Is there a resort with the best location?

[Jedi5]

Hi everyone.
In planning my trip to WDW, my initial plan was to stay at AKL.
My question is this:

Is there such a thing a resort with the ideal location? As in central to
all the attractions? I wanted AKL because of the animals and I thought my 2 yr old would really enjoy that. But are the animals worth the hassle of staying on one side of the resort while some of the "hot spots" are on the other side?

And while I have your attention:

Of the deluxe resorts, is there one that stands out as tops for infants/toddlers because of activities/pools/etc?

I have read that some resorts are buses vs monarail.
Is there an advantage of one over the other?
Should I look at resorts that only have monarail?

Thanks.

 

[DeeDeeDis]

I recommend the Beach Club or the Yaght Club.

the pool has a sandy beach kiddy area which is great for toddlers, they also have a kids waterslide (not sure how young this is for).

It is located between EPCOT and MGM. So you could;
1. take the ferry to either resort
2. Walk to either resort (EPCOT is closer - MGM maybe 15/20 minute walk
3. Walk thru EPCOT and take the monirail to Magic Kingdom

 

[eliza61]

Hi everyone.
In planning my trip to WDW, my initial plan was to stay at AKL.
My question is this:

Is there such a thing a resort with the ideal location? As in central to
all the attractions? I wanted AKL because of the animals and I thought my 2 yr old would really enjoy that. But are the animals worth the hassle of staying on one side of the resort while some of the "hot spots" are on the other side?

And while I have your attention:

Of the deluxe resorts, is there one that stands out as tops for infants/toddlers because of activities/pools/etc?

I have read that some resorts are buses vs monarail.
Is there an advantage of one over the other?
Should I look at resorts that only have monarail?

Thanks.

Hey Jedi,
Best is a relative word. You have small kids so you may want to stay at a MK resort. Most of them have the monorail straight to the MK. That makes dealing with strollers very easy. We love WL, it is heavily themed like the AKL but with a Pacific northwest theme. It has a kids cub den for little ones and a really nice pool. I've never stayed at the Poly but folks rave about it.

The Beach and Yacht club has the best on site pool, stromalong bay. It also has a great location in that you can walk to Epcot and MGM. MgM might be a tough walk with little ones but its an easy boatride there.

AKL is fabulous and your right, your kids will love the animals.

 

[ccigliano]

As Eliza61 said - best is a relative term. If you plan to spend most of your time at the MK, then I vote WL for the theming and the boat ride to the park. The Poly, GF, and CR are on the monorail but I think for the price difference it is just as easy to push a stroller on the boat compared to hopping on the monorail. If you love Epcot and plan to spend alot of time there then Yacht and Beach or Boardwalk. Best really depends on how much time you plan to spend at the resort vs parks and which ones you'll visit more often. AKL is also beautiful and the kids will love all the animals. Good Luck.

 

[MissionMouse]

...Is there such a thing a resort with the ideal location? As in central to
all the attractions? ...Of the deluxe resorts, is there one ...tops for infants/toddlers because of activities/pools/etc?
I have read that some resorts are buses vs monarail.
Is there an advantage of one over the other?
Should I look at resorts that only have monarail?Thanks.

Disney is so large, offers so much with somuch information it is easy to try to advance too far in a decision process before your define and determine what you are want ing or needing.

Taking time and defining what is important and not important to your family will help steer you in your choice of what is a fit for you. It seams you may be more of a planner than a winger type so this may mean you need to sketch out a general game plan, make changes and adjustment as you research what Disney offers.

- What park do you plan on spending the most time at?
- Do you plan on returning to the resort for naps or swims during the day?
- Rent or bring a stroller?
- Do you want to be close to Epcot or MK?
- Do you desire a resort with a specific theme?
- Do you dislike specific themes?
- What do you want or expect from the resort pool?
- Do you want to have a view of Disney icons from your resort?
- Would you like a Cinderella Castle view?
- Do you like or dislike riding buses?
- Will you have park hopper tickets and plan on dining all around the resort?
- Would you like to reduce the amount of travel time you spend getting to and from your resort to the parks you will be visiting during your stay?

The list goes on and on to a point that your major needs and expectations are covered. When you compare to what the resorts offer you should almost have your answer, if not your answer.

 

[AllyGirl_79]

The AKL is a beautiful resort with animals in your backyard. If you think you'll love the theming there the best of all the other resorts, then I'd say stay there. For me, theme outweighs everything else.

If you're concerned about transportation ... AKL requires that you take a bus to all destinations (theme parks, DTD, etc.). You have to fold up a stroller to get on the bus, which is very inconvenient when kids are asleep, and some of the bus rides can be long. They are also simply not as much fun as a monorail or boat in my mind. However, AKL has its own buses, so that means relatively few stops.

The WL is very similar in design and price - though not in theme - to the AKL. From WL, you can take a boat to the MK, and they are generally big enough to push a stroller onto without folding it up. You can also take a boat to FW (for the Hoop Dee Do Revue or the petting zoo, etc) or the Contemporary Resort, which means you could hop on the monorail to the MK if you want to that. (THe direct boat is faster, but the monorail is fun, too.) You would take a bus anywhere else.

The monorail hotels are the Polynesian, Grand Floridian, and Contemporary. They are more expensive than the AKL/WL, but do allow you to take the monorail to the MK. (You can also walk to the MK from the Contemporary, which is convenient.) From these hotels, you would take a monorail to the TTC and then another monorail to get to Epcot. (You can also walk to the TTC from the Poly.) For MGM, AK, and DTD you take a bus. You can push the stroller onto the monorail, and, if you plan to spend a lot of time at the MK, these hotels are probably the most convenient, with WL a close second. THese are quick and easy for getting back to the room for naps, etc.

The Beach Club, Yacht Club, and Boardwalk allow you to take boats or walk to Epcot and MGM. They are very convenient to a lot of dining, etc. However, the buses would be used to go everywhere else. I love this area, but it is less convenient to the MK.

Basically, every resort uses buses for something. It's matter of how much. If you think MK is going to be your most common destination, you might consider a monorail hotel or the WL.