Help for first time and with a little one

[doncaruana]

We are planning on going to Disney World for the first time in January of 2006. My daughter will be just shy of her third birthday (I mean by days...) but I'm really torn as to which resort to stay at. I don't mind paying for deluxe, but I don't want to do it just to do it. I thought about AKL, but is it too far from the Magic Kingdom? We did Hawaii, so Polynesian doesn't hold as much fascination... My major concern is that I want something my daughter will enjoy that won't make us spend half our days waiting for buses or disappointed with the rooms, etc.

A velue wouldn't be out of question, either, but I'd really like the fridge, room service and table service - or even the character breakfast....

Please - throw your advice my way!

Thanks,
Don

 

[PixiePop]

I would suggest the Wilderness Lodge. You can take a bus or boat to Magic Kingdom (on the boat =-you can leave the stroller up). Also, there is a boat to Ft. Wilderness which has a petting zoo and ponies. It is close to the Contemporary, in case you wanted to go to Chef Mickey's for a character dinner.

If you have any questions, let me know.

 

[pennst8r]

Don't forget to stop and get the free "It's my birthday" pin. Town Hall in MK--ask a CM in the other parks. Everyone will notice and try hard to make it extra special!

 

[bdcp]

Stay where you'll enjoy it. A 3 year old will neither care or remember it anyway. Most kids that age are more enamored with the pool and elevator in a hotel than the location. My DS 19 was 3 1/2 the first time we went and he remembers nothing from the trip. He had a great time, but doesn't know it now. We got the enjoyment out of it, watching him and his older brother (now 21). They did love the pool at CBR though and the stores at DTD were a big hit. Stay wherever is easiest for you and where you'll have a good time.

 

[dreamalittledream]

We stayed at Poly when DD1 was almost 3. We loved the ease of transportation with the choices of walking to the TTC and ferry to MK and Monorail to Epcot. The pool was great, zero entry and she loved the beach. It is a beautiful resort, it does feel like FL not Hawaii to me though. It is being renovated and the new rooms look awesome. Have fun where ever you stay!

 

[mexican-mouseketeers]

This could be us. We will be going just a few days before our daughter turns 3 too! We decided the WL would be best because we like that it is only one building instead of many, since we will be going during hurricane season. Also because of the many activities for young children between WL and FW, since we don´t think that our dd can take a park for the entire day.

 

[littleprincessmom]

As a mom of 2 little princesses myself, I can tell you that wherever you stay, it will be magical! Sooo...don't agonize too much over your decision.

That being said, all of us are obviously compulsive "planners" to even be on these boards so telling you that will do no good.

If the budget will permit, I'd definitely suggest a MK resort. We loved the WL as a resort but prefer the Poly or CR for monorail service. My DD3's favorite ride IS the monorail! Our absolute favorite is the Poly. I can't even explain why exactly - to each his or her own, but to us the Poly is the most magical.
However, my 3 year old would certainly choose a Tower room at the CR, where she can look down on Chef Mickey's and the monorail.

The bottom line is that your daughter's first trip will be wonderful...wherever you stay. Our first trip with DD5 was at the CBR and we loved it. Unfortunately, we were bit with the "Deluxe" bug after that! If I can answer any questions about Disney with little girls, please let me know~we are heading back in Dec. and can't wait.

Have fun!!!

 

[CLEO Z]

Gotta put my vote in for CR. Its not the world's best "theme", but the location is EVERYTHING! Its close enough to walk to MK which is especially helpful if the monorail is down. (as happend one day on our trip last month) Its also easier to walk to CR from MK at park closing time than to wait with the crowds. The pool is nice, you have Chef Mickeys, Concourse Steakhouse, and the Cali Grill. The Counter Service is pretty good and the game room is a life saver on a rainy day or to just use up some energy. The monorail can lull a cranky three year old to sleep for a mid-afternoon nap while mom or dad read a book. The rooms are also bigger.

 

[babybunrab]

People who stay at the values can answer this better, probably, but I'm not sure if they have one of those curtains that separate the sink/closet area from the sleeping area. I know they have them at the moderates, and they are nice because the area behind the curtain is big enough to park a pack and play (if that's where she's sleeping) and then you can shut the curtain so she can sleep while you and her other parent can stay up. Of course, these are NOT on the monorail line, so that you would need to take a bus if you've not got a car.

Another thing to consider is maybe WL Villas? We stayed in the treehouses (oh they were wonderful!) when DS was 2 1/2 and it was great because he had his own seperate sleeping quarters. The kitchen was nice, too, for breakfast and when DS had a Fairy Godmother she was able to make dinner for him. We did this three times so that the grown-ups could go to a late dinner and it worked out really well.

You'd be surprised, too, just how much she MIGHT (all kids are different, I realize, though) remember. DS fondly remembers (or thinks he does, anyway) all sorts of odd things from that trip--including his Fairy Godmother.

 

[Not so Dumbo]

Our family was there in May with the same situation. Our DS turned 3 while we were there. Best of both worlds, he was free and we could celebrate his birthday at WDW. We actually stayed off property and everyother day we would go back for a nap. The parks weren't busy so if he got too crabby and we didn't have time to leave for a nap, we would ride the monorail for a little while and he would sleep for a short bit there. For his birthday, we stopped for his birthday pin and the rest of the day he was the star of the show no matter where we went. Especially with the all of the character greetings.

 

[sleepydog25]

The posters who say choose whichever you wish are correct: what makes the trip magical is family time together, sharing experiences that you can record with a camera or video and that will live forever in your memories and hearts. That being said, my vote would be for WL, specifically the Villas. We enjoy spreading out during our vacations, and having a suite at the Villas allows you do just that, plus you get a full kitchen, jetted tub, etc.

VWL has the boat service--which usually is a very relaxing way to get to the MK--and has always provided good bus service to the other parks. If you have a car, it's easy to drive to any of the parks, as well, if you choose. The quiet pool, Hidden Springs, is never as crowded as the main pool, and provides a great place to take your near DD3 to enjoy swimming. It also has an in-ground, jacuzzi-style tub nearby. The dining opportunities range from the antics at Whispering Canyon Cafe--which your DD3 may or may not appreciate--to the Roaring Forks grill (I think it actually has better food than WCC), to the upscale dining at Artist Point (though it is kid friendly).

The quiet, but impressive, atmosphere at WL makes it a real haven for us after spending most of the day in a crowded park. We enjoy the serene theming and decor and appreciate the spacious villa rooms. There is a path that heads over to FW where there is a petting zoo among other activities--the path is about a mile one way. And then there is the Cub's Den, a children's activity center which our DD4 really enjoyed.

You can hardly go wrong for a first trip to WDW--if you enjoy it, so will your daughter. Good luck with your decisions!

 

[momimouse27]

I'm very surprised no one has suggested the Beach Club yet. I have a son who is 2 1/2 and when he was almost 1 we stayed at the BC for the first time. We made that decision just because our dd's wanted to stay there, but my son got out in the Stormalong Bay pool on the end where the sand was, and he had an absolute ball! He sat for the longest time playing in the sand with his bucket and shovel. It was too cute.

You can walk to Epcot from there, you have the beautiful Lagoon view, the lazy river, and there is also a character breakfast at Cape May which is Mickey and Minnie Beach themed. If you wanted to walk there in the morning, they also have a Princess Breakfast at Norway in Epcot.

 

[doncaruana]

Thanks to EVERYONE!

As I looked through the responses here and in other threads, what I was looking for was really some things to put one resort over another. The problem is - everyone seems to love a different resort! What a great thing! There really is no clear cut "winner", which just makes me feel really good about staying on one of the Disney properties...

So, that having been said, I've taken in everything I've learned here and just booked our trip to the Wilderness Lodge (Woods view).

My reasons:
1) We'll likely be spending a lot of time in MK, which is close by.
2) The boat ride to/from MK should be fun (and hopefully quick) for my DD.
3) Although not unique by any means to this resort, WL seems to have some great views.
4) It also appears to provide at least an opportunity to view the fireworks from the hotel or the room.

I booked through AAA and saved about $400, which was kind of cool as well. I'm kinda bummed we won't be there for DD's 3rd birthday, but we'd have to stay into peak season and right now we're smack in the middle of value season.

Thanks again - but keep the comments coming! I've got a few months to change my mind...

Don

PS - Just so you all know, my major contenders were Wilderness, Polynesian, Animal Kingdom, and Beach Club. Contemporary made a late run, but I was a little scared off at the construction and what potential closed rooms would do.

 

[DizzyBell]

I agree! Stay where you want to stay... Our youngest is 21 years old and when he was little we stayed wherever and he was happy as long as he had his time in the parks. Staying on-site is great for little ones because you can hop a bus back for a quick swim or nap! So choose where you would enjoy your stay and your child will enjoy all the perks!

8 days to go!

11 months till Jack is Back!

 

[O&WMOM]

We stayed at AKL when our daughter was a week shy of her third. She loved watching the animals from the balcony! Just remember, for a stress free stay, you will not see much of the parks. (she wore out quick) I wish we would have saved our money and not bought tickets for a couple of days and just did the character breakfast. All she wanted to do is see Mickey, Cinderella, Mary Poppins, ect.

Have a good time!

 

[sleepydog25]

Congrats on making a decision! Sometimes that's the hardest part. I don't think you could have gone wrong with any choice, but having stayed at WL a few times, I think it will work superbly for you. Have fun!