Help! First timer with 2 little ones!

[lolobug]

Hi!
We are going to WDW for our first time in late January 2014! My oldest will be turning 5 at disney and my youngest will be 2 1/2. I know the MK will be our "go-to" park. We're planning on 5 days in the park, I wouldn't be surprised if 2 or 3 are spent at MK. With that in mind... Is AKL worth considering?
My kids are little and will tire quickly. I plan on bringing a double stroller. We will be taking breaks, our goal is to enjoy our vacation, we don't need to do lots to feel satisfied. With that in mind I would assume our day might look like this:
Wake up, breakfast, head out for 3-4 hours.
Return to resort for a break 1-3 hours
Head back out, eat dinner at the park?
Return, quick break.
(Night activity?) return again

AKL saves some $$ and seems fun for the kiddos OR is the poly a better option for us?
We will want to do AK, Epcot, and MK. Downtown disney will also be a draw.
Thank you! Suggestions/advice greatly appreciated!

 

[nolanboys]

AK is lovely, but since your kids are so young and you know you'll be spending most of your time at MK, I would look at Poly or Contemporary. The monorail would be great for you guys with a stroller. I would also suggest looking at WL as it is close to MK and you can take a boat there. It is a beautiful resort and less than the others I mentioned.

As far as your plan - I would head to the park in the morning, stay for lunch, and then head back to the resort. Then nap/swim and relax in the afternoon. We usually do this and head back for dinner or after dinner at the resort for evening fun at the parks. You will still get enough park time, but come back from vacation more relaxed than exhausted.

 

[mmmears]

I really love AKL. But if you plan to spend so much of your time at the MK, and if you want to return to your resort for a mid-day break, then I'd look at WL instead. Similar design, much closer to the MK, similar pricing (just no animals). The Poly and CR would work well, too, but cost more. AKL is wonderful, but you could save alot of time each day (with the 2 round trips) if you were a walk/boat ride away from the MK.

 

[lolobug]

I really love AKL. But if you plan to spend so much of your time at the MK, and if you want to return to your resort for a mid-day break, then I'd look at WL instead. Similar design, much closer to the MK, similar pricing (just no animals). The Poly and CR would work well, too, but cost more. AKL is wonderful, but you could save alot of time each day (with the 2 round trips) if you were a walk/boat ride away from the MK.

Thank you!

 

[Countryrunner262]

I would saveAKL for when they are a little older and can really enjoy it. It would also be longer bus rides from AKL to the parks.

 

[myhouseofmouse]

Agree with everyone else. save AKL for when they are older and enjoy a resort on the Monorail. This will be a big help for taking naps and breaks during the afternoon. You can even walk back to the Contemporary as well which is great for not having to wait in lines to get back to resort. Small stroller tip, when using a double stroller, stay away from the side by side ones. (easier to move the sigle file strollers in crowds at the parks.) Enjoy the trip.

 

[Anonomom]

With kids that small, I strongly recommend the Contemporary. You can walk to and from the MK faster than the monorail can take you. It makes it so very simple to hop back and forth between the two.

If you can swing the cost, you might also consider club level. Having breakfast and snacks available in the lounge adds another layer of convenience.

 

[GaBelle]

Wilderness Lodge is at the same rate/price point as AKL. It's a short boat ride to MK.

 

[Wood Nymph]

WL is a great choice. We stayed there in February with grandchildren age 5 and 3 and it was perfect for that age. The resort is very compact, with everything under one roof, unlike the resorts on the monorail. The boat to MK was fun and very convenient. There are two types of boats, a smaller one which requires the strollers to be folded up, and a larger one which allows you to roll the stroller on.

My daughter only used a stroller for the five year old at night. She had brought a cheap umbrella stroller for that purpose. It was easier to maneuver than a double stroller. Although, I have a feeling that my grandson wouldn't have minded a ride in a stroller more often.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[wdwrich]

Our first on-site visit was back in 1982 when our first two kiddos were exactly the same ages (5 and 2.5). We stayed at the Poly and honestly, it was worth the $$ to do so. The convenience to both MK and the TTC can't be beat!