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Disney experts-accommodation question
We are planning to take my DD for her 5th bday end of September. We will also have my not quite 2 year-old son. And a set of grandparents. In total 4 adults, 2 kids. So I'm thinking we need either a villa or 2 adjoining rooms. Because of my son definitely needing naps, I've read that monorail might be key. But of course those are more expensive. I'm willing to do the deluxe villas or rooms but am looking for guidance on what you would recommend in this situation? Thanks!
Re: Disney experts-accommodation question
We have taken our kids to WDW with us every year since they were born. Although we do stay on Disney property, we don't go back to the hotel for naps. When they get tired, they sleep in their strollers. We're not big sticklers for schedule, and we are all very comfortable just "winging it" with whatever happens.
Depending on how long your son needs to nap, another option is the baby care center. There's one in each Disney park. There are no cribs there, but they are nice and quiet and air-conditioned.
We travel with my parents so we do choose to get adjoining rooms. Our hotel preference is Port Orleans Riverside because it is conveniently located, and we love the atmosphere there. When we stay in the monorail hotels, our favorite is the Polynesian. Have fun!
Unfortunately my kids have never been good about napping in strollers. And really I figure a break in the middle of the day might be best for everyone, particularly if we want to do the fireworks or anything later at night. We are generally pretty "scheduled."
But thanks for the rec on the Polynesian! Do you generally do a villa or adjoining rooms?
Keep them coming!
We always do the adjoining rooms. The villas are super nice though. I don't see how you could go wrong with one of those!
And I forgot to mention before, but late September is a great time to go. Try to plan your trip so that you can go to Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party. They get busier each year, but we have noticed they tend to be less crowded on the weeknights.
So Tasty, So Yummy
If you can break away, I agree it's a good idea to get back to the room to regroup. But if it's busy season, it can take a lot of time out of your day.
For what it's worth, DS is a terrible napper - crib, bed, stroller, doesn't matter - always been a struggle. He really surprised us at Disney though. It must have been all the visual stimulation, but when we were in the right setting he slept. He actually fell asleep on a few of the rides - those that were just dark/long enough for him to nod off. We were shocked. And he konked out in his stroller a few times too - we didn't even bring a reclining stroller, just a simple umbrella. We used noise blocking headphones for fireworks and loud rides, and those seemed to help him nod off at times too.
Good luck! We had a blast when we took DS.
I would recommend one of the villas. We went with 3 kids and 2 grandparents and stayed in the Beach Club Villas. We got a 1BR and the grandparents got their own hotel room.
DS was 14 months at the time and I came back to the room with him every day for his nap. DH and my girls (and usually the grandparents) stayed in the park for most of the day. I highly recommend the break during the day. Disney is exhausting as it is. DS and I definitely needed the break.
We've stayed at the Grand Floridian before when we had only 2 kids and the access via monorail was fabulous! However, with 5 in our family, getting 2 rooms (3 with grandparents) was just too expensive to justify.
I'm not a huge fan of the bus system at Disney but it was ok for us at the Beach Club. Not fantastic but not as big of a pain the butt as I thought it would be.
The Beach Club is also walking distance to Epcot and Hollywood Studios (long walk, but doable) and many restaurants.
The only villa option on the monorail is Bay Lake Tower, which is also so convenient to the Magic Kingdom that you can also just walk across the street. Of the monorail hotels, the Contemporary is going to be the cheapest for a standard room and the Grand Floridian the most exprensive. you can also walk to the Magic Kingdom from the Contemporary. i do like the theme of the poly the best though.
the extra space of a villa might be nice so that others have more space while your son naps. the kitchen might also be nice, but you may qualify for the free dining promotion as well, at which point a kitchen wouldmt matter to me!
My kids tend to fall asleep in the stroller while down there so I am not much help.
As far as Villa's don't forgot about Wilderness Lodge, it right by Magic Kingdom and offers a boat ride over to Magic Kingdom. It is a cheaper then Bay Lake Tower