First time staying at a Deluxe (that is, if we can afford it) and have questions!

[Artoo]

hi everybody!
OK, first of all I've gotta' say I've been on this forum for a little over two years and everyone has been AWESOME at my constant stupid questions
So, first off, my DH, DS, and DM are going to WDW! We've had a rough year (especially DM), because my Dad passed away on Feb. 21, 2009 of ALS
My mom says she would like to go to Disney World again, Especially around the holidays, because the holidays will be pretty tough (in terms of crowds and rooms).

So.....out of all the Deluxe Resorts, which is the best? My DH and I both are shooting for the Contemporary because of the monorail going through, I know my sister would love the Polynesian and my mom would probably love the Grand Floridian, sooooo....

What are the rooms like in the resorts? Are the worth the Deluxe price tag? What makes them stand above the rest? What Deluxe is closer to the exact middle of the whole WDW?
When my DH and I came here to stay at the Port Orleans-French Quarter (especially being able to take boat right to Downtown Disney.
So, any suggestions? Thanks!!!

[DisneyWisher]

I've stayed at CR Tower and Poly CRL. I loved both. You can't beat CR Tower MK View but it is a lot more expensive than 4 years ago but the view of 7 Seas Lagoon, MK and GF also. In your situation I think either of the 2 will be great since I know both have daybeds so your sister could sleep there and let mom have her own bed. The one thing I didn't care for at CR is how far the pool was and that every lounge seems to be "saved" very early though you never see anyone sit in it. At Poly I never had that problem. We treated Poly as a resort visit and not so much about the parks, though we went to MK 2 out of the 6 days we were there. Our motto was that if we can't get there by monorail or boat we weren't going.

Also know that they charge $25 a person for every adult over the first 2.

Here is a pic of the view you will need to scroll side to side to see the whole thing. http://allears.net/acc/cont156.jpg
I just wished I would have seen Wishes from the Balcony.

[annnewjerz]

I can't really comment on which Deluxe would be best, since this will be our first year in one (the Boardwalk), but I did want to make sure that you knew about the 40% off deal right now for room-only reservations at Deluxe resorts. You have to book by today in order to take advantage, and unlike the package, you only have to pay a 1-night deposit for the room---so it's definitely worth looking into!

[Deb & Bill]

Most deluxe resorts provide easy access to the theme parks - either by walking, monorail or a short bus ride (ala AKL/AKV). Most deluxe villas have two queen beds and a day bed (usually about twin sized) except for AKL and WL - no day bed.

The larger beds and closer distance to the theme parks make it worth it to me.

If you go with a DVC villa (at least a one bedroom) you'll get a king sized bed and a queen sized sleeper sofa. If you go with a two bedroom villa, the second bedroom will have either two queen beds or a queen bed and a double sleeper sofa. And no additional adult fee at DVC resorts.

[Hopefully]

I don't think anyone can tell you which Deluxe is "best". It depends on which theme appeals to you.
Many feel that Disney Deluxe hotels are not the same high standard as Deluxe hotels elsewhere in the world. You are paying for LOCATION. I think any of the monorail resorts would be great. Whether it is "worth" the money is something only you can decide. It is for us.
Do more research, look at pictures and see what appeals to you.
We love the Epcot area resorts because Epcot is our favorite park. We love the ability to walk to 2 theme parks.
I also loved the Poly and having the Monorail access was great.
Good luck in your search

[wdwfan1]

If you are thinking of going during the holiday season this year, I urge you to call immediately to check availability. There have been reports that many resorts are completely sold out for certain weeks.

Good luck and enjoy your vacation.

[lemondog]

I have never stayed anywhere but the Poly so I can't really comment, but I do think the price is worth it considering...
1. Queen beds vs. Double
2. Much larger rooms
3. Easy access to park

As far as theme, each is unique in its own way, and I would consider them all equally worth their price. I personally do not like the location of AKL, but the superior theming makes it worth the price, I would think.

All that said...if I had to pay Poly rack rate anywhere else in the world, I would expect something along the lines of Four Seasons or Ritz Carlton...WAY nicer than anything at Disney. I think you're paying for the location and the theming at WDW.

[tony67]

Originally Posted by lemondog

I think you're paying for the location and the theming at WDW.

This is it exactly. It is all about convenience, location and view.
The rooms are not spectacular, but they are nice.
For me I do not see the value anymore, but I have stayed at most them multiple times so it is not as big a deal to me anymore.

Since you say your mom would like the GF, I would probably go with that one.
The holidays will be hard on all of you, but hardest on her (I assume).


Someone mentioned the holding lounge chairs with towels.
This seems to be an issue everywhere. I walked through the Poly about a week ago and every chair had a towel holding it, but no one was in the pool (well very few).
I also went over to GF and did not see any of this going on.

They should just go around and collect the towels every hour or so to stop this when it is obvious that the people are not there. I actually thought there was less of this at the CR when I stayed there so YMMV.


BTW - Not a deluxe, but CSR is in the middle of WDW (so I’ve been told) and it has two queen beds and rooms with a king bed. It was just remodeled and I actually prefer it to the Deluxes.
The rooms are as nice as most of the Deluxes IMO. They were just redone. I also preferred the transportation here as it does not share a bus. The monorail resorts share buses and they get very crowded. At the end of the day though it is a moderate, but a high end one. If finances become an issue then take a look at it.

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Among the Magic Kingdom Monorail Resorts the Contemporary is going to have the least expensive rooms no matter which room category you select, plus they are the only resort with a walkway that goes to the Magic Kingdom. Plus their room sizes are among the biggest of the Deluxe Resorts and it's always a great atmosphere when staying there.

[MissionMouse]

The Best is what you think and believe. The price difference between Deluxe resorts raltes more to location than anything else. GF is the flagship due to an array of services and TS restaurants.

Nothing at Disney is worth the prices they ask...but we all tend to buy into it to varying degrees.

MK Deluxe resorts are great for visiting the MK and Epcot. They are also the resorts that provide the icon views of what defined what people visually consider to be the heart of Disney. CR is the only one in walking distance. PR in key location to traverse between MK and Epcot.

Epcot Deluxe resort are great if you plan on dining a lot at Epcot. Easy walking access to Epcot and longer walk to DS or a boat ride. It is also easy to dine at Epcot from the MK monorail resorts if you are using park hoppers too.

WL and AK offer the lowest rates associated with location.

[Eeyore2003]

I would consider the Epcot resort area. We have stayed at a good portion of the deluxe resorts and for adults the Epcot area is really nice.
We especially think the Boardwalk is SO convenient for everything.
1) The boat dock is right there in front. This will take you to either Epcot or HS. Epcot about 5-10 minutes. HS about 20 minutes. And the rides are nice and relaxing too.
2) It's so nice coming back from the parks and just relaxing on the Boardwalk also. Very pretty at night.
3) The buses for MK, AK and DD are not far and DD is actually really pretty close to these resorts.
4) It's a very quiet more adult atmosphere.
5) Between all the resorts, the Boardwalk and Epcot all being right there the choice of eating within walking distance is really nice.

We stayed at the Contemporary when we had kids. While this was nice when they were little, I wish we'd have known about the Epcot resorts when they were in their teens. For some reason I never checked into anything but the Contemporary since that's where they always wanted to go "back to". But for adults, I just don't think you can beat the Epcot resorts. Yes, the monorail is convenient to MK when you're at the MK resorts but even for Epcot you have to go up and down ramps to change monorails etc. Besides the Contemporary and Boardwalk, we've also stayed at AK, SS, Beach Club and Old Key West. And we exclusively go to the Boardwalk now for the convenience to all things we enjoy doing.

[RachaelA]

I know you didn't mention these resorts, but AKL and WL are the cheapest of the deluxes. Just something to think about.

Good luck choosing one!

[MickeyMouseLvr]

We have stayed at both the Contemporary and GF, but not the Poly. Both are great resorts and the Contemporary holds a special place in our heart as it was the first place we stayed. However, at Christmas nothing beats the GF in my opinoin. The lobby is amazing with the band playing, the beautiful tree and of course the Gingerbread House. The two Christmases we stayed there were with my Grandma after Grandpa passed away. I think it helped ease her pain a little. That said, you really can't go wrong with any of the Disney resorts! Hope you have a great trip!

[tony67]

Originally Posted by RachaelA

I know you didn't mention these resorts, but AKL and WL are the cheapest of the deluxes. Just something to think about.

Good luck choosing one!

Just to through my 2 cents in on the WL.
I really liked it but transportation was a pain if you do not have a car.
That is why I have not returned, it may have improved, but I will not risk it again.
Maybe someone can comment on that.

AKL is also very nice, but somewhat far out.
Transportation is good and the view is really nice if you pay the extra.
The concierge lounge is also really nice if you want to pay the extra.

[SGMCO]

We are going to stay at AKL and it will be our 1st Deluxe.
We usually stay at MOD resorts and love POR.
This will be our 25th Annivesary so we thought we would splurg
this time.
We will be going in May and this is Reg. season prices (300.00--320.00 per night) for standard rooms.

I know that the holiday season prices are alot more.

I love the atmosphere of the AKL (we've eaten at Boma)
and know that we will love staying at AKL.
I have no concerns with taking the Bus and can't afford
to stay at a monorail resort (we will be fine)
We are going to WDW and staying onsite, how lucky are we.