PLEASE Help me decide :-)

[kimberlyp02]

Ok, here I go....this is the coolest board ever. I've been reading for a few days now and I know, I know...I should have my answers already..lol

We are going to Disney the last week of Sept or first week of Oct this year. My dd will be 2 1/2 and my dh and I will be with her. So, the three of us.

We just applied yesterday for a Disney Visa and were planning on getting the 7 nights for the price of 4 deal. Is that the best deal out there right now? If not, can anyone help on how to get a better one?

Also, we don't want to spend alot of money, but the resorts we are currently looking at are any of the moderate resorts and the AKL and WL. We aren't crazy about the POR decor, although boat service to DTD would be nice and CBR seems like transport may be a problem, also with WL isn't there bus system confusing? Anyway, we just want what will be most convenient. I know some of you have young kids and have some great advice to give me.

Which is the best to stay at with a 2 1/2 yr old? We want something that is really easy to get to parks, but also easy to get back to for naps and easy to get to eating places, etc.

I need some advice. My head feels like it's going to explode soon. I've been going to book every resort there in the last week or two...lol....there is WAY too much to decide. We have been to Disney in 2001 just my dh and I and had a blast, but stayed off property, so we have NO idea about what is offered anywhere.

Also, is it worth the extra $300 to stay at WL or AKL? And is it easy to get an upgraded room that time of year? Like, can I book standard and ask for an upgrade when I get there, how likely is that to happen?

Thanks SO much for ANY advice any of you veterans can give me!

CLUELESS IN TEXAS.....
Kimberly P.

 

[Kimberle]

I can't comment on mods as I've never stayed in them.

The WL bus, no, it is not at all confusing. You take the boat (can roll stroller on) to MK, and buses everywhere else. You read the location on the front of the bus or ask the driver, & hop on. Plus, there are different bus stops for various departure locations.

WL also has a wonderful little boat (must fold the stroller) that goes CR/WL/FW. Making it VERY easy to hop over to Chef Mickeys at CR or Trails End at FW. If you have a very early PS at MK (before the park is open), just take the boat to CR & walk or monorail over to MK. We did it for Cindy's. Took abt 40 minutes door to door.

WL has a food court & 2 great resturants. Whispering Caynon is especially child friendly. Your child *will* be entertained. AP is a little more upscale, but very welcoming to small children. It is very easy to access resturants at the Poly as there is a direct bus to TTC (Poly is at TTC). To get to GF resturants, boat to CR, monorail to GF.

FW is especially nice for little ones. My dd really enjoyed the small petting zoo. There are pony rides ($3, closed toe shoe required). HoopDeeDoo & Mickeys BBQ are right off the boat at FW too. It's a very "low key" place to unwind.

WL has a fab pool. My dd especially enjoyed the kiddie pool. I loved not having to worry abt her getting to deep in a zero entry pool. (Last year we stayed at a hotel w/ a zero entry pool & I had to watch her like a hawk so she would get to deep.)

As for a better deal. I expect codes for late summer will come out in another month or two. (I'm waiting too.)

I can't comment on AKL as I've not stayed there.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

Welcome to DIS!!!

I think that any of the resorts that you have to bus to make it difficult with a toddler, the stroller, etc. And if you are trying to go back to the room every day during that time of the year, with shortened park hours it will be very difficult. I'm not sure of the park hours in late Sept/early Oct, but a couple of weeks ago the parks closed at 7pm (5pm for AK). They opened at 9am (the early entry parks at 8am) so if you're gone for a few hours during the early afternoon that won't leave a lot of touring hours. Of course the parks are not crowded, but it still takes time to go on rides, baby swap the bigger rides, and go to shows.

I would suggest either spending the money and staying at a monorail resort. I think that the Poly is best because it is an easy monorail trip to MK and you can walk to the Ticket and Transportation Center (TTC) and ride a different monorail to Epcot. You would then only have to bus to MGM and AK.

The second option would be to rent a car to make it faster and less of a hassle to get to the parks. That doesn't work for the MK because parking is not close to the park (you still have to ride the monorail or the ferry). If you get to the parks before opening the parking is not bad and it would make it easier to lug all your things with you.

One more option is to let your daughter take her naps in her stroller and not worry about going back the hotel until either after the parks close or after you are all exhausted in the late afternoon. If you stay in the parks until late afternoon you wouldn't have time to return to the parks later, but you will probably be too tired, anyway.

I went to WDW with my 4yo recently and my sister came and joined us. We had her car so we drove to the parks every day, except to MK which we bused to (the buses let a person out close to the park). We stayed all day, every day in the parks until closing, or close to it. My son took his naps in the stroller, which worked out fine. He doesn't nap at home, but was so sleepy with the early mornings and long days that he had no problem napping.

It is easy to get to MK from WL and that is a beautiful hotel. I'm not as crazy about AK, even though it is worth a trip to look at the animals and eat at Boma.

Have fun with your planning!

T&B

 

[kimberlyp02]

Ok, I'm freaking out..lol....all these abbreviations I'm not used to yet...lol Do you have a list somewhere? If not, what is CR? Thanks! And your pics are AWESOME!! Making me want to go NOW!

 

[ThwTwinsMom]

Kimberly,

We went when my boys were 4.5 years old. I chose WL because it was close and had easy access to the parks. After doing lots of research, I thought we would need to come back and take breaks too. As it turned out, we didn't need to. We were able to stay until late afternoon and then head back to the hotel for dinner and relaxation. We took their umbrella strollers everywhere so they wouldn't tire out. It was easy to get the strollers on the boat to MK and on the buses. The bus system is not confusing at all. There was one stop. It was easy access. The buses were clearly labeled where they were going.

Hope this helps!

 

[kimberlyp02]

Ok...lol Contemporary Resort...right? Took me a minute or two...lol

 

[kimberlyp02]

So do you have any suggestions about another time of year to go? We have to take the vacation between May and October, but were wanting to avoid crowds and most of the heat of summer. That's why we chose Sept/Oct. Do the parks close that much earlier?

And also, Can you see the fireworks from WL too?

 

[kimberlyp02]

I think we have decided that although we would like to stay at AKL, it's a little farther than we'd like to be from everything. We aren't crazy about POR decor either. So, we have narrowed it down to CBR or WL. Which out of these. We would like to save the extra $300 and stay at CBR, but are concerned about the transportation not being as good because of having to wait and also how far apart everything there is...

Is it worth the extra $$$?

 

[Tigger&Belle]

Between those two I would chose WL because of the ease of getting to the Magic Kingdom.

I think that late September/early October would be a great time to go. The hours are shorter, but that only means that there aren't so many crowds to fight. I've only been in the summer once and did not enjoy it. I've been the end of January 3 times (slow season, can be a little cool, short hours), May once (more people, hot weather, not a bad time to go, and I just took a February trip (about the same as my late January trips). I would like to go this September, if my husband and I can get his parents to fly out and watch the kids. I would also like to go in early December (my birthday), but haven't mentioned that one to my husband. lol

Watch for codes to save $ on the room. I would love to stay at WL again, especially if my husband and I go without our kids.

T&B

 

[Eeyore1928]

We just booked CBR for this May with our then 18 month old. I will let you know. We stayed at the AKL with her last May and CSR Dec 2002. I liked AKL better than CSR by far. I really like WL a lot. We honeymooned there. We are trying to stay at every resort which is why we are trying CBR, plus it is a quick 3 night stay. WL is definately worth the extra$$$ in my opinion. The lines are all but non-existent during the time you are looking at. Teh weather will be perfect! I know choosing a resort is always hard for me too. I would go WL if it was me.

 

[kimberlyp02]

Eeyore: So you think that WL is a better pick than AKL? Was it close enough to everything else too? Thanks SO much for all of your advice guys...keep it coming...I'm so excited to now be a part of this board

 

[Eeyore1928]

We have stayed at AKL 2 and WL 4x and I truly enjoy WL more. Sure the Savannah view rooms are great at AKL, however I enjoy the quick service meals at WL better, the closeness to MK, the boat to MK, the geyser, The lobby, the lake view, the water fall, the electric water parade, the boat to Cont. to get on the monorail, the closeness to the Grand/Poly/Cont. for thier restuarants. At AKL I liked thier shop better, their pool (even though I never had time to use it), Jiko, the animals, and it is close to AK which is my favorite park next to MK (which is why WL wins over AKL).

Any questions just let me know!

 

[Eeyore1928]

Oh and it seems to me to be much closer to everything else than AKL due in part to the access to the monorail I suppose. They are both wonderful resorts, and everyone just has their little quirks as to why they like one over another!

 

[Tinkerbelle739]

I went in 2000 w/ a DS 1 and a DD 2 and we chose to stay at the GF because of convenience sake. With monorail, and ferry service it made it much easier. With that said if I were you I would chose WL over AKL. The WL is closer to the MK and with the ferry it is a quick way to get there and back. I suggest bringing along an inexpensive umbrella stroller. Yes, you can rent strollers at WDW but they have to stay in the park. We found that taking a stroller that folds up is best. When you have a sleeping toddler, you do not want to wake them and you dont want to have to carry them! We had no problem getting it on to the ferry or the monorail or the buses for that matter. ( BTW, we stayed at POR in Oct and loved it. ) I am sure whatever you decide you will have an amazing time.

Wishing everyone a "magical" day!

 

[kimberlyp02]

Thanks SO much guys!! I think we have decided for SURE to stay at the WL. That is unless some other discount comes up for another resort that's better. Although, I must say that the only ones I'll consider now most likely are the monorail resorts(besides WL). Anyway, THANKS!! You've made this MUCH easier on me

 

[Lexxiefern]

I just wanted to pipe in and say that you will love the WL. We stayed there last April when my DD was 2 1/2. She loved it. The boat ride to MK is wonderful!! You made a good choice

 

[leighe]

My sister and I are considering staying at WL over Christmas. I think you made an excellent choice - especially with a small child. DH and I stayed at CBR and loved it and while we were there we spent time with friends who were staying at WL with their three year old daughter - they thought it was so great and convienent. Their DD loved the ferry to MK. I bet your son would enjoy the Mickey's Backyard Barbeque at Ft. Wilderness.

 

[kimberlyp02]

Thanks! We really thought maybe we could save the extra $300 and use it for food/etc, but then just thought we would just go for it and stay where we would be most relaxed and have the most fun.....

YIKES...I really want to save this money But who can pass up the 7nights for price of 4 deal!!

My dd is going to be 2 1/2 when we go and we are going to get pregnant soon after that, or start trying. We figured we would just go ahead and do it and have a really nice vacation with her before we have another baby. I figure, when I look back on this years from now, I would've kicked myself for not doing it, you know? GREAT memories!

 

[momto2girls]

You definitely made the right choice about the WL! I've stayed at both the WL and CBR before and there is no comparison. With a small child, the WL will be sooooo much more convenient. CBR is big and spread out. Depending on where your room is located, it can be quite a walk to the food court. Also, it is a large resort and the buses can be really crowded. WL is so nice and the boat ride to MK is so pleasant.

We are going in May with our two young children. We are staying at the Poly because it is supposed to be the most child friendly due to the monorail and because we've never stayed there before, but it was a hard choice because I love the WL!

 

[kimberlyp02]

Just seeing if my counter is working!