Which resort with 11 month old?

[newmommy]

Hi,
Please help me decide which resort has the best pool and/or playground for an 11 month old baby. We are currently booked at Coronado springs but thinking about changing to Port Orleans or Beach club/ Yacht club. I want to decide based on the pool and play areas because we will be spending most of our time there and only one day at a park. Thanks!!

 

[disneyma2]

Hello,
What time of year are you planning on going? All of the resorts have baby pools, but depending on your budget, I would choose AKL, it has a zero entry pool, your baby could be there at the edg with you and hubby. The pool is huge, we were there in Sept of 2003 our dd was 2 1/2, she loved it! There were a lot of families there with young babies sitting at the edge....it's a beach entry. Plus, the added benefit of all the animals there. they do have a play grounds and sand area too and baby pool. We really enjoyed that resort for families. The bathroom area in the room, has an alcove area, you can put a pack in play in there, and that way when your childs goes to sleep, you and hubby and actually relax and watch some tv without disturbing the little one!
Have fun!

 

[Destination Disney]

I my husband and I took our 13 month old son to AKL, and he loved it. The animals entertained him in the morning while eating breakfast in the room, and he loved to sit on the balcony and watch the animals. Like most resorts they provided a pack-n-play. They have a round baby pool that is separate from the main pool. Actually it is right next to it, but it has a small wall around it to keep the little ones away from the larger pool. The pool is about 14' in diameter and in the middle is the deepest point at about 1 foot deep. Perfect for him, he loved it. My vote is AKL, from the education factor of showing all of the animals. Where else can you go and have a giraffe walk by the window!
The buses are not bad at all. They do not share with other resorts. It is a bit of a longer ride, but hey, enjoy it... your not driving! I would stay here again in a heart beat and they have specials every now and then!

 

[newmommy]

Thanks - Disneyma2, I am going in September. I hadn't even thought about AKL, but I am going to look into it based on both of your recommendations.

 

[Robinette]

I would recommend any resort that has zero entry. AKL is one and also the Poly. I think Grand Floridian too. The Yacht/Beach Club pool has a sandy area that is great for little kids. Deb's site has lots of photos of the resorts and pools...Resort Photo Gallery

 

[stacy6552]

the Sotrm along bay at the Y&BC has the best rated pool for families. Theres the zero entry, sand bottom, and quiet and loud areas, plus more fun for older kids and kids at heart.

I hihgly reccommend that you spend the extra for a onebedroom at the BC villas. Being able to put the baby down for a nap or to bed and close the door and still have a conversation or watch tv, it great. Plus youll have the full kitchen.

 

[Sammie]

I would recommend any resort you will enjoy. The child will be happy where you are and all have great pool areas for kids.

 

[TJA]

We have 13-mon-old twin girls and have taken them to WDW twice already. We stayed at AKL the first time and thought it was a fantastic resort with a great pool. Since you are not planning to spend much time at the parks, then I would also recommend that resort. If, however, you plan to hop over to the parks, keep in mind that you will constantly have to fold and unfold your stroller to board the buses. We stayed at CR the second time we took the girls and thought it was a much better trip because of the monorail and the ability to walk to MK (we're more park-people than resort-people). Y&BC is in a great location -- you would be able to walk over to the countries in EPCOT for lunch or dinner whenever you wanted! We always try to eat a nice meal when our babies take a nap in the stroller. The restaurants are good about letting you bring the stroller to your table so you don't have to wake the little one. All decisions become such a dilemma when there are babies involved. It used to be so easy picking a resort....now there are so many factors to weigh out. We've found that the most important thing to us is the location of the resort with regard to which park(s) we'll be visiting the most often. Good luck with your decision.

 

[Gillian]

Since there are several resorts with good pools, I would also consider things can you walk anywhere and do the rooms have balconies for adults while baby naps (BC is iffy on that)? BEing able to eat at different places easily might also be h elpful.

AKL is a great resort, but there is no place to take a walk except down the long corridors and you have to take the busses everywhere. The busses are fine, but it's nice to be near things.

If it were me I'd probably choose YC because if the pool gets old you can walk on the boardwalk. There are a lot of food choices without having to take transportation. All of the rooms have balconies that you can sit out on.

A monorail resort would certainly be fun also!

For our next trip, with a 4 year old & 1 year old, we are thinking about WL. It's relativly inexpensive, the rooms have balconies (can you tell we need this, LOL?) and there are boats to other places. DS 4 likes boats. You can also rent a surry bike and ride over to fort wilderness to see the farm animals. I don't know anything about the pools.

 

[rahwest]

i have to agree with those that said to do the YC/BC. We have gone 2 years in a row now with little ones. SAB is perfect! Last year we had a 5 month old and a 2 year old and it was great because they could sit on the sand in about 2 inches of water and just play, or they could go in a bit further and "swim".

Plus... all of the places you can go with a stroller from YC/BC are great.

I think the issue of having to pack up your stroller to get on the bus is HUGE! AK was the only place we needed to go on the bus and it was such a pain having the kids and the stroller! I would add this as a top priority if you are planning on going to other parks. That is of course my opinion .. some people have no problem with it. but for me that is the #1 reason we don't stay at AKL. Maybe once they are a little older and not in the stroller anymore then we can give it a try --
i am pretty hooked on BC concierge though .. so who knows?!

HTH

 

[newmommy]

I am still deciding, I was leaning towards keeping Coronado Spgs, but after reading the last post, now I am thinking Beach club again!! I have to decide soon and I'm slightly worried about the overcrowding at Stormalong Bay at the Beach Club. Is it very crowded with kids everywhere? Granted I'll have one of my own, but my parents will be with us and I know that the lazy river would appeal to them, but not if they can't relax and enjoy it

Also - does anyone know how deep the kiddie pool is at Coronado Springs and also whether the main pool has a zero entry area.

Thanks everyone!