What resort if not going to the parks?

[leopardspot]

We will be traveling with a baby who can not go to the parks so I will be spending all my time at the resort. Which one is best for this? Wemight be able to go to the boardwalk or Downtown Disney if not too crowded...

 

[ShaneV]

If you dont mind me asking why cant your child go to the park? If it because of age , you might be surprised what you can do with an infant.

 

[PoohBWV]

I'd vote for an Epcot resort as there is so much to do along the boardwalk, tons of restaurants and beautiful pools.

 

[boston-yachter]

Do you have other children....

if you have other children than possibly the Polynesian....this allows for easy access to the MK....and has a great pool for you and the baby....

if it's just the baby....and you children are older...more of the MGM and EPCOT type....then definatley a BW resort...especially somthing like the Y&BC....it has a fantastic pool!!! your family will love it! Plus the location to the BW is a must when you have free time!

 

[Laura1994]

Will anyone be visiting parks? What kind of activities do you plan on doing while there?

I like boston-yachter's advice to staying near the parks the others in your party might enjoy, while picking a resort with amenities/pool that you'd enjoy.

 

[jackdis]

Is the Swan and Dolphin within walking distance to the Boardwalk? Thanks.

 

[jackdis]

Thank you, tag fairy!!! I'm so excited!! Can't wait to be cruisin'!!!

 

[Wolfelaw]

My sister had her infant (six months) with us at the Beach Club last year, and it was very convenient for her. She lounged around the fantastic pool with baby while we went to Animal Kingdom, then she strapped baby into his pouch and we all wandered around Epcot for hours -- baby loved the fireworks!

 

[leopardspot]

My baby was preemie. She is now almost 6 months old but the doctor said NO to the parks because she might catch something from all the other kids. We have no other children, so it will just be me, hubby, and baby. Husband has meetings for 2 days and we just want to relax for another couple of days even if it is just on the "edge of the magic"

 

[jamounger]

The Animal Kingdom Lodge was wonderful. So many sites to see and it is very quiet and relaxing. DebM

 

[bratray]

I second AKL- you could enjoy a wonderful meal at the lodge- check out the authentic african decor, gaze at giraffes- i think this would be wonderful- and you may do this all from your room with a savannah view !!

lisa

 

[palmtreegirl]

I'd say the AKL. There's lots to see and do, you can spend an afternoon looking at the animals from many balconies around the resort or from your room, if you have a savannah view!

The Travel Channel even voted it the best themed resort in Florida. There's great restaurants and a very cool gift shop too. I could easily spend a week there without ever leaving.

 

[kdibattista]

Another vote for AKL... I was actually thinking of taking DH for a long weekend without the parks but never got around to it. I could (and plan to in December) spend hours on the balcony. There really is nothing more relaxing!!!

 

[Lexxiefern]

I just went with my DH and my 2 year old DD in April. DH had a conference and I didn't want to go to the parks without him. We stayed at the WL. It was wonderful! We swam in the pools, ate at Whispering Canyon, rented watermice (you probably won't want to do that, maybe on a later trip). Plus there is a path to Ft Wilderness and all the activities there. We really had a blast. You can also watch the electrical water parade from the beach there, which helps you to feel like you are really in the magic.

 

[DancingBear]

Our son's has his first visit to WDW, when he was just 10 days old, was to CBR. We didn't do any parks but had enjoyed wandering around the resort. We knew we could find a clean, comfortable place to stay at WDW, and we hadn't tried CBR, so it worked out nicely.

But, if I had my absolute choice, it would be either WL or AKL, for all the reasons stated here. WL has nice balconies to sit on, lots of little sitting/viewing areas about, beautiful lobby (we have great pictures of my wife feeding our son on one of the upper floors in a rocking chair above the lobby), boat launches that can get you to CR (and then via monorail to GF and Poly) or FW, the nice walk through the woods to FW (very peaceful) for lunch at Trails End Buffet. AKL savannah view would give you a nice balcony to sit on, neat lobby, lots of sitting and viewing areas around the hotel, and Boma (among others) for meals. Only issue for me with AKL would be that, unless you have a car, you'd have to take a bus to see anything outside the resort.

 

[ducklite]

Not trying to contradict your doctor--but--there are as many kids at the resorts as there are in the parks...and often they are less supervised.

Unless you are planning on staying in the car while DH checks in and then whisking the baby immediately to your room and never leaving, your child is going to be exposed to a LOT of other children. What about in the restaurants? At the pools?

I guess I just don't see the difference between the resorts and the parks.

AKL and the GF probably have the most activities for children. The Polynesian is very child friendly. A FW Home might also be a good option, lots of things to do, somewhat isolated, and they have a kitchen that you could feed the kids breakfast in, as well as a grill and picnic table outside.

If your children are going to be upset seeing the parks outside their door and not being able to go, then the AKL will be the better bet--it's more remote.

Have fun whatever you decide.

Anne

 

[Desnik]

I just sent you a PM

 

[Lewisc]

Add me to the AKL group. You can get room service and look at animals from your room. Agree with the others, double check with your doctor. Your infant is going to be exposed to germs in any public place including the resort area.

 

[PamNC]

definitely and Epcot Resort. Our fave is the Yacht or Beach Club. There is so much to do, not to mention Stormalong Bay. Love the shopping, dining, minature golf over at Fantasia.

I can't say this with certainty because we tried something different this year. We stayed at the WL a couple weeks ago and we were very disappointed and missed the Epcot area terribly. Never never again will I stay anywhere but YC/BC....maybe I'd stay at another Epcot resort. Maybe. We tried Grand Floridian once too and weren't satisfied.

PamNC

 

[joyv]

I agree about the Yacht/Beach Club. You can relax in the wonderful environment, and stay at a different area of the pool everyday. If you want to take a stroll, you can easily walk to the Boardwalk. I stayed there 3 weeks ago, and didn't want to leave the resort because it was so relaxing. Best of all, it's walking distance to the Boardwalk, where you can do so many things, or just take a relaxing walk. The beach are is also terrific, you can take your baby on one of the "loveseat" swings and just watch the sunset.