Best deluxe resort & value for $?

[hannahryan]

We've only stayed at moderate & value resorts. Our thinking has been to save the $ for character meals, etc. Our next trip in May, I'm thinking of booking a deluxe. We usually stay at least 7 nights, but I thought maybe I'd cut it down to 5 nights. Which deluxe resort would offer the best value for the money. I have AP's and want to spend $200 or less a night. My kids are ages 7 and 9. They would love a pool with fun slides. I would like to be convenient to MK or Epcot. Thanks for your help!

 

[Danauk]

If your kids love pools with slides and like Epcot I would stay at the Beach Club. Stormalong bay has a great water slide and a lazy river. It has the best pool in WDW. Also you can walk into Epcot from the BC, it took us 5 minutes to walk to the international gateway. Plus it is easy to get to MK either by bus or by monorail from Epcot. I think you and your kids will love the resort and the area that it is in.

 

[Terk-1]

This is a great deluxe resort and is one of the cheapest on property. The resort is fairly small, so it does not feel like it's a huge hike to get anywhere. There is boat service to the Magic Kingdom and the Contemporary Resort (you can grab the monorail here to either the Magic Kingdom or TTC to get to EPCOT) and bus service to everywhere else. The rooms are really nice, there is a small foodcourt, as well as 2 restaurants in the hotel. The lobby is amazing and the pool is alot of fun. There are 2 hot tubs too. Below is a link to pictures I took last month during my stay there, so you can see the lodge, as well as one of the rooms.

This is a great resort!!

 

[ducklite]

For added value I don't think anything can beat the AKL. And a savannah view room there is the same cost as a standard view at the BC. There is so much to do there that you could easily spend three days there never leaving the resort.

The YC/BC would be my second choice, due to the pools. But I'm not sure you'll get under $200/night in May.

After that I would probably choose the WL. Same price as the AKL, but not as much added value IMHO.

Whatever you choose, have a great trip!

Anne

 

[ADisneygirl]

Thanks Terk -1 and everyone here for sharing their photos. It is a great way to get ready to pick a resort.

I think AKL is the best value in the deluxe category. It is a beautiful resort, offers fascinating facts about African culture everywhere, and the food is great. Where else can you see wild animals right outside your room? If $$ is not in question, then I would opt for the Boardwalk or the YC/BC for their beautiful rooms, fabulous pools and awesome location. My family likes this area best

 

[MINNIEBOWSER]

I just wanted to say, because you want a deluxe resort at a reasonable price, keep watching mousesavers.com to get the latest discount codes. A couple of years ago, my friend was booked for CBR, then I told her about a code that was available from mousesavers, and she ended up staying at WL for less $ than she was going to pay at CBR. GOOD LUCK!!

 

[susy]

I've only stayed at AKL and WL- both were wonderful-you can't go wrong!!!

 

[dandave]

I think AKL is the best value. They seem to always have some sort of discount code, as well. The atmosphere is fantastic and you can't beat the savannah views. Although you travel everywhere by bus, the busses come quite often. We love the busses anyway, because they can be a ride unto themselves- WHEEEEEE!! LOL! It's also my favorite resort.

My second favorite deluxe resort is probably the BC. They have an awesome pool area, but I do miss not having a fast food area other than B&C. It does cost a bit more, but the pool area is almost like a tiny waterpark in and of itself. So, I factor that into the price.

Next would be WL. It's a great resort with a very cozy atmosphere. The prices are very reasonable with discounts, and I have enjoyed both my stays there.

Have fun wherever you stay!!

 

[Kimberle]

I agree, WL is the best deluxe value!!

Close to MK, just a short boatride away!

 

[TJA]

You will most likely pay the least at WL and AKL. Both are fantastic resorts...we've stayed at both recently. Both have great pools with fun slides. I could go through and compare the resorts, but you mentioned wanting to be convenient to MK or EPCOT. If that's the case, you might want to consider WL. The boat ride is short and very fun (for kids and adults!) to MK. If you stay at AKL, you will take about a 20-25 minute bus ride back and forth. On the other hand, AKL has the animals that your kids will enjoy viewing. Just depends on what your priorities are. You can't go wrong at either resort.

 

[Zurgerific]

i'd imagine it depends on what floats your boat : if your posse's into animals - AKL, the wilderness : FW or WL, the monorail & MK : Poly/CR/GF, "futuristic" : CR, island theme : POLY
so on & so forth
the best part is - IT'S A WIN-WIN SITUATION when picking a disney on-property resort - you really can't lose !

 

[MAGICinMYHEART]

Originally posted by hannahryan
We've only stayed at moderate & value resorts. Our thinking has been to save the $ for character meals, etc. Our next trip in May, I'm thinking of booking a deluxe. We usually stay at least 7 nights, but I thought maybe I'd cut it down to 5 nights. Which deluxe resort would offer the best value for the money. I have AP's and want to spend $200 or less a night. My kids are ages 7 and 9. They would love a pool with fun slides. I would like to be convenient to MK or Epcot. Thanks for your help!

From what you requested Best Deluxe Resort & Value for $.... The two deluxe resorts that are the best value would be WL & AKL standard view. As stated above both have great pools with slides.

Because you also requested the resort to be convenient to MK or EPCOT that would be WL, Your children will love the WL and you will also have Ft. Wilderness Campground and the petting Zoo and bike paths available.

Have a Great Trip

Pixie Dust

 

[Tigger&Belle]

We've stayed at the Poly, Contemporary, WL, AKL, and Swan. For the $ we liked the Swan a lot (good annual pass discount). Also a good location close to Epcot, MGM, and resaurants with a nice pool. It's not a true Disney Resort, but we liked it a lot and didn't miss the Mickey soap and wake-up calls. With the possible exception of the Contemporary I would stay at any of the resorts again.

T&B

 

[Selket]

Out of the deluxe properties I've only stayed at the AKL but it is a beautiful resort with so many things to do you will likely want to plan some time away from the parks just to take advantage of the hotel activities. I'd stay here even without a savanna view if saving that extra money is important to you. The pool is beautiful and large...the pool slide is nice but it isn't huge by any means. The bus service was very good and you really feel like you're in a deluxe hotel because of all the theming. WL sounds lovely too - pick whichever theme appeals to you most!

 

[AspiringCindy]

I agree with the above posters that "AKL and WL" are the more affordable deluxe hotels! Now you just need to decide which theme appeals more to you! An African Safari theme of the Great Northwest! I have only stayed at WL and love the atmosphere of the resort. As Kimberle and MagicinMyHeart will agree with me that..."visiting WL is like coming home"!

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

With an ap discount you should be able to get either WL or AKL for well under $200 a night. Just have to wait for those codes to come out.

 

[PamNC]

you would love the Yacht or Beach Club. It's our favorite resort thus far. And, for a good pool and slide you're not going to beat it. Plus the convenience to Epcot and MGM. And, we've found the CM's to be top notch.

Also - for value you might like Wilderness Lodge. You can sometimes get a great rate if you watch these boards and mousesavers. We got $154.00 (w/tax) last year. There isn't a pool slide - but it is convenient to MK.

pamNC

 

[AspiringCindy]

Originally posted by PamNC

Also - for value you might like Wilderness Lodge. You can sometimes get a great rate if you watch these boards and mousesavers. We got $154.00 (w/tax) last year. There isn't a pool slide - but it is convenient to MK.

pamNC

I don't know what pool you swam in because there certainly is a pool slide!

 

[hannahryan]

Thanks for all the help!!! We toured AKL during our last visit & I loved it, but the kids didn't! They felt it was too dark and I guess not too kid friendly. However, they thought PC was paradise. Go figure. So, we need to meet in the middle somewhere.
I don't remember what the WL looks like. Is the pool at the WL really fun for kids? Is the theming more attractive for adults or kids? Is there more kid friendly food (french fries, mac n' cheese, etc.) at the WL or at the BC. My preference is the BC, but I think it will be too expensive even with codes. Also, my family really want to rent boats for the week & we can do that at WL but not BC. As you can see, I'm really struggling to make a decision. Any more advice?

 

[Bbgrizzle]

To ensure that your resort cost is under $200, you should probably choose either WL or AKL, as everyone has said. Both resorts are equally beautiful, in my opinon. The main difference (besides the theming) is that AKL has the animals, and WL is very convenient to MK and Epcot. For me, I would choose WL every time. While the animals are fun to look at, they would lose their appeal for my family after a day or two and we would get tired of the long bus rides to and from the parks. But the convenience of the water ferry from WL to MK will be appreciated the entire trip. Besides, it is much easier to resort hop from WL, and it is only a short ferry ride away from my favorite, Hoop Dee Doo Revue! Hope that helps!