Where to stay with our child considering naps, etc....

[J. Galt]

My husband and I are planning a trip to WDW in November with what will at that point be our 17 month old daughter. I know that she will still be taking one nap a day, and she goes to bed pretty darn early. We would like to stay somewhere where we don't all have to share the same space (so that her daddy and I can stay up past 7:30 p.m.). We would like to stay either on property, or at one of the "official Disney hotels" that participates in early entry (our daughter is of the "early to bed, early to rise" mindset). Any suggestions for us that won't break the bank? We had considered staying at the concierge level of the Hilton so at least we would have somewhere to hang out while she is sleeping. Any other suggestions?

Thanks all!

 

[Bete]

I would suggest a villa(Old Key West, as an example) or a cabin in Fort Wilderness. There are rooms in these places; so, you can be in one room and the child could be in another with closed door. Both places are pricey. I don't think I would want to be somewhere where my child would not be at 17 months.

There are two room suites and places set up as kid suites but I don't think any of them are official Disney.

Another option is to get a babysitter; so, you could be elsewhere. Disney offers this service at some resorts. I don't llike the idea of leaving my child with a stranger though even if it has the Disney seal of approval.

I almost think your best answer is to take turns with her naps to watch her. One time pa-pa can have free time and then the next time ma-ma.

There may be others with better suggestions.

 

[cinjam]

We were at WDW when DS was 14 months old. We stayed at AKL. He surprised us by taking 2+ hour naps in the stroller some days. We just found a shady spot & got some ice cream while he napped. On the days that it did not look like he was going to fall asleep in the stroller we headed back to the room & we all napped!

In the evenings we would order up some snacks from room service & head out onto the balcony (we had the savannah view room) - WOW. It was great. We went out on the balcony, DS fell asleep and DH & I got some quiet time alone, plus we watched the animals. I had my laptop with me so during the time on the balcony, I uploaded digital pics from the day's activities & sent some email & pics to my mom & inlaws.

Once DS fell asleep DH would turn on the tv with no sound & watch hockey & ESPN for the sports score recap....he was happy. DS goes to bed around 8:00pm - we were right behind him at around 10:00. Towards the end of the trip we kept him up later to see the spectro magic parade & fireworks at MK...then we all went back to the room & crashed at the same time

Enjoy your trip!!!

 

[AuntMinnie]

I've never stayed at Carribean but I've seen photos and it looks like the whole sink area has a Privacy type curtain you could pull across.


It looks big enough for a pack-n-play type of porta crib to fit next to the sink, behind the curtain. Maybe someone who has stayed at that resort there can tell you more. It looks like a good place to set up the crib, you could still hear her if she needed you, but the light from TV and room wouldn't bother her too much. When you went to bed it would be easy to open the curtain so she can see you if she wakes up first in the morning.

Another idea, depending on how deep she sleeps. Head out to Epcot, pack her jammies with you and when you think she's ready change her for the night, raise the hood on the stroller and you and DH enjoy the World Showcase Especially if you go during the FWF. It would only work if she sleeps deeply though, I wouldn't do it if I thought she'd be up at 10PM ready to play.

HTH

 

[Demosthenes]

With a 17 month old, I'd definately consider something on site. All that commuting each day takes a lot of time and energy out of a vacation. The WL has junior suites that would offer two rooms at relatively reasonable prices. Also, the VWL ofer one bedroom suites that would be great. They have a king bed in the master bedroom with a jacuzzi tub, and then a seperate living room with a full kitchen. The added cost of the room could be easily made up for in food savings with the full kitchen. Even if you just had breakfast in the room, you'd save a bundle on eating out, but if you made a few meals during the week, you stand to save a bunch of money.

 

[J. Galt]

Boy, I had just about given up hope of staying on site.... but these are fabulous suggestions. Any others?

 

[susy]

Hmmm..with a baby that age you definitely need to be onsite for the EE. I really don't think the resort matters. Even at the AS with our son, there is plenty to see while he is napping. DH and I just take turns going to the pool or gift shop. We are usually tired ourselves and all three of us lay down for at least an hour or two.

I would not worry about night time. Just give her a little bath when she wakes up from her nap and dress her in her pj's for the evening. Put her in the stroller and go to a park. She can just go to sleep in the stroller. I have to say that our bus rides after park closing have been very quiet. The bus is dark and lots of kids are passed out. No one seems to say much. I think we are all thinking, "BED!"


I would do AKL- the transportation is great, the resort is breathtaking, they have a zero entry pool (perfect for mom's and babies) and a nice food court. With codes, it's very affordable.

 

[*123JOANNA123*]

I know they're pricey, but I really would look at staying at one of the monorail resorts with a child that age (if you can get a good deal). Last year we travelled with my ds (3yo) and dd (18mo). We stayed in the GF and found it amazing- we could zip in and out at will to the MK and never got to that tired and cranky stage. We actually hit the MK at around 9.30am on our last day after the park fare character breakfast- got to do small world, dumbo, pirates, Peter Pan (twice) met Capt Hook, Smee and Wendy and were back in our room at 11am!

I think the Poly would be a great choice for you if the price was right- it seems like a real relaxing spot AND you can watch the fireworks and electrical parade from the beach. Getting to Epcot won't be bad from there either, they have a nice kids pool area and there are great restaurants only a monorail ride away (California Grill, Citrico's) if you do decide to get a babysitter. To me it's worth the extra $$ to have a stress free vacation- if you can swing it, it would be ideal.

FWIW, we took both to Fantasmic and the 18 mo old slept through the entire thing in my arms (fireworks and all!), so don't underestimate where a tired toddler will nap!

 

[Lexxiefern]

You could stay for 5 nights at Old Key West in november (as long as it is not thanksgiving week) for 90 points. The going rate on the rental board is $10/point. So for $900 or just $180/night, you could stay in a one bedroom. That has a separate bedroom with a king bed and tv, and a living room with pullout couch and tv and a full kitchen.

Just use the link below that says DVC rental board and go check it out. I have rented points 3 times. It is very easy. Good luck!!

Oh and there is no tax when renting points

 

[jeannej]

When my children were that young I stayed on the monorail loop since we spent most of our time either in the MK or Epcot. I have stayed at both the CR and the Poly. Both were great for returning for naps and relaxing. It was great.

jeannej

 

[tjmw2727]

If you can afford it I would definately recommend staying on the monorail loop - check for discounts esp at mousesavers.com.

When my girls were that age they had no trouble sleeping in the stroller - if that is the case your golden!!

Invest in a nice stroller that folds pretty flat but also reclines and is roomy enough for a 1 1/2 yo to sleep. Start now by taking walks in it esp at nap time if you can.

I was lucky enough that with both my girls whenever I gave them their lovey and told them it was nap time they would sleep. We only reclined the stroller for naps and didn't try and make them nap when we knew they wouldn't sleep. The result was them being able to have them nap on the fly and it was great.

We would be sure dd was fed, changed and cool and then lay the stroller flat and walk her in a cool quiet place. DH and I could then enjoy the resort or even a park at night and take turns riding rides. One step ahead has a great fan that attaches to the stroller, is safe for baby, cools and creates a bit of "white noise".

This enabled dh and I to enjoy evenings in the resort, parks or afternoons at the pool while dd's got that much needed sleep.

Most of the rooms on the monorial loop offer balconies, this way if your back at the room and want to bathe and get dd to sleep early you can hit the balcony for a drink and some alone time with dh while dd gets to sleep.

The other options for a 1 or 2 bedroom are very pricy within the wdw resorts and off site was just to much of a pain for us when the girls were small. Heck, we still love to be on the monorail loop.

btw - lots of more great tips on the "families board"

Tj

 

[cyndilou01]

Ft. wilderness cabins are wonderful. They have a seperate bedroom and a full kitchen so that would help on saving money for food. so while the baby is sleeping you and hubby could either take a nap or go int he front room and relax. they have a porch with a cup of coffee.... also the campground itself is just beautiful with lots of things to do.... a disney movie every night (included in the price.).. you can take a bus to the end of the trail and hop on the boat to go to MK ... or hop on a bus to go to any of the parks just very convenient ....

what ever you decide I am sure you will have a great time.

 

[J. Galt]

Thank you, thank you all for your help!

 

[milmore104]

My vote is for AKL. We stayed there with our 20mth old DD. She loved it. It's great for mom and dad to sit and watch the animals while the little ones sleep. We even put our DD in her stroller and walked around at night while she slept. It's a nice quite time to really see the animals and look at everything. I would even go swimming while DH sat by the pool. This is also a good time to try JIKO if you'd like to. It's a very nice rest. but not really for children so if the little one is out for the night you and hubby can have a nice meal while your little one sleeps right there.
AKL is a great "kid" resort they have a lot of things for kids to do and besides the animals they have a zero entry pool which is fabulous for the little one! They also have life vest that are great!