Best Choice if No Monorail Hotel?

[DissyLove]

Help! My family loved our stay at the Poly last year, but my 7-year-old son is scared of the monorail (long story). So, if we can't stay at that location, and are looking at either a deluxe or moderate, any bus-transporting recommendations? I certainly want it to be a "magical" stay again, and don't want to force him back on the monorail. :thewave:

 

[meuseman]

i would suggest the wilderness lodge - you still have easy access to MK with the ferry and you can get everywhere else by bus. I also love the WL, so I might be biased.

 

[Minnie&Nana]

Gosh, you have so many great options! If you want a Deluxe and are traveling in swim weather the Beach or Yacht Club would be nice. Be prepared that rooms at other deluxes are not quite as large as the Poly (other than CR which is also on the monorail).

One thing I did not like about the B&Y was the sharing of buses - seemed like forever while we were picking and dropping off at other resorts - But EPCOT and MGM are so handy!! Can walk to either or take the boat to MGM.

How large is your family? Moderates relaly only hold 4 comfortably, but the POP is inexpensive enough to get two rooms.

If the kids like zoo's AKL might be a nice option - I did not expect to like it but I really enjoyed sitting on the balcony and watching the animals. Did not stay there with little ones.

I've read loads of families like WL - and you still have the boat to MK

Maybe you could go to the resort faq board and read others comments on each resort.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=236234

Good luck and enjoy the decision! Oh, my kids loved the Poly, CR, Beach Club and CRB

 

[boswellnakia]

Our family loved the WL. It is so relaxing. My son liked the boat rides and we would often jump on the boats just to ride around in circles. Boy, are we easy to please!

 

[spiceycat]

OKW is all bus transportation - believe me - I know your problem - my niece does not like boat transportation....

the whole time going back and forth to Studios on the boat (the walking path did not exist at the time) - she kept asking if the boat was going to sink - she can swim - much, much, much better than I - but she has a problem with boats....

you can walk from the Polyn to the t/t and take the ferry to the MK, too.

 

[reedycreek]

PORT orleans - riverside of FQ, both are really nice...quiet, and fun. bus transportation was great from POR most of the time.

 

[DissyLove]

Wow thank you for all of your suggestions. It is so nice to find so many people like myself who both love Disney and want to help others enjoy it as well.

As there will be just 4 of us (my husband, my 7-year-old son who is scared of the monorail "Mommy, I think it can fall off the track!", and my ultra-brave 4 year old daughter, I think maybe the size of a moderate will be ok? We like the central location of the CBR-what do you think?

Although all the suggestions about the WL make me think it would be a big hit with the kids, and mom and dad!

Never stayed at the CBR-what do you think?

 

[spiceycat]

hey I even love pop Century - the new value resort - it is behind CBR.

both the moderates and values have double (full) size beds.

Some rooms at WL, AKL and FW cabins have 1 queen bed and bunk beds.

BWV, BCV, SSR, VWL had a queen and double sleeper sofa in the studio.

all the other deluxe resorts have 2 queen beds.

if that doesn't matter to you.

then any of the moderates would be fine. I like PO better that is more a matter of personal taste. if you CBR go for it!!!

 

[Minnie&Nana]

I LOVE the CBR -when you drive in it takes your breath away! All the flowers etc make you feel you;ve just arrived on a tropical island somewhere! The kids can rent bikes or paddle boats(used to, not sure what's available now) - every village has a small pool and then there is the main pool -which is not as large as some, but kids seem to like it fine

Be sure to study the resort map to decide if you want to pay for a preferred location -which is closer to Old Port Royale, Food Court, rest and gift shop. Martinique is also very close to the first bus stop which is great coming and going. Request a corner room and you'l love whatever view you have - one yr we got a lake view corner room in Martinique for standard rate. Incredible!

I have not stayed at this resort in awhile only because the people I've traveled with wanted to stay elsewhere...but I do love CBR

Enjoy!

 

[sherry8253]

Another suggestion is AKL. I think your kids would love watching the animals. Plus, you don't share a bus with another resort. WL is also an excellent choice. Have fun and let us know which resort you decide to select.

 

[DissyLove]

Hey all, thanks for helping me choose a Non-monorail linked disney resort this time. Since it was my 7-year-old who had the issue with the monorail, I had him help me "review" the choices online, and he seemed to really like the CBR and it's proximity to "the ball" as he calls it (Epcot). So I think we will book that this time and try a preferred room. Since I hope to return every year in the winter, I will also look around at some of those other great suggestions for next year while we visit. Thanks to all and keep those great suggestions coming!

 

[Minnie&Nana]

DissyLove,

I almost always included my little ones in the resort choice and it adds to the fun for them, I think.

How wonderful that your DS knows he does not have to worry about the monorail and was even included in the decision.

I hope you love CBR - oh, I would rec staying on the 2nd or 3rd floor, although there are no elevators. You know Florida...if there is any chance of a bug making it's way into your room it's in a first floor room Although we enver had a problem at CBR I did read a couple of reviews where that was an issue. We did have it happen at the Poly in a first floor room.

Enjoy!!

 

[DissyLove]

Thanks for the info on the CBR. I will look into a 2 or 3 floor room. I really appreciate all the great ideas on how to make the most out of this Disney trip!