Think like a 3-year-old...

[Little MerGirl]

DH and I are taking my 3-year-old nephew to WDW for the first time in January. He's never been before. We've been a bunch of times, but never with kids.

Would you stay at ASM (theming) or BLT (convenience)?

The trip will be for four days, and we plan to visit all parks... except maybe AK, time permitting.

We'll be going back in February for our vacation, so this is really all about the little guy. What would a 3-year-old like better?

 

[pepe of ohio]

Even a garden room would be nice.....especially nice water play area near main pool of CR.....just on location alone, seeing most time will be spent in the MK......just logistics.....monorail or walk to the MK.....

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I would go with Bay Lake Tower because you will have the walkway to the Magic Kingdom and Resort Monorail access from the Contemporary.

 

[jimandami]

From a 3 year-old perspective, I would say one of the values or a pirate themed room at CBR. I say this because we have always stayed deluxe (BWV, BC, AKV, and next BLT) and my DS7 asked me the other day if next time we could please stay at Pop Century or a pirate room at CBR Now, from a convenience perspective, obviously BLT is a better option, especially if you will be heading back to the resort mid-day for naps/swimming.

 

[crabbygal902]

If $$$ is not a consideration, I'd choose BLT. When we stayed at the Contemporary in 2009 with our 2 young kids, it was perfect for them. They could watch the monorail, the buses, and the MK activity and fireworks from our balcony. It was a 10-15 min walk to the MK from our room, so we could come and go as we liked. It was so convenient for naps, when somebody forgot something in the room, or when we just felt like hopping over for an hour or so. The biggest problem was getting the kids to go to sleep. The castle changed colors all night long and they wanted to watch! What a nice problem to have.

 

[CoachBagFanatic]

How sweet of you and your DH to be taking your DNephew to WDW. Our choice would be BLT all the way. A 3 year old is going to be happy no matter where they stay. Besides, being able to walk to and from MK is priceless especially with a 3 year old. The monorail going through the resort for a 3 year old, heck for most of us is an amazing thing as well. Also, staying at BLT you can use both BLT pool as well as CR pool which we did last year and thought it was great. You also have the monorail which you can use to go to the Poly and GF for dining and easy access to the Epcot monorail at TTC. Happy Planning.

 

[gigi1313]

what is your 3yo into? nemo? then i'd go for a nemo room at CBR... Toy Story, TS section at ASMo... etc... if he's not into any of the themed type rooms, then i'd go w/CR (for my convenience)...

 

[danielephant]

jimandami i totally agree!!! The values are what DD who is 3 years old was oooing and ahhhing over. One with toy story would make him SUPER happy i think!!!

but the others would be nice for the closeness to MK

 

[michelleiada]

I would choose BLT without a doubt if saving money is not an important factor here. IMHO there is no comparison in the two resorts. First, BLT is a deluxe resort and AS resorts are value. BLT will offer larger and more luxurious and comfortable accomodations. The location alone would make the decision for me. You will save a ton of time by staying at BLT because you won't have to wait for the buses for every park. You will be right at Magic Kingdom and have the monorail to EPCOT. You have many more options for dining staying at BLT. At the AS resorts you will only have a food court. Your overall experience will be better...again in my opinion. I have never stayed at a value resort but my sister has and we have been to Disney at the same exact times, me at a deluxe and her at a value and our experiences were entirely different because of the resorts we stayed at. She was constantly in line for a bus!

 

[MickeyNicki]

We took our 3 year old niece to POR and it was a nice and she had fun but the only thing she liked about the resort was the speed bumps by the main entrance!

Looking back I wish we stayed on the monorail, would have made things easier....when we took her back 3 years later we stayed at the Poly and she thought she died and went to heaven!

 

[Turk February]

We are going to WDW next month with our 2 1/2 year old and we are staying at Contemporary for the convenience. Between the walk to MK and the monorail, it's the best for us. If money is not an issue, I vote BLT.

 

[april5675]

BLT for sure!!!! We stay there all the time and love the walk to the MK in the morning and in the evening!!!! My husband and I are taking our DD 3 in Feb and we would not want to stay anywhere else.

 

[bnk1120]

If you want to know what a 3 year old will enjoy most I am quite sure it is NOT BLT. My little one LOVED the values at that age! Even after we stayed at our first deluxe she begged for All Star Music. If you want to make the trip super special for the child, pick a value. The bright colors, large icons and fun atmosphere are all very appealing to kids (as well as the young at heart ) My personal favorite is Pop Century- love the theming, grounds and food court. Can't wait to stay at the new animation resort too!

 

[nklooz]

If he's still taking naps and you think you'll primarily be at MK, I defn. vote for BLT for the convenience to head back for nap times w/o tons of time spent on travel. We chose CR for this reason w/DD2 on our upcoming trip.

 

[nklooz]

Just wanted to add that while he may prefer the theme of the value more, ease of naps equals a better rested child who will have much more fun and less travel time equals more park time. Both of those, IMHO, outweigh resort theming. Plus, BLT seems to have an awesome pool!

 

[AJA]

Bay Lake Tower!

The most important thing is you keeping things simple and easy. Believe me, if you have never traveled to Disney alone with kids before this will be tough on you. You are going to get stressed, the most important thing for him to have a good time is you all having a good time. He'll feed off your energy. You will need a stroller. You'll be in MK a lot. Stay close to the MK.

He will not remember the resort. So keep your comfort in mind when picking the hotel.

 

[Belle83]

If he were a little older, I would say All-Stars. I would personally do the Contemporary, because it would be so much more convenient for Magic Kingdom and for the restaurants nearby.

 

[MainMom]

With a 3 year old in a stroller BLT on the monorail is the best choice!

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

From a 3yo boy POV, the All Star resorts.

But my son doesn't really know about those as we purchased DVC when he was a baby.


There is such a HUGE jump in price between the two, so I would hesitate to pay cash for BLT if my 3yo would be happy at the All Star Resort. Getting around with a 3yo isn't THAT bad. And he would get a greater kick out of the decor .