Need advice on where to stay with a baby

[crusoe2]

We're getting a new addition to our family in a couple of months and plan to go back to Disney probably in March of 2004. (Yes, I know - a long time off but now we will really need to plan and BUDGET way ahead of time.) Anyway, it will be me, DH, DS - age 11 and DD - probably about 14 or 15 months by that time. We've never gone with a baby before - our DS was 6yo on his first trip. For those of you who have taken a baby, which resort do you recommend? I'm thinking about things like which rooms have space for a Pack & Play for the baby to sleep in, which resorts are easiest for getting around with a stroller, things like that. I know lots of people highly recommend the Polynesian and that would probably be our first choice. But I don't know that it will be within our budget especially since we will probably go during peak season. We thought it would be better to go before it gets really hot even if it puts us on a tighter budget - also going in March means we will be there for our DS's 12th birthday which he would really enjoy. I'd love to hear any and all opinions since this is totally new territory for us. Thanks.

 

[MichiganMommy]

We stayed at the Poly when our 2 kids were 3 years old and 2 months old. Obviously the monorail transportation is a big plus. This is especially important in March when you will be going (more crowded than other times of the year). Poly provided us with a real crib. I think maybe it was smaller than a standard size crib, but it was a metal crib with a real mattress.

We also stayed at the Fort Wilderness Cabins when the boys were 2 and 5. The cabins were nice because DH and I could hang out on the porch or in the living room after the kids went to bed (also during naptime). There are 2 tvs and a vcr. The kitchenette was really nice for breakfast and snacks. If you choose FW cabins, definitely rent a golf cart to get around as this resort is very spread out.


Both of these options worked well for us because we were able to come back for naptime. It was also possible for our family to split up and easliy meet up at the room later.

I think it really depends on your "vacation style" and how well your little guy handles all the excitement, restaurants etc... The cabins worked well for us when we went, because it was very calm and quiet there. We didn't have to search out a snack bar when somebody was hungry, and we were able to have some of the foods that our kids were familiar with. When my 2 year old was hungry, tired and cranky after a day at MK, it was nice to be able to give him some healthy food that he was used to and liked.

 

[crusoe2]

MichiganMommy, thanks for the input. When you used the crib at the Polynesian, where in the room did you set it up? That's one thing I've been curious about whenever people mention using the portacribs or pack & plays. I've wondered which resort rooms really have a good spot for them so that they aren't in the way. Thanks again.

 

[4greatboys]

We just returned from a YC stay and our youngest is 5months old. We had a real metal crib like the other one described. My baby slept great in it. And the mousekeeper changed the sheet on it too while we were there. Rooms in the Deluxe resorts are roomy so we had plenty of room for the crib. Ours was between the bed and the wall to the balcony. From YC you can take the boat to MGM or Epcot. Also close by is Boardwalk, they have resturants there. SAB was a big hit with my 2 oldest boys. One pool has a sand bottom which is fun for little ones to play in.

 

[Magic2000]

We've stayed at several of the Disney resorts with a baby, and have not had a problem. The monorail hotels are the most convenient, and the rooms are a little more roomier. However, we've stayed at Port Orleans and Coronado Springs Resorts with a little one and it was fine. I put the baby bed along the wall next to the TV/dresser (before you get to the area where you can hang your clothes. I also found that it was pretty easy to get on the buses, even with a stroller.

 

[Kaelyn]

We stayed at the Institute and it was ideal. Of course, there were four adults besides the parents of the six week old baby. There was a real crib in the master bedroom. We had all the kitchen facilities we needed and two and half bathrooms, so there was plenty of privacy. I would stay there again in a heartbeat with or without a baby.

 

[SamanthaL]

One word "villa". Much more room and full kitchen make it so easy. I rented points and it worked out great. This will be the second time we have stayed in a villa and it is hard to go back.
If you stay in one hotel room you and DH won't be able to make any Disney Magic of your own.

 

[jdkdorn]

We just returned on Oct 5th from a great visit to WDW. We had our 8yr DD and our 13m DS. The only problem was the hotel location. We stayed at the Animal Kingdon Lodge. Way too far away from the parks. If we would not have rented a minivan for the week it would have been a disaster. We fully recommend staying at any hotel with a monorail. our first choice would be the Poly. The pack and play can go anywhere. Our son can sleep with the TV on so we set it up against the wall next to the tv.

Any questions about the trip feel free to ask

 

[RobinLyn]

If you are not renting a car and you can afford it, my advice would be stay in any of the 3 Resorts on the monorail. You will not be sorry. It is so nice to be able to go back and forth for naps for everyone! When our boys were little, it was a life saver for all of us. We loved the Polynesian, the GF is beautiful and the Contemporary has large rooms with a great arcade the 11 year old would love. Good Luck!

RobinLyn

 

[jwfla422]

We've stayed at the Swan on several occasions since dd was 2. She slept in one of those metal portacribs which worked out well (never slept anywhere but her own crib and there)...we even hung a clothesline across the room and hung sheets over it to block her view of us when it was bedtime and naptime Most of the time we placed the crib in the corner by the window and wall and moved the desk to the other wall.

The Swan is very convenient to MGM and EPCOT as 4greatboys mentioned YC being convenient, they are both located in the EPCOT resort area. You would take a bus to MK so it just depends which park you frequent.

Most of the deluxes should provide enough room. We just stayed at WL and I believe their rooms are the smallest out of the deluxes and there would still be plenty of room for a crib...I know because dd who is now 4 sleeps on a twin aerobed on the floor (which takes up more room than the crib did) with a sheet tenting her in from the slider door to a chair (it's an interesting set up), she's gotten so used to being tented in, it's fun now!!

 

[MichiganMommy]

In response to the earlier question in this thread... where to put the crib in the Poly room. The crib was set up when we arrived. It was between the closet and the large TV cabinet. So along that wall was (in order) closet, crib, TV cabinet, daybed. It did not seem crowded.

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

I don't remember what it's like to go to Disney without a baby! LOL

First choice would be on the monorail. Second choice would be a villa at one of the DVC resorts. Third choice would be one of the Epcot resorts (BWI, YC, BC, S/D). Fourth choice would be WL, AKL, or a moderate. Fifth choice would be a Wilderness Cabin. Last choice would be one of the All Stars.

 

[crusoe2]

Just wanted to thank everyone for your replies. I had figured on probably staying at one of the mods or All Stars but turns out that my DH would prefer to spend the extra for a deluxe (especially after hearing about some of the advantages you guys mentioned). Here's hoping they will have some discount codes or good AP rates. Thanks again!