Resort Reccomendations with Two Little ones!

[AmyDek]

Hi I'm hoping you can help us with our upcoming Disney trip. We will be traveling with an almost three and 16 month old. We are hoping to travel the first week in May. We can't decide where to stay. The last time we went we stayed at the boardwalk 1BRV and loved it. This time we are debating between the boardwalk, animal kingdom lodge and wilderness- all 1BRV. we are thinking we will rent a car so we don't have to deal with folding the stroller up on the buses between parks. So given that I'm thinking wilderness lodge may be our best bet since the one park we won't want to drive to is magic kingdom. Do you agree? Can anyone give me some insight on the construction that is going on at wilderness lodge in the spring and how it might affect our trip? Also can you tell me if it's manageable to take the wilderness lodge boat to magic kingdom with a double stroller? Thanks!

 

[Pesky]

I haven't been in a long time but after doing an obsessive amount of research and talking with some friends who go usually twice a year, I'd probably opt for WL -- the proximity and theming are fantastic. Next choice would be AKL as you have a car so the dependency on WDW transportation isn't a factor. Personally not a fan of the look of Boardwalk, primarily because the pics of the clown pool are a tad creepy. I'd check in on the WL resort thread on the resort board as they might have more insight for you there re the construction. Also, there is this website about your first visit (not sure if I can post a link), which recommends WL and AKL for appeal to kids but overall recommends Polynesian because of proximity to TTC and being a monorail resort. Per a stroller planning link on another disney planning site, you can take your double stroller on the ferry but it says you will need to take your kids out of it and all strollers will need to be folded up. Have fun!

 

[MNDisneyMommy]

For WL and strollers - I heard it depends on the boat size and how crowded it is (and maybe the captains, not sure) - the larger one will let you roll on, but the smaller ones you'll have to fold. Regardless, you'll be folding down a fair bit. However, it is an awesome resort!

For sheer convenience of travel with little kids in strollers who need naps - I have to say BLT/Contemporary wins hands down. This is based on our stay this past Oct with our just-turned-1-year old and our almost-4-yr-old. (The usual negative is the non-kid-friendly theme, but I must say - we did a split stay and started our trip at Kidani, and my almost-4-yr-old who usually loves animals couldn't have cared less about giraffes/zebras/feeding time/birds/antelope outside her window no matter how excited mom and dad were about it. She freaked out in excitement that there was a Mickey-shaped splash pad at BLT she could see from the window and "loved the new hotel best". You just never know with kids that little).

Since we did a split stay and did the bus-stroller wrestle for a few days, by the time we got to BLT and were just walking strollers - loaded with kids and stuff and extra waters and whatever - to either MK or Epcot via monorail, it was great! It was even better on the way home when the stroller nooks and crannies were full of half-drunk sippies and random snacks and toys and wipes and etc. We stayed up for parade/fireworks one night, and to take the sleepy kiddo and put them in stroller and walk that all the way back to our room past all the crowds with no interruption was awesome. Naptime could start in the stroller and finish in the room and it was no problem. We had plenty of touring time and we took 3 hour breaks in the afternoon. (We'd get there early and tour through lunch, then break in our room and return to MK around 4 and leave again around 7:30 for our usual 8pm bedtime). We got plenty of touring time in and we had that much-needed afternoon downtime.

Also we thought we'd end up going back to Epcot, DHS or AK towards the end of the week but the kids enjoyed everything at MK so much more we just kept going back.

Kidani would be very car-friendly - you can park under the rooms, so you're never that far. If we had to stay there again, I probably would rent a car. But you're right, parking at MK - ugh. While the pool area is fantastic, it was sort of wasted on our 4-yr old - she was just as happy at the BLT pool. When she's in that 6-7-8 range, Kidani pool will be a bigger draw I'm sure. However, we adults definitely appreciated the resort and animals and theme more than either kid by a long shot.

Good luck, hope this helped somehow!

 

[AmyDek]

For WL and strollers - I heard it depends on the boat size and how crowded it is (and maybe the captains, not sure) - the larger one will let you roll on, but the smaller ones you'll have to fold. Regardless, you'll be folding down a fair bit. However, it is an awesome resort!

For sheer convenience of travel with little kids in strollers who need naps - I have to say BLT/Contemporary wins hands down. This is based on our stay this past Oct with our just-turned-1-year old and our almost-4-yr-old. (The usual negative is the non-kid-friendly theme, but I must say - we did a split stay and started our trip at Kidani, and my almost-4-yr-old who usually loves animals couldn't have cared less about giraffes/zebras/feeding time/birds/antelope outside her window no matter how excited mom and dad were about it. She freaked out in excitement that there was a Mickey-shaped splash pad at BLT she could see from the window and "loved the new hotel best". You just never know with kids that little).

Since we did a split stay and did the bus-stroller wrestle for a few days, by the time we got to BLT and were just walking strollers - loaded with kids and stuff and extra waters and whatever - to either MK or Epcot via monorail, it was great! It was even better on the way home when the stroller nooks and crannies were full of half-drunk sippies and random snacks and toys and wipes and etc. We stayed up for parade/fireworks one night, and to take the sleepy kiddo and put them in stroller and walk that all the way back to our room past all the crowds with no interruption was awesome. Naptime could start in the stroller and finish in the room and it was no problem. We had plenty of touring time and we took 3 hour breaks in the afternoon. (We'd get there early and tour through lunch, then break in our room and return to MK around 4 and leave again around 7:30 for our usual 8pm bedtime). We got plenty of touring time in and we had that much-needed afternoon downtime.

Also we thought we'd end up going back to Epcot, DHS or AK towards the end of the week but the kids enjoyed everything at MK so much more we just kept going back.

Kidani would be very car-friendly - you can park under the rooms, so you're never that far. If we had to stay there again, I probably would rent a car. But you're right, parking at MK - ugh. While the pool area is fantastic, it was sort of wasted on our 4-yr old - she was just as happy at the BLT pool. When she's in that 6-7-8 range, Kidani pool will be a bigger draw I'm sure. However, we adults definitely appreciated the resort and animals and theme more than either kid by a long shot.

Good luck, hope this helped somehow!

Thanks so much! You seriously read my mind!! I have thought about the fact that you can walk to the resort from MK as such a perk as well- and also have been shying from it because it's just not that disney deluxe hotel feel I'm looking for. I feel like convincing my husband to fork over the money for a disney deluxe hotel and having it be similar to another high rise hotel might not be the best bet! But I know we will go to MK the most and it does make the most logistical sense. If we do AKL then we would have the longest possible bus ride to MK which is just asking for trouble with two kids that age as you well know! I just called member services and they had to pass me to a few people to get me info on the construction at WL but once they found out they practically said go elsewhere, it's MAJOR. ugh. I guess I'll look into BLT. I'm just looking for that "you only get this in disney" feel and I'm afraid that will be missing, you know??

 

[AmyDek]

I haven't been in a long time but after doing an obsessive amount of research and talking with some friends who go usually twice a year, I'd probably opt for WL -- the proximity and theming are fantastic. Next choice would be AKL as you have a car so the dependency on WDW transportation isn't a factor. Personally not a fan of the look of Boardwalk, primarily because the pics of the clown pool are a tad creepy. I'd check in on the WL resort thread on the resort board as they might have more insight for you there re the construction. Also, there is this website about your first visit (not sure if I can post a link), which recommends WL and AKL for appeal to kids but overall recommends Polynesian because of proximity to TTC and being a monorail resort. Per a stroller planning link on another disney planning site, you can take your double stroller on the ferry but it says you will need to take your kids out of it and all strollers will need to be folded up. Have fun!

Thanks!! I would love Polynesian but we need a 1BR and they dont have those there. And a bungalow is not in the budget! And I just can't see doing Grand Floridian for the price since it's not even kid friendly hotel feel wise. We stayed at BW last time and truly love it, and love the proximity to HS and Epcot- especially that you can walk to and from both which is huge with stroller nappers as the poster below discusses about MK to the BLT. It's just with kids this age we spend more time at MK and it's so far from there! I just called about the construction at WL and apparently it's beyond major- guest services all but told me to go elsewhere! Thanks again for the input!

 

[MNDisneyMommy]

Glad my info was helpful. One more thing that might help - If it's in the budget and you're unsure about the "you only get this in Disney" feel - get a Magic Kingdom view. I mean, it's the castle and space mountain and all that right outside your window. It's quite a bit of Disney! We've had a MK view before and it's amazing. This trip we had a view of the pool/Bay Lake (which we liked), but we felt in the middle of Disney even just when waiting for the elevator or walking over to the Contemporary for a snack due to the views

AKL is definitely "you only get this at Disney". The savanna views are just amazing. We did the split stay for this trip because we had to, but my husband and I both loved it and agreed when we go later it will definitely be a top choice. Of course, we think that about every resort. So many excellent choices.

 

[Happyjen27]

For WL and strollers - I heard it depends on the boat size and how crowded it is (and maybe the captains, not sure) - the larger one will let you roll on, but the smaller ones you'll have to fold. Regardless, you'll be folding down a fair bit. However, it is an awesome resort!

For sheer convenience of travel with little kids in strollers who need naps - I have to say BLT/Contemporary wins hands down. This is based on our stay this past Oct with our just-turned-1-year old and our almost-4-yr-old. (The usual negative is the non-kid-friendly theme, but I must say - we did a split stay and started our trip at Kidani, and my almost-4-yr-old who usually loves animals couldn't have cared less about giraffes/zebras/feeding time/birds/antelope outside her window no matter how excited mom and dad were about it. She freaked out in excitement that there was a Mickey-shaped splash pad at BLT she could see from the window and "loved the new hotel best". You just never know with kids that little).

Since we did a split stay and did the bus-stroller wrestle for a few days, by the time we got to BLT and were just walking strollers - loaded with kids and stuff and extra waters and whatever - to either MK or Epcot via monorail, it was great! It was even better on the way home when the stroller nooks and crannies were full of half-drunk sippies and random snacks and toys and wipes and etc. We stayed up for parade/fireworks one night, and to take the sleepy kiddo and put them in stroller and walk that all the way back to our room past all the crowds with no interruption was awesome. Naptime could start in the stroller and finish in the room and it was no problem. We had plenty of touring time and we took 3 hour breaks in the afternoon. (We'd get there early and tour through lunch, then break in our room and return to MK around 4 and leave again around 7:30 for our usual 8pm bedtime). We got plenty of touring time in and we had that much-needed afternoon downtime.

Also we thought we'd end up going back to Epcot, DHS or AK towards the end of the week but the kids enjoyed everything at MK so much more we just kept going back.

Kidani would be very car-friendly - you can park under the rooms, so you're never that far. If we had to stay there again, I probably would rent a car. But you're right, parking at MK - ugh. While the pool area is fantastic, it was sort of wasted on our 4-yr old - she was just as happy at the BLT pool. When she's in that 6-7-8 range, Kidani pool will be a bigger draw I'm sure. However, we adults definitely appreciated the resort and animals and theme more than either kid by a long shot.

Good luck, hope this helped somehow!

CR/BLT all the way. The few times you have to bus and will fold up that stroller, you can remind him the magic of that resort is the fact that for the MK and EPCOT you don't have to do so.

He might be all set on the Disney feel anyway, and enjoy a sleek and modern room to get away from the frenetic energy that is sometimes Disney.

 

[AmyDek]

For WL and strollers - I heard it depends on the boat size and how crowded it is (and maybe the captains, not sure) - the larger one will let you roll on, but the smaller ones you'll have to fold. Regardless, you'll be folding down a fair bit. However, it is an awesome resort!

For sheer convenience of travel with little kids in strollers who need naps - I have to say BLT/Contemporary wins hands down. This is based on our stay this past Oct with our just-turned-1-year old and our almost-4-yr-old. (The usual negative is the non-kid-friendly theme, but I must say - we did a split stay and started our trip at Kidani, and my almost-4-yr-old who usually loves animals couldn't have cared less about giraffes/zebras/feeding time/birds/antelope outside her window no matter how excited mom and dad were about it. She freaked out in excitement that there was a Mickey-shaped splash pad at BLT she could see from the window and "loved the new hotel best". You just never know with kids that little).

Since we did a split stay and did the bus-stroller wrestle for a few days, by the time we got to BLT and were just walking strollers - loaded with kids and stuff and extra waters and whatever - to either MK or Epcot via monorail, it was great! It was even better on the way home when the stroller nooks and crannies were full of half-drunk sippies and random snacks and toys and wipes and etc. We stayed up for parade/fireworks one night, and to take the sleepy kiddo and put them in stroller and walk that all the way back to our room past all the crowds with no interruption was awesome. Naptime could start in the stroller and finish in the room and it was no problem. We had plenty of touring time and we took 3 hour breaks in the afternoon. (We'd get there early and tour through lunch, then break in our room and return to MK around 4 and leave again around 7:30 for our usual 8pm bedtime). We got plenty of touring time in and we had that much-needed afternoon downtime.

Also we thought we'd end up going back to Epcot, DHS or AK towards the end of the week but the kids enjoyed everything at MK so much more we just kept going back.

Kidani would be very car-friendly - you can park under the rooms, so you're never that far. If we had to stay there again, I probably would rent a car. But you're right, parking at MK - ugh. While the pool area is fantastic, it was sort of wasted on our 4-yr old - she was just as happy at the BLT pool. When she's in that 6-7-8 range, Kidani pool will be a bigger draw I'm sure. However, we adults definitely appreciated the resort and animals and theme more than either kid by a long shot.

Good luck, hope this helped somehow!

So I absolutely agreed with everything you said and became obsessed with BLT but I can't get a reservation. I'm super disappointed but what can I do. So I wanted to ask you since we seem to be very synced up would you do Akl kidani or jambo house Savannah view OR BWV?? Those are my only real options right now!

 

[MNDisneyMommy]

Personally, I'd probably go BWV for the Epcot and DHS walkability...at least you won't need to drive/transit for all the parks and you'll get a break. You can book some great meals for dinners after naptime too. You've been there before so you know the lay of the land - one less thing to have to figure out with kids, the better!

On the other hand, since you did stay there before, if at the heart of it you did want to try something different, and if you figure MK is the real star and you'll be driving there anyway...you wouldn't be disappointed in AKL. Animals outside your window is a pretty unique thing, and the resort has truly amazing theming. As far as Jambo vs Kidani - Jambo has a counter service, table service and fine dining whereas Kidani just has a table service (unless you count the pool bar). Kidani has super convenient parking under the rooms whereas Jambo is a separate lot. Kidani gets picked up and dropped off first on buses. Jambo has a better lobby. Kidani's pool area is awesome for kids. It's kind of a draw for me with all those factors, so I'd pick whichever strikes your fancy.

Good luck!

 

[AmyDek]

Personally, I'd probably go BWV for the Epcot and DHS walkability...at least you won't need to drive/transit for all the parks and you'll get a break. You can book some great meals for dinners after naptime too. You've been there before so you know the lay of the land - one less thing to have to figure out with kids, the better!

On the other hand, since you did stay there before, if at the heart of it you did want to try something different, and if you figure MK is the real star and you'll be driving there anyway...you wouldn't be disappointed in AKL. Animals outside your window is a pretty unique thing, and the resort has truly amazing theming. As far as Jambo vs Kidani - Jambo has a counter service, table service and fine dining whereas Kidani just has a table service (unless you count the pool bar). Kidani has super convenient parking under the rooms whereas Jambo is a separate lot. Kidani gets picked up and dropped off first on buses. Jambo has a better lobby. Kidani's pool area is awesome for kids. It's kind of a draw for me with all those factors, so I'd pick whichever strikes your fancy.

Good luck!

Thank you!! Exactly my thoughts! I don't ink at the heart of it we would like to stay somewhere new. I stayed at Bwv before my husband and I were together and I think he felt like I was showing him something from before rather than enjoying it as "ours" so I think it will be nice to try AKL. And I'm more the convenience person, he's a first impression person, so we are going to go with jambo house if I can get it and hope the conveniences aren't missed! Did I already ask you if you would drive to mk? Or take bus?

 

[brinkley07]

My 2yo loved AKL when we stayed this past fall. He was amazed with the animals and literally ran to the window when he woke up and we had to drag him in to go to bed each night. The bus ride didn't phase us even with a stroller and he actually loved it. He kept asking when the school bus was going to come, and can he ride the school bus. He was unimpressed with any of the resorts in the MK area, and seeing the castle or the boats was a short lived bit of excitement. I think you will be pleasantly surprised. It is our go to resort.

 

[LuvOrlando]

I know its not DVC but I was at the Carribean beach a few years back and wish I had discovered it with little ones. The pool area is spectacularly well set up for families. Great pool and I think it's gated which helps control runners. Alongside the main pool is an outpost pub of sorts with a movie screen on the other side of it so parents can chill while kids watch an evening Disney movie. Alongside the pool is a giant lake in the middle of the property with a peaceful & beautiful walkway all around it which is sprinkled with hammocks & a volleyball court. There are also a few quiet pools around.

Not expensive and I think walking to EPCOT is doable.

When my two were little we just had Walmart ship us 2 cheap umbrella strollers to our resort that we would give away at the end of the trip. Much easier to fold & maneuver the parks with 1 kid per parent, bathroom was easier too. I think the kids got irritable and we left them at the bus one year for another family in favor of carrying the children and switched to the ones in the park for the remainder of trip. Instead of using the stroller to store stuff my husband and I just split the load with 2 backpacks that got lighter through the day as liquids emptied.

 

[moesy4]

I know its not DVC but I was at the Carribean beach a few years back and wish I had discovered it with little ones. The pool area is spectacularly well set up for families. Great pool and I think it's gated which helps control runners. Alongside the main pool is an outpost pub of sorts with a movie screen on the other side of it so parents can chill while kids watch an evening Disney movie. Alongside the pool is a giant lake in the middle of the property with a peaceful & beautiful walkway all around it which is sprinkled with hammocks & a volleyball court. There are also a few quiet pools around.

Not expensive and I think walking to EPCOT is doable.

When my two were little we just had Walmart ship us 2 cheap umbrella strollers to our resort that we would give away at the end of the trip. Much easier to fold & maneuver the parks with 1 kid per parent, bathroom was easier too. I think the kids got irritable and we left them at the bus one year for another family in favor of carrying the children and switched to the ones in the park for the remainder of trip. Instead of using the stroller to store stuff my husband and I just split the load with 2 backpacks that got lighter through the day as liquids emptied.

Lol I am totally giggling now as I had to reread the last part two times to figure out you weren't saying you left the kids at the bus stop because they were irritable...

 

[LuvOrlando]

Lol I am totally giggling now as I had to reread the last part two times to figure out you weren't saying you left the kids at the bus stop because they were irritable...

Cracked me up! Sorry for the lack of clarity but we left the annoying strollers and took the cranky kids

 

[AspenLL]

We did AKL with our 13mo at the time and had a Savanna view. It was perfect for that age!