Resort Help

[boscov]

Ok, so let me start off by saying I am researching WAY in advance. I am planning a trip for next year, April/May timeframe to be precise. I have to plan my vacations pretty far in advance for work reasons. So, I figured let's get right into it. So, my DW, DD(8) and DD(3) will be going down for a week next year. We went back in December and stayed in a royal room at POR. I have stayed at POR for the last 6 times I've been to WDW, so I am very familiar with this resort. But, my wife and I were thinking about having a bit of a different experience. Can anyone recommend a resort of these options:

POR: Cheapest hotel we are looking at, very familiar with the resort, love the place

WL: We read nothing but great reviews about this place, love the proximity to MK, love the boat option, like the price point, worried the pool is a little tame

BC: We love the theming of this place, love the pool, love the proximity to Epcot, a little bit pricey for not being a monorail resort

Poly: My wife just adores this place, love the pool, love the room size, love the views of MK, love the monorail, HATE the price of this place, plus the construction, will it be done?

Thanks for your help and thanks for humoring me in planning so far in advance!

 

[BensWife]

Well, take my comment with a grain of salt as we have only been to WDW 2 times and the first was back in 98'. That being said, we were wanting to stay at the Poly in March of 2015. I called the resort and found out the resort is scheduled to be done with construction in March of 2015. However, since construction rarely stays on time, we decided against staying at the Poly. We don't want to take a chance when there are other great places to stay. For me, I would choose WL. I think we are planning on GF because we want to be on the monorail - so we are thinking about renting points for a studio villa to make it more affordable. Good luck!

 

[mrsp1030]

WL is an amazing resort. We have always loved the theming and all the dining options. This year we rented points for a VGF studio at Thanksgiving and are so excited. We actually are adding an extra night at WL just because we arrive a day early and love the resort so much. Look into renting points and it will save you some money at the deluxe resorts.

 

[BellsFam]

If it's within your budget and construction is finished, Poly all the way, it's a nice distance from MK with being able to calm down on the monorail ride in air conditioning before getting back to the room, can't beat for convenience...

BC is beautiful, I know it's pricey for non-monrail, but it's worth it for little ones...rooms are cool, pool is AMAZING! Views of Illuminations from the bridge area w/o even having to go into the park, movies on the beach with roasted marshmallows... You are paying for all that, not the monorail here...

WL - I've never stayed heard both good and bad about it...

I bumped in because your comments about POR excited me... I'm looking at a RR, but we've never stayed there before...wondering what it will be like, glad to hear positive about it!

 

[wiigirl]

WL is an amazing resort. We have always loved the theming and all the dining options. This year we rented points for a VGF studio at Thanksgiving and are so excited. We actually are adding an extra night at WL just because we arrive a day early and love the resort so much. Look into renting points and it will save you some money at the deluxe resorts.

 

[justjoannj]

I have been to WDW 17 times and have stayed everywhere from the Grand Floridian to the Pop Century. Love the Deluxe resorts but can no longer afford that, but I'm fine with Value resorts. I prefer to spend most of my time at the parks anyway. That being said, my last visit was at French Quarter. It is now my new favorite resort. Smaller in size than most of the other resorts, great pool with activities for the kids, plus campfires and movies. Also, as a plus, only 1 bus stop and it is only for this resort so it doesn't stop to p/u at other resorts. For the age of your children I think this is a winner. Thinking of going next year with my 4 grandkids.

 

[boscov]

If it's within your budget and construction is finished, Poly all the way, it's a nice distance from MK with being able to calm down on the monorail ride in air conditioning before getting back to the room, can't beat for convenience...

BC is beautiful, I know it's pricey for non-monrail, but it's worth it for little ones...rooms are cool, pool is AMAZING! Views of Illuminations from the bridge area w/o even having to go into the park, movies on the beach with roasted marshmallows... You are paying for all that, not the monorail here...

WL - I've never stayed heard both good and bad about it...

I bumped in because your comments about POR excited me... I'm looking at a RR, but we've never stayed there before...wondering what it will be like, glad to hear positive about it!

I very much enjoy POR. I have to say the Royal Rooms are definitely worth doing once. I'm not sure I'd do it again. I found the rooms a little bit dark and they are obviously in the least desirable location of the resort. That being said, my daughters loved it. They LOVED the fireworks headboards. It was hard to get them to go to sleep at night with them!

Joann - I have stayed at all of the moderates and I really did enjoy POFQ. It is number 2 on my list of favorite mods. If I was going back to moderate, I'd go back to POR.

Thanks for all the advice, keep em comin!

 

[DisneyFansInNYC]

I would not choose the Poly for fear of construction not being finished. We want to try the WL but love the BC. Great pool, great location. Love that we can walk to EPCOT each night for a snack. We love the countries. Also love the boat to HS. Only one bus to MK and it is not bad since we don't go to AK every time we go to Disney.

Enjoy wherever you stay!

 

[mickeynut1]

Ok, so let me start off by saying I am researching WAY in advance. I am planning a trip for next year, April/May timeframe to be precise. I have to plan my vacations pretty far in advance for work reasons. So, I figured let's get right into it. So, my DW, DD(8) and DD(3) will be going down for a week next year. We went back in December and stayed in a royal room at POR. I have stayed at POR for the last 6 times I've been to WDW, so I am very familiar with this resort. But, my wife and I were thinking about having a bit of a different experience. Can anyone recommend a resort of these options:

POR: Cheapest hotel we are looking at, very familiar with the resort, love the place

WL: We read nothing but great reviews about this place, love the proximity to MK, love the boat option, like the price point, worried the pool is a little tame

BC: We love the theming of this place, love the pool, love the proximity to Epcot, a little bit pricey for not being a monorail resort

Poly: My wife just adores this place, love the pool, love the room size, love the views of MK, love the monorail, HATE the price of this place, plus the construction, will it be done?

Thanks for your help and thanks for humoring me in planning so far in advance!

We have stayed at all of your choices except POR and my choice would be the Poly. We've had great stays at all 3 and all of them have their advantages, but the Poly is just amazing and we love it for many reasons:

- large, spacious rooms
- all rooms come with a daybed
- tropical atmosphere is beautiful and relaxing
- the volcano pool is great
- the beach is great for watching the fireworks
- great dining options (both CS & TS)
- 2 monorail stops from MK
- quick 5-7 minute walk to TTC to catch the Epcot monorail
- convenient to the GF and CR for a variety of dining options
- it's beautiful at night walking around under the lit tiki torches

With that said, even though the Poly is our favorite, we've had 2 great stays at the WL and wouldn't hesitate to return. However, while we enjoyed our stay at the BC, the CS options are too limited for us. The BC has the Marketplace, but the options are not as extensive as what we find at the other deluxe resorts. I also think the WL and monorail resorts have more of variety of TS options (just my opinion). Good luck.

 

[Sue M]

With your children's ages I picked WL. I think an MK area resort would be perfect. We've had 3 great stays at WL. And you can get bunk beds for the kids!
Poly is great too, but they are under massive construction and who knows where it will be in construction by then . Rooms are larger at Poly, grounds are pretty.
WL has the advantage of all being under 1 roof.
Either would be wonderful.

 

[Wood Nymph]

The WL is a great resort and the boat to MK is a really nice, 12 minute ride. I think it beats the monorail because it is such a pleasant ride. I wouldn't worry about the pool. Your kids will love the slide, especially the three year old. The price is right, too. Roaring Forks is a nice counter service option and the compact resort makes it easy to get around in.

 

[Day-Day]

Of the 4 you have listed, we have stayed at Poly, WL, and POR. We have stayed at other resorts as well. Our favorite for the price is POR. I don't recommend this for you though; I think you should try something different to see how you like it.

We tried WL when the price discount made it competitive with a moderate and wanted to give it a try. We toured WL during one of our previous visits while we ate dinner at the Whispering Canyon. After staying there, I'd pick POR over WL even if the price was the same.

Even though I will probably not stay at WL again, I voted for WL for you taking into account your comments especially the comments on pricing as well as the age of the kids. The pool isn't great but the kids should enjoy it well enough.

I really like Poly but we have only stayed there when we had good discounts during value season.

 

[pepe of ohio]

We've done 50 stays at WDW, mostly deluxe...

We do find POFQ a great mod based on size... So compact and easy to get around..plus when sharing buses with POR we get picked up first..

Now for us, GF, Poly, Y&B are fine resorts but I can't justify that kind of money for a hotel, especially the Poly... That room rate is ridiculous ..

WL has been a favorite of our for over 10 trips...location is primary for us, we enjoy the MK the most so being close is top important to us..

Our May trip we're trying renting point from a point broker... We're in a studio at BLT for a week, cost less money than our week at POFQ...

We looked at David's Point Rental... Being out of Canada, fee for using credit cards out of US, plus he won't check availability unless you give a deposit...

We found DVC Rental Store more to our liking...quick calculator check on how many points needed, price per point flat rate includes all taxes and etc...very easy to navigate and their people per phone know it all...easy transaction..

This is our first time renting points, yeah it's a studio but it's just the wife and I, and we are after the walk to the MK to pop in anytime night and day and for 1500 for the week... Got to be a fool to not ponce on that...