Parents of toddlers...opinions needed!

[kaysmommie]

Our first trip to Disney with DD was when she was 2, so we also choose WL. It was awesome! We actually stayed there again the next year too. It is a gorgeous resort. We had plan to spend some time at the resort so that's why we don't stay at the values. The pool area was great and they have a wading pool for little ones. The main pool has a decnt waterslide that DD went on when she was 3 and we caught her at the end. We took nap breaks most days. Sometimes she fell asleep on the boat or bus rides. We never had any problems with transportation although sometimes the MK boats go to FT. Wilderness and so the ride could be a bit onger than I woold like, but I"m rather impatient. We had no problems being in only one room because DD was so tired and so were we! WE requested bedrails for her so she could sleep in the Queen bed because she was not going to sleeep in a pack nplay. We didn't use the balcony much at all. It is nice to be so close to your hotel so you can take a break. I have never stayed offsite except at a relatives house but I'm much happier staying onsite with little kids. The WL is very relaxing. The lobby is fun to just sit down and people watch. I think you are better off staying onsite. Don't forget to pack a nightlight. My DD stood up in the bed our first night and she fell. Luckily she was fine but it scared me. Apparently she forgot where she was and the room was dark. So now we bring a night lite. If you are going during free dining it is worth it to stay onsite. Just make sure you make your ADR"s soon so you get the restaurants you want. We are staying at Poly this trip because I want to try something new but I will miss WL I'm sure.

 

[kaysmommie]

Thanks all for your feedback.

Well, I did it! I booked us at the WL for our 7 nights. I am terribly excited and a little nervous at the same time, but it is done and I am happy! We just agreed to a completely different vacation than we had originally planned, but I think it will be wonderful and I have high hopes that everyone will do well and will have a great time.

I booked my ADR's and though they were a struggle (not much left for the times I needed with the little ones), I think we have some great options! I had already booked the LTT and Breakfastosaurus for character meals, and in addition scored a 1900 PF character dinner with Cindy on our last day (DD is going to be thrilled ) Other TS meals are at GF Cafe, Kona, & Boma. Tried for Ohana, but couldn't get in. I really tried to keep our choices close to home base so we aren't travelling all over disney properties to eat with the kids. I think our choices will work fine for us and I'm so excited!

Anyway, I could go on and on, but I'll just stop and say thanks for your advice and input. Now what am I gonna do for the next 3 months?!?!?! (already researched and bought the double stroller )

Did you get and ADR for Whispering Canyon Cafe since it is in WL? It 's alot of fun for kids and the parents too. You probably already have read about it but it's a must do even this trip staying at Poly. Have and awesome trip.

 

[ekball]

Thanks for all of your great responses!
Kaysmomie - would you believe that I couldn't get an ADR for Whispering Canyon for any night while we are there (at a decent hour that is)!?!? The one ADR I was going to make for our home resort and I couldn't get it! Funny. I'll back periodically to see if when can get one, because it sounds fun (and is convenient), but we've got some other great ADR's (I think) if we don't get one.

 

[Tam1067]

Sorry--I made a mistake here!

 

[sara74]

We stayed at WL for our first trip in April. I chose it for the proximity to the MK, which we visited 5 times in 7 days, for the boat and for the theming. It was a wonderful stay, we were upgraded from a standard room to a courtyard view! We didn't use the balcony much since if we were at the hotel we were usually in the pool, which was also great! I didn't make many ADRs for other resorts as it seemed harder to get from resort to resort, so we had ADR's at parks or at the Contemporary (which WL has a boat to) The boats were great, the buses were even fun too! We had no probs with the double stroller on either and no horrible waits for either, really.

(all this and more is detailed ad nauseum in my trip report 4.5 newbies...if you want to read more! )

 

[kaysmommie]

Thanks for all of your great responses!
Kaysmomie - would you believe that I couldn't get an ADR for Whispering Canyon for any night while we are there (at a decent hour that is)!?!? The one ADR I was going to make for our home resort and I couldn't get it! Funny. I'll back periodically to see if when can get one, because it sounds fun (and is convenient), but we've got some other great ADR's (I think) if we don't get one.

I would keep trying because there might be a cancelation. Your kids would love it.

 

[ekball]

sara74,

Had to write to say that I am about 1/2 way through your first trip report entry and am cracking up....oh if you only knew how alike we are (right down the inappropriate promises to our dh's to get them to agree to the Disney vaca ). Thanks for the info and for pointing me to your trip report...tonight's entertainment!

Where are you in CT??? We are in Mansfield.

 

[PA Princess]

I won't add too much to what has already been said, except to agree that I have found staying on site to work really well for us with kids. We have 4 kids and we have traveled a dozen times to WDW with kids of various ages from 3 months to 11 years. I think you will love the WL - we certainly did our trip there with 3 kiddos who were 1, 4, and 5.

Something we do that adds to our ability to have quiet couple time, we pack the baby monitors. This allowed us to sit in the rocking chairs at the WL in a small section near our room over looking the lobby - great fun! We also had the balconey, but it was summer and kinda hot and humid out there We were only maybe 15 feet from our door (and we secured everything in the room), and with the monitors I knew if any child was stirring in the room. Since that trip we have used the monitors for several other trips. We do not wonder the resort or anything...we are always mere feet from the door to our room...but this does provide more freedom to sit in a courtyard at the moderates, etc.

 

[momimouse27]

I am glad to hear you decided to stay onsite! You will not regret it. Up until several years ago, we were a strictly offsite family. Then, they built the values and suddenly we could afford to stay onsite! We went back to other places a couple of times, but it never compared. Since we stayed at BC a few years ago, we have never gone back! You will be hooked! We are staying at the CR this year and I am so excited.

We have only been to WL once, and that was to eat at Whispering Canyon. I think you will really love it. Have a wonderful trip!!