Deluxe resort for a once in a lifetime?

[hannahryan]

My friend, her husband and kids (ages 5, 11 and 12) are planning their first trip ever to Disney World. She is completely overwhelmed and would like me to help her plan the trip. She would like to stay at a really special place since she thinks it may be their only trip to Disney. I've given her some of the pros and cons of the deluxe resorts, but have not yet stayed at one myself (I've visited them all). I want her and her family to have a fabulous time and not be disappointed. For a once in a lifetime trip...where would you stay?

 

[SeaSpray]

For a once in a lifetime trip I'd stay at the Polynesian.

Did you find out what their budget is? That may help determine which resort they stay at.

Have fun helping your friend to plan their trip!!!

 

[dimimi]

We stayed at the Poly and loved the resort and the monorail convenience. However, next time we will try the Beach Club. I think her children are the perfect ages for Epcot and Storm Along Bay.

 

[Kimberle]

I don't think you can go wrong staying at any deluxe. I'd ask your friend this:


1 - Where will you be spending most of your time? (If MK, stay at WL/CR/GF/Poly, if Epcot, then Brdwk/YC/BC).

2 - What theming appeals to you?

3 - Do you want a lower priced deluxe, or can you go for "broke"? (WL & AKL are the most inexpensive, GF is the most expensive.)

Also keep in mind, that all the deluxe resorts standard rooms sleep 5 except for WL & AKL. They would need a deluxe room there.

 

[dreamflight99]

What a DEAR friend you are... for offering your expertise and assistance. I would accompany her to the Disney store/book store, and purchase a "Birnbaum's guide book 2004" as soon as possible. Even things you would either forget, or not know about are in this book. It's also the most EXCITING way to preview all the offerings the WORLD has in store for her and her family. Enjoy the planning together...I'm currently doing the same for my friend & her fam. So much fun! We are having an official "Planning Party" next weekend, with the wdw vacation planning videos (available online for FREE), etc.

TTFN...DF99

 

[dandave]

Of the deluxes in which I have stayed ...
If someone told me that I could only go to WDW one more time, I would book that last stay at either AKL or the BC. I'd stay at AKL if I could afford concierge, and I'd stay at BC as long as I could get a full balcony. Either resort would be fantastic for me!

 

[floridafam]

If this is a once in a lifetime thing then I would carefully consider what park they are going to spend the most time at and their personal likes and dislikes of theming.

I am a big fan of YC, WL and AKL but if they think of Disney as MK, the castle, the monorail, etc. then I would go for a MK resort.

I would say GF Concierge or YC Concierge depending on the ages of the travelers.

AKL if they don't mind being away from the MK. It will blow them away!!!

 

[Steffy]

Ah, planning. That is what I am doing with my friend too. This is their first trip.

I gave her the Birnbaum's 2004 book and she went nuts. It has pictures. And terms. So now when I say park media, she understands what I mean.

We're going at the absolutely worst time, Christmas, but with proper planning, we are intent on having a ball.

The first thing we discussed was budget. Then we decided where we would spend most of our time EPCOT and MK. We knew which restaurants we wanted to eat at. (I can not go to Disney and not have tonga toast). So, Poly.

Saturday we will discuss things like CP, Wishes, Illuminations, Fantasmic (which we might skip) and parades. And where we want to make ps.

I'm excited. And she is too. I'm up for her looking to me as the expert and am planning her (US!!!!!) the vacation of a lifetime.

Did you look at the pics of Port Orleans? They could get two connecting rooms there for the price of one at the Poly. I loved Port Orleans.

And WL. Loved the Lodge. ONLY reason we are not at the Lodge this trip is because of the Christmas crowd. On Christmas Day, we are not leaving the resort and are looking forward to watching Wishes from the Hawaii lounge sipping a coffee laced with Kahlua!!

 

[hannahryan]

Thanks for all the great advice!!! I think I've narrowed it down to the Poly or BC. Location is important to her and she isn't too concerned about cost. She likes the sound of the theming at both of these resorts. Since she has never been, she doesn't know if she'd rather be at MK or Epcot more. She likes the sound of the Poly, but the BC is much newer and I'm worried she will feel that the Poly is too dated. Which way should I steer her? Thanks again.

 

[SeaSpray]

Originally posted by hannahryan
Thanks for all the great advice!!! I think I've narrowed it down to the Poly or BC. Location is important to her and she isn't too concerned about cost. She likes the sound of the theming at both of these resorts. Since she has never been, she doesn't know if she'd rather be at MK or Epcot more. She likes the sound of the Poly, but the BC is much newer and I'm worried she will feel that the Poly is too dated. Which way should I steer her? Thanks again.

Since money is not an issue, then which THEME would she enjoy more?? Personally, I think that the Polynesian, WL, and AKL all are the best THEMED resorts at Disney World. If you think she'd prefer a "crisper" type of room and atmosphere then maybe the BC would be best for them. But if you think she'd enjoy truly authentic tropical atmosphere, then definitely steer her towards the Polynesian. The best you can do is make her very aware of every aspect of each of these resorts, then let her decide.

If she shows interest in the Polynesian, then make sure she's aware of the fact that while this resort is indeed one of the originals of Disney World, it looks "dated" because it's authentic. Each of the longhouses either has just been refurbished or is in the process, right now.

We stayed at the Grand Floridian and while we absolutely loved it, when we visited the Polynesian we couldn't wait to stay there. We like the restaurants, the location, the size of the rooms, and the whole south seas atmosphere.

Can't wait to see what you and her decide upon!!

 

[crz4mm2]

My vote would be for Poly.
My first visit to WDW was in 1989. I took just my DS who was 9 (DH and DD stayed home). My best friend's sister was a disney cast member in reservations at the time. I was on a very limited budget and we had made reservations at Caribbean. It was really new at that time. I knew VERY little about WDW at that time. I didn't know anything about the resorts. A few weeks before our trip my friend's sister called to tell me we could upgrade to the Poly for 40 bucks extra (total for 4 nights!). Since the monorail went right in front (and we weren't renting car or anything) I said yes. I had NO idea how lucky we were! It was a great room and a great resort. I now know how fortunate I was to be able to stay in a "Deluxe" (didnt' know it at the time!).
I have been to WDW several times since. Have stayed off property most of the time and in DTD.
Fast forward to planning the DD's graduation trip. Remembering how much fun DS and I had and how much we loved the Poly, I wanted to stay there. Well, Sticker Shock to say the least!! I know prices have went up since 1989 (not stupid) but JEEZ... No way was I going to spend the rack rate for Poly during April....
A bit disappointing, but we got a great rate at the Dolphin and will be staying there in April (another place I have always wanted to stay). If money were no object, we would be at the Poly!

Have a great trip where ever you decide to stay.

Cathy

 

[Aisling]

since she thinks it may be their only trip to Disney.

That's what she thinks! Wait'll she gets there, she'll start planning her next trip before her vacation is even over!

 

[jaysue]

If Magic Kingdom, Epcot and Monorail most important than Poly

If Epcot, MGM, Boardwalk most important than Beach Club

They are both great and cannot go wrong

IMO, for a once in a lifetime, I would go with AKL Savannah view since it is the most unique of the resort properties

thanks
jaysue

 

[Danauk]

I would probably recommend the BC. The kids will all love SAB and the older children would probably like Epcot and MGM. Plus the adults will probably enjoy being around the boardwalk. If it's a once in a life time trip. I would probably try to stay at the BCV. It has all the amenitities of the BC but with extra room for a family, plus a kitchen.

 

[JayCT]

I have to vote for the Poly. We used it as our first big vacation spot for our kids (DS8, DS6) in 02 and they still talk about it. The volcano pool is wonderful. So is the beach and the view of MK is unbelievable. Plus the convenience of the monrail and the atmosphere were great. We stayed Lagoon View Concierge and were so spoiled it is hard to go to WDW and stay anywhere else. In May we are staying at CR because my DW is eligible for a significant discount there. I hope we like it half as much as the Poly. We will see.

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

With kids ages 5, 11, and 12 I'd definitely do the YC/BC. And since money isn't an issue tell her to book "concierge water view".

 

[OrangeFOX4]

Definitely stay at the Beach Club! Its my favorite resort. You can walk to Epcot and MGM, which is great if you have kids.

 

[mariamouse]

While the BC is one of my favorite resorts, I would recommend the Poly for a once-in-a-lifetime vacation. Both resorts completely envelope you in the Disney magic, although I think the convenient location of the Poly is a huge plus. It always seems that a WDW vacation isn't complete without being on the monorail and in addition, the GF and CR will only be a few stops away and the WL only a short boatride away. The Electrical Water Pageant and Wishes fireworks can be viewed from the Polynesian's beach and the theming is so wonderful... the hammocks and torches make it so special... it truly transports you to a completely different place. The foliage and waterfalls in the GCH are breathtaking. The volcano pool is awesome too! The meal options are numerous and wonderful, particularly Kona Cafe-- I hear 'Ohana is great too-we'll be trying it for the first time in a few days! It may also be convenient for the family that the rooms at the Poly are bigger and afford better Garden views. The staff is wonderful and it is great to be able to boat on the Seven Seas Lagoon. Nothing can beat being so close to the MK. I am so excited to be there again soon... I'm finally doing the single digit dance! If it helps your planning at all, I am 15 and the Poly and BC are my favorite resorts- for this reason, I can assure you the younger travelers will love either. Regardless, both resorts are incredible, so whichever choice they make, they will have a great time! It is so kind of you to help them plan their vacation... I hope they have a memorable trip!

mariamouse