Best Upscale Disney Resort

[Disney0010]

If you are used to staying in resorts like the Waldorf, you are going to be very disappointed by a Disney deluxe. Disney deluxe does not equal upscale. To me, the closest to that feeling is going to be the Grand Floridian, Royal Palm Club. However, this resort is currently in the midst of some construction. I'm not sure when you are planning to vacation but I probably would not pick GF in 2012 due to that.

After Grand Floridian, I'd probably pick the Yacht Club.

I agree 100%. Disney does not know deluxe in my opinion. We have stayed at both the Poly and CR and both were a disappointment. The rooms at the Poly were a joke for the price. We are booked at the BWR for January and I know that for the price that we are paying, the rooms will not match the price.

 

[ClareH37]

I'd agree with others re GF RPC being the closest to upscale as Disney gets. I personally didn't find the rest of the resort anywhere near the same. Once you're outside the main building it's just another resort. The room I had in RPC was a little too worn for an 'upscale' feel but the main building ambiance is what I'm going by to describe 'upscale'.

I however prefer the rooms of the Boardwalk Inn, very nice. I wish the GF rooms would be more along the lines of the BWI room decor/furnishings, just my opinion though.

 

[ke3d98]

The Yacht Club is a nice resort. It has pretty large rooms and it has thebest pool on property. Also you can walk to DHS and Epcot since they're only 10 minutes away walking distance!

 

[baler31]

Thanks everyone.... I really appreciate everyone's responses!

What so many of you have stated is kind of what I was thinking based on the pictures, that the nicest upscale onsite Disney resorts don't really compare to a hotel like the WA.

We will be there the week of Thanksgiving, the first half at Disney and then Universal where we are staying onsite. As far as a resort goes, I just want something nice to come back to after the long days at the park, since our son is 13 now, we likely won't be coming back to our room to nap or swim (might swim in the evening). Also we will have a rental car as we are flying into Tampa (slightly cheaper than Orlando and we figured we would need a car anyway to get from Disney to Universal). The parks we will go to are Magic Kingdom, Epcot and probably Hollywood Studios. Still trying to decide between the WA and onsite.... WA is so close to Epcot yet I love the idea of the extra magic hours. We have been to Disney several times but never stayed onsite.

Thinking maybe the Contemprary because some said it was more modern?? But then the Boardwalk is close to Epcot.... Also someone said the Yacht Club would be good given my sons age??

Thanks again!

We have stayed at the WA in Orlando many times as well as all of the Disney Deluxe resorts with the exception of AK. We typically choose GF RPC during a busy holiday for the ease of transportation and we enjoy club level. It is not the same as WA for service level or even room decor. However, we actually enjoy the 24hr room service more at GF.

I would stay on site during the busy Thanksgiving time. Time saved in transit will be invaluable. I think transportation to MK is the worst so we tend to stick with the monorail resorts for most general trips. For F&W or Star Wars weekends we do BWI. Our favorites overall are GF RPC and a tie for CR CL and BWI CL.

 

[brinkley07]

We stayed at the Poly last year and there was a bellman who was a long standing Disney employee. He was attentive on arrival, gave us tips, was available to help whenever we needed anything, got us into restaurants we didn't have ressies to eat at, took us over to the GF via golf cart for our dinner, and really went above and beyond. This person provided the service I expect when I stay at 5 star resorts, and personalized our experience. However, I do feel that where you want to go during your stay and whatever theme you prefer in a hotel should make your decision. The transportation and early park entry are definitely some of the reasons we stay at the Disney resorts.

 

[legaleagal]

I'd agree with others re GF RPC being the closest to upscale as Disney gets. I personally didn't find the rest of the resort anywhere near the same. Once you're outside the main building it's just another resort. The room I had in RPC was a little too worn for an 'upscale' feel but the main building ambiance is what I'm going by to describe 'upscale'.

I however prefer the rooms of the Boardwalk Inn, very nice. I wish the GF rooms would be more along the lines of the BWI room decor/furnishings, just my opinion though.

I'm getting mixed up with all the initials Lol! I know GF is Grand Floridian but what is RPC??

 

[rcraw45425]

I'm getting mixed up with all the initials Lol! I know GF is Grand Floridian but what is RPC??

RPC is Royal Palm Club Level, the main building. The other one is Sugar Loaf, one of the outer buildings.

 

[ppony]

I agree w/ the others that say nothing Disney has will compare to the Waldorf except possibly the RPC at the GF. But I've stayed in those (LOVED the experience) and still, if you want "upscale" then you'll want Waldorf.
Having said all that, I am a DVC owner and don't stay at anything non-Disney when I'm there. But DANG, i'd love to try that Waldorf for some REAL luxury!

 

[andeesings]

We will be there the week of Thanksgiving, the first half at Disney and then Universal where we are staying onsite. As far as a resort goes, I just want something nice to come back to after the long days at the park, since our son is 13 now, we likely won't be coming back to our room to nap or swim (might swim in the evening). Also we will have a rental car as we are flying into Tampa (slightly cheaper than Orlando and we figured we would need a car anyway to get from Disney to Universal). The parks we will go to are Magic Kingdom, Epcot and probably Hollywood Studios. Still trying to decide between the WA and onsite.... WA is so close to Epcot yet I love the idea of the extra magic hours. We have been to Disney several times but never stayed onsite.

Thinking maybe the Contemprary because some said it was more modern?? But then the Boardwalk is close to Epcot.... Also someone said the Yacht Club would be good given my sons age??

Thanks again!

Here's the thing- if you're contemplating staying at the Waldorf at all, you're used to upscale vacations anyway. In that instance, if the Waldorf is going to be par for the course for you, I'd say- Stay in Disney!! I'd stay at the Contemporary because I LOVE an ultra-modern hotel, and I love the redone rooms there. I'd get a club level suite, too, with a park view in the tower. Because frankly, for me, NOTHING would beat that. Plus, from the contemporary you can take the monorail to the magic kingdom, and with a short transfer at the transportation & ticket center, Epcot as well.

If you've never stayed on site, I say go for it.

 

[Arsenal1982]

Beach/Yacht Club all the way!!!!

 

[Dwheels]

I have a question to add if that's okay....how much do these standard rooms usually run with a discount? I guess an easier way to answer it would be what is the cheapest you've ever been able to get a standard at one of these deluxes? We'd LOVE to stay Contemporary or Boardwalk one day....but as a larger family we usually book Value. Still, maybe we could do a split stay and check in at one of the Deluxe for the experience

You'll be spoiled though once you stay deluxe you'll never want a value again!

 

[KB24]

to me, it's the grand because of the location and being on the monorail line.

 

[nessz79]

I was thinking since your son is 13 he might want to spend more time at Hollywood Studios and Epcot - hence the suggestion to stay at the Yacht Club.

I agree. I have not stayed in the Yacht Club myself, but we've been through the lobby several times for the restaurants and it's beautiful, upscale, and seems quieter than some of the other resorts ...not as many small children. It's very close to Epcot...just walk a few minutes at most. Hollywood Studios is just a boat ride away.

If you want to pay a little less but have only a slightly less "upscale" resort, the Swan and Dolphin would be runners up. I have stayed at the Dolphin and it is very nice. Again, not as crazy Disney. A little more adult.

Both have very nice pools if your son wants to swim. Both are walking distance to Epcot. Both have the boat to Hollywood Studios.

 

[ppony]

The previous posts reminded me of something though. The Dolphin has phenomenal upscale restaurants! Honest to goodness upscale and delicious as opposed to what Disney likes to call upscale (with the exception of V&A which is). Don't miss Shulas if you have steak lovers!!!! To DIE for best steak! Blue Zoo is truly a great experience as well. Now, if they only had Chef Todd English serving you.

 

[ddluvsdisney]

Well, I'm a huge fan of Boardwalk (BWI)...I own DVC at BWV, so I'm a wee bit predjudiced!! I love the area...the ability to walk to both Epcot and DHS.
But, I have friends who love the Grand Floridian (GF)...nice, upscale resort, easy monorail ride to MK. It's too 'formal' for me....just isn't my cup of tea.
I like the Polynesian...nice area, and very pretty. I like the choice of restaurants there. Many seem to find it to be a bit on the dark side in the actual rooms...I didn't feel that way. Nice to walk over to the TTC and get the Epcot monorail, and take the monorail over to MK right from the resort.
Then, there's the Contemporary (CR)..short walk to MK. Many find it to be on the 'cold' side as far as looks go. I love Bay Lake Tower (BLT)..own DVC there as well. But, you won't get two queen beds there. The actual CR resort has good food options as well and is a busy, bustling area.
I also love the Yacht and Beach Club resorts (YC/BC)...terrific pool area there. And again, you can walk to both Epcot and DHS.

When it comes to room size, all the deluxe resort rooms are pretty much identical. Not really huge but acceptable.

The Poly rooms are bigger than the Beach Club. They also all have daybeds which was a bonus since our boys HATE sleeping together.

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[ddluvsdisney]

Not sure if anyone answered this but, we have only stayed at Deluxes but will NEVER pay rack rates. All the times we've stayed we have gotten 30 or 40% off. This usually brought the price closer to a moderate.
We were upgraded to Royal Palm Club at Grand Floridian for our anniversary. Since then we have done Club Level at Beach Club and tried for Poly last yr too. We are now officially spoiled!!!
We loved all those resorts for different reasons so it's hard to have a favorite or say one is the best!! The Beach Club was great for proximity to Epcot, the pool(SAB) as its called, and the boardwalk. The Poly was great for monorail, restaurants, pool, and watching wishes on the beach. The GF was great for monorail, restaurants and RPC.
HTH

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