Newbie needs lots of help

[lilybaby]

First let me say that I am so happy to find this site.

My husband has to go to Orlando for a business meeting in March and wants myself and our 3 year old to accompany him and make a quick trip to WDW. We will probably only get to spend 2 days in the park so I think that we will just do MK. We will be in Orlando 4 nights but husband will be in meetings a couple of days and I don't think that I want to brave WDW alone with the little one.

1st question...where should we stay with a 3 year old? I don't really want to spend the money on the Deluxe resorts but can definitely swing a moderate one. Since we will be spending a couple of days at the hotel and not going to the park are there any fun activities for kids? Any suggestions?

2nd question...would we be just as well off staying off property? Husbands meeting is at the Caribe Royale which is supposed to be nice and only a mile or so from WDW. Just wondering if the traffic will be bad in March.

3rd question...we will definitely be renting a car and I know that the car rental places are not at the airport and that you have to take a shuttle to them. Do they have car seats in the shuttle? Can you tell that we have not traveled by air with this child yet? Do you suggest renting a car seat or bringing my own?

Thanks in advance for the help. We're so excited about our trip.

 

[cobbler]

Well its up to you if you want to stay onsite or not. But since your hubbys meeting is only a couple of days I would suggest it and the fact that you have a little one it would be nice. You could go back for an afternoon break if you and your little one get tired. If your dh has the vehicle this would be very convienent for you.

If you are concerned about $$, try a value. I hear All Star Movies is really neat and a lot of the younger kids really like it because of the big movie icons like Toy Story, Fantasia and 101 Dalmations.

Moderates are nice resorts but again if $$ is somewhat of an issue value would be great and the theme I think the little one would get a kick out of.

The rest of the questions however, I can't help you with yet.

 

[john2u]

lilybaby

First of all welcome to the Disboard!!

I would stay on grounds and probably to a value resort just like cobbler said. Your little one would love the larger than life characters on the grounds. I would also venture to MK when your husband is at his meetings. It is not that hard to get around the Kingdom!!

Have a great time planning and welcome!!

 

[swilphil]

The Port Orleans moderates are very nice and so is Pop Century (value). If you are going mid to late March, traffic will be bad if you are staying offsite. With toddlers, it's nice to be able to go back to your room in the middle of the day. I don't think there are car seats in the shuttles, but I would recommend you rent a car seat from the car rental company for your 3 year old. Even if you have your own car seat, I don't know if there's a way to use it on the shuttle.

 

[TaurusSES_Sport]

Try Wilderness Lodge, during the time you are going rates start at $239/night and you can get AAA discounts on them!

 

[polkadotminnie]

I think you would be fine going to MK with your little one. When my girls were 3 and 1, I took them by myself into the park, because DH was working. It was a little difficult because the 1 year old kept trying to run away from me. But if it is just one child, you should be fine. This year my girls are 8,6,2 and I will go again with them while Dh works. If I get really brave, we may park hop...
You may want to stay somewhere like POP or ASMO. On-site guests get early entry and since you will only be there a short time, you should take advantage of this. Also, on-site guests can drive to the park with free parking. Good luck!

 

[Yacht Club Guy]

Welcome to the DIS Like the others mentioned, I would go for a value resort. Have fun!

 

[jjohnson]

If it was me with a 3 year old, I would stay at Contemporary. You could stay in the North Garden Wing Rooms & be close to the toddler pool & playground. Also walk or mono to MK or take a boat to FW for a pony ride or visit the petting farm.

With a AAA rate it would be about $200 a night.