https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 29 May 2026 18:15:26 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/going-to-disney-which-resort-would-you-choose#post-2657349 Sat, 26 Nov 2016 11:46:56 +0000 808love 2657349@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If anyone wants to ask Disney World questions feel free to wall me. I went two years in a row and absolutely loved it, especially the research and planning. My family is ready to move on (since we did it all) so I won't be back for at least five years and I'll have to live vicariously through everyone else's trips. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/going-to-disney-which-resort-would-you-choose#post-2657331 Sat, 26 Nov 2016 10:51:53 +0000 808love 2657331@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Just got back from A of A. It was beautiful and our family loves art and Ariel. Great way to save money and I liked the food there. It was a good step up from the other value food courts. The fact that it is not sit-down is to your advantage because it will decrease wait time and get everyone fed in the morning. Bus will add time to your trip but everything is spread out and Magic Kingdom is super long no matter what. Would love a monorail stay but too pricy. We rented a car for $100 total for 5 days. That worked well. Free parking everywhere for resort guests. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/going-to-disney-which-resort-would-you-choose#post-2657302 Sat, 26 Nov 2016 07:54:30 +0000 ChitownRo 2657302@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We just got back from two days at Art of Animation w a 3 yo and 10 month old. The hotel staff gave horrible advice and told us the total transit time would be the same if we drove to MK rather than take the bus. Since strollers have to be completely folded (a pain when we had our second seat in the city select), we opted to drive and park at Magic Kingdom. Big mistake. Don't do it. Wait for a bus instead.<br /> In the future I think we will stay in a hotel on the monorail and just pay for two adjoining rooms. The AoA suite was clutch though@BabyBoecksMom: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/going-to-disney-which-resort-would-you-choose#post-2563837 Wed, 08 Jun 2016 13:05:39 +0000 babynumber1 2563837@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We stayed at AoA last month and it was wonderful. The room theming made my 4 year old so happy. The Nemo pool was amazing. We also have an infant, so the suite was amazing. I couldn't have done a week in a standard hotel room without us losing our minds. We considered the Contemporary since the pricing was similar and the monorail was there and changed our minds. I thought we may regret it, but didn't. The buses were great, we didn't wait more than 10 minutes for a bus at any given time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/going-to-disney-which-resort-would-you-choose#post-2563735 Wed, 08 Jun 2016 10:27:41 +0000 catlady 2563735@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@BabyBoecksMom: Ah, yes, if you go that route, it is room only. We didn't bother with the dining plan and there was no free dining discounts or anything when we went, so it was fine for us. And then we just bought our tickets separately. If you wanted to get the dining plan, I don't think you can do it if you go through Orbitz. Hope that helps! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/going-to-disney-which-resort-would-you-choose#post-2563731 Wed, 08 Jun 2016 10:23:16 +0000 BabyBoecksMom 2563731@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@catlady: Thanks for the discount info. From what I see, I can only book the room on Orbitz - is that right? Were you able to do a dining package as well or did you do it a la carte? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/going-to-disney-which-resort-would-you-choose#post-2563418 Tue, 07 Jun 2016 17:54:26 +0000 petunia354 2563418@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We're staying at the Polynesian in the fall when we go. The convenience of being on the monorail line sealed the deal for us. I stayed there as a kid and it was magical, I can't wait to be there as an adult with my own child!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/going-to-disney-which-resort-would-you-choose#post-2563406 Tue, 07 Jun 2016 17:35:07 +0000 Charm54 2563406@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Polynesian, hands down!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/going-to-disney-which-resort-would-you-choose#post-2563386 Tue, 07 Jun 2016 16:17:43 +0000 SweetiePie 2563386@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm not going to vote because I don't have actual experience there with an LO. But we are also starting to research a trip for December.<br /> I saw that the Villas at Wilderness Lodge have a 1 bedroom villa option that is reasonable (compared to Disney prices). Its only bus and boat, which is a downside (especially since our LO isn't a stroller napper), but I really like that we can have a living area and a bedroom so that once LO is napping or in bed we can still watch tv and hang out. We don't do very well with sharing a single room with our son (he is a light sleeper, he needs total darkness and a sound machine, and my husband snores). </p> <p>I would love to stay at the Contemporary but for any type of a suite it is INSANITY, and we are not stingy with hotels! So in the end I think that good sleep for LO (suite) trumps nicer accommodations/convenience. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/going-to-disney-which-resort-would-you-choose#post-2563374 Tue, 07 Jun 2016 15:45:19 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2563374@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@BabyBoecksMom: we recently stayed at all star movies. They told us if we wanted to be at rope drop for MK, we should plan on being out front for the bus at like 7:15. Rope drop was at 8:40! We left at the same time but in our own car. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/going-to-disney-which-resort-would-you-choose#post-2563372 Tue, 07 Jun 2016 15:44:07 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2563372@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If you can swing it go Polynesian. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/going-to-disney-which-resort-would-you-choose#post-2563364 Tue, 07 Jun 2016 15:18:47 +0000 Pancakes 2563364@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@BabyBoecksMom: @looch: Good point. We had an umbrella stroller so it wasn't a big deal to load it on the bus. Art of Animation does have their own bus so we just went directly to and from parks, but I'm sure it's not as convenient as being right on the monorail. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/going-to-disney-which-resort-would-you-choose#post-2563358 Tue, 07 Jun 2016 15:07:01 +0000 looch 2563358@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>One thing to consider with the buses is that you will have to collapse your stroller before boarding where you can just roll it right on the monorail or boat.</p> <p>Also the value resort busses are a distance from the entry gates to the parks, so you have a long walk. I think Art of Animation has their own bus, but double check in that. We stayed at the Music resort and the bus did a huge loop to 4 hotels and it added a ton of travel time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/going-to-disney-which-resort-would-you-choose#post-2563356 Tue, 07 Jun 2016 15:04:36 +0000 Pancakes 2563356@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We went a few months ago and stayed at Art of Animation. We loved it. My kids loved all the character stuff at the hotel. I personally strongly prefer staying in a suite and it was great to have our own room. We drove to some parks but also took the bus and found it to be much more convenient than expected. My only caution if you stay at Art of Animation is to NOT drive to Magic Kingdom. Rookie mistake--we drove and then had to wait for the ferry and it took forever. The next time we took the bus and it was much faster. Honestly, my kids were 4 and 1 and we just couldn't go back in the middle of the day for naps. It would have taken too much time. The 1 year old napped in the stroller and we had a rest day in the middle of the week where we let her take a super-long 3 hour nap at the hotel. We just didn't stay out late at the parks. We mostly came back to the hotel at a reasonable time to get the kids in bed around 8 or so. I'm sure you'll have a great time no matter what you choose! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/going-to-disney-which-resort-would-you-choose#post-2563353 Tue, 07 Jun 2016 14:54:04 +0000 fmmtk 2563353@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>There's pros and cons to both and depends on your plans. </p> <p>When we go, we spend almost no time at the hotel, so I would choose Art of Animation, but driving to the park. Though the bus is convenient in the fact that you don't have to drive, when you have the stroller + everything you bring to the parks for little ones, it is much more of a hassle than driving. I also prefer a separate area for little ones at a hotel, especially with so much activity I want them to have uninterrupted sleep! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/going-to-disney-which-resort-would-you-choose#post-2563349 Tue, 07 Jun 2016 14:42:45 +0000 caterw 2563349@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Polynesian- I think being close enough to nap is enough of a pro to justify the cost. Your littles are going to be totally wiped out! Plus, the monorail and the boat are fun activities just by themselves. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/going-to-disney-which-resort-would-you-choose#post-2563344 Tue, 07 Jun 2016 14:37:09 +0000 catlady 2563344@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We just took a trip and stayed at the Polynesian with our 2.5 year old and had a great time. We spent most days at Magic Kingdom and ate dinner twice at the Contemporary, so the monorail/boat access was great. My DD still needs real naps every afternoon, so we liked being so close so that we could easily get back to the resort for her to take a nap. We also spent one afternoon just playing around the pools and beach, and they are really nice.</p> <p>However (and this is where it probably gets tricky for you), I really wish we had a suite. I think our vacation would have been much more enjoyable that way. If your kids can do stroller naps, or if you don't think you will go back every single afternoon, it might be worth it to get the suite and also save some money. It's a hard call.</p> <p>FYI, we saved a bunch of money by booking via Orbitz when they had a 20% off code. Disney was having a 30% off room rate sale at the time which we were able to combine with the Orbitz code. Not sure if that's relevant to when you will be going, but we got the Polynesian for approx. 40% off. I will be honest, I loved it but I don't think it is worth the full price rate.</p> <p>Here is a site that shows you how to get the Orbitz deals (need to scroll down). You need to take a couple extra steps but it was so worth it for us.<br /> <a href="http://www.mousesavers.com/walt-disney-world-vacation-discounts-and-deals/disney-world-resort-hotel-discounts-codes/" rel="nofollow">http://www.mousesavers.com/walt-disney-world-vacation-discounts-and-deals/disney-world-resort-hotel-discounts-codes/</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/going-to-disney-which-resort-would-you-choose#post-2563337 Tue, 07 Jun 2016 14:25:28 +0000 Rescuemom10 2563337@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Also check out the Disney planning momas FB page. Its so nice to get the latest tips of the park from people who were JUST there. I used it for our last trip and it seriously was so awesome to get up to date experiences and tips from those who were just there. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/going-to-disney-which-resort-would-you-choose#post-2563336 Tue, 07 Jun 2016 14:24:11 +0000 Rescuemom10 2563336@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>OK So I haven't stayed at either but I voted Polynesian. We stay at Shades of Green when we go as we are Military. BUT we walk from SOG to the monorail at poly and cut through it. Our last trip was to Disneyland and we stayed at a closer resort and spent the extra money. With little ones alone I think that is so worth the extra money to get something close. At the end of the day and EVERYONE is so exhausting the walk back and longer commute to hotel is brutal. Every night when we got to the Polynesian I had SOOOOO wished we were staying there so we could be done and THERE. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/going-to-disney-which-resort-would-you-choose#post-2563326 Tue, 07 Jun 2016 14:05:04 +0000 Miss Ariel 2563326@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I voted for the Polynesian. I just think it's so much more fun being at a deluxe resort.</p> <p>But, I wouldn't really worry about Dinning options at the hotel too much since you'll likely be on the go. We stayed at the Polynesian. I think the only means we ate there were the luau show and one night we picked up sushi in the lobby. While I don't remember eating breakfast there, we did go down and get coffee each morning.</p> <p>Also while it is nice being on the monorail, I found because of that buses to places like animal kingdom came less often. Also if we wanted to go to another resort for a meal that wasn't on the monorail is was kind of a pain to get there, </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/going-to-disney-which-resort-would-you-choose#post-2563324 Tue, 07 Jun 2016 14:03:33 +0000 MrsRcCar 2563324@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I voted Polynesian! I love Disney. We don't normally spend out on rooms but the pros far out way the cost for me. We are planning a trip next fall and are planning on upgrading our room just so we can have the easy of park to park. We will have 4,3, and almost 1. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/going-to-disney-which-resort-would-you-choose#post-2563321 Tue, 07 Jun 2016 13:58:47 +0000 BabyBoecksMom 2563321@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I know there was another thread for this, but it's been a while (<a href="http://boards.hellobee.com/topic/disney-world-where-to-stay" rel="nofollow">http://boards.hellobee.com/topic/disney-world-where-to-stay</a>) so I'm starting my own. </p> <p>I'm actually stuck between a family suite at Art of Animation and the Polynesian, and I'd love to hear any experience or preference between those for a 2 and 4 yr old. </p> <p>Here's my list so far:<br /> <u>Polynesian</u><br /> <b>Pros:</b><br /> - On the monorail (read: close enough to go back for naps)<br /> - Can travel by boat, monorail or bus (fun!)<br /> - able to see the fireworks from the room (in case the kids are too tired to stay at the park for it)<br /> - Character dining available<br /> - Several dining options available<br /> <b>Cons:</b><br /> - It's much more expensive than the Art of Animation</p> <p><u>Art of Animation:</u><br /> <b>Pros:</b><br /> - Family suites (yay for our own room!)<br /> - Colorful/fun themes in the rooms<br /> - Much cheaper<br /> <b>Cons:</b><br /> - Only bus transportation to/from Disney (could be hard with cranky kids needing a nap?<br /> - Only one place to eat, and it's not a sit-down restaurant</p> <p>Is there anything I'm forgetting to include? Which one would you prefer? Both are in our budget, but the Polynesian is at the very top, which doesn't leave a lot of extra room for other things. </p>