Which Deluxe Resort with 2 small children?

[Minnie824]

When we go to WDW next time, kids will be 4 yo and 19 mos (Nov/Dec timeframe). We can't decide which hotel to stay at! We've narrowed it down to 4, but there are pros and cons that we see for each. Please help! Also, we may do concierge at any of them too. Heres what we have so far:
Poly:
Pros, easy to get to Epcot too, since its near TTT, nice pool, on monorail, good for kids.
Cons, hear mixed reviews, and I know we do for all hotels, but even with the renovation, still 'older'.

Contemporary:
Pros, walk to MK, would get tower, so hopefully great view, right on monorail
Cons, the rooms from the pictures *seem* older to me too with not as much theming

Grand Floridian:
Pros, nice pools, newer than other monorail resorts
Cons, obviously most expensive choice

Yacht Club:
Pros, we love this hotel, love location, but haven't been with kids. Pool great, boardwalk close, Epcot MGM could walk to
Cons, haven't stayed at others and would like to try them, also not as close to MK where I assume we'll spend lots of time.

I have 'decided' on a hotel many times, then keep changing my mind. We probably won't spend as much time swimming as doing other things, and will be going to all parks, spending 6 nights there. Also, we don't want to split our stay. Any input would be great! Thanks.

 

[Joan S.]

Hi, My vote would be for the GF. Cannot beat the location and luxury with 2 small children.I would think that the monorail would be best for this stay as you most likely will spend lots of time in the MK!They also have a good fast food area here.And two very nice pools. The new pool has lunch delivery poolside from roomservice, a VERY nice convenience! If you could get a good rate you may want to try for the Sugar Loaf concierge?? We stayed there this summer and it was wonderful.We had a 1st floor room right off the concierge lounge,it was great for drinks, breakfast,snacks,tea-time and appetizers.WE could also step right outside our room from this building to see the MK fireworks!With two young children I would think you would like a place for you and DH to relax while they nap or sleep at night.If you have any ??'s feel free to ask! Good Luck with your choice! Joan

 

[Kimberle]

I would not stay at the CR w/ small children, unless you are not planning on using the pool area. There is no kiddie pool. We stayed there when dd was 2.5. We loved the resort. We will wait until she can swim in the larger pool before we return. (We will return.)

Another choice not on your list is WL. We just returned for our stay there. It is a wonderful hotel for kids. There is a great kiddie pool. Our 4.5 yo just loved it. The transportation is wonderful. It's so easy & relaxing to hop on the boat to MK. There is also a boat that just runs a circle between WL, FW & CR. We hopped it several times for dinner at Concource Steakhouse at CR & for dinner at Trails End at FW. FW also has a nice little petting zoo & pony rides for kids.

 

[DemoBri1]

I would tend to agree with Kimberlee's recommendation. Even though I am a BC/YC fan, if you're going to be spending a majority of your time at MK then it makes sense to stay close to the "action".

The WL would be a great selection. Good theme, boat access to MK, a couple of good restaurants, nice views (possibly of the Water Pageant if that still runs).

GF in my opinion is not a place for smaller kids. Once they grow a bit, then I'd think about the GF. It's a little more "upscale" in feel and atmosphere.

SAB is very tempting though isn't it?

Brian

 

[DisneyKidds]

For that time of year I'd go with the WL or Poly, and that is just what we will be doing from Nov 28 to Dec 6 .

We stayed at the CR once. The location is great and the walk to the MK is very convenient. However, our daughter (3 at the time) thought it was the airport. The DW and I aren't big fans of the theming of the CR........and I guess it runs in the genes.

The GF is gorgeous, and the new pool is nice, but it just might not be a fun for kids at the WL or Poly.

We love the WL. Our kids (5 and 2) love the WL. They could run over the bridge in the lobby all day. The waterfalls leading to the main pool are cool. The guyser is neat. There are lots of fun activities for the kids. And the kiddie pool at the WL is tops. It is very large as kiddie pools go and our daughters favorite thing to do is make friends at the pool. Only problem is that in Nov/Dec the weather can be iffy for the pool. The WL has great (and fun) boat access to the MK. All in all the WL is our favorite resort, and even more so after Thanksgiving.

The Poly is very nice as well. We stayed there for the first time in May. The kids liked it a lot. The theming is fun, and the boat/monorail access to the MK is convenient. The pool is zero entry, but can be slippery for a toddler running in and out. The rooms are large and the poly is a good choice.

I think the YC/BC is great for kids, primarily for SAB. However, in Nov/Dec swimming may be a low priority so checking out a MK resort is a good idea.

Good luck deciding.

 

[BCVNovember]

After changing my mind a half-dozen times, we have reservations at the Poly. My girls are 2, 5 and 7. I was tempted by the GF, but I had heard so much about how family-friendly and laid back the Poly is, and the feedback on children at the GF was about 50/50, so it just seemed like the Poly would be a better fit to me. We will definitely try the GF when my girls are older. Also on my list for future stays are: the WL, AKL, BC/YC (for SAB when all of my girls are self-sufficient swimmers), and BWI. I probably would have chosen the WL this time as well, but my dad is going with us and he preferred the Poly ...

Good luck deciding!

 

[TwingleMum]

Poly or WL

I have 3 boys under 3 and we are going to the Poly in 8 days LV Concierge (single digit dance). I would vote for either the Poly concierge or WL. First the Poly: I think staying at a deluxe resort concierge makes sense when you have small children for a few reasons - you'll need to come back to the room at lunch time for lunch/naps and the convenience of having food in the lounge area that either you or your husband could get while the other is getting the little ones to nap is very helpful. ALso young kids don't always do restaurants well, so having a snack supply outside your room is helpful. The convenience of the monorail to MK (where you'll be spending most of your time is key also). If its not crowded you can roll your stroller on & off without disturbing your little one. Pools are generally nicer at the deluxes and the poly and WL both have great pools. The poly also has one of the best kids clubs - the neverland.

WL: the Wl is also situated nicely for MK ,a nice boat ride and your there. You can also easily access the monorails from there. As someone else pointed out Nov/Dec might be iffy for pools. At WL you can easily access the activities at FW - the petting zoo, hayrides, Hoop De Doo, and the Campfire program. Wl also has DVC property next door the Villas at Wilderness lodge. The villas have full Kitchens and washer/dryers located in each villa. Very useful with little guys and you can save some $$ making your own breakfast, lunch or dinner if the kids are pooped. Also the convenience of throwing a load of wash in going to the park and drying it can't be beat. You can check the cost out on the Dis BB for DVC rent BB or ask when making ressies but you'd probably get a better deal from someone on the BB.

Comtemp - I stayed here when my oldest DS was 1 yrs old. He loved it. (so did I - I was very surprised b/c I'm more a GF type of decor person) The access to the monorail (inside the building you don't get wet or cold) Chef Mickey's and the lobby with all the shops. My DS loved just riding the monorail & watching the fireworks. He also loved to ride the elevator to the lounge and run around. I would stay here in a heart beat but my DH wants to try new places so this trip its the poly & AKL.

Sorry so long but you can't make a bad decision --- its DISNEY!! Good luck tell us what you decide.

 

[B3LM]

I'd recommend one of the monorail resorts if you'll be spending the bulk of your time in the MK. There's nothing more convenient than hopping on that monorail and being back at your resort in 5-10 minutes. If you have a stroller, you don't even have to fold it up!

I'd agree about the pool at the Contemporary - no kiddie pool. I've heard great things about the Poly pool, though!

 

[MAGICinMYHEART]

OH!! One more point with late Nov/Dec the Wilderness Lodge's Christmas Decorations you can't believe how beautiful it is.

 

[scoutmontana]

We just got back from 9 days at WDW with a 3yo & 20 month old. We stayed at Poly for 1st time and LOVED it!

My favorite "themed" resort is the beach club, but with children this age you CANT beat the monorail. Both of my kids were in their strollers 70% of the time and ALWAYS at the end of the day. The monorial is the only transportation you don't have to unpack & fold up. I knew we would be at MK alot but I had no idea how nice it would be to "run over" there for just a couple hours for a parade or a few attractions/shows. We went almost everyday for some part of the day.

The Poly is so RELAXED and is such a great escape after the hustle & excitement of being in the parks. I just can't say enough how much I suprisingly loved this resort. I had the same "older" impressions that you mentioned but never sensed this while there. You know you compare all these resorts but once you are there you really realize what is helpful & special for a family with young children. Here are my biggest pros for the poly for a family like yours:
MONORAIL/Boat to MK
Relaxed, laid back atmostphere
Zero Entry pool
Can walk from the TTC (nice pretty walk)
BEACH/Sand (20 month old loved this!)
BIG Rooms & Bathrooms!!!
Great coffee bar right before entering the Monorail

Hands down this would be my choice again for kids this age. We discussed as our kids get older like 8 and up we would probably give the beach club/Boardwalk a try.

Hope this helps! Have fun!

 

[Planogirl]

We stayed at the Polynesian when our son was little and I can't say enough good things about this place. The location was outstanding and we all loved the ambience. Plus the constant sight of that castle was almost as big a hit to our son as the "monerator" (his pronunciation and favorite attraction ). It was nice to have the GF and CR so close too.

I don't get the "old" comments about the Polynesian because it's Polynesian styled so how does that look old? I like it personally.

 

[BCV23]

Polynesian all the way!!!!

 

[Zephyr]

We stayed at the Poly when my son was 2 and 3. It is great to be near the monorail. We always stayed at the Tahiti building so that we were a close walk to the Ticket and Transporation center.

This year, my son is 4 now, we will be trying the Caribean Beach Resort - two reasons - we got 2 rooms for the price of 1 at the Poly and they have playgrounds at CBR (I could never figure out why there is not a playground at Poly)

 

[Snurk71]

Please don't downplay the kid friendliness and enjoyment of the GF. We stay at GF with our 3 yo DD and she has a great time. There is the regular pool, a kiddie pool, and the zero entry pool. And there are a ton of children's activities there. So it's not like GF is discouraging kids in any way, except maybe at V&As.

The location for your kids will be perfect too. MK is the next stop on the resort monorail from the GF, and the GF is the first stop on the boat rides back from MK. If you're like us, you'll spend a lot of time going back and forth to the MK.

I'd definitely recommend the GF. Especially since in your reasoning the only con you mentioned was price. Price is a consideration. But you listed con enjoyment factors on your other resorts.

Oh, and GF does up pretty nice for xmas too.