YACHT CLUB OR ANIMAL KINGDOM LODGE W/ 2-1/2 YEAR OLD

With a little one, I don't think any Transportation will be easy from Yacht club. Except for Epcot. You would have to push your daughter all thru Epcot to use monorail to MK. Or you would have 20 minute push to Hollywood. Do AK, relax on the bus. No need for parent meltdown too.

The yacht club is best for children. Maybe the lobby is very Nautical, but the pool is amazing for children, you cannot beat Storm Along Bay. The sand bottom pool is awesome for kids.
I have twin girls and that pool area was so great.

The Boardwalk area is convenient to Epcot and Hollywood Studios - You can walk to both ( Epcot in a few minutes ) or take a boat to DHS.
You have access to the Beach Club resort to and can visit Boardwalk , Swan and Dolphin, they are all very close !!
You have 3 ice cream places within walking distance,
Many restaurant variations within walking distance
a Great gift shop too, never crowded.
Its a very quiet resort too

Animal Kingdom lodge is a great place too, but for a small child, the animals are not close enough to hold their interest for long. Plus its so far from almost every park. That means bus rides everywhere. No boats and no walking.
There are 3 great restaurants in the resort but nothing else.
The pool is very nice but no where near Storm Along Bay...
Resort is a little noisy

This is an easy recommendation :
YACHT CLUB


If you want to see the animals, you can visit the resort or just go to AK and see them up close.

Hilarious
But I think so many people have never experienced that walk, once you get it, you are definitely spoiled ...
The walk from Bay Lake Towers to MK is very short too, but you do need to cross a busy road and you end up in the same Main entrance. The Epcot walk is actually very nice and calm , plus its a small private entrance.

I have a real funny story about the Beach Club - when I have more time I will post it

Perspective really comes into play here. What do you wish out of your resort is the real question?

If youre staying in a room that has animal views, AK could be an incredible experience.

However, the only transportation option is a bus. These lines can be long and the buses are like sardines at close. Since the child is stroller age, the stroller you have may add an added cramp to the travel if youre not renting one in the park.

Yacht club has boat and bus option.

I love that age, but memories created are probably gonna be valued more by the adults. The child most likely wont remember this visit.

With that in mind, I suggest the yacht club and save AK for a trip when the child is older and can revel in the magic of animals being so close and profit on the travel conveniences the Yacht Club provides