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Disney Resort best for small kids

Posted by: dianne1217 on Oct 5, 11 at 05:08 PM Posted in: United States Tagged: Jump to last reply

hi
my husband and i are thinking of taking our 3 kids -- twins age 4 and 7 year old to Disney in December. what is best resort for a family with small kids. I have heard good things about the Wilderness Resort b/c of it's location to the park.

thanks

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    Ryan on Oct 5, 11 at 05:29 PM

    We have been to WDW probably a good 25 times with our now 10 and 8 year old.

    I think your two best options are The Polynesian and the Animal Kingdom.

    The Polynesian has the benefit of being on the monorail but also has the boat to the Magic Kingdom. You can walk to the monorail that takes you to EPCOT.

    The pool has a shallow entry area which is great for both age kids. If your older child goes on the slide it is set up in such as way as you can know when it is their turn and be in the water waiting for them.

    The standard rooms have a day-bed which gives you a 3rd bed in the room when it is flipped into a mattress.

    The Animal Kingdom doesn't have as good a transportation option. But, the ability to watch the animals roam from your room is something I know my kids loved.

    We generally dislike the Disney bus system. We find it far easier to rent a car and have the flexibility to come and go as we wish. It took my wife about 45 minutes by the bus system to get from the Wilderness Lodge to the Movie Studio park. By car it's at most a 10 minute drive.

    If you rent a car then the Animal Kingdom Lodge option is a lot more palatable.

    I would suggest you price your trip both as a package and with just the room and tickets. We have found the "meal plan" to really not be worth it.

    For our money we have always preferred to stay in one of their Club Level rooms. It provides breakfast in the morning, snacks during the day, beverages (both for you and the kids), and appetizers that can easily be your dinner.

    If you stay in the Polynesian, you can watch the fireworks at the Magic Kingdom for the club lounge. We've always found it a lot more enjoyable at the end of long day with a glass of wine.

    If going during a busy period, I would suggest there is a real benefit to staying near the Magic Kingdom. We've had much better days when we have gone to the park early, come back in the late morning for swimming or a nap, then head back to the park in the early evening.

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    Ryan on Oct 5, 11 at 05:35 PM

    Sorry, meant to add that we have found the standard rooms at the Polynesian to be a bit larger than the rooms at any of the other WDW hotels where we have stayed. With five I think it might be tight in a Wilderness Lodge room unless you were planning to rent one of their Disney Vacation Club condo type rooms.

    If you find the premium resorts to be more than you have budgeted, you might consider that the moderate resorts are a really viable option. I believe some have rooms options that can more comfortably handle 5 people.

    Regardless of whether you stay there or not I might suggest you consider having dinner at The Whispering Canyon Cafe. My kids LOVED it. Just don't let them seat you away from the main dining room - and DO ask for ketchup.

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