Toddler Trip

[MeggyMouse11]

Hey guys!

We are planning our first Disney trip in Oct/Nov 2023 with our two toddlers (one will be 2 and the other 3 at the time of travel).

We are debating whether it’s worth the splurge to stay on the monorail or if we could get by elsewhere (if so, best picks
for quick bus access, a splash pad and playground?). For context: Our plan is to do a couple of half days at MK and head over to AK one of the days - a little concerned about bringing the double stroller and having to take both kids out for transportation if we don’t stay on the monorail.

Looking forward to everyone’s weigh in on this!

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Poly will always get my vote in terms of convenience with toddlers - ideal central location, monorail access, zero entry pools, fun vibe, adult amenities. Their splash pad is slightly better for kids a little older than 2 or 3, but not overwhelmingly so (it's a bigger structure than other Disney resort splash pads). Plus fireworks viewing if they can make it up that late (or book a TPV room for a real spluge), Electrical Water Pageant, etc. It's just a very convenient resort, in my humble opinion. Getting to/from MK is typically a breeze and just "popping back over" for midday naps is very easy.

Second place at that age for me would be GF - love their kids splash pad (arguably better at 2/3 than Poly's) and also a very convenient resort overall for parents.

Of course you can "get by" at other cheaper options just fine, but if you have the means I think a monorail resort is the way to go for a first visit type of trip when so much is just you figuring out the basics of WDW and traveling with your younger crew.

Have fun!

 

[MamaMermaid]

We've been taking our son since he was months old... highly recommend the monorail!

 

[Eastern]

A monorail hotel would be great, very convenient. We always stayed off property when my kids were that young because the excitement factor of Holiday Inn pool = MK during that phase.

 

[TigerlilyAJ]

I'm assuming that money is no object if you're considering a Deluxe resort on the monorail. But you could stay at other Disney resorts and instead utilize MinnieVans to get to the parks. MinnieVans are not cheap, but two or even four a day while staying at a lower-cost hotel would still cost less than a Deluxe. They always have two carseats and room for your double stroller, and you're not dealing with crowded transportation like the monorail can be.
Toddlers are wonderful to take to the parks. Your day will be different than parties with no one under 6, but that can be a good thing and very special. Enjoy!

 

[SLThomas318]

Def a monorail resort! We stayed contemporary theme park view when our boys were that age... the walking path to the GF wasn't done yet and we wanted to be able to walk to MK. Was sooooo convenient at that age!

 

[DeeBee3]

I think any of those monorail options would be best. If it's affordable, then it's a no-brainer. There is now the path from GF to MK, so you have plenty of options. It's far too soon to know how your kids will be as far as schedules, so I would just look at the resorts themselves and see what appeals to your style and what options they have.

You've got boat, monorail or walking paths.

As far as AK, you need a bus, car or Uber no matter what, so I wouldn't worry about that. It doesn't matter where you stay because you have to drive to get there.

The great thing about being monorail is you can see fireworks from resorts even if kids need to sleep. you can sit outside or depending on your room view, sit on the balcony.

 

[MeggyMouse11]

This is all very helpful - thank you guys! We were already leaning towards the Poly but I think this may have pushed us over that way officially.

We’ve done Disney a few times as adults (rope drops to after hours parties) and are preparing for this to be a very different experience! We want to make sure it’s the most enjoyable it can be for everyone and I think the convenience of the monorail might do that for us at this age-point and then we can branch out to different resorts once they are a bit older.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

This is all very helpful - thank you guys! We were already leaning towards the Poly but I think this may have pushed us over that way officially.

We’ve done Disney a few times as adults (rope drops to after hours parties) and are preparing for this to be a very different experience! We want to make sure it’s the most enjoyable it can be for everyone and I think the convenience of the monorail might do that for us at this age-point and then we can branch out to different resorts once they are a bit older.

BTW, to the DIS!

 

[MeggyMouse11]

BTW, to the DIS!

Thank you!

 

[FSU Girl]

I’m bringing my 17 month old to Disney in a couple weeks and debated on where to stay. I ended up deciding a resort on the monorail would be easiest. We are staying at the contemporary so we can walk to magic kingdom and monorail to Epcot. You don’t have to fold up your stroller for the monorail which is convenient. The Grand Floridians splash pad looks awesome, haven’t actually gone to use it yet. But we have one night at Grand since I couldn’t get my full trip at one resort and will be enjoying the pools for sure that day.

 

[mpstroup]

Monorail Resort ABSOLUTELY worth it. Took my 3yo daughter in January and stayed at the Contemporary. Considered the Poly, but being able to walk back and forth to MK for naps or during meltdowns was a dream. All my toddler cares about at the pool is water and a slide, and the contemporary pool has one.

 

[DizneyFamof4]

I am in the minority Yes the monorail is great but I think it will be a waste of $$ since you are only going to MK for a half day anyways and not needing to go back and forth for breaks (which we hated and stopped doing). Plus, you will have to take a bus to AK. Our first stay with our infant DD was at POLY and we thought the rail was great for MK and Epcot, but we had to use the bus to AK and HS and found that it DID NOT even come close to the horror stories we read on DIS about having toddlers, strollers with buses. During our many trips we have had up to 2 strollers and then transitioned to a sit-n-stand and never had issues, DW had our girls and I handle the bag(s) and stroller(s). Since we had a stroller, our DDs never had any melt downs because they got to sit and ride whenever they were tired. I know POFQ has a great splash area for smaller kids and our girls loved the pool area also.

 

[Lumpy1106]

I am in the minority Yes the monorail is great but I think it will be a waste of $$ since you are only going to MK for a half day anyways and not needing to go back and forth for breaks (which we hated and stopped doing). Plus, you will have to take a bus to AK. Our first stay with our infant DD was at POLY and we thought the rail was great for MK and Epcot, but we had to use the bus to AK and HS and found that it DID NOT even come close to the horror stories we read on DIS about having toddlers, strollers with buses. During our many trips we have had up to 2 strollers and then transitioned to a sit-n-stand and never had issues, DW had our girls and I handle the bag(s) and stroller(s). Since we had a stroller, our DDs never had any melt downs because they got to sit and ride whenever they were tired. I know POFQ has a great splash area for smaller kids and our girls loved the pool area also.

Agree with this. You are much better off with two QUALITY umbrella strollers that you can fold down quickly as you get on transportation (not just buses - monorail, boats, skyliner too). Keep EVERYTHING in bags, remove the bags, fold down the stroller, pick up the kid (if necessary), jump on the bus - easy(ish). People are usually (though not always) good at giving you a seat, and with a good umbrella stroller you won't need more space than that.

The cost difference between a monorail resort and the other resorts is SUBSTANTIAL. It really only comes into play on your MK day. Best splash pads are AoA and AKL. QS food courts are better at the MOD and VAL resorts, really limited at the DXL monorail resorts. It's your vacation, but the cost difference didn't make sense for us.

 

[hpsalb]

We stayed at the Contemporary a few years ago for this reason, although we only did MK that trip. This was before the walking path to GF was completed.

We stayed in the Garden Wing on the first floor and loved it. We could literally open our patio door and let the kids play just outside outside. We really only even got on the monorail once or twice for the experience, we mostly walked for convenience.

Unless it’s been recently renovated, the splash pad at the Contemporary is nothing special.

If you are splurging to stay close, I’d consider taking a mid-day break over just a half day. It’s very doable to split the day at MK from a monorail resort. That has worked best for us, especially when our boys were smaller. We would RD and leave around lunch, come back several hours later and stay until early evening.

 

[Alex Baker]

This is all very helpful - thank you guys! We were already leaning towards the Poly but I think this may have pushed us over that way officially.

We’ve done Disney a few times as adults (rope drops to after hours parties) and are preparing for this to be a very different experience! We want to make sure it’s the most enjoyable it can be for everyone and I think the convenience of the monorail might do that for us at this age-point and then we can branch out to different resorts once they are a bit older.

I am in the same exact situation, we have made multiple trips without kids. Now here we are going in October with a 2 year old! We chose to stay at the contemporary. Have stayed at the Poly once before! Good luck to us lol