[allienonomom]

Hi - This is our first visit to WDW w/ our 21/2 and 4 year old. We have held 1 room at the poly, but are looking into a doubletree type hotel for additional rooms/space and kitchen. What are your thoughts? I think our kids will be done by dinner time and might need a quick meal and bed? We don't want to have to sit in the dark, but are willing to if staying on property is more impt.
Thanks for your thoughts.:

[DisneyTeacher]

Staying on property has so many advantages but if the larger room is important then I think you picked a nice resort. When we go we always stay on site and take take an afternoon break. After a nap, swim, and shower we are ready to hit the parks for the evening. At 5 years old my son was good until about 10 pm with a break in the afternoon.

[allienonomom]

Did you find it hard to be in the same room with your son?

[Cavey]

We've done both.

I have had no bad experiences staying off-site, and it can save you money.

On-site has it's pro's--Extra Magic Hours, Disney Transportation, Free Parking, and access to the AWESOME Dining Plan come to mind first.

These days we have a camper at Fort Wilderness to keep our cost down and still experience the on-site perks, but we always share a room with our kids (ages 2, 4, & 5). The kids love it. Mom & Dad miss the privacy at times.

Lastly, I don't know your kids personalities. My 2 & 4 year old get tired and take a nap with the wife mid-day. My oldest boy and I are park commandos and run full speed from rope drop to evening fireworks. Staying on-site allows for this, as you have Disney Transportation to get splitting family members back to your room.

[DisneyTeacher]

By the end of the day we are all so tired that we fall into bed and go right to sleep.

I do know what you mean about sharing a room, it's hard to even watch TV with little ones who are trying to go to sleep. If you know your kids are going to go to bed early then the bigger room might be your best option.

Do the rooms at the Poly all have balconies? That might be something to think about. You could grab a drink and move out to the balcony and sit for a hour or so talking about your day while the little ones fall asleep.

[Andrea]

Would you consider getting adjoining rooms at a moderate (or even a value)? That would solve all of your issues except the kitchen.

[Cavey]

Originally Posted by DisneyTeacher

By the end of the day we are all so tired that we fall into bed and go right to sleep.

I do know what you mean about sharing a room, it's hard to even watch TV with little ones who are trying to go to sleep. If you know your kids are going to go to bed early then the bigger room might be your best option.

We actually take advantage of the kids going to bed early, and go to bed as soon as we get back to Fort Wilderness.

[InHouseMouse]

I have stayed off site (1986) and we had to drive to the park everyday. We had a great time but we were also taking a day to go to the Space center. In 89, 92 and 96 we stayed at Fort Wilderness and it was great! Our plan was to go down to WDW just WDW and then go home. I remember the joy on my father's face when he would see all of the cars in the never ending parking lots from the Monorail and he didn't have to drive or park the car for days.
We always took advantage of the extra perks from staying on sight. Taking a little break (us kids were well into our teens) and we still enjoyed running back to our resort for lunch or a short break.
Mind you, I am now a Disney snob and refuse to go if I am NOT staying on grounds. Also things have improved for staying on sight. Now if I buy something I can have it sent to my resort. I can have things charged to my room (from what I understand). We have Disney Transportation around the complex. We also have extra magical hours.

[Dana]

With children that young, I definately suggest staying on site at one of the magic kingdom resorts or close if possible. They all have fridges and you can get snacks and stuff and keep them in the room. You will have the ability to just hop the monorail and take a break every day which is a must with children that age.

[chris5568]

I think most people that have stayed on site agree it is the way to go. We never had any trouble with our daughter falling asleep while we watched tv. I think they are usually so tired from the day that kids are out like a light.

[daisyd]

Originally Posted by allienonomom

Hi - This is our first visit to WDW w/ our 21/2 and 4 year old. We have held 1 room at the poly, but are looking into a doubletree type hotel for additional rooms/space and kitchen. What are your thoughts? I think our kids will be done by dinner time and might need a quick meal and bed? We don't want to have to sit in the dark, but are willing to if staying on property is more impt.
Thanks for your thoughts.:

The ease of the Disney transportation really added to to the no hassle feel of our first trip last October. We were at POFQ, and loved it, but I can imagine being on the monorail would be even easier!

We ordered some food from a grocery delivery service for our kids to have in the room (string cheese, fruit, juice boxes, lunchmeat, bread, etc) and that worked out really well. At one point in my planning I mulled over the thought of a suite at the Doubletree at DTD for the same reasons you are thinking. I know I never would have cooked, and when we returned to our room in the evening the kids had no problems falling asleep the few nights we had the tv on.

[Dana]

Originally Posted by Andrea

Would you consider getting adjoining rooms at a moderate (or even a value)? That would solve all of your issues except the kitchen.

I like this plan as too. You could get two rooms (and rent a fridge) or a family suite (that has a microwave and fridge) at the all stars. The kids will have a place to lay their head while you and DH watch some Tv or whatever. Two rooms at a value will be less than one at the polly.

[trailblazer]

Originally Posted by Dana

I like this plan as too. You could get two rooms (and rent a fridge) or a family suite (that has a microwave and fridge) at the all stars. The kids will have a place to lay their head while you and DH watch some Tv or whatever. Two rooms at a value will be less than one at the polly.

I think that sounds like a great idea, Dana.

[mickeymommy]

When we were there in Oct. 05, our son was a little over 2. We fully intended to go back to the room and take a nap, but he never wound down. He was the energizer bunny. By the time we got back to our room at night, we all crashed, so sleeping in the same room was not a problem, but we only have 1, so that does make a difference. Even before DS came along, DH and I agreed that we wouldn't stay off-site again. We just love all the perks of staying on-site. We packed lunchy-type snacks and ate at the food court some, but the dining plan now definantly is a thought. I know everyone says to take a nap in the middle of the day, but go by your kids...it would have been a nightmare to try to get ours to settle down. We never made rope drop (none of us are morning people), but we saw every fireworks show! Our little one was the one kid on the bus back at night that was still awake!

[ddoll]

We've been to WDW many times. We have three large sons and found that staying off site with all of them suited us perfectly. I have no problem trading the on site percs for the space, comfort and convenience of staying off site.

When you stay off site you get: much more room, more bathrooms, private laundry facilities, the money saving extra of having some meals at home, and the comfort of putting the kids to bed in another room while you still roam around.

There is no wrong way to do Disney. Whatever suits your family is the best way to go.

And BTW, having stayed off site many times myself, I can assure you that there really isn't a huge time difference in getting to and from your room off site Vs on site using Disney public transportation.