Best WDW non-DVC and non-WDW resorts for young kids (boys)

[jaysue]

Hi all , looking for your feedback - have a couple of nights left to book on the boys portion of our March 07 trip - we are going to SSR for 3 nights then on an RCCL cruise on Mariner of the Seas (Western Carribbean) - after the cruise, DW goes back home as her March break is over and back to teacher's job :jawdroppi

So I have the boys (7 and almost 4 at time of trip) and looking for feedback as to what is best non-DVC WDW and of course best non-WDW resorts to stay at

Thanks in advance
jay half of jaysue

[TW1]

Any interest in going to VB?

[lllovell]

My boys are 6 and 4 and have really enjoyed both POP and POFQ.

POFQ
They like the squares at FQ and walking around the grounds. The pool got two thumbs up and the rooms are a bit bigger than the values which Mom and Dad liked. The food court at POFR always had something they liked to eat.

POP
Who can beat a big wheel that is bigger than your house? They love walking around the grounds at this resort, really liked the pools (I found them to be kinda boring, but they appeal to them) and LOVED the playground area. The playground has a digging scoop that you can use to move sand with and I think they would have played with that for hours. Also, the food court at Pop is one of the best on property IMO.

What exactly are you looking for? Things to entertain them with? Being close to some parks or others? Ease of travel?

Laura

[KNWVIKING]

SAB at BC is a favorite among children & adults.

Riverside is a GREAT Moderate resort. Very cool theme pool & common area.

Non-WDW properties: Never stayed, but heard good things about the Nickolodian (sp) resort.

[jaysue]

Any interest in going to VB?

Good idea, not on this trip though (we have been there on other trips and it was great!, and we own there as well) - we need to get DW back to MCO first after the RCCL cruise and I want to minimise driving times on this trip

Cheers
jaysue

[jaysue]

My boys are 6 and 4 and have really enjoyed both POP and POFQ.

POFQ
They like the squares at FQ and walking around the grounds. The pool got two thumbs up and the rooms are a bit bigger than the values which Mom and Dad liked. The food court at POFR always had something they liked to eat.

POP
Who can beat a big wheel that is bigger than your house? They love walking around the grounds at this resort, really liked the pools (I found them to be kinda boring, but they appeal to them) and LOVED the playground area. The playground has a digging scoop that you can use to move sand with and I think they would have played with that for hours. Also, the food court at Pop is one of the best on property IMO.

What exactly are you looking for? Things to entertain them with? Being close to some parks or others? Ease of travel?

Laura


Looking mostly for things to do on the resort grounds including entertainment, activities and other kids too! For travel we have a rental car so that is not a huge issue for us and being close to the parks is not a priority either due to our SSR leg and BCV legs of the trip already planned

thanks in advance for your ideas Laura!

Cheers
Jason ( 1/2 of jaysue)

[idratherbeinwdw]

I vote for a FW cabin. There's a ton of stuff to do at FW, including a petting zoo. It's close to the MK. You can rent bikes to ride around the area. There's ar really fun singalong each night with a campfire to enjoy (bring your own marshmallows or buy them at the chuckwagon nearby). There are also hotdogs and other goodies available to buy for the singalong/campfire if you wish. After the singalong they show a Disney movie every night. Other stuff to do (copied and pasted from allears.net):

Two lighted tennis courts - complimentary equipment available for resort guests at the Bike Barn. Open 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. daily.

Nightly wagon rides at Pioneer Hall at 7 and 9:30 p.m.- Cost $8 adults, $5 children. Depending on Magic Kingdom hours, there are sometimes special "Fireworks" wagon rides scheduled.

Private carriage rides - Cost $35/half-hour. Call (407) 824-2832 to reserve (reservations suggested, not required). Depart from Crockett's Tavern at Pioneer Hall between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. nightly. See Carriage Rides HERE (http://allearsnet.com/btp/carriage.htm) for more info.

Pony rides from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. for children 2-8 years old, weighing no more than 80 pounds - Cost $4

Bicycle rental: $7.54 plus tax/1/2 hour, $20.75 plus tax/day. Surrey Bike (2-seater): $16.90 per 1/2 hour. (Prices are estimates, call the Bike Barn at (407) 824-2742 for current pricing.)

Fishing in canals (free) or chartered largemouth bass fishing excursions on Bay Lake, which include a professional guide, refreshments (soft drinks, coffee, hot chocolate & water), fishing gear and a dozen shiners. See our Fishing Excursions page HERE. (http://allearsnet.com/btp/fish.htm)

Sand volleyball court (http://allearsnet.com/acc/ftw63.jpg) near Meadow Trading Post

Horseshoes and shuffleboard
Basketball and tetherball courts throughout the resort

Two arcades - Davy Crockett Arcade at Pioneer Hall (near Settlement Depot) is open 7 a.m. to midnight. Daniel Boone Arcade (near Meadow Trading Post) is open 7:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Two heated outdoor swimming pools

White sand beach (http://allearsnet.com/acc/ftw55.jpg)

Rental watercraft at Fort Wilderness Marina (open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily) including: 21' Suntracker pontoons (http://allearsnet.com/acc/ftw44.jpg) ($34.74/half hr), must be 18 to drive; Mercury Water Mice ($21.59/half hour; $27.23/45 minutes; $30.05/one hour), must be 12 and 5 feet tall to drive. Parent or guardian signature required for all drivers 12-18 years old. At the Bike Barn: canoes (http://allearsnet.com/acc/ftw54.jpg), kayaks and paddle boats (http://allearsnet.com/acc/ftw53.jpg) ($6.13 plus tax/1/2 hour; $10.38 plus tax/hour) (Prices are estimates, call the Bike Barn at (407) 824-2742 for current pricing.)

Water skiing, wakeboarding - starting at $140/hour with a 5-guest maximum

Parasailing: See our Parasailing page HERE. (http://allearsnet.com/btp/parasail.htm)

Tri-Circle D Ranch (http://allearsnet.com/acc/ftw67.jpg) - home of the draft horses used to pull the trolleys down Main Street USA, featuring a blacksmith shop

Swamp Trail - 3/4 mile loop along the shore of Bay Lake

FW Exercise Trail - 2.3 mile paved and sand path

Electrical Water Pageant (http://allearsnet.com/tp/ewp.htm) - nightly at 9:45 p.m. at the FW beach and marina

ETA: The cabins have bunk beds which your boys might get a kick out of.

[lllovell]

My kids would KILL to stay at that Nick hotel. They think the pool/slide/recreation area looks like something that can't be beat!!! I haven't looked in to it just as I haven't studied Universal too hard because I have a coaster nut on my hands in my 6 year old and I know once he gets a taste...he is doomed...doomed I tell ya!!! :boohoohoo

It has been my experience that the difference between the value resorts and the moderates aren't things kids appreciate. If you are looking for other kids then POP would be a home run for sure (there are always plenty of people around and other children - especially in the pool areas). I just don't know of much else that is offered at any resort that isn't a DVC (no Community hall area for example) that they would benefit from. I would save my money and stay at POP (or the all-stars...but they feel a bit dated to me) and take the excess and hit DTD one afternoon, see a movie, get an ice cream, play at LegoLand *big announcer voice*, etc.

Off property...well - I used to think it wouldn't matter, but I am spoiled now! I have not stayed at any of the hotels off property but used to stay with my sister that has since moved from Orlando and though it was GREAT. Financially it was, but thank goodness for her....if we hadn't spent so much time at WDW, we would have NEVER bought into DVC as I avoided those booths like the plauge :crackedup so I praise her and curse her sometimes as well :P (when add-on-itis kicks in !!!)

Jason - I think it is so cool that you and the boys will get some time together :) at WDW. Good luck with your plans!

Laura

[spiceycat]

that was strange - my post got deleted.

Nick is a great hotel for that age group


http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/pc/1/en/hotel/disfs?rpb=hotel&crUrl=/h/d/pc/1/en/hotelsearchresults

so is Universal

http://www.universalorlando.com/ht_index.html

for WDW hotels - then the Polyn

if too expensive then the POFQ - kids love the pool here
http://www.*******.com/photopost/showgallery.php?cat=541

[jaysue]

that was strange - my post got deleted.

Nick is a great hotel for that age group


http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/pc/1/en/hotel/disfs?rpb=hotel&crUrl=/h/d/pc/1/en/hotelsearchresults

so is Universal

http://www.universalorlando.com/ht_index.html

for WDW hotels - then the Polyn

if too expensive then the POFQ - kids love the pool here
http://www.*******.com/photopost/showgallery.php?cat=541


Thanks spiceycat

Cheers
jaysue

[DSNY FN]

Coronado would get my vote Jay it has an awesome pool and play area and even a nice bar for dad to partake in a couple grown up beverages while the kids play. This resort is a moderate with all the ammenities of the deluxe resorts.

[KNWVIKING]

Coronado would get my vote Jay it has an awesome pool and play area and even a nice bar for dad to partake in a couple grown up beverages while the kids play. This resort is a moderate with all the ammenities of the deluxe resorts.

I agree with you about the pool, it is great. The problem I have recommending CS is that it is a huge convention resort and their clientel can be a little rowdy.

[idratherbeinwdw]

I agree with you about the pool, it is great. The problem I have recommending CS is that it is a huge convention resort and their clientel can be a little rowdy.

Especially if it's a convention of Vikings. :viking: :viking: :viking: :viking: :viking: :viking: :viking: :viking: :holymoly:

[Disneyfreak]

Well, here is my two cents worth!!!

For a non Disney resort which is not too far away, I would recommend the Summer Bay Resort in Kissimmee. It is actually an RCI Gold Crown resort that has a lot of fun for families, ex. several pools, miniature golf, a lake with water activities etc. This is a timeshare but there is a way around being able to stay there if you are not a RCI member.

We have used the website skyauction.com to bid on a two-bedroom at Summer Bay before & we got it for a full week for about $250 total. The dates are usually flexible so you can look at each listing on the website. The rooms are very nice & comparable to two bedroom units at DVC, just none of the perks or convenience of Disney resorts.

Hope this helps!