Monorail resort better with kids?

[Mymatisse]

I'm looking to plan a trip for a few years out and was wondering for those of you with small children do you find that it's easier to stay in a resort on the monorail? Is it easier to come back for mid afternoon breaks and such.

I really enjoy the EPCOT resort area but i'm thinking that maybe staying at say the Contemporary would just be easier.

TIA!

 

[tjmouse]

IMHO - yes. It is easier to stay on the monorail route with little kids. It all depends where you are spending the majority of your time. If it's Epcot and MK, definately nice to be on the monorail.

 

[GoofyJoofy]

While Epcot has many nice attractions, you have to know your kids and decide where they are most likely to spend most of their time.

That being said, we have stayed at BC and GF.

While at the GF, we found it very easy to go back and forth between MK and GF (using monorail or boats). And getting to Epcot (Future World at least) was not too bad either (2 monorail rides).

Staying at BC we had very easy access to World Showcase, but felt more remote from MK.

 

[bellarella]

Heck yeah!!!!

We were so grateful we went with the Poly. Being on the monorail made a huge difference for us. We spent two of our 4 days at the MK, and the other two when we were on the bus were just much more mentally exahusting. We didn't do Epcot, but if that is on your plans, Poly is perfect (you can walk to the Epcot monorail at the TTC from the Poly) and any of the monorail resorts are good because you can just transfer. Personally CR doesn't do anything for me and I think if you are planning on swimming, GF and Poly are better with small kids because they both have zero entry pools; but if it were a choice between CR and a non monorail resort with small kids, I'd definately do CR!!!

 

[Princess Mommy]

Ok, gotta agree as well...
We did OKW with strollers and the Poly and CR...
The buses are just not fun with strollers. The Poly & CR were so convient for naps, quick run back if we forgot something, quick run back if we needed to change... it was GREAT!

 

[Mymatisse]

Great responses! Do you think it would be more of an equalizer if we had a rental or would it still be significantly less time consuming just climbing on the mono to go to the resort?

 

[lovesdumbo]

Great responses! Do you think it would be more of an equalizer if we had a rental or would it still be significantly less time consuming just climbing on the mono to go to the resort?

Monorail still wins. With a car you have to walk to the car, unpack and fold up stroller, strap kids in car seats, park, take tram to entrance and if its MK you've also got to take monorail or ferry from parking at TTC to MK entrance. We love the Poly with small kids.

 

[Northern Lights]

Are you talking about a rental stroller or a rental car? I assume rental stroller based on the prior responses. I would think long and hard about renting a stroller. We have never done it, but we love our stroller and even use it when we walk to the bus stops or the monorail platforms. But using the stroller outside of the park is only a minor consideration. Just research the rentals to make sure they work for you. If you meant a rental car, always take Disney transportation - especially MK. Our very first trip we tested driving v. Disney transpo and we found the car very useful for DTD and other resort dining, but not for the parks.

FYI, we are former monorail resort or bust type WDW guests who finally decided to purchase DVC (wanted the kitchenette). We stayed recently at VWL (with DD5 and infant) and barely missed the monorail. Yes, we loved being able to walk to MK from CR and then be the first stop back on the monorail. And yes, the MK views are amazing. But unless you only do MK and Epcot, you will have to utilize the buses at some point.

Getting on the bus can be a small pain, but it is really not that big of a deal.

We can't wait to try our "home" resort at BCV in September - walking to Epcot and boating to MGM. If you prefer the Epcot resort area, then I would just do that. Since you will have young children, you may want to consider getting a studio - it was so nice with the baby. Of course, with the Epcot resorts or the monorail resorts, you really can't go wrong.

 

[MissTink]

The Monorail is def. really convenient for kids as well as adults. If you have the option, I'd say go for a stay at a Monorail accessed resort. It will be worth it. The Contemporary is one of my favs. as well.

 

[Missus Toad]

Here's another big YES on that subject! The monorail was priceless with our toddler.

 

[tinkerbellmagic]

Yes, yes, and yes! Like another poster said, you will become quickly spoiled by the monorail. Staying at a monorail resort wins every time with little ones. We stayed at Poly 4x. You are at MK in no time at all. You do pay a hefty price tag for this convenience, but with little ones, if you can afford it, it is so worth it.

Tink

 

[goodferry]

Yes yes yes, it is so much easier on the monorail! Especially with a stroller! It made a huge difference in the quality of our vacation, so much easier to get around. That and people seem friendlier on the monorail than they are on the buses

 

[Suzanne74]

Although I liked the monorail, I actually stayed at OKW with a car and that was by far my easiest trip with a toddler since you park your car right outside the door - no walking to anywhere and it was nice and quiet. We did take the bus to MK so of course that was a little longer than Poly to MK but for me the nice ride in a car was a great wind down to the days events from all the other parks. In Sept when we went we parked right up in front at MGM and Epcot - quicker then the buses and monorail. AK was the only tram we needed to take. When we were there in May at Poly everyone was collapsing their strollers on the monorail as they were full to capacity all the time, esp anytime after 4pm. It was hot and sweaty and not fun. At that point, I looked at DH and said I preferred the bus but it is a much shorter trip. If you do stay at Poly I recommend the boat over the monorail.

 

[clombardi]

We have stayed at many WDW resorts in the past. After staying at the Poly three years ago, I am completely incapabale of staying anywhere else. The ease of the monorail at your resort can't be understood until you experience it for yourself.

 

[TJA]

A very firm vote of YES for monorail resorts with the little ones. As someone above touched on, a resort can really make or break your vacation. We stayed at AKL with our twin babies and loved the resort but were exhausted from the constant unloading of our stroller and folding it up every time we had to load a bus. Next trip, we stayed at CR and fell in love with it and the convenience of walking to MK and utilizing the monorail. We've also stayed at Poly and loved it there as well.

Just imagine your children fast asleep when you are leaving MK or Epcot and you can just roll your stroller right on the monorail and let the children sleep. If you drove your car or took a bus, you'd have to wake up your children to load them.

I would not rent a car if that's what you are asking. The monorail will suit you just fine!

 

[SusanD]

We stayed at both the Poly and Contemporary when are boys were small. It was a great thing to have a fast ride back to your room when we needed a break. It also gives you more flexibility if you feel you can leave the back and return later with ease. If you can afford this do it. It will make your trip so much more relaxing.

 

[3lilprincesses]

Another vote for a monorail resort!! we found it to be so convenient! the only way i would say no was if you plan to spend most of your time at MGM and Animal Kingdom, which i doubt you do. as others have said, it is such a pleasure to allow a toodler, fast asleep in their stroller, to just remain asleep, rather than have to take them out of the stroller, fold it up, and lug it all on a bus. i wouldn't consider renting a car either. part of the fun of DW is not having to do any chores -- like buckleing the kids in and driving to the parks. Yuck! also, the monorail becomes one of the attractions for the kids. if it is an option, stay on the monorail!!