Disney- Monorail Access w/ Double Stroller

We're trying to decide which hotel into stay at.
We'll have our 3yr old and 1 yr old with us along with the double carriage.
How important is it to have access to monorail from hotel? I'm imagining taking apart the double (city select) and dragging it,plus bag, and two kids on and off the bus is a bit of a pain.
Should I just invest in a lighter, easier double stroller and deal with the bus?

Message edited 2/22/2012 6:22:33 AM.

Re: Disney- Monorail Access w/ Double Stroller

If you are going by yourself - it may be a pain at times but if you have help - 2 kids and a stroller on and off buses is manageable. We have gone several times and never stayed in a monorail hotel. Been going since my kids are the same age as you mentioned and the buses never bother me. I do think a double lightweight is worth it. THe first year we rented a double since we didn't own one and it was a pain not having a stroller during the walks from the park to the bus and hotel to the bus - esp at night whne they are exhausted/asleep. The next year we bought a MacLaren and it is worth the price.

I can see the convenience of not taking them in and out of the stroller when using the monorail but for me I actually can't stand the crowds of the monorail with the stroller anyway and we never felt any need to stay at one of those hotels. We have stayed at Animal Kingdom, Wilderness Lodge, Carribean Beach - Pirate rooms. This year we are staying at the Swan Club (free stay thru miles plus allows 5 people without extra charge (we now have another child)).

Re: Disney- Monorail Access w/ Double Stroller

We stayed our last trip at the Poly when DD#1 was almost 3 and DD#2 turned 1 on the trip. We took our city mini double and it was great. I liked that it had full recline, space to store things and an excellent sun canopy. They napped in the stroller a lot especially DD#2.

I liked the Poly if you can swing it in your budget. You can hop the monorail to the MK right from your resort (never have to fold your stroller or wake your children if they fall asleep on the way back to the hotel). I also like it because you can walk next door to the TTC (ticket and transportation center). At the TTC you can roll onto the ferry to the MK (this is great because at night everyone runs for the monorail and you can just wheel your stroller onto the ferry if it is less crowded - and it is a 5 mins walk back to your room). You can also walk next door and hop on the EPCOT monorail which saves you from transferring from the MK monorail at the TTC to the EPCOT one. But you do have both options. You also have the option of easily dining at either the Grand Floridian or the Contemporary which is great if you want to do a character meal at 1900 park faire or chef mickey's. I like the Grand Floridian and the Contemporary is okay too but they have fewer transportation options (although you can walk to the MK from the contemp which is nice).

Any of the monorail resorts you will have to take a bus to get to HS, AK, any of the water parks or downtown disney.

You don't have to stay at a monorail resort to have a good time at all. It can be done from any of the resorts - but it IS more convenient. With any of the monorail resorts you are paying not only for the convenience of the monorail but those three resorts have nice size larger rooms than the other deluxes (although for most not by much) but they are a decent size larger than say the wilderness lodge or AKL.

I would say if you have two young children go with the confortable stroller - esp because they might be more inclined to nap in it and you have better sun cover and more storage than if you bring an umbrella strollers (which are great when the kids are older and don't need to bring as much junk to the parks with you).

We did the buses from the poly to HS and AKL - the buses are definitely doable with 2 kids and we had the city mini double - BUT I will say - you will want to pack differently. We got stuck one night at EPCOT when the monorail was struck by lightening and they made us all take the bus. It was ridiculously crowded. We had a diaper bag - but many parents around us since they took the monorail and didn't have to fold it they had stuffed their strollers full of their stuff and had to ask cast members for plastic bags to get it home. I won't lie it wasn't easy. HS and AK weren't bad - we did go early but we came back mid day when it wasn't crowded. We got seats and those trips were doable. The trip back from EPCOT is probably more like leaving the parks at peak time. That was rough - since almost everyone had young children people weren't giving up seats I held DD#2 (12 months) in my arms, and the diaper bag while DH tried to hold our almost 3 year old and the double stroller. It was standing room only.

Having said that the buses are totally doable but it does make your life less stressful. The other option is to rent a car but that has some pitfalls as well.

Re: Disney- Monorail Access w/ Double Stroller

What's your budget? Staying on the monorail is VERY convenient, but it does cost more. If you stay at the Contemporary, you can even WALK to Magic Kingdom, avoiding the crowds entirely for the park you'll probably spend the most time at with little ones. WHen are you planning to travel? There are a few days left on the Spring Room Offer so you could save 30% on a monorail hotel

Message edited 2/22/2012 11:21:03 AM.

Re: Disney- Monorail Access w/ Double Stroller

We plan on going in May. I guess it depends on who you ask- some are telling me it's no big deal to do the buses and others say they wouldn't even consider a hotel that didn't have access to monorail. I know we'll be able to take advantage of the discount but it's still a lot more to stay at those 3 hotels.

Also, how many nights would you recommend staying?

Re: Disney- Monorail Access w/ Double Stroller

If you can swing the cost, I would. Maybe it's different because we went during the summer so maybe it's less busy in May. But we spent two days at Magic Kingdom and 1 at Epcot. With our midday breaks, that's a lot of back and forth. I found the monorail to be very quick and super convenient as compared to the buses (which we used for Downtown Disney, Animal Kingdom, and Hollywood Studios). For the buses, I would have so much stuff in my stroller and have to fold it all up. Also, DS would often be asleep when we went home midday. That being said, most of our trip was paid for by my FIL, so I know it's not easy to justify the cost of staying at one of the monorail hotels.

Re: Disney- Monorail Access w/ Double Stroller

We went in end of April/Early May and the price difference at the time (there was a promo!) was only $500 between Mod. and the Polynesian. For $500 added to my trip, it made the whole experience so much better. Convenience, convenience, convenience!

I was looking to stay originally at the Port Orleans but you hear every story with the bus. And with kids napping, you can just hop on the monorail with your stroller and kid inside. No long wait, etc...

Bus, you can wait 5 minutes or you can wait a long time in lines to get your bus. Then if it's crowded you will have to fold your stroller. Not great if you have a sleeping kid(s).

I say monorail when they are young, especially with strollers.

But it really depends on your budget.

Re: Disney- Monorail Access w/ Double Stroller

Personally, I am spoiled with having stayed on the monorail for each trip we've gone on since we've had a stroller each time. When we've had to take the bus to Hollywood Studios/Animal Kingdom I am reminded of how much easier it is to wheel the stroller on and off the monorail, especially if your child is napping.

I am a huge fan of the Polynesian and think it's the easiest with a stroller, double or otherwise.

Re: Disney- Monorail Access w/ Double Stroller

Silly question- when you take the bus with the carriage, do they stow it below or do you carry it on the bus with you ?

Re: Disney- Monorail Access w/ Double Stroller

You carry it on with you.

Re: Disney- Monorail Access w/ Double Stroller