Which Disney World deluxe resort is best for young children (ages 8 and 4)?

Question

We will be going there late next December.

This what I've learned so far from other answers (I have never visited any of these resorts before). Possible best choices:

- Polynesian (because of nice appearance and Peter Pan babysitting club and beach. Also convenient to monorail?

- Contemporary, only if main building with view of Magic Kingdom, because of monorail (but someone said the building is a little older looking than the other resorts).

- Animal Kingdom, if a view of the savannah

- Wilderness lodge -- great pool?

We're only staying a few days so we just want to maximize fun for our kids and whole family. Thanks!

Answer 1

I've stayed at both lodges numerous times with family and kids. However, the Wilderness Lodge would be my first if I wanted a relaxing laid back setting similar to that theme since it's right next to the Wilderness Campground (if you have a big group, they have cabins here too- a unique venture). They have a great petting zoo area with pony rides ($3), boats, and the Hoop De Doo Musical Review Dinner (expensive, but I hear it's worth it). Also, although this resorts' decor isn't as new and nice as the Animal Kingdom, there is a nice boat to the Magic Kingdom (where you can take the monorail to Epcot or a bus to the other parks) If you are at the park all day, you want a relaxing place similar to a National Park Lodge to relax in. The pools are very nice too. I seem to remember a really long tube slide. THey are Not as nice as the Beach Club/ Yaut club which you need a wrist band to go in (sand bottom, lazy river, pirate ship w/ cool slide, very cool, but hey, are you there for the pool, or for the parks? It's close to the Magic Kingdom and you get good treatment at the bus stops as opposed to the value resorts that have lines from here to timbuck two.

For the adults, I'd say the Animal Kingdom Lodge!!! I love it, and so do my boys! The animals are literally right outside your window. The place is gorgeous with some education about African tribes and a huge fireplace and big leather chairs. They have a nice restaruant there too where the kids can bang their plates and stuff. It smells like wood cooked African Food when you walk in. Some casual dinning and a really nice unique flavored place that the adults like better. It's the newest of the ones you mentioned (in fact, the first is really old, and the second is getting there). The rooms are so pretty and clean here. I went for my honeymoon here and I'll never forget the feeling that I was in a luxury hotel. However, if you are going to go to Disney's Animal Kingdom Park anyway, they'll have had enough of the animals perhaps.

Although the Contemporary is nice in location (you have to stay in the main building, not the adjacent one that's cheaper), and they do have Goofy's Breakfast Buffet which we go to anyway, even if we are staying somewhere else, dispite the fact they had a problem with birds pooping on from the rafters one year. . . I just don't think the kids can run and be free and wild there. It's too. . . contemporary. The gift shops are nice there though. You can watch the fireworks from the outside balcony. . but you'll more likely be watching them at the park, right. It's a bit boring there in my opinion, and getting older.

The polynesian has been open forever. My parents stayed there for their honeymoon. I've heard it's too expensive for what you get.

The thing is, at Disney, you'll never run out of things to do, and every place is going to be enjoyable. If you are at the parks all day, you'll regret that you didn't get enough time to spend at the resort, and visa versa. Also, you can always get a bus to any of the resorts and check them out if you want, since you are on Disney Property. Not that you'll really have time in a week to do that, but hey. It's an option for dinner one night at least.

Answer 2

For me the Contemporary is my favorite. I love the monorail coming through the building, Chef Mickeys (the BEST Mickey character meal) is right downstairs and if it is raining, no matter what room I am in I do not get wet going to the monorail or the buses. As for the age they have just gone through a rehab. Also from our room on the 12th floor we could see the MK and off to the side the tree of life. So fabulous to watch the castle change colors.

Polynesian-very nice, but you have a good walk from some of the long houses to the monorails and in the cold or rain, or when you are tired it is not fun. And if you are only going for a few days are you really planning to use the babysitting service? If you are, how much? To me not a selling point.

Animal Kingdom is beautiful, the animals are amazing, the stores have the neatest things that you see no where else, there are all kinds of activities at the hotel to do like using night vision glasses or listening to stories around a campfire. Also if you stay consierge you are eligible for a sunrise safari at Animal Kingdom where the animals are just coming into the park and are most visible. And the driver will stop to allow pictures unlike on the normal tram ride. But here is the thing if you are only there for a few days you want to be in the parks and Animal Kingdom Lodge is the farthest away, so the bus takes a while. Also the walk from your room to the buses takes forever because the resort is pretty spread out to provide maximum views from the rooms. Not fun with 2 sleepy kids.

Wilderness Lodge is nice, but I have heard the boats that take you to MK can be spotty. I have not stayed here because for the difference in price I would rather have monorail access. Also the pool is heated, but since you are going in late December, the air outside will be cold, so I would not think you would use this too much.

Yacht and Beach club were not mentioned but they have the best pool as well as boat service to EPCOT and MGM. The buses can take a while though because they often service Yacht, Beach, and Swan and Dolphin. We used their bus after we had dropped off a rental car at the Swan and decided right then we would not pay premium prices for that bus service. Took forever to get to MK.

To see pictures of all the rooms go to http://www.allearsnet.com/ and look under accomodations. They also have menues with prices from every resaurant on property and a great column called Anitas Answer that answers a lot of questions from beginners (as well as some from people who have been many times) It is the best Disney web site out there when it comes to planning a trip. Have a great time!!

Answer 3

Having stayed at many of these resorts, I would highly recommend the Animal Kingdom Lodge. They have a wonderful pool with a water slide, and a "food court" type restaurant. They also have a wonderful childcare club, and lots of activities around the pool and in the lobby all throughout the day - many are free. I've stayed at this particular resort 3 times, and don't feel it is necessary to have a savannah view room. We did once, and didn't see any more animals than we had the other times. There are so many places all throughout the resort where you can go to see the animals. They also have bunkbeds available in the rooms, which was a definite plus with the younger set. The kids club was so much fun for the kids we had to drag them out. It is an extremely kid-friendly resort.

Our second choice would be the Wilderness Lodge - the pool is incredible. Have a wonderful trip!

Answer 4

Of the ones you mentioned, my choices would be the Polynesian or the Contemporary, and for the reasons you mentioned. The Polynesian is my favorite resort by far. It has the best decor, the beach, the water sprite boats, and is just a great place to stay. There is something about standing at the beach and seeing the fireworks over the Magic Kingdom. The Contemporary is great too. For being one of the older resorts I think it is maintained rather well. Being able to take the monorail is a big treat for the kids, and being able to walk to the MK is pretty cool. The Contemporary also is home to my favorite Character Breakfast at Chef Mickey's. Either way you can't go wrong.

Have a great trip!!

Answer 5

All the disney resorts are kid friendly! Most all of the Deluxe Resorts have baby sitting services and kid clubs.

My favorites are:
The Polynesian- It does have a great hawaian theme to it and people are nice and friendly there. It also has monorail service which is MUCH easier than the buses. Takes little time.

The Grand Floridian- Again the monorail service is awesome and easy to use. The theme is old victorian and deffinetly the most beautiful out of all the resorts. Closest to the Magic Kingdom park as well. It is also the highest rated out of all hotels.

The Contemparary- Monorail service. The hotel is a little older in apperence but still very nice. It is still a deluxe resort and one of the less expensive ones if you are looking to save some money.

All of the resorts are great those are my personal favorites. Really the Monorail is so nice and a lot easier with young children! Have fun and hope this helps!

Answer 6

I think they would most like the Animal Kingdom lodge or the Polynesian. The animals are really neat at AK Lodge. The convienence of the monorail and the close proximity to the Magic Kingdom is a definite plus for the Polynesian. I would avoid the Contemporary with young children just because they would think it is boring. I never liked the Contemporary that much because it has a too business-like feel to it. Not really magical...

but where ever you go, you're going to have a great time!

Answer 7

I have stayed at the Polynesian, Beach Club, and Animal Kingdom Lodge. I would choose the Animal Kingdom Lodge.

We found transportation to ALL the parks to be most convenient from the AKL. Monorail is great (when it works) for going to Magic Kingdom but we personally didn't find the benefit worth the added cost (probably because it broke down 3 times we were on it). The wait for busses to go to other parks was shortest at AKL (they also don't share busses with any other resort). The restaurants are fantastic at AKL, particularly Boma's, and the Savannah views will keep the kids occupied for hours, if you are having a down day (which I highly recommend doing in the middle of your trip). Also the Nyami Nyami (mixed drink) is worth the trip to WDW alone. ;) They also have a kids club at AKL but we didn't use it.

Answer 8

I feel the best delux resort for kids is the Animal Kingdom Lodge. And not just because of the Savanna Views! Animal Kingdom Lodge has the best restaurant on all of Disney property (Boma-Flavors of Africa) and some very unique shopping. They also have a great kids activity program! You can walk into the resort any time of day to find a Cast Member leading a group of children playing African-style drums and having a ball. It is a wonderful resort. Polynesian for me is a close second for decor, kids programs, monorail access and food (Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show is great)!

Answer 9

Contemporary is the best by far. If you stay in the tower, you have a great view of the magic kingdom and espeically the fireworkss. If you want to spend a little less at the contemporary, the garden view rooms are amazing. I would say they are better then the tower. Just ask for a view of the lake. The monerail is great also. Is alot of fun to see it in the hotel. The pool is awesome aswell. Be sure you bring a volleyball bcause you can play beach volleyball
any other questions dont be afraid to email me...im in expert (ive been there 20 plus times)
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Answer 10

You're going in December so pools don't mean that much. The main thing I would want is convenience and that means staying on property. Since your kids are young, the Magic Kingdom is where they are going to have the most fun. My family loves the Poly, but this year we are considering the Wilderness Lodge, just for a change. It's all about your preferences and at Christmas, each resort is beautiful.