Hi Mary Ellen!
Your family is going to have an amazing vacation at Walt Disney World Resort because you're planing so far in advance. Don't forget that you can start making Dining Reservations at Table Service restaurants 180 days before you arrive in Orlando. My son will turn three soon and so far he's stayed at four different
Walt Disney World Resort Hotels. Each Resort Hotel certainly has it's own magic that makes it really special and unique. But for our family vacations I usually resEARch the pre-school centered amenities more than anything else.
For activities, all Disney Resort Hotels have pools. Most resorts have one big feature pool plus multiple 'quiet' pools located closer to the various guest buildings. But Disney's Port Orleans Resort: French Quarter, Disney's Polynesian Village Resort, Disney's Wilderness Lodge, Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa and Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort all have really awesome children's play structure type pools with tot-sized water slides and splash fountains. Some
Disney Resort Hotels have playgrounds. And for the animal-obsessed, Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge has special viewing areas where you can spot up to 30 different species of African Wildlife.
As far as room and location amenities, the Alligator Bayou section of Disney's Port Orleans Resort: Riverside comfortably sleeps five thanks to a toddler-size murphy bed that when folded up really saves on room space. (Be sure to ask for a complimentary bed rail.) Family Suites at Disney's Art of Animation would also comfortably sleep your whole party across three beds, and they include two bathrooms. We also really enjoyed our stay at Disney's Contemporary Resort because it's within walking distance to Magic Kingdom Park.
I hope this helped, and We'll See You Soon Mary Ellen!
~Kristen