Deluxe Decisions

[UConnFan]

How do you decide which deluxe to stay in??? Every resort I research is better than the last! Which is your favorite and why? What don't you like about some?

 

[rjwhitman]

Well, we have stayed at all of the value resorts, then grew up to be able to stay at all of the moderates, then have been blessed to be able to stay at WL, OKW, SSR, and AKL (twice before and again this summer). At each step we have very much enjoyed them all and felt we were getting something for our money so it was worth the move up in cost. However I just can't bring myself to spend the money of the monorail or epcot/HS hotels. I understand that those have a great location but just haven't found that to be enough.

I would have to say AKL is my favorite. Though I am not smitten by the animals my DD is. We really like the indoor entrances to all of the rooms. It does make for a long hallway if you are at the end but you never have to leave the a/c. We like the detail, artifacts, and visual interest is the lobby and common areas. The cast members have always been friendly.

I doubt we would stay at OKW again. It was great but we preferred the others.

 

[Sue M]

We've stayed at AKL, WL, BC & Poly. I can't say there's anything i don't like about any of them. The only think I didn't like about Poly is I thought the hallways & elevators were looking a bit dingy & run down. Not a $300+ a night hotel. But wasn't a deal breaker. Our room was very nice.

There is something I like about each. So just go with your price range, & what theming and location you prefer.

 

[PHLtoMCO]

Do you have a favorite park or park in which you will be spending the most time in? For us that's the MK, so we like to choose an "MK Resort." our favorite Disney resort is the Polynesian for many reasons. Here are some:

-convenience of monorail, easy walk to TTC for Epcot Monorail
-well themed/beautiful grounds
-can watch wishes and electric water pageant from pool/beach area
-great dining options (even quick service!)
-watercraft/caban rentals
-Neverland kids club
-volcano pool (though we wishing were a tad larger)

I see by your signature that you booked the Boardwalk! We love that resort! Great location, easy walk to Epcot and ride to HS. One thing we don't like about the BW is that bus situation. When going to the MK, you are the 1st stop then you pick up swan, dolphin, yacht club, beach club. On the way back from the MK you are the last stop! It would never deter us from staying there bc we love that place but just thoughht I'd mention!

 

[browneyedgrl4282]

This next trip we decided we wanted to be on the monorail because we spend most of our time at MK and Epcot since our children are very small (3,3 and 2) we decided it was worth it. We also going in October (not kids) and we are staying at Beach Club because we are really going for food and wine festival!

 

[*Fantasia*]

Some folks decide on what resort they want to stay in.. whether it be value, moderate or deluxe. The theme.. the cost.. the location.. how big the room is and sleeps how many people.. what type of transportation is available for that resort... what type of amenities does the resort offer.. the pool.. the restaurants.

People make decision sometimes based on discounts.. availability.. package deal.. and sometime some folks stay at a certain resort because it hold special memories in their heart.. something sentimental to them. Sometimes it's all about feeling that Disney "magic".

 

[HockeyMomR]

We have stayed at all of the deluxes except the contemporary and boardwalk. Yacht and Beach club are our favorites. We love the location, room size, pool, CMs, transportation options and much more. Just love this place! Our close second would be AKL. Even though the remote location of AKL we really enjoy the theming and animals. Best wishes with your decision

 

[auntfrannie]

I've stayed at all deluxe resorts except for Contemporary and Grand Floridian. I'm staying at the Contemporary in October so then I'll just be down to one that I haven't tried.

My favorite is Boardwalk Inn mainly for its location and theming. Second favorite is the Poly because of its landscaping and I the CMs there are always so friendly.

 

[sleeperclan]

We've stayed at the Poly, OKW, BWV, and AKL/AKV. The Poly has great theming and the convenience of the monorail can't be beat...we would love to go back there again! OKW is very laid back, lush surroundings and great access to DTD. It is great for those trips we don't do any parks. BWV was so convenient to both HS and EPCOT and we love the nightly activities on the boardwalk (this is my DHs favorite). AKL has a wonderful atmosphere and the decor is beautiful (my favorite).

 

[glocon]

I have always picked by what they had to offer and what I have been yearning for.

Our first stay was at POR (I know, its a mod) because of the theme, our second was at AKL because I always dreamed of staying there since first hearing of it (and it did not let us down) the savannah view rooms were more than everything I ever dreamed of, and next we will be staying at BC (because of SAB).

Luckily I am the vacation planner in the family and get to pick where we stay. No one is ever disappointed. Just go with your heart and know that there can always be a next time to enjoy somewhere else.

Then, there is always the split stay.....

 

[java]

In order for me would be

Beach club
Grand Floridian
Boardwalk
Poly


Ones we weren't impressed with

Yacht club(too stuffy and dark for my taste)
WL(too much like home)


We have not stayed at the CR or AKL.

For me it's all about Location. If we plan on eating dinner every night at Epcot I would pick and Epcot resort. If my kids were nuts about MK I would stay GF or Poly.

This year we are scrapping all those plans and staying VALUE! Will a deluxe girl like value? Will we spend all our time trying to get to places? Will be overrun with tour groups?..................
Honestly I don't care. It will be fun for a change - plus it's NEW!

 

[bluejasmine]

First we always wanted to stay at Poly so we did in 2010 fell in love and rebooked for 2011! Its amazing! Gorgeous views, relaxing atmosphere and easy monorail..

Then we went just for MVMCP and had a military discount thru family and stayed at CR since it was walking distance to MK! Very nice room but honestly didnt care for the resort itself.. Felt JUST like an airport terminal..

Booked GF CL for our June trip since we are taking my step son, wanted to stay in the MK area for him, and who hasnt wanted to stay GF!! Very excited about this!

For Sept after our disney cruise we booked BC CL, b/c we fell in love with the resort after eating at Cape May last Sept and DH and I are BIG Epcot fans and only plan on doing EP for that short trip so it made sense to book BC..

ID say it depends on alot of factors, what parks will you go to the most? DO you plan on going back for afternoon swim breaks alot? Alot of ppl choose Poly or BC for the pools and the proximity to MK and EP..

I have never been real interested in WL just b/c I dont do the country thing at all.. BUT DH last night said he would like to try it once for a night or two..

 

[francie57]

For us the Epcot Resorts are the best since we like the convenience to getting to two parks and since we eat most TS dinners in Epcot is so easy. We have stayed at the GF, Poly, and CR and out of them the GF was our favorite. We were in the wing at CR and were disappointed in that since it wasn't anything special, Poly was too dark. The WL doesn't appeal to us and AK is too far out and we don't want to have to take a car or bus to get to everything. We will be staying at the YC for DH's conference in June and then will be staying at the BC for our annual family trip in Aug. We love both the BC and BW.

 

[maxiesmom]

I value being on the monorail line. So my favorite deluxe resorts of the ones I have stayed at are the Poly and the Contemporary. You can't beat them for access to the Magic Kingdom. And from the Poly you are just a short walk to the TTC, and then only a short monorail ride to Epcot.

My least favorite deluxe was the Beach Club. And I really thought it would be my favorite. Walking into Epcot is wonderful! However the bus service we had to MK and AK was pathetic. The rides were long (so much so that one of my nieces thought the bus drivers were getting lost) and the buses were always packed. I don't care for the Disney Studios at all, so being near that park doesn't do much for me.

I also don't like that they shut down Storm Along Bay at night. So if you want to take advantage of it you need to take time away from going to the parks to swim. And I don't like the lack of a decent quick service restaurant.

So for me, the Poly and the Contemporary are the best deluxe resorts.

 

[rpbear]

I agree with maxiesmom. Poly and CR are my favorite deluxes. We are going in October and I am thinking Poly even though we will be spending a lot of time at Epcot. I love the theming of the Poly and also the convenience of Captain Cooks for a quick meal. Good luck with your decision and know it will be a magical vacation no matter where you stay.

Lucy

 

[Couchy]

We have only stayed at the YC in terms of Disney deluxe, but have stayed at S/D many times. We are leaving in 48 days for our first BC stay. DH says he does not want to stay anywhere else ut this area because the location is awesome. It's just the 2 of us and we love the Boardwak area and spend most our time in Epcot and DHS so the ability to walk to 2 parks can't be beat for us.

 

[bowbat]

I have such a hard time choosing, so my plan is to stay at all of them.

So far, we've stayed at Contemporary, Poly, WL, BWI, and GF. My favorite is BWI -- I loved the look & size of the rooms, the CMs were all fantastic, getting to Epcot & DHS is a breeze & I even found the bus service to MK quick & easy, plus I loved the nightlife on the boardwalk.

However...my son is still fairly young (6) and MK is his favorite park. As such, we're leaning more towards MK resorts for sheer convenience. We're about to have our second stay at WL -- our first repeat! We stayed there for one night last October and, while I LOVED the resort, I found the rooms lacking. Luckily, they're being rehabbed now, and I like what I've seen in photos.

I really think you have to experience the resort to know if it's for you or not. We know so many people who just ADORE Poly & for us it was just "meh." OTOH, there are a lot of people who don't see any appeal in the Contemporary, and we really loved our stay there.

 

[tinacaplan]

I've stayed at the Beach Club, Saratoga Springs, and the Poly and my favorite by far is the Beach Club. It think it does depend on what you are planning on doing during your vacation. We are huge pool people, so Storm Along Bay at the BC cannot be beat. We also loved the decor, the bed linens (sounds strange I know...but I want fluffy, white cotton linens, not polyester comforters), and the staff. The location is amazing, too, as EPCOT is our favorite. We do spend quite a bit of time at MK with our four and a half year old, but didn't have any bus problems. We usually go to MK for rope drop and hop in and out of EPCOT. Also, the whole Boardwalk area is just incredibly lovely.

Saratoga Springs was lovely, but very large and spread out, being a DVC resort.

I was so excited to try the Poly and was thrilled about staying on the monorail, but I was so let down. The pool is tiny, the rooms need a serious update as a lot of the furniture is worn out/scratched, etc and we didn't think the CMs were anything special. Of course, a lot of people love the Poly.

The Contemporary is beautiful and a real Disney icon in my opinion and I'd love to stay there someday, but its really expensive and we're super happy with the Beach Club.

That said, we are doing a split stay in July with the first four days at the Beach Club and our last three at Animal Kingdom Lodge, where I've always wanted to stay. You really feel transported to another world out there, but it is a bit remote when using Disney transportation.

 

[calismic]

For us its location location location. When I went in February 11' my daughter was only 8 months old, so we wanted a location that we could get back to QUICKLY for naps. We chose BLT because of the walking path from Magic Kingdom and the Monorail. That walking path was a life saver when crowds were letting out. It was always empty and we could get back to the room in 10 minutes tops.

This year she is going to be 2 so we still wanted something close to Magic Kingdom since we know she'll love this park. We decided to go with Wilderness Lodge because their club level comes so highly recommended. Club Level is great with a toddler because they offer the perfect snacks and some nice alcoholic beverages for mommy and daddy to relax with after a hectic day at the parks.

Our next trip we plan on staying at the Poly. Since we are opening a new business we likely won't get to travel for a few years, so when we do get our first trip back we are looking for something my daughter will love and will be convenient for us. The walking path to TTC is a godsend and the resort has amazing views of the Magic Kingdom, a great beach and a pool that kids ADORE. Plus with its tropical feel we'll get a nice relaxing environment at the end of the evening.

My husband and I love the Epcot resorts, and with Epcot being our favorite park we can easily walk there whenever we want. However, Epcot is not always loved by small children, so until our daughter is older we will likely be reserving the BC/YC/BWI for our solo trips. BWI is my personal favorite resort because I loooooooooove the look and feel of the rooms. Plus we had our wedding rehearsal in their ball room so it has a special place in my heart. =)

I have yet to stay at AKL, primarily because its out in the boonies compared to the rest of the locations. However if my daughter turns out to be an animal lover I'm sure we will be staying at some point. I've also heard great things about their Club Level, so its definitely on our list of must tries, even if it winds up being a split stay.

 

[herb102211]

We are DVC members and have stayed at the Beach Club and the Villas, Old Key West, and Bay Lake Tower.

Our favorite is the Beach Club. We love the theming of it and its close proximity to Hollywood Studios and Epcot. We also take the monorail to MK by cutting through Epcot. Stormalong Bay is great too! We love to sit on the balcony and watch illuminations at Epcot. We tend to spend most of our time at Epcot and Hollywood Studios so it works for us!

We like the theming of Old Key West too, but outside of the boat to Downtown Disney it wasn’t very convenient to get to and from the parks. OKW is a really large resort, so they have an internal bus that brings you to the various parts of the resort and the Hospitality House (the main hub and where all of the restaurants, main pool, shops, etc are ) If you have a car with you, then OKW is great as you can park right outside your room. The rooms were also bigger than any of the other resorts we’ve stayed at.

We like BLT only for the fact that we can walk to MK and its easy to hop on the monorail and eat at the other monorail resorts. The theming of the resort is our least favorite out of all the places in WDW we’ve stayed. If you have young children and plan on spending a lot of time at MK or going to the character breakfasts at the monorail resorts, then BLT would be a good fit.

It all really depends on what price point you’re looking to spend and which resort is closest to the parks you’ll be spending most of your time in. Good luck!