Need some advice on where to stay with baby?

[Brer Bear]

Hi everyone,

I was looking for some advice on where to stay this coming October. I will be traveling with my wife and baby, who will be almost 2 years old.

We are trying to decide what villas to stay in between The Boardwalk Villas, The Beach Club Villas and Wilderness Lodge Villas.

The Wildeness Lodge would be good because of the closeness to the Magic Kingdom and I think we will be spending most of out time in that park becuase there is the most to do with our baby.

But staying at the Boardwalk or Beach Club would be great we can just put him in the stroller and walk to either Epcot or Hollywood Studios. Not having to worry about getting on a bus or boat with strollers and bags is a definite advantage.

So anyone out there who has some advice or has stayted at either of these places with a baby, there feedback would be very welcome.

Thanks in advance for your help

 

[Mukta]

I think you should look at the attractions in all of the parks and really decide where you will spend most of your time.
Pick the resort that will be closest. Taking him back for naps in the afternoon quickly will be a big bonus.
I would not spend much time at the Studios with a 2 year old, but it depends on your family.

 

[Engine 51]

getting a stroller on and off the boats is not difficult, and since you will be in MK most often WL is probably is the way to go. Buses are the only place where strollers can be a problem, just use the smallest one practical and have it folded and ready when the bus gets there and you should be fine.

 

[swimmom]

If you are going to spend most of your time in the MK than Wilderness Lodge Villas would be a good choice. Using the boat transportation to MK with a stroller is relatively easy. The only time it can be more difficult is when the water level is really high or low. For the most part people with strollers can roll them right on the boat. That makes leaving the MK with a sleeping baby real easy.

 

[DisneyJoe]

For the most part people with strollers can roll them right on the boat. That makes leaving the MK with a sleeping baby real easy.

Depends on the boat - there are 2 different types - a large one where you can roll the stroller right on, and a smaller one with at least 2 steps down into the boat, and you need to either step on the side of the boat or over it; with the smaller boat they will make you fold up the stroller and carry your baby and other items on.

 

[eroyee]

If you dont have to stay at the villas I would recommend the Poly or Contemporary for staying with a child in a stroller. It would be so easy to roll the stroller on to the monorail all the time and travel to the parks. specially if you will be spending most of your time at the Magic Kingdom. Just an idea!!!

 

[redfive13]

My wife and I took our 1yr old daughter there last September and we chose to stay at the Polynesian for 2 reasons:

1. It's the Poly! And we always wanted to stay there
2. It has the monorail and the boats and its right next to the TTC. At the end of a long day, when you child is sleeping or you just don't want to attempt taking him/her in and out of their stroller it's nice to have options that include keeping them right where they are. We are think about staying there again this year.

It was great. Now that don't have villas, but they do have club rooms. Or you could do Bay Lake Towers at the Contemporary. They have some larger rooms and also have monorail and boat service.

Have a great time!

 

[slappy magoo]

Hi everyone,

I was looking for some advice on where to stay this coming October. I will be traveling with my wife and baby, who will be almost 2 years old.

We are trying to decide what villas to stay in between The Boardwalk Villas, The Beach Club Villas and Wilderness Lodge Villas.

The Wildeness Lodge would be good because of the closeness to the Magic Kingdom and I think we will be spending most of out time in that park becuase there is the most to do with our baby.

But staying at the Boardwalk or Beach Club would be great we can just put him in the stroller and walk to either Epcot or Hollywood Studios. Not having to worry about getting on a bus or boat with strollers and bags is a definite advantage.

So anyone out there who has some advice or has stayted at either of these places with a baby, there feedback would be very welcome.

Thanks in advance for your help

When it comes to traveling with kids 3 and under, the most obvious response to be "stay near the Magic Kingdom, it's where you're going to be spending most of your time anyway."

But because I'm a contrary pain in the keister, I say, stay at the resort with the amenities you'd enjoy most. Because (hopefully not) there's a good chance your kid may be overwhelmed by any or all of the parks, and you'll be spending more time at the resort than you originally anticipated. Staying at Boardwalk or Beach Club will afford you quicker ins outs when you go to Epcot or the Studios - you really won't have to worry about transportation at all. Plus you also have all of the amenities and restaurants of 5 different resorts within walking distance.

 

[Brer Bear]

My wife and I took our 1yr old daughter there last September and we chose to stay at the Polynesian for 2 reasons:

1. It's the Poly! And we always wanted to stay there
2. It has the monorail and the boats and its right next to the TTC. At the end of a long day, when you child is sleeping or you just don't want to attempt taking him/her in and out of their stroller it's nice to have options that include keeping them right where they are. We are think about staying there again this year.

It was great. Now that don't have villas, but they do have club rooms. Or you could do Bay Lake Towers at the Contemporary. They have some larger rooms and also have monorail and boat service.

Have a great time!

Unfortunately we won't be able to stay at the Poly because that resort isn't offered at our timeshare company (RCI). That would be our number #1 choice because of the monorail.

Slappy Magoo - I tend to agree with your opinoin as well. I've always been skeptical on how much time we will be spending in the park with a baby. So to have other things to do or see around the report it a definite postive.

 

[durangojim]

As someone who's been to WDW many many times with our kids when they were infants, I'd say with your choices I'd probably choose Wilderness Lodge if you plan to be at MK most, and Beach Club if you plan to be at EPCOT the most. However I'd probably do WL because for young children/toddlers/infants MK is the most popular resort. Ideally if you could stay at a monorail resort, that would be the most convenient, but the boats from WL are a good second if you get the larger type of boat. If you have the small boats, then prepare to become a mule and lug around the stroller and bags. It still beats a bus ride to MK from BC though. Have a great time and remember that babies take their cues as to what is fun or scary from their parents. We took our kids on Haunted Mansion and Pirates when they were only 8 and 10 weeks respectively and they've been on them ever since and never have been afraid -- infact those are two of their favorite rides even though they're only 4 and 2. All of the sights and sounds provide wonderful mental stimulation to developing minds, just take it slow.

 

[GatorGambit]

We took our daughter when she was 6 months old and stayed at POFQ for 8 days / 7 nights. If you rent a car or bring your own car (which, IMHO, is a necessity at WDW, regardless of where you are staying), you should have no issues at all with transportation, regardless of which resort you choose. In fact, it is possibly more convenient, as you have the ability to come and go from any location in WDW an any time you please, as opposed to being tied to waiting in lines for Disney Transportation.

As far as the parks, we really didn't have any major baby-specific issues. The Baby Care stations in all 4 parks are extremely convenient (See this link: http://www.disonadime.com/?p=75). The big downside for us is that it rained for 3 of the 4 parks we visited, so her stroller was covered with a poncho for the majority of the time.

Have fun!

 

[stitch & lilo]

beach club, beach club! with the great pool area with sand!!, a fun little kid slide, ice cream parlor, and cape may cafe it is super. we stayed there 4 times with my 2 boys, the first trip 21/2 and 4 months old and then six months later and so on. we loved thew ease of walking into epcot, taking the mom to MK or chef mickeys. we did have a rental car so getting to AK and MGM/HS was easy. my boys love epcot and have from the getgo so we love beach club. also fun to watch epcot fireworks from the bridge in pj's. have a great trip and take them to the not so scaery night at mk if you can, they will love it!

 

[Brer Bear]

beach club, beach club! with the great pool area with sand!!, a fun little kid slide, ice cream parlor, and cape may cafe it is super. we stayed there 4 times with my 2 boys, the first trip 21/2 and 4 months old and then six months later and so on. we loved thew ease of walking into epcot, taking the mom to MK or chef mickeys. we did have a rental car so getting to AK and MGM/HS was easy. my boys love epcot and have from the getgo so we love beach club. also fun to watch epcot fireworks from the bridge in pj's. have a great trip and take them to the not so scaery night at mk if you can, they will love it!

I've always heard great reports from the Beach Club. I've been told the pool is the best on Disney property. But I was just worried that it would give off a kind of "stuffy" vibe like the Grand Floridian does.

When we stayed there I always felt like I had to whisper in the main building. Like people would "shush" us if we got too loud!!

 

[glidden]

hello you should see if your time share will be able to be used at bay lake towers. you then can have monorail to MK and Epcot. My daughter was 3 the first trip and we spent most time in those 2 parks and half days at AK and DHS plus she loved the pools the most. We have been back every year for the past 6 years at different time and resorts most resorts were value and mod but now are BLT members. the Strolers were not as bad as could be if you paked it up before the bus came, we had a large stroler for the first 3 trips.

 

[happymom52003]

I would stay at the Poly. That way you have easy access to both the MK and Epcot since the TTC is a very short walk from the Poly (where you can board the monorail to Epcot). When you have a baby with you, it is sooooo nice to have easy access to your resort. I can't stress that enough!! If you stay at The Boardwalk then getting to MK is kind of a pain.

If you don't want to consider the Poly, then I say Wilderness Lodge Villas. Our youngest was a baby the first time we stayed there and we LOVED the boat ride to the MK. Most of the time you will be on the larger boats that you can roll the stroller right onto.

It looks like you want villas...have you considered Bay Lake Tower?

 

[DizFanatic]

This is a tough choice. I am partial to WL as it's my favorite resort. It's much smaller than the others, secluded, and close to MK. You can see the Water Pageant on Bay Lake in the night from the beach.

However... Beach Club shares the amazing "Storm Along Bay" pool with Yacht Club, and Board Walk is just stunning. With both BC & BW you have lots of waterfront walkways with shopping & dining on the BW. Great for long romantic evening walks with Hubby & Stroller.

I know I'm not being much of a help, But I think it may be mostly atmosphere preference. I may lean more toward BC because of pool & gorgeous view of BW, as well as the other things I mentioned.

Anyway, have a great time with your little one and enjoy my favorite place on earth!
:wave:

 

[Brer Bear]

I would stay at the Poly. That way you have easy access to both the MK and Epcot since the TTC is a very short walk from the Poly (where you can board the monorail to Epcot). When you have a baby with you, it is sooooo nice to have easy access to your resort. I can't stress that enough!! If you stay at The Boardwalk then getting to MK is kind of a pain.

If you don't want to consider the Poly, then I say Wilderness Lodge Villas. Our youngest was a baby the first time we stayed there and we LOVED the boat ride to the MK. Most of the time you will be on the larger boats that you can roll the stroller right onto.

It looks like you want villas...have you considered Bay Lake Tower?

Yes we have the option of Bay Lake Towers but unfortunately it's very hard to book a 1 bedroom villa through RCI. Everytime we call or set up a search for that resort there is nothing available .

So although it would be great.....I'm not holding out hope for the towers

 

[coltow]

My oldest was 2 1/2 last time we stayed at WL. He LOVED it. The loved the pool and loved looking at all the stuff in the lobby, the grounds and the room were also very nice. The rooms were plenty big and plenty quiet.

 

[foreverbelle]

Out of the three, I would say WL. We were just there this past February with our son who just turned 1. We found the boats to be easy to get on and off and with MK not to far it was a great short boat trip...plus it was such a relaxing ride..

 

[marcriss]

I'd have to vote for the Beach Club. The sandy pool is great for little ones!