Thought I posted this, but I guess it didn't go through. I disagree that 2 and 4 is too young. We took our daughter when she was 19 months and 3; our son was 4 months (Yes, I know he won't remember it). It was wonderful. She had a great time and still remembers the trip. She talks about it all the time. She was enchanted with Cinderella's Castle and Cinderella, the parades and went on many, many rides (her favorite is It's A Small World of all things). It most certainly was not all about "Where's Mickey"? Sure, she got tired, but we made sure there was plenty of downtime and rest. I guess I just don't understand all the people who say it is such a chore lugging strollers, kids, diapers, etc through the parks because it has never been tough for my husband and me. Tracy, go for it and have fun.

We've taken our now 13 and 16 year olds to disney 6 or 7 times. We've stayed on the park grounds, near the park grounds and out on the highway. For pure convenience, stay at the disney properties. Any resort has great pools, the moderate and budget ones have food courts to satisfy any little appetite and they are all on the transportation lines so getting back for a nap is not hard. The resorts on the monorail- Grand Floridian (posh and expensive), Polynesian (way too much hokey stuff) and Contemporary(seems old and drab) are not the best choices from my perspective . Be aware, you'll spend upwards of $100 per day on food alone - the room is for sleeping and changing.

Hmmm, xx2's post that says &quot;I'm sure this will start a big arguement but..&quot; Sound familier? Some people just can't get enough of telling other people how to vacation.<BR><BR>I've taken the kids when they were 2 % 5, 6&amp;9, and 9&amp;12. We had a great time each and every trip, just enjoyed different parks more at different ages.<BR>Obviously MK was a big hit when they were younger.<BR><BR>I think it's definitely worth it to stay onsite, but not necessarily on the mororail. The buses to outlying properties run very regularly, and unless you get a discount, you'll be paying $100 more to stay on the monorail.<BR><BR>Last time we stayed at the Swan, and loved it. We could walk to Epcot, MGM or the Boardwalk, or take boats to these locations. We also had the option of taking buses everywhere else. I also got a great deal - teachers rate of $129. It's a deluxe property so was well worth it. You get the discount if you're a teacher, nurse or government employee. They also may get an Entertainment discount and I have seen them discounted at Quikbook and hotels.com.

I am always amazed at the number of people who bring really small children to Disneyworld. We have been there twice and, each time, by 4:00 o'clock, it seemed as if every child under 5 was either asleep or in tears. We didn't bring our children until they were 7 yrs old and they thouroughly enjoyed it at that age.<BR><BR>However everyone is different. If you do go with small children especially, I would highly recommend staying on the property. It's definately worth the money. The Polynesian has a ferry that goes right to the Magic Kingdom. We used it all the time.<BR><BR>Have fun.<BR><BR>Cheryl

With small children you will spend most of your time at the Magic Kingdom, which does make the monorail worthwhile. I have stayed at the Port Orleans Resort, and while it is a lovely hotel, the bus ride to/from the Kingdom seemed like it went on forever (and that was after waiting a long time for the bus to come). I regretted not spending the extra $$ and staying at the Polynesian or contemporary!<BR><BR>

a 19 month old is way too young for Disney. They don't remember a thing and are scared to death of the characters. The only reason parents take children that young is because they want to go.

Take the kids and have a wonderful time as a family. No, the kids won't remember it, but so what.<BR><BR>Just got back from a trip with my 4-year-old triplet grandchildren. They loved it.<BR><BR>We stayed at the Wilderness Lodge and it was wonderful. I enjoyed the boat rides to the Magic Kingdom and the bus rides to other parks. It gave me a chance to talk to other people, strangers. A delightful bunch.<BR><BR>But in my younger days we took our own children and stayed at the cheapest motel we could find. It was fun, too.<BR><BR>But my favorite is the Polynesian.

My kids are 13, 11, and 9 now, but they had the MOST FUN at Disney World when they were 2 and 4. I recommend the Character Breakfast. They have it at the Polynesian Hotel, and they get to meet Mickey, Minnie, Donald, etc. without all the crowds. I also recommend staying at the Polnesian if you are going to spend a lot of time at the Magic Kingdom. The guests staying at the monorail hotels get in the park early before other guest are allowded in. Plus, you can hop on the monorail when the crowds invade and swim at the hotel or nap. Then you can hop back on the monorail when the crowds are leaving. You can ride some rides and watch the fireworks. We found that Sea World was a good place for not having as much crowds, and the kids loved it.

Tracy, take the kids. Disney vacations are family vacations. Staying inside the park may cost a bit more but it is worth the extra money. It adds to the whole Disney experience. The kids may not remember everything, but the parents do! We get so much joy seeing the kids having fun at Disney World and the Disney breakfast is a must for younger children. I love Disney and so do my kids. Have a great trip.

The little ones don't understand why the characters won't speak to them and/or they are afraid of the characters size. And there is SO MUCH walking involved!If you have to do strollers and naps -don't go. The age of seven seems to be a good starting age for Disney.<BR> There are other vacations to do as a family.I wish I had known.

Since when is WDW for kids? Just kidding, I've taken mine 4 times in the last 5 yrs. If this is a once in lifetime type vacation I'd wait a few years but if you plan on going back in the near future than I'd say take-em along and have a blast.

I don't recall Tracy asking anyone's opinion on whether or not she and her family should go to WDW, just where people would recommend they stay on their upcoming trip. Lots of people take their young children to WDW and have a fabulous time.<BR><BR>Tracy, if you can afford it, stay on the monorail, the Polynesian was great. The rooms are big and the grounds are lovely, lots of space for the kids to wander around. We were there in June and went to the parks from 9am to about 1:30 or 2pm, then we went back to the hotel for a nap &amp; swim before dinner around 5 or 6pm. We went to Epcot for dinner several times, utilizing the monorail. :) It worked out really well for us. <BR><BR>The bus routes from the other resorts (and Poly to other parks)can take from 10min-30min in addition to waiting for the right bus to come by, which can be 1 min - 20min. We loved the monorail!<BR><BR>Have a great time!

As you continue to research hotels, consider food. A refrigerator, microwave are essential with kids that age - a mini-kitchen better. Eating out with 2 and 4 year olds gets impossible after a while. Sitting at a table, no matter how informal, and WAITING for food is not a strong point with preschoolers. <BR><BR>We always stayed off-site for that reason when our kids were that young. It's been a while, so don't know if WDW now has accomodations with some sort of kitchen facilities, but I strongly recommend staying someplace where you can all take your shoes off, heat something up and relax in your own room.

Hi,<BR>

Hi,<BR>I live in Singapore and will be visiting Orlando for the first time with my wife and 11 year old son. Found that Howard Johnson Inn Maingate East has an attractive room rate of $29.95 for Nov 02 when I'll be in Orlando. Pls advise whether the hotel is in a safe area and convenient to visit Disney World.<BR>Pls advise whether it is true that no knapsack, video camera bag are allowed in Disney World or any attractions.

Peter, Knapsacks and video camera bags are definitely allowed in, they will just be searched. Since 9/11 all bags brought into the parks are searched at the entrance. It goes very quickly, no delays at all.<BR><BR>A message for XXX and QU, We have taken our children every 3 years , the first time when they were 22 months and 4 and a half and it was no problem whatsoever.<BR><BR>If people go because they want to, so what? A toddler would have fun banging a pot in the kitchen, does that mean the family shouldn't go anywhere else? And so what if they don't remember, so long as they are enjoying themselves at the moment? Your poor children wouldn't do anything or go anywhere if remembering the trip was the criteria for going.<BR><BR>As for the characters frightening children, they sure didn't frighten mine, my kids loved them.<BR><BR>Finally, you complain because there's a lot of WALKING??? We love physical activity, and walking for us is a pleasure. Only an out of shape couch potatoe would complain about pushing a stroller and walking. How incompetent can a parent be? Too tiring?<BR><BR>We were out of the parks for naps by noon, my kids loved, loved, loved the toddler area of Typhoon Lagoon, after swimming and naps we were ready for a few more hours of fun at night. No whining, no crying and we didn't scream at our kids once. All it takes is a little common sense and a minimum amount of adept parenting to have a successful visit to WDW with young kids.<BR><BR>Just because you aren't up to it, don't assume others aren't as well.

We stayed at the wilderness resort one week before Christmas about 6 years ago. It was definitely worth staying o property. We were able to get into the park early so the lines were not as long or crowded. The lodge is absolutely breathtaking especially when it is decorated for the holidays. We only spent 3 nights there then took off for a condo we rented on the beach. The condo was the real vacation Disney is exciting but sooo expensive and exhausting. Bring your own snack bags or a small soft sided cooler for food and drinks. I remember a popsicle being 3 bucks 6 years ago. If you go to the gulf side check out Busch Gardens great for kids and not as overwhelming as Disney.