Need help making a choice

[vivismom]

Hi!
I have been to WDW several times, but have only stayed value. I am planning a trip for this September/October w/ DH, DD (4), DS (2), and baby (9 months in Sep). I really want to try something different and stay at a moderate or deluxe resort so we can relax a bit.
We will be driving from NC to FL (8 hours). We will have a car, but probably end up using WDW transportation quite often. We will have a double stroller and a diaper bag at all times
Here are our current options:
- Caribbean Beach - just worried about the size of the resort and bus service, but love the beach theme.
- CSR - just worried about distance to parks and DTD, and size of resort/bus service.
- AKL - worried about length of bus rides, being far from other places. Love the theme!
- BC - love it, but wondering if it is really worth the extra $.
- Poly - love being able to use the monorail (esp. w/ stroller), but worried about the cost.

Has anyone travelled w/ a preschooler, toddler, and infant to any of these resorts? Any hints?
Please help me find the pros and cons.
Thank you so much!

 

[dancin Disney style]

CSR and CBR are very similar in size and most likely you will do a lot of walking within the resort. Both have really good food courts.

Have you considered POFQ? It's very small and quiet. Not to mention BEAUTIFUL. The buses are good. They do share some of the buses with POR but FQ is always the first pick up and drop off. Our last stay at FQ, the resort was fully booked but never once did we feel like it was crowded. Also, you have full use of everything at POR.

 

[septbaby]

There really is no reason to worry about the size of the resort. The rooms are clustered so its like lots of mini "communities". There are beach play areas and playgrounds. The resort is quiet and there are pools located near each cluster of rooms. Laundry facilities are located at those pools, so if the need arises with your little ones. There are hammocks scattered throughout the resort should you and hubby switch off for some quiet time. There are many bus stops around the resort, so one will be near your room. The food court is large enough to find seating, inside or outside if you prefer. This may not be the case at the Deluxe resorts you've mentioned, but those are some really nice places to stay. You can book a preferred room to assure that you're closer to the main pool dining area if that's a big concern for you.

The pool renovation will be complete before your trip so you'll have access to a hot tub, fun slide for the 4yo, kiddie pool for the others. I also uderstand that the new pool will be zero entry, something no other Mod or Value has and will be fantastic with your crew. There are life vests available free of charge at the pool, just have your little ones grab one from the bin as needed.

Have a magical time!

 

[cart-mom]

I have stayed ASSP, CSR, AKL and Poly with as young as 3 mos and as old as 8yo. In my opinion, for moderates, I would stay CSR again - nice resort, not too much walking to go anywhere (like CBR). Deluxe, I would highly recommend AKL or Poly again in a heartbeat. The pools are excellent and zero entry (perfect for the little ones to wade in). The bus at AKl wasn't bad at all with strollers and bags. Never really over-crowded when we were there and you don't "share" like the value resorts do. It's great being at the Poly with the monorail and it's proximity to the TTC for other parks. We're staying at the BC for the first time in August and we're excited - the pool is awesome and my kids are really looking forward to it (DS13, DD10, DS8 & DS6).

So many choices. Good luck.

 

[IWISHFORDISNEY]

We were at AKL when our son was 18 months and again when he was 24 months. The resort was so perfect for us. The buses were fast. The playground, hot tubs, pool, Mara food court and laundry room were all in the same area not spread out. It was a zero entry pool which is awesome with a toddler. The animals could have kept our son occupied the entire trip without ever going to a park. There were alot of kids activities. I loved the themeing too!! We did the club level for our anniversary and booked the sunrise safari that was really neat and the baby loved every minute of it. I would also imagine a monorail resort would be nice with small children if it is affordable for you. The Poly also has a zero entry pool.

 

[vivismom]

Thank you so much for the help. It's great to have all this info so I can try to make the best possible choice.
By the way, how long does it take from AKL to MK? What about EPCOT? (by bus)
Thanks again!

 

[Tinker*Shell*Bell]

We did poly 2 years ago when Emily was turning 1. It was great for MK and Epcot access. Monorail let us drive her stroller on with her sleeping. And Poly to epcot was a short walk to the TTC and then ahe could roll right on to the monorail again. (Short walk= 5-6 minutes at slow poke pace.)

For MGM (now DHS) we drove and walked to the gate so we didn't have to collapse the stroller. And AK we drove and took the parking lot shuttle...annoying to have to fold up a stroller with all the "stuff" and the baby and everything else. We were very glad that this was the only park that required the "stuff shuffle"

Monorail ressort was a major blessing.

 

[karibritt01]

Our first stay at CSR DD was 3. Both kids loved the resort. It was very quiet, pool was beautiful, great playground. They loved walking around the lake, feeding the ducks and turtles. Walking at CSR is not really bad like people think it will be. We could go from our room (Ranchos 6A) to the food court in 10 minutes, and that was with DD3 walking. With a stroller... no worries! We like the Ranchos 6A building because it is the quietest section of the resort IMO, and right across from bus stop 3 - we could be from room to bus stop in 3 minutes, including the elevator. Buses were plentiful, and hardly ever crowded. From resort to any park was 10 minutes at most. DTD was the farthest, but still not too bad... and how often do you go to DTD anyway!

 

[alldiz]

If you can swing it I would do the poly....

WL also has a nice boatride to M.K.....the resort is awesome also.
Kerri

 

[LowesChevy]

Beach Club is a nice option. You can walk to Epcot within 10 minutes, take a boat to DHS, bus to AK and MK- if you want direct access otherwise you have to go through Epcot to access the monorail. It is still a little expensive, but less than the Polynesian. I love the Poly, so I am partial, but I really enjoyed the BC when we stayed there several times.

The rooms are spacious and brightly colored. The pool is awesome and there is also a beach with chairs and a nice view of the Boardwalk at night. The one downside is the limited cs choices around this area, but there are ample ts restaurants.

I would say think about which parks you will spend the majority of your time at or where most of your meals will be. If MK is on the top look for the choice that is most convenient for that park. You may be able to walk to Epcot, but with the little kids you may not spend a lot of time here.

 

[DisneyMomx7]

While I love BC and Poly if you're worried about the costs have you considered WL? It's close to MK, the boat goes to MK and I believe you can just wheel your stroller on. It's less expensive than the other deluxes.

If you decide on a mod I would go with CBR and I just like the beachy, tropical theming, plus the rooms are a little larger than the other mods.

 

[kapoof]

bc...nice and clost to epcot and a nice pool for you and the kids to play and relax.

akl... so cool i bet your kids will love the animals!

poly... monorail so useful with a stroller and kids like to ride it, close to mk.

close you eyes and pick, i don't think you can go wrong.

 

[MagicalEars]

If you can afford it, go with the Poly. With little ones it will be a blessing to have use of the monorail and zero entry pool. Plus you get the added bonus of seeing Wishes from the beach. In my opinion the buses at ANY resort can be hit or miss, it just depends on the time of year, how many buses running, ect......

Also with the Poly you'll get a bigger room. Which is nice to have with little ones toddling around and using the pack-n-play.

 

[LJRJR]

I love the Poly, we have stayed there the last few times, the main reason was I felt it would be easier for everyone because of the monorail. Since my children were so young (they are still all under 7), I wanted to be very close to the MK, which we would generally get to almost each day, even if it were for only two hours or so. I would recommend the Poly even though it will cost more.

 

[rcgal2]

I've been with an infant & toddler and found that being at a resort that has monorail/boat transportation is the easiest. You don't have to close up the stroller & lug it that way. I usually try to stay at the Boardwalk since you can take the boat (or walk) to Epcot and MGM. Plus, if you went to Epcot & had a park hopper, you can take the monorail into the Magic Kingdom!

 

[letthewookiewin]

If your budget would allow for it, I would choose the Poly. I would think that the easy access to the monorail would be a life saver with kids that young.
Whichever you choose, I'm sure you'll have a magical trip.

 

[SydneyBristow]

We've stayed at all your choices and here are my thoughts.

AKL- I really love this resort, probably my favorite. I've found the posted bus ride times here on the Dis, greatly exaggerated and never thought it took long to get places, except when you had to stop at a water park on the way. But that happens at all the resorts. Very unique resort, which is a huge plus for me.

CSR- Fantastic pool and playground area, really a ton of fun. 2nd best pool on property, in my opinion. Rooms are Ok, nothing special. Beautiful resort, I think the grounds have a deluxe feel for a moderate price. Best value for the money of the ones you listed.


Polynesian and Beach Club- I've stayed at both in the past. Both beautiful resorts, but I don't think they're worth the money they charge. If you're going to spend the money I think the beach Club is the better choice because I love walking to Epcot(boats to the Studios too) and the Beach Club has the best pool on property. It's also fun having the Boardwalk a short walk away.

I say go for the CSR, it's a much better value price wise and I don't think you'd be disappointed.