which deluxe resort to stay w 3 little ones??

[3under5]

hi..want to book a deluxe resort, but which one??? want a nice(hopefully renovated) large room. have stayed at akl before and loved it, but want convenience this year. will have a 1 yr, 4 yr and 6 yr when we go..which one will be nicest AND easiest?? will be spending most time at parks, but looking for anything to make vacation a little easier with 3 little ones. leaning towards poly, cr or wl. any advice???thanks!!!

 

[TammiMcMan]

If you're looking for convenience and plan on spending a majority of your time at the MK, it doesn't get much better than the CR. You can walk back and forth to the park and don't even have to rely on transportation. It's also close enough, that even when you're back in your room, you'll still feel like you're in the middle of the magic. I believe the garden wing rooms are the largest standard rooms on site, however if money is no object, an MK view from the tower is incredible. Second choice would be the Poly, again for room size, location and convenience of transportation options.

 

[TJA]

I totally agree about wanting convenience once you have little ones. I agree with the above poster about CR tower room. Also, Poly is a very nice resort with room size comparable to CR, both resorts having the largest standard rooms in Disney (I believe...). I believe all rooms have been recently renovated at both resorts, so you will get new rooms plus a nice large size. At Poly you will have more of a tropical feel to your vacation, while at CR you will have a magical feel being right next door to MK. The pool at Poly is perhaps a bit better than at CR. Both have great restaurants also offering a character meal.

You also mentioned WL and while I think that resort is stunning, I'm not sure if you'd find it as convenient as being at a monorail resort. Plus, unfortunately, the rooms are much smaller at WL.

Another option I'll throw out there is BC in the Epcot resort area. BC has an amazing pool with an entire area dedicated to sand. The bottom of the whole pool area is sand and there are mounds of sand for the kids to play in. We have twin 4 yr olds and we have a hard time dragging them away to go to parks! However, with 3 kids I'm not sure if the BC rooms are large enough. But it's a great area because you can walk to Epcot and walk or boat to MGM. And if you're already inside Epcot, you can monorail over to MK.

 

[5 blind mice]

We're in the same situation as you...in fact almost identical! Our kids will be 6, 5 and 1 at the time of travel. We have booked a room at the Poly, but I've wavered back and forth as to whether or not we should switch to a different resort.

I have a close friend who has stayed at the Poly twice with her young children, and they're going back for a third time this summer. She keeps reassuring me that we've made the best choice.

From my perspective, the Poly seems to have a more fun theme than the CR. I think my husband and I will enjoy the atmosphere there more than the CR. The kids would probably be happy either way.

Based on all the advice I've received, and from reading disboards, I think the trip will be great no matter which resort you choose.

Good luck and have fun!

 

[bornwiththeears]

We have stayed with little ones at both the Poly and CR. For us it was a no brainer - the Poly. We love the feeling of the Poly. for us the CR seemed cold. Little ones seem to enjoy the MK best and it was great to hop on the monorail and head over.

 

[wrighter]

Just out of curiosity - would you consider a DVC villa? We opted to do so on our first trip last February, and will do so again next year. We were so glad we chose this route. With two little ones it was SO nice to have all that extra space for running around, a kitchen to make "regular" food when we wanted, and of course the in-room laundry! Not to mention two separate sleeping quarters! I know it's not in everyone's budget, but there are DVC villas you can book that actually cost less than some deluxes.

Just a thought!

 

[Deb & Bill]

First thing I thought of was CR. Large rooms, right on the monorail, nice pool, walking distance to MK. Chef Mickey's is on the property.

 

[firsttimemom]

Def. the poly! The ease of transportation is only the start. They have a nice splash area for the little ones and the pool has a zero-depth entry which is also nice.

If you have a car, I'd suggest driving driving to the other parks. You won't have to wait for a bus, you'll always have a seat and won't be packed like sardines. I have not-so-fond memories of racing to catch a bus, DH trying to fold the 100lb double stroller and hoist it up the bus steps while I tried to find a seat holding a sleeping 3 yr old and an over-stimulated 5 yr old. How people do it with 3 kids is beyond me

HTH!

Liz

 

[septbaby]

Just out of curisosity, why hasn't the Grand Floridian been suggested? Is it not kid or family friendly? Are the rooms not right sized?

I've never stayed onsite and we aren't doing deluxe on this trip, but find the resort beautiful and have seen families there.

 

[maxiesmom]

The Poly! The pool there is great for small children. It is zero entry at one end, and has a rather small slide. Plus it is right on the beach, so you can build sandcastles if you like too. And you cannot beat the convenience of being able to either walk to the TTC or hop right on the monorail.

 

[Tam1067]

NO question--Poly all the way.

The pool has zero depth entry (a huge plus for little ones). CR's does not, and neither does the WL.
The theming is very kid friendly with tiki statues, music throughout the grounds, and many "Alohas" from CMs.
Food options are good. My kids absolutely love Kona believe it or not, and 'Ohana is a blast. You're only a short monorail ride away from Chef Mickey's, too.
Rooms have been recently renovated, and they're among the largest on Disney property. WL's are very small compared to the Poly's.
Transportation is the best. You can walk to the TTC and catch the monorail for Epcot without having to switch monorail lines. That's a great perk neither the CR or GF offer. You can also take a boat to MK if you wish (in addition to the monorail).
GF and CR are both having some construction right now, and depending on when you go, that could affect your plans as well.

We stayed there last year, and we'll be there in just 6 days. My kids and DH refuse, and I mean refuse, to stay elsewhere.

 

[MissionMouse]

...want to book a deluxe resort... want a ...large room...want convenience this year...have a 1 yr, 4 yr and 6 yr ...anything to make vacation a little easier ...leaning towards poly, cr or wl. any advice???...

I would recommend either the PR MK View or CR Tower. From here it is your preference on theme, pool, view, transportation options and restaurant selection. The monorail system allows you to easily visit any of the restaurants at the GF, PR, or CR. WL is also a easy boat ride away too. MK is the only resort where you can walk to the MK. PR is great with it's proximity to the TTC and availability of water transportation too. If the crowds are not over bearing you can usually roll the stroller onto the monorail. The WL boat also allows you to push the stroller on to it too. The GF/PR yacht transportation will require you to fold/carry a stroller. The Ferry is also right next to the PR too which also allows you to roll strollers right on to it too.

 

[mma800]

I just got back from Poly concierge with 4 kids, ages 6,5,3 and 16 mos. I wasn't crazy about the housekeeping, but I would recommend the resort for families travelling with little ones. Monorail was so convenient to MK. We usually took the ferry back to the resort. Kids loved the pool, and it was great for the little ones to have the zero entry part for them to play in. Pool did get a bit crowded after 2 pm, but we went in the am once and it was perfect! Great spot by the pool, easy to watch all the kids at the same time (oldest are great swimmers, but still!) and for us, having a bathroom right at the pool was a lifesaver.
Our room was on the 1st floor of the hawaii bldg. We had a patio and a quiet section of the beach right at our door. Our kids loved playing on the beach. Cinderella's castle was in view all day and night. The water parade went by and we got to enjoy the fireworks at night. and then just tuck whoever was awake into bed. Room was large enough for the 2 adults, 3 kids and 1 infant (crib) but it was tight. Staying organized a bit everyday was the best way for ys to stay on top of the clutter.
The parks were very crowded in June, we went only 2 days out of 6. It was very easy to head back after lunch, put the little ones down for a rest, and I took the oldest 2 back to MK for a few.
We did book a few out of park days with Princess Tea Party and Wonderland Tea Party. Much more fun for the little ones than Epcot.
I was told that as Poly has no hot tub, you may use the pool at GF, which we did and it was a nice change. My 3 yo wasn't afraid of that water slide (with me) but he only did the slide at Poly once. This info was given to me by a lifeguard and confirmed by a concierge.

All that said, I have booked our next trip for Thanksgiving at GF. It is just my favorite. Our kids love the atmosphere at both.

Have fun and Happy 4th!

 

[busymomma123]

We stayed at the CR last August with kids 6, 5, and 1. You just can't beat the walkway from the CR to MK. It was so nice to be leaving MK at night, then just bypass all the crowds going to a bus or monorail. We could be at our room in about five minutes.

 

[alldiz]

Definately the POLY.....IMO....

Awesome location....Watch Wishes from Beach....
Nice rooms...

Zero entry pool.....great for kids...

IMO with the construction....the contemporary is
even less appealing.....always feels cold to me

Location....direct monorail to mk and epcot.....walk to ttc..
Enjoy
Kerri

 

[Jrabbit910]

NO question--Poly all the way.

The pool has zero depth entry (a huge plus for little ones). CR's does not, and neither does the WL.
The theming is very kid friendly with tiki statues, music throughout the grounds, and many "Alohas" from CMs.
Food options are good. My kids absolutely love Kona believe it or not, and 'Ohana is a blast. You're only a short monorail ride away from Chef Mickey's, too.
Rooms have been recently renovated, and they're among the largest on Disney property. WL's are very small compared to the Poly's.
Transportation is the best. You can walk to the TTC and catch the monorail for Epcot without having to switch monorail lines. That's a great perk neither the CR or GF offer. You can also take a boat to MK if you wish (in addition to the monorail).
GF and CR are both having some construction right now, and depending on when you go, that could affect your plans as well.

We stayed there last year, and we'll be there in just 6 days. My kids and DH refuse, and I mean refuse, to stay elsewhere.

little curious because I heard this twice in the post responses.... (sorry but I dont know) what does zero depth entry ?!?!?

 

[mericletwins]

Although I haved not stayed at the Poly, I would pick that. I would also throw out a vote for the Beach Club. Hands down favorite resort. Sand area in pool for little ones is amazing. This would be my first choice. Easy transportation to two parks. With Poly it is only ease of transportation to one. You can stay reg. room there in a villa (DVC). When our twins were 3 and our youngest 2 y.o/ we stayed at OKW and LOVED it. I can't emphasize enough how great it was to have a w/d with little kids and a kitchen. I knew that we would have food on hand (healthy) that I could get them to eat in the a.m. or when we got back from the parks.

 

[Tam1067]

little curious because I heard this twice in the post responses.... (sorry but I dont know) what does zero depth entry ?!?!?

It's where you enter the pool by a gradual slope, like at the beach, as opposed to taking a step down a ladder or series of steps. It's great for very small chidren because they won't fall, and they can always have somewhere they can wade.

 

[minijeanie]

Another vote for the Poly here.

Rooms are big,nice play area for kids and the pool is great for the little ones.

As another hs said, WL is beautiful but the room is too small for your family.
I love this resort but now stay away because of rooms.

CR is a little bland for me and the pool has absoutely no theme.

Poly is the way to go!!!

 

[TammiMcMan]

IWe usually took the ferry back to the resort.

The resort boat launch is a great option, but we always had to fold up the stroller. The route goes from MK to GF to Poly and back to the MK. It's a beautiful way to see the resort.

I was told that as Poly has no hot tub, you may use the pool at GF, which we did and it was a nice change. My 3 yo wasn't afraid of that water slide (with me) but he only did the slide at Poly once. This info was given to me by a lifeguard and confirmed by a concierge.

This is not the general rule of thumb, so anyone interested in using the GF's hot tub should verify this information. I know that the hot tub located at the spa is available for use by guests at both resorts, but typically, guests from one resort cannot use the pool at another (unless they are sister resorts, which the Poly and GF are not). I'm not doubting or trying to contradict this poster, but wanted to point out that the information they received was not typical.