Westin Kierland with toddler -- what to do?

[wingkng]

My wife and I are planning to spend a week at WKV the first week of June. We have a 2 1/2 year old daughter, and we are wondering what we can do with her to keep her busy and having fun. We are meeting my sister and her family there (I was able to give them a 2 bd unit to stay), and we do plan to do a day trip to the Grand Canyon. Any good recommendations for indoors and outdoors activities? What about any good restaurants?

Finally, I was shopping for a rental car from the airport. The associated fees are steep! Can we get a rental car near the resort?

 

[DeniseM]

I'd rethink the day trip - it's 5 hours one way to the Grand Canyon from Phoenix. I'd do an over night trip, or wait until your daughter is older.

I think for a toddler, the pools will be the most entertainment.

 

[Luanne]

I know nothing about the area, but when my dds were that age their favorite activities were the swimming pool and parks. As for restaurants, we always looked for places that were "kid friendly". If they didn't offer high chairs or booster seats, we knew we were in trouble.

 

[saluki]

The Phoenix Zoo & Desert Botanical Garden are nice & not very far away.

 

[ciscogizmo1]

When my kids were that age I rely on family fun magazine. They have great ideas on things to do and where to eat & stay. You won't need the stay part but here is the link:

http://family.go.com/travel/things-to-do/arizona/phoenix/for-preschoolers/

When we had toddlers we always planned out day around their regular schedule at home. We would tour in the morning. My kids napped very easily in a stroller so, we would shop during nap time or see those boring museums they wouldn't enjoy. Then, in the afternoons we'd hit the pool or park to burn off energy. We always ate dinner in. Most major cities have the Discovery museum which my kids loved as toddler with all the hands on stuff.

 

[colmo]

Thanks for all the great tips.
We'll be at WKV next year with our little guys and I haven't thought much beyond baseball - this thread will be a big help in planning.

 

[readyalready]

When my kids were younger we never missed a trip to the Mccormick Stillman Train Park, with playgrounds, carousel and train ride. I'd check the hours, June could be hot and impact operations.

Www.therailroadpark.com

 

[wingkng]

How hot will it get on the first week of June?

We will probably spend alot of mornings at the pool. I hear the lazy river is quite fun. Does the hotel pool have a water play area for toddlers? During the late afternoon, we will probably resurface after our daughter's nap and do some stuff outside. My wife said definitely NO to Grand Canyon if it is going to be 5 hours just to get there.

We usually vacation at Disney World, so spending a week outside of Orlando with our daughter is going to be a little different. We will have to find other fun things to do.

When my kids were younger we never missed a trip to the Mccormick Stillman Train Park, with playgrounds, carousel and train ride. I'd check the hours, June could be hot and impact operations.

Www.therailroadpark.com

 

[jarta]

wingkng, ... If you get to the Grand Canyon and actually see it, you will be glad you went.

However, getting from Scottsdale to there and back kills a whole day. And, there are many other things to do in the Phoenix area.

If you don't go to the canyon this trip, consider going there on another trip. It's better to stay up there for the night. There are places to stay, but I'd recommend a reservation before you arrive at the canyon.

WKV has a toddlers' pool area. It also has a play area where water jets squirt out of the floor at irregular times. It has an astroturf putting green. It has a ping-pong table and shuffleboard. There is a Kids Club in the main building just past the business center. (I have never been there with kids so I don't know how it works.)

The Hotel's family pool has a walk-in section for toddlers. You get to the Hotel by using the free shuttle at the main entrance. There is also a small, open park and sitting area at the Kierland Shopping Area. The shuttle goes to the shopping center.

For more organized play, there is a very large park area with all sorts of equipment just North of the Kierland area on the East side of Scottsdale Road called Crackerjax. You need a car to get there. Stuff for toddlers seems to be free. There are batting cages and a driving range for older kids. Beware, by mid-June it could often get to 100+.

But, bet you will like it at WKV. ... eom