Best resort for trip with very young children?

[leahannpen]

Planning on going next November and we will have a 3 1/2 year old and an infant. Who has stayed where, while traveling with children this young and where did you/would you suggest staying for the easiest time?

Thanks!

Leah

 

[Doc and Family]

Leah,
We have done that, and are doing it again in Dec.
We have stayed at the All-Stars--the kids love this resort--not too bad, but riding buses constantly can be a pain.
The Beach Club Villas (DVC)--absolutely wonderful. Walk into Epcot--monorail to MK. Boat to MGM. Easy to get back to room for little one's nap, etc.
The Contemporary-also wonderful--on the monorail and very easy to get back to when we needed to.
Port Orleans--similar to All-Stars with bigger rooms-still had to ride the bus, though. And bus service was better at the AS.
This Dec. we are staying at the CR with a 6 1/2, 4 1/2, and an approx. 3 month old.--I will let you know how it goes.
In the past, the infant has been the best traveler, but I'm hoping the older boys will be better at it this time as they should be seasoned vets by now.

 

[crazyforgoofy]

I vote for anything on the monorail. The little ones we've traveled with always did better with naptime built into the schedule, its easy to get from MK (kids favorite anyway) and Epcot via the monorail and then back after a rest without losing too much park time.

 

[CalGal]

I agree with crazyforgoofy. With young kids, I would imagine that you will be spending a lot of time at MK. Therefore, any of the monorail resorts would be ideal. For ultimate ease and the fewest steps to the MK, I recommend the tower of the Contemporary (a short walk to the elevator down to the Monorail station). You might, however, prefer the ambience of the GF and Polynesian, or the cost of the standard Contemporary rooms.

When my son was young, I split my time between the CR and an Epcot resort. The Epcot resorts are veryconvenient to the other parks and are so nice. I thought that worked out really great, but some people don't like being uprooted once they are settled-in, especially if they aren't planning a long trip.

Good luck and happy planning.

 

[CarolinaBoy]

Don't forget about the cabins @ Fort Wilderness. You can catch a boat to MK, which my little ones love. The cabins have a bedroom to get some time away from kids, and also have a kitchen that is easier on the pocketbook than eating at the foodcourts for every meal. There is lots to do for the kids, they have a petting zoo, pony rides, golf cart rentals, outdoor Disney movies and a few more things. You should definitely give this a look.

Carolina Boy

 

[TDC Nala]

If you are certain you'll be spending 9/10ths of your time at the MK anyway, I'd say the Polynesian. It's also within walking distance of the TTC if you want to go to Epcot. It's a bit more difficult to get anywhere else.

 

[packy]

If you can afford it, I would stay at one of the monorail resorts near MK. With kids of that age, MK will be the main attraction.

 

[leahannpen]

Thanks so much for your ideas so far. I think either the Poly, Contemp or Fort Wilderness area is he best bet. I'm leaning towards the Poly for the ambiance, yet the Fort Wilderness homes with the kitchens and stuff may be a good idea too. I don't know what way to go here! Ugh! The monorail is so convienient... that's the one draw back to the whole Fort Wilderness thing... the transportation.

Any other advice out there? Thanks again everyone!

 

[golfmaven]

We are taking our 2 1/2 and 3 1/2 year old sons for their first visit in January and staying at the Contemporary (standard room). What sold me is the short walk to/from the MK which is the primary park we intend to visit on this first trip. I know when the kids are cranky and have had a long day there can be nothing worse than waiting for a bus and the long trip back to a hotel. In the meantime, you have to fold up the double stroller, carry it on the bus, carry all those extra bags (i.e., diapers, food, jackets, souveniers, etc.) that you had previously stored in the stroller basket, plus carry the infant! Wherever you stay, either try to find a suite (although that could be cost prohibitive) or at least a room with a balcony where you can sit and talk without fear of waking up the infant (who probably goes to bed a lot earlier than you do).

 

[Mainebound]

I doubt there's a bad place for kids at Disney! But I wanted to add that we stayed at AKL in March with our two boys, ages 3 and 1 at the time. We had a fabulous trip and plan to return. There was plenty for them to eat (with chefs at Boma literally coming up and asking us if they could make anything special for our kids -- but the buffet was great), the zero entry pool was great, and the animals provided lots of entertainment. It's true that it has no character meals and you are not alowed to bring balloons back there from the parks (danger to the animals). We really enjoyed feeling as if we were retreating to a quiet spot after the parks. And yes, every park day we returned to the hotel right after lunch for a swim and nap, then headed back out again in late afternoon. No problem!

I get the feeling that people on the DIS with small kids spend most of their time at MK but this was not the case with us. We had 5 park days, 2 at MK and 1 each at the other three parks. I think the boys -- and we parents -- would have missed out had we spent the entire week in Fantasy Land! So it all depends on what you plan to do.

For many AKL is not their cup of tea, and that's a good reason not to stay there, but I just didn't want you to assume that it wasn't kid friendly -- it most certainly is!

Good luck with your choice.

 

[mbb]

JMO, monorail all the way, baby! We had twin boys, stayed at the Polynesian, zero entry pool, lots of sand to dig in, VERY relaxed atmosphere, you can see the fireworks from you room ,if you get lagoon view...we stayed in Tuvlau (?), first floor, lagoon view, and with the kids in bed, we sat on the patio every night, with a beverage , watched the fireworks, and enjoyed! The boat ride to MK is also wonderful, and if you time it right, you can have a lagoon cruise for free during the fireworks! (Our boat captain told us it was the best "freebie" at WDW...and we would have to agree!)

If you are having a date night...V&A and the GF is wonderful, and you're so close...

But a one bdr at BCV would be fabulous too...washer dryer...jacuzzi tub...full kitchen...

ENJOY!

 

[jds]

I'd choose the Polynesian for the just-right combination of comfort, convenience, and ambience. We stayed there with our 18-month-old daughter and I think her favorite part of the trip was running or pushing her stroller along the beautifully landscaped walkways there! (Of course, this is the kid who, at the age of 5 months, fixated on the screws holding together the porthole on the submarine ride at Disneyland and totally ignored the giant scary sea creatures!)

I don't think you'd go wrong at any of the monorail resorts, but in my experience the Polynesian is the most relaxing and comfortable of the three... and you can always visit the others, maybe you'll pick one of them for your NEXT trip!

 

[huey duey & luey]

i agree close to MK is ideal. You may want to think about villas at wilderness lodge. We are going next nov with our triplets 21/2 and I just think it will be easier having a kitchen, snacks, breakfast we also want to be able to talk watch tv when they are sleeping napping that would be difficult all in 1 room

 

[soccer mom]

I agree with CarolinaBoy. We stayed in FW cabins three times when our four kids were young and it was great. Having a separate bedroom for them to sleep in was wonderful and the kitchen for a quick breakfast, bottlewarming, snacks, etc. was perfect. My kids favorite memory is the campfire and outdoor movies.

 

[clairesmom]

for what it is worth, my vote would be the beach club villas. they are ideally set up for young children, with the kitchen and laundry right in the unit, and the preschooler will love stormalong bay. also, the baby will be able to nap in one room while the older child is awake. the suites at the contemporary really didn't work out very well for us at that age-yes, it is convenient to access MK, but given the children's ages, we would only go there once a day anyway, and the open layout of the suite made it more difficult for the older child to have any activities while the baby napped. good luck!

 

[leahannpen]

Boy this is thought provoking! I like all of your ideas. They all have their pros and cons it seems. I've been to WDW many times as an adults only trip, and getting the opinion of those who have gone with little ones sure helps! I think I'm leaning towards either the Poly or the BCV.

Any other opinions are WELCOME!!!

Thanks so much!

 

[mbb]

how could I forget about Wilderness Lodge Villas..?!! I think we're just so excited about our trip home to BCV...!!

leahannpen, if close to MK is what you want, and you need a little extra convenience, a 1bdr at WLV would be ideal...just an easy boat ride away!

Enjoy!

 

[Tinks]

Another Poly vote! (or other monorail resort) We have young ones and the monorail cannot be beat for convenience. You do not have to fold up your stroller on the monorail...just push the little bugger right on! You can't do that on the boat or bus! The monorail hits two parks. So only busses to the other two. Go for the monorail...you won't regret it!