Help on choosing a resort (and resort level) for veteran visitors w/ first time child.

N

NWDisney

New Member
My spouse and I have been to Disney a few times, staying in the Wilderness Lodge and the Grand Californian, with one random night at a value (All Star Sports, I think).

We are planning a first time trip for our first-grader and are having a little trouble sorting the hotel.
It seems that with a child, the parameters for what makes a good hotel might be different.
I'm hoping if I dump my disorganized thoughts here, you folks can help me sort through it to a conclusion.
And so:

We have always been rope-drop to close kind of folks, but this seems unlikely with a child.
As such, we haven't really much about the resort amenities, haven't used the pool, the arcades, shops, etc.
Outside of one character breakfast, we haven't used the dining in the hotel, preferring to snack all day.
We enjoy the "Disney Experience" like you get when you walk into somewhere like WL. The values have a super 8 with artwork vibe.
With a family, cost is a consideration that wasn't as important previously.
With a family, morning to night park time will be harder, so more time may be spent in the actual resort than before.
We dislike "long commutes". Don't mind a bus, particularly, but don't want to do multiple buses, lots of stops, etc.
Generally will stick to MK and Epcot.
Probably going for about a week.
Never been to a mid-level resort, even to tour, so not sure how they compare in the "Bubble". Are they a good "middle ground" or are they the 89 octane of Disney resorts?
Prefer interior doors as a rule, but not a deal breaker.
Playgrounds, pools, etc? I have no idea, I assume we would use them during Park breaks, but I really don't know.
Have been looking at the Contemporary and one of the Port ones. In value, looking at the Animation.

As you can see, I'm all over the place.
Will a 6 year old even notice the difference between value/moderate/deluxe? It seems likely that she'd be so overwhelmed with "Disney!" that it won't make a lick of difference.
On the other hand, I'd like to go all in on the experience so my spouse will enjoy it.
On the third hand, if I can save several thousand dollars, that's airfare.

Help me, Obi Wan.
 
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BoarderPhreak

BoarderPhreak

Well-Known Member
I've never been a fan of the Value Resorts, even if price is a concern. In that case, I'd suggest looking at the Swan/Dolphin; depending on the time you go, it works out cheaper than the Moderate Resorts (my usual go-to) with no loss in services - only in the theming. That's really what you're paying for to a large degree at Disney resorts (in the room and especially the overall resort). There's obviously no comparing the Deluxe Resorts, but then, the price reflects that. Choose your pain threshold and go from there. Regardless, you'll have a great time. Six years old is a great time to be at WDW!
 
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FigmentPigments

FigmentPigments

Well-Known Member
I agree, a 6 year old won't particularly care. As a first time to Disney, he or she might be tuckered out by the end of the day and not appreciate the details or the environment.
I would recommend Pop Century as the best choice. I think the bright colors might be eye catching enough and with 3 different pools that have active games, it seems like the best for a younger child. I would not suggest Art of Animation unless you get a family suite near the front. If you don't you will be stuck with a very, very long walk to the Little Mermaid section, and trust me, not a fun thing to do after a long day and possibly carrying a child. Bright side, they do have a wonderful pool area.
I personally am a fan of the moderate resorts. However, one big draw back I notice with most of them is that they are spread out. This means that unless you get a preferred room by the buses or the food, you may have a bit of a walk to get somewhere. This also means that there are multiple bus stops within the resort. You may be the third of fifth stop after the bus enters the resort. If you do decide to go moderate, I would suggest one of the Port Orleans resorts. You can take a relaxing boat ride to Disney Springs where a 6 year old can play in the fountains, build with Legos, or eat at the T-Rex restaurant. This boat ride is probably one of the quicker ways to Disney Springs.
As much as I would love to suggest Wilderness Lodge, it seems like a lot may go to waste for a 6 year old. I think the pool area is divine, and the access to MK is great, but I'm not sure that would make up for the price.
I hope this helps.
 
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CaptainAmerica

CaptainAmerica

Well-Known Member
If cost is a concern, definitely NOT the Contemporary. The monorail loop represents the most expensive accommodations on property, followed by the walkable Epcot resorts.

You mentioned that you probably won't be in the parks open-to-close, which I think is smart. What time of year are you going? If summer, I'd recommend doing the parks in the morning and the evening with a break in the afternoon. If winter, when the parks close earlier and it's not as hot, it might be more effective to go to the parks in the morning and afternoon and then get to bed at an earlier time.

I think you'd be making a mistake focusing so much on Magic Kingdom and Epcot. With the age of your child, Animal Kingdom will probably have much more appeal than Epcot, and DHS is probably worth a visit for Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid, and Toy Story at least.

I think the best bang-for-your-buck option would be Port Orleans French Quarter (as opposed to Riverside due to your comments about not wanting to deal with an internal bus system).
 
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N

NWDisney

New Member
Original Poster
CaptainAmerica said:
I think you'd be making a mistake focusing so much on Magic Kingdom and Epcot. With the age of your child, Animal Kingdom will probably have much more appeal than Epcot, and DHS is probably worth a visit for Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid, and Toy Story at least.
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My spouse was not overly impressed with Animal Kingdom last time.
We might aim for a split day, where I take the child to AK and they go off to get pampered.
We also might investigate the Star Wars action over at DHS.
CaptainAmerica said:
I think the best bang-for-your-buck option would be Port Orleans French Quarter (as opposed to Riverside due to your comments about not wanting to deal with an internal bus system).
Click to expand...

One of my kid's friends is heading out to Port Orleans, unfortunately not soon enough to give us an on the ground review.
How do you feel about the Royal Rooms at Riverside?
 
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CaptainAmerica

CaptainAmerica

Well-Known Member
NWDisney said:
How do you feel about the Royal Rooms at Riverside?
Click to expand...
I think they're the nicest moderate rooms on property, especially with a daughter in the "princess" age range. The one drawback is that they can be somewhat inconveniently located to the main building and amenities at Riverside, but the walk isn't anything I'd consider a deal-breaker.
 
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N

NWDisney

New Member
Original Poster
CaptainAmerica said:
I think they're the nicest moderate rooms on property, especially with a daughter in the "princess" age range. The one drawback is that they can be somewhat inconveniently located to the main building and amenities at Riverside, but the walk isn't anything I'd consider a deal-breaker.
Click to expand...

Would they satisfy the "Disney Experience" checkbox, in your opinion?

The only Princess she really knows is Mulan. Haven't seen The Princess and the Frog, but that could easily be rectified before we go.
 
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Jamie J

Jamie J

Member
I have traveled with my niece and nephew, ages 6 and 4, 3 times staying at different DVC locations (Kidani Village & OKW). However, when they traveled with their other grandparents, they loved staying at AOA because it is more geared towards kids Disney theming.
 
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Weather_Lady

Weather_Lady

Well-Known Member
A 6-year-old who's never been to WDW before will be delighted no matter where you opt to stay.

That being said, I'd suggest daily afternoon naps for the whole family (other than that, there's no reason you can't arrive at rope drop and stay up a little past her usual bedtime), and a resort with a smaller footprint so there's less walking for those little legs to do.

If it were I, I'd go for Port Orleans French Quarter -- a moderate with a nice, small footprint and a single bus depot (plus a walking path to Port Orleans Riverside and/or boat service to Port Orleans Riverside and Disney Springs). Port Orleans Riverside is great, too, with a more interesting feature pool and an onsite table service restaurant, but can be very spread out unless you spring for a "preferred" room, plus there are several bus depots on the "circuit."
 
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LAKid53

LAKid53

Official Member of the Girly Girl Fan Club
Premium Member
I'd pick Riverside over French Quarter because the table service restaurant is at POR. Plus Magnolia Bend is a lovely part of that resort. Tip: if you end up staying at POR, request a corner room. While no bigger, the extra window makes it seem so. Just be warned that if you end up in the Alligator Bayou section of POR, there are no elevators in the buildings, so be prepared to drag those suitcases up stairs if you have a room on the 2nd floor.
 
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JasonDeyoung

JasonDeyoung

Well-Known Member
NWDisney said:
If you don't mind, why do you prefer French Quarter to Riverside?
Is it the beignets?
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Oh I absolutely LOVE Riverside. Only reason I suggested FQ was cause it's smaller and can be easier if you have little ones. I stayed at RS 9 days in November and loved everything about it. FQ has always been a fav and go to resort but RS is my new fav as far as mods go
 
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jaklgreen

jaklgreen

Well-Known Member
We have been taking our kids to WDW since they were 1&2 years old and they are now teenagers. I always choose what hotel to stay at and my kids did not care one way or another. Now that they are older they do have their favorites but are just happy to be going to WDW. At 6 years old, especially if they have never been, they really do not care or even know better. Just as long as there is a pool, kids are happy. You can take them to a local hotel with a pool and they will be happy. Especially at WDW, all of the hotels are great for kids. Kids take their cue from their parents, if the parents act like "this is the best hotel ever" then the kid will think that. I would decide what hotel to stay at and not even bring up other hotels or show them pictures of others etc. I tell my kids they can decide where to stay when they pay for it.
 
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Worldlover71

Worldlover71

Well-Known Member
NWDisney said:
We have always been rope-drop to close kind of folks, but this seems unlikely with a child.
I would play it by ear and be flexible. If your daughter is still energetic, by all means stay for the fireworks and other evening entertanment! If not, it's not the end of the world-just something to look forward to when she is a little older

Outside of one character breakfast, we haven't used the dining in the hotel, preferring to snack all day.
Your daughter will probably want to eat whenever she usually eats, which for most kids means three meals a day. I would look into a character meal since you will get great interaction without having to wait for a meet and greet.

We enjoy the "Disney Experience" like you get when you walk into somewhere like WL. The values have a super 8 with artwork vibe.
It sounds like a moderate resort is the way to go for you. They are all beautifully theamed with lots of amenities at a much lower price point than the deluxe resorts.

We dislike "long commutes". Don't mind a bus, particularly, but don't want to do multiple buses, lots of stops, etc.
As others have said, Port Orleans French Quarter only has 1 bus stop. Cornado Springs has three and PO Riverside and Caribbean Beach Resort have several. Many of the deluxe resorts share buses and make multiple stops too.

Prefer interior doors as a rule, but not a deal breaker.
Moderate resorts have exterior entrances and there are no hallways but I would DEFINITELY not let that stand in your way.

Hope this helps and have a great time!
Click to expand...
 
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BoarderPhreak

BoarderPhreak

Well-Known Member
JasonDeyoung said:
Oh I absolutely LOVE Riverside. Only reason I suggested FQ was cause it's smaller and can be easier if you have little ones. I stayed at RS 9 days in November and loved everything about it. FQ has always been a fav and go to resort but RS is my new fav as far as mods go
Click to expand...
One (or two) benefits to POR over POFQ for little ones are the new(ish) Royal Rooms; they're all within in two buildings right next to the main buildings and two bus stops (East and South Depots).
 
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