Disney World Accommodations: Yacht Club or Animal Kingdom Lodge?
Aug 31st, 2011, 10:18 AM
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Disney World Accommodations: Yacht Club or Animal Kingdom Lodge?
Hello, All -
We are planning on going to Disney World in October 2011. It will be my husband & myself & our 2.5 year old son. My husband will be attending a convention one day we are there, but the rest of the time will be a family vacation.
I have been in a wheelchair since April & will probably still be in a wheelchair come October. I broke both medial tibias in my knees, & my body isn't healing as it should.
Anyhoo, I'm trying to decide which resort: Yacht Club or Animal Kingdom Lodge? The benefit of the Yacht Club would be the closeness to Epcot which is convenient for getting back to the room for my son's daily nap. Also with me in a wheelchair, it just would make life easier for me as well.
If we stayed in the Animal Kingdom Lodge, we would get a savannah view. My son (and myself!) LOVE animals, so it would be a treat to sit on our balcony & watch wildlife. However from what I understand, it can be a LONG bus ride over to Epcot & the Magic Kingdom. Also I can forsee leaving on the bus to return to the hotel for him to nap & being frustrated by how long it takes to get back to our hotel room.
Any thoughts or recommendations are appreciated!
The day my husband will be busy I am planning on hiring a baby sitter through Kid's Nite Out to help me with my son. I'm unable to lift him during to my injuries. However I would stay with my son & the babysitter during this time. Anyone have some experience with babysitters at Disney?
Thanks for any & all advice. I've always found the Fodor's Forums to be a wealth of friendly, helpful information!
Jenny
We are planning on going to Disney World in October 2011. It will be my husband & myself & our 2.5 year old son. My husband will be attending a convention one day we are there, but the rest of the time will be a family vacation.
I have been in a wheelchair since April & will probably still be in a wheelchair come October. I broke both medial tibias in my knees, & my body isn't healing as it should.
Anyhoo, I'm trying to decide which resort: Yacht Club or Animal Kingdom Lodge? The benefit of the Yacht Club would be the closeness to Epcot which is convenient for getting back to the room for my son's daily nap. Also with me in a wheelchair, it just would make life easier for me as well.
If we stayed in the Animal Kingdom Lodge, we would get a savannah view. My son (and myself!) LOVE animals, so it would be a treat to sit on our balcony & watch wildlife. However from what I understand, it can be a LONG bus ride over to Epcot & the Magic Kingdom. Also I can forsee leaving on the bus to return to the hotel for him to nap & being frustrated by how long it takes to get back to our hotel room.
Any thoughts or recommendations are appreciated!
The day my husband will be busy I am planning on hiring a baby sitter through Kid's Nite Out to help me with my son. I'm unable to lift him during to my injuries. However I would stay with my son & the babysitter during this time. Anyone have some experience with babysitters at Disney?
Thanks for any & all advice. I've always found the Fodor's Forums to be a wealth of friendly, helpful information!
Jenny
Aug 31st, 2011, 10:35 AM
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I would say Yacht Club. It is connected by walkways to Epcot and is closer to other Disney attractions than AK, which is among the farthest and most remote of all the resorts.
We have stayed at the Beach Club many times--sister resort to the Yacht Club---and it is such a great location and lovely theme. I hear you about the animal watching, so only you can make the final call.
I am so sorry to hear of your healing issues and applaud your strength of will to get on with things and have fun in spite of it.
The pool that Yacht and Beach Club share is awesome! And October is still warm.
No experience with babysitting there, maybe others will know. There may be a Disney division for those with a situation such as yours that might also offer some assistance. I would search special needs or some variation of that on their site, or call and speak to someone. I hope you have a great time!!
We have stayed at the Beach Club many times--sister resort to the Yacht Club---and it is such a great location and lovely theme. I hear you about the animal watching, so only you can make the final call.
I am so sorry to hear of your healing issues and applaud your strength of will to get on with things and have fun in spite of it.
The pool that Yacht and Beach Club share is awesome! And October is still warm.
No experience with babysitting there, maybe others will know. There may be a Disney division for those with a situation such as yours that might also offer some assistance. I would search special needs or some variation of that on their site, or call and speak to someone. I hope you have a great time!!
Aug 31st, 2011, 02:48 PM
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Yacht/Beach definitely. Going over that bridge, after dinner, heading back to Yacht/Beach club....fireworks...it really is magical. And, I am not one to easily "feel the magic" of DWD.
We stayed @ The Boarwalk.
We stayed @ The Boarwalk.
Aug 31st, 2011, 05:31 PM
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No personal experience with Kids Nite Out but I listen to a bunch of Disney podcasts and all reviews I have heard (and friends that have used the service) have only excellent things to say about it. When you book it, you may want to mention that you will stay with your son but that you cannot lift him so you can set expectations for the sitter.
Sorry to hear of your injuries. You may want to stop at Guest Relations at the park and ask for a Guest Assistance Card for accommodations for your wheelchair.
Also, as you may already know, there is Parent Swap for all attractions so if both you and your DH want to experience an attraction but your son does not, all of you queue up and let the Castmember know you'd like to do the Parent Swap. One parent rides the attraction while the other looks after your son. When the parent finishes the attraction and comes out, the parents just switch roles (the rider parents, the parent rides) without having to go thru the queue again.
Have a magical trip! Enjoy-la!
Sorry to hear of your injuries. You may want to stop at Guest Relations at the park and ask for a Guest Assistance Card for accommodations for your wheelchair.
Also, as you may already know, there is Parent Swap for all attractions so if both you and your DH want to experience an attraction but your son does not, all of you queue up and let the Castmember know you'd like to do the Parent Swap. One parent rides the attraction while the other looks after your son. When the parent finishes the attraction and comes out, the parents just switch roles (the rider parents, the parent rides) without having to go thru the queue again.
Have a magical trip! Enjoy-la!
Sep 3rd, 2011, 02:53 PM
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Thanks, Everyone!
I booked tickets for 5 nights at the Yacht Club. Got a great deal through AAA which is terrific! Looking forward to it. Thanks for the info about the Parent Swap & other tips. I'm started to get excited about this trip - should be fun!
I booked tickets for 5 nights at the Yacht Club. Got a great deal through AAA which is terrific! Looking forward to it. Thanks for the info about the Parent Swap & other tips. I'm started to get excited about this trip - should be fun!
Sep 13th, 2011, 10:07 AM
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Yacht/Beach Club hands down is THE best Disney resort on site. Im going there this weekend for the millionth time and i cant get over the fact how amazing this place is. The BEST pool EVER! Plus you can walk to Boardwalk hotel at night, its beautiful....and my favorite part? you get easy walking access to EPCOT- best park! Im an annual passholder and this is my go-to hotel. You couldn't have gone with a better choice. You will come to find how convenient this hotel is. AK Lodge is beautiful but SOOOOOO far from everything else and you will spend more time on the bus than enjoying Disney. Have fun! You will not regret it 
