So overwhelmed! visiting with preschoolers

[MaryBethM]

WE plan to visit WDW Memorial day week. There are 4 of us - myself, my husband, my 4 year old son (5 in August) and 3 year old son (just turning 3 this week). We plan to drive in and arrive on Sunday, May 28th and stay until Thursday June 1st. We want to stay on the property and think we want to stay at either the Polynesian, the Contemporary orThe Wilderness Lodge. I like the looks of The Grand Floridian but it seems a little less child friendly if that's possible? I thought about AKL but concerned that it's too far removed from the rest of the places. We expect that we would want to go back to our room mid day and let the boys rest for awhile and for some reason I feel like AKL isn't that convenient to go back to?
We are planning on doing the dining plan but have no interest in the water parks upgrade. Neither of the boys are big swimmers and I'm not sure size wise about how many of the rides they can go on? I know we will have a blast, but for some reason I am so intimidated about picking the right resort.

I'm going to call Kingdom Konsultants (am I spelling that right?) to help us book - but I'd love some tips and input from others who know the property and have "been there and done that".

Thanks!

 

[Mimi]

Between those resorts I would choose the Wilderness Lodge (well, actually I'd choose the GF, but I'm not going ). I think there is a lot more there that young children would be interested in. Although (even though your boys don't swim a lot) nothing can beat that volcano pool at the Polynesian!

As for the rest of your trip, relax! There are more things to do there than you could do in a month; particularly with little ones. Believe me they will keep you busy!

 

[dflye]

Pretty much any resort on property has decent transportation to all of the parks. Different resorts will have faster access to specific parks, either due to close proximity (such as walking from the Yacht Club to Epcot) or due to faster/more frequent transportation (such as taking the monorail from the Poly to the MK)

All of the resorts you mentioned have pool areas that are more than entertaining enough for the age of your boys, so you are right that there is no need for visiting the water parks.

Another consideration is the amount of space you want to sprawl around in when you are in your room. The largest accommodations by far are those in the "home away from home" resorts that share rooms with the DVC, as most of the DVC quality rooms include a separate bedroom, living room and complete kitchen.

We've made many a trip to WDW with our son (almost 4 now), and have found that the extra space is great for nap time, as we can put him down in the bedroom, and then enjoy some relaxation time ourselves in the rest of the suite without worrying about waking him up.

After re-reading your post, two things jumped out at me...you are going during a VERY busy week (not so good), and you are driving (potentially good.)

Expect tons of people, so take advantage of any early entrance days you can, and hit the parks as soon as you can in the morning, before the wait times get out of hand, which can be VERY frustrating to the toddler aged in your party.

Driving to the parks can save a bunch of time when returning for naps, as you can quite often get back to your vehicle before the next bus arrives, especially if you arrived early and are parked near the front of the lot (or are parked in the AAA section, assuming it still exists, which is adjacent to the handicap section right by the entrance to the park)

Well, I guess the exception to the parking up front rule is the MK, as parking there involves either a monorail or boat ride, unless you are sneaky and park at the Contemporary and walk to the park.

 

[wannabeBelle]

Hey MaryBeth!!! Thanks for your interest in Kingdom Konsultants. One of the reasons we are so good at what we do is that Pam, Jamie and myself all have been there, done that!!!!!
Are you at all flexible regarding your dates? I Ask because going over a holiday weekend like Memorial Day practically guarantees crowds. If your schedule permits changing the trip even a few days you may have slightly less people. It definitely wont be as bad as say Christmas or Easter but longer lines with small children cant be a fun thing!!!
I agree with your decision to stay on property and you have some very magical resorts selected. My choice of the bunch would probably be the Wilderness Lodge followed by the Polynesian. The Wilderness Lodge is probably one of the most popular resorts on property. It is also one of the least expensive within the Deluxe Category. It is NOT directly attached to a monorail however. From the Magic Kingdom you would have to take a boat. The Polynesian is also a stunning resort and is on the monorail line, but it is one of the most expensive resorts!!
Both have stunning pool areas and I agree with you, I dont think you are going to need the Water Parks option. Worst case, you get there and decide to do the Water Parks, you can always go to the resorts Front Desk and add on that option later.
As far as the height restrictions we have that right here on WDWMagic at this address:
http://www.wdwmagic.com/height_restrictions.htm
Dont forget about child swap though!! If one of the adults rides a ride where there is a height restriction, tell the CM at the front of the ride, They will give you a child swap pass to allow the other adult (and up to 4 other people) on through the fast pass line so there is limited wait!!!! I helped a lady do that with her family the last time I was in a park in December. The ride was Soarin' and the one child she had was able to ride with Mom and then go back again and ride with Dad too, while Mom waited with her little sister!!!! Needless to say the girl who was tall enough to ride was quite happy!
I hope this at least starts to address some of your questions. Please feel free to call the office and ask for one of us!!! Belle

 

[hooch]

You will have a great time!
The GF isn't less child-friendly at all IMO but the beauty might be lost on your little boys
I have stayed at all the resorts you've mentioned and enjoyed them all. I can tell you that the people you need to worry about are yourself and your husband. WDW with a 3-year-old isn't going to be easy - I've done it and done it again more recently with my SIL and her 3-year-old and it was exhausting for her!! But it is so worth it!! Pick the resort that is in your budget that will make things easiest on YOU. The kids will be in Heaven regardless
AKL is my favorite but I think you hit the nail on the head re. naps and proximity to the parks - namely, the MK which will undoubtedly be your #1 park due to your boys' ages. I would recommend the Polynesian. Monorail and boat service to MK can't be beat (except at the GF). All four of you will love the Poly and it has really great transportation options unllike, IMO, the WL. I love the WL but waiting on that boat got to be a drag during our stay. Also, you'll be there during a busy time and time is a luxury at Disney! If you realize your youngest has reached his limit, you can hop the boat over to the Poly (first stop GF) and return to your room in about 20 minutes. Also, the Poly has 2 nice pools, large, newly refurbished rooms (almost all of them should be done by late May, I believe), incredible views of Wishes fireworks at night, 2 great restaurants, boats to rent (the others do too...) and just such lush landscaping PLUS the best Kids' Club on property (according to my daughter, niece and 2 family friends - and they've done most of them )You and your DH could walk over to the GF Spa for a couples massage one evening !? Or just have a drink and apps somewhere~
Anyway, I don't think you can go wrong w/ any of the resorts you mentioned but I think Poly would be #1!
Good Luck!!

 

[Yellow Shoes]

Expect tons of people, so take advantage of any early entrance days you can, and hit the parks as soon as you can in the morning,

I would like to amend that to say,
Plan on being at the park before the gates open.

It won't seem fun dragging everyone out of bed early when you're on vacation, but, believe me, walking onto Dumbo is sooo worth it. You will notice later in the day that wait times are in the 1 hour range.

If you get to Magic Kingdom when it opens, you will be able to do Fantasyland with no lines. I'm not kidding!

My advice is to bring granola bars, Cheez-Its--whatever the kids like to snack on first thing in the morning, then plan on a late breakfast/early lunch at Crystal Palace. (I'm thinking that breakfast is until 10:30 and lunch starts at 11)

 

[MaryBethM]

Thanks so much. Originally, we thought we might go the week before - but then I thought if we went Memorial Day week - that's one less day I have to take for vacation? - If it makes that much of a difference as far as how crowded it is - we may amend it back to arriving on Monday the 22nd I think and then leaving Friday the 26th?

 

[wannabeBelle]

I think the weekdays at Disney in general are always less crowded than the weekends just in general. On a holiday weekend that is doubly true! Also dont forget the Flower & Garden Festival will be going on at that time in EPCOT which is a lot of fun!!! Belle

 

[brertigger]

You might want to check out http://www.allearsnet.com/pl/kids.htm for more tips on visiting with preschoolers.

 

[GenerationX]

The first year we went my sons were 2, 4, and 6, and we stayed at the Contemporary. I thought this was a great resort for kids that age, for a couple of reasons:
1. They thought it was really cool watching the monorail go through the hotel.
2. Chef Mickey's was there.
3. It's only a 5 or 10 minute walk to the MK gates.
4. The arcade is geared toward younger kids.

I agree that if you go during a non-holiday weekend, it will be less crowded.

In your touring, make sure you hit the playgrounds in each park. They're a great way for pre-schoolers to run around a bit, and there's typically only one exit - so parents can rest there.

Also, be sure to get The Unofficial Guide to WDW by Bob Sehlinger. It has attraction ratings by age group and lists "scariness factors".

Have fun! :wave:

 

[hrmom26]

hi
the last time i went my son was 5 turned 6 while i was there. my tips to you are... any hotel you pick will be great Disney does a great job but i would go with AKL i think just because my kids would like it more. i had every intention of going back to the hotel in the afternoon to rest also when i went last time but it never seemed to work that way. the act of leaving the park ( my kids not wanting to go ) they argued and just getting there and back was a pain with them upset, once there in the park they wanted to stay there. so this is what i did i went later in the day around 10 and left early like at 3 or 4 we would then eat at the hotel and swim in the pool after. i also got a double stroller a must ! we would take a lot of breaks get a ice-cream and just rest on a bench. when you go with little ones you will never get done all you thought you would, don't try to cram in to much or you will all be to tired to enjoy it and anything you miss just remember there is always next year

 

[Debbie]

Every time my husband and I took our pre-schoolers; we went knowing the trip was for them. We didn't subject them to standing in long lines for Space Mountain, knowing they wouldn't ride it. If mom and daddy wanted to ride those things; we would make sure we went first thing, and do the parent swap, and only 20 minutes would be spent waiting. I also would try to go before the Memorial Day weekend, or after. When the parks are seriously crowded; it is just hard to relax and soak in the sites. The lines are too long. We would enjoy seeing them enjoy it. And even though my kids have been going since they were learning to walk; we still enjoyed this past year, watching our youngest one go on ALL the rides and come out so excited that he got to ride everything (it had been 5 years since we'd gone.)
So pace yourselves, enjoy your surroundings, let them rest, and whatever you don't get to this trip; start planning your next one when you come home.

 

[MaryBethM]

I called Pam at KK today and booked our vacation! We are (thanks to you guys!) going Sunday the 21st and staying until Thursday the 25th. No rooms in the Contemporary, so we are staying at the Poly! I'm so excited!

 

[wannabeBelle]

I called Pam at KK today and booked our vacation! We are (thanks to you guys!) going Sunday the 21st and staying until Thursday the 25th. No rooms in the Contemporary, so we are staying at the Poly! I'm so excited!

Booking through Kingdom Konsultants is always a great thing!!!! Belle