Best option with toddler and MIL ?

[DrummerAlly]

Okay, so after a disastrous trip last year with our baby, I've somehow convinced my husband that we should go back to WDW. We've tentatively decided on next summer or fall for a trip for the two of us, our (will then be) 2 year old, and my mother. Hopefully adding in my mother will make for a much more enjoyable trip for all of us since it will up the adult - child ratio. I'm having trouble trying to pick out a good hotel option. There's too many options - help!! Here's what I'm considering...

1. A suite at Art of Animation. I'm tentative about this one because of the seemingly high price, but it looks like a good set up otherwise. Also considering a suite at ASMu. Edit: seemingly high price for what it is.... I realize that other options on this list cost more.

2. A cabin at Fort Wilderness. This looks like it would have some of the best space for us, but does it have the Disney Pixi Dust?

3. 2 value rooms. We like the value rooms and the price, but after my husband and I stayed at AKL and YC we think we might be spoiled.

4. A larger room at AKL or WL. I know almost nothing about non-standard rooms at these resorts... how much more expensive are we talking than AoA and is it worth it?

5. A DVC 1 or 2 bedroom. Again, I know almost nothing here... would it be a lot more expensive or even worth it?

What do you guys think? We just need to figure out the right combination of value, comfort, and a little privacy so the bringing-the-MIL thing isn't weird. Thanks!!

 

[mitchk]

I would go with 2 rooms at all star movies in a preferred building. The only reason I suggest there is because it is a small resort ( not a lot of walking ) and it has a nice theme. I took my 1 1/2 year old lil girl last year, and she was insane to put it lightly. We are goin back in Nov. this year to give it another shot. Last year we got my mother, and sister a room, to help out with Marissa(my lil girl). This year it's just me, the wife, and Marissa. We are staying at all star movies, and I think you should do the same, but like you said AK Lodge, and ASM are two totally different experiences. Good luck, have a magical day!

 

[RedDad]

We took our youngest at age 14 months and also brought my wife's mother along. I highly recommend the additional adult! We decided on WL for a number of reasons, but the number one issue is proximity to the parks. With a little one it is very nice to be close enough to the parks that a quick trip back to the hotel for a nap isn't a big deal. Also, with young children, we wanted to spend more time in our room and at the resort, and frankly the values aren't great for this. (AOA may be the exception with that great pool/water area) WL offers the ferry to MK and the price is on the low end of the deluxe, particularly if you can get the 30% discount.

I had no issue sharing a room with my MIL, but it sounds like that may not be the case with your DH? Once I saw the price difference I was more than willing to suck it up, and we had no issues staying in a standard room for 9 nights together.

Price-wise the 2 value rooms may be the best, but you should also consider renting DVC points for a 1BR. You can pay cash for the DVC rooms thru Disney (we did this on our latest trip), but the 1 and 2 BR are pretty steep even with a discount. The biggest issue with renting points is having to book and pay so far in advance.

Our DD's second trip she was 2 and we stayed at Pop. It was a great trip, but it was also in late Oct when crowds are light. The values are great for what they are, but if you're used to deluxe it may be an adjustment, particularly if you use the buses. We drive almost exclusively when staying at values. Just some things to consider! You'll have a great time no matter what you choose!

 

[LizC]

I think this is a problem many of us face. My husband and I were also used to staying at the more expensive hotels, but when we had twins we weren't sure how we would manage our trips with them.

For our first trip (they were 1), we rented a house off property and brought along most of my family. DO NOT DO THIS! It was such a pain loading the kids in and out of car seats all the time, and going back for a nap was such an ordeal. Plus having to deal with so MANY peoples opinions on what to do every day. Ugh!

Anyways... This time we will be going with just our little family and my parents. (The twins will be 2 1/2) We got a 2 bedroom at the Boardwalk Villas. We debated basically with all the same choices you did. The thing that stuck out the most for us, was how easy it will be to get back to the hotel from Epcot and HS for a nap for the kids. That and the fact that both couples could have actual beds, no pullout couches, and some privacy. The price for this was obviously more than AOA or the Cabin (the other choices in our top three), but we felt it was worth it and are hoping for a room discount to come out. (I checked out the previous years, and it seems like they normally offer a pretty good one for the time we are going)

Have a wonderful vacation!

 

[hsisthebest]

I would go more with what you want than worry about your toddler on this trip. AOA is tons of fun but our 5YO loved it way more than our 2YO because she had seen all the movies represented at the resort. Our 2YO loved the pool/playground area and just exploring in general- which can be done at any resort. If I were you (and I'm jealous that I'm not, because our next trip is more than a year away) I would go with AKL or WL. They have the most for adults to enjoy and you'll have plenty of time later for your kid to get excited about staying with Lighting McQueen.

 

[HouCuseChickie]

We went on two separate WDW trips when our younger one was age 2. We were big fans of afternoon breaks at that age since the parks created a lot of sensory overload for her...so going with a resort closest to the park/area we'd be visiting the most was what we chose. This way, we wasted less time getting back and forth for break time and it meant we were back at our resort more quickly on most evenings = fewer meltdowns. We still had some meltdowns, but I know it would have been much worse if we had longer transport times. In both cases, that meant MK area (WL on first trip and Contemporary on her 2nd trip). It would also work well in the Epcot area resorts if you're planning on a chunk of Epcot and DHS time since they are fairly easy walks or boat rides away from the park. The cost of one room or villa vs. the cost of 2 rooms at a value or a cabin could wind up in the same price point. You might want to check Allears or Mousesavers for the rack rate prices to compare.

 

[DrummerAlly]

Thanks for the help everyone! I think my husband could probably suck up sleeping in the same room with my mother (we actually used to live with her for a couple months) but I'm not sure I'm crazy about it. I think I've got it narrowed down now to AoA, two value rooms, or a 1BR room at Saratoga or OKW.... unless of course someone hands me a pile of cash and then I'm totally going for a nicer DVC in the MK or Epcot areas. It makes me feel a little better to hear that some of you travel this same way to make it easier!

 

[Sparkle81]

We're taking our 2 year old for the first time in December, and staying in a 1 bed at SSR. We've stayed in hotels with him (not at WDW), and found it was hard to get him to settle when we were all in the same room. Hopefully it'll work out, but we're going with an open mind as to how much we'll get to see & do so we won't be uptight if we have to leave parks earlier for naps/bedtime!

 

[HollyAD]

Probably would not choose a cabin. We did this one time and it was a mistake. We actually changed our reservation after spending a few hours at the cabin. Wonderful space but... Just not Disney. I would opt for two rooms at Pop for the privacy. My MIL, toddler,my husband and myself stayed all in one room with no problem but if you want privacy go for two. Have you thought about renting vacation point from a DVC member? We have done this recently and a 2 br villa and lots of space for 8. It's up to you where you want to stay and what you want to spend. However, if it has to be value I always opt for Pop myself. I do love WL and AKL but it's not always in the budget.

 

[jaklgreen]

I would go with 2 rooms if your mother is going. I did have to laugh at the fact that you have 3 adults to 1 child. LOL Hubby and I have been taking our girls since they were 1&2 yo, and I took them alone when they were 2 and 3 years old. For me the less people the better. I want to enjoy my trip with my kids and not worry about whether grandma and grandpa are having fun or where they want to eat or if they are tired.

 

[Weather_Lady]

A DVC 1 bedroom villa won't be hugely more expensive if you rent DVC points to get it. Check out David's DVC Rentals or one of the other sites commonly recommended on here. You'll have additional space, a full kitchen, your own washer and dryer, and potentially a location much closer to the parks (depending on which DVC property you choose).

Just to give you an example, DH, and I, our 2 kids, my Dad and my aunt are staying in the Wilderness Lodge Villas in a 2-bedroom villa for 6 nights next May. We'll be paying only 60% of what the same accommodations would cost at "rack rate." In fact, the price is only a little more than we'd have paid if we'd gotten 2 standard (non-discounted) rooms at a moderate resort for the same dates. Because DVC point rentals are non-refundable, we did pay $200 or so to purchase vacation insurance from a third party vendor, to cover the cost if we have to cancel for any reason.

 

[danpam1024]

1 BR DVC would probably be best- the kitchen is a must with a little one. AND you get a balcony

 

[dreamfinder]

Thanks for the help everyone! I think my husband could probably suck up sleeping in the same room with my mother (we actually used to live with her for a couple months) but I'm not sure I'm crazy about it. I think I've got it narrowed down now to AoA, two value rooms, or a 1BR room at Saratoga or OKW.... unless of course someone hands me a pile of cash and then I'm totally going for a nicer DVC in the MK or Epcot areas. It makes me feel a little better to hear that some of you travel this same way to make it easier!

Keep in mind that you aren't guaranteed to have 2 connecting rooms if you book 2 values. Since you would have adults in each room, you may end up near each other, in the same building, or a slight change at a totally different building. If you want to be able to have the MIL watch the toddler for a while, I think that would be easiest in a suite/villa as no one has to move to a different room. No need to pack up the toddlers things, or make the MIL grab anything she thinks she would need to babysit for a few hours. The AoA suite would give you the second bathroom, which might be helpful in the AM, and you have the murphy bed instead of just a pullout couch. Looks like the suite is a little less than a DVC 1 BR point rental, but you don't have the full kitchen. If you plan on eating stuff in the room, or depending on your needs for the toddler, you might more than recoup the extra costs just from having the full kitchen. Depends on what you really want from the room.

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

Leave the toddler with the MIL

 

[DrummerAlly]

I would go with 2 rooms if your mother is going. I did have to laugh at the fact that you have 3 adults to 1 child. LOL Hubby and I have been taking our girls since they were 1&2 yo, and I took them alone when they were 2 and 3 years old. For me the less people the better. I want to enjoy my trip with my kids and not worry about whether grandma and grandpa are having fun or where they want to eat or if they are tired.

My husband and I took our daughter when she was 3 months old and it was a disaster (we booked the trip before finding out we were pregnant and had non-refundable air fare). She hated the sun, hated the people, hated the heat, it was just bad. We were in WDW for 5 days and only rode two rides - Nemo at Epcot and the TTA. We're looking to recover from that trip still!

My mother is a widow and is a huge Disney fan. Now that my dad isn't around to take her to WDW, we want to fill that void. We think having my mom with us will make it easier and less stressful on my husband and I while also giving her the dose of Mickey Magic that she needs. I think my daughter will be at a better age next summer / fall too!

 

[DrummerAlly]

Leave the toddler with the MIL

That's the plan for at least part of the vacation!!

 

[TAMarie]

My mother is a widow and is a huge Disney fan. Now that my dad isn't around to take her to WDW, we want to fill that void. We think having my mom with us will make it easier and less stressful on my husband and I while also giving her the dose of Mickey Magic that she needs. I think my daughter will be at a better age next summer / fall too!

My mother in law was a widow who also had great Disney memories. She hadn't been to Disney in 10 years, so we took her to DW with our daughter and stayed at BLT in a 1 bedroom (we're DVC members). You have a full kitchen, TONS of space, and washer and dryer. If you can travel in Sept and Oct, it's much better than traveling in the summer. It's a bit cooler, less crowded, and there are often free dining or room discounts. On DVC villas, the room discounts have been 35%. These offers have been announced in early May in the past. Disney travel agencies like ours will automatically apply any discounts that become available after you make a reservation.

ps My MIL passes away less than 3 months after that trip. Everyone we met at her funeral told us how much that trip meant to her, and how she talked about it all the time.

 

[jaklgreen]

My husband and I took our daughter when she was 3 months old and it was a disaster (we booked the trip before finding out we were pregnant and had non-refundable air fare). She hated the sun, hated the people, hated the heat, it was just bad. We were in WDW for 5 days and only rode two rides - Nemo at Epcot and the TTA. We're looking to recover from that trip still!

My mother is a widow and is a huge Disney fan. Now that my dad isn't around to take her to WDW, we want to fill that void. We think having my mom with us will make it easier and less stressful on my husband and I while also giving her the dose of Mickey Magic that she needs. I think my daughter will be at a better age next summer / fall too!

Your trip will be much better this time as the child is older. I do not recommend taking small babies(as you found out). Taking your mom is also great if she wants to go but I think this trip will be much easier for you even without your mom. I still like the separate rooms for privacy.

 

[jl2081]

We have a 16 month old and an almost 4 year old and r passholders who go and stay often. We have found the Caribbean Beach Resort to be a great resort. It's a moderate level hotel with great accommodations. The main pool has an awesome pool for kids right next to the main pool and the food court has some great options for food. The resort grounds r absolutely beautiful. I have found that if u ask for one of the 2 buildings across the bridge from the food court u get preferred location without the added charge and all u have to do is walk across the bridge which passes a playground and ur at the main pool and the food court. This resort is one of our top pics!

 

[dadddio]

I think that the answer to this question largely has to do with your husband's relationship with your mother. If you have a great relationship, you might try a value suite. If not, I'd go with two value rooms, perhaps adjoining.

It should be noted that we found the suite to be absolutely necessary when visiting with our children as it allows them to sleep while we hang out in the other bedroom. I'm not sure how that would work with another adult in the suite.

Also, it should be noted that if it were my family and my MIL, I would put her in a value room at All Star Movies, while we take a room at Paradise Pier.