WL, AKL, or SWAN with 2yo ?

[abt426]

I know there are a lot of folks out there who have traveled with little ones, so in your opinion between AKL, WL, or Swan which would be better for traveling with 2yo dd. Not considering view as I can only afford standard rooms.

We will be spending 6 nights with at least two full days at MK and would like to visit FW for pony ride and outdoor movie. Will have a car so distance isn't a huge factor but would prefer to use bus/boat/ or walk.

How are the kiddie pool and playground areas at these resorts?
and in general how toddler friendly are these resots?


Sorry this is such a rambling post but I am confused and need help.

Thanks
Alena

 

[DisneyKidds]

With a two year old I'd take AKL out of the running. Not that there is anything wrong with AKL, but it doesn't have direct access to any of the parks. At WL you have the boat to the MK and at the Swan you can walk or boat to both Epcot and MGM.

So now you are down to two . The next question is where do you plan to spend more time? If the answer is the MK I'd go with the WL. If the answer is MGM I'd go with the Swan.

We have stayed at both, and I'd go with the WL. The themeing of the resort is incredible and the access to the MK is great. We have young kids (4 and 1) and they love the WL. We have been going to the WL since our daughter was 2. She could spend all day at the kiddie pool at the WL. It is large as kiddie pools go and there are always kids there to make friends and play with. The main pool is nice, but a two year old is probably too little for the slide. Then there is the Hidden Springs quite pool which is very nice and relaxing. In addition, you have a playground over on the beach. You can rent boats to go out on Bay Lake and Seven Seas Lagoon. You can see things like the Electrical Water Pageant from the resort. You have easy access, via bus or a wooded trail that you can walk (a long walk, but nice), to FW and the pony rides/petting zoo. Wispering Canyon is a neat restaurant with antics that amuse the kids. The bridge over the bubbling spring in the WL lobby, our 1 year old son could spend hours walking over that. There are activities during the day for the kids, ducks that swim in the pool, the guyser that goes off - I could go on and on. The WL is great with kids. Roll the stroller, sleeping child and all, on and off the MK boat - you can't beat that.

The Swan is nice. The Grotto pool there is one of the best pools on property. Access to MGM and Epcot is great. We have stayed there a couple of times and really enjoyed it. You have access to the Boardwalkd and ton of restaurants. The Swan definitely has a lot of benefits for the adults in your group.

Good luck deciding.

 

[wdwphanatic]

With a 2-year-old, WL would be the perfect place to stay. You could take the boat over to the MK in the mornings, which is loads of fun in and of itself, and when your child got tired midday you could take it back to the hotel and nap or relax by the lovely pool. Although I adore the Epcot area for its convenience to 2 parks (vs 1 at WL), if I were traveling with a child that young, I would probably try to go with a resort that would be close to the park he/she would be most interested in visiting, which is definitely MK.

Hope you have a great trip,
Sarah