Best resort w/ toddler?

[PatricenPete]

Here's a little tip - if at all possible - trying saving a few bucks and paying off some of the resort before you give DH the final tally I did that one year - I managed to save close to $700 and paid that $700 toward our room and THEN showed him the bill....

What they don't know won't hurt them....

 

[Dis2times]

I was thinking about this issue too.... If I stayed somewhere less expensive maybe I could get 2 rooms... Someone suggested renting DVC points too-- don't know a lot about that but it sounds like it might be a good alternative as well. SO MANY CHOICES!!!

So far I would totally recommend renting DVC points. We are doing just that, partly because we'll have a toddler and we can stay in VWL and be both close to MK and also have a washer/dryer (so helpful with a toddler!) and big refrigerator.

 

[cinderkay]

I may sound like a real niovice, well because I am, But...What are DVC points? Once you get the hang of all the abbreviations you can zip through these posts but sometimes I catch myself trying all differnt combinations before I figure out what they mean!

Does anyone know anything about the cabins at FW? I was reading on another thread and they were talking about golf cart rentals to get to the main lodge where all of the activities are. If we stay in a cabin are we going to need one of these? And how much of an extra cost is this? Plus I don't think a family of 5 can fit on one cart! Although they are all under the age of four.

At the Poly can you request a first floor room so you will definately have the patio? Do you have a suggestion of where to ask for our room so that we are in a nice spot to take advantage of the patio? At first I was thinking it would be a long night because the kids go to sleep at 7:30, but I am guessing that normal bedtimes do not apply at Disney. Have you guys found this to be true? That you stay up late to see fireworks and things or are your kids too tired to make it that late?
So many discisions!!!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

What are DVC points?

At the Poly can you request a first floor room so you will definately have the patio? Do you have a suggestion of where to ask for our room so that we are in a nice spot to take advantage of the patio? At first I was thinking it would be a long night because the kids go to sleep at 7:30, but I am guessing that normal bedtimes do not apply at Disney. Have you guys found this to be true? That you stay up late to see fireworks and things or are your kids too tired to make it that late?

DVC points = Disney Vacation Club - see the DVC board here on the Dis

Afternoon naps go a long way for the little ones (and the adults) at WDW. It's nice to have a stroller, too, so the kids can fall asleep and you and your husband can still walk around if you so desire. You may not want to do this every night but maybe once or twice so you can catch some of the nighttime shows. (Videotape them so the ones who are asleep can enjoy them later).

A ground floor room can be requested but not guaranteed. If you explain at check in what you'd like they'll try to accomodate. If you're over by the Quiet Pool you and your DH could take turns going in from your patio if you want. A Lagoon view is nice but you may have to pay extra (not sure). If you look in the Unofficial Guide to WDW they have a map and list good rooms to request. Good Luck.

 

[Fla Gator]

We have three kids and all have been to DW as toddlers at least once, and unfortunately we have not been $$ able to stay at a monorail or boat resort yet. So, I can't tell you about those but I can tell you about the pain of wheeling the kids in their stroller from the room to the bus stop, unpacking everything from the stroller and standing and waiting to get on the bus holding stroller, diaper bag, child, etc., only to find that it's standing room only, and so letting others get on the bus ahead of us while we wait for the next one because there's no way my DH or I will take a chance on riding standing while holding a toddler. Although on one trip we mis-guessed the line vs. the bus' capacity and found ourselves standing mid-way back with no empty seats in sight. A wonderful woman who did have a seat offered to hold my sleeping toddler for me during the ride. Another time my son was very angry that we'd woken him up by taking him out of the stroller to get on the bus so he started crying at the top of his lungs and nothing I could do/say would calm him down. A very nice family sitting next to us began singing Disney tunes to him and he stopped crying to listen. So, while taking the buses may offer you an opportunity to meet some very nice people, I'd opt for a monorail or boat resort if $$ possible. Okay, now I'm depressed that we're booked at POFQ May 21-26 and not at a monorail resort!

 

[goodferry]

I have gone twice with a toddler, once at the CBR and once at the Poly, and I can not tell you what a difference being on the monorail makes. It changed the whole experience, especially for DH. He won't go back with the kids unless we are on the monorail. I suggested getting two rooms so we would have more space at Pop this December and he immediately said no, I showed him the difference in price, and he still said no way. I don't think it made a huge difference to the kids, although they loved the pool at the Poly and we stayed concierge and they loved that! But it was much less exhausting for DH and I.
If you are concerned about money, look into the Contemporary, you can't get any closer to the Magic Kingdom and the garden wing rooms are often heavily discounted.
While my kids were napping, DH and I would take turns being the one on the balcony and the one in the pool or shopping. If you decide against a monorail resort, I would probably rent a car. Getting the stroller on and off the bus while people glare at you for taking up so much space and time gets old.

 

[LibertyLover]

In January my DH and I took our DD2 for her first WDW trip. We split a week between AKL and Poly and found both had great ammenities for toddlers. AKL had the animals, which our DD loved. She would get up and check out the window (we had a Savannah view room) every morning for the "raffs". When one of the giraffes would stroll into view she was thrilled. When we were at AKL we did find that getting back for her nap in the afternoon was a bit frustrating and we didn't always bother, which meant a cranky toddler by late afternoon. When we switched to Poly, getting back for naps was easier if we were at MK or EPCOT thanks to the monorail. We found ourselves limiting our visits to those parks the second half of the week because it was easy to get back and forth. The DD liked the Poly as well, and while there were no "raffs" there were plenty of birds on the water (lagoon view room), the Electrical Parade at night and the fireworks over the castle that we watched from our room. In a few weeks I'm going down for a quick visit on my own with DD and decided to stay at AKL. It's a hotel I know, really like and I know that DD will be thrilled to see the animals again. Good luck with your decision - and no matter what you decide, you will have a wonderful time.

 

[pixie dust 5]

Your right, there is no such thing as a "normal" bed time when your in WDW, but it all works out. I'm always amazed at how well the kids do at the change of schedule, no naps and late hours. I have three DS and have been 4 times always having atleast 1 and one time all three being toddlers. My first trip I had planned for mid-day naps and early bed times with a couple of nights to stay up late and see fireworks well, all my nap and bed time planning was out the window. Once your down there you get caught up in everything and lose track of time in the real world. My kids could never keep that kind of schedule without me paying for it normally but there they always do just great, it's unbelievable......it must be the pixie dust!?!?

 

[thumpersfriend]

My 28yo daughter and myself went to DW and stayed at the Poly. We have always stayed at the cabins at FW (5 times). My whole family loves the cabins so it was our mission to see if they would like the Poly better. We loved the Poly, but I don't know if I felt as comfortable there as I did at the cabins. Something about controlling my enviornment I guess. I noticed it was a different feel to it too. Like my daughter said, the Poly is more of a resort feel and the cabins feel more like home. I liked going to TL and BB and having the kitchen for making our lunch. We didn't have that this time and just skipped lunch there because the lines were impossibly long. It is true though that the transportation is not as good to different areas, but if you have a car you park it right outside and drive. But one thing I would not do is stay at the cabins without a golf cart ever again. That is half the fun for our family. Our cart was about $40 a day and 4 adults could ride on it and with kids I am sure you could do that. We paid rack rate of $350 a night for the Poly and I don't think it was worth it. If we got a code for maybe $250 I would possibly. The cabins are much more quiet and you don't feel like you are disturbing anyone. You don't hear anyone in the morning at 6am flushing toilets and doors slamming. So there are good things and not so good at both places. Sorry this is so long but it is fresh in my mind since we just returned.

 

[RichNKatHolly]

It would be cheaper (if you want to save $$) to rent a car and stay in a Mod or Budget resort. We did POF with a 2 yo and it was great and that was with us using busses only. The rental car was quicker our last visit and easier. I would recommend brining your own stroller too - there is a lot of walking between the resorts, your car, the bus, the monorail, everywhere!

Have fun!!!

 

[DisneyJen0504]

Just wanted to subscribe to this thread-very interesting

 

[cinderkay]

Okay, now I'm depressed that we're booked at POFQ May 21-26 and not at a monorail resort![/QUOTE]


Wow- this was a pretty convicing response. I have to say if I wasn't already convinced that the POly would be a better choice for us then I would be now! But looking at then end of your response I see all of those dates that you have been to disney. It may not have been at a monorail resort but look at all of those times you have seen Mickey! This is our first trip and we will most likely wait a few more YEARS before we go again. That is why my husband is for staying nicer. If it is only going to be a trip once every 5 years, he thinks of the cost spread out. I am waiting until after the trip to start working those 5 years alittle lower.

 

[cinderkay]

We loved the Poly, but I don't know if I felt as comfortable there as I did at the cabins. Something about controlling my enviornment I guess.

I think that this is really my biggest concern. Our three kids are LITTLE! Our daughter if 4 and we have twin sons (2)! They are all very well behaved but the only way I make it thorough a day is with a schedule. I do think it would be easier to do that in a cabin with a kitchen. Especially since my daughter has a severe food allergy to milk. But it is the transportation issues that worry me. I want to be close to a pool when my kids are sleeping! I want to be able to enjoy the time too! I do not like the idea of having to get on a golf cart to get the the lodge! Plus one of the boys would think it was a fun game to jump off the cart while moving. He is a dare devil! When I add up the cost of the cart, that puts our package only about 200 more to stay at the poly. I think the monorail might be worth that. Because not only do I have to get one stroller on the bus, I have to get 2 maybe 3 strollers on there.
This is what I do. Go back and forth, back and forth between these two resorts! I need to just finally call and make a reservation. Just do it!!!
Thanks for all of this great info. I love getting on here and getting such a great response . It is so nice to know that others can relate to my concerns because they have been there too! Paula

 

[cinderkay]

Pea-n-me! Thanks for this info. It was just what I was looking for! I took a close look at the pictures you have on you quotes and noticed that Pea-n-me look like twins! Our two boys are also twins! Send any and all twin info at Disney this way!!!

As you guys can see I haven't figured out how to get all this info onto one quote. I now have three in a row!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Send any and all twin info at Disney this way!!!

Yes, they are twins!!

I found a few things which may be helpful. Honestly, I don't know that there are any special considerations for twins as opposed to other children, but one thing we do like is the fact that they are the same height and developmental stage so that we don't usually have to split up to do rides, we can all go together. I know you have a "spare" so that makes your situation a bit different, LOL.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=800944&referrerid=70088

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=617914&referrerid=70088

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=624102&referrerid=70088

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=663113&referrerid=70088


I think you'll really like the Poly and have a great trip with your family. Enjoy!!

 

[Fla Gator]

... looking at then end of your response I see all of those dates that you have been to disney. It may not have been at a monorail resort but look at all of those times you have seen Mickey! This is our first trip and we will most likely wait a few more YEARS before we go again. That is why my husband is for staying nicer. If it is only going to be a trip once every 5 years, he thinks of the cost spread out. I am waiting until after the trip to start working those 5 years alittle lower.

You are right -- we are Florida residents with APs so if we get rained out, or it's too crowded, etc., etc., there's always a "next time" to look forward to!

 

[PoohHappens]

We have been twice now with our little boy. When he was 18months and when he sas almos three. When he was 18 months we rarely went back to the hotel for a nap. He would fall asleep in his stroller and we would just walk around and look at the things we wanted to in peace. The other thing we did was use a sling. This worked great waiting in line for rides. He was happy to be held and I was happy to not be chasing him. I dont remember what he weighed at the time but I know it was well under 30 pounds, but with the sling he kind of sitts on your hip. When he was almost three we returned to the hotel every day for a nap. We stayed at All Star Movies. Although I would love to stay at one of the more deluxe hotels our budget would not allow that. To tell you the truth, we ended up loving it. We had no problems with riding the bus and our little guy liked it better than some of the rides. We would sing songs ("wheels on the bus....") . I was worried because he is a high needs kid that he might have a melt down on the bus, but it never happened. He was crazy about the themeing at the resort. We stayed in the dalmation building and every day when he got up he wanted to go and hug the puppy icon. There was lots for him to look at that was familiar to him. We went to a couple other resorts for meals and I always felt uncomfortable because I was concerned he was disturbing other people. Not just during the meal but walking through the hotel. He was not overly rambunctious or screaming or anything, just laughing and playing hid and seek or trying to run away as toddlers do. We also never had a problem using the buses in the afternoon for naps. There was hardly anyone on them. They tend to be busier in the morning and at night. We set our expectations low and thought we would just take our time and not feel rushed. We had the best vacation ever. I hope you have a great time no matter where you stay. Don't missunderstand I would stay at a deluxe if I could afford it, but I think I would pick AKL because I know my son would love it.

 

[Trinity721]

We have gone twice with DD. Her first time when she was 10 months, and our most recent trip (last week). She is almost 3. The first time we stayed at the Contemporary and even though it was just a monorail hop away from the parks, we never went back to our room for her to nap. She always ended up falling asleep in her stroller, as she was pretty comfy there. Now if she had been cranky and refusing to go to sleep I definitely would have hopped the monorail back to the hotel. I would say that it was nice to have that option. I have to say, however, that the only reason we stayed at the Contemporary was b/c Shades of Green was being rennovated and they were booking their guests there at the SoG rate. I have never stayed at a Deluxe resort, as it is not in our budget (well not yet at least! )

Last week we stayed at CSR, which although it is not a monorail resort, it does have it's own bus system to the parks. This was also convenient, as we could always hop a bus back to our room. But again, we never needed to return to our room for a nap. DD always fell asleep in her stroller and always woke up refreshed and ready for more. I am not sure how the other resorts' bus systems ran but as far as my experience has been CSR's bus system was reliable and convenient. If you don't want to pay so much for a Deluxe, but are looking for more than the Value resorts definitely look into the Mods and do a little research on their bus systems. Good luck!