Hello, Andrew! Thanks for stopping by the Disney Parks Moms Panel. I'm happy to help you find the perfect resort for you and your little ones!
You've picked two of my family's favorite spots at the Walt Disney World Resort. I'm a huge fan of Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort. There are all kinds of great things for your kids to do there, from the Fuentes del Morro pool with its kids' splash area, to beaches just perfect for building sand castles, to bike rentals, and lots more.
But for your family, I think I'd choose Disney's Art of Animation Resort. If your kids love Disney movies, they'll adore this resort! Each section is themed to a different Disney classic, including Cars, Finding Nemo, The Lion King and The Little Mermaid, with larger-than-life characters from the movies just waiting to be explored. Your kids will think they're in Disney heaven!
Plus, rooms in the Cars, Finding Nemo and Lion King sections are family suites with separate bedroom, living and dining areas, a kitchenette with a sink, microwave and refrigerator, and two bathrooms. The extra space is great for larger families.
As for whether or not to rent a car, I think you can do without it. My family drives to Walt Disney World so we always have a car with us, but we usually just leave it in the hotel parking lot and use Disney transportation. The resort buses are pretty frequent, and they'll drop you off at the front entrance of the Theme Parks, vs. having to park and walk or take a tram if you drive. We enjoy taking a break and letting Disney do the driving for us!
I hope this helps you in your planning, Andrew. Please visit us again if we can answer any more questions for you. We love to help!
Have a magical day,
Kathy K.