Overwhelmed with choices

[mdubm]

My husband is about ready to kill me because I have changed our reservations so many times. I keep checking to see if prices drop, and they do at other resorts, so I have switched (innocent smile).

We will be traveling in the beginning of June of this year with a 4 year old daughter (who has been once) and a 14 month old son (never been) and of course, my husband. Both of us have stayed on site before, but only once each and it was YEARS ago. I have stayed at Caribbean Beach, he has stayed at All Star Sports. We usually stay off-site in a condo. We aren't Motel 6 kind of people, but typically go for like Hampton Inn/Hilton to give you an idea of our tastes. Looking for a resort that will appeal to both kids and us (ie. fun theming, but restaurants and a bar to get drinks at after a long day). We are spending 1 day in Epcot, 1 in Hollywood, 3 in Magic Kingdom.

Hubs also wants some separation from the kids, so we are in need of at least a 1 bedroom suite (unless someone can seriously convince me or offer tips on how to deal with a 14 month old who will knock out before all of us).

We've looked at (AoA and BoardWalk cost is the same, JH is about $600 more):
Art of Animation Family Suites- I'm wary of paper thin walls and transportation issues that I keep reading about.
BoardWalk- only a standard room is currently available, so no separation.
Jambo House- love the theming and availability of restaurants, but nervous about splurging on a deluxe that doesn't offer better transportation than most other resorts (and we aren't going to AK on this trip)

There is also a 1 BR available at SS, and Junior Suite at Coronado, but neither of these options seem to trump those above. Other than that, no other availability.

 

[KrzyKtty]

My husband is about ready to kill me because I have changed our reservations so many times. I keep checking to see if prices drop, and they do at other resorts, so I have switched (innocent smile).

We will be traveling in the beginning of June of this year with a 4 year old daughter (who has been once) and a 14 month old son (never been) and of course, my husband. Both of us have stayed on site before, but only once each and it was YEARS ago. I have stayed at Caribbean Beach, he has stayed at All Star Sports. We usually stay off-site in a condo. We aren't Motel 6 kind of people, but typically go for like Hampton Inn/Hilton to give you an idea of our tastes. Looking for a resort that will appeal to both kids and us (ie. fun theming, but restaurants and a bar to get drinks at after a long day). We are spending 1 day in Epcot, 1 in Hollywood, 3 in Magic Kingdom.

Hubs also wants some separation from the kids, so we are in need of at least a 1 bedroom suite (unless someone can seriously convince me or offer tips on how to deal with a 14 month old who will knock out before all of us).

We've looked at (AoA and BoardWalk cost is the same, JH is about $600 more):
Art of Animation Family Suites- I'm wary of paper thin walls and transportation issues that I keep reading about.
BoardWalk- only a standard room is currently available, so no separation.
Jambo House- love the theming and availability of restaurants, but nervous about splurging on a deluxe that doesn't offer better transportation than most other resorts (and we aren't going to AK on this trip)

There is also a 1 BR available at SS, and Junior Suite at Coronado, but neither of these options seem to trump those above. Other than that, no other availability.

When my son was an infant, we stayed at the Cabins at Fort Wilderness (2008). It would be easy enough to set up the children in the living area at night. When we stayed we had one 10 week old and 4 adults. The resort has a casual restaurant, a bar, and the popular Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue and Mickey's Backyard BBQ. It was quiet and the transportation was easy enough back then. Might not be the premier deluxe resorts, but it offered a lot. It came with a convience kitchen and privacy.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

+1 for the Cabins.

-1 for not going to Animal Kingdom. Boooooo!

 

[KrzyKtty]

When we went to the cabins in 2008 it was around the Christmas season. It was really beautiful seeing all the cabins and campers decked out for Christmas.

 

[mdubm]

No cabins left for our dates, only campsites.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

Don't squeeze into the standard room if you think it'll jeopardize your sleep. AKL is my absolute favorite resort so I recommend Jambo if the budget allows it. If not, AoA family suites are fun too.

ETA: If the only rooms available at Jambo are savanna view (and thus more expensive), don't write off Saratoga Springs.

 

[BigRedDad]

If transportation is important, I would avoid SSR and OKW. I like the resorts, but the buses are slow with many stops. BW has some great opportunity. You can walk to Epcot and DHS. You can also take the boats. The buses there were not too bad either. AKL is one of our favorite resorts. I am sure the kids will love it. Just realize the 3 rides to/from MK are going to be about 15-20 minutes. Its not a big deal if you just plan accordingly.

If it were me, it would be AKL, BWV, and then AoA.

 

[mdubm]

Don't squeeze into the standard room if you think it'll jeopardize your sleep. AKL is my absolute favorite resort so I recommend Jambo if the budget allows it. If not, AoA family suites are fun too.

ETA: If the only rooms available at Jambo are savanna view (and thus more expensive), don't write off Saratoga Springs.

The rooms at Jambo are standard, which I am totally fine with. We will walk around and look at animals.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

The rooms at Jambo are standard, which I am totally fine with. We will walk around and look at animals.

Jambo standard rooms are, IMO, the absolute best value on property.

 

[mdubm]

Jambo standard rooms are, IMO, the absolute best value on property.

This is what I keep reading. You may have helped sell me on Jambo House.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

This is what I keep reading. You may have helped sell me on Jambo House.

You won't regret it. Especially if you're skipping Animal Kingdom (the park), Animal Kingdom Lodge will give you a "taste."

I also recommend making use of the kitchen. Get some eggs or something and save money on breakfast.

 

[mdubm]

We've done it before and with our young kids, there just wasn't enough for them. My daughter literally only rode the Safari, she wouldn't do the others. It's a cool park and I'm kinda sad to miss Rivers of Light, but not enough to skip a day at the other parks. And I could do a week at MK easily.

We will try and make use of the kitchen, but we are doing the dining plan, so we will also be making use of that. But, I may do breakfast in the resort to save some of those snack credits for Epcot, where I could almost blow all of them.

 

[21stamps]

Have you looked at a 1 bedroom at Wilderness Lodge?.. Boulder Ridge to be accurate. I'm not sure on the price difference, and could be completely wrong thinking that it's similar... but worth checking out.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

Have you looked at a 1 bedroom at Wilderness Lodge?.. Boulder Ridge to be accurate. I'm not sure on the price difference, and could be completely wrong thinking that it's similar... but worth checking out.

Old Wilderness Lodge used to be similar, but Boulder Ridge has been quite a bit more expensive from what I've seen.

 

[21stamps]

Old Wilderness Lodge used to be similar, but Boulder Ridge has been quite a bit more expensive from what I've seen.

Ah, ok.

 

[mdubm]

Have you looked at a 1 bedroom at Wilderness Lodge?.. Boulder Ridge to be accurate. I'm not sure on the price difference, and could be completely wrong thinking that it's similar... but worth checking out.

It's not available. Only the ones I listed above are available for our dates.

 

[21stamps]

It's not available. Only the ones I listed above are available for our dates.

Ok, I'd book something now, but check again when you hit the 60 day mark. On our last trip rooms opened up closer to arrival. Not many, and we still had to do a split stay, but more than had been available earlier. Not sure if that was just a fluke or the norm.
I vote for AKL, even though I've never been there.lol. BW would definitely be more convenient, but if space is more important then it doesn't matter. No need to be uncomfortable for the sake of more transportation options. Uber is wonderful. Use that when you need it.

 

[PrincessL]

I'm going to vote for AoA out of those options. The space, pool and the theming for the age of your children trumps the others in my opinion. A closed off room with a one year old that naps and goes to bed before everyone else is invaluable. The theming for young children is the best and with a one year old having the nemo splash pad is awesome! We've stayed there twice with little ones. Busing was never an issue with only one stop it's better than the moderate we've stayed at. I'll also add the in the suites we did not have outside noise issues...my parents however did in the mermaid rooms. The only negative is there is only one bar and it's outdoors by the pool and does not have any TS options. It definitely geared towards the kids from that aspect. With small kids at that price point I think it's the best option!

 

[DiSnEyF@n]

I've never stayed at AKL but I have stayed at BW.... Are you planning to go back to the hotel early every night? Or are you planning on staying in the parks... because once you get back into the room everyone will probably want to zonk out for the night... If you and the hubs want to hang out for a bit while the kids sleep use the balcony... That's what we do when the kids nap... otherwise we're exhausted at the end of the day too... and we hang on the balcony after both kids fall asleep.

My vote is for squeezing into BW. I love it there.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

I've never stayed at AKL but I have stayed at BW.... Are you planning to go back to the hotel early every night? Or are you planning on staying in the parks... because once you get back into the room everyone will probably want to zonk out for the night... If you and the hubs want to hang out for a bit while the kids sleep use the balcony... That's what we do when the kids nap... otherwise we're exhausted at the end of the day too... and we hang on the balcony after both kids fall asleep.

My vote is for squeezing into BW. I love it there.

I think that the OP's challenge is that there are three different "bed times." It's not just the kids going to bed before the adults, it's one kid going to bed very early, then the other kid going to bed, then finally the adults. I wouldn't want to be trapped on the balcony with a four year old when the baby goes down for the night.