Walt Disney World With Kids (Fodor's, 2012) - Fodor's [24]
“Once you stay at the BoardWalk, nothing else is good enough,” wrote one enthusiastic grandmother of two in Ohio. “The location is perfect for both Epcot and Hollywood, and there’s always free entertainment, like jugglers or comedians, to keep the kids happy.”
Proximity to the Magic Kingdom:
Fair, via bus
Proximity to Epcot:
Excellent, via a short stroll or water taxi
Proximity to Hollywood:
Excellent, via water taxi
Proximity to the Animal Kingdom:
Fair, via bus
Pluses
+ Lots of entertainment: surrey bikes for rent, midway games, and a wider variety of restaurants and bars than you’d find at most resorts.
+ On-site health club.
+ On-site child-care facilities.
+ Great location for both Epcot and Hollywood.
+ Great restaurant choices, including the excellent Flying Fish Café.
Minuses
− Expensive, at $390 and up per night.
− Maybe too lively and hopping for families with very young kids. The boardwalk can get loud at night.
Overall grade: You’ll feel like you’re right in the middle of the action—because you are.
Caribbean Beach Resort
407/934–3400
Map location 16
This family-priced, 2,112-room resort is on 200 acres with a private lake surrounded by beaches. Each section of this mammoth hotel is painted a different tropical color and named for a different Caribbean island, and each “island” has its own shuttle-bus stop, beach, and pool with waterslide. The rooms, although small, are attractively decorated—some of the recently refurbished ones have either a Pirates of the Caribbean or Finding Nemo theme. There’s a slight surcharge for these rooms.
Proximity to the Magic Kingdom:
Fair, via bus
Proximity to Epcot:
Fair, via bus
Proximity to Hollywood:
Fair, via bus
Proximity to the Animal Kingdom:
Fair, via bus
Pluses
+ The price is right, starting at $149 a night.
+ The Pirate and Nemo rooms are absolutely adorable and themed to the max—for example, some of the furniture looks like cargo chests. “A little cheesy but our boys flipped out with joy,” said a mom from Texas. “The excitement was well worth the extra $25 a night!”
+ Caribbean Cay, an artificial island with a playground, climbing fort, and small aviary, is fun for young kids.
+ The pirate-themed water play area, which offers small slides and fountains, is a hit with young kids.
+ A marina with watercraft is available.
Minuses
− Although the buses are regular, they must stop at all of the resort’s many “islands.” Expect a longer commute time to the parks.
− The place is huge. It may be a major hike from your hotel room to the food plaza or marina. If you have young kids, bring your own stroller.
Overall Grade: All the moderate-priced resorts offer solid value for the money, but due to its size, Caribbean Beach is overwhelming. Try the others first.
Swan and Dolphin Resorts
407/934–4000
407/934–3000
Map location 12
This convention-resort complex made up of two side-by-side hotels is connected to Epcot and Hollywood by water taxis and bridges. The Swan and Dolphin are the only hotels not owned by Disney that are on Disney property and whose guests qualify for on-site perks. Sometimes called “twin” hotels (like the nearby Yacht and Beach Clubs), the Swan and Dolphin have separate check-ins but are alike in architecture and mood.
Proximity to the Magic Kingdom:
Fair, via bus
Proximity to Epcot:
Excellent, via a moderate walk or water taxi
Proximity to Hollywood:
Excellent, via water taxi
Proximity to the Animal Kingdom:
Fair, via bus
Pluses
+ On-site child-care facilities.
+ The beach area has a playground, kiddie pools, waterslides, and a small marina with paddleboats.
+ Bike rentals, tennis courts, and a health club.
Minuses
− Somewhat expensive, with rates beginning at $219 per night, but if you can live without the full-throttle Disney ambience, this is the closest you’ll get to Epcot and Hollywood Studios for the price.
− Conventioneers can