Like real estate in general, Location, Location, Location.
We stay at the Poly and couldn't be happier. We have had to cut back the number of trips, but worth it when we go.
You get attached when it's so convenient! it's like you can't imagine doing Disney from another location. The cutting back is what i'm working on changing, so that's why I wanted to explore new options
We stayed at POR last year because there were five of us (me, wife and kids) and the price was right. Wife and I are doing Pop Century this time because of price, theme and dedicated bus (hopefully as advertised.) We're not resort people and prefer to spend extra money in the parks.
I would have preferred to stay at POR again (it's awesome, IMO) but I don't want to spend the extra money.
Personally, I would rather stay at a value resort and have more money for food and shopping. Plus I prefer to be in the parks as long as possible! However, it is pretty nice to come in for an afternoon nap halfway through the trip and be at a deluxe resort
They're just so darn expensive though!
price and location.
Price is a big factor but then again we wouldn't stay at a value. My husband just figures since we only go on vacation once a year, he wants to do it "right". He feels the values are more of a motel feel.
Location is huge because the buses were a big pain in the butt last year from CBR and we will be doing MK most of the time so wanted a resort in the MK area.
After being at CBR last year, I also look at size. I personally hated CBR. Everything was run down looking and the walk to fill up my water or coffee was just too much of a hike considering all the walking we do in the parks as it is.
I decided on WL mainly factoring in all three. The price is the cheapest of the deluxes, the resort is close to MK and the resort is very small compared to others.
I also decided on WL because of the time of year we are going ( I've heard its the best near christmas)
I will never stay at GF because its just too boring looking for me. Everytime I visit it, I want to leave and move on to our next destination. Also, POR/POFQ look boring to me as well. Just not my taste.
Now I will one day stay at AKL because its the most interesting resort to us. The distance from all the parks is just not practical for us with my childs age.
I also want to stay at CR with my family mainly because of sentimental reasons. I stayed there every year when I was a child. It still smells the same when I step off the monerail. I love the smell of food in the lobby and I especially love the monerail driving through it!
We're a little bit the same in my family. Since we rarely get to Disney, they want to make sure everything is the best it can be. So they always go for GFla. Personally, I like that it's not as embellished and themed (even though, it is in its way) I enjoy coming in from the crazy, upbeat parks into that cool, classy, nostalgic environment. And I love the smell!!
When I first started booking hotels it was all about price. Therefore, my first two trips to WDW we stayed at a DTD hotel. After factoring in transportation to the airport and free dining, staying onsite became more cost effective, so we started with theme and pricing. We stayed at CBR, then CSR, then POFQ. When I wanted to explore the deluxe resorts I rented DVC points and started at AKL (gorgeous!!) Stayed there twice because it is breathtakingly beautiful. I've also tried WL, but living in the Northwest it didn't hold as much appeal.
This trip we are doing a split stay...I have always been curious as to what the values are like but never wanted to ruin a stay if I hated it...obvious solution: Split stay. First at Pop, then at Boardwalk.
I love the moderate resorts..I feel they're a good value for the money. I think the deluxe resorts are overpriced but truly special. I am hoping to like POP, just to have the option of a cheaper stay if necessary.
My dream resort, however, is to stay at the Contemporary. It is the epitome of my Disney childhood dreams but I cannot get myself to pay what they are asking, and not sure if a stay at Bay Lake on rented points would fulfill that dream.
Never say never....
My Mom's dream is to stay at Contemporary too
we always stay at GFla though! which is why we've gone 2 times in ten years. It's crazy expensive, but my parents aren't super open to staying anywhere else. The split stay sounds like a great way to ease into that though! I would be more than open to trying it!! Sounds like fun!
We are older, now usually go without the 'kids', and WS has become our favorite place to have outside our front door. So, to answer your question, I guess we've locked into BC because of location but obviously there are a lot of other nice things that make it a great place to stay.
Getting back to location, and especially staying at an EPCOT resort, we definitely go less often so we can afford to stay there. A more than fair trade off to us.
Great topic!
I really want to try an EPCOT resort!! Really badly! The going less, but staying well is what my parents enjoy. Obviously, I would prefer to go as much as possible! But I've never stayed anywhere but Deluxe. So I have no experience with any other resorts! I'm hoping to explore a lot of different ones over the next few years.
We always stay at the OKW because it is our home resort and we love it! We've also stayed almost in every other Disney resort for split stays, so basically we do about 5 or 7 days at OKW and 2 other days at another resort. We like other resorts, but love the OKW!
I really want to try a split stay now! My parents would probably never be up for it, but once i can take a solo trip, I want to try!
. The factors for me is easy access all around, for DH its the monorail running through the building, and for DD it'll inevitably be the MK view.
Also, it looks good and the price is right.
