Driving and hotel choice?

[PrincessJazmin]

Hi!

Planning to drive to MK from the DC area with my 6 year old. Was thinking of the Contemporary because we can walk to MK both mornings or perhaps an off property resort and drive to the TTC both days. Thoughts? I will bring a stroller, hah, and I'm up for walking endlessly. I'd love to spend more money on fun gifts for her (belated birthday trip because of covid) instead of hotel, but the Contemporary's proximity to MK is amazing......

 

[Drewsdad]

Best choice you will make with young one. You can go to the room during the day and rest.

 

[DJFan88]

Agree with Drewsdad. It sounds really easy to say, oh I’ll just stay offsite and go to TTC no problem. But the reality is it’s a big pain. And especially if you think your hanging around for fireworks. Leaving through the TTC is brutal. Crowds just to get to that and then traffic leaving.
If you are going to other parks too, you can also save some money by staying at a different resort. Let them deal with the hassle of getting you around. Other parks would be easy for you.
Finally if it’s CR or nothing, consider stayingin the garden wing to save bucks. Sure, you’ll hear people say the tower is so much better, but to stay on property vs off property and be right next to MK and save a couple bucks, it’s pretty great.

 

[Marthasor]

Agree with Drewsdad. It sounds really easy to say, oh I’ll just stay offsite and go to TTC no problem. But the reality is it’s a big pain. And especially if you think your hanging around for fireworks. Leaving through the TTC is brutal. Crowds just to get to that and then traffic leaving.
If you are going to other parks too, you can also save some money by staying at a different resort. Let them deal with the hassle of getting you around. Other parks would be easy for you.
Finally if it’s CR or nothing, consider stayingin the garden wing to save bucks. Sure, you’ll hear people say the tower is so much better, but to stay on property vs off property and be right next to MK and save a couple bucks, it’s pretty great.

I agree with considering staying in the garden wing at CR. It is much easier to walk to MK from the garden wing as you don't have to contend with the elevators. CR Tower with a stroller is a pain as it is always jammed and, if you are planning on taking the monorail with a stroller, I would avoid CR altogether - to get to the monorail platform, there is one, little elevator and everyone with a stroller and ECV has to share it - not fun. If you really want the walk to MK, consider GF instead as they have a new pathway to the park. If you want to save some money, consider WL and you can take the boat to MK. CR is also undergoing construction right now (not sure when you are going)

 

[Jadyreen1282]

Poly is just a boat trip away and kids love the decor and pool theming. If my parents had stayed there when I was young I would be a disnut now for sure...oh wait a minute, didn't matter.

GF might be too far to walk. But right there on the monorail and kids love that too.

 

[PrincessJazmin]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I would prefer a hotel that is walking distance to MK, but not trying to spend too much on a room.

I've stayed at the Disneyland Hotel in California and the location was perfect. I was planning to bring an umbrella stroller for my kid for the walk to and from the parks. Do you think the paths are safe at night? Might be a silly question, but wasn't sure how much they are used.

ETA: We would be going in the next month or 2 - during the week, not the weekend.

 

[Tigger's ally]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I would prefer a hotel that is walking distance to MK, but not trying to spend too much on a room.

I've stayed at the Disneyland Hotel in California and the location was perfect. I was planning to bring an umbrella stroller for my kid for the walk to and from the parks. Do you think the paths are safe at night? Might be a silly question, but wasn't sure how much they are used.

ETA: We would be going in the next month or 2 - during the week, not the weekend.

Just a concern. The umbrella strollers tend to have small wheels. Small wheels make for long days as they don't push like the big wheel strollers. I know the CR sounds great because of the walk, but you can save some big bucks staying WL and just hopping on the boat that takes you to the front of MK. Use that for reserving a nice Big wheel stroller from Kingdom Strollers. It will save the day. You will have money left over to buy more things for your little one.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

Price it out. I've stayed at CR before, but current pricing, and the current status of CR has made me consider just how much more room we get offsite for a LOT less $$$.

On top of that, the new places at Flamingo Crossing are BRAND new, vs. a hotel that is not new.

As for afternoon breaks, it depends on park hours that week and your endurance for mask wearing. It is easier to walk to CR than to drive back to an offsite hotel (though there are a number of options closer than Flamingo Crossings), but either way...once you leave the park, you might decide you are done for the day. So it might make more sense just to stay say 6 hours no break in the park vs. 3 + 3.

One more option to maybe consider is GF, it now also has a walking path to MK. It is a little longer than walk to CR, but not all that much longer. Depends also what you get for pricing and availability, and what dining appeals to you.