Pick a resort for us please!

[angiejg]

Hi everyone!

I posted here awhile back about going to Disney in October and staying at the Poly. Well, now we have a chance to go this June because my husband will be in Orlando for a convention. We thought we had to stay at one of the company's "chosen" hotels, but now think we can pick our hotel, just paying the difference in price. So, my question is: Can you tell me where we should stay that would be the least hectic for me and my kids (6 and 20 months) when DH isn't with us? I want someplace that we can have a great time even when he is in meetings. Someplace that is great even if we don't leave the hotel. I thought the Poly was best because of the monorail, restaurants, pools, etc. but now I'm not so sure. What would you recommend for the greatest fun, plus least stress for mainly me and my two kids?

Thanks so much!
Angie

 

[nicdanh]

I would say Poly just for the same reason you said.

 

[sharonk]

I would suggest the Contemporary -- it's a bit less expensive than most of the other Deluxe hotels and the concenience to the Magic Kingdom can't be beat.

Given the ages of your kids, you'll probaly have a stroller and will probably spend a lot of time at the MK. It's so nice to be able to walk right to and from the MK without having to get your stroller onto a bus, boat or monorail.

I personally don't really like the decor...but the convenience more than makes up for that.

Good Luck!

Sharon

 

[CaptnHook]

The Wilderness Lodge is so comfy and relaxing, that would be my pick.

 

[catheren]

For your convience, I pick the Poly.
You will be able to get to the MK by monorail or boat.

They have a great pool and playground.
Grounds are lovely to walk around.

 

[susy]

The Poly would be perfect with the kids. The pool is zero entry and you can see the slide, so you can sit with the baby and watch your 6yo come down the slide. They will probably like Mk the best.

Ooooo! Just thought of this: Ohana at the Poly has a nice character breakfast where they bring the food to the table, so you wouldnt' have to struggle with the kids at a buffet.

I would also suggest having a cooler in the room with breakfast items, juice, water, and snacks. That will make things easier on you also.

Epcot is so nice in the evenings. If Dh can go, I would suggest doing that one night. It's a more relaxing experience than MK at night.

 

[Tikiman]

Any of the resorts on the monorail would be a good choice and I agree with sharonk, it would be a little less expensive to go with the Contemporary.

 

[ciera123]

I agree with the Poly, so convenient with the monorail, great pool and food, and a beautiful place to just sit and enjoy the scenery!! Have a great time!!

 

[OneMoreTry]

Put the MK resorts in a hat (sans GF) and pick one -- or let one of your kids.

 

[Kaycee]

For pure convenience, with the most stuff to do without having to leave the resort, I vote for the Poly.

Wilderness Lodge is also a great resort with lots of fun activities for the kids.

 

[all5ofus]

I vote Poly.

 

[wanna-b-Tink]

I've had to take both the kids back to the room without hubby once or twice. I can say that trying to get on a bus with a 6 year old and 21 month old (my kids' ages) is really REALLY hard by yourself. Inevitably, both kids fall asleep on the bus and you have to wake the older one up then get him off the bus, get help unloading the stroller and then put the younger child in it. Even though I'm sure people are understanding, I feel terrible about the time it takes to do this.

All this to say, I would choose a resort that allowed me non-bus transportation. This could be the Beach or BoardWalk as well as the MK resorts. Walk to Epcot (which has the monorail if you want to get to MK). Or catch the boat to Studios. In fact, the Epcot resorts offer excellent non-bus transportation.

 

[firefawnkimmy]

If you are planning on visiting the parks when your hubby is not around I would opt for a monorail resort. But if not then I would opt for one with a food court b/c that cuts down your food costs, and I personally would not want to eat at a restaurant without my fiance. Just a personal preference though, but if I am shelling out extra cash, even if its just $10, I want both of us to be enjoying it. But I don't have kids so I dont know if you would enjoy a restaurant with just kids, to me it would seem like a hastle to watch them, make sure they were eating, etc. All the while paying more for a sit down restaurant. And the Poly only really has good sit down restaurants. I was not at all impressed with their quick service food court.

I have heard great things about the AKL. Its educational and has a great pool and nice viewing areas (never been there yet but relaying what i have heard.) and there seem to be childrens activities and its beautiful so you may want to give them an educational experience, even if they are still too little to remember it in 10 years it can help drive that info. in later on. Bad side is I have heard that their bus service is not good at all. If you have a rental car then it would be good, but without one I would say don't stay there with two young children.

The Poly is very nice though, having been there myself. But as a child it was not something I really appreciated. I only came to liek it as an adult.

 

[Disney Doll]

The Poly is monorail or boat to the MK. The Contemporary is monorail or walk to the MK.

I'd probably do the Contemporary because if both my kids were asleep in a stroller, I could walk back to the hotel and not struggle with getting the stroller onto the transportation by myself.

 

[stacy6552]

The Beach club has the best rated family pool in all of WDW with loads of fun around. I'd reccommend staying there or...

Why not stay at Saratoga Springs? Its the newest resort. You can get a one bedroom with full kitchen, so you will be very comfy hanging out all day. Put the baby to sleep and closing the door will be easier of your older son. There are two pools with only two buildings open, so there should be plenty of room for you.

 

[Grumpy92]

WL - great resort, boat to FW which has lots of activities. lots of things to do at the hotel.

YC/BC - convenient to two parks plus they have the best pool on property.

 

[Boardwalk Tigger]

I think you have to decide how much time you want to be in the parks and which ones. I would pick either Beach Club/ Yacht Club or Poly/ GF.

I presume you want to be in Magic Kingdom at least one day. Only negative is that the MK always seems to be crowded and it will be hot in June and that can wear on you especially with two little ones. So you may want to spend more time at the resort.

The BC/ YC are great resorts( my favorite) and you can walk around with a stroller more easily and is much more relaxing. It is so lovely in the evening too when your hubby will be with you. The pools there are the best and you are in close proximity to so many restaurants. The boat ride to MGM is convenient too.
On the other hand the Poly or GF are beautiful and you could stay at the resort during the day or go to the MK for a while. I probably would not spend a lot of time in the parks alone unless it was Epcot where you can walk back or take a boat to your resort or the MK where you can get on the monorail

 

[Boardwalk Tigger]

Check out the sites on the Yacht Club/ Beach Club. It is a really wonderful place to stay. They have a character breakfast at Cape May with many of the characters in bathing apparal. They also have a great seafood buffett at night with a large selection of childrens food. The walk around the lake is so beautiful . Beaches and Creme is a place you could go to with the kids too for ice creme or light food. The pool, Stormalong Bay has a sand bottom and is the best in Disney. The place just is so comfortable yet has an upscale feel as well. Many people with younger children prefer the BC although the Yacht Club has great views of the fireworks and has more standout balconies. My kids enjoyed both.

My first trip to Disney I had both children as my DH had a convention. His convention was off site but I too found I could stay in Disney but make up the price. We stayed at the BWV's and my children loved the clown pool and Epcot. I had one in a stroller too( though not as young as yours).

Will be trying the Poly this December after spending a few days at the BCV's. Still think the Epcot hotel area is the best.

 

[angiejg]

Thank you for all your great advice! I'll let you know what we decide!

Angie