Where to stay?

[lilsmitty]

I have been to WDW once and that was on my honeymoon 7 yrs ago. We are wanting to go with our 2 1/2 year old daughter, but not sure on where to stay. I am wanting to stay at a deluxe resort, thinking Animal Kingdom. I have heard, it's far from Magic Kingdom.

A friends said the polynesian was perfect, close to the resort, you have the monorail, etc.

What would you recommend?

 

[Kimberle]

Welcome!!

WL - it's perfect for little ones. It's not to big. You can stay inside if you want (you don't have to walk outside to get your food, etc when it rains). It's got a great kiddie pool. It's shaded & relaxing. The boat ride to MK is very nice.

Plus, there is a boat the circles WL/FW/CR. So it's easy to go over to CR to Chef Mickeys or to take the monorail, or to FW to the pony rides, petting zoo, or Trails End.

Our dd loved WL!

 

[MAC3]

Hi,

Welcome to the Dis. I hear the Akl is awesome but you concern is valid.

With a child the age of yours you may want to go back the resort to give her a nap or take a break (unless she's the type that can nap in a stroller while you and your DH baby swap....

That said I would do a monorail rail resort or the WL. But I'm sure someone who has had this experience will be of more help.

Have a great time,
Lisa

Edited to add I have stayed at the Poly and it is just that Perfect!!!!

 

[stacy6552]

I reccommend staying at the one you want to stay at, like the AK, because if youre not wild about the poly, youll spend your time wishing you were somewhere else.

 

[tiggersmom2]

Lilsmitty,
I have two DS (16 months and 10yrs) I prefer staying at monorail resorts. That being said, I go so much that it just isn't feasible all the time to stay in a monorail resort (I stay EVERYWHERE, as long as it is on site). My family's absolute favorite resort is the Polynesian Resort, followed by the Contemporary and The Grand Floridian. If you can afford it, it is just heavenly to ride the monorail and not have to worry about that awful bus! If you have ever tried to lug your infant and all of his/her essentials (stroller, diaper bag, ect.) on a bus, you will understand. When I'm at a monorail resort, all I have to do is push my son (in his stroller) on, and we're good to go!! Hope this helps!!!

 

[Vanryan]

With 2 adults and 1 child I don't think the bus is really that big of an issue. We have stayed at both AKL and the Poly with our kids and they loved both equally. (They are so easy to please when they're little, it's all exciting to them.) It really comes down to theming, do you want Hawaii or Africa? The pools are both great, the waterslide at the AKL is nice and tame for a little one, while the Poly's slide is more intimidating. If your little one is an animal freak, go with the AKL and I wouldn't worry about the bus. It put my kids to sleep everytime!

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

It depends on what you can afford. If you can swing a monorail resort then that would be awesome. I'm sure your daughter would love to see Cinderella's castle every day, the fireworks at night, the Electrical Water Pageant, the monorail, etc. IT's also very easy to go back and rest during the day when you're staying at those resorts. The WL is also a good choice to be near MK and save some money.

AKL is also very nice I hear. But it just depends on if your daughter really loves animals.

 

[lilsmitty]

Thanks for all of the info, I am new to this board, I am guessing WL is Wilderness Lodge, is that correct?

Which resorts offer the monorail? Sounds like that might be my best choice.

My daughter LOVES animals, she would go to the zoo everyday if we would let her, thats why I keep on thinking AK.

I hate making decisions.

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

Yes, WL is the Wilderness Lodge. It's very close to MK, but not on the monorail.

There are 3 resorts that have monorail service. The Grand Floridian, the Polynesian, and the Contemporary. There are FAQs here on the DIS and also info and pictures on http://www.wdwig.com Also order the vacation planning video or dvd from Disney. That should help.

 

[DisneyBill]

Welcome to these boards! A question about picking a resort is sort of like going to a desert bar for me, I like them all. Another thing to consider about the Contempory its an easy walk from Magic Kingdom in the evening when the park closes and there is a mob to get onto monorail, buses, and boats. Plus during your walk you can look for bricks belonging to people from your hometown on the "walk around the world" pathway to CR. You can often find discount codes for CR rooms on mousesavers.com. Enjoy!