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Mom and Daughter at Disney's Polynesian Village Resort Room
  • On Oct 27, 2013
    Becca from WI Asked Note: This answer was provided prior to the change to planDisney and may still contain references to Disney Parks Moms Panel.

    Experiences, policies, pricing and other offerings are subject to change and may have changed since the date of this answer.

    I am having a tough time deciding between the Beach Club and Animal Kingdom Resorts. I have a 5 and 7 year old and want their first visit to be as magical as possible. Which would be best for a January visit?

    Hi Becca! Choosing your Disney resort for your family is an exciting time but also a difficult time as each one offers something different and special.

    The Animal Kingdom resort offers a very different experience since you have animals roaming the grounds around the lodge all day and every day. There are some great educational opportunities with stories and meeting cast members who are from the great continent of Africa. The biggest draw back in my eyes is the location. This resort is nestled far from all the parks and you even need to take a bus to the Animal Kingdom park so you will spend a lot of time on buses during your vacation.

    The Yacht and Beach Club resorts are some of my favorite and a big reason is because of their location. the Beach Club is a five minute walk to the International Gateway entrance to Epcot and you can enjoy a 20 minute boat ride or a 20 minute walk to Hollywood Studios to reach that park. The Boardwalk area is fun to walk around and enjoy one evening with the games, street entertainment, or surrey bike rental.

    One of the biggest draws to the Beach Club resort is the large 3 acre pool called Stormalong Bay.  This has sandy bottom areas, a lazy river, and a big pirate slide as well as hot tubs. January isn't usually the best month for swimming but in Florida you never know. Pool water is heated so if you want to try this facility out it is recommended you pick a time mid day when the sun is out and warms the air.

    The Beach Club will have a character breakfast each morning in Cape May Cafe you can reserve in advance and you can book an Illuminations cruise right from the marina for something special one night. Generally you are not in your room that much so I choose resorts for location as far as what I want to do during my time there.
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Meet the Panelist: Kay, Indiana

Hello Adventurers and travelers! I am Kay and a past Adventures By Disney mom for the panel. But now I am excited to share vacation planning tips for those heading out for an incredible vacation to Walt Disney World. Learn More About Kay

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