Resort with 5 and 8 year old

mduarte13 · 08-08-2003

Hi everyone,

I have some questions for those of you who are more seasoned...we are planning a WDW trip in December of 2003 with our 2 girls...ages 5 and 8....Our plan is to stay on site....I love doing it that way....but I am trying to decide where to stay and what extras to splurge on....ie...concierge, silver/gold plan....etc...I anticipate that most of our time will be spent at MK, so I was leaning towards one of the resorts closer to MK...we will not have a car and will rely on WDW transportation....but, the Beach Club looks beautiful too....

Also, I have been in December before, and it was in the 80's....unseasonably warm if I remember correctly....can you really make use of the pools in the beginning of december? We are from Massachusetts, so cold to us is not florida cold....

Thanks so much,

Michelle

jmouse · 08-08-2003

If you plan on spending a lot of time in the MK, then I definitely recommend a MK Resort. The Grand Floridian and Wilderness Lodge are especially gorgeous during the holiday season. As far as the pools, they are heated so you should be fine.

inluvwithdisney · 08-08-2003

Welcome to DC!!! You've come to the right place for answers!!!:)

GrumpyDad · 08-09-2003

We have not yet stayed at one of the MK resorts, but really loved staying at the EPCOT resorts. Both EPCOT and MGM are a short walk or boat ride away. Since EPCOT, specificly the World Showcase, is open later in the evening during the off season we always ended up there after the other parks close and then would take a nice stroll "home" to our resort. The other benefit is the huge amount of dining options in the EPCOT resorts area.

We have just started working our way thru as many different resorts as we can. Last year it was Corronado Springs, this year it is off to the Caribbean Beach Club! Then it looks like we will take a few years off while my youngest is in high school.

Bottom line, anywhere in WDWD is magical!

Enjoy,
-harry

mickaholic4077 · 08-09-2003

Coming in December will be great for you. I would advise,however,that you bring cold weather clothes as well as warm weather clothes.

timsha · 08-09-2003

You can not go wrong with any of the resorts... The resorts that are in the MK area are all of the high end resorts... If you can swing it, that is great.. If you are going to do that though, I would go to Y&B or BWI. Very nicely decorated (all of disney is though) at the holiday time. More for kids to do around the BWI or Y&B.

Weather can be fickle... have been there and been in shorts & T-shirt, and also been there with a sweat shirt and light jacket on (especially at night) am from RI, so we share the same climate. It is cool to us, where as the 'locals' find it down right COLD. Pools are heated, so you can still use them. :) :) :)

mattomouseman · 08-09-2003

We have stayed at the WL and will be staying at the Poly in less tehn TWO WEEKS!!!!:D

With the DS's in tow I would strongly suggest the WL. You can get a room with bunk beds which my kids loved having!!!!!!! The holiday decorations are wonderful at both resorts (GF and WL):)

The boat ride to and from the WL is a wonderful way to get to the parks also!

JOANN · 08-09-2003

Welcome to DC!!!!
I think the children would love the Wilderness Lodge!! Have stayed there when all the decorations are up, and it is just breath taking!!!! It is a beautiful Lodge!! Plus , you can even request having bunk beds. Kids seem to love that!!! Good Luck!! :) JOANN

**DisneyTeacher** · 08-09-2003

I have to second Matt, WL is wonderful.

We just returned a few weeks ago and I am not sure I will ever stay at any other resort again. I loved the fact that the MK was just a short boat ride away. We also took the boat to the CR to hop on the monorail. I thought the atmosphere of WL was fabulous. It was so relaxing to return to such a peaceful resort after a long day at the parks.

I also agree about the bunk beds, they add a little fun for the kids. The pool was fun for my DS (5) and he loved the game room.

I just think you can't go wrong with WL. It's close to the MK but so quiet, you really do feel like you are miles from civilization.

PhantomBantam · 08-10-2003

Fort Wilderness Cabins have bunk beds, Sleeps 6, Disney Transportation Direct to the Magic Kingdom, plus Horseback riding, pony rides, petting zoo (free), Carriage rides, Hey Wagon Rides, Campfire Sing along programs (free), special daily activities (free), heated pools, peacocks, playgrounds, nature trails, a marina, fishing areas, golf cart rentals, bike rentals, boat rentals, game rooms, grocery stores, snack shack, restaurant, tavern, Beaches, Nightly Big Screen Outdoor Movies, THE HOOP DE DOO REVUE! Each stand alone cabin has 3 rooms with doors! (for privacy), maid service, AC, TV/VCR, vaulted ceilings, a full kitchen, BBQ Grills, a Deck, you can open all the windows to screens for fresh air, a view of the Fireworks from MK and is a stop for the water parade presentation, Character events, Pool Games, take out pizza, The Tri Circle D Ranch...

Its a shame you don't have a car, then you would also have cabin side parking and immediate personal transportation for on and off property excursions.

Its different. For a different sort. But its worth considering.

monorailgoof · 08-10-2003

Welcome to DC!
]I would reccommend the Wilderness Lodge or the Grand Floridian during the Holiday Season(very pretty)! They should be fun and they are very close to the MK!
Good Luck !
I hope that I could help!

:)

Amneris · 08-11-2003

The times I've been there in December it has been cold. The pools are heated, but that doesn't make it bath water. I've swum first thing in the morning and froze to death. By mid day it might be better. (But no one else was out in the morning except me.) The hot tubs are warm and kinda big, so your girls could splash in there. I worked out a system of jumping in there for a BRIEF time to get acclimated to being wet (can't stay too long or EVERYTHING feels to cold) and then hitting the pool. Last year, it was COLD. Sweater/jacket didn't quite fit the bill. Year before though, t-shirts and skirts were o.k. I'd say plan on the pool time, but beware that you might not get as much time in as you want. Also, the resorts w/ slides only have them open when lifeguards are on duty. Their hours are something like 10-6. Whatever it is, it's times you'd want to be at the park. So you'd have to plan either a mid-day break, or getting a late start or leaving early to be able to use the slide.

I'd say try the Polynesian hotel. The themeing is cool, there's all kinds of trails and water falls/streams around the complex and even inside the main building, plus there's a character breakfast and lunch there. This will put you on the monorail to the MK. And, of course, the Poly beach is great to see the fireworks from. Oh, and there's the new luaua(sp????) there too.

StormyTink · 08-12-2003

My husband and I once saw some tourists from England quite happily using the pool in the middle of February, even the littlest one who looked to be about 4 years old....and it was REALLY COLD! SO the heating must be fairly decent. But then I'm from Florida, so my idea of cold is obviously radically different than, say....someone's idea of cold when they're from England or very probably Massachusetts.:D

Juliane:)

ILUVMICKEY333 · 08-13-2003

If your want a beautiful hotel that you and your kid will like:dazed
you should go to the polynesian.

It's perfect and it has the monerail:D ,Or The Wilderness Lodge its pool is heated and has water slide!:laugh .You can get to places by boat.

08-08-2003	#1 (permalink)
mduarte13 Senior Mouseketeer Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 125	Resort with 5 and 8 year old Hi everyone, I have some questions for those of you who are more seasoned...we are planning a WDW trip in December of 2003 with our 2 girls...ages 5 and 8....Our plan is to stay on site....I love doing it that way....but I am trying to decide where to stay and what extras to splurge on....ie...concierge, silver/gold plan....etc...I anticipate that most of our time will be spent at MK, so I was leaning towards one of the resorts closer to MK...we will not have a car and will rely on WDW transportation....but, the Beach Club looks beautiful too.... Also, I have been in December before, and it was in the 80's....unseasonably warm if I remember correctly....can you really make use of the pools in the beginning of december? We are from Massachusetts, so cold to us is not florida cold.... Thanks so much, Michelle

08-08-2003	#3 (permalink)
inluvwithdisney I need it to be May 28th! Join Date: May 2003 Location: Disney ~~ In my mind!! Posts: 2,783	Welcome to DC!!! You've come to the right place for answers!!!:) __________________ AVATAR: My kitties: DISNEY & EPCOT Disneyland ~~ Offsite~~ August 1991 Disneyland/Calif. Adv. ~~ DLH ~~June 2001 Disneyland/Calif. Adv. ~~ DLH ~~ Sept. 2002 WDW ~~ POR ~~Sept. 2003 WDW ~~ POLY~~ Sept. 2004 WDW/Disney Cruise ~~ POR/Disney Wonder ~~ December 2005 WDW/Disney Cruise ~~ POR/Disney Wonder ~~ August 2007 WDW & US/DC/SW ~~POR ~~August 2008 Proud member of Disney Overplanner AnonyMOUSE My Disney Countdown Counting down to: 16 DAYS with the MOUSE!! 9 days WDW/7 days Eastern Carribean Cruise!!! Playing and cruising with the MOUSE!!!!

08-09-2003	#4 (permalink)
GrumpyDad Mouse Meister Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Oak Park, IL Posts: 1,182	We have not yet stayed at one of the MK resorts, but really loved staying at the EPCOT resorts. Both EPCOT and MGM are a short walk or boat ride away. Since EPCOT, specificly the World Showcase, is open later in the evening during the off season we always ended up there after the other parks close and then would take a nice stroll "home" to our resort. The other benefit is the huge amount of dining options in the EPCOT resorts area. We have just started working our way thru as many different resorts as we can. Last year it was Corronado Springs, this year it is off to the Caribbean Beach Club! Then it looks like we will take a few years off while my youngest is in high school. Bottom line, anywhere in WDWD is magical! Enjoy, -harry __________________ . Jan 2008 Yacht Club ~* Jan 2007 Caribbean Beach Dec/Jan 2005/2006 Disney Poly / Disney Wonder New Years Trip Nov 2003 - Caribbean Beach ~* Nov 2002 – Coronado Springs ~ Feb 2001 – Boardwalk Feb 2000 – Swan ~~~~~ Feb 1999 – Yacht Club ~~~ Jan 1998 – Boardwalk Feb 1997 – Yacht Club ~~~ Jan 1996 – Beach Club ~~~ May 1995 - Swan Feb 1995 – Dixie Landings ~*~ May 1994 – Dolphin

08-09-2003	#7 (permalink)
mattomouseman Grumpmeister Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Westchester Co. NY Posts: 1,746	We have stayed at the WL and will be staying at the Poly in less tehn TWO WEEKS!!!!:D With the DS's in tow I would strongly suggest the WL. You can get a room with bunk beds which my kids loved having!!!!!!! The holiday decorations are wonderful at both resorts (GF and WL):) The boat ride to and from the WL is a wonderful way to get to the parks also! __________________ Disneyland1972 WDW1975 Disneyland1987 2000~CBR,2001~Wilderness Lodge 2002~Coronado Springs,2003 Poly, 2004 Disneyland Grand Californian NEVER FORGET, NEVER SURRENDER-GOD BLESS THE U.S.A.

08-09-2003	#8 (permalink)
JOANN Mouse Meister Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: CRETE, Illinois Posts: 1,041	Welcome to DC!!!! I think the children would love the Wilderness Lodge!! Have stayed there when all the decorations are up, and it is just breath taking!!!! It is a beautiful Lodge!! Plus , you can even request having bunk beds. Kids seem to love that!!! Good Luck!! :) JOANN __________________ Been There, Done That, DID IT AGAIN!! Oct. 23-Nov. 6 2005! When You Wish Upon a Star! 1975 Contemporary, 1977 Royal Plaza, 1986-1991 CBR, 1993-1997 Dixie Landings, 1998 Wilderness Lodge, 1999(Twice)-2000(Twice) CSR, 2001(Twice)-2002(Twice)-2003(Twice) CSR & AKL, 2004 AKL & CSR 3 times, 2005(Twice) POFQ Going to Disneyland Sept. 9-12th!!!!!!

		MouseBuzz.com > Walt Disney World > WDW Resorts
Resort with 5 and 8 year old

08-08-2003	#2 (permalink)
jmouse Mouse Meister Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Maryland Posts: 1,370	If you plan on spending a lot of time in the MK, then I definitely recommend a MK Resort. The Grand Floridian and Wilderness Lodge are especially gorgeous during the holiday season. As far as the pools, they are heated so you should be fine.

08-09-2003	#5 (permalink)
mickaholic4077 Currently in Timeout! Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: 90 miles from The Mick!!!!! Posts: 6,181	Coming in December will be great for you. I would advise,however,that you bring cold weather clothes as well as warm weather clothes.

08-09-2003	#6 (permalink)
timsha Mouse Meister Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Foster. RI Posts: 1,255	You can not go wrong with any of the resorts... The resorts that are in the MK area are all of the high end resorts... If you can swing it, that is great.. If you are going to do that though, I would go to Y&B or BWI. Very nicely decorated (all of disney is though) at the holiday time. More for kids to do around the BWI or Y&B. Weather can be fickle... have been there and been in shorts & T-shirt, and also been there with a sweat shirt and light jacket on (especially at night) am from RI, so we share the same climate. It is cool to us, where as the 'locals' find it down right COLD. Pools are heated, so you can still use them. :) :) :)

08-09-2003	#9 (permalink)
DisneyTeacher Super Moderator Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: WDW in my dreams Posts: 18,305	I have to second Matt, WL is wonderful. We just returned a few weeks ago and I am not sure I will ever stay at any other resort again. I loved the fact that the MK was just a short boat ride away. We also took the boat to the CR to hop on the monorail. I thought the atmosphere of WL was fabulous. It was so relaxing to return to such a peaceful resort after a long day at the parks. I also agree about the bunk beds, they add a little fun for the kids. The pool was fun for my DS (5) and he loved the game room. I just think you can't go wrong with WL. It's close to the MK but so quiet, you really do feel like you are miles from civilization. __________________ ~Stephanie~ 1993 Caribbean Beach Resort ~ 1996 Caribbean Beach resort ~1997 Caribbean Beach Resort ~2003 Wilderness Lodge ~2004 Beach Club Resort/Shades of Green/Pop Century~ 2005 Wilderness Lodge Resort/Beach Club Villas ~ 2006 Saratoga Springs Resort~2007 Port Orleans French Quarter/Beach Club Villas/Boardwalk Villas ~ 2007 Port Orleans Riverside~ 2008 Wilderness Lodge/Beach Club Villas~2008 Beach Club Villas~2009 Hilton Head Island~ 2009 Beach Club Villas My Disney Countdown Counting down to: Beach Club here we come 241 days 17 hours 22 minutes

08-10-2003	#10 (permalink)
PhantomBantam Senior Mouseketeer Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: South Carolina Posts: 447	Fort Wilderness Cabins have bunk beds, Sleeps 6, Disney Transportation Direct to the Magic Kingdom, plus Horseback riding, pony rides, petting zoo (free), Carriage rides, Hey Wagon Rides, Campfire Sing along programs (free), special daily activities (free), heated pools, peacocks, playgrounds, nature trails, a marina, fishing areas, golf cart rentals, bike rentals, boat rentals, game rooms, grocery stores, snack shack, restaurant, tavern, Beaches, Nightly Big Screen Outdoor Movies, THE HOOP DE DOO REVUE! Each stand alone cabin has 3 rooms with doors! (for privacy), maid service, AC, TV/VCR, vaulted ceilings, a full kitchen, BBQ Grills, a Deck, you can open all the windows to screens for fresh air, a view of the Fireworks from MK and is a stop for the water parade presentation, Character events, Pool Games, take out pizza, The Tri Circle D Ranch... Its a shame you don't have a car, then you would also have cabin side parking and immediate personal transportation for on and off property excursions. Its different. For a different sort. But its worth considering. __________________ "...It was just an ordinary Space Mole Hill before Disney got a hold of it..." Go Gamecocks!

08-10-2003	#11 (permalink)
monorailgoof Senior Mouseketeer Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 267	Welcome to DC! ]I would reccommend the Wilderness Lodge or the Grand Floridian during the Holiday Season(very pretty)! They should be fun and they are very close to the MK! Good Luck ! I hope that I could help! :) __________________ Por favor mantegase alejado de las puertas! Everyday's a holiday....Only in Disney World. A pirate's life for me "It's kind of fun to do the impossible."-Walt Disney

08-11-2003	#12 (permalink)
Amneris Senior Mouseketeer Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 418	The times I've been there in December it has been cold. The pools are heated, but that doesn't make it bath water. I've swum first thing in the morning and froze to death. By mid day it might be better. (But no one else was out in the morning except me.) The hot tubs are warm and kinda big, so your girls could splash in there. I worked out a system of jumping in there for a BRIEF time to get acclimated to being wet (can't stay too long or EVERYTHING feels to cold) and then hitting the pool. Last year, it was COLD. Sweater/jacket didn't quite fit the bill. Year before though, t-shirts and skirts were o.k. I'd say plan on the pool time, but beware that you might not get as much time in as you want. Also, the resorts w/ slides only have them open when lifeguards are on duty. Their hours are something like 10-6. Whatever it is, it's times you'd want to be at the park. So you'd have to plan either a mid-day break, or getting a late start or leaving early to be able to use the slide. I'd say try the Polynesian hotel. The themeing is cool, there's all kinds of trails and water falls/streams around the complex and even inside the main building, plus there's a character breakfast and lunch there. This will put you on the monorail to the MK. And, of course, the Poly beach is great to see the fireworks from. Oh, and there's the new luaua(sp????) there too. __________________ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 1985 - off-site 2000 - Coronado Springs 2001 - Contemporary 2002 - DAKL 2002 - Contemporary 2003 - Western Carribean Cruise 2003 - Contemporary 2004 - DAKL 2004 - DISNEYLAND Grand Californian 2004 - Land / Sea 4-Night Cruise 2005 - SOG ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

08-12-2003	#13 (permalink)
StormyTink Senior Mouseketeer Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Spaceship Earth Posts: 139	My husband and I once saw some tourists from England quite happily using the pool in the middle of February, even the littlest one who looked to be about 4 years old....and it was REALLY COLD! SO the heating must be fairly decent. But then I'm from Florida, so my idea of cold is obviously radically different than, say....someone's idea of cold when they're from England or very probably Massachusetts.:D Juliane:) __________________ ~Juliane~ My Disney Countdown Counting down to: Starting a New Year with Mickey! Starting a New Year with Mickey!

08-13-2003	#14 (permalink)
ILUVMICKEY333 Mouseketeer Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: TEXAS Posts: 77	If your want a beautiful hotel that you and your kid will like:dazed you should go to the polynesian. It's perfect and it has the monerail:D ,Or The Wilderness Lodge its pool is heated and has water slide!:laugh .You can get to places by boat.

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