1rst trip w/ toddler, what would you do?

[jcsbama]

I've got the fever to start planning our trip for next June. I'll be booking through the BRP when it becomes available. So all my indecisions must happen now. There will me, DH and our 2 yr old DD. Please respond only to the choices below. If it's not on the list, than I don't want to know about it.
WL - I have been wanting to stay at the WL for the past several years. I think it is a beautiful resort and it just appeals to me. Not to mention it has our favorite restaurant, Artist Point.

AKL - We visited there earlier this year and was blown away by it. It is so beautiful. DH is really pushing this resort. It has our second fav restaurant, Boma.

CR - For all the obvious reasons everyone suggests this resort for small kids

POFQ - I like this resort and tried to stay there this year, but never got availability. Money saved on the room allows more money to be spent elsewhere.

Beyond CR, transportation is not a deciding factor because we prefer driving everywhere instead of relying on buses. Having a toddler, my feeling is that we will spend more time at the resort than what we would if it was just DH and myself. If we stay at a deluxe, should we go concierge or would it be worth it with such a small child? Please, what would you do?

 

[Demosthenes]

DW and I are in the same boat this coming January. We will be there with a 22 month old little boy. We are staying at the WL, but only because our friends will be at that hotel and they can't affod the CR. Personally, I would prefer the CR for convenience, but I rely on WDW transportation. If you don't, then I'd probably go with the WL. It has your favorite restaurant already and is very convenient to MK, where you'll likely spend a lot of your time. Also, WL has rooms that are very convenient to the rest of the hotel's services and amenities. The biggest problem with AKL for you might be the distance from the room to the lobby. Those rooms can be a hike fom the lobby, and I don't think that would be very convenient with a toddler. Also, if your little one doesn't like the food offerings at AKL, there is no other convenient place to go eat. At WL, the CR is a boat ride away, and then you have all of the restaurants on the monorail loop as options. Also, you can take the easy boat to MK which beats a bus anyday.

As for Concierge, I think it is a good vale for a family with a little one because of the all day food offerings. Those little guys are so finicky that you never know what or how much they'll eat at what time. Also, when you get up you have instant breakfast. That is important for us because our little munchkin usually wakes up hungry! I should, however, be cautious about how I use the word value. It is cheaper to stay away from concierge and pay for your meals and bring snacks, but the extra cost is worth the convenience for me. I also enjoy that little extra bit of pampering, but it is't for everyone.

Edited to add: Roll Tide! I need you guys to be undefeated when we beat you in the SEC championship game to help our cause with the BCS!

 

[blessedby3]

I vote for the CR. We stayed there in '03 for the first time and LOVED it. The convience is GREAT. I especially loved the fact that when we left the MK and DD was asleep in the stroller that we didnt have to get her out, fold the stroller, load in the car or bus, put her in carseat and unload her again at the resort. We just had to roll the stroller onto the monorail with her in it and roll her off in the lobby of the CR and onto the elevator and up to the room. Only one transfer of her into the bed. I was amazed at how much we loved this place. We almost didnt stay here, but did at the last moment. All of our kids loved riding around in the monorail for fun, and they also loved the arcade- I realize your DD is younger for this, but they did have some things to ride there like they have at the mall. Ours liked the pool area also. We mainly stay at the MK and we took our car to AK and MGM, but the CR cant be beat for convience to MK and Epcot. The rooms are very big also and the patio overlooking the MK is great. We watched the fireworks from our balcony a few times and it was great. Great view!! I also liked the fact that the bathroom was split. A toilet and sink in a separate room from the tub and other sink. I sure wish we could afford the CR when we go at the end of Nov., but are traveling with grandparents and they dont want to fork out that much. Oh well, next time hopefully. Good luck with your decision. Im sure anywhere you stay you will love.

 

[Kitcat]

Just came back from a stay at WL with my ds4 and ds 20 months. We loved WL and did take our own transportation from the hotel. The pool was nice the food was good and they have a big lobby. I've never stayed at the other hotels you listed. My ds 20 months loved all the characters at the parks. He loved the pool too! Hope you have a good time.

 

[J. Galt]

The only advice I can give you is regarding AKL, because it is the only resort I have stayed at with kids (among your choices, that is). My daughter was about the same age as your daughter when we stayed there. It was an awesome resort! It really felt more like a resort than a hotel due to all the activity around there. Also, because it is more "out of the way" than the other resorts, I didn't feel that it was very crowded in the common areas (unlike Poly, or CR where you get people monorailing from the parks to come eat/gawk/etc.). Some days we just opted to stay by the pool, lounging, because it was so relaxing.

One of the main reasons we chose the resort was because we knew our daughter would need to nap everyday and would be going to bed a little earlier than us. We got a room overlooking the savannah and it was so great to hang out on our balcony and watch all the animals. Sometimes we would eat lunch or have a drink out there and just watch the animals strolling around. Very relaxing. Of course, our daughter got a huge kick out of waking up in the morning and seeing a giraffe outside her window. Heck, sometimes if I woke up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom I would check out what animals were grazing.

The only drawback for us was that we needed to take a bus everywhere from the hotel. It got a little tiring dealing with the stroller on the bus all the time. But, you will have a car... so this isn't an issue! Also, we ate at both restaurants and did not have any trouble finding something for our daughter to eat (and she is really picky!). An both restaurants are fantastic! Keep that car in mind too, because you can easily make a grocery stop on your way to the resort and stock up your room fridge with stuff she likes. We hired a towncar to take us from airport to hotel and did a grocery stop. This worked out great, we stocked up on stuff and basically had a quick breakfast in the room almost every day. The hotel has a nice bar and sometimes we would get fruity cocktails and hang out in the lobby with our daughter if we didn't feel like heading to the parks in the evening (there is a lot to see in that lobby).

I don't know if concierge is really worth the money, especially if you have a car. Instead of relying on the concierge buffet selections, you could just pick up stuff you know you/your family will like at the grocery store. Also, I don't know if concierge rooms are larger or something but we didn't feel cramped in our room at all with our little one (it was just the three of us as well).

This is just my two cents, but I hope it helps!

 

[swilphil]

Definitely CR. We stayed there and the location was awesome, plus the rooms are HUGE! We loved strolling over to MK. It saved so much time in travelling, and made it easier to return to the room for a nap. Chef Mickey's was awesome, and my 2 year old thought the monorail was another ride. Plus we could watch Wishes without even going into the park. You can listen to the Wishes music on the resort channel or on the 4th floor observation deck.

 

[WIDisneyFan]

Of those in your list I would say WL - we were there in june with our little one (was 3 months old at the time) and really enjoyed it. Add to that it is the home of your favorite resturant and I would pick it. As for the others, from talking with family and friends all are good choices as well

 

[henrylovespooh]

My two cents:

CR definitely wins for convenience, but I haven't stayed there so I can't say anything more about it. One thing I was thinking about for our next trip is that if we stayed there, we could do breakfast or dinner at Chef Mickey's with no transportation issues.

I have stayed at WL with a 10 month old and a 2 year old and we loved it. The best thing I liked is that to get to the food court, all you have to do is go down the elevator. With two toddlers, I was going there for in-room meals when the kids napped late or to refill our mugs. It was very convenient. My kids also loved the boat ride to MK. It was a ride for them. We got a Woods View room on the 5th floor and we could watch the fireworks out our window while our kids slept, which allowed us to finally see Wishes.

But, since you have your own car, I think I would go with AKL. We have visited there and we love it. I think a little one would like it as well. When we stay at WDW we always consider our hotel a place to shower and sleep. But AKL seems to be a place where you can relax and I think I would spend more time there if I stayed there. If you plan to spend time at the resort, then I think this one is the best.

 

[ngtotd_dtrt]

Those are great choices! While we stay at the CR, we make a point of visiting the WL and AKL each trip for meals and just looking around. POFQ is nice too.

If you would stay in the Tower, I'd say CR. The convenience of taking a few steps out your door, then an elevator ride to food/snacks/transportation is great. Many times during our last two trips, I'd go get some food at the FnF-center downstairs, and bring it to the room. While I'd do this, the kids would be getting ready (for the day, or for swimming, or for a nap, etc), so it saved a lot of time. It's too long of a walk to the wing to do this as frequently/conveniently. The walk to the MK is great as well, especially if you're trying to leave after a parade/fireworks...saves waiting in line for monorails/boats. Also, the view is really nice (either side, but MK best).

AKL is beautiful and would be nice for kids (if you get savannah views). Lots of transportation time, though. WL is great, and convenient too...we always take the boat there (from the CR) for meals...and boat rides. POFQ is nice, but everything is a drive, so that steals time and can get a little disruptive.

I think the CM/staff at the AKL and WL may be more reliable than CR. CR has many/most outstanding CMs, but some real duds too. I guess all resorts are this way, but I've seen more comments about it on the CR (compared to other moderate/deluxe resorts).

Have fun deciding.

 

[LibertyLover]

My DD was 2 and a half this past January when we took her on her first trip to WDW. We elected to split our stay between AKL (because DH and I love it) and Poly (we'd never stayed there and it always looked interesting). At AKL she had the animals to look at from the window and boy did she. DD learned to say giraffe while we were there. At Poly she had bunnies to watch and the Electric Light Parade every evening visable from our balcony. In May she and I stayed at CR for a couple of days and just a few weeks ago we all stayed at YC. We didn't like YC except for the pool. CR was ok, and we'll stay there again. But when all is said and done, AKL was and is the best hotel for us at the moment with our DD. We are going to stay there again in February, spliting with WL.

 

[3boyzmom]

My DS was almost 2 when we stayed at the AKL. He loved it! We had a deluxe savannah view and concierge ... MY DS never wanted to leave the balcony (unless it was to run up and down the hallways ) It can be a hike to the room, ours was. But it really wasn't a problem, we always had a small stroller with us. All of my children (3) enjoyed the food offerings at Boma, Jiko, and the Mara and they are by no means adventurous eaters. The pool was outstanding as was the playground. Neither area ever felt crowded. There is so much to see and do, even for the little ones, that the lobby is like an attraction itself. As for the concierge, the staff was helpful, and check in was a breeze. I really enjoyed the level of service. The food offerings and coffee were a nice bonus, as was the ready supply of milk. I'm not sure I would use it again if I wasn't going on the Sunrise Safari. The lounge is on the 6th floor, and most concierge rooms are on the 5th floor, not convient for a quick snack. For our needs, cost probably wasn't worth it for us.

We are staying at AKL again in Jan. I highly recommend it.

Stephanie

 

[puffkin]

Of your choices, I would say CR or AKL.

CR for its proximity to the MK, which I am sure you will spend a lot of time there. Also, the rooms are large there and most will be remodeled by the time you go.

AKL (savannah view) because it is a beautiful resort. You will be able to see the animals from your balcony while your DD naps. They have a nice kids club there if you and your husband want a quiet alone evening. They also have a great pool area and the best food court/grab and go of the deluxe resorts. We found the transportation to be really great from there (since it has its own, DIRECT service). I would definitely use their transportation over a car, it will be much faster than driving (especially to the MK). The resort really isn't that far removed as some people make it seem. Also, they have all sorts of kid programs through out the day, but I am not sure what the age restrictions are on that.

 

[rcraw45425]

CR for ultimate convenience, WL close second, only because it's not on monorail. Those are our top picks, followed by the other monorail resorts. Our first onsite stay was with a 33 month old and an 11 month old. We were at the Swan, which lacked the "magic". Three months later we were booking CR, which is awesome with a double stroller! If you check our signature you'll see how we feel about the CR!

 

[SqueakyMouse]

AKL without hesitation. We took our 2 yo dd this past May, and she enjoyed it as much as the rest of us. It is just so unique. To me, WL (most recent stay at end of July/beginning of August) is just "nice." It doesn't do anything for me. The theming at CR doesn't appeal to me. However, I do like to visit there to dine and watch the fireworks. Admittedly, the convenience is great with a little one who will want to spend the majority of time in MK. Still, AKL remains my first choice.