4 Nights - Which Disney Hotel?

[k8Davies]

Hi Guys

I need some advice.

My Husband and I, plus our little one (Who will be turning 1 on our trip) are off to Orlando this October with the extended family where we will be staying in a Villa for two weeks.

But as this will be our first trip abroad with our son we have decided to go out 4 nights earlier and want to stay on site. Although we are unsure which Disney hotel to stay in?

This will be my 8th Trip to Orlando but have stayed mostly in Villas (did stay in Disney Pop Century Resort back in 1996 so memories aren't that fresh ). We've had a look online and can't, between us, decide which would be best, especially travelling with an infant.

So any help/advice would be greatly appreciated. We not that stuck on budget, although we don't want to break the bank (unless it super worth it lol)

Thanks

 

[farah]

Port Orleans French Quarter

 

[NikkiMouse]

I second that vote for French Quarter. Nice size of resort. Lovely to take boat to DTD. Easy walk to Riverside. It's just lovely!

 

[Wills Mom]

We've only done AKL for a short stay. Have no idea of how the transport works as we had a rental car. Loved AKL, we'd stay again with kids though maybe a hotel on the monorail or near Epcot would be better for naps etc. Just hop on the monorail and off you go. If money wasnt an issue I'd stay at the Poly.

 

[queendisney]

Port Orleans French Quarter��. It's small and easy to get around, especially with an infant. The transportation was great, pool was great! Just felt peaceful after a busy day at the parks. Hope the helps!

I second that vote for French Quarter. Nice size of resort. Lovely to take boat to DTD. Easy walk to Riverside. It's just lovely!

Yep agreed...POFQ is beautiful. Not buget, not delux, just right in the middle. I personally would always go to POR/FQ over ANY of the other resorts.

 

[scoobydooby]

Pop Century on a budget. POFQ for a moderate for all reasons stayed. Poly or contemporary none budget for access to MK via monorail. But would avoid poly while construction is going on as it's a mess.

 

[torsie24]

We're huge AKL fans so always suggest that to people.

Also my DD is currently 11 months and is animal/bird obsessed so I know she'd adore AKL right now.

To be honest there are benefits and drawbacks to all the resorts. Have a through look through the website and maybe go with your gut? One near MK is maybe a good plan as that'll be where I'd be spending most of my time with a toddler.

Wilderness Lodge is only a boat ride away if the monorail resorts are a bit pricey.

But then we never found AKL buses to be a hassle.

 

[pickers1982]

With a youngster location in my opinion is hugely important.naturally your day is that bit shorter so you don't want to waste too much time travelling or indeed battling with a bus and buggy

I loved akl and can imagine the animals are great for a little one but it really is quite a way out for transport to the parks. An extra 20 mins on a bus make a difference with a hungry and or tired baby.

I would highly recommend somewhere on the boardwalk(e.g beach club). You can walk to Epcot or the boardwalk in 5 mins for a meal, if you want magic kingdom you can walk to the monorail and the beach/pool is superb for little ones.

 

[khibs]

We stayed at French quarter & Old Key West with a infant/toddler. FQ is great, easy to get around, calm, quiet & also just a boat ride to DTD which is great for evening meals if you don't want to go back into parks or other hotels. Old Key West is a little more expensive but is now our favourite. Again it's close to DTD but also has a great restaurant on site. Again it's a quiet/calm resort but the big plus for me is the kitchenette. Having a microwave with infant/toddler is so much easier for us. At FQ I would have to walk to food court to warm milk and snacks but at OKW it's in my room!!

 

[torsie24]

With a youngster location in my opinion is hugely important.naturally your day is that bit shorter so you don't want to waste too much time travelling or indeed battling with a bus and buggy

I loved akl and can imagine the animals are great for a little one but it really is quite a way out for transport to the parks. An extra 20 mins on a bus make a difference with a hungry and or tired baby.

I would highly recommend somewhere on the boardwalk(e.g beach club). You can walk to Epcot or the boardwalk in 5 mins for a meal, if you want magic kingdom you can walk to the monorail and the beach/pool is superb for little ones.

Just to play devils advocate....

Transport to MK for us was way quicker from AKL than when we stayed at the Boardwalk (& MK was longest journey)

AKL bus doesn't stop anywhere else whereas the BW shared buses with swan, dolphin, yacht & beach club. BW is ideal for Epcot and DHS I 100% agree. But in my experience (19 days total of getting AKL buses) we were never more than 15 mins on a bus from AKL-MK and that's the furthest park from AKL. (DTD was longer) It's certainly not "an extra 20 minutes" in our experience.

(Worst bus we had was from Contemporary to DHS - 20 mins before we were even on the way to DHS after stopping at Poly & GF)

 

[MrsTigger]

Transport to MK for us was way quicker from AKL than when we stayed at the Boardwalk (& MK was longest journey) AKL bus doesn't stop anywhere else whereas the BW shared buses with swan, dolphin, yacht & beach club. BW is ideal for Epcot and DHS I 100% agree. But in my experience (19 days total of getting AKL buses) we were never more than 15 mins on a bus from AKL-MK and that's the furthest park from AKL. (DTD was longer) It's certainly not "an extra 20 minutes" in our experience.

I agree, before we went I was worried about how far AKL was from the other parks but we found it to be great. The fact it doesn't share buses with other resorts was a real plus. The journey to Mk didn't take long at all and there was always plenty of buses. We really loved AKL would def like to stay there again.

 

[scoobydooby]

This is making me happy. I have a short 10 day break with DD at AKL in May and DH keeps saying I'll regret it due to it been way out. That's why we've never stayed here as a family!!!

 

[flortlebap]

AKL is a beautiful resort. It really isn't that far out at all - 10-15 minutes bus ride to most places !

 

[pickers1982]

AKL is a beautiful resort. It really isn't that far out at all - 10-15 minutes bus ride to most places !

Like i say i do love akl lodge but my experience was buses are much longer (not just talking mk but dtd too etc). Looks like my experience is the minority on here. It was well worth it when we went the two of us but its off my list until our son is older

Okw sounds good if get microwaves etc.

 

[Elise79]

For 4 nights with a 1 year old - I would be picking the Contemporary.

You can walk to MK and get the monorail to Epcot neither of which require you fold your stroller and carry the child

The best park for a 1 year old is MK so why not make the most of it? (I am guessing you will do all the parks once the rest of the family arrive)

At the Contemporary you can get a Garden wing room which are really quite reasonably priced.

 

[pickers1982]

Just to play devils advocate.... Transport to MK for us was way quicker from AKL than when we stayed at the Boardwalk (& MK was longest journey) AKL bus doesn't stop anywhere else whereas the BW shared buses with swan, dolphin, yacht & beach club. BW is ideal for Epcot and DHS I 100% agree. But in my experience (19 days total of getting AKL buses) we were never more than 15 mins on a bus from AKL-MK and that's the furthest park from AKL. (DTD was longer) It's certainly not "an extra 20 minutes" in our experience. (Worst bus we had was from Contemporary to DHS - 20 mins before we were even on the way to DHS after stopping at Poly & GF)

Sorry maybe exagerrated a bit with 20 mins but definately longer than most. If u add on an up to 20 minute wait(possible) for a bus time is precious with little one.

In terms of buses the beach club bus to mk only shares with yc. My point re mk is you dont have to get the bus to 3 parks. Mk u can stroll through epcot in 10 mins and get the monorail. If u have a sleeping baby they can stay in a buggy the whole time thus less likely to wake up.

Hope i havent offended any akl lovers out there( i fear i may have). As i say i stayed and loved it and would recommend it to most people

 

[crabbie1]

This is making me happy. I have a short 10 day break with DD at AKL in May and DH keeps saying I'll regret it due to it been way out. That's why we've never stayed here as a family!!!

This is what baffles me. People spend hours walking and queuing and then moan they have a 20-30 bus journey ( not talking about you scooby )AKL is a gorgeous resort and I agree with tinks buses are worse from the epcot resorts as they stop everywhere along the way. AOA is very colourful and with a baby this will appeal. If money no object then I would say contemporary or GF

 

[pickers1982]

This is what baffles me. People spend hours walking and queuing and then moan they have a 20-30 bus journey ( not talking about you scooby )AKL is a gorgeous resort and I agree with tinks buses are worse from the epcot resorts as they stop everywhere along the way. AOA is very colourful and with a baby this will appeal. If money no object then I would say contemporary or GF

Hope you arent talking about me! My point was very very soecific to having a 12 month old. Ill say it again i loved akl!

Just to confirm just been to beach club and the one time i needed a bus it stopped only at the yacht club.

 

[scoobydooby]

This is what baffles me. People spend hours walking and queuing and then moan they have a 20-30 bus journey ( not talking about you scooby )AKL is a gorgeous resort and I agree with tinks buses are worse from the epcot resorts as they stop everywhere along the way. AOA is very colourful and with a baby this will appeal. If money no object then I would say contemporary or GF

Yes I agree. Have said much the same to DH often! I can't wait to experience AKL.

 

[crabbie1]

Hope you arent talking about me! My point was very very soecific to having a 12 month old. Ill say it again i loved akl! Just to confirm just been to beach club and the one time i needed a bus it stopped only at the yacht club.

Did I mention ur name?? It was a generic post which whenever resorts are mentioned AKL always seems to get a rough deal in that people in general say its "too far out". Iv stayed 3 times and it is stunning.