Advice needed for mommy-daughter trip

[jcemom]

We just returned from our first family trip to Disney earlier this month. My 16 month old DD absolutely LOVED it and so did I! I'm now planning a mommy-daughter trip for next fall. DD will be just shy of her third birthday when we go. I have lots of questions for those of you who have traveled solo with a young child.

I can go anytime from mid-September to mid-October. When would be the best time to go?

Where would be the best place to stay? We stayed at AKL this time, but I don't know if I would want to spend so much money next time, and some of the walks within the resort were really long. Would All Star movies be okay? Or would I not be happy with that after a deluxe? What would you choose?

How long of a trip should we plan? Is six days not including travel days good? (We would fly in, then take a town car to WDW.) Is that too long? Too short?

What other tips/advice can you give me for taking a child that age? Should we take our own stroller? Would she enjoy the Hoop De Doo?

I know that's a lot of questions...LOL Thanks in advance for any help you can give me!

 

[deb305]

We took DD when she was 3 and stayed at POR, Alligator Bayou Building 14. You still have a bit of a walk to the food court and buses, but very doable with a three year old. That building is the closest to the food court, and the bus stop is across an service street. The pools there are great, and they have a small playground.
You mentioned wanting to save expenses but in all honesty if I was traveling alone with a three year old I would stay at one of the Monorail resorts - Contemporary,GF or Poly. Nothing beats the monorail for getting to MK, which is probably where you will spend most of your time. It also allows you to quickly go back to the hotel for an afternoon rest and hit the park again in the late afternoon. We stayed at GF last time, and DH took DD by then 4 back to MK in the late afternoon for the parades and dinner while I watched DS just 1 in the room. Our Oct trip this year will be to AKL and the Poly. The Poly looks great with a character breakfast at the hotel, a luau, and the magic of seeing Cinderellas castle and fireworks everynight. When DD was 3 she really believed in the Princesses (I still do). Even when she was 4 she'd run to the beach everynight at GF to watch fireworks and castle.
Bottom line as long as you are at WDW you can't go wrong

 

[jcemom]

That's a good point about the Monorail resorts making it easier to get in and out of MK, I'm positive that's where we'll spend most of our time. Maybe I'll see if that can fit into the budget. I was really hoping to catch the afternoon parade and it would be much easier to jump on the monorail and be there in a few minutes!

 

[tmfranlk]

I personally would go with the All-Stars or Pop Century. Of course, I can't afford to stay at the deluxes so I don't know if I would miss them too much. However, I think that your 3yo would love the icons. I first took my sister when she was 5yo and she LOVED being right by Buzz and Woody. The next year it was the Dalmations. The third trip we stayed at PO-R because we had extra people with us and needed the trundle bed. She was a little disappointed that there wasn't anything fun to play with.

This time we are doing Pop Century. I will also be travelling alone with the kids. Sis is now 8yo and my DD is 1yo. I know DD will love running around playing with the icons.

I have never found the bus transportation to/from All-Stars to be lacking. The trips are fairly quick, though wouldn't compare to the monorail, I'm sure. However, if you are going to MGM, AK or DTD from the monorail resorts, it may cancel out the monorail convenience. I've always waited twice as long for a bus from the Contemporary and GF (after meals there) than I ever did from the All-Stars.

For your dates, I think that you should be fine with any of the weeks. I want to say that Columbus Day week is slightly more crowded, but I think that that whole time span is fairly good. I think that your length of stay is great. It is usually what I would do. I have found that it gives us plenty of time to do most of what we want and to take some breaks.

As for the stroller, it would partially depend on what kind you have and what you want it for. For Sis, I rented because she just need a ride around the parks, no naps and she can walk at the resort and DTD with no problem. For DD, I am bringing our Peg Perego umbrella style stroller. I know DD will need it at the hotel and she will nap in it at least once a day. Since you will be alone, I would only bring your own if it collapses to a small size and is lightweight. I wanted one that would be easy to get on and off a bus (not just at WDW ) along with carrying a bag.

Good luck on your decisions and have a great trip.

 

[TDS373X]

When to go I've gone both Sept and Oct weather was good both times. I would lean to Oct simply for the chance to go to the Mickey's not so scary halloween party. You're daughter will love it ! I had to drag my then just turned 3 dd out of the place at midnight she had so much fun. WE stayed at the ASMu and were there for 4 days. I think maybe another day would have been perfect. But then I never want to leave. Keeping track of a little one in a big place all the time can be stressful for you and you really get no downtime (a chance to lounge by the pool with a good book). I am a single parent and have been to WDW many times and found it to be just a little stressful at times even though I normally am the only parent( mealtime comes to mind as being a challenge). However having said that I would not hesitate to do another Mom and Erin trip. This trip though we are taking grandma with us. You will want the stroller I found it came in most handy at the airport as a way to try and keep track of her.
Have a great time...

 

[beattyfamily]

It might be a let down going from AKL to one of the All Stars. Your DD probably won't care though.

If it were me, I'd stay at the Contemporary so you are nice and close (even walking distance) to MK for your DD.

I'd wait on the HDDR till you go as a family again, IMHO.

I'd go October as September is still hot and rainy. October is BEAUTIFUL weather and still not too crowded.

You may want to consider doing the Halloween Party at MK one of your nights! MNSSHP is great Halloween fun! I know your DD is young but she'll be free and I think she'll like dressing up and seeing others dressed up and seeing the special parade!

5 or 6 nights would be my max alone with my kids at WDW...I'm doing a DDs only trip this August! For 6 nights...Me and my 2 DDs ages 4 and 7! I'm excited but a bit nervous going without DAD!

I would bring my own stroller if I were you. It's great for the nights at DTD or if you did do the Halloween Party.

Have fun planning!

 

[jcemom]

Okay, after the MNSSHP comments from you guys, and doing a little searching for info here on the boards, I'm definitely leaning towards October! (I wonder how many times I can change my mind in the next year and a half before I send myself off the deep end?)

I didn't realise how much there was going on at MNSSHP! It looks like a lot of fun for DD and me too. I would love the chance to dress up with DD with no relatives around to talk about me. (I've always loved to dress for Halloween but haven't done so in the past few years because everyone thinks it's stupid. )

I'll have to give some serious consideration to the Contemporary, though WL really appeals to me more.

Thanks guys for the help! I'm sure I'll be needing more...lol

 

[Jordan's MOM]

WL transportatin to MK is really easy and fun. Just hop a boat and you are there in just a couple minutes. You can also catch a boat over to the CT. and catch the monorail there. We just love the WL and the size is perfect for a small child. There are three different type, (though all good on thier own merit) resturants plus trails end buffet is a quick boat ride away. The price at WL is less that other Deluxes except for AKL and like you we like it better that the CT.
We have stayed at the all stars and were happy there, but once we were bitten by the deluxe bug, it would be hard to go back.

What a great trip this will be.


Jordans' mom

 

[huey duey & luey]

I would also stay at one of the resorts closest to MK, if possible. It would definatley make it easier. You can walk to the MK from the Contemporary.
Tara