Where would you stay? (villas)

[JenniK]

We're traveling with 2 year old twins and a 1 year old. Yes, I may well have lost my mind, or will on this trip... Anyway, we want on site, and we need a 1 bedroom villa. Everything I read says Wilderness Lodge for its MK proximity and environment, but I found some pics online and think the room looked really ugly! Is there somewhere else that you might recommend considering my kids' ages, or do I need to suck up the decor for the sake of convenience? I don't want to spend all day traveling back and forth, since we'll probably return to our room for naps daily.

 

[disneychic71]

Hi! I've never stayed at the Villas, but I have stayed at the WL twice, and loved it each time. I'm not a fan of the room decor, either, but the rest of the resort made up for it IMO. The courtyard and pool area are spectacular, and the boat to the MK was very convenient. We have also stayed at the Beach Club. I think you might prefer the decor there, and there are good reasons to choose that resort. It is right by Epcot (within an easy walk) and there is a boat to the Studios. Since it is near Epcot, you can use the monorail to get to the Magic Kingdom. If you prefer to be near the MK, though, you should probably "suck it up" and stay at WL! It would certainly make those afternoon naps more convenient.

 

[disneychic71]

Oh, and another thing...for the cost of the villa, you could stay in a regular room at one of the monorail resorts, which are the most convenient of all, and beautifully themed. The rooms are large and most include a day-bed, plus you could put the twins in the portable cribs. I'm thinking that one of the king-bed rooms at the Floridian would be perfect. I know you would have less privacy, but for theming and convenience they can't be beat. We often stay at the Polynesian with 5 in a room and have no complaints.

 

[disneygirl1]

I have to agree with DisneyChic71, if you don't really need the kitchen that that Villas provide, I would definitely stay at one of the monorail hotels. But then again, if you wanted the extra space, why not see if you can get into the new Bay Lake Tower at the Contempo. I believe they have 1 or 2 bedroom suites there and you will also get the convenience of the monorail.

 

[coltow]

Hi! I've never stayed at the Villas, but I have stayed at the WL twice, and loved it each time. I'm not a fan of the room decor, either, but the rest of the resort made up for it IMO. The courtyard and pool area are spectacular, and the boat to the MK was very convenient. We have also stayed at the Beach Club. I think you might prefer the decor there, and there are good reasons to choose that resort. It is right by Epcot (within an easy walk) and there is a boat to the Studios. Since it is near Epcot, you can use the monorail to get to the Magic Kingdom. If you prefer to be near the MK, though, you should probably "suck it up" and stay at WL! It would certainly make those afternoon naps more convenient.

You'd only be able to take monorail to MK if Epcot is open and you would have to walk all the way through EPCOT in order to get to it, you'd be better off with the bus.

We love WL. We love the rooms/pool/dining. I'm assuming that with the little ones you'll spend most of your time at MK. The boat ride is nice.

 

[kerrie]

i stayed at two villas

Im a mom of 2 one at the time 13 months and 2 years. I stayed a week at old key west and their rooms villas where big with pull out couch and pack and play with a safe balcony. they have a playground and pool by main building, that has water slide and kiddie pool Oh and a beach with lovely white sand.. The kids loved it.
then the following week we stayed at Saratoga springs the rooms where nice and pretty sound proof, nice size seating area, ect the main pool has a kid and adult water slide and a dounald duck fountain with sof foam ground. they have a nice playscape near the other lodging and Oh the carage house has dvd's to rent, arts and crafts, and a game room. I am going to S.S this september with the kids again I hope this helps
although you do havew to take the bus but for the other ben.s it was ok for me

 

[hansel1]

You'd only be able to take monorail to MK if Epcot is open and you would have to walk all the way through EPCOT in order to get to it, you'd be better off with the bus.

We love WL. We love the rooms/pool/dining. I'm assuming that with the little ones you'll spend most of your time at MK. The boat ride is nice.

Strollers!!!!!!

Either the beach club villas or boardwalk villas. Since your children are so young you won't be getting an early start to hit rope drops, so taking the stroll through epcot and getting on the monorail should be a breeze.

Your main object with little ones is room size and not having to fold up strollers and hold kids on a bus.

With the epcot area villas you don't have to fold a stroller when getting on the boat to the studios or epcot. likewise walking through epcot to get on the monorail and over to magic kingdom doesn't require folding strollers.

I'm not sure, but I think you have to fold a stroller when taking the boat from wilderness lodge to magic kingdom. And of course all the busses require you to fold up your strollers and carry them on. (a pain in the rear to be sure).

 

[CatsMeow]

I think your best bet is BLT because it is so close to the MK, where it sounds like you may be spending a lot of your time based on your kid's ages. It opens in early August and will have all the amenities of a villa that you need. You are even within walking distance of the MK. Especially since you'll be taking mid-afternoon breaks, the location is unbeatable. I have no experience at all with the WL, so I can't offer an opinion.

OKW is your best bet if space is concern. Its villas are the largest and if you are renting a car, you can park it right outside your room. Without a car you would need to bus everywhere though and that could get old real quick with 3 little ones.

 

[toystorymaniacs]

I agree with those who said if you don't need a kitchen opt for a monorail resort. I suggest The Contemporary, nothing beats being able to walk to and from MK. We have stayed there before with an infant and one year old then the next year with a 1 and 2 year old and it was perfect. We stayed for 10 days and only did MK and EPCOT co that we never had to deal with strollers on the bus. That being said, if you do want a kitchen I would say WL because you will be spending a lot of time at MK.

 

[stitchsMom]

Loved OKW

We stayed at Old Key West last July with my newly turned 2yr old niece - and it was great! We loved the villa, we loved the pool area. It was perfect for her - and us.

However, depending on when you travel, Bay Lake Tower (as another poster mentioned opens in August sometime) is so close to the MK, and right on the monorail. That is where we just bought our DVC membership, and for expressly that purpose.

Really depends how far out from the parks you want to be. If you don't mind using the bus transport then OKW is my suggestion, but consider closer if you want proximity.

 

[Love U Disney]

I think you should try and get a safari room at the AKL so you can show the young ones the animals in the morning because it would be really cool for them, like having a zoo right outside your window! That's what I'd do.