We took DS for his first trip last year, he was 4.
We stayed at Wilderness Lodge and loved it. You should check it out, they have a beach also and you can take a boat to Magic Kingdom.
We have never stayed anywhere else and highly recommend the WL.
We love the Poly!! However, if she likes to play in the water and sand, the Beach Club would be another great option!! My DS4 could play at Stormalong Bay ALL DAY!!
He really loves any and all characters. We spend a lot of time at character meals and meet and greets.
The DIS is an AMAZING source for the first time and expert Disney planner, so just start asking questions, ignore the "OMG, did you really just ask that" responses and get planning!
I would go for a monorail resort, if it fits your budget--it will save you some time, make it easy to get to and from your room, and little kids tend to think of it as a fun "ride".
I wrote a piece for about.com on Disney for preschoolers with some advice--you can click my siggy link to read, it has some helpful hints on travel and great rides for this age.
...but we have always stayed offsite. We've never paid more than an average of $100 per night for a 2 or 3 BR condo. Something to look into... Windsor Hills is amazing.
Our DD had just turned 4 and DS was almost 2 our first trip. They both loved it, and the family is now all disnuts. Have a blast, and welcome to the Dis!
Our Authorized Disney Vacation Planners are here to provide personalized, expert advice, answer every question, and uncover the best discounts.
Let Dreams Unlimited Travel take care of all the details, so you can sit back, relax, and enjoy a stress-free vacation.