best disney hotel

[renderman7]

hey all

i am planning on spending 3 weeks at disneyworld around november/december. just wondering whats the best hotel to stay at if you know of any way in which to save money on them.

also as i will be there for 3 weeks, i want to take advantage of the hotels amenities, pool and all that.

Also again, does anyone know of any tours that can be done with a single person around disneyworld.

cheers

 

[Kimberle]

WDW has many resort choices with a variety of prices and ammenidies. What's best for one, is not best for someone else.

If you want the best pool, that'd be Stormalong bay at the Yhaht/Beach Club. If you want an to wake up and see Zebras and other exotic animals outside your balcony, that's be AKL. AKL also has a special Sunrise Safari Club level guest can book. It is wonderful.

If you're spending 3 weeks at WDW, I'd consider switching resorts at least once, if not twice to have a wide variety of experiences.

 

[DannyDisneyFreak]

3 weeks?! Wow, can you adopt me? Please!!! You are going by yourself correct? Where you stay would depend on you own personal likes and dislikes and how much money you want to spent, hotels inside Disney range from around $100 to over $300 a night. If you have a limited budget I would recomend the Pop Century for an adult, if you want to spend a little more them one of the moderate resorts like Port Orleans, Caribbean Beach
or Coronado Springs would be good choices. If money is no option and you really "want to take advantage of the hotels amenities, pool and all that" then I would say do either the Beach or Yact Club which basily has its own mini water park and sand bottom pools, and it is across from and in walking distance from Disney's Boardwalk resort and entertainment complex, or stay at one of the "monorail resorts": The Polynesian or The Grand Floridian with direct monorail access to the Magic Kingdom. Check out the resorts on your own: http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/resorts/resortmain.htm and read what others have to say on the Resorts forum. Good luck!

 

[Lynne M]

If you ask the folks on this board what the 'best hotel' is, you're going to eventually get a list of every single resort on property. Everyone has their favorite.

I'd just read the description of each resort, and figure out which resort's theming, price, location and amenities appeal to you the most.

Since you're going to be there for three weeks, why not consider a split stay, and do a different resort every week? It's easy to switch resorts, they'll even move your luggage for you.

 

[goofy4tink]

'IF' it were me, this is what I would do for a 3 week vacation. I would start at POP Century for a week, then move to POR for a week, then move to the Polynesian for a week. I would do a tour in each of the parks. Keys to the Kingdom in MK is a fun tour.

 

[madalex]

hotels inside Disney range from around $100 to over $300 a night.

The upper limit on room rates at WDW is far in excess of $300/night. Try $700+ for rack rates for some club level rooms at the deluxe resorts during peak season; those rooms are close to $600 even during value season. And that does not even take into account the suites which can run $1,000 - $2,000/night.

 

[happymommy]

We could give better advice knowing your budget. Like the PP's have said, the rates vary widely, and everyone has their favorites!

 

[renderman7]

well i am looking at around 3000 thousand us for accom.. i really dont want to go over that though...

i like the idea of two hotels..

i think an all star for the cost more than anything. can anyone tell me what the colorado? one is like it was listed in the moderate.. i dont want to read what it has, i want to know what its like to stay there

cheers

 

[Metsoskil]

For that price, I'd suggest splitting your stay like some of the PP have suggested. You could probably do a value resort for a week, a mod for a week, and end at a deluxe for the last week.

If you are not a AAA member, you may want to get a membership, because the savings on your rooms will far outweigh the cost of the membership, unless you are going at a time when you think a code will be available.

I've never stayed at Coronado Springs, but Port Orleans French Quarter was great in the moderate rangs. Especially with so much time, the boat to Downtown Disney would come in handy. It's the smallest moderate, so it feels a bit more intimate in my opinion than other Disney resorts I've visited.

 

[Buzz2001]

Definitely stay at at least three resorts. CSR is a good choice in the mod category. Check out my CSR website below for pics and info.

 

[mom2aredhead]

I wouldn't want to pack, unpack, and re-pack to stay in 3 different resorts. Maybe split between 2 completely different resorts - like Animal Kingdom Lodge and Pop, so you feel like you were on 2 different vacations.

 

[minnie61650]

I have stayed at all levels of Disney Resorts. My favorite Disney owned resort is All Star Music.


DH and I enjoy the landscaping and peacefulness of All Star Music.
We enjoy relaxing by the pool (there are plenty of chairs and lounges), and the beautiful lighting at the resort by night.
It is quieter because more couples stay there. I love staying at the Calypso building. It is closer to the pool, food court and bus stop.

Please see my info thread for more reasons why I enjoy All Star Music so much.

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?p=18641909#post18641909

---------------------------------------------------

Disney's moderate resorts have themes.

I would choose the theme that most appealed to me and try it out.

CBR has the wonderful beach area.

POFQ has the New Orleans look.

POR has the Ab section and the Mansions with the deep south look.

And CSR has the southwest look.
--------------------------------------------------------
Here is my list of the differences-----

Mod vs Mod

'CBR is 340 square feet and the other mods are 314.

They are basically laid out the same but CSR only has 1 sink (the other have 2 sinks.)
CSR does not have a luggage seat.


Here is the layout of POR:

POR room lay out

Room size Comparison:

Pop Century/All Stars-260 Square Feet
CS, POR/POFQ-314 SF
Caribbean Beach-340 SF
Wilderness Lodge-344 SF
AKL-344 SF
Yacht/Beach-381 SF
Boardwalk-385 SF
Polynesian-409 SF
Contemporary-436 SF
Grand Floridian-about 400-440SF
Ft Wilderness Cabins-504 SF
Family suites at All Star Music -520 SF
__________________


POFQ is not as spread out as the other mods or the values.


POR CBR and CSR are very spread out.


The mods have pool slides, a hot tub and a sit down restaurant (POFQ doses not have a sit down restaurant but shares with POR.)

POFQ and POR are concidered sister resorts so they share pools.

When staying at one of these resorts you can use the other resort's pool.
You can also refill your refillable mug at either of the food courts.


Some of the rooms at POR in the AB section have a trundle bed and can sleep 5.

---------------------------------------------------------
Transportation.


CBR has 7 bus stops.
CSR has 4 bus stops.
PO has 5 stops. 1st stop POFQ then 4 stops at POR.
POFQ & POR do have a boat to DTD.

----------------------------------------------------------
Elevators

CBR does not have elevators

CSR has elevators

POFQ has elevators

POR the AB section does not have elevators
POR the Mansions does have elevators

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Have fun at Disney!

 

[Luv2Roam]

For three weeks you may want to see about booking a DVC room -- either through Disney or a DVC owner. For three weeks I would consider that just for the space and option of having a kitchen, washer, dryer, etc. (Home away from home)
For three weeks -- I would even consider spending a few of those days at Vero Beach.

 

[larryz]

Three weeks...hmm, how would I do that?

I'd start with one or all of the traditionals. Three days at the Contemporary, then three at the Poly. If you want High class, add three at the Grand Floridian. Why? These were the flagships, and will give you a sense of the origins of WDW hotels. That's six to nine days.

Then I'd spend three at the Wilderness Lodge. Why? 'Cause it's cool, unique, and I love the Yellowstone theming (complete with geyser!). But that's just me. Oh, and the boat ride to the MK is fun. That's 9 - 12 days.

Then three days at the Port Orleans complex. It's not as unique as the others, having been built in the expansion phase once WDW caught on to the "keep 'em on property" maxim. They feel mass produced to me, and they're not on my favorites list, but you could try them just to get that feel of the times. That's 12 to 15 days.

Yacht/Beach club is next. Three days, so you can experience the joys of walking to Epcot (through your own "private" entrance), and/or taking the boat to DHS (Department of Homeland Security? - no, Disney Hollywood Studios, or The Park Formerly Known As Disney-MGM Studios). It's also right across the way from the Boardwalk area, with plenty of diversions itself... That's 15 - 18 days.

Finally, three days or so in Animal Kingdom Lodge. I haven't personally done that yet, but it's on my to-do list. I hear it's great, and it's close to what I consider the best themed park at WDW. The detail in the continental lands (Asia and Africa) will give you flashbacks...and the rides aren't bad, either!

That's how I'd do it. I might spend more or fewer days in a particular resort (depending on how much I'd want to do the adjacent park(s)) by cutting out either the Contemporary or the Poly, but once you've been there...

But if you're looking for a smorgasbord (and if this is your first time), you'd get a lot of flavor by trying out as many as possible without making it too hard on yourself. It would also give you a sense of the consistency through variety of Disney service across the entire resort complex. That may not make sense now, but it will when you're done.

I envy you! Enjoy!

Oh, and do NOT miss Pleasure Island, in particular the Improv Comedy Warehouse and The Explorer's Club. I smell a Premium Annual Pass for you!

 

[Luv2Roam]

Adventurer's Club. True -- not to be missed!

 

[renderman7]

they are all wonderful ideas.. i think i will go with two hotels.. 3 at each place sounds like fun, but thats to much moving around for me.. same as three different hotels.

see with pools and all that, thats just something that i can do for a while.. but i dont have to do all the time...

downtown disney was something i liked when i was there last time.. i did not do pleasure island, and its something i wanted to but never got around to it..

as for all the annual passes and AAA memberships they are not something that i can do as i am not from the usa... i did a check on pop for 21 nights and they said 2505 for when i wanted to go.. which is less then what i was expecting..

and as a final note now, the contemp, grand flor, poly.. and all the other premimums and all that dont interest me, i would rather stay with people who are at disneyworld for disneyworld, not for the 5 star hotels..

 

[skipperkim]

hey all

i am planning on spending 3 weeks at disneyworld around november/december. just wondering whats the best hotel to stay at if you know of any way in which to save money on them.

also as i will be there for 3 weeks, i want to take advantage of the hotels amenities, pool and all that.

Also again, does anyone know of any tours that can be done with a single person around disneyworld.

cheers

First, you will need your own personal tour guide. Since no one else has volunteered, I'll make that supreme sacrifice and render my services. When do I need to be there?

But I'd do a split between POFQ and AKL. Pop is okay, but it's not for me. I need a hot tub. POFQ is more 'grown up' (except for the fiberglass gators on the way to the pool). You also get a fridge in our room, which means you could do breakfast in your room saving time and money.

As far as tours, I've done the Keys to the Kingdom but perfer Mickey's Magical Milestone. It's cheaper and you get to meet the Mouse and a free pair of ears at the end too. I also have done the Segway Around the World tour which I highly recommend. It's loads of fun. All tours at WDW can be done as a single person.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

and as a final note now, the contemp, grand flor, poly.. and all the other premimums and all that dont interest me, i would rather stay with people who are at disneyworld for disneyworld, not for the 5 star hotels..

I think no matter where you stay, you will mostly find folks who are 'at disneyworld for disneyworld,' and you are just as likely to find folks at Pop what are there for the resort. I was surprised to find so many folks who were at Pop for Pop when I was there. And beyond that, plenty of Pop folks dine at the other resort restaurants too - it's actually probably pretty close to an even mix - at least that's been my impression. Transportation across property is pretty easy.

Having said that, Pop is a good choice, and you mentioned Coronado.

Coronado is a good moderate for the food there. The pool is pretty cool too. Both Pop and Coronado are pretty big resorts. Both have good theming, Coronado has a water slide, a more elaborate pool, and hot tub. Pop doesn't ahve the slide or the hot tub.

If you do a split stay then it will be harder to have the dining plan. IF you get the dining plan for three weeks - you will almost certainly want to eat at one of the other resorts during your stay.