First trip to Disney w/3 year old

[Mommaoflilone]

Hello All!
I'm hoping you might be able to help me make our very important resort decision.
We are taking our three year old for his very first visit to DW in June.
We have the budget for the Polynesian-- which I have booked... but I'm second guessing my decision.
Our lil one still naps, and we're looking for an easy-going trip. We're going to park hop around his naps, enjoy some great character dining, and enjoy the pool and ambiance of our resort.

Do we stay at the Poly? Friends have suggested Yacht Club, Wilderness, and The Boardwalk.... I really want to be sure our resort is kid-friendly, and simply amazes him....

What are your thoughts?

 

[Hakunamatata]

Hello All!
I'm hoping you might be able to help me make our very important resort decision.
We are taking our three year old for his very first visit to DW in June.
We have the budget for the Polynesian-- which I have booked... but I'm second guessing my decision.
Our lil one still naps, and we're looking for an easy-going trip. We're going to park hop around his naps, enjoy some great character dining, and enjoy the pool and ambiance of our resort.

Do we stay at the Poly? Friends have suggested Yacht Club, Wilderness, and The Boardwalk.... I really want to be sure our resort is kid-friendly, and simply amazes him....

What are your thoughts?

When it comes to the resort choice, I would do what you wanted to do. At 3yo, everything is going to amaze him. I like the Poly choice as its easy access to the MK where I would assume you would spend a lot of time. You then have monorail access to EPCOT.

 

[Mommaoflilone]

I don't know a whole lot about Yacht Club, Boardwalk, or Wilderness- so I feel like maybe I made an impulsive decision on the Poly...

If it's a "low key" day, one without parks... does the Poly have enough going on for a three year old? Or are some of the other resorts a little more entertaining?

 

[journ116]

I've traveled to Disney several times, 3/4's of which were with one or two children in tow (who are now DD5 & DD2). Personally, I have stayed at all of the aforementioned resorts and our favorite as a family is the Polynesian! I think you made a wise choice picking that resort for many reasons:

1. This resort is located right next to the TTC, quite the convenience. At the TTC, you can decide one day to ride the ferry to MK and another day you might want to hop the express monorail (FYI: the monorail outside the Great Ceremonial House makes stops at the other monorail resorts & the TTC in addition to MK). You can also hop the monorail to EPCOT from here. (When we stayed here, our room was in the Rapa Nui longhouse, which was a 5 minute stroll to the TTC & an 7 minute walk to the GCH.)

2. The resort is breathtaking!!! You'll know what I mean once you step inside the GCH! Plus, a popular character breakfast is located here: 'Ohana!!! (We took both daughters to this and they loved meeting Lilo and Stitch!)

3. There's an awesome volcano pool that my oldest daughter just loved (she was 3 at the time we stayed there!)!

4. You can enjoy MK fireworks and the Water Pageant show from a beach setting!

Every resort has their pros and cons, so no matter how many suggestions and opinions you may receive, the decision is yours. Enjoy the time with your little one in WDW!!:wave:

 

[olinecoach61]

Well I vote for the poly. In fact we will be bringing our 3 year old this July and staying at the poly ourselves. Being on the monorail line should be great for getting back for naps.

 

[jikobean]

I'm going to have to agree with your choice of the Polynesian. With the ease of the monorail, it's your best bet. You are allowed to keep your stroller open on the monorail as opposed to the buses, so just in case he falls asleep, you don't have to wake him. Also, it's a short trip to MK, which will definitely be his favorite place!

Don't forget to try the Tonga toast!!! yummy!

 

[docdebbi]

another poly vote. we took our 9 month old and our 2 year old there in sept. we requested niue which is right next to the great ceremonial house. it was perfect. as our 2 year old never seem to make it home awake, it was great to only carry him such a short distance from the entrance at the great ceremonial house to the room. it is also right at the pool and as it was right at the great ceremonial house, it's a quick trip for food. we usually brought it back and ate in the room while the kids napped.
the pool is good, although nothing special for kids, and no kids play area pool like some of the other resorts, but we rarely spend a lot of time in the pool- there are pools at home! i want to be in the parks!
we were on the first floor, and our room had sliding glass doors to a patio and grassy area outside, the kids loved the ability to go right out and back in, and the ducks came up to our window and looked in- the kids LOVED that.
bonus- it rained long and hard (not usual disney afternoon drenchings) almost every day we were there. nuie has a completely covered walkway from ceremonial house to it, no rain waking the kids on the way home, no drenched adults !!
double bonus, since it's a garden view, it's the cheapest room

i'm sure other buildings have their pluses, but i say request nuie and hope you get it, and if you're being piggy- request first floor nuie.

 

[ProfSlim]

Poly for sure...you'll have no worries or regrets (other than the $$ outlay :dazzle. I have three children, we've been to the Poly 6 times in the past 8 years. Started when DS1 was 2 years old... The pool, beach, grounds, access to monorail (with a 3 year old you'll be in the MK a lot), etc. are all good reasons. Have fun !

 

[bmarkelon]

I am another stick with your Poly choice vote. The others that were suggested are fabulous choices but Poly is your better by far for little ones. You cannot beat that convenient location. Have a magical trip!

 

[MKN]

I also vote for the Poly! Next to the pool, there is a splash pad that my 3 yr old loved almost as much as the pool. You can watch the fireworks from the beach & just walk back to your room without having to contend with the park crowds. MK will be his fave & you will be so close! You can even take the ferry to TTC & walk to your room for a change of scenery. My DS LOVED traveling on both the monorail & ferry. You can do character dining at all of the monorail resorts too -- super easy to get around.