Best Resort for full WDW experience??

[edeeheulb]

Our 1st trip. Our reservations are at AK, but I am second guessing my decision. I'm afraid that it is too far from all the action. All though it seems close to epcot and downtown.

 

[boomhauer]

The AKL and DTD are just about as far apart as you can get from point to another at WDW. The most centrally located resort is probably Caribbean Beach Resort. As for full WDW experience, that differs from person to person. I find the Values have a great Disney feel to them, while others would never stay there. Some would say the Contemporary is the place, yet I wouldn't stay there if I won a trip. Everybody is different.

 

[hoosiergirl7]

My guess would be a monorail resort or one within walking distance to Epcot. It also depends on if you're taking kids and how old they are and which parks you'll be spending the majority of your time in.

DH and I are taking our 4 yo DS for his 2nd trip. We're staying at WL which isn't a monorail resort but we'll take the boat over to either MK or the Contemporary to catch the monorail to Epcot since we'll be spending most of our time between Epcot & MK. We're not even going to AK this trip as we don't really enjoy it and there aren't really any rides for a 4 yo to go on. We'll spend at least 1 1/2 days at DHS, 2 1/2 at MK & 2 1/2 at Epcot or something close. Might be 3 days at MK and 2 at Epcot. We'll see.

One of the complaints I have heard is that AKL is fairly far away from the majority of all the goings on. And if you're traveling with children how interested they will be in the animals if you have a Savannah room. Our DS would enjoy it for the first day or 2 and then would say he's had enough.

 

[shellybaxter]

AKL is kind of far from everything other than Animal Kingdom, but not undoably so. The experience is amazing if you have a savannah view room. To me that the coolest part, walking out your balcony and seeing the animals. The food is good at AKL and the pool is great. I think it would make a fantastic first Disney experience; just remember to take time to enjoy the resort as well as the parks

 

[pixie08]

Everbody's idea of what is an authentic "Disney" experience is different. The classic hotel is probably the contemporary. Also being on the monorail for some is very Disney. For us each hotel has something unique and special so it is hard for me to say. sorry guess that was not much help. The point is I guess it depends what you are looking for.


Personally we love AKL it is our favorite resort tied with The Boardwalk (but we are a bit partial being DVC owners )

 

[edeeheulb]

Thanks for such quick responses.. I guess you veterans at this disney thing know best, everyone's idea of a full experience is different. We will be taking a 5 year old and 2 year old. A centrally located resort is exactly what we want. We would like to return to the room easily for mid day naps. We would also like to get to and from the parks easily. But if I change my reservations from AKL I'm afraid I will regret it. Maybe for our first stay at WDW it is best to get acclimated at a central location and then stay at AKL later. I'm so fickle!!!!!!!! I would prefer a deluxe resort.

 

[TJA]

Welcome to the Dis and congrats on your first trip!

What is your definitation of a full WDW experience? If it's to be near MK, then I'd go with a monorail resort where you can see the Castle every single day. It's awesome to wake up in the morning and the first thing you see is the Castle. Then before bed each night, the last thing you see is the Castle changing colors. And of course you are just a walk or monorail away from MK, so it's very easy to get there. If you have young children and strollers, easy access to the parks is a great convenience.

WL is also a resort close to MK, just a boat ride away, and is a nice resort. We are staying there next month. From what I recall from our stay there about 6 years ago is that you can see the top of Wishes from certain rooms/areas at WL. But its definitely not the same kind of view as you get at the monorail resorts, if that is important to you.

If staying near MK isn't that important to you, then a great experience is staying at an Epcot resort. We love being able to walk/boat to both Epcot and the Studios. And the boardwalk area is a lot of fun, especially at night after the parks close. Personally, we prefer BC because we have young children and they love the sandy-bottom pool there. You can watch Illuminations right from the resort area, or else simply walk into Epcot each night and watch the show, then just walk back to your resort.

AKL is a very unique resort. We stayed there a few years ago. It is lovely there and we enjoyed the atmosphere of the animals. I remember feeling like AKL was a warm place to return to after a long day at the parks. It felt quiet and isolated, which we liked back then.

 

[Cool-Beans]

It depends on what you like. All the resorts are nice and all have the same type of staff - mostly good, a few clunkers.

If you want a view of the castle when you wake up in the morning, Poly or Grand Floridian will fit the bill. So would the Contemporary, but I hate the place and cannot advise anyone to stay there (though some folks like it.)

Other than the castle views, pick the theme you like and go with it. The AKL isn't for everyone but if you even think you might like it, you'll probably love it.

I have never relied solely on Disney transportation and can't speak to that. But if you're driving, AKL isn't really any more removed from everything than anywhere else. WDW is a big place, but if you're driving you're never really very far from anything. It might take one or two extra minutes from AKL to MK versus BC to MK. Nothing major at all.

Good luck with your decision and have a great trip!

 

[TJA]

Our posts hit at the exact same time, so I didn't read your second post in time. If AKL appeals to you, then WL's plans were drawn up by the same architect and sort of has the same idea as far as the lobby goes. The themes are totally different though, of course. At WL, you can boat over to MK, which would be good with your kids because you can roll your stroller right on and off the bus. If you have a sleeping child, leave him/her right in the stroller and just roll it on the boat.

As my post above stated, the easiest way to get back and forth from MK is to stay at a monorail resort -- Poly, CR, GF. At CR, you can walk back and forth to MK, besides the monorail. Many people don't like the theming of CR -- they think it is sort of "blah," but I think it's exciting to be right next door to MK (in my opinion). Poly is laid-back and has a hawaiin theme. Separate long houses, though, and a main building if that matters to you. We've never stayed at GF but have eaten there. It's very classy and pretty, but I have no idea what it would be like to spend a trip there.

With monorails, you can also leave your stroller out and kids in it and just roll it right on the monorail. So stay late at the parks and let the kids fall asleep in the strollers and then just monorail back to your resort. Very easy! You may even find the kids will be so tired that they'll nap right in the stroller during the day. Then just find a quiet restaurant and enjoy a snack while the kids sleep. Not sure how your 5 year old will do as far as sleeping, etc. My twins are 4 and they still slept in the jogger whenever they got tired. I think they will still be the same at age 5.

 

[thewall2k]

I stayed at AKL in December, I have stayed all over property on previous trips and I would have to say that it was my favorite resort. The ride is a little longer but to be honest with you it was never really that bad. Most of the time we hit the buses right and if it was the middle of the day we were able to get seats on the bus not making it that bad. I hope that you have fun on your trip, it will be great whereever you stay.

 

[jlsals]

the advantage to the buses at AKL is that they are NOT shared with other resorts so even though they're farther out than some other resorts, you're not sharing with ANYONE ELSE so you're not losing time that way.

Im taking my 5 yo to AKL in May. She will LOVE LOVE LOVE IT. In fact, I may not be able to convince her to leave the resort! Have you seen the activities that they have at AKL for kids? and the night time ones as well? and the Simba clubhouse? oh yeah, look out the window - there's a giraffe RIGHT THERE! It doesn't get any better than that for a 5 yo!
go with your gut (and your first instinct)! You done did good!

 

[Gabrielle]

Best resort for full WDW experience, IMHO, is WL. You can see the MK fireworks from the beach. There is boat service over to FW and MK. A marina to rent the little boats to go zipping in front of the castle (no marina at AK). A little less expensive than the monorail resorts. Bike rental with a great bike trail over to FW. Majestic lobby with wonderful music. Only deluxe where it's not a hassle to use refillable mugs.

The only downside is a pool and pool slide that are too small. But, there are two great hot tubs.

 

[Belle_20]

Some would say the Contemporary is the place, yet I wouldn't stay there if I won a trip. Everybody is different.

If I won a trip I would stay any where they put me, lol. But thats just me I guess. I've went once and stayed at FW, its different and a lot of ppl are scared to try it, but it really is Disney's best kept secret!

 

[Nicole786]

Just because the AKL is far doesn't mean its not easy to get to. One of the best things about it is that it doesn't share a bus with any other hotel! Not one other deluxe resort can say that!

I think the best advice thats overlooked on the DIS is seriously to book the room that YOU want to stay in. Where will you be most comfortable? What theme do you like?

Don't worry so much about your kids, from experience as a kid in disney not THAT long ago, they're not gonna know the difference one way or another, nor appreciate the value of staying on-site vs off until they're older. Sure, the AKL has really cool animals and great things to do, but they aren't going to miss it if they aren't there. They're there to see Mickey!

 

[720L]

You won't regret staying at AKL. It is only a 15-20 minute bus ride to the parks (except AK) The buses are great. If you stay at a monorail resort it would still take you 15 minutes or so to get to parks I think. We stayed at the Contemporary and that was nice having a 10 minute walk to MK, but since the buses there aren't that great, it would have taken quite a while to get to the other parks. AKL is so nice to "come home" to after a long hot day in the parks. It's a very relaxing Disney atmosphere.

 

[tami82]

I guess its different with each person but i saw a special on AK and wasnt impressed as that isnt my type of thing or theme. We booked at Contemporary as its right on the monorail route. I have also thought of staying at All Star Music as it has a 5 person suite to fit us which would give us more room but the thought of having to take a bus and no slide for the kids I dont think would be a good idea. I think it will be great being able to ride the monorail and have the magic kingdom within walking distance. Also this is one of the first disney hotels so in my mind i think this would be the perfect place to stay. It seems like the other resorts would be so far away so have decided against them. With kids the monorail is going to be a great thing and well worth the extra money.

 

[lmhall2000]

I've stayed at AKL, Poly, OKW and Contemporary...while I love different aspects about each, I have to say that if you want that "Disney" feeling, you've got to stay in a tower room at the Contemporary facing the Magic Kingdom...it is amazing!!! AKL, Poly and the others all have their themes, but pure Disney and feelings of the 1970's and when it all started has to be the Contemporary...the rooms are the most recently refurbished and COMFY! Seeing the monorail come through your hotel is just really Disney cool...

Enjoy!
Tara

 

[pixidust princess]

We stayed at AKL for our first (and so far only) trip to the world. It was a magnificant resort with lots of its own magic. I worried about being too far away also, but bus transportation was very adequate and we were there in a very busy July! AKL was a very relaxing resort that I would stay in again hands down.

 

[Native NYer]

I think you'll get a great WDW experience at any of the resorts.
I love the monorail resorts because they're so close to the MK. But I'd love to stay at AKL one day.

 

[shellybaxter]

I guess its different with each person but i saw a special on AK and wasnt impressed as that isnt my type of thing or theme. We booked at Contemporary as its right on the monorail route. I have also thought of staying at All Star Music as it has a 5 person suite to fit us which would give us more room but the thought of having to take a bus and no slide for the kids I dont think would be a good idea. I think it will be great being able to ride the monorail and have the magic kingdom within walking distance. Also this is one of the first disney hotels so in my mind i think this would be the perfect place to stay. It seems like the other resorts would be so far away so have decided against them. With kids the monorail is going to be a great thing and well worth the extra money.

Hi,
I hope you love the Contemporary. We've never stayed there as we don't care for the theme there; like you said different strokes for different folks. I just wanted to make sure you understand that you will indeed be able to take a walk or the monorail to the Magic Kingdom and can take the monorail to Epcot but you would have to go to the Ticket and Transportation Center to switch to the Epcot monorail. The reason I posted was to let you know that even at the Contemporary you have to take a bus if you want to go to Disney Hollywood Studios (the old MGM), Animal Kingdom, Downtown Disney, or either water parks. You will say share your buses with at least one, sometimes two other resorts. I just don't want you to be disappointed when you arrive.