Hi, Linda! My heart breaks for your niece and nephew with their very sad loss. How very lucky they are to have an aunt like you who is working so hard to keep magic in their lives.
In terms of theme, I think kids this age would get a bigger kick out of the super sized icons and bright colors of
Disney's Pop Century Resort. The rooms are a little bit smaller, but the resort has a much more "fun" vibe to it where kids are concerned. The food court is convenient and offers a great selection for a quick bite or a decent meal.
On the flip side, my kids absolutely love
Disney's Port Orleans - Riverside resort. They could spend the whole vacation at
Ol' Man Island swimming pool, with a 95 foot water slide as part of the 3.5 acres of water fun. The resort offers horse drawn carriage rides in the evening, and they have both a table service restaurant and a wonderful food court. The rooms are a tad bit bigger, so if you plan on having some down time, this might end up being an important part of your decision.
I think the ultimate decision has to be based on what you're looking for. Bright and fun - Pop Century gets my vote. Peaceful with a great pool - Port Orleans - Riverside would be my choice.
Whichever resort you choose, I hope this vacation brings your hearts healing and gives two incredible kids memories of a lifetime. If there's anything else we can do to help you plan your trip, Linda, please come back and see us.
Anna