Hi, Nancy! Welcome to planDisney!
Thanks for stopping by with your question. A last-minute trip to Walt Disney World sounds like a blast, especially with a toddler in tow. That’s such a fun age to experience the Disney Parks. Everything is new and magical in their eyes, and you just know that you’re helping form some great core memories.
All of these resorts have their pros and cons when it comes to the needs of a 2-year-old, but I really enjoy all of them. You can’t go wrong. They all have great dining options, excellent pools with nearby kiddie pools and playgrounds, and some of the most fun hotel decor on property. There are a few things to consider, though, that might sway you one way or the other.
The first thing to consider is the size of the resort. Having a short walk back to your room after a long day in the parks can feel like a real blessing when a tired kiddo is involved. Of the resorts you mentioned, the two Port Orleans resorts—
Riverside and
French Quarter—are the smallest, with French Quarter being significantly smaller than Riverside. So if a quick trip from bus to bed is important, then I’d consider either of these resorts.
The next factor to consider is transportation. All Walt Disney World Resort hotels have
complimentary bus service from the parks, but it can be very helpful to have multiple options at the end of the day. This is where
Caribbean Beach Resort shines. Along with the buses, Caribbean Beach offers access to the
Skyliner system. These aerial gondolas run from the resort to Hollywood Studios and EPCOT, as well as to the Art of Animation Resort and Pop Century Resort. Being able to choose between the bus and Skyliner (and whichever one has the shortest line) is a great perk when you sense a toddler meltdown coming.
Everyone has different priorities when they are traveling, and these are just a couple of the things my family considered when we visited Walt Disney World with toddlers. Talk things over with your traveling companions and see what they would prioritize to have the most magical trip possible. As I said, I really don’t think you can go wrong with any of these resort options.
Nancy, I hope you have an amazing time at Walt Disney World in a couple of months. You can find more tips and tricks for visiting the Disney Parks with toddlers, as well as pocket guides for select resorts, over on our Instagram. If you have any other questions, come right back and ask away!
Magical travels!
Matt