Need WDV advice!!! Where to stay and what park is best for a 1 yr old...

[Ethansmom22]

Hello everyone!! I am in the midst of planning a trip (july 19th - 23rd) and was convinced that we needed to stay a AK but now am wondering if I made a mistake... PLEASE let me know, whoever has had to face Disney in July with a 13 month old!! lol I want to make it as enjoyable for him as possible and us as well (my husband, my parents, and I) so what parks would you suggest? Where to stay? Any tips ?? Thank you for your help and ideas!! Heaps of hugs from NY!!

 

[DisAmyK]

My youngest DD first trip was when she was 15 months old. We stayed at AK and it worked just fine for us. But then again AK is our family's favorite resort. I know that a lot of families prefer to stay at a monorail resort(Contemporary/Bay Lake Towers, Grand Floridian, and The Polynesian) with small children because of the convenience. You do not have to break down the stroller when riding on the monorail as opposed to when riding the bus. I would also say there is the most to do at MK with a small child. (you can ride the monorail to MK). When we took our DD at 15 months and then at 24 months she could ride many many rides with us at MK. There was still plenty to do with her at the other parks, but much more at MK. I don't know if your son knows any of the Playhouse Disney characters, but there is a Playhouse Disney Live on stage show at DHS that my DD just loves even at 15 months when she didn't really know the characters. Hope that helps a little.

 

[PearlySwan]

Hi and welcome! I think the mods might want to move this thread to either the theme park and attractions thread or the resorts thread.

You'll most likely spend most of your time in Magic Kingdom because there is more there for little kids than anywhere else in WDW. Here's the bottom line. Does your 18 mo. old nap? I would imagine the answer is yes. Does he nap in his stroller or does he need to be in a quiet environment like a resort room? I don't assume anything about the habits of anyone else's children so that's why I'm asking. If the answer is yes he needs to nap in a quiet environment, then you might want to reconsider your AKL reservation as the resort is further away from Magic Kingdom than others in Magic Kingdom. Btw, we are trying AKL ourselves next summer .

When we went to WDW during late June 2009, our then 3 yr. old son, was still napping, once in the middle of the day. He needed to be in a quiet environment (silent) to fall asleep. The stroller nap days were long gone at that time. Therefore, we choose to stay in a Magic Kingdom resort, namely the Wilderness Lodge. It was super easy to take a mid-day break from the parks, especially on our Magic Kingdom days. We would ride the ferry from the Magic Kingdom gates back to our resort. Others will recommend a monorail resort instead. Your choices will be Grand Floridian, Polynesian, or the Contemporary. They feel it is even easier to get to/from Magic Kingdom and Epcot back to any of those resorts as you don't have to fold strollers to board the monorail (but you do have to do this on buses and ferries). If your family tours during early morning Extra Magic Hours, then by mid-day most of you will need an afternoon nap and/or pool break from the parks heat and sun. Something to consider...

 

[DisCopper]

Animal Kingdom Lodge is great. You'll love it.

If you are seriously considering changing, I'd switch to one of the resorts on the monorail (Grand Floridian, Polynesian, or Contemporary). It's much easier to get back to the room or the pool for a mid-day break.

You live in New York. Be seriously prepared for Florida heat in July. It's going to be HOT AND HUMID. Drink plenty of water, and take plenty of breaks. Don't try to rush it. You're going to hurt yourself, and wear the 13 month old out.

My advice to people who are new to the Parks is always the same. Buy one of the planning books (I like Birnbaum's "official" one, but the others are fine too). Go through the book and get an understanding of each of the Parks. Then make a list of:
- Things you must do.
- Things you would like to do, but it wouldn't hurt to miss them.
- Things you don't care about.
Then, wander the Parks. If you see that you've got extra time, do some of the things from that middle group. If you see that you're running out of time, do less wandering and make sure you are getting the big stuff. Remember- the 13 month old isn't going to know if you miss something on the list.

One thing you do have to plan is your Dining (ADR's). If you plan on doing any table-service meals, you have to make the ADR's (there are all kinds of threads about them here).

Finally, you mentioned that you've got your husband, your parents, and your 13 month old with you. You don't all have to stay together all the time! Maybe your parents can take the baby while you and your husband go out to eat. Maybe the guys can go play golf one day. Or you and your mom can shop at Downtown Disney while the guys stay at the pool with the baby. I think things like that take a lot of stress of family vacations.

Have fun planning!

 

[Metro West]

 

[pepe of ohio]

And I'll throw in the Wilderness Lodge as a resort, boat ride to the MK and on the bigger boat you don't have to close the stroller, short pleasant ride. WL is alot easier on your wallet then the monorail resorts, about the same rate as AKL. Nice pool, great little kiddie pool and the resort is all under one roof.