Moderate suggestions for dad, pregnant mom and 2 yr old

[DoubleDown7]

Good morning all. I’m new to these boards…I’ve been lurking for about a week now. A couple weeks ago my wife and I decided that we should take a quick family vacation in late October to WDW with our little boy who just turned 2 at the beginning of August. We decided that we wanted to take a vacation and have fun since we are expecting our 2nd child in late January and therefore will be vacationless for at least a year after that. We’re heading down for about 4 nights and plan on going to two parks…most likely MK and AK.

Right now I’m trying to decide where to stay. We’ve decided that we wanted to stay at a Moderate resort and my first choice was Coronado Springs which is all booked up during our stay. What are your suggestions for a fun place to stay for a dad(30 yrs), a pregnant (27 weeks) mom(30 yrs) and 27 month old child? We do plan on spending more time than normal at the hotel…naps, a day of leisure…so we want something fun. Also if you wouldn’t mind telling me the best sections/buildings in these resorts to stay that would be great. We’re looking for somewhere close to transportation, food/drinks, pool/playground and any other fun or convenient things.

Thanks all. I appreciate it.

 

[skipperkim]

POFQ would be my next choice, then POR, then CBR. Keep in mind CBR has no elevators and the AB section at POR doesn't either. Plus with PO you can use the boat to DTD which is lots of fun.

 

[kjbrown]

When I was 4.5 months pregnant, my DH and I took our DD (then 2.5) to WDW. We stayed at the POFQ and had a great time. The resort was wonderful, location was great. Pool was FABULOUS for pregnant mommy!

The fact that the bus drops off POFQ before POR and picks up first was great for both pregnant mom and DD.

 

[JanB]

I'd suggest either POFQ or POR. As far as resort features and amenities -- you would have access to all amenities and BOTH pools, regardless of which one you stay at.

POFQ is smaller, a more intimate feel, less walking distance within that resort. Your 2-yr-old would probably love the bright mardi-gras-themeing of the pool area.

POR has a table-service restaurant (POFQ does not), and it has the marina with boat rentals.

Both have good food courts. Both have great pools

But, like I said, you would have access to all of the amenities at both resorts.

Check out maps of the resorts here.

 

[Buzz2001]

I would suggest that if CSR if your first choice, continue to check back because rooms open up everyday. Being a convention resort, the hold and release rooms for the convention guests but once the "book by" date passes, those rooms are released back to the general public.

Then I would look at a monorail resort (if you plan on spending most of your time at MK) and if you plan on returning frequently to your room for rest and naps.

If a deluxe is not in the budget, POFQ is a small resort that would provide less walking but does not have a sit down restaurant or marina. You would have to walk to POR for those. Keep in mind that POFQ shares buses with POR and can make for crowded returns from the park.

Also, check out this thread. Person is in the same situation as you.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1550692

 

[LadyTrampScamp&Angel]

I'd say POFQ as the next choice as it's the smallest, much smaller than the others so less walking for pregnant mom. The boat ride to DTD is very nice, especially at night IMHO.

 

[DoubleDown7]

Thanks for all of your help. I'll try a couple more times for Coronado and if I can't get that I'll try for POFQ. Can someone tell me what are the best buldings to be in at Coronado and POFQ in reference to pool, playground, food etc.?

 

[Buzz2001]

Thanks for all of your help. I'll try a couple more times for Coronado and if I can't get that I'll try for POFQ. Can someone tell me what are the best buldings to be in at Coronado and POFQ in reference to pool, playground, food etc.?

Here are some good CSR building choices.

Cabana 9b is close to bus stop 1 and the main building with a short walk to the Dig Site (main pool) over the wooden bridge. (Most convenient location and most preferred)

Cabana 8a is close to the Dig Site (and playground) and bus stop 4 with a short walk to the main building. (Closest to the Pool)

Cabana 8b and 9a are in between the 2 above. 9a has a quiet pool.

Ranchos 7b has a quiet pool, is close to the Dig Site and bus stop 4 with a bit longer walk to the main building. 7b is behind cabana 8a.

Casita 3 has great courtyard and fountain views but you will have to walk or ride the internal shuttle to get to the pool.

Casita 5 has some nice fountain and lake views and is close to the Dig Site but farther from the main building.

 

[LadyTrampScamp&Angel]

Here are the maps so you can see where everything is and decide what you'd like to request:

CSR

http://allearsnet.com/acc/coronadomap.jpg

more photos http://allearsnet.com/acc/g_cs.htm

POFQ

http://allearsnet.com/acc/portorleansmap.jpg

note that this map has both Riverside and POFR on it, POFR is at the bottom.

more photos http://allearsnet.com/acc/g_po.htm

 

[kjbrown]

Thanks for all of your help. I'll try a couple more times for Coronado and if I can't get that I'll try for POFQ. Can someone tell me what are the best buldings to be in at Coronado and POFQ in reference to pool, playground, food etc.?

We were on the non-pool view side of Building 5 at POFQ. It was centrally located, ie not too far from the river, the pool, the bus stop, etc. Nice and quiet when we were there, right on a beautiful courtyard.

 

[DoubleDown7]

I'd say POFQ as the next choice as it's the smallest, much smaller than the others so less walking for pregnant mom. The boat ride to DTD is very nice, especially at night IMHO.

My wife and I like to unwind with a little TV after a long day but we don't want to disturb our little one doing that. From the resort pictures I see that the sink area has a curtain. Do you think its possible to set up my son's pack and play crib up in that area and close the curtain so we can watch TV and he can get his sleep? It looks like that area is big enough but I'm unsure. Thank you.

 

[NeverlandPixie]

POFQ: It is the smallest of the moderates and therefore easier on your wife and child. While it has its own pool and foodcourt (as well as its one central bus stop), it also has the ferry to DTD and shares other amenities with its sister resort, POR (sit down restaurant, more pools, fishing hole). You can't go wrong with POFQ.

 

[alldiz]

At POFQ I was in bldg 2...
Right next to main pool and DTD boat dock.
Very short walk to foodcourt

 

[Cmbar]

CSR is lovely, but I would choose POFQ over that for your situation. It is small and has a really fun slide that you can take your son down at the pool. Food court is great and the whole resort is small enough to get any building and not have to worry about it. Plus PORiverside is a lovely stroll away along the river.

I assume you can't or don't want a deluxe, but if you could afford to upgrade a little the Wilderness Lodge is lovely and has a great boat to MK. It is a LOVELY resort with great amenities and you can see the Electrical Light parade on the beach at night. It isn't as expesive as a monorail resort. Just a thought.

I believe when we stayed at French Quarter we had plenty of room to put a PackNPlay in the closet/vanity area. But I wouldn't think the curtains provide much sound proofing!

Good luck with your decision. Have you been playing around with the special on the Disney website since you are going during the promotional period?? I would see what comes up within your budget and get back here for some more advice!!

One quick note since you said you weren't going to do the parks everyday, be sure you don't pick Hopper or Water parks on your tickets. Since you will just have to pay for Wife and you, a basic ticket is the cheapest way to go. On the website they automatically dump in the Hopper and water parks on the tickets. That will save you some and then you might want to spend it on the upgrade to a Deluxes.

Oh and if your son loves Animals then Animal Kingdom lodge would be the way to go. They and Wilderness Lodge are "less expensive" deluxes. Sometimes not too much more than a moderate. And that is a quick trip over to one AK park you plan on seeing!

Happy Planning

 

[kjbrown]

My wife and I like to unwind with a little TV after a long day but we don't want to disturb our little one doing that. From the resort pictures I see that the sink area has a curtain. Do you think its possible to set up my son's pack and play crib up in that area and close the curtain so we can watch TV and he can get his sleep? It looks like that area is big enough but I'm unsure. Thank you.

I think you could fit a pack n play in there. However, you won't be able to use the bathroom, not because there isn't any room, but the toilet flush is LOUD!

 

[PortieOwner]

Have been in about the same situation so here are my suggestions:

1. Tell the WDW reservations people you need a ground floor room, and why. 2-yr-old in a stroller and pregnant mom are good reasons.

2. I think the other moderates have a curtain walling off the sinks/bathroom from the rest of the room. For a 2-yr-old that area will fit a pack and play and is nice and dark for naps.

3. Keep trying to get CSR. People will cancel almost up to the last minute.

4. Consider getting a rental car. It will make trips to all the parks except the MK easier and quicker. After discounts I usually get a rental for around $110-115 and it is well worth it.

5. Last item: are you sure this trip is really necessary? 2-yr-old will not remember much at all of the trip (but at least their admission and meals are free!).

 

[kjbrown]

Have been in about the same situation so here are my suggestions:

5. Last item: are you sure this trip is really necessary? 2-yr-old will not remember much at all of the trip (but at least their admission and meals are free!).

Argh. So many people say this to me. Why did we "waste" all that money to take our 2 1/2 year old to Disney World, she won't remember it.

I have to say the money was not at all a waste, as 1) we had a great time, 2) the looks on her face when she saw the princesses and Mickey and Minnie were worth EVERY penny, and 3) two years later and she still talks about the trip and remembers it and can't wait to go back!

On a side note, I did remember at POFQ, we checked in and one of the beds was HORRIBLE. I went down the front desk and tried to stick my pregnant belly out as far as possible and complained about the bed. Within minutes they brought up a brand new, still in the wrapping mattress!

 

[PortieOwner]

Argh. So many people say this to me. Why did we "waste" all that money to take our 2 1/2 year old to Disney World, she won't remember it.

I have to say the money was not at all a waste, as 1) we had a great time, 2) the looks on her face when she saw the princesses and Mickey and Minnie were worth EVERY penny, and 3) two years later and she still talks about the trip and remembers it and can't wait to go back!

On a side note, I did remember at POFQ, we checked in and one of the beds was HORRIBLE. I went down the front desk and tried to stick my pregnant belly out as far as possible and complained about the bed. Within minutes they brought up a brand new, still in the wrapping mattress!

Not saying it is a waste of money. But my 2.75 yr old child remembers nothing about the trip now, but does remember the trip at age 3.75. For mom and dad the trip at age 2.75 was easier--he could not go on roller coasters, or most other "wild" rides but he was really well-behaved (and got free admission and free meals). Less well-behaved at age 3.75, and much more likely to get over-stimulated.

One last idea...consider a King bed room. Very comfortable bed, and 2-yr-old sleeps in a pack-n-play.

 

[kjbrown]

Not saying it is a waste of money. But my 2.75 yr old child remembers nothing about the trip now, but does remember the trip at age 3.75. For mom and dad the trip at age 2.75 was easier--he could not go on roller coasters, or most other "wild" rides but he was really well-behaved (and got free admission and free meals). Less well-behaved at age 3.75, and much more likely to get over-stimulated.

One last idea...consider a King bed room. Very comfortable bed, and 2-yr-old sleeps in a pack-n-play.

I wasn't saying that you said it was a waste of money. Sorry about that. So many people I meet in the "real world" say it's a waste of money and it's so frustrating. We had an absolute blast. Can't wait to take my daughter back at 4.5.