Best deluxe WDW resort to stay in, best tips?

[sfbank]

Another vote for the BWI. It is our family's favorite. We did stay at the WL our 2nd trip in 2004 after a 1st stay at the BWI in 2002 and it was ok for us but our heart lies at the BWI. We feel the same way about it as others do about their favorite. We can't imagine a trip to Disney without staying there!! The resort is beautiful. The Boardwalk view can't be beat. The nighttime entertainment is so fun. The walk to EPCOT is so relaxing and nice....like I said to us it just can't be beat. We love the concierge staff too-just like another family. Home away from home for us!!

 

[vettechick99]

I've stayed at a few (GF, Poly, CR, BWI, BC) and they are all great. Now we rent DVC points and stay at the BCV. We love it as much as a standard room at the BC - and it's half the cost.

Check out the DVC boards for more information.

 

[fla4fun]

It really depends on what theme I'm in the mood for. I've never really had a horrible experience at any of them. Sometimes I base my choice on where I will spend the most time. I book most frequently at:

CR
WL/VWL
Y/BC/BCV

If you plan on spending a lot of time at MK, try staying at one of the monorail resorts or WL. Having to take a bus to MK can be one of the most stressful parts of the trip. Many on property guests will drive to the other parks, but no one drives to MK because you still have to get Disney transport at the TTC (so you might as well be on the bus).

If you plan on visiting the parks fairly equally, or if you spend a lot of time at Epcot or the Studios (I love Epcot!) then you can't beat the Epcot resorts area. Boats go to both parks, or you can walk (a great benefit!). It's nice to have five resorts worth of dining and shopping right there together. There's always something to do.

Whenever anyone asks me which Disney resort they should stay in, I ask them to make a list of the things they would want in a resort, whether it was Disney or not. Then pick the resort that most closely matches your list. Do you want lots of recreational opportunities, or do you want to just be lazy on the beach? Are you going to spend a lot of time in the pool, or not bother? Only you can decide which resort will be the best fit for your family.

 

[Tiffany]

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?

What park(s) do you want to be close to, if any? Have you given the Swan/Dolphin a look? For deluxe resorts they give you the most bang for the buck. The AKL and WL are the least expensive of the Disney owned and operated deluxe resorts but they still do not give you the same value as the S/D do.

 

[tiggersmyguy]

Any of the Disney resorts at the Boardwalk area (BWI,YC and BC) would get my vote. The Boardwalk area is great for dining options and very relaxing. Best of all, being able to walk into Epcot and MGM (yes you can take the boat but we really enjoyed the walk, even in June!). Location takes the cake for me!

 

[haleofafamily]

I didn't love WL like everyone else seems too. It was pretty and peaceful, but I wasn't wowed like I thought I would be. The size of the rooms were disappointing as well.
I loved the Beach Club... the location, pool, and the feel. It would get my vote hands down.

 

[A_NY_Outlaw]

Looks like some more votes for S/D....Someone asked what parks we like being close to- really none in particular, but if I had to choose- probably MK.
We always do a 1 day trip to SW, so having a hotel on that side makes the cab fare that much cheaper.

How does everyone recommend a split-stay? I guess what I'm asking is, my wife is hesitant to unpack at first, then 3 days later pack-up and go again, spending valuable time moving around when we could be at the parks. We only go for 1 week at most, so it seems like a bother, but at the same time a good idea to experience multiple resorts.

I've only got 2 resorts "under my belt", and AKL in 2005 blew away our experience at POFQ this past April. It was like comparing a cadillac to a 70's gremlin! I can only say I would not stay at POFQ again for sure. We aren't very big on the value resorts, although I'm sure they could be nice.

And yes in answer to someone's question- this is an adult only trip.

 

[ConcKahuna]

My absolute favorite is the Polynesian. I love the atmosphere, the view, and the location.

The WL is my 2nd choice, and I agree with dawn (hell is freezing over! LOL) that the rooms are quite a bit smaller than any of the other Deluxe resort rooms.

 

[DisneyMomx7]

We have stayed at (and loved) - GF, Poly and YC.

DH's list: 1) GF 2) YC 3)Poly
my list: 1) GF 2) YC 3)Poly
DD (10) 1) YC 2) Poly 3)GF
DD (8) 1) Poly 2) GF 3)YC
DS (7) 1) GF 2) YC 3)Poly

So you see even in one family (and where everyone loves each resort) there are personal favorites.

In July we're trying WL for a Grand Gathering so who knows maybe that will be our next favorite!

 

[f7prez]

The WL is a great resort. As an architect I think you will appreciate this hotel the most. Much like the Animal Kingdom Lodge and the Polynesian, WL will make you feel like you have been transported to a place far away from central Florida. Plus WL is one of the lowest priced deluxe resorts. I just wish they had put WL on the monorail loop.
Another deluxe hotel I would recommend because of price and location is the Dolphin. Very Disneyesque in design. Great dining options. Plus you are a short walk or boat ride to EPCOT, MGM, Boardwalk, YC/BC. And the groto pool is one of the better pools on Disney property.

 

[cjsmom5]

Great input everyone!

 

[nascargirl]

Another vote for the BWI. The Beach Club initially was our favorite resort, then by chance we tried the BWI and loved it. The atmosphere, lights, places to eat, and entertainment can keep you going well into the night. Jelly Rolls is the dueling piano bar which also offers great entertainment. We are headed to the world in January. We are booked at the Beach Club due to no availability (keeping are fingers crossed that something will open up). The Club Level staff is awesome. They treat you like family and we do the same. A lot of magic is in that resort

 

[mericletwins]

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.

Maybe it would be helpful to know what you didn't like about POFQ? That may eleminate some of the deluxes as well.

 

[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.

Maybe it would be helpful to know what you didn't like about POFQ? That may eleminate some of the deluxes as well.

Well the FQ was an awful experience for us....there was mold in the bathroom, pieces of tile on the wall were broken, the TV didn't work and even after informing the front desk, it still took them 3 days to fix it or get us another. The concierge desk was continually rude as well. And lastly, it was real trying sharing buses with POR, since on more than one occasion we were the last ones to be dropped off after a very long day at the park. We also noteiced that at the end of the night, the lines to get shuttles for POR and FQ long and not enough buses, while stops for other resorts were flowing smoothly.

We found it to be nothing like what we expected nor experienced previously with AKL.

 

[Got Quattro?]

For the money...the wilderness lodge is the best deal going. For under $200 with an AP pass, you have a 5 min boat ride to Contemp, from there you can monorail to 3 deluxe hotels and MK.

The rates at the hotels on the monorail loop are $300 at AP rates. So by being willing to take the boat ride first, you save $100 a night. And the Wl hotel grounds are just perfect.

if money were no option, we enjoy staying at the yach . beach club. Walking distance to 2 parks, 5 deluxe hotels, like 15 resturaunts....the best pool.

Mike Isner wanted the Yacth and beach club to be the premier property when he took over and it shows. He even prefered them after the GF was built.