie pool, overall fun theme.

Honestly tho....you'll have fun no matter where you stay!

 

[AspiringCindy]

We are all WL fans here too! The proximity to MK is wonderful, the atmosphere is warm, WCC is awesome and the price won't empty your wallet!

 

[cooderbrown]

It's a boat ride away from MK - my kids at the time were 5 and 2.3 and they loved waiting for the boat and taking it to MK.

The restauraunt is the greatest - the kids had broomstick races, and your right next to the lake where you can rent little motor boats.

The bus runs are convenient for Mom and Dad too...

When we went we uprgraded from All Star Sports and never looked back.

With a 4 year old you WILL be spending moretime at MK regardless of what you plan - there was just so much more there for theor age.

The pool at WL is great too.

And we had bunk beds (with rails) for the kids.

 

[MAGICinMYHEART]

Originally posted by cooderbrown
It's a boat ride away from MK - my kids at the time were 5 and 2.3 and they loved waiting for the boat and taking it to MK.
The restauraunt is the greatest - the kids had broomstick races, and your right next to the lake where you can rent little motor boats.

Hay!! That was a wooden pony race not a broomstick race.

 

[Sammie]

The one his parents like the best. When he is paying let him pick his choice.

 

[stonecreekboys]

I vote for the Polynesian. My boys, ages five and three, loved it! Especially the volcano pool. They have been begging to go back there. We are staying at CR this May only because we are expecting another baby and need the convenience of walking right on the monorail from the tower. I am not excited about the decor. We are also hoping for a discount code. We got an incredible rate last summer at the Poly. We are saving the WL for our next Disney trip. I would have to say that it is worth the extra money to stay at a Deluxe and have the convenience of the monorail. My kids LOVED getting on the monorail to go everywhere. However, it is not convenient getting around using the bus service at a Deluxe. AKL is beautiful, but it is not close to MK. Decide where you will spend most of your time and base your decision on that. Good luck with your choice.

 

[kapica3]

This may seem to go against popular opinion but - IMHO---There is no where as wonderful as the All Star Movies - Toy Story Building or 101 Dalmations building for a little kid's first Disney Resort experience.

As I said to someone else in a previous post - Kids are only little once. They can try the moderates or deluxe resorts when they are older. Nothing like the look on their faces when they see the Giant Buzz and Woody and the Giant Dalmations and the wonderful theming of this resort. Great photo ops too!

You could use the extra $ saved on extra character meals, extra souviners or better yet - another trip to Disneyworld.