Opinions on where to stay at WDW please!

[thumpersfriend]

Hi, I have posted before but have a question. We are going next April when my DGD who will be 4 and has autism. We have always stayed at FW cabins but I really would like to try the Polynesian because I have read it is very convenient if you have children. However a few in our party think the FW cabins would be the best because of the kitchen facilities and ? more to do at the campgrounds. What would you all do, money not being the deciding factor anyway. This will be my DGD's first Disney trip. Thanks alot.

 

[SueM in MN]

Anyone with suggestions?
One thing that might be a deciding factor is how picky your DGD is about food. A lot of children with autism are very picky about what they will and won't eat. If that's the case with her, having a kitchen would be a big advantage.
You could get a kitchen by staying at FW or by staying at one of the DVC villas (one bedroom and up have kitchens; studios have a small refrigerator and a microwave).
Another advantage of either FW or DVC is that there would be more space and more separate rooms if she needs to be in a less stimulating environment for a while.

 

[mlwear]

I think you were posting last summer about your DGD when we were about to take our first Disney trip with my DS, autistic and now 8 years old. We waited to go to DW because we thought he would be so overwhelmed.

Regret now that we waited. He had a few moments, for sure, but most definitely it was the happiest I have ever seen him. No second thoughts about where we will be vacationing this summer.

We stayed at the Poly and he loved it. The ease of transportation made it easy for us. He loved riding the boat over to MK. He could watch fireworks with earplugs at the Poly. First time for fireworks, always too close and too loud before. The landscaping is so pretty. I know he enjoyed its beauty at night and the music. The hammocks were nice for a swing, too. His favorite was the volcano pool, though. He loves to swim and go down slides anyway. When we talked about our trip this year, the volcano pool is the only thing about where we are staying that he mentions. He would be devastated if we stayed anywhere else (of course, sameness is important).

That was our first stay with the kids, so I can't compare with how he may have liked other places. But, he loved the Poly.

Oh, and Ohana Character Breakfast was pretty calm too. In fact, very calm. Perfect for him.

 

[MBW]

I'll be writing up a more complete report later this morning, but I have nothing but great things to say about the Villas at the Wilderness Lodge. We rented points from a DVC member, so a two-bedroom w/ a full kitchen was comparable in price to a water view at the Poly, and the resort itself was so lovely and calming to our boys (ages 6 and 7.5.) In contrast, our last three days at the BWI were anything but relaxing, and we definitely won't go the route again where we don't have cooking facilities.

The VWL were great as well, as the boat ride from MK is less than ten minutes, and the kids loved it, even moreso than the monorail.

 

[oshun]

I would definitely try one of the villas such as Old Key West, Beach Club Villas, Boardwalk Villas, Wilderness or
the new Sarasota. Then you can spread out and have the kitchen accommodations in a 1 or 2 bedroom villa. They are all kid friendly (of course, I don't know of any accommodations at Disney that are not). Old Key West is one of the biggest as far as space, Beach Club and Boardwalk are close to Epcot, Wilderness is closest to Magic Kingdom, and Sarasota is and closest to Downtown Disney.

 

[thumpersfriend]

Thanks everyone. I am leaning to the Polynesian this trip. I think the ease in transportation will be great for us. I guess with all the cooking I have done the last 5 trips, I am looking forward to spending the time with my granddaughter. But my kids all laugh because I change my mind so much! LOL. My son and daughter-in -law took my DGD to Chicago to the Pfeiffer clinic for lots of testing and she did great in a motel room so her parents gave me the go ahead for a hotel room. They were pleasantly surprised how much she enjoyed staying in a hotel.