Need advice from Disney "vets"

[Belles.mom]

My hubby and I are taking our 1 year old in May 2005. Would like to stay inside this time, mostly due to taking naps. I have been 5 times pre-parenthood, but always stayed offsite. What I would really like is a view of the castle and the fireworks from the hotel window, just in case Belle, my little girl , can't seem to stay up that late... Any suggestions would be aprpeciated.

Don't have a counter yet, but around 130 days left. YEAH!

Sarah

 

[HM]

To be most assured of the view you want.....the Polynesian Lagoon view, is your best bet. You could also go with a tower room at the Contemporary (but you could end up with a room facing the other way) or a Lagoon view at the Grand Floridian.

-HM

 

[sbelyo]

I would say a tower room in the CR facing the castle is where you'd want to be. Sometimes you can request a room when making a reservation. I'm positive I've seen a site or a post listing the best rooms for this by number. It might have been mousesavers or allears.net

 

[spiceycat]

these are very expensive resorts - WL doesn't have that great of view - but it is generally cheaper.

 

[micmacmissy]

I would avoid the CR, no matter what. (Unless you've been there and you know you like it). We found it dreary, cold, depressing, all concrete, low ceilings...I've said it before but it fits...it looks like a prison inside!

For the money, I'd take the Poly over the CR anyday. In fact, I don't think I'd stay at the CR even if it was $50 a night, that's how bad we thought it was.

You can't beat GF with a baby--we just took ours--great view of castle so we could see the fireworks (which were late while we we there, 930pm) while our kids slept, and the monorail was just too easy! Concierge makes it even easier with the food options...I know, easy for me to say, I'm not paying for it! But the convenience of having milk for the baby and snacks and food whenever we needed for our son...so worth it.

 

[lisadam]

Sarah - I just came back (1/2 - 1/8) from the WL - and it's true what someone else said - not great views - unless you are on one of the top floors facing the magic kingdom.

Since last hurricane season, however, there are a few more gaps in the trees so the view isn't bad - and if your room is facing the "wrong" direction - you can go up to one of the hallway windows on the 6th floor and open the shutters and watch from there.

We had a Concierge Level room (7th) floor - facing the Magic Kingdom - we had a great view and that floor is a bit quieter than the others.

 

[Bugsmom73]

I would recommend WL, we were on the 6th floor and had a courtyard view and were able to see the Electrical Water pagent from our balcony and 8 feet away we were able to watch Wishes too. CR is another option.

 

[TJA]

Sarah: We went to WDW last May when our baby twin girls were 1 year old! Let me tell you it was the best trip of our lives. Our girls were just learning to walk, so we'd take little breaks and get them out of the stroller and hold their hands for some walking time. This was the most fun through the Epcot International Gateway and around the water towards the Boardwalk.

We stayed at the CR that trip and we thought CR was just full of Disney magic! Our room was facing the bay, which we ended up loving. We saw the electrical water show from our room each night. Also, Wishes can be viewed from several areas at CR -- we actually watched it after we walked back to CR from MK one evening. Yes, there is a walking path between CR and MK, which we utilized each and every day (about a 10 minute walk -- great with babies!!). I highly recommend staying at a resort with transportation options other than just the bus. You can just roll your stroller right on and off the monorail without any inconveniences. Sometimes our babies would be sleeping and if we would've been taking a bus, we would've had to wake them up and fold up the stroller to load on the bus (ugh...).

We also would not go to Disney w/o our stroller from home. Just our opinion, but our babies were very comfortable and familiar with their own stroller and they could easily nap in it during the day. We would just recline the seats and the canopy would provide shade. When/if our babies napped at the same time, we loved to have a nice sit-down meal in the Epcot countries. Restaurants were very good about letting us take our stroller right to our table. Just a suggestion! Have fun.

 

[Kimberle]

We had a great view of the FW's from our CR, north garden wing room. We really enjoyed our stay and it was quite a bit cheaper than a tower room. We were on the 2nd floor, abt 1/2 way down, MK side.

 

[jaysmom4285]

I'm with TJA - we stayed at CR tower and didn't find the place cold or depressing at all. It isn't "themed" like the other resorts, but I didn't find that to be any particular drawback. Rooms are very large and spacious, and the convenience of the monorail inside is unbeatable. We had a tower room facing the lagoon and could sit on the balcony and see MK fireworks and the electrical water pageant easily. The tower rooms are expensive, but it sounds like some of the garden rooms give you the same view.

 

[Deesknee]

We've stayed in CR wings - hated no indoor coridors (atleast at that time 10ys ago) The next year we stayed in the tower I think the 14 floor. The view was beautiful. We faced MK. We sat with our 3 kids on the balcony and watched th fw. You could see how quite the MK was in the am. It was beautiful. I do agree it doesn't have the atmosphere other hotels have.
We have also stayed at the Poly I was not impressed. (May just have been our room/view.) It seemed like a long walk from the monorail to our room.

We have also stayed at BW villas, OKW, and the POR. Now I know alot of people love POR. I hated it. So, remember when making your decision everyones tastes are different. I think it comes down to priorities (sp?)

One thing we happened upon that my kids (3 at the time) enjoyed was the electric water parade. The views of this in the POLY and CR are great.

We have a 1 1/2 yr old and are dvc members, but my DH swears we have to stay at the CR again so she can experience it.

SORRY for the long post. & Good luck

 

[Kimberle]

We've stayed in CR wings - hated no indoor coridors (atleast at that time 10ys ago)

What do you mead "no indoor coridors". The wings have indoor coridors.

 

[spiceycat]

you have to go outside to connect with the tower.

 

[Kimberle]

you have to go outside to connect with the tower.

Yes, that is true! It is covered most of the way, but you do have to "dash" just a little if it's raining.

 

[Belles.mom]

Thank You all for your replies. We are thinking CR...just because we want to be one of those families eating breakfast when the monorail with all the offsiters rolls thru (like we have been in the past). Silly reason, I know. But again, I would give it all up for a nightly view of the fireworks over the castle- my FAVORITE part of the whole experience.

Thanks
Sarah

 

[rcraw45425]

Belles Mom, do you have an Annual Pass(AP)? I have booked a tower room with the AP for April (peak season) for $350 a night with tax. A wing room that same time is <$250 a night. IF you have the AP you have the option of purchasing the Disney Dining Experience card for $50 which saves you a percentage off your food at the sit down Disney restaurants in the parks and resorts. We went for the first time with kids when our daughters were 11 and 33 months. The double stroller where they sit one in from of the other is a lifesaver! Ours was a Graco, weighed about 100 pounds back then. The ones they rent in the parks are like jog strollers, not too comfy. Plus, being on the monorail is great with the stroller, yo uusually dont have to fold it up, especially nice if babies are sleeping Let me know if I can help you. I feel like a seasoned vet after all our trips

 

[eeyore0062]

I don't know why CR gets such a bad rap. To me it is full of energy and Disney Magic. It is truly Mickey's resort! Yes, the decor in the rooms may be a bit bright, but that didn't bother me... better than dark and drab! Your baby will love the character meals, but if you are going to one, make sure you have introduced her to the characters in the parks beforehand. Many one year olds are frightened by those big wierd creatures coming after them. They don't really understand the whole concept yet, and some just never do. Also, make your PS as early as possible for Chef Mickey's because it starts booking a 90 days ahead and can be VERY difficult to get in.

I also like the idea that you are only a short walk to the Magic Kingdom, so no waiting for the monorail, if you don't want to!

They have a small playground over by the South wing, and you can always walk her down to the beach and stick her toes in the sand!

When making your reservation request a Park view in the tower, so you will be able to see the fireworks over the castle, but please... you must still see Wishes from inside Magic Kingdom. It is just spectacular, and so much is lost by not being there... the accompanying music, the lower fireworks, and the whole storyline.

I think for what you are looking for, this will be a much better fit than Wilderness Lodge. My 2nd choice for you would be Polynesian Lagoon/Castle view. Both places will be expensive, but if that is no issue, GO FOR IT!