Need help deciding where to stay (sorry, long post)

[justhat]

Okay, we've been to WDW many times and have stayed in many resorts, including all of the values, a few deluxes, and a moderate but this time we have no idea where to stay. The trip will be me, my husband, and our daughter, who will be about 14 months old.

Initially I thought we'd stay at the Poly because it's location seems so easy with the baby-we can walk to the monorails for Epcot and the MK and would only have to take a bus to AK, MG, or DTD. My husband is not a fan of the Poly though so he'll stay there, but it's not #1 for him. So then I thought WL since I think it's beautiful and have always wanted to stay there and we'd save money over the Poly. Again, not one of my husband's top choices, but he'll stay there. It was between those 2 until our trip last week when I stopped at POFQ and took the boat to POR and DTD. We had a trip booked at POFQ last October, but then it was closed for renovations so we were moved to AKL. Well it seemed really appealing, with cute theming, its small size, a pretty good food court, the boat to DTD, and the amenities of POR as well. So now this was a contender too, plus my husband agreed to stay there in the past so he'd do it again, and we'd save lots of money over the deluxes. Then I visited the BC on my way to DTD another night and started thinking that it's in a pretty good location too so maybe we should try out that resort or even go back to the BWI. The only thing that has deterred me from going back there was the bus stopping at all those Epcot resorts. I didn't mind stopping that much when I stayed at CSR, but I'd be paying lots more at the YC/BC or BWI so it would be nice to not have to stop so many times.

So now I'm totally undecided. I like all of the resorts and really can't make up my mind. My husband is no help as he has complaints or compliments about each resort, but will basically stay wherever I decide. The only place he'd really object to would be any value resort as every time we stay at one he hates having the furthest bus stops, no sitdown restaurants, etc. Also, he would probably say no to AKL since we've stayed there 3 times recently. We pretty much spend equal time at each park, with a little more at the MK because of our daughter. I managed alone with our now 9 month old at ASMu last week, so the buses aren't the end of the world, but the monorail is definitely more convenient.

Anyone have any suggestions as to why one would be better than the rest? On our trips with the baby so far we've stayed at the GF, AKL, and ASMu. Oh, and we'd be going sometime in the 2nd half of April so it won't be super crowded if that makes a difference. I want to book as soon as possible since we got a postcard code in the mail and all the rooms were gone for our trip last week so I want to try to get one for the April trip.

 

[jordanyosh]

I almost always go with my cousins who now have a child (2 yo now). Since she has been born, we always rent a car so we don't have to hassle with a stroller and the busses. Just as an FYI, it seems that they are trying to split the busses up more at the Epcot resorts, so that it seems like there have been fewer complaints recently.

I would stay at an Epcot resort because eventually when your DD is old enough to have an opinion of where she would like to go, you will probably be staying at the MK resorts more often. Why not enjoy the proximity to Epcot and MGM while you can. As you said your husband prefers sit down and the selection is incredible when you stay at an Epcot resort.

Just my opinion.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Another vote for one of the Epcot resorts with a car. Good luck deciding.

 

[CaipiraBob]

Okay, we've been to WDW many times and have stayed in many resorts, including all of the values, a few deluxes, and a moderate but this time we have no idea where to stay. The trip will be me, my husband, and our daughter, who will be about 14 months old.

<P>Base your plans around convenience in caring for your child. </P>
<P>Imagine an "inconvenient" situation that has occured in the past 14 months with your child and then imagine it happening the the middle of the park.</P>
<P>Have an exit strategy in mind. Monorail resorts have the best transportation options. If you're really going to try to relax, you want to simplify all other decisions that are bound to come up in advance.</p>

 

[CarolA]

Monorail resorts have the best transportation ONLY for the MK. For everything else they are even or worse. (I found transferring from Epcot to be a real pain, give me a bus anyday!)

I would stay at the YC/BC. Easy walk to Epcot, not to difficult a walk to MGM or you can boat from both places. Also, I am pretty sure the bus routes have been changed and that BW has it's own bus now so there are not as many stops.

 

[crazywig]

on our last trip in june we stayed 2 nights at the Poly, then moved over to BWV. my son was 26 months.

carol is right, monorail resorts are only convenient for MK, i much preferred the epcot locations (especially for the proximity to tons of restaurants).

you might want to think about a BCV or BWV studio with a small child. i find the kitchenette (fridge, sink, microwave and toaster) to be a godsend with a toddler.

 

[oogieboogie]

I've stayed at every one of your choices except for the Poly (well I did once way back when there was only a Poly).

My favorite resort of all is WL, then POFQ. I love WL and POFQ for it's compact size. WL because although it's not on the monorail line, is really not that out of the way from MK. The theming is beautiful and my kids love the bunk bed room. POFQ I loved not only because of it's size, but it's very beautiful and the pool is great. Plus the boat to DTD was really nice.

However, I voted for BC not just for proximity to Epcot and MGM but also because BC has SAB. Even a 14mo toddler is going to have fun there with all that sand and beach. BC has very nice rooms, it has Beaches & Cream, and it's close to the boardwalk which is an entertainment area in itself.

When I first stayed at the BC I thought about the buses too and how they share among 5 resorts, but you know what..., most of the times, the buses weren't even full! There was certainly enough space for everyone, and I really didn't have any complaints at all.