Best resort for a 2 year old?

[SuzyQue]

Mom, Dad, Daughter & Son-in-law, and 2 year old granddaughter. We will probably go with 2 rooms. Tried to do a search but to no avail.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

The best resort is a resort within the budget of whoever is paying for it. The range is quite serious, particularly with two rooms, and depending on season can run from ~$300 for the two rooms to well over $2,000 for two rooms.

Start with budget. All of the Disney resorts have very good qualities in their range. No resort has "perfect" transportation or access to every park.

 

[Wood Nymph]

Mom, Dad, Daughter & Son-in-law, and 2 year old granddaughter. We will probably go with 2 rooms. Tried to do a search but to no avail.

A resort that the adults like is the best resort for a two year old. As long as the resort has a pool they will be happy.

If we knew whether you wanted value, moderate or deluxe resorts then we could be more helpful.

 

[MrsDuck]

What's the budget? If you want 2 rooms, you should consider renting DVC points and getting at least a one bedroom villa.

If your budget isn't quite as generous, I'd say an Art of Animation suite for all of you or two rooms at Pop or Movies.

 

[Lynne M]

Yep, the resort that's best for the adults is the one that'll be best for the two year old. All Disney resorts are very kid-friendly, have activities for kids, meals for kids, pools that will thrill kids, etc. So, you decide based on:

1) Price - what fits in your budget? Disney resorts are divided into three rough categories: Deluxe, moderate, value.

2) Location - what resorts are close to the theme park where you plan to spend most of your time? What are the transportation options like at those resorts? How easy is it to return to your resort for a rest when the 2-year-old inevitably burns out?

3) Theme - Do you want to vacation in a Polynesian village? A Victorian-themed seaside resort? A lodge in the Pacific Northwest? Old New Orleans? A treehouse cabin? Or do you want all Disney, all the time, give me ALL THE DISNEY?

Seriously, all you can do is figure out what resorts are in your budget, and then read about the various resorts and decide which location is best for your family, and which theme(s) appeal to you.

 

[SuzyQue]

Our favorite resort has always been POR, but our kids were older when we started going to Disney World. Totally understand everyone recommending that I start with budget, and we are looking for 2 rooms rather than a suite. I was looking at All Star Movies and just wondered how much a 2 year old would pay attention to the theme-ing there versus POR. I like that POR has numerous pools and has a playground etc and we've never stayed at a value, so wasn't sure we should make the change for her. We will have a rental car so not worried about location to parks.

 

[danikoski]

If you as adults are more comfortable with POR and like the hotel, go for it.

 

[SuzyQue]

If you as adults are more comfortable with POR and like the hotel, go for it.

I guess that's my dilemma. DH & I go every year, so I was kind of planning this more for my daughter & granddaughter. Would we really be unhappy at ASM after staying at POR for so long? Anyone out there with a 2 year old who can share their experience?

 

[Wood Nymph]

The All Star resorts have double beds instead of queen beds. And they have one bus stop, so there would be more walking, I would think.

 

[westie55]

Only you can determine if you would be unhappy. I've stayed at deluxe resorts (YC, WL, AKL, SSR) and still loved AoA. By switching, you would now share a bus with the other All star resorts. You would lose some space in the room, as well as move down to double beds that are definitely less comfortable. There will be no table service dining on site. The pool won't have a water slide and there won't be a hot tub. The grounds will be full of larger than life statues, which some find garish, instead of gardens etc. I agree with others who say that you should pick what the adults want. A 2 year old won't realize the other options available. If it is worth it to the adults to make the aforementioned changes in order to see ASM through the child's eyes and do something different, then go for it. The value is cheaper. If those differences don't sound pleasant, stick with POR. I have a 2 year old, btw.

 

[Carlymouse]

Our first trip with daughter (who will be almost 3 at the time) will be this year, but having traveled with her for family events and stayed at various hotels (mostly Holiday Inn Express) over the past year on 5 different occasions, at age 2ish, she just loves having a pool and exploring a hotel. I'm sure she'd love the animation stuff at Art of Animation, but will it be a significant enough difference from just the fun of a hotel to be worth making that a big factor in choosing? I don't know. Wherever you end up though, there'll be Disney magic and you'll be immersed at the parks. I have definitely considered both POR and AoA for future trip that we may take with my parents because of the moderate values and good reviews (I know AoA is value, but the suites are more moderate prices). We're staying off-site for this one because my in-laws have a time share. Let us know what you decide!

 

[danikoski]

I guess that's my dilemma. DH & I go every year, so I was kind of planning this more for my daughter & granddaughter. Would we really be unhappy at ASM after staying at POR for so long? Anyone out there with a 2 year old who can share their experience?

If it was me, and I wanted to save money, I'd go with two rooms at Pop. They are refurbing that hotel right now and it will have 2 queen beds in all rooms. Some sections are done now.

However, POR has slide on their pool, and the boat to DS. Plus more food options.

I'd also look at std view rooms at AKL and WL, which sometimes are close to being similarly priced as POR. WL would be great with a two year old with it's close proximity to MK. You can actually take a boat to MK, a direct bus to MK, or a boat to CR and walk to MK.

 

[sbd78]

AoA has really fun theming for a 2-year-old. Even though it is technically a "value," I think of it as nicer than most of the values. The main pool is great for a little one with zero entry and splash pad. Unfortunately though, Little Mermaid rooms (the only standard non-suite rooms at AoA) are usually not included in discounts and you have to pay rack rate.

 

[Carlymouse]

I'd also look at std view rooms at AKL and WL, which sometimes are close to being similarly priced as POR. WL would be great with a two year old with it's close proximity to MK. You can actually take a boat to MK, a direct bus to MK, or a boat to CR and walk to MK.

I didn't realize that WL was so close to MK! I'll have to keep that in mind for the future. How long does it take to walk?

 

[dansdad]

I didn't realize that WL was so close to MK! I'll have to keep that in mind for the future. How long does it take to walk?

Just to be clear, you can't walk to MK from WL. @danikoski was saying that an option is to boat over to CR then walk from CR to MK. The walk from CR to MK is about 10 minutes.

 

[Lilyrampant]

Any disney property is fantastic for everyone!

However the ones in the circle of MK do provide for quick back to the room jaunts. We stayed at Wilderness lodge last may. The private boat from Mk to the lodge was AMAZING. the splash pad was very cool and she loved playing around the stream and the geyser.

We are opting for Poly this trip as my father in law is scooter bound so the monorail will be easier for his transport. We also visited Poly for Ohana and it was a gorgeous hotel. Also the staff made my little girls day by giving her a mickey mouse plush just because when we were posing for a family photo.

 

[danikoski]

I didn't realize that WL was so close to MK! I'll have to keep that in mind for the future. How long does it take to walk?

As @dansdad clarified, you can't walk to MK from WL. However, especially early in the morning, you can boat from WL to CR, then walk to MK. In my experience, the boat between CR and WL starts earlier than the one between WL and MK. You can also get an early morning reservation at Chef Mickey's, then walk to MK. Or stop at the CR QS and get breakfast before walking to MK.

You might be wondering why not stay just at CR? For me, it's the cost and themeing. The cost of staying at WL is usually lower than CR (except sometimes CR garden wing vs WL courtyard view), and I love the themeing at WL. It feels relaxed and home. I don't get the same feel at CR.

 

[Carlymouse]

I'm digging this info on WL! I've never be uninterested in WL; it just wasn't high on my radar, but these posts are making me want to take a closer look! My daughter will probably be closer to 5 or 6 when we go next though.

 

[danikoski]

I'm digging this info on WL! I've never be uninterested in WL; it just wasn't high on my radar, but these posts are making me want to take a closer look! My daughter will probably be closer to 5 or 6 when we go next though.

I love WL! And your daughter at 5 or 6 would probably really enjoy it. Downside is once you stay there, everywhere else has to live up to it

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Our favorite resort has always been POR, but our kids were older when we started going to Disney World. Totally understand everyone recommending that I start with budget, and we are looking for 2 rooms rather than a suite. I was looking at All Star Movies and just wondered how much a 2 year old would pay attention to the theme-ing there versus POR. I like that POR has numerous pools and has a playground etc and we've never stayed at a value, so wasn't sure we should make the change for her. We will have a rental car so not worried about location to parks.

I guess that's my dilemma. DH & I go every year, so I was kind of planning this more for my daughter & granddaughter. Would we really be unhappy at ASM after staying at POR for so long? Anyone out there with a 2 year old who can share their experience?

The 2-year old won't be paying attention to the theming any more at a value than they would at a mod or deluxe. When my DS was 2, we stayed at Poly. He couldn't have cared less what the theming was. He was mostly interested in running on the pathways. He has stayed at almost every WDW resort and has enjoyed them all. We stayed at AoA when he was 5 and after the initial oo's and aah's over the big statues, the novelty wore off.

I agree with others who recommend you stay at the resort where the adults will be most comfortable and will be most convenient for you. POR is a gorgeous, comfortable resort that has plenty to do for a toddler. If that's where you like to stay, I would go for it. A value really doesn't hold more appeal for a toddler and will mostly likely be more uncomfortable and more inconvenient than a mod.