Wwyd deluxe hotel - solo trip with 20 month old

[Jhondy]

I’m trying to figure out what hotel would be best for a trip that is just me and my 20 month old daughter. It is my birthday trip so I’m wanting to stay deluxe but some of the deluxe prices are crazy. We are going April 13-18 and our focus will be primarily MK and EP with lots of time at the hotel for swimming (my daughter loves the water). This will be my daughters 3rd trip in a 6 month period so not feeling the need to hit the parks heavy.

right now I have garden wing at contemporary booked because BLT has no DVC studios available. I like proximity to MK at CR but don’t like no full balcony (I can see my daughter dropping toys through Juliet balcony) and no zero entry pool (Ik they have the splash pad tho). I do really love CR and watching the monorail.

Polynesian hotel has DVC studio available but it is 300 more than the garden wing at CR. I’ve never stayed at Poly so idk how pools are and am concerned that it isn’t worth the extra money with the construction going on and having to walk to TTC to catch monorail.

last option is yacht club. I’ve never stayed there but the pool seems awesome and I think my DD would love playing in the sand.This one is about 100 more than garden wing at CR. It doesn’t have the proximity to MK that I would like but since we are taking things slower maybe that isn’t a huge deal. Plus we could always walk to EP in the evenings for food or just enjoy the atmosphere.

so right now I’m between these three but idk which one or if I’m missing an option that would be better. Is walking from yacht club to EP and the pool there so great to justify cost or maybe at that point we should just go to CBR (but I’m not a fan of a bus loop).

At the end of the day, I’m trying to make the trip the easiest I can on me (first trip solo with my kid) but also make it so we have enough to do outside of the parks like having a cool pool/splash pad that she can play in easily.

 

[Chy]

Look up the Kidani pool/splash area. It is incredible for kids that age, plus very gentle shallow area to walk in to the pool that is quite large. I would rent DVC points and do Kidani, will save you a ton. Plus, you get all the animals. We did 4 days there this past summer, never went to the parks with 2 girls near that age and it was superb.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Many of my trips have been just me and one of my kids, so I can relate to being a solo parent at WDW with a little one.

To me, unfortunately there’s no perfect resort when it comes to the various things that come into play - so many pros/cons with each of the options you listed.

I love CR and think it has a high “convenience factor” for a solo parent - but you identified the biggest ‘problem’ in my mind - no zero entry pool. To me, that was a really big deal at that age. The little spray zone at CR just doesn’t cut it compared to other WDW resorts, in my opinion.

Poly was a frequent favorite right off the bat for us - both pools have zero entry and the splash area is fantastic (although it does have a rather deep middle part and the big slide in the splash area will be too much for a 20 month old). I think Poly gets a lot of convenience points as a solo parent.

The construction is certainly a valid concern, but we were just there and honestly I found it to be no big deal. We either walked to TTC or GF, but mainly took the MK bus. It was super easy. The limited guest count at Poly right now is actually quite nice.

I am a huge fan of YC and SAB as well - but to me, SAB can be a little much for a parent with a little one at that age. The sandy area is great for the kiddos, but it’s also surrounded by deeper waters. You may end up having to be in that sand with her all of the time.

I think my first SAB was when DS was 4 or 5 and remember being a nervous wreck as a parent, even at that age!

I don’t know if anything I said about SAB is enough to rule out YC, but I do put it somewhere in the decision making matrix.

While I don’t think you can make a wrong decision here, I think I’d lean towards Poly if this were me.

PS, if you stick with the CR Garden Wing room request a first floor room so you have a patio. No guarantees of course, but it doesn’t hurt to ask.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Also if I can make an unsolicited addition to your list, I’d add GF. That’s probably my favorite solo parent resort when I consider the whole package - food, pools, room size, vibe. Everything there is just very “easy” and it has arguably THE best kids splash area for that age (plus pool servers to bring beverages too).

 

[Jhondy]

Also if I can make an unsolicited addition to your list, I’d add GF. That’s probably my favorite solo parent resort when I consider the whole package - food, pools, room size, vibe. Everything there is just very “easy” and it has arguably THE best kids splash area for that age (plus pool servers to bring beverages too).

thanks for the input. Unfortunately GF has no studios available during our 6 nights in April and disney prices are a bit too rich for me to justify. I was hoping to make it work but I am wanting to stay under $2500 for hotel (and even that seems crazy to me but I can justify it with convenience or amenities).

being In the sand or pool with my DD at SAB wouldn’t bother me. I am always at her side in the pool because she can’t swim yet (and actually either can I) and she has no one to play with but me.

I’ll have to take a look at Poly pools, the added cost to switch to Poly is what is stopping me but if the pools look like they would be great for DD then im okay with it.

for GW, I’d actually want a higher room. My kid is a ball of energy who has no problem wandering. So if I let her out on the patio she will wander all over the place and I’ll be walking with her. It’s one of the reasons I was thinking yacht cause I love having a balcony cause then we can be outside but she still be “contained”. She loves playing with her toys on the balcony at BLT the last two times we stayed there. It was nice for me cause I could sit and relax while watching her.

 

[Jhondy]

Look up the Kidani pool/splash area. It is incredible for kids that age, plus very gentle shallow area to walk in to the pool that is quite large. I would rent DVC points and do Kidani, will save you a ton. Plus, you get all the animals. We did 4 days there this past summer, never went to the parks with 2 girls near that age and it was superb.

kidani is too far from the parks for me. My kid did better on the busses this time but sometimes she gets super antsy so I don’t want to rely only on bus transportation for all parks and have a long drive. Plus kidani doesn’t seem to have Savannah view studio available for when we are there. But I will still look into the pool because a good pool for her could change my mind.

did you find there was enough to do at resort even during covid times? And enough to eat? I heard food is limited and not many things open at resort

 

[GADisneyDad14]

thanks for the input. Unfortunately GF has no studios available during our 6 nights in April and disney prices are a bit too rich for me to justify. I was hoping to make it work but I am wanting to stay under $2500 for hotel (and even that seems crazy to me but I can justify it with convenience or amenities).

Ahh, got it. Yeah GF isn’t the cheapest option out there relative to other deluxes. There is resort-side availability for your dates though, but just a bit outside your target $.. The cheapest view category is $2,977 with the general public discount, $2,748 if you happen to have an AP.

YC would keep you under $2,500 though.

Have fun, whatever you decide.

 

[Jhondy]

Ahh, got it. Yeah GF isn’t the cheapest option out there relative to other deluxes. There is resort-side availability for your dates though, but just a bit outside your target $.. The cheapest view category is $2,977 with the general public discount, $2,748 if you happen to have an AP.

YC would keep you under $2,500 though.

Have fun, whatever you decide.

i do have an AP this year. But my husband thinks the hotel will cost me and DD about 2,200. I figure I can talk him into 2,500 but not sure I can talk him in to 2,750...especially since up until a week ago I was going to spend under 1000 and stay at ASMo. But then again, I could always spend the money and when he sees it in the credit card after the vacation, ask for forgiveness. Lol j/k

 

[Marthasor]

thanks for the input. Unfortunately GF has no studios available during our 6 nights in April and disney prices are a bit too rich for me to justify. I was hoping to make it work but I am wanting to stay under $2500 for hotel (and even that seems crazy to me but I can justify it with convenience or amenities).

being In the sand or pool with my DD at SAB wouldn’t bother me. I am always at her side in the pool because she can’t swim yet (and actually either can I) and she has no one to play with but me.

I’ll have to take a look at Poly pools, the added cost to switch to Poly is what is stopping me but if the pools look like they would be great for DD then im okay with it.

for GW, I’d actually want a higher room. My kid is a ball of energy who has no problem wandering. So if I let her out on the patio she will wander all over the place and I’ll be walking with her. It’s one of the reasons I was thinking yacht cause I love having a balcony cause then we can be outside but she still be “contained”. She loves playing with her toys on the balcony at BLT the last two times we stayed there. It was nice for me cause I could sit and relax while watching her.

Based on your description, I would do YC. I've done BC alone with my DS when he was a toddler and, because I was by his side every minute at SAB, it wasn't a problem. We just stayed in the sandy area together. There is also a smaller pool with a small slide behind the big Flying Jib slide and we spent some time back over there as well. I loved staying in the EP area when he was young (well, I still do!), because I could just put him in a stroller and have EP and everything around the Boardwalk a short walk away. I do like the CR garden wing as well, but you will have so much more available to you in the Boardwalk area. I really love having a balcony as well.

 

[brockash]

kidani is too far from the parks for me. My kid did better on the busses this time but sometimes she gets super antsy so I don’t want to rely only on bus transportation for all parks and have a long drive. Plus kidani doesn’t seem to have Savannah view studio available for when we are there. But I will still look into the pool because a good pool for her could change my mind.

did you find there was enough to do at resort even during covid times? And enough to eat? I heard food is limited and not many things open at resort

We stayed in Oct. and I definitely wouldn't stay there again without the resort actually being open. The lack of QS food, busy and small gift shop and the pool were all oretty big negatives for us. The Kidani pool was packed the whole time we were there and we didn't like the layout at all. The transportation was not to deluxe standards in our opinion either. I'd do either CR or BCV - if you're going to mainly be at MK though; you just can't beat the transportation CR has to offer.

 

[NicoleLarson]

Hands down, contemporary. We stayed there when our DD was 18 months and loved it, so much so that we bought DVC there. Being able to walk to the MK is priceless, plus this sounds like its the cheapest option for you. Yes, the pool isn't great but our DD loved it just the same.

I whole heartily agree that YC is not a good option for this trip. SAB is a complete nightmare for little kids. Plus you indicated that you can't swim. Know there are some very deep spots in this pool that are not marked well and will take you by surprise.

Poly would be an okay option but you are paying more for less convenience. Having to deal with the construction as well, is a deal breaker for me. Plus the kids area is not ideal for wee ones. Tons of water cannons and water sprays, slides that dump out into big puddles of water, bigger kids running all over place....

 

[Jhondy]

I am so torn between Poly and yacht club. I like poly’s proximity to MK and the kiddie pool area (but worry about water being cold and idk if DD will play on the structure or not.) I like that the resort won’t be full but I wonder if we won’t feel like we got the full experience and is it really worth $300 more than yacht club for 5 nights (thought it was 6 but it’s not so now these prices seem even more crazy but it’s my bday)

yacht club has nice pool and we could always do half days at MK and come back for a nap and then go to EP in the evenings or just nap at MK in the stroller. I really like the idea of eating QS at Epcot in the evenings cause it gives so many options. The pool looks like fun but I worry it will be crowded and not as much to play at as Poly cause there is no splash pad. And with so much being closed and no entertainment on boardwalk, I wonder if it will also feel like not getting the full experience.

Im thinking of booking yacht and then seeing if any last minute DVC deals come out but I don’t want to risk losing out in Poly and regretting my decision. Ugh now I’m leaning towards Poly. I feel like every 2 minutes, I change my mind lol. I do like the idea of sitting by the kiddie pool at Poly eating a dole whip while my kid plays but I don’t even know if that is possible.

 

[pinkxray]

I don’t think you can go wrong picking Poly or YC.

We stayed at Poly in 2019 when DD was 18/19? months. We stayed at YC the following year. ( we did a split stay with GF that year so I don’t know about transport to MK from YC)

I agree with the poster that the Poly play area isn’t great for kids your daughters age. DD was 18 months and I did not like her playing there. It did have some deep areas and tons of older kids running around. It was perfect for her 4 year old brother though. That was probably his favorite part of the trip.
DD did like zero entry pool though so it is still a fun pool.

I am not usually a fan of SAB with kids. However it is fun for little kids that will be happy playing in the sandy area. Your daughter would probably have a great time there.

I would just pick whichever one you think would make you happy. They are both great options for you being solo with your DD.

If I was planning a trip with DD at that age I would probably lean a little more towards Poly. I find the grounds a little more relaxing, food choices a little better(didn’t like YC qs), and a quick hop over to MK.

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

We stayed at Beach Club when my son 26 months. I wouldn’t stay there just for the sand. He loves the water. It the sand didn’t hold his attention for long. He wanted to be in the water.

 

[stranger706]

Subtract a night off your trip and stay at the Grand. The pools and splash pad are perfect for littles and it’s the quietest most relaxed MK resort. I would also recommend Poly but after the construction is over.

 

[Jhondy]

Subtract a night off your trip and stay at the Grand. The pools and splash pad are perfect for littles and it’s the quietest most relaxed MK resort. I would also recommend Poly but after the construction is over.

I already subtracted a day and I don’t want to go for less than 5 nights since we are flying to get to WDW.

I’m now also looking into wilderness cause it’s cheaper than poly and yacht but not as convenient to the parks as the other two

 

[stranger706]

Gotcha. We love WL. Stayed there 2 thanksgivings ago. It was really nice and relaxed. I don’t recommend the small boats with strollers. You have to fold them up. That was an interesting ride. The bigger boat is roll on and they can stay in the stroller.

I believe they also have some renovations going on might want to check on that.

 

[jenmsmith]

We've stayed with a toddler at Contemporary and Poly and Yacht Club. Unless you really want to proximity to Magic Kingdom, I vote Yacht Club. Our little girl loved the area of Stormalong Bay that has the sandy entry. Sure, she enjoyed the sand, but she also loved that it was shallow enough she could walk around and play in it. You'll need to be in the water with your DD, but, honestly, parents should be in the water with kids that little regardless. She never acted like she wanted to go to the other areas of the pool, and that's with older brothers who were obviously moving around. The walkability to two different parks is back to being a big advantage with park hopping returning.

 

[butterscotchcollins]

We've stayed with a toddler at Contemporary and Poly and Yacht Club. Unless you really want to proximity to Magic Kingdom, I vote Yacht Club. Our little girl loved the area of Stormalong Bay that has the sandy entry. Sure, she enjoyed the sand, but she also loved that it was shallow enough she could walk around and play in it. You'll need to be in the water with your DS, but, honestly, parents should be in the water with kids that little regardless. She never acted like she wanted to go to the other areas of the pool, and that's with older brothers who were obviously moving around. The walkability to two different parks is back to being a big advantage with park hopping returning.

I want to add also about SAB that the pool complex is large and people really spread out so I don't think you and your little one will feel too cramped in the sandy/zero entry kids area. Additionally because it's so large they have a TON of lifeguards - that should give you a little peace of mind even though you plan on sticking with her. And lastly if you think this would be fun they also have a little baby water slide at the base of the large mast slide that you might enjoy

We love YC, it's a gorgeous resort, great QS and dining options (Ale & Compass is delicious), the walking proximity to IG and the Skyliner is excellent, and the bus service to MK when we were there was pretty quick and reliable. (If all else fails it's a cheap Uber ride.)

Have fun, whatever you decide!

 

[Jhondy]

Thanks everyone! I’m currently leaning towards Boulder ridge at Wilderness. But I keep hesitating because of the sand area at SAB. I know my kid would love that but I’m not really excited for the actual yacht club hotel. I feel like wilderness has more to do and see than yacht club (not counting walk to parks). Plus I think at wilderness, I can squeeze her pack and play in by the bathroom so she can nap/sleep while I can still watch tv and move around the room

However, I keep hesitating because of SAB and convenience to the two parks. But this won’t be a park heavy trip and I want to spend more time just hanging at the resort so the resort area is very important to me. I think yacht club would hands down win if the boardwalk area was like how it was pre-covid.

since I’m booking through disney at this point, I can always change my mind a bunch of times till april (and likely will). This would be so much easier if my kid was old enough to tell me which hotel she would like to stay at.