Which resort would you choose w/8-month-old & stroller?

[skiwee1]

My vote goes for the Poly. The monorail can't be beat, the room size is great, and the zero clearance pool is perfect for an 8 month old. You can sit in the water with her splashing and no need to have to hold her the entire time. The WL would be my last choice because of the room size, pool type and size, and transportation. I would only stay at the CR if you get a tower room. The garden wing rooms are far away and just not worth it. The pool at the CR is also not a zero clearance. The atmosphere of the Poly is relaxing and wonderful and no other resort comes close to it.

 

[Selket]

I have read that the North Wings at the CR are the closest one can get to the MK and to the MK walkway - I have no practical experience however. I've also read that it is best to walk to the MK and take the monorail back because you have to ride the monorail around the loop to get to MK but the CR is the 1st stop on the way back from the MK. So perhaps if you are spending most of your time at the MK a North Wing room, if it is indeed the closest - would be the best? A standard wing room is also the least expensive room of all the rooms on the monorail hotels from what I've priced out over the years.

Can she sit up? If so she might enjoy the zero entry pool at the Poly. Seems to me the CR does not have a baby pool nor zero entry pool which is a big strike against it pool wise. If you don't plan to swim so much then it isn't a problem.

I've also stayed at the AKL with my 20 month old and he has some physical problems which prevented him from walking or standing at that age - he could sit up though. So it was kinda like an 8 mo old in that we had to lug a rather large stroller around and carry him, etc. He had a marvelous time at the AKL with the baby pool AND a zero entry pool. The AKL has dedicated bus service and I never had a problem with the stroller - which fit nicely under some seats around the back door (which may have been flip up seats for wheelchairs - I can't remember - but this is when there were no wheelchairs being transported on the bus). I only recommend the AKL because there is so much to do at the hotel - the pool area is fantastic and the bus service is unique as the resort doesn't share bus service with any other hotels so you're a straight shot there. But I'm sure staying at one of the monorail hotels is the overal easiest.

Have fun!

 

[Meredith'sMom]

Thanks, Selket!

Great tips about the North Wings. And I remember that about the monorail. When we stayed at the GF we noticed that it would be the longest ride TO the MK from the CR.

DD can sit up with assistance only, but by 8 months she should be sitting up on her own. Her temprament will have to change for her to enjoy the pools, though! I had dreams of Water Babies classes, etc., but so far she hates the water--hates a sponge bath, sink bath, bath with mom in the big tub, you get the picture. But kids change all the time, so who knows?

Also a good point about the AKL. DH and I had dismissed it b/c it's so "far" but the fact that it has dedicated buses is a big plus. I'm glad your son had a great time there!

Thanks again!

 

[ash&abby'smom]

We stayed at the CR north wing with our dd 18mos. We actually walked to MK and back. It was a nice walk. I would definately not stay where I had to take the bus everywhere. The couple of times we rode the bus, we were miserable. I was holding dd because she was sleeping, my husband had dd4 and we had two strollers. We had to stand. THere was a very healthy 30 something year old man sitting right where I was standing and did not offer to switch. A nice lady made her daughter sit on her lap so I could finally stand. It was just difficult to hold on and hold the baby when the bus keep stopping. I wouldn't do it again. I would drive next time before getting on the bus. The monorail was great to go to epcot. The decor at CR didn't bother us at all. We were happy to be so close to MK.

 

[lovesdumbo]

Another vote for the Poly here. I just love the atmosphere there and not only do you have boat or monorail options to MK but you can walk to the TTC for the direct monorail to Epcot. The rooms are huge. I've been to the Poly 3 times and twice we had 3 adults, 5 year old, 3 year old and infant. There was plenty of room for a full size crib and stroller.

When I traveled with my DD at 11 months and again at 20 months (she was easier at 11 months but she had more fun at 20), I brought along a few pull ups (Pampers makes them in size 1-2T) for use in the airport and plane.

Have you tried the disposable placemats? Table Toppers They are so great for babies who are self feeding. I also liked the disposable bibs and disposable infant spoons and LOVED the Palmolive dish wipes that are preloaded with dish soap.

My DD is VERY shy but she LOVED Tigger at the CP and we had great meals there on both trips. On 1 trip we had one of the last dinner sittings (MK closed early) and after the characters had made their rounds to all the tables they all stood at the front and we got to take photos of the kids with all 4 characters at once.

You will have a blast!

 

[micmacmissy]

I am surprised by so many votes for the Contemporary. Granted, it is easy access. But it is so ugly! I would advise you to look at photos of it online (lobby, rooms, etc) so you're not disappointed should you stay there.

We stayed at the GF (my kids do NOT sleep in their strollers so we needed easy access) and we stopped at the Contemporary to check it out and have dinner one night. We were shocked at the drab, ugly, concrete walls, low ceilings, worn carpet and furnishings, and bad 70's look of the public spaces. I could not believe people pay top dollar to stay there...we thought it was an absolute dump.

Definitely go for the Poly or even WL over the Contemporary, no doubt about it! The Contemporary would just be depressing--that isn't vacation, it's prison!

 

[henrylovespooh]

We stayed at Coronado Springs when my son was 7 months old. He slept on practically every bus ride. We had no problem using the bus system at all.

We have also stayed at the Wilderness Lodge with a 2 year old and 6 month old, and the boat was great. You can take the stroller right on with your child in it, which is great. We got a room that faced the Magic Kingdom so that after the kids went to sleep, we got to watch the fireworks. I would recommend either one depending on your budget.

Just a quick poll--

DH and I may be attempting an April visit with our infant daughter (and my mom), but are undecided on resort at the moment. Which would you recommend for us? We will be using our own stroller, and will likely frequent the Magic Kingdom the most (more for us than DD, at this point!). For fun, let's say price is no object, though we will not be able to stay at the GF as we did on our honeymoon.

We're wondering if a monorail resort is imperative for quick returns for naptime, or if that might not be as big of an issue as we think (DD loves to sleep in her stroller and can almost always be soothed by the motion of a car or, I assume, a bus).

Thanks for any and all tips. I have also been combing the Disney for Families archives, but thought some new input would be terrific as well.

 

[iowa mommy]

cbr or por, IF you are renting a car because it is a one minute walk to and from your car and you can leave the stroller behind and also ask for a room near the food court--i have stayed at both last few years with a herd of stroller age kids

 

[scootch]

I took a full sized stroller in November. Stayed at the Poly. To board the monorail, you just push it right in.. yea... now... to board a bus.. you hav e to take everything out of it... fold it up.. carry your child, belongings and everything on the bus. It was HELL!!(but then again i was alone with a 2 and 5 year old... and the day I took the bus to MGM, noone helped me. So definitely stay at a deluxe resort... OR rent a stroller... Or just be prepared(since you have more people in your group)>

 

[Meredith'sMom]

DH called last night and booked a woods view room at the Wilderness Lodge (all the standard rooms with AP rate were booked). I worked pretty hard to convince him to try the CR or the Poly, but they were more expensive (the Poly moreso) and, in the end, he just wanted to try the WL despite the fact that it'll be a little more work. Also, my mom will be accompanying us and she's a Bonanza freak (betcha didn't know THAT existed ) and so will love the wilderness theme.

MissusToad--best wishes for your upcoming baby! I missed your post last time I replied. You will love the Amby! We had a bassinet and crib for DD and she refused them both. When she was 6 weeks old we got the Amby and it was the first time she didn't sleep in our arms or in our bed. It's great--you can just bounce the baby slightly to help them off to sleep.

lovesdumbo--thanks for the extra tips! I'm not sure if we'll need table toppers b/c DD will just be about 2 months into solids at that point. I have no idea how that's going to go. Oh, and we are going to Crystal Palace. We went there on our honeymoon and are dying to get pics of the baby with Pooh.

micmacmissy --I have to say, DH and I agree with you on the ugliness of the CR. The tower has a certain amount of magic for me b/c I always went to Disney as a kid for the day only (we lived in Melbourne) and we'd always pass through the CR on the way to the MK. I'd get excited when I saw the DW road signs, then excited to ride the tram; by the time I got to the CR on the Monorail I was positively quivering. Nevertheless, it is just not attractive in my mind. DH and I love the style of the GF best, but no dice this time.

henrylovespooh--It's so great that we can roll the stroller onto the boat. At least one trip will be free of stroller folding!

scootch -- I hear you! Fortunately we won't be venturing out alone, and the stroller we're taking (we think--we have 2) is pretty easy to fold and lighter for a full-featured stroller. We also never keep anything in it (although I'm sure the basket will have stuff on the way BACK from the parks).


Thanks to everyone else I might've missed!! Guess this trip we were just "theorizing" about will be happening! DH and I "pretended" ourselves right into another vacation. :jumping4: I need to put a ticker in my sig now!