Advice on places to stay with a preschooler and a teen - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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Advice on places to stay with a preschooler and a teen
My older kid was 4 when we last went to WDW, and now we're taking everyone back when my youngest is... well, 3, but he'll turn 4 two days after we get back home.
We're considering most seriously staying at Fort Wilderness, in a cabin, because the teen needs their own room. I have heard that there is a family suite at the Art of Animation resort, but we kind of want to be in a moderate resort in case the free dining plan is offered when we visit (which is a long way off, and not a deal-maker/breaker, but if it were, it'd be awesome!). Plus, I like the laid-back camping theme of Fort Wilderness.
From what I've read, the minuses of Fort Wilderness are that it's huge and internal transportation is pretty much required and that there's not a lot of dining options. My husband has Achille's tendonitis, so we might consider renting a golf cart, which my little guy LOVED on our last vacation. That should mitigate the "getting around the resort" thing.
So I'm wondering, does anyone have any other helpful input? Either in the pros/cons of either of these places, or another idea altogether? Is renting two rooms somewhere else even better? I've stayed at Port Orleans once and Caribbean Beach Resort twice, so kind of want to stay somewhere new and exciting.
How many in your party, and are there other teens besides the oldest child you mentioned?
The first two things that came to my mind about Fort Wilderness are that the cabins have only one bathroom and if you give the teen scene the bedroom, that puts you on the pullout sofa.
On the plus side, there is a full kitchen, and while cooking is not my idea of vacation, you could certainly keep plenty of snacks and drinks and breakfast items in the cabin. Also, you'd have close proximity to MK, and you'd have the option of boat transportation to that park, too.
Depending on the size and make up of your party, you might want to opt for two bathrooms, which means a value family suite (AoA or ASMusic) or two rooms. There is, of course, a villa with one or more bedrooms, but those get very expensive, but I'm guessing based on your preference for moderates you would not want to go there. Art of Animation has many fans, and it is adorable, but also expensive, and there are very few promotions that include that resort.
I haven't stayed at Fort Wilderness, but I've been there, and I think you would want the golf cart if you choose that resort.
For the price you'd pay for a cabin plus golf cart rental I'd opt for a room in one of the Epcot resorts! Or maybe The Contemporary which would be very convienent for you with a 3yr old. You can walk to MK. Or monorail. The CR rooms are quite large. Your teen won't have his/her own room, but teen isn't paying so I'd go with what is more comfortable for the parents.
Everything is in one building at CR so will minimize walking for husband and toddler. Lots of dining options being on the monorail to get to the other MK resorts, and CR also has a boat that goes to Ft Wilderness.
Ft Wilderness is huge as you noticed and you would prob need a golf cart or deal with the internal bus. Having to take a bus to get anywhere around the resort just doesn't appeal to me, or having to transfer and yet another bus to parks. But we do love to visit there. Love Trails End. Best buffet!!
We HAVE to have a down space for the teenager, who is very introverted and prone to anxiety, or nobody's going to enjoy the vacation.
However, I just looked over the Cars family suites and can see that working better for us, now that I think about it.
My teen's not a huge bathroom hog, but when a preschooler has to go, they have to go, so two baths is going to be a definite plus.
Thanks for helping me think more clearly about it.
Although we haven't stayed in the AoA suites, we have visited the resort several times. The Cars section is quiet, has more muted indoor theming, and is still pretty close to the main building. If we ever stayed there, that section would be my first choice.
You know what's best for your family situation, both for the mix of people and the cost. Take what we say here and apply it to your family. You'll come up with a good plan.
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so I'd go with what is more comfortable for the parents. 
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