Which resorts would a preschool boy LOVE?

[MeridaMerida]

My boys both have May birthdays (turning 2 and 4). We have always done big parties and spend quite a bit. I am considering, since it is a low season in May before school lets out and it is one of the last years where we can take a trip outside of the school calendar, to take a Disney trip, and to forgo the huge party. We would do a 4 night trip to Disney with the kids to celebrate their birthdays. We are more into MK and AK. I'm not sure HS or Epcot would be a big hit with my kids.

I know the 2 year old is still small, but which deluxe resorts did your preschool boys love?

Some of my first thoughts:
1. Animal Kingdom- I love the restaurants and the boys would love the animals I think!
2. Wilderness Lodge- I think my older son would like the lodge/wood vibe and the boat to MK. I actually think he would really love FW but it's not my style.
3. Polynesian- on monorail line...and the most fun theming of the monorail resorts, although we have been to Hawaii with the kids before and they aren't into any of the Lilo characters
4. Contemporary- I think my son would love the monorails or a monorail view room and I like the idea of walking to MK
5. Four Seasons, amazing pools and my husband wants to stay here. Great character breakfast with more one on one attention


Their favorite characters are the classic 5 and Cars.

 

[Lynne M]

In all honesty, any of the resorts will be thrilling to 2-4 year olds. I don’t think you can go wrong with any of the ones you mentioned.

I know switching resorts would be a hassle with kids that age, but if you’re feeling adventurous, you could consider a split and do two nights at AKL and two at CR or Four Seasons. If not, I’d have to go with CR, just for the monorail, which I think boys that age would love.

 

[ZZBane]

Sort of in the same boat as you. My son turns 3 in May and instead of a party, I’m taking him back to Disney. We have his first trip planned in December, then a short one in February, and I’ll be booking for May. Personally, I’m choosing AK. Kidani if we decide on a 1 bedroom villa because that has 2 bathrooms and Jambo if we decide on 2 separate rooms. Either one will be with the savanna view.

There is also the possibility of a split stay for us. It really depends on how this December trip goes.

My son loves animals and if the weather sucks, there seems to be a lot more to do at AK. I’ve been reading and researching daily on this.

For our December trip, we are staying in a Nemo suite at AoA. They do have Cars suites. I know you want deluxe, but if they love Cars that much, maybe that could be an option?

 

[sponica]

My daughter will be almost 4 when we return. She just cares about a pool.

Pick the place YOU want to stay....while you still can without factoring in their "wish list"

 

[chalee94]

For small kids who love the MK, I'd vote for BLT/Contemporary. You can't beat a short walk to the MK.

AKL/AKV is fun with activities and animals outside the balconies.

If you stay in the villas, a 1BR at BLT or AKV-Kidani would have plenty of space and 2 bathrooms.

Art of Animation has a bit of Cars theming if the other resorts start to look too expensive.

 

[Carol_]

They’ll love any place with a playground which is all of them.
MK is a must, and schedule 2 hours to just run around Tom Sawyer’s Island.
AK is great for Rafiki’s planet watch where they’ll brush sleeping goats...
Honestly, although they’re value resorts, Art of Animation’s Nemo and Cars buildings were great fun. You don’t have to spend $$$ to get great options.
That said, I loved Contemporary as a kid, 4 seasons sounds awesome, and sometimes you gotta please the grownups.

 

[Alison S]

The water play area at the poly is amazing. It's like a huge play structure but with waterslides! It's a good option if your child is too scared for the regular poly waterslide (though I bet a 4 year old could still do it, depending on the kid!).

 

[KMarston]

When DGS was 2 we did POR and he loved the horses, boats, pool and playground! (to this day we can’t pass up a playground!) For the 3 yo trip we rented points for a lagoon view studio at the Poly and he could watch fireworks from his little stitch bunk! We loved the ease of using the monorail and boats to get to and from the MK and there were always activities going on for kids. We typically travel in January so the pool isn’t as important to us. We did recently stay at Yacht Club, just my husband and I, and said if we go during warmer weather 2021 we’d definitely choose YC for Storm Along Bay. This January we’ll be back to Poly, it was just too perfect for us.

 

[DrunkJam]

My Ds was nearly 4 when we first went to WDW. We stayed at WL and he LOVED it.
In fact, when we went last time and stayed at GF, he was happy to be there, but, he is, even at 12, a WL boy, so, it wasn't *quite* the same for him.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

My boys both have May birthdays (turning 2 and 4). We have always done big parties and spend quite a bit. I am considering, since it is a low season in May before school lets out and it is one of the last years where we can take a trip outside of the school calendar, to take a Disney trip, and to forgo the huge party. We would do a 4 night trip to Disney with the kids to celebrate their birthdays. We are more into MK and AK. I'm not sure HS or Epcot would be a big hit with my kids.

I know the 2 year old is still small, but which deluxe resorts did your preschool boys love?

Some of my first thoughts:
1. Animal Kingdom- I love the restaurants and the boys would love the animals I think!
2. Wilderness Lodge- I think my older son would like the lodge/wood vibe and the boat to MK. I actually think he would really love FW but it's not my style.
3. Polynesian- on monorail line...and the most fun theming of the monorail resorts, although we have been to Hawaii with the kids before and they aren't into any of the Lilo characters
4. Contemporary- I think my son would love the monorails or a monorail view room and I like the idea of walking to MK
5. Four Seasons, amazing pools and my husband wants to stay here. Great character breakfast with more one on one attention


Their favorite characters are the classic 5 and Cars.

Of the ones listed, I would do AKL, WL or Poly. CR is very convenient and watching the monorail go through the resort is very cool, but, in terms of theming, it's not that exciting, IMHO, plus the pool is not conducive to younger children. There are some rooms at Poly and WL that have a view of the monorail, so you could certainly request that if you book a standard view at either of those resorts. In fact, if you want to splurge a little, the WL standard CL rooms typically have a view of the monorail and the MK fireworks which is pretty cool. All three of those resorts also have wonderful splash pads for younger children. The Four Seasons is gorgeous, but not terribly convenient to the parks and not Disney-themed if that is what you are looking for.

 

[BarlowFamily]

What a fun birthday trip for your boys! How many park days did you have planned for your 4 night trip? How much time do you think you'll spend at the Resort? Here's my thoughts on a few of them:

1. Animal Kingdom Lodge - we'll be there in January because it looks so great for families. It's surprise for DS4. He's going to love the Savannah balcony. Gah! I just had to tell somebody.
2. Wilderness Lodge - You could always boat over to check it out if you stay at CR. I love this theme but not sure it captures my guys the same. They just humor me. It sounds like you entire family may like this one though and that's great!
4. Contemporary- Walking to MK! Yes please! Another great choice. Are you thinking two MK days or one? Very convenient.
5. Four Seasons. I would pick this one We have breakfast reservations that I'm very much looking forward to. You can always have breakfast even if you don't stay here, but hubby might not want that.

I think the Cars Suites are fantastic for these ages! The AoA resort isn't on par with Four Seasons, but there's such a short window where these rooms are magical for little ones. A one or two bedroom villa in a DVC at AKL, CR, or WL would also be great for your family! You have so many great choices. I'm excited to here what you decide to do!

 

[Babsy]

I would go with the CR or Poly. Children at that age will most likely enjoy the MK the most and convenience to the MK plus large comfortable monorail resort rooms would be top on my list. Walking to the MK is great with your age children and boys that age love watching the monorail run through their hotel. However, the Poly has a much nicer pool area.

Depending upon what is more important to you, I would pick one of those two. I chose the Poly when mine were little, but we chose the CR for the grandchildren's first visits. All trips worked out amazingly well.

I do agree that the children will love wherever you stay at that age.

Enjoy!

 

[_auroraborealis_]

All of 'em.

Stay where your budget works.

 

[Sue M]

They’ll enjoy any of them. Pick where you want to stay. AKL has the animals which is nice for any age! I loved the savanna view. An advantage of the MK resorts is that you can watch the Electric Water Parade and MK fireworks from the resort. The Poly, GF and CR have the best fireworks views. WL has somewhat of a view from Geyser Point. Music is piped in. But sometimes hard to hear from Poly.
CR is the only MK Resort we haven’t stayed at due to lack of desire. But have watched fireworks from there.

 

[MeridaMerida]

I am pricing them out and from least expensive to most:
Four Seasons $418
Wilderness Lodge $476 (nature view, standard)
Copper Creek Deluxe Studio $555
Animal Kingdom $612 (standard, savanna view)
Poly $627 (standard view)
Bay Lake Tower $700 (studio, lake view)
Contemporary $773 (Theme park view)

 

[smmco]

I don't think they will care or remember the trip. I would do what you want to do.

 

[Mazz519]

Would Probably enjoy the Animal Kingdom Lodge just for the Animals.....All the rest are really nice resorts but nothing your kid would awe at... To be honest he would probably love one of the AllStar resorts more than any of the ones you looked at

 

[SaintsManiac]

At 4 years old my kid thought a Courtyard Marriott was the best thing in the world. lol.

Pick where YOU want to stay!

 

[Malyficent]

At 4 years old my kid thought a Courtyard Marriott was the best thing in the world. lol.

Pick where YOU want to stay!

This. We did ASMovies and POR last year. This year we're doing AKL (as a surprise) and AoA Nemo. My 6yo is bummed we aren't staying at ASMovies and POR again - mostly sad to be missing ASMo. I could have saved so much $$$. But I picked AoA for the suites (I can't handle a full week in one room with the whole family).

For such a short trip with little kids, I'd do the Contemporary or Poly / GF as you can / should be able to walk to MK from them (not sure when the bridge construction from GF will be finished).

 

[heather913]

4 year olds are easy to please. Pick whick park you think you'll be spending the most time in, and book your resort based on that. For me, I would pick Contemporary since you can walk to MK. It makes mid-day naps so much easier.