Balcony wanted

[Dbktmc]

DH and I are planning on traveling to WDW in June of next year. We are really interested in staying in a Deluxe resort and prefer the monorail resorts due to the simplicity of getting to MK and EPCOT. Originally we planned on staying at the Poly but then we found (thanks to all of you!) that balconies are not guaranteed and it really is a must for our family. I had several people suggest the GF but I wanted to see if there are any other options. We have previously stayed at BLT in a studio (we booked through Disney and are not DVC members) but it was quite small for the price we paid and I'm not sure I can afford a 1 bedroom. I thought of staying at the Contemporary with a Garden View but as I am looking at the pictures it appears that it may just be a Juliette balcony. Are there any room categories at the Contemporary that always have balconies?

Last summer we stayed at AKL for 10 nights and it was amazing. However, the bus service was nothing short of horrible and we are trying to avoid that resort if at all possible. We considered the EPCOT resorts (Boardwalk, Yacht and Beach) but thought it would probably be pretty inconvenient to the MK and that is where we spend the majority of our time due to having a 4 year old. In addition, we really like the relaxation of the AKL and would like a resort that is similar to that.

Sorry for all of the questions! My mind is just spinning and I want to make the best choice for us. Thank you in advance for all of your help!!

 

[_auroraborealis_]

With a 4 year old, I think GF is still the best bet. The Alice in Wonderland water play area is great.

 

[Liberator]

I thought of staying at the Contemporary with a Garden View but as I am looking at the pictures it appears that it may just be a Juliette balcony. Are there any room categories at the Contemporary that always have balconies?

Ground floor rooms in the Garden Wing of the Contemporary Resort have a patio. Floors 2 and 3 only have a railing to lean against when opening the sliding doors.
You can request ground floor, but it is not guaranteed that you get it.

But, if you are having a reservation for a room in the tower instead of the Garden Wing, you will have a balcony! All tower rooms are rooms with a balcony. The Tower Club rooms and suites (14th floor) have oversized balconies. Atrium Club (12th floor) and all non-club level tower rooms come with a standard balcony.

 

[Babsy]

The tower rooms at the CR all have large balconies. You have a choice between lake view or TPV. TPV is amazing and the CL floor is even better, if it is in the budget. We LOVE the CR TPV CL! If not CL then request a high floor.

CR garden wing rooms do not have balconies. Ground floor rooms do have patios, but you aren't guaranteed one of those. (same as risk at Poly).

If you want a balcony and book standard room, garden view, then the GF is your best bet.

 

[AngiTN]

Since you like the feel of AKL (but not the drive) what about WL? AKL and WL had the same architect and have similar feels

Boat to MK, you can boat to CR and monorail to Epcot if you really want to skip a bus (but it's not all that fast)

I'm pretty sure all their rooms have a balcony. Some on the highest floors are enclosed but they are full balconies.

And if you like the Alice play area at GF the WL has a similar water play area

 

[mickeynut1]

DH and I are planning on traveling to WDW in June of next year. We are really interested in staying in a Deluxe resort and prefer the monorail resorts due to the simplicity of getting to MK and EPCOT. Originally we planned on staying at the Poly but then we found (thanks to all of you!) that balconies are not guaranteed and it really is a must for our family. I had several people suggest the GF but I wanted to see if there are any other options. We have previously stayed at BLT in a studio (we booked through Disney and are not DVC members) but it was quite small for the price we paid and I'm not sure I can afford a 1 bedroom. I thought of staying at the Contemporary with a Garden View but as I am looking at the pictures it appears that it may just be a Juliette balcony. Are there any room categories at the Contemporary that always have balconies?

Last summer we stayed at AKL for 10 nights and it was amazing. However, the bus service was nothing short of horrible and we are trying to avoid that resort if at all possible. We considered the EPCOT resorts (Boardwalk, Yacht and Beach) but thought it would probably be pretty inconvenient to the MK and that is where we spend the majority of our time due to having a 4 year old. In addition, we really like the relaxation of the AKL and would like a resort that is similar to that.

Sorry for all of the questions! My mind is just spinning and I want to make the best choice for us. Thank you in advance for all of your help!!

I would go with the GF. The grounds are beautiful, the pools and kids splash play area are great, and you are just 1 monorail stop away from MK (it's longer getting back, but still convenient). My brother and SIL took their first Disney trip this past July and stayed at the GF and my niece (3 1/2 yo) loved it! It really is a great resort. We've also stayed at AKL and I agree it is a very relaxing resort. With that said, I think the GF is a great alternative as it is also peaceful, IMO. Good luck.

 

[disneyshan]

That's our issue too - we would only pay Deluxe prices to be guaranteed a balcony. GF wasn't in our budget last trip - so we stayed at YC because all rooms have balconies (as do the Boardwalk rooms) and we enjoyed walking to HS and EP, but would have much preferred a MK resort.

 

[JReneeW]

We will be traveling with a 2 year old and a 4 year old. The "need" for a balcony helped concrete our decision to stay at WL despite the construction. The theme seems more kid friendly to me than GF (or even Poly). Although you do lose the monorail, you still have the boat (or bus) to MK. And as for the construction - as my husband pointed out, to a four year old boy (and even the two year old) seeing construction equipment is kind of like an added bonus.

 

[AngiTN]

We will be traveling with a 2 year old and a 4 year old. The "need" for a balcony helped concrete our decision to stay at WL despite the construction. The theme seems more kid friendly to me than GF (or even Poly). Although you do lose the monorail, you still have the boat (or bus) to MK. And as for the construction - as my husband pointed out, to a four year old boy (and even the two year old) seeing construction equipment is kind of like an added bonus.

And from the main building your impact will be small anyway.

And if you have the time you can still monorail to Epcot. Boat to CR and then get on the monorail to TTC and switch to Epcot track.
The extra time is the boat to CR, even from the GF you'd have to switch to the other monorail.

 

[bare necessities]

Have you looked into renting DVC points? Might be a cheaper option then going through Disney direct.

 

[Tigger's ally]

Oh NO!

What did the Balcony do?

Wanted for what?

Our Balcony was a little hungover, but didn't do anything to get into trouble!

 

[freediverdude]

If you want a guarantee of a balcony on the monorail, then book Contemporary Tower building or Grand Floridian. The regular Contemporary rooms are much larger than the DVC studio rooms in the BLT building. Another option if you can't get any of the above are the DVC studios at the Polynesian, which do all have balconies or patios.