Hotel/Resort option with toddler

[oceanwave]

We will be heading to Disney in May. There will be 3 of us, my husband, myself and our son (who will be 16 months). I currently have a reservation for a 1 bedroom villa at Disney's Old Key West, but it is pricey. I have been looking at other hotel/resort options off property but really don't know which would be best with a toddler. I am looking for a child friendly hotel/resort that has either a 1 bedroom suite or 1 bedroom villa. We won't be at the parks all day, the plan is to go in the morning and come back after lunch so our son can nap, so resort amenities are important. Or would it be best to just stay onsite?

 

[Klayfish]

To be honest, most of the hotels/resorts/condo communities off site will fit your needs quite well. The cheap/shady Motel 6 type places are super easy to spot. Use sites like VRBO or AirBnB and you'll find more choices than you know what do to with, especially since you only need one bedroom. Literally hundreds of choices....lots of people on this board like Bonnet Creek or Windsor Hills. Never stayed at Bonnet, but have stayed at Windsor. Really liked it, great place.

 

[ParkHopperFan]

I think your situation is perfect for off site. Have you considered what you and your husband will do when your son is napping or sleeping? You might consider an offsite condo, townhouse or villa with at least two bedrooms so that your son can sleep and you two can still enjoy your vacation. When our kids were toddlers we stayed onsite once and were bound to the hotel room while they were sleeping. Not the best vacation... Since then we always rent a villa with several bedrooms and pool. The kids can sleep and we can still enjoy the pool and the outdoor space, or watch TV, cook meals, etc. without the worry of waking anyone. Now that they're older we enjoy everyone having their own private space and their own bathrooms. A four bedroom villa is still cheaper than staying onsite. We have also found that there is so much more to see and do in Orlando than just the theme parks.

 

[spiceycat]

OKW is very nice - use to own there - it is a very special place. That say the play areas are generally for older children. So even if you stay onsite might look for another option.

there is a lot of construction going around on and off (especially off) site near WDW - be sure the place you pick is not having construction while you are there.

Hey even stayed in the Motel 6 and would again - it was clean.

Now a little more information please. One of the reason to use a DVC is you can cook in the unit and wash clothes. If important to you?

 

[BigredNole]

I am all for staying offsite to save money. However, I am questioning the need for a 1BR unit any where. You can easily get by with a studio unless you need a full kitchen. A 1BR on Disney property is almost the same price as a 1BR offsite for a week.

If staying in a 1BR is critical, you can rent DVC from owners, but it is still expensive. A 1BR in May at a place like WBC would only be about $500 for 7-nights. However, you need your own car, you have to pay for parking.

 

[oceanwave]

Thanks everyone for you advice.

OKW is very nice - use to own there - it is a very special place. That say the play areas are generally for older children. So even if you stay onsite might look for another option.

there is a lot of construction going around on and off (especially off) site near WDW - be sure the place you pick is not having construction while you are there.

Hey even stayed in the Motel 6 and would again - it was clean.

Now a little more information please. One of the reason to use a DVC is you can cook in the unit and wash clothes. If important to you?

Yes a full kitchen and a washer/dryer would be a bonus. We will probably eat our breakfast and most evening meals in the villa.

I am all for staying offsite to save money. However, I am questioning the need for a 1BR unit any where. You can easily get by with a studio unless you need a full kitchen. A 1BR on Disney property is almost the same price as a 1BR offsite for a week.

If staying in a 1BR is critical, you can rent DVC from owners, but it is still expensive. A 1BR in May at a place like WBC would only be about $500 for 7-nights. However, you need your own car, you have to pay for parking.

We really want a one bedroom so our son can go to sleep and we can sleep watch tv/read etc in the other room.

 

[oceanwave]

I think your situation is perfect for off site. Have you considered what you and your husband will do when your son is napping or sleeping? You might consider an offsite condo, townhouse or villa with at least two bedrooms so that your son can sleep and you two can still enjoy your vacation. When our kids were toddlers we stayed onsite once and were bound to the hotel room while they were sleeping. Not the best vacation... Since then we always rent a villa with several bedrooms and pool. The kids can sleep and we can still enjoy the pool and the outdoor space, or watch TV, cook meals, etc. without the worry of waking anyone. Now that they're older we enjoy everyone having their own private space and their own bathrooms. A four bedroom villa is still cheaper than staying onsite. We have also found that there is so much more to see and do in Orlando than just the theme parks.

This one of the reason we are thinking a 1 bedroom will be the best option. We can put our son to bed and still have a place to hangout and watch tv/read etc. Also a place with a full kitchen would be ideal so we can have dinner in the room.

 

[BigredNole]

We really want a one bedroom so our son can go to sleep and we can sleep watch tv/read etc in the other room.

OK, that makes a little easier to respond on. For a 1BR on property, you are looking at $450+ a night at a DVC resort (maybe around $200-$300 a night from an owner). Offsite, you can get a 1BR - 2BR condo for $500-$700 for a week. It comes down to how much you want to spend and what you are willing to give up.

 

[spiceycat]

are you flying or driving? flying - WDW will take you back and forth to the airport, elsewhere you have to provide your own transportation to your hotel/house/condo - would suggest a rental car.

now if driving - that is taken care of - you are a little wait for the real deals - got a 1-bedroom for $199 for a week that was with RCI and you have to be a member to take advantage of it.

 

[Spunky946]

We like the Hilton grand vacation club at sea world. Full kitchen, nice and spacious and a washer and dryer. Nice pool and playground

 

[BigredNole]

Hilton Grand is not what I would call "close" to WDW. I would choose WBC, Orange Lake, or Windsor Hills for proximity. There may be a few others.