Need some advice!

[Berries97]

Hello! I having trouble deciding what to do and thought I would turn to the boards for some help!

I am planning a last minute trip for a few nights in May. It will be just myself and DS (3) I was able to reserve a 1 bed @ Kidani. (There is a slight chance a friend and her DD will be joining us. But they won't know until the end of April ... they live in Fl.) So better safe than crowded I am doing a 1 bed.

I usually have no trouble making the decisions but for some reason these two things are throwing me for a loop this time.

I am thinking about waitlisting for a 1 bed @ BW. Small chance I know but the idea of being close to Epcot and HS is appealing. Although I was hoping for pool time and the pool seems so great at Kidani. We have stayed @ AKL before.. just never made it to the pool. Thoughts?

I am also having a problem deciding on DDP... we usually do the dining plan and have enjoyed it. Ressies are limited at this point ( just happy to be going!) so I am debating doing the QS plan. DS is a good eater and we will be there for 4 nights. Here are my random thoughts....do I really want deal with all counter service? Is it going to be really hot.. maybe I want a TS with A/C so we can relax? We usually do 1 character meal, but we could probably skip it this time.

This is the first time I have taken DS by myself so trying to make it as easy as possible! Thank you for your insight!

 

[dianeschlicht]

First of all, if you are already booked at AKV, I'd stay there. Your son will enjoy the pool area if you are at Kidani. As for the dining plan...With a 3 year old, I doubt it is worth the cost.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Because your DF and child may join you, I would stay with Kidani, and if/when you know she can't come, maybe then I would waitlist BW. As far as QS, the Mara at Jambo house is a/c.

 

[DenLo]

I think the DDP works well for families with young children when they do character meals. Also a character meal scheduled for lunch time causes a natural break from park time so that you eat and then can return to your resort for a nap.

As far as BWV goes, the first thing I would ask are either of kids afraid of clowns? Some kids are and the pool slide at the Luna pool at BWV is scary to me and even worse at night when it's lit up.

Second what park would you take the kids too? If it's MK it's just as easy to get from AKV as it is from BWV. If you really want to make things easier for your first solo trip, you could consider BLT. It's a 10 minute walk from BLT to MK even pushing a stroller. That way you don't have to wait for a bus either way. The pool at BLT is a zero entry so there's plenty of play area for a toddler and there is a short slide for kiddies too. The water play area is great, kids just love it. And if you want there's even a beach for the kids to play in the sand. Chef Mickey's is just across the skybridge and up the escalator from BLT as well. And Crystal Palace is great place to dine for young children--all of those Winnie the Pooh characters.

 

[Cee]

 

[helenk]

I'd pick AKV just for the 2 bathrooms in the 1 bedroom unit. That second bathroom really makes it nice in the mornings when everyone is getting ready to go to the parks.
My grand-daughter really enjoyed staying at the AKV, she loved being able to watch the animals and we loved the pool at Kidani.

 

[Berries97]

Thank you all for the input!

I think I am going to do the dining plan. I played around with ressies last night and was able to get some good ones:

Sci-fi
Cape May Breakfast
Liberty Tree.

DS is a good eater and I think the break will be needed!

I still am torn between Kidani and BWV. I was looking at our schedule and we are spending 2 days @ Ep, 1 @ HS, and 1 @ MK. I am sure both are awesome!

Again, thanks for the input.... I appreciate others that love it as much as we do! Our friends and family just do not get it!

 

[a742246]

Thank you all for the input!

I think I am going to do the dining plan. I played around with ressies last night and was able to get some good ones:

Sci-fi
Cape May Breakfast
Liberty Tree.

DS is a good eater and I think the break will be needed!

I still am torn between Kidani and BWV. I was looking at our schedule and we are spending 2 days @ Ep, 1 @ HS, and 1 @ MK. I am sure both are awesome!

Again, thanks for the input.... I appreciate others that love it as much as we do! Our friends and family just do not get it!

Since you are planing to go to epcot, HS I would recommend you wait list at BWV, just so your little one has less to travel and more rest time.

 

[Kidanifan08]

Since you are planing to go to epcot, HS I would recommend you wait list at BWV, just so your little one has less to travel and more rest time.

We have stayed at AKV twice, and the bus ride to Epcot and HS is really quick. MK is the longest ride from AKV. Plus, since you are at Kidani, the bus stops there before Jambo and is alway empty, so you wil definitely get a seat for your ride to the park The pool at Kidani is awesome for your DS3 since it has a zero entry. He will definitely enjoy seeing the animals on the savanna.

BWV is nice, since you can walk to Epcot and HS. But with DS3, you would probably want to have a stroller, or you need to start doing some bench presses! BWV would also be nice since you are planning on doing Cape May.

You can definitely "win" with the DDP for a child under 9, given that it is about $12/day. We sometimes use a CS entitlement for one breakfast at the QS restaurant at the resort or one of the parks and just share. Then, we share a QS lunch with our DS4 later in the day.

Have a great time!!