Hi, Callie!
I’m so glad to hear you are planning your family’s first visit to Walt Disney World. It’s sure to be extra magical, especially for your 3-year-old! Babies and toddlers who are age 2 or under at the time of travel don’t require a theme park ticket, but if your little one has already turned 3, he or she will need a ticket.
When traveling with small children to Walt Disney World, I think the most important factor to consider when selecting a resort hotel is which will be the most conveniently-located to the park where you’ll spend the most time. I know how it is to explore the theme parks all day with a toddler in tow and then make the journey back to the hotel at the end of the night with a stroller, plus all the other essentials that come along with caring for little ones on-the-go. You’ll want to make that trip as quick and easy as possible! It also helps to be near your hotel if you’ll be making jaunts back to the hotel room during the day for naps.
I bet a lot of your time will be spent at Magic Kingdom Park. In my opinion, one of the three Walt Disney World Resort Hotels on the monorail line—Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Disney’s Polynesian Resort, or Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa—would be ideal for easy access to that park. Just step outside the resort, and after a quick walk or ride on the monorail (which my own 3-year-old loves!), your family will be at The Most Magical Place on Earth! My family stayed at Disney’s Contemporary Resort this past fall and really appreciated the convenience of being a short walk from Magic Kingdom Park and a monorail ride away from Epcot.
Please feel free to ask more questions as you continue to plan your pixie-dusted vacation, Callie!
Wishing you magic,
Courtney