Which Deluxe Resort?

jms1022 · Apr 18, 2015

Hi! My family is planning a trip to Walt Disney World in January 2017. This will be my parents and sister's 5th trip, and my 6th as I went with my school's marching band two weeks ago. We're looking at a few different resorts and are looking to get some pros and cons, as well as which one would be cheapest/least crowded at the time we'll be going, which would be around the 2nd week of January. We have stayed at Wilderness Lodge twice before and love it, as well as Caribbean Beach, although we're really looking at deluxe resorts. Here are the resorts we're looking at right now:

Wilderness Lodge
Polynesian
Grand Floridian
Contemporary
Boardwalk

We have a slight pull towards Boardwalk right now, because its steps away from the Showcase entrance of Epcot and my parents LOVE drinking and eating and exploring around the world. So basically I'm asking for any and all opinions and pros and cons! Thanks in advance!

DisneyWorldbuff · Apr 18, 2015

I think the Boardwalk is a great choice. It's such a great location and close to two parks. I think in January, it would be a pleasant walk (no heat to contend with) to both parks. Have fun no matter where you end up!

mickeynut1 · Apr 18, 2015

jms1022 said:
Hi! My family is planning a trip to Walt Disney World in January 2017. This will be my parents and sister's 5th trip, and my 6th as I went with my school's marching band two weeks ago. We're looking at a few different resorts and are looking to get some pros and cons, as well as which one would be cheapest/least crowded at the time we'll be going, which would be around the 2nd week of January. We have stayed at Wilderness Lodge twice before and love it, as well as Caribbean Beach, although we're really looking at deluxe resorts. Here are the resorts we're looking at right now:

Wilderness Lodge

Polynesian

Grand Floridian

Contemporary

Boardwalk

We have a slight pull towards Boardwalk right now, because its steps away from the Showcase entrance of Epcot and my parents LOVE drinking and eating and exploring around the world. So basically I'm asking for any and all opinions and pros and cons! Thanks in advance!

Out of your choices, we've only stayed at WL, Poly, and GF and although we prefer the MK area, I think BWI would be the best choice if you will be spending a lot of time at Epcot. We've never had a bad experience with transportation at the other resorts, but you can't beat being within walking distance to Epcot/World Showcase from BWI, especially for frequent trips to that park. With that said, if a monorail/MK area resort is a preference, I don't think you can go wrong with any of them. The Poly is our favorite resort overall, but we also love the GF and WL. We haven't tried the CR, but are hoping to stay there on a future trip. Good luck.

Tink0812 · Apr 18, 2015

My favorite Disney resort is the Wilderness Lodge but since you have already stayed there twice I don't have to explain all of the pros of staying there :smickey:

. My parents recently stayed at the Boardwalk so I can share some pros and cons from their point of view. They loved being so close to the International Gateway to Epcot. They spend a lot of evenings in Epcot and have a lot of ADR's there. For me, I would love being so close to Illuminations as it is one of my fav. things to do at Disney as well as drinking around the world. It is also nice to be a short boat ride/walk away from DHS and the atmosphere of the Boardwalk is unique. As mentioned before, January would be great walking weather. One major negative for them is that it seemed a little too "upscale" and a little less "Disney" then they would have liked. I am afraid that the Grand Floridian would feel that way for me too. For us, Disney has always been about the whole experience. I have always wanted to stay at the Contemporary because of the proximity to MK. It's a short walk there and you can hop on a monorail for easy access to Epcot. We spend most of our time at those two parks. The monorail resort loop would give you lots of close options for nice ADR's as well. You guys have a tough choice at hand. Have fun!

Babsy · Apr 18, 2015

By January 2017, the construction 'should' be completed at the Poly. If you are planning to spend a lot of time in the MK, then the Poly would be my first choice at that time. If you plan to spend most of your time in Epcot/DHS then the BWI would be my first choice. Theming and convenience at both resorts are excellent. It is kind of like deciding between chocolate and vanilla ice cream. Sometimes you want one, sometimes the other, but both are delicious!

Poly pros:

Large rooms
tropical atmosphere, great grounds
monorail access to MK
walk to TTC for monorail to front of Epcot
watch Wishes from beach area
great dining both at Poly and at other monorail hotels

BWI pros:

walk to Epcot and DHS (OR BOAT)
lovely rooms, especially standard
fun evening entertainment on BW
access for dining at all Epcot resorts and World Showcase
some rooms will allow watching high Illuminations fireworks
almost guaranteed balcony

Of course, all five resorts that you have mentioned are spectacular!! You will have a wonderful time whichever you choose. Enjoy the process!

Dano13 · Apr 18, 2015

Boardwalk is by far and away our favorite. The location is ideal as well.

DisneyFansInNYC · Apr 18, 2015

We just stayed at the WL for the first time and fell in love. Although we do love the EPCOT resorts. The BWI is a great choice. You should look into the Beach Club or Yacht Club as well - just as nice with a much better pool. The walk to EPCOT is the same from the Beach club as it is from the BWI. Our teenage daughters love the Boardwalk area. Have fun!

MyOtherSS · Apr 18, 2015

I'll always recommend Poly as my favorite resort but if you plan on spending most of your time at Epcot like we do I'd look at BWI or maybe Beach Club. We stayed at Yacht Club last trip and the location is awesome. Having the option to walk to Epcot and HS is really convenient especially when you stay at the parks until close and don't have to deal with the crowds at the main entrance.

GrumpyBelle · Apr 19, 2015

Of the ones you have listed, we have only stayed at WL and Boardwalk. Since you have already stayed at WL, I would try Boardwalk. the location is ideal.

disneygolfer1985 · Apr 19, 2015

We have points at both the BW and GF, but I must say with the BW you aren't solely dependent on transportation to get to 1 park possibly 2 if you enjoy the 15 minute stroll to DHS. I would recommend any one of the Epcot resorts.

wdwjeffc37 · Apr 19, 2015

It sounds like your family would like to spend a lot of time at EPCOT so I would recommend an EPCOT area resort. The Boardwalk, Beach Club, and Yacht Club are all good choices. Pick the theme you like best. You will want to have Park Hopper tickets so you can go to EPCOT in the evenings for drinks, dinner, Illuminations, etc. even if you started the day at another park. Park Hoppers are always a must for us because we always end up at EPCOT or the MK in the evening. Cheers!!!

lovewdwdvc · Apr 19, 2015

Our opinion:
Poly is our just plain favorite possible because it was out honeymoon choice 33 years ago
Boardwalk has a wonderful location and lovely decor
Grand Floridian is a great place to eat and drink but a little stuffy for us
Wilderness Lodge is very different from the other resorts but too secluded for us
Contemporary is the only one that we have not stayed at

BalooFan · Apr 19, 2015

I haven't stayed at all of these resorts, but have stayed at both MK and Epcot area resorts. Although I enjoy MK more than Epcot, I prefer the Epcot resorts. To me, the advantage is that so much is within walking distance of the resort - two parks, four other resorts, lots of restaurants, recreation options, and Boardwalk entertainment. You can find a bench and people watch or just watch the boats come and go. You can see the Illuminations fireworks from the Boardwalk area or take a walk to Epcot, catch Illuminations, and then avoid the crowds heading to the main entrance by exiting through the International Gateway. Don't rule out the Yacht & Beach Clubs. I especially love the Yacht Club, but it is more adult-oriented than the Beach Club.

Of course, there are advantages to all of these resorts, so I wouldn't be disappointed with any. WL and GF have two of my favorite lobbies (AKL being the other). Kona Cafe at Poly is one of my favorite restaurants. I enjoy wondering the grounds at GF, especially in the evening and also like the counter service restaurant.

Hi Pluto · Apr 19, 2015

You mentioned which would be the cheapest too, which would knock GF right off that list. WL is usually the cheapest of the deluxes. CR would be probably the second cheapest. Then Boardwalk. Poly is more expensive than all those (but people have been able to find some good discounts during the construction). And GF always seems to be twice as expensive as WL. I would try for Boardwalk of your choices (or BC/YC as pp's have said). I LOVE the resort area around the lake, and the ease of popping into epcot.

~Cari~ pluto:

Which Deluxe Resort?

jms1022

Mouseketeer

DisneyWorldbuff

Colorado

mickeynut1

DIS Veteran

Tink0812

Mouseketeer

Babsy

DIS Veteran

Dano13

Long Island, NY

DisneyFansInNYC

DIS Veteran

MyOtherSS

Mouseketeer

GrumpyBelle

DIS Veteran

disneygolfer1985

DIS Veteran

wdwjeffc37

DisneyWorldFan

lovewdwdvc

DIS Veteran

BalooFan

Mouseketeer

Hi Pluto

"Hi Pluto, bye Pluto, missing you already Pluto!"

Share this page

DIS NEWS & UPDATES

New DISboards Threads

Latest posts