recommendations for a single mom and toddler?

[nancy drew]

hi all. i am thinking about taking a last minute trip to disney with my almost 15 month old. ive got baby #2 due in the fall and i want to get away with her before travel becomes impossible. i would like to go asap, which means i cant really wait for special deals or discounts. i was thinking may and april might be cheaper anyway, but i guess not.

anyway, im looking for the "easiest" and least expensive place to stay. by "easiest" i mean something with easy access to magic kingdom and other parks, maybe on the monorail? is there a thread or place that lists which hotels are on the monorail system? is the monorail even the easiest way to travel between hotel and parks with a toddler? and i want to stay somewhere nice, since its just going to be the two of us i want to feel safe and have dining options and everything nearby.

other travel tips for traveling solo with a toddler in disney?

thanks in advance!

 

[Ladyhawke10]

hi all. i am thinking about taking a last minute trip to disney with my almost 15 month old. ive got baby #2 due in the fall and i want to get away with her before travel becomes impossible. i would like to go asap, which means i cant really wait for special deals or discounts. i was thinking may and april might be cheaper anyway, but i guess not.

anyway, im looking for the "easiest" and least expensive place to stay. by "easiest" i mean something with easy access to magic kingdom and other parks, maybe on the monorail? is there a thread or place that lists which hotels are on the monorail system? is the monorail even the easiest way to travel between hotel and parks with a toddler? and i want to stay somewhere nice, since its just going to be the two of us i want to feel safe and have dining options and everything nearby.

other travel tips for traveling solo with a toddler in disney?

thanks in advance!

Honestly, I think the Wilderness Lodge is the least expensive of the MK resorts and offers a boat ride to the MK. It has a relaxing theme and lots of great eating options. Standard rooms there are a decent deal. On the monorail line (yes, that would be the easiest for MK, but more expensive than WL) the garden rooms in the Contemporary would be the least expensive. You can even walk to the MK from there which is convenient for many, and they have a great convenience store in the lobby (plus lots of great restaurants). The monorail will also get you to Epcot fairly quickly.

I traveled alone w/ my toddler and we had a wonderful time. It was a few years ago, he's five now, but we tried GF, YC, WL, the Swan, the BWI and AKL all during his toddler years (we visited a lot! ). GF is the easiest, and unfortunately, the priciest by far. The WL was lovely and convenient and probably my pick for a less expensive MK resort option. I'm sure many would recommend the Poly for convenience and toddler friendliness, but it is expensive as well and I would give GF my vote because of the children's activities and fountain play area.

 

[DisnyMama]

Since you are down to the wire I would contact Sue Ellen at Dreams Unlimited, sueellen@dreamsunlimitedtravel.com. She can do all the leg work for you and tell you what the prices would be for what resorts. The Monorail resorts will be the most expensive. You can only access the Magic Kingdom and Epcot via the Monorail so you would use the bus system for Animal Kingdom and Disney MGM Studios. A good option would be the Wilderness Lodge that you access the Magic Kingdom by boat from accross the Lake (it is also a Deluxe resort). Sometimes faster than the Monorail. Anyway, talk to Sue Ellen and let her know your concerns and wishes. She is great.

I will tell you as a single mom after our first trip to WDW a few years ago one of the reasons why we continue to return is the safety factor. I have taken my DS to San Diego and to Las Vegas and never felt truly safe. I always felt very safe and comfortable at WDW.

I hope you are able to go and have a wonderful time.
Shannon

 

[Ladyhawke10]

I will tell you as a single mom after our first trip to WDW a few years ago one of the reasons why we continue to return is the safety factor. I have taken my DS to San Diego and to Las Vegas and never felt truly safe. I always felt very safe and comfortable at WDW.

I hope you are able to go and have a wonderful time.
Shannon

ITA I loved feeling completely safe while I walked around with my toddler everywhere. I felt so taken care of by the transportation system and all the resort amenities. It was so easy to have fun It was the best place to go as a single mom with my young child, for sure

 

[HeatherPage]

The only thing about the Wilderness Lodge that may not appeal to you with a 15 month old and being pregnant is you take a boat from the WL to the MK. Which is great, except I have a very active son who would be all over the place if we let him and the boat dock only has ropes separating the people from the very dark water, so either he'd have to be in his stroller at the boat dock holding on to one of our hands at every second or being carried by us or on daddy's shoulders so he didn't run around/near the edge of the boat dock about giving me a heart attack every time. I'm not sure how active your 15 month old is but with two of us with him it was nerve wracking, I can't imagine being just me and him AND pregnant and having to do that. If you can afford it, I'd go for either the Polynesian or the Contemporary which are both on the monorail. The contemporary you could actually walk to the MK if you wanted to (or take the monorail), monorail to Epcot and busses to everywhere else. At the Poly its the monorail to the MK, monorail to Epcot and busses to everywhere else also. Have a great trip whatever you decide!

 

[NCombs]

I think a Contemporary garden wing room sounds good for your situation. I hope you have a great time.