Best deluxe WDW resort to stay in, best tips?

[A_NY_Outlaw]

After a disappointing WDW trip in April and some miserable experiences at the POFQ resort, we are contemplating going again in October of 2008. However I want to start doing some research and getting some opinions now.

I would like to know what everyone's opinions are for the best deluxe resort to stay in and why. I will need to take into account cost....obviously a room at the contemporary overlooking MK won't financially be an option, but there may be some other good ideas out there.

We stayed in AKL in 05 and had a great view of the Savannah, so that's a plus for us. The Boardwalk looks interesting as well.

How about it guys, what're your picks and tips?

 

[disneydance]

How about WL this one is not that expensive near MK (boat ride away) and you can walk to for FW

 

[ccigliano]

I vote WL - it is my favorite and the boat ride to the MK is relaxing and convenient. It is also one of the less expensive deluxes along with the AKL. The lobby is gorgeous, the rooms are rusticly elegant, the pool is fun and the overall surroundings to me are very comfortable and warm. Sipping coffee on your balcony overlooking the pool and lake is a nice perk. Good Luck with your decision.

 

[DVC Sadie]

The WL is a big hit over Christmas but we loved the decor of the GF too. You really can't go wrong with either choice.

Now in the summer we enjoy the Poly but it just doesn't hold the same appeal for the winter holidays IMO.

 

[TJA]

I like a lot of the deluxes, but my personal favorite is the BC. Here are the many reasons: the ability to walk to Epcot for dinner each night, walk to the boardwalk each night, rent surrey bikes and ride around the lake, walk to MGM, endless eating options all within walking distance, the sandy pool, Beaches & Cream for ice cream by the pool, movies on the beach, character breakfast, the list goes on.

BWI is also nice and only a 5-10 minute walk from the BC. We have young children and thus the sandy pool at BC works the best for us.

 

[Minnie&Nana]

How about the Swan or Dolphin? Often great rates (advertized here months in advance - $125 for August of this yr).

Or if you are in education (teacher, assistant or any other educational support position) , nurse, gov't employee, or military Swan/Dolphin has excellent rates! $149-$169 for value season

Rooms a nice size, Swan rooms (Westin) have just been refurbished and Dolphin rooms (Sheraton) are next. If an spg member, it would be unusual not to get an upgrade at check-in.

Both resorts have a beachy theme in the rooms and the Dolphin throughout the resort (although not the same as BC ), great Grotto pool area ...it is an easy walk or boat ride to International Gateway or MGM and all the goings on on the Boardwalk

EMH, but no dining plan or room.

Decisions, decisions!! Enjoy the planning!

 

[A_NY_Outlaw]

Thanks everyone I've enjoyed your opinions. Not that it will make it any easier, they all sound great. So far the consenses seems to be the WL. That was one of my top choices so far. As for any perks at the S/D, while the architecture of the property looks intriguing (yes i'm an architect) I doubt I would be eligible for any special perks....although that's no big deal.

 

[Minnie&Nana]

WL is a great choice!!

 

[IWISHFORDISNEY]

Our two current favorites are AKL either pool or savannah view. Both were nice. Our second favorite is BWV due to service and location and having a hottub, washer and dryer and kithen were nice too. We are trying WL next month. Dophin was ok but cheap and BC just was not for us, we just didnt get that WOW feeling. Hope that helps some.

 

[cjsmom5]

My favorite is YC followed by WL and then AKL. My DS and DH prefer WL, AKL and then YC. They all have special things about them as well as pros and cons. The most economical deluxe is either AKL or WL.

We just returned from 8 days at WL and it was great. It is also a beautiful resort at Christmas time. But then again so is the YC/BC ... and so is the AKL.

 

[newholidayx2]

DS says Wilderness Lodge - the villas are our "home away from home"

I think the proximity of Beach Club to Off Kilter is the best! Will be there for 5 nights in just a few weeks

 

[Buzz2001]

After a disappointing WDW trip in April and some miserable experiences at the POFQ resort, we are contemplating going again in October of 2008. However I want to start doing some research and getting some opinions now.

For a mod, I love CSR! It's only a mod but it does offer some deluxe amenities for a mod price. It has a spa, salon, fitness center, steam room and tanning beds and full menu room service. Check out my CSR website below for pics and info.

For a deluxe, I would go with the Poly for access to the monorail, BC for location or AKL for a less expensive deluxe. Good luck planning your next trip!

 

[DawnCt1]

Thanks everyone I've enjoyed your opinions. Not that it will make it any easier, they all sound great. So far the consenses seems to be the WL. That was one of my top choices so far. As for any perks at the S/D, while the architecture of the property looks intriguing (yes i'm an architect) I doubt I would be eligible for any special perks....although that's no big deal.

I must be one of the few that did not like our stay at the Wilderness Lodge. I loved the common areas but the room was very disappointing. We had a junior suite which was cramped for a jr. suite. There were few drawers and we had to live out of our suitcases. It was originally intended to be a moderate which accounts for the small room sizes and then they bumped it up to a deluxe. My choices would be the Yacht Club and the GF, The Beach Club and then the Poly, but that is this week. Next week I could have a different opinion.

 

[canwegosoon]

I have liked(will go back)
SSR
BWV
BCV
YC

OK(poss. go back)
VWL
POLY(least favorite of all)
POR

 

[to be tink]

I know it isn't at the top of everyone list but the Contemporary will always be my favorite. The tower rooms with a MK view are the best especially since the renovations. Can't beat the ease of having the monorail right in the building. Beach Club is nice too. Love the decor. You really get the feel of being at a small beach town. Hard to beat the back door entrance to Epcot and the great boat ride to MGM. I wasn't too thrilled with the Poly though. It is in desperate need of renovations and after being at Storm Along Bay the Volcano Pool wasn't so great.

 

[Home@WL]

Another vote for WL. Beautiful resort and good price within deluxe category (especially during Value Season). And even though you're just a boat or bus ride from MK, the feeling of being tucked away in the woods rather than smack-dab in the middle of WDW is very relaxing.

 

[cara loves the poly]

I have heard wonderful things about WL, I don't think I've ever read anything negative!

 

[A_NY_Outlaw]

I have heard wonderful things about WL, I don't think I've ever read anything negative!

Certainly I agree. I'd really like to know how this compares to the AK though.
I think based on my research and hearing the reviews I've got it narrowed down to the WL, AKL, Boardwalk (though I haven't heard much of anyone discuss this one on any of the threads) and Contemporary.

Also- I want to make sure I make the right decision. We might be traveling with another couple who has never been to disney in the past 15 years, so they are depending on my wife and I to make a good decision.

 

[TJA]

I posted earlier recommending the BC. In trying to weed out the thread, it sounds like this is an adult-only trip? If so, BWI is indeed a great option. Nice restaurants, romantic feel to the boardwalk, night-time clubs, ESPN, take-out pizza window on boardwalk, can watch the fireworks part of Illuminations from anywhere in that area, nice walk/boat ride to both Epcot and MGM. We stayed at the BWI a year or 2 ago with toddler twins and while we loved the resort, we felt it was more adult-oriented than the BC is. So for now, we are sticking with BC.

As for AKL and WL, we've also stayed at both of them. WL was pre-kids, so about 5 years ago, and we loved it there. Theming is great -- you get a lodgy feeling as though nothing is around you but woods. Yet you can take a boat to MK and see that you are really pretty close to the monorail resorts and MK. We had similar feelings at AKL as far as feeling isolated. We enjoyed that the buses at AKL only tended to AKL and didn't stop at other resorts.

As far as an adult-only trip, I really like the BWI for that. Though I'm biased because my favorite area is the Epcot resort area. I really like being able to have a nice sit-down dinner each night within walking distance and without the hassle of bus, car, or anything else. We have a double jogger so we're always looking for an easy way out!

WL and AKL will be the lowest priced deluxes, though with a savanah view at AKL you will pay along the same lines as standard rooms at the more expensive deluxes, which I'm sure you already know.

Good luck!

 

[ccigliano]

One of the strange things about the WL following is that once these people stay there - they don't care to stay anywhere else. I am one of those and can't imagine a trip to Disney without it as it is a very big part of my vacation experience. Prior to staying at the lodge I have stayed at CSR, OKW, and SSR and have visited every deluxe to just to check them out. I will plan my trip 11 months out as a DVC member to be sure that I stay at the VWL. That said - I do plan on doing a split stay at AKL and WL and in that order as I would never miss an opportunity to stay and end my trip at the WL. Any chance you could do a split stay - if you staying for a week or less I wouldn't recommend it but maybe an 8-10 day stretch would be fine. You may want to stay at the WL first since you've never been and if you like it over the AKL you could try to modify you reservation to stay at the WL if its available. Just know that either way - you can't go wrong, they are both very nice resorts.