Staying at Disney world for 13 nights how to get around! Need help planning the vacation.

[Robvilla123]

Hello everyone first post here!
I’m going to Walt Disney world march 25 to April 7 and arriving to Florida at 6 am. We are DVC new owners, It’s myself, wife, 6 month old and a 10 year old. We are arriving to boardwalk and only staying there for 1 night as our plane ticket was cheaper flying that certain date and we saved some money on the flight. We are then moving to animal kingdom Kidani for 3 nights, then moving to Jambo house for 6 nights and then finishing up our trip at the Polynesian resort for 3 nights. I have a few worries. First we are buying 6 or 7 days of Disney tickets as we want to relax and spend time in the hotels as it is important for my wife to relax with the kids rather than stressing out about going to the parks every day. I am worried about moving hotel 3 times during the 14 day stay and as it can be a lost of a day each time, that’s 3 days of wasted time enjoying. I can still cancel my Jambo stay and stay at kadani for 9 nights instead but I’ve heard and read here that Kidani is kind of isolated to the food area and the nice lobby of the Jambo house and that is important to us as we are buying the regular dining plan and staying at a studio in each hotel. We are not renting a car so I’m worried if Disney will take us to the different hotels like from boardwalk to AKL. Another question I have for you guys is if 9 nights at the animal kingdom lodge is too much? We are not staying at a savanna view room and there is still a chance of getting one more night at Polynesia and having 4 nights instead of 3 and cutting a day from AKL. So many questions and hopefully I can get some help from the more Walt Disney world experts! Thank guys!

 

[sam_gordon]

Hello everyone first post here!
I’m going to Walt Disney world march 25 to April 7 and arriving to Florida at 6 am. We are DVC new owners, It’s myself, wife, 6 month old and a 10 year old. We are arriving to boardwalk and only staying there for 1 night as our plane ticket was cheaper flying that certain date and we saved some money on the flight. We are then moving to animal kingdom Kidani for 3 nights, then moving to Jambo house for 6 nights and then finishing up our trip at the Polynesian resort for 3 nights. I have a few worries. First we are buying 6 or 7 days of Disney tickets as we want to relax and spend time in the hotels as it is important for my wife to relax with the kids rather than stressing out about going to the parks every day. I am worried about moving hotel 3 times during the 14 day stay and as it can be a lost of a day each time, that’s 3 days of wasted time enjoying. I can still cancel my Jambo stay and stay at kadani for 9 nights instead but I’ve heard and read here that Kidani is kind of isolated to the food area and the nice lobby of the Jambo house and that is important to us as we are buying the regular dining plan and staying at a studio in each hotel. We are not renting a car so I’m worried if Disney will take us to the different hotels like from boardwalk to AKL. Another question I have for you guys is if 9 nights at the animal kingdom lodge is too much? We are not staying at a savanna view room and there is still a chance of getting one more night at Polynesia and having 4 nights instead of 3 and cutting a day from AKL. So many questions and hopefully I can get some help from the more Walt Disney world experts! Thank guys!

To get from resort to resort (except for Jambo <--> Kidani), you would need to get a bus to a park or Disney Springs, then another bus to the next resort (sub monorail/boat/skyliner as necessary). Disney will move your bags for you.

 

[apartment j]

I'm hesitant to point out the negative in this plan because I'm sure you're excited about your trip and I don't want to take away from that, but... 2 adults, with a 10 year old and a 6 month old in a studio sounds really unpleasant to me. Have you thought this through, with sleep schedules and all? Won't your 6 month old wake up your 10 year old, and vice versa?
Moving 3 times, isn't something I'd want to do, but I could see it going smoothly with a car, or with older kids, but babies need so much stuff. Won't it be a pain to pack all of that up so many times? Also, when I travel with a baby or a toddler I find myself feeling the need to disinfect and sanitize things in the room, on a level much greater than I do for just adults or older kids. Do you want to have to do that 3 times? As for transportation between resorts, you'll either need to switch buses at a park or pay for a taxi or ride share. If you won't have a car seat you'll probably need to hire a Minnie Van for each move, as they come equipped with them.
Maybe you're fine with all of this, and if so, I wish you a fabulous trip, but I encourage you to really think through the sleeping arrangements of a studio accomodation and the logistics of moving your family so many times. Vacation should be fun, and relaxing. I feel like you're creating a lot of extra work for yourself as well as setting your family up for some sleepless nights.
Best Wishes

ps- AKL is the only deluxe resort we've never visited, therefore I couldn't comment on your concerns about your length of stay there

 

[Robvilla123]

I'm hesitant to point out the negative in this plan because I'm sure you're excited about your trip and I don't want to take away from that, but... 2 adults, with a 10 year old and a 6 month old in a studio sounds really unpleasant to me. Have you thought this through, with sleep schedules and all? Won't your 6 month old wake up your 10 year old, and vice versa?
Moving 3 times, isn't something I'd want to do, but I could see it going smoothly with a car, or with older kids, but babies need so much stuff. Won't it be a pain to pack all of that up so many times? Also, when I travel with a baby or a toddler I find myself feeling the need to disinfect and sanitize things in the room, on a level much greater than I do for just adults or older kids. Do you want to have to do that 3 times? As for transportation between resorts, you'll either need to switch buses at a park or pay for a taxi or ride share. If you won't have a car seat you'll probably need to hire a Minnie Van for each move, as they come equipped with them.
Maybe you're fine with all of this, and if so, I wish you a fabulous trip, but I encourage you to really think through the sleeping arrangements of a studio accomodation and the logistics of moving your family so many times. Vacation should be fun, and relaxing. I feel like you're creating a lot of extra work for yourself as well as setting your family up for some sleepless nights.
Best Wishes

ps- AKL is the only deluxe resort we've never visited, therefore I couldn't comment on your concerns about your length of stay there

thank you for your honest opinion as it is always best to hear it from someone outside to see it a a different perspective.If we do get a 1 bedroom it would cut our vacation in half.The one thing I can still do is fly directly to AKL instead of boardwalk and that takes away a switch from one hotel to the other. Thanks so much you got me thinking!

 

[Welsh_Dragon]

I have done split stays and the key to doing them and not ‘losing’ a time/a day is to leave one hotel in the morning at whatever time you normally hit the parks, check in online to the new hotel, spend the day in the parks but not travel to the new hotel until after 4 and then generally your new room will be ready. As others have said this may be more problematic with a baby and the need to access baby stuff. Use bell services to move your luggage from resort to resort.
If the intention is a stress free holiday and spending time with the children, I would aim to minimise your resort changes.
Without a Savannah view you can still enjoy AKL Jambo as there are nice communal areas with a few rocking chairs to just sit and enjoy the view, but then Broadwalk has the ‘promenade’ for a stroll which may be nice with a sleeping baby in a pushchair.
Or would you consider FQ? A moderate but the walk along the river path and the boat ride to Disney Springs may be nice with a sleeping baby.
I hope that you find what suits your family best and have a fabulous time.

 

[Spunky946]

We changed several times on our last trip and it was no big deal. You call bell services when you are ready to leave and they come to get your bags. They will tell you your bags are not guaranteed until 5 I think. We went to a water park the one day and a park the next time. Got to the new resort after 3. When we got to our new room we called bell services. The first time the luggage was there and they brought it right up. The second time I called it wasn’t there, but they called back 5 minutes later and it was available.
Now my kids were older and we had no set nap time, so for us it was fine. I’d probably just not plan a down day on move day and you will be fine.

 

[Robvilla123]

I have done split stays and the key to doing them and not ‘losing’ a time/a day is to leave one hotel in the morning at whatever time you normally hit the parks, check in online to the new hotel, spend the day in the parks but not travel to the new hotel until after 4 and then generally your new room will be ready. As others have said this may be more problematic with a baby and the need to access baby stuff. Use bell services to move your luggage from resort to resort.
If the intention is a stress free holiday and spending time with the children, I would aim to minimise your resort changes.
Without a Savannah view you can still enjoy AKL Jambo as there are nice communal areas with a few rocking chairs to just sit and enjoy the view, but then Broadwalk has the ‘promenade’ for a stroll which may be nice with a sleeping baby in a pushchair.
Or would you consider FQ? A moderate but the walk along the river path and the boat ride to Disney Springs may be nice with a sleeping baby.
I hope that you find what suits your family best and have a fabulous time.

Thanks so much for your recommendation and and input it is very important to me. I do have a question for you is animal kingdom lodge a good place to be 9 nights or 10 nights? I’ve heard the buses can be very difficult to get to the parks. Can you share your experience? Thank you

 

[Searc]

Hello everyone first post here!
I’m going to Walt Disney world march 25 to April 7 and arriving to Florida at 6 am. We are DVC new owners, It’s myself, wife, 6 month old and a 10 year old. We are arriving to boardwalk and only staying there for 1 night as our plane ticket was cheaper flying that certain date and we saved some money on the flight. We are then moving to animal kingdom Kidani for 3 nights, then moving to Jambo house for 6 nights and then finishing up our trip at the Polynesian resort for 3 nights. I have a few worries. First we are buying 6 or 7 days of Disney tickets as we want to relax and spend time in the hotels as it is important for my wife to relax with the kids rather than stressing out about going to the parks every day. I am worried about moving hotel 3 times during the 14 day stay and as it can be a lost of a day each time, that’s 3 days of wasted time enjoying. I can still cancel my Jambo stay and stay at kadani for 9 nights instead but I’ve heard and read here that Kidani is kind of isolated to the food area and the nice lobby of the Jambo house and that is important to us as we are buying the regular dining plan and staying at a studio in each hotel. We are not renting a car so I’m worried if Disney will take us to the different hotels like from boardwalk to AKL. Another question I have for you guys is if 9 nights at the animal kingdom lodge is too much? We are not staying at a savanna view room and there is still a chance of getting one more night at Polynesia and having 4 nights instead of 3 and cutting a day from AKL. So many questions and hopefully I can get some help from the more Walt Disney world experts! Thank guys!

It would be less stressful for her to stay at one place, instead of having to jump to four different places.

 

[Searc]

I'm hesitant to point out the negative in this plan because I'm sure you're excited about your trip and I don't want to take away from that, but... 2 adults, with a 10 year old and a 6 month old in a studio sounds really unpleasant to me. Have you thought this through, with sleep schedules and all? Won't your 6 month old wake up your 10 year old, and vice versa?
Moving 3 times, isn't something I'd want to do, but I could see it going smoothly with a car, or with older kids, but babies need so much stuff. Won't it be a pain to pack all of that up so many times? Also, when I travel with a baby or a toddler I find myself feeling the need to disinfect and sanitize things in the room, on a level much greater than I do for just adults or older kids. Do you want to have to do that 3 times? As for transportation between resorts, you'll either need to switch buses at a park or pay for a taxi or ride share. If you won't have a car seat you'll probably need to hire a Minnie Van for each move, as they come equipped with them.
Maybe you're fine with all of this, and if so, I wish you a fabulous trip, but I encourage you to really think through the sleeping arrangements of a studio accomodation and the logistics of moving your family so many times. Vacation should be fun, and relaxing. I feel like you're creating a lot of extra work for yourself as well as setting your family up for some sleepless nights.
Best Wishes

ps- AKL is the only deluxe resort we've never visited, therefore I couldn't comment on your concerns about your length of stay there

They'll also be without a room every time they move, which would be majorly stressful with an infant.

 

[apartment j]

They'll also be without a room every time they move, which would be majorly stressful with an infant.

Yes, for some it would be "majorly stressful". Others seem to be more flexible and have no issue going with the flow, as evidenced by how many people on the board consider split stays no big deal. I'm sure it also depends on the personalities of the children. OP knows his family best and if he considers all of this I think he'll make the best choice for his crew.

To the comment that doing a 1 bedroom over a studio would cut the trip in half, I'm one of those people who would take the 1 bedroom for half the time. That's me though. Everyone has to decide what makes their own trip the most enjoyable for them.

 

[NJ Goofy]

I would cut out at least one of the moves to make it a little easier on you and your wife. I would also consider using the Minnie Van service to move from resort to resort or as other posts have said let Bell Services move your bags and go directly to one of the parks on your move day. Then just after lunch head to your new resort. Remember you want to enjoy your vacation and relax a little, you surely don't want to make it a "stressful" ten days. Also, you may want to consider a studio at one resort and a one-bedroom at the next and just cut your trip down to 7 days.

 

[SL6827]

Love the AKL. I would stay there the whole time is possible.

 

[VAfamily1998]

Babies really don't need "so much stuff." The pack n play is provided by Disney at each resort, so OP won't have to transport that. Some clothes, diapers, and a couple blankets....that's about it. My family moved cross country when my kids were 6, 4, 2, and 6 weeks old. We had to live in a hotel for 8 weeks during the transition, and just kept almost all the "baby stuff" in storage with our household furniture/goods. It's amazing how few things babies actually need, compared to what we think they need.

OP, if it's important to you to stay a long time at Disney, have you checked out DVC resorts like Old Key West or Saratoga Springs? The Polynesian is one of the more expensive DVC, but OKW and Saratoga Springs are usually cheaper. You might be able to get a 1 bedroom unit at one of those resorts for a total closer to what you are paying for the studio at Polynesian.

 

[loves to dive]

You've been given some great advise so I won't repeat any of it but here is my two cents. I do split stays every trip, admittedly it's just me or me and my adult son but we still move resorts. We just get up in the morning and go about our day like we always would. That might mean go have breakfast and then go to a park or just go to a park or hang out at the resort for awhile, then go to a park. You will get a text when your room is ready at resort #2 and you can head back there at that time or not.

As far as the buses at AKL, they are no worse or no better than at any of the other resorts. The buses are the buses are the buses and you are going to have good experiences and not so good experiences no matter where you stay. I have stayed at just about every resort on property except - one of the All Stars, AoA, POFQ, SS and WL (have stayed at the campground though) and used Disney transport the entire time we are there. AKL is not far from any of the parks except MK and all the resorts except the monorail/WL/FW are pretty far from it.

Go, enjoy, relax and don't worry about it.

 

[tjmw2727]

I would try and get your stays down to 3 if possible, either more time at BW, consolidate AKL or add a night a poly or some combination of the above.

The transportation system is good - you will have complimentary transport from the airport and transportation from resorts to parks and Disney Springs (boat, skyline, monorail, bus etc.) I don't really find any one resort having better bus service than another - but to be fair my favorite part of vacation is not driving so I may be more patient than others.

Disney will not transport you directly from one resort to another but they will move your bags. We always plan a park day when moving resorts, check out, leave bags with bell services for transport, head to a park for the day and return to the new resort to check in early evening. (Your bags won't arrive until at least 5pm so plan for that.)

The resort will provide a pack n play for the baby and a studio will have a queen bed and a pull out sofa.

We love Kidani and didn't find the food options an issue although the grab & go was limited but the walk wasn't bad and they have internal transportation to the lodge.

For that long of a stay I echo the suggestion of a PP - maybe look into Old Key West or Saratoga Springs for a 1 bedroom to see if those numbers work. You will have a full kitchen, washer dryer and someplace to let the baby nap - alternately somewhere to feed baby while everyone else is sleeping. If it were me I would definitely choose the 1 bedroom with that age baby over any of the resorts you mention (and I love the AKL!). Both those resorts have a boat to Disney Springs and lots of amenities your 10yo would enjoy while relaxing at the resort.