Place to stay for 1st visit with a 4-year old?

[Miffy]

OP: Book directly through Disney. It's straightforward and easy.

As for the resort, it really depends on how much you want to spend (how much you can spend) and what parks you're going to visit. If you intend to spend a large portion of your trip at MK, then stay at the GF. If your budget allows, book a room facing MK--that way you can enjoy the fireworks from your balcony instead of having to deal with the crowds. And your 4-year-old will enjoy the Electric Water Pageant as well.

But if you and your child love animals, there's nothing better than a savanna-view room at Animal Kingdom Lodge.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

Yes, it is. It's called childhood amnesia.

Great, the textbooks have a name for it.

Actual parents of actual children are telling you differently from their real life lived experiences.

 

[Miffy]

If "they won't remember it" is a criterion for choosing who should take a trip to WDW, then don't take anyone who might one day not remember it for any reason, which, really, could be anyone. I mean, we're all mortal, even if we're Disney fantasy lovers.

 

[Rory607]

Have you considered Poly? Location is equivalent to GF, but theming is more fun for kids. My kids love the pool and splash area there.

ETA: Re-read and I’m assuming there is not availability there. I would do GF for proximity to MK.

 

[Selket]

If the CR shows up I think it's ideal cause it has the shortest walk to the MK of all the monorail resorts. GF is lovely and would be my first choice from the list you gave. However the YC/BC is a great location - really nice pool and you can walk to Epcot and DHS. You may also want to look at the Swan/Dolphin in case they have better rates - they are near the YC and the Boardwalk area in roughly a similar walkable location.

Really I don't think any of the on-site hotels (or Swan/Dolphin) are bad choices and I stayed at moderates usually when my kids were little (for price/value) but the CR is my favorite resort - nothing beats walking that short distance to the MK!

 

[hakunamatata16]

Just booked amtrak auto train down to FL to visit Disney for the very first time with my 4 year old.
It will be just the two of us, and we will have our car available. Any recommendation to stay in early October?

Current availability online shows:
Yacht Club
Beach Club
Board Walk Inn
Grand Floridian

Also do you guys just book on disney.com or find a travel agent?

Yay so exciting! Of those options, I think Beach Club is the best. They have an awesome pool (that shares with the Yacht Club) that has a sand bottom and a slide. It's also an easy walk to Epcot and the Skyliner which can take you to Hollywood Studios. You really can't go wrong with any of the options!

 

[GoingSince1990]

Grand Floridian by far. Your main park will probably be MK and it is a pleasant and scenic stroll (or one monorail stop) from the hotel.

 

[ABCanada]

Grand Floridian by far. Your main park will probably be MK and it is a pleasant and scenic stroll (or one monorail stop) from the hotel.

Of the ones listed I would agree.

If available, my pick would be Wilderness Lodge. Quiet boat ride from MK. Calmer atmosphere than the other resorts. When DD was that age we found it was important to take a break from the park. Easy and fast access to your resort is key.
In addition, Wilderness Lodge has lots to distract, in a calm way, a four year old. Not to the extent of Animal Kingdom Lodge but much better located for access to MK.

A car can get you to and from all the other parks easily. For MK, if you are not at a MK resort, the MK parking lot is a distance from the park so you need to take Disney transportation from MK parking to MK.

 

[Marthasor]

Great, the textbooks have a name for it.

Actual parents of actual children are telling you differently from their real life lived experiences.

Neurogenesis decreases the ability of very young children to retain single memories over time. So while we have anecdotes of three and four year olds remembering things that happened to them recently, the chances of them retaining that memory as years go on is slim. My point is, if a parent of a young child chooses a hotel in the hopes the child will retain memories of the experience, they may be disappointed. Certainly doesn’t reduce the argument of choosing something a child or the parent won’t enjoy in the moment.

 

[Lilsia]

Stay where you want to stay. A 4 year old has no frame of reference and will be happy if you are happy. Go with what you would find comfortable and convenient. Any of those resorts on your list are good. Over the years, we have stayed at almost all of the resorts with our kids. They had a blast every trip. It did not matter what hotel we stayed at.

 

[TJA]

OP: I'd book online directly on Disney World site.

Of your resort options listed, I'd honestly stay at any one of those (and, in fact, did stay at all of those when my kids were younger). As a family, we preferred the BC when the kids were younger as the theme just seemed to fit us back then. We liked the character breakfast in the lobby and my kids LOVED the sandy-bottom shallow pool. Plus, we enjoyed a leisurely walk to Epcot almost every night to do a few rides, have snacks, and simply walk back to BC later on. Of course, that can also be done if you stay at BWI or YC too. Just pick the theme you like the best out of those 3 resorts. Maybe look at the FAQ threads on this board to see some pics (or google for pics) to see what appeals to you the most. You can walk to both Epcot and HS from those 3 resorts.

At age 4, my kids did not care which park they went to. They just loved being there. However, I know many other people comment their kids loved the MK the most, so I guess it just depends on your child. If you think you'll be going to MK a lot, then the GF is surely a great option for you. There are nice pools and splash area, good food, gorgeous resort, and very convenient walkway to MK.

 

[Dug720]

GF. At that age it will basically be all about MK so being able to walk, boat or monorail will be a lifesaver.

I honestly think it depends on the kid and their interests. Even as little kids we would have been way more interested in AK than MK.

 

[gottalovepluto]

I honestly think it depends on the kid and their interests. Even as little kids we would have been way more interested in AK than MK.

Yeah but AKL wasn’t on the list here. It was MK vs EP/DHS.

 

[Dug720]

Yeah but AKL wasn’t on the list here. It was MK vs EP/DHS.

Gotcha. Missed that - first day back with kiddos at school so my brain is shot. I just have a gut reaction when people assume little kids = MK.

 

[LadyTramp94]

l
At age 4, my kids did not care which park they went to. They just loved being there. However, I know many other people comment their kids loved the MK the most, so I guess it just depends on your child. If you think you'll be going to MK a lot, then the GF is surely a great option for you. There are nice pools and splash area, good food, gorgeous resort, and very convenient walkway to MK.

ITA with TJA.
Besides, when it really comes down to it, this is about convenience!
Our 4yo 1st trip was at the Poly, and let me tell you, it was a lifesaver to have the MK so close, a great pool,etc. Plus, monorails going to MK & Epcot!
Cant go wrong with the Grand

 

[AndreaDM]

The 4-year old will enjoy any hotel they stay in. AoA alone with a 4-year old is not fun. Uncomfortable beds, food court difficult to navigate, and if the Skyliner is down, you have to contend with buses only and you only have two hands to deal with a toddler and a stroller - been there, done that, not fun. OP, stay where you will be in the closest proximity to whichever parks you are visiting most. It will make your vacation much easier.

a 4 year old is not a toddler, a 4 year old is almost kindergarten age.

OP I’m taking my 4 (will be a month from 5) year old granddaughter to WDW in Feb for her first trip, she is princess obsessed so we are staying in a Little Mermaid room at AofA. But in all reality, theres no bad choice!

 

[sponica]

Honestly, pick the hotel you can afford with the amenities/proximity that work for you. I'd probably be inclined to do Epcot area (Yacht Club or Beach Club) as I think those hotels are closer to more parks than Grand Floridian (and I have NO desire to stay at Boardwalk).

 

[SnowWhitee]

You've gotten some great input. On our very first trip our youngest had just turned 2 and our oldest was just shy of her 3rd birthday. I think the most important thing I would impress upon you is the ability to take a break in the middle of the day. Think about which park you will spend the majority of your time in and select a resort in that area. Even if your daughter is past napping at home, don't underestimate how tired she will get with all the walking and stimulation.

 

[Shellyred8]

Grand Floridian is the best of those with a 4 year old since Magic Kingdom is right there.

Another vote for GF. In addition to proximity to MK, I think their pool is really good for that age. Also, if your kiddo loves the monorail, you can just hop on that at any time and go for a ride.