Need some help picking a resort with a baby

[pixie08]

I know what I am asking is very subjective but I am just curious of what others would do in my situation. We are going to WDW in May and it will be the first time we bring our 6 month old baby. We are WDW vets and own at AKV.

Right now I have a one bedroom standard booked at kidani for 8 nights. I am also considering a one bedroom standard at Jambo or a 1 bed standard at BWV as all of these rooms are in the similar point range. Availability is looking good for all of the listed resorts on our dates. Some things I am considering:

1. We will be renting a car
2. We love the 1 bed layouts, design and bathrooms at Kidani and just the general feeling of AKL & AKV
3. It will be F&G so we will be going to EPCOT 2x's
4. Most likely going to MK 2x's
5. AK park 1 day
6. May not even go to HS due to the lack of attractions with a baby.
7. We are not too huge on counter service as we will eat breakfast in our room or character meal, but table service dining for dinner is important.
8. We will return to the room for nap/ pool time and leave early from the parks.
9. All though we love the Boardwalk area (just stayed at Beach Club last may, and we were married at the BW) the rooms are a bit out dated to us compared to AKV.

So I am fining this so much harder then when it was just dh and I because with the baby I am not sure of his schedule or how he will react. We may have to just go to the parks in the morning and forgo evenings all together which means ALOT of resort time. What would you do?

 

[Geomom]

Would you consider doing a studio at all? It doesn't sound like you'd be using the kitchen for cooking and with 3 of you, you don't 'need' the extra space.

If you did a studio--one option would be a savannah view at AKV--then you and your husband can sit on the balcony and watch the animals while the baby is sleeping.

If you don't want a studio and if you're able to get the 1 bedroom standard at BWV, I'd go for that--being able to take the stroller straight from your room to Epcot/Hollywood Studios saves you the hassle of having to fold up the stroller/drive to parks on those days--and it will be easy to just walk back if you want the baby to nap in the room and go back to the park later. At night, one of you can watch the baby while the other views the free boardwalk entertainment.

My youngest was 10 mths on our first trip to Disney with the kids--she was able to nap in the stroller while we walked around, or sleep on me in some of the theater type attractions (hall of presidents, American adventure, etc.). I had a 'hipster' type of carrier to walk through the ride lines with her.

 

[pixie08]

Thanks Geomom.

We prefer the space of the 1 bedroom, we do make breakfast, the large fridge, the Jacuzzi bath and the wash/dryer. I have stayed in studios & 1 beds at Kidani and AKL in standard and Savanna and usually the savanna is not worth the pints for us as there are a lot of viewing opportunities elsewhere.

However you bring up a good point about the evenings since we may be confined to our rooms more then usual.THE BWV point you bring up is why we are struggling, just walking to EPCOT is so nice!

 

[a742246]

With a 6 month old, I would do the epcot resorts. There are alot of nice walking areas around. After the NY winter walking will be a pleasure with your 6 month old.

 

[TheDisneyFour]

I always like the extra bathroom that Kidani gives you. And the huge shower is always nice.

 

[pixie08]

With a 6 month old, I would do the epcot resorts. There are alot of nice walking areas around. After the NY winter walking will be a pleasure with your 6 month old.

That is a very good point!

 

[MinnieGi]

IMHO at 6 months may be the easiest time you ever spend in the parks and on vacation with your child!!! LOL! I'm serious! We brought our youngest when he was 5 months and it was so easy!! He was portable in the front carrier and had a stroller too with older child who got out and walked anyway so when baby DS needed to lie down it was easy to do. Also they don't eat alot of solids yet and as I nursed there were no bottles etc. to lug around either.

I say it is an easy trip because once they start becoming a little independent, they always have an opinion, mood, or temper about what you have planned!! LOL!!

Anyway at that age with a rental car I don't think it will be a problem to stay anywhere. The babies world is you so wherever you are, they will be most content. So pick where you most would like to be. I personally do like being at one of the Epcot resorts so that we can walk or boat to two parks but am looking forward to an AKV trip in Nov!

 

[pixie08]

Thank you Minnie!

So glad to hear. yes we will bring our Ergo carrier and stroller. Also I will be breastfeeding and just starting solids so not too much food to lug around!

Although we loooove AKV we may be leaning toward BWV for this trip. Thanks for all of the valuable input and keep it coming!

 

[hakepb]

I'd avoid BWV if you planned on taking the bus to MK, but if you planned on driving to MK from AKV or BWV... I'd choose BWV.

It is quite nice to have a few park days that you don't have to fold up a stroller to get to a park.

 

[Gillyrose779]

I would say BWV for the convenience of having HS and Epcot close by.

We never had an issue with the bus from BWV to MK but I will tell you we enjoyed just walking through Epcot and taking the Monorail right over. GREAT for a sleeping baby as you never have to take him/her out of the stroller!

 

[luvdzny]

AK has always been our favorite resort but we just returned from our first stay at BWV. My 6 month old grandson was with us. We loved the convenience of BWV. We could walk to EPCOT with ease so we could come and go on our schedule. Also from EPCOT we could take the monorail to MK and did not have to take the baby out of his stroller. We used the boat for HS and again, did not have to transfer from the stroller. It was so easy! As a matter of fact, I just put in an offer to buy into DVC with Boardwalk as our home resort!

 

[jd65]

If you think about it, you are putting your self at an inconvenience if you choose to stay at Kidani/AKV. You are limited to that resorts restaurants if you want to stay in for dinner (Jiko, Mara). Choices are limited and to get anywhere you must take a bus. At BWV/BCV area, you have walking distance to two parks, shorter bus ride to MK, DD. Although you said you may not go to HS, you can still eat there (Hollywood N Vine, 50s prime time are my personal favorites). All in all, the Epcot resorts and surrounding vicinity have hundreds of table service restaurants (Yachstman, Cape May, Kouzzina, Big River Brew, Le Cellier, Coral Reef) to name a few area table services. I think its silly to stay at AKV under your circumstances.

 

[katieam1]

We are trying to decide the same thing. We have VWL booked for a one bedroom but are trying to decide if that is where we want to stay or change it to either Kidani or Boardwalk. My youngest will be 6 months when we go so trying to decide where to go has been hard since BLT (our fav resort) is not available. Let us know what you choose! Might help me decide too lol!

 

[DebbieB]

I'd avoid BWV if you planned on taking the bus to MK, but if you planned on driving to MK from AKV or BWV... I'd choose BWV.

It is quite nice to have a few park days that you don't have to fold up a stroller to get to a park.

If you want to ride the tram in the MK parking lot, you have to fold up the stroller. Depending on when you get there, it can be a long walk from the parking lot to the TTC.

 

[vlproud]

We are going to WDW in March with our baby that will be six months old. We are staying at the beach club. I've always wanted to stay there anyway and could never get a reservation. We also chose beach club because we know we will spend the majority of our time walking and enjoying the sights. Being able to walk to EPCOT was a huge deciding factor for us. We will have our car but I love the freedom of being able to walk.

 

[bumbershoot]

Thank you Minnie!

So glad to hear. yes we will bring our Ergo carrier and stroller. Also I will be breastfeeding and just starting solids so not too much food to lug around!

Although we loooove AKV we may be leaning toward BWV for this trip. Thanks for all of the valuable input and keep it coming!

If you're going to be starting solids that young, I really really would recommend NOT doing it while on vacation. It can really send baby's digestive and even immune (very very related to digestion) system into an uproar, and that just doesn't sound like fun while on vacation. I'd wait until you're home, and you have your OWN food to feed the baby. After all, why get their tastebuds primed to jars or mushed up WDW food, rather than your own homemade food?


Have fun on what I agree should be the easiest trip going forward. Soon enough baby will develop strong ideas about what s/he likes at disney, and then will develop the means to tell you about them. Loudly. So enjoy THIS trip!

 

[lorenni]

If you're going to be starting solids that young, I really really would recommend NOT doing it while on vacation. It can really send baby's digestive and even immune (very very related to digestion) system into an uproar, and that just doesn't sound like fun while on vacation. I'd wait until you're home, and you have your OWN food to feed the baby. After all, why get their tastebuds primed to jars or mushed up WDW food, rather than your own homemade food? Have fun on what I agree should be the easiest trip going forward. Soon enough baby will develop strong ideas about what s/he likes at disney, and then will develop the means to tell you about them. Loudly. So enjoy THIS trip!

I'm with Bumbershoot on this one. Though I can't tell from the thread whether your child is 6 months now, and will then be 13 months in May, or you have not yet delivered and your child will be 6 months when you travel.

 

[pixie08]

Thank you for all the responses. Bumbershoot thank you I agree!

The only issue I have is that if we stay at Kidani we can stay 8 nights on points. BWV is a few too many points (even using the extra 10 for sale). So BWV would be 7 nights. hard decision.

 

[pixie08]

Thank you for the help everyone! DH and I decided to just do 7 nights and stay at the BWV.

For now there is availability showing on the DVC member.com tool so hopefully it stays that way for the next week or so.

 

[pixie08]

I'm with Bumbershoot on this one. Though I can't tell from the thread whether your child is 6 months now, and will then be 13 months in May, or you have not yet delivered and your child will be 6 months when you travel.

He will be 6 months when traveling. I am due in 6 1/2 weeks!