Walt Disney World With Kids (Fodor's, 2012) - Fodor's [25]
− Since these resorts aren’t owned by Disney, they don’t qualify for the Magical Express Service and they don’t have their own airport shuttles. In other words, you’ll have to arrange for transportation from the airport to your hotel.
Overall grade: A great place to go if the company is picking up the tab. Otherwise, try the Yacht and Beach Clubs first.
The Yacht & Beach Clubs
407/934–7000
407/934–8000
Map location 11
Designed to resemble a turn-of-the-20th-century Nantucket seaside resort, the Yacht and Beach Clubs are side-by-side resorts that share many facilities. Both hotels are charming yet casual (think Polo Ralph Lauren), with sunny airy rooms overlooking a freshwater lake, and a wide variety of restaurants and sporting options.
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
+ Stormalong Bay, the water recreation area shared by the two resorts, is like a private water park. The sand-bottom “bay” contains pools of varying depths, whirlpools, waterslides, and a wrecked ship for atmosphere.
+ On-site child-care facilities.
+ Disney characters are on hand for breakfast at the Cape May Café in the Beach Club.
+ The two resorts share an on-site health club.
Minuses
− Price is the only real drawback. Rates begin at $340 per night.
Overall Grade: These hotels enjoy a lot of repeat business from satisfied families.
Downtown Disney Hotels
These hotels are the first ones you encounter when you enter Disney property and are a good choice for families who’ll also be visiting Universal Studios, SeaWorld, or other Orlando attractions. Also, proximity to the action of Downtown Disney vastly increases your restaurant options.
Old Key West Resort
407/827–7700
Map location 17
At the villas of Old Key West you’ll get all the standard amenities of a Disney resort, plus a lot more room. The setting is pleasant, casual, and very Floridian in spirit. “We love the quieter atmosphere of Old Key West,” wrote a mother of three from Maryland. “Our kids are young (ages 2, 5, and 7), so even with naps they’re often too exhausted at night for us to take them to a restaurant and expect them to behave. We like being able to go ‘home’ to a villa and order pizza or make sandwiches. The villas are more like an apartment than a hotel room.”
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
+ If you have more than two children and need to spread out or you’d like a kitchen to prepare your own meals, Old Key West is a good on-site option.
+ A water taxi provides swift transit to Downtown Disney.
+ Tennis courts, pools, bike rentals, shuffleboard, basketball, a marina, a sand play area, an arcade, and a fitness room are all on-site.
+ Prices run from $330 for a studio with kitchenette to $1,370 for a Grand Villa that can accommodate up to 12 people. If you’re willing to swap proximity to the parks for more space, Old Key West may be just what you need.
Minuses
− Still pricier than off-site villas such as the Embassy Suites on Hotel Plaza Boulevard.
− Quieter, with less going on than at other resorts.
− No on-site child-care facilities, which is unusual in a resort at this price point.
− A longer-than-average commute to the theme parks. “We were impressed with the accommodations at Old Key West,” reported a mom from Toronto, “but transport to the parks involved surprisingly lengthy trips.”
Overall Grade: Very homey, with nice touches, and a great option for families seeking peace and quiet at the end of the day. But if you want lots of amenities and food choices, look elsewhere.
Port Orleans Resort
407/934–5000
Map location 19
This mid-price resort called Port Orleans has two sections. The French Quarter has manicured gardens, wrought-iron railings, and streets with