Best resort for 1 year old?

[FireflyTrance]

So my family is planning a WDW trip for early next year when my daughter will be 1 - 1 1/2. What resort do you think would be best for a 1 year old? I think considerations would be ease of transportation to resorts and maybe some play structure or other outdoor area she could play at. I think POLY and GF are out of our budget but beside those which do you think would be best? We could also possibly do a split stay between two resorts.

 

[DisneyMom21]

WL is a good option. We went in April with DD 2 1/2 & DD 1 and ease of transportation was important to us as well. We liked that it was a Deluxe, but a better value. It is not on the monorail but we loved that we could roll our double stroller right onto the boat to Magic Kingdom without having to fold it. From MK we could hop on the monorail to Epcot, or to dinner at O'Hana, breakfast at Chef mickey's etc. I think WL is the best deluxe value. We loved the feel of WL, and everything being under one roof. We look forward to going back!

 

[mulberrybush]

We took our 1yo to CR and it was great. At that age, she liked the splash pad even without the bright colors of other resorts. The monorail is nice with strollers (bc they don't have to collapse) and fast for going To the room for naps. She slept at nap and night well without distracting colors/art in the room. Fun in the parks but sterile in the room. We liked that for that age.

 

[mickeynut1]

I think the WL would be a great choice. It's not on the monorail, but it is convenient to MK via boat (or bus). It's also convenient to the CR where you can visit and then hop on the monorail to visit the Poly and GF. I agree with the pp that the WL is a great deluxe resort for the price.

 

[FireflyTrance]

I was thinking of CR, I don't personally like the theme there as much as other resorts but I do like that it is on the monorail.

I've never been to WL so I'll have to look into it, but the boat does sound convienient. Are there any outdoor areas that you think a small child would enjoy?

 

[spiceycat]

blt (at the CR) has a splash fountain that kids seem to like - no playground

wl/vwl has a play thing -
for play area - although these are more for older ages - all the moderates and value has a play area.

okw has a sand playground - plus at every pool a play area
think SSR does too

bwv has a play area near the main pool.

first you need to decide which park most of your days will be spend in - if Magic Kingdom and Epcot - then monorail hotel would be great

however if you think it might be Epcot and Hollywood Studios - then one of the Epcot resorts would be better - BWV - you can boat or walk to those parks.

now if AK is your favorite theme park - it is bus transportation only - so staying at a monorail or boat type resort - probably is not the best use of your money.

so first decide which park will you spend the majority of your time at.

 

[Sue M]

I was thinking of CR, I don't personally like the theme there as much as other resorts but I do like that it is on the monorail.

I've never been to WL so I'll have to look into it, but the boat does sound convienient. Are there any outdoor areas that you think a small child would enjoy?

WL has a wading pool and a beach to play on.

 

[akl-fan]

I would look at renting point for BLT. A one bedroom has a washer dryer which is great with a one year old. You can also walk to MK which is great.
Renting points will be much cheaper than rack rates.

 

[FireflyTrance]

Thanks for all the input I don't understand how the renting points work but I will try looking into that as well.

The resort I most want to stay at personally is AKL but I know it can take a long time to get to the parks on the bus, and I think we might have to go back to the resort in the middle of the day for a nap. We wont be renting a car. We probably will spend the most time at Magic Kingdom and Epcot.

 

[firstwdw]

The lobby area in WL would fun for a one year old....lots to see...a little bridge to run and back and forth over the wishing well type stream(that eventually leads outside to the pool).
The playground structure was nothing spectacular but we have an older child. You could probably find a picture of the playground. There is a beach to play on, a nature trail to Fort Wilderness, a very shallow kiddie pool and the boat is very fun. Plus it's convenient to Magic Kingdom.

 

[firstwdw]

not sure if this link will work but here's a link to the playground on the beach at Wilderness Lodge....

http://www.*********************.co...wilderness-lodge-126-beach-playground_JPG.htm

 

[FireflyTrance]

Thanks I do like the location and theme of WL so it definitely a possibility. We would prefer the resort to be under $300 a night, and it looks like WL is in value season We will most likely be going in Jan or Feb.

 

[dp911]

Yc BC bwi

 

[DisneyWisher]

Not a resort suggestion but since your baby will probably be sleeping in a pack and play get them used to it. We learned this with grandkids. My DD's first time with grandson he was 1.5 and he was not used to it. He cried late into the night. At home he was an awesome sleeper in his crib. With my DGD, I took care of her while my daughter worked and beginning a month before trip I'd place her in her pack and play for naps and daughter would put her in it a few nights a week. She never had a problem sleeping at night. We started taking her when she was 5 months old. She changed how I felt about taking babies to Disney. We did TS every night and just as food was arriving she fell asleep, it was wonderful.

 

[harleyquinn]

As someone who did it at 13 months and 17 months, I really don't think it matters.

A monorail resort would be ideal, but if you can't do it, don't sweat it. The monorails can be crazy overcrowded. All of the resorts have some sort of playground.

My trip reports are in my signature in case you want more tips.

 

[ixmnrs]

I would say CR or BLT as you could easily walk with a stroller to MK which is not only a huge timesaver but much less crowded and less stressful. If cost is an issue, possible renting points and staying at BLT may also be an option.

 

[FantasiaMagic]

For transportation purposes I think that any MK resort would be a great choice because of the easy access to the monorail. WL is definitely cheaper then Poly CR and GF but instead of direct access to the monorail they have a boat that can take you to MK or CR.

As for a well themed resort I would say AoA. There are so many life size figures and play sights for children of all ages.

Good Luck planning your trip and have a great time at the world!

 

[FireflyTrance]

Thank you for the suggestion We have a pack and play but DD has yet to actually sleep in it. Can you rent a pack and play from Disney or do you have to bring it yourself? Although it is sort of portable it is still a big item to have to bring along.

Not a resort suggestion but since your baby will probably be sleeping in a pack and play get them used to it. We learned this with grandkids. My DD's first time with grandson he was 1.5 and he was not used to it. He cried late into the night. At home he was an awesome sleeper in his crib. With my DGD, I took care of her while my daughter worked and beginning a month before trip I'd place her in her pack and play for naps and daughter would put her in it a few nights a week. She never had a problem sleeping at night. We started taking her when she was 5 months old. She changed how I felt about taking babies to Disney. We did TS every night and just as food was arriving she fell asleep, it was wonderful.

 

[siskaren]

Thank you for the suggestion We have a pack and play but DD has yet to actually sleep in it. Can you rent a pack and play from Disney or do you have to bring it yourself? Although it is sort of portable it is still a big item to have to bring along.

Disney provides it free of charge.

 

[FireflyTrance]

Thanks AoA does look fun to me as well, and the cost savings would be nice. I've stayed at POP before and do remember spending a long time on the bus to MK, but possibly a split stay would work. I just think DD will probably need to go back to the Hotel in the middle of the day for a nap.

For transportation purposes I think that any MK resort would be a great choice because of the easy access to the monorail. WL is definitely cheaper then Poly CR and GF but instead of direct access to the monorail they have a boat that can take you to MK or CR.

As for a well themed resort I would say AoA. There are so many life size figures and play sights for children of all ages.

Good Luck planning your trip and have a great time at the world!