Deluxe Resorts... Which Give You the Best “Disney” Feeling

[DisneyJColeMom]

Does Contemporary have a grand feel when you walk into it? Like a “wow” lobby?

 

[JM23457]

Im perfectly fine with being slapped in the face with over-the-top theming. I love Hidden Mickeys, easter eggs, characters represented literally or abstractly. I love the theming of the Wilderness Lodge & Animal Kingdom Lodge (based on photos bc Ive never been). I also love theme park/firework views from the resort, but cant say Im willing to splurge on expensive room upgrades. So where else would I enjoy staying?

The Polynesian is highly themed, especially the DVC longhouses. You would probably enjoy staying in a villa there.

The Boardwalk Inn (resort rooms only, not DVC villas) also has highly themed rooms & a very special lobby.

Aside from AKL & WL, which you already mentioned, those are the two most distinctively Disney deluxe resorts.

 

[ChanaC]

Does Contemporary have a grand feel when you walk into it? Like a “wow” lobby?

I think so, but everything is of course subjective. It's like a 10 story tall lobby with a monorail running through it. Windows at the very end have a view of Magic Kingdom, and windows towards the back have a view of Bay Lake. Although as a note, you check in on the ground floor which is (in my opinion) is a relatively standard looking check-in lobby. You have to take an escalator or elevator to the main floor, but that's really where most of the action is.

If it helps, The Time Tracker on Youtube has a series of great videos where he does a video tour of all the Disney and Universal hotels. It's like you are walking thought it with him, and they do a really good job showing you the lobbies and the grounds around the resort. He's pretty good at pointing out some of the nooks and crannies of the resorts, including all the pools, gyms, restaurants, bars, etc.

 

[SarahC97]

Does Contemporary have a grand feel when you walk into it? Like a “wow” lobby?

The lobby is just a lobby on the ground floor, but the main part (the "Grand Canyon concourse") that has the monorail and Chef Mickey's absolutely has that wow factor. There's no other place in the world like it. You could spend a lot of time just looking at those Mary Blair murals. It's pretty amazing.

 

[Minnie1222]

Is it weird to stay at Poly for first part of my trip, then head over to Royal Pacific. Is that “a lot of the same”?

Not at all! They depict different eras of the South Pacific Islands.

 

[RWinNOLA]

We love the Boardwalk, it’s out home resort at we stay there about 50% of our visits. Great theming and location.

I’ve always wanted to stay at Poly so we splurged for a couple of nights In a bungalow on our trip that we just completed. Beautiful resort but so much is closed right now (Ohana, Trader Sams, Tambu, coffee shop) that it just wasn’t quite the full experience. Want to try again when everything is open.

 

[westie55]

I have not stayed at the Polynesian. For me, the MK area is the most magical and has the most Disney feel and excitement. I love the GF. I was underwhelmed by the Contemporary. The theming is not great (to me it feels outdated, not Contemporary) and a lot of the resort is downright unattractive IMO. WL is good but I like AKL better. I enjoyed YC, AKL, and SSR, but I like the MK area better as that is my favorite park. I am actually trying Riviera in a couple weeks which I am very interested to see. People say its theming is lacking but I think it looks like it has a lot of nice Disney touches. The gondola is preferable for us for a socially distanced trip since it is only 1 party per cabin. The magic of Disney is trying all of the different resorts to give your vacation a different flavor every time!

 

[CynBeth]

3 of my favorite deluxe resorts are in the MK area where you can see the electrical water pageant at night from any of them. I agree with what people said about Contemporary. There is something special about the monorail going through it plus the mural and main floor with Chef Mickey’s and gift shops. If you have a TPV seeing the castle and fireworks at night if you are able to is special.
I also like the tropical feel of Poly. I love the lobby at WL and the geyser out back. Whispering Canyon Cafe is one of my favorite breakfasts and we go there every trip no matter where we are staying. People seem to enjoy the lunch and dinner there.

 

[bclittle]

If you want in your face Disney theming and can afford it, try the suites at Art of Animation. That gives you lots of space and great Disney theming. I know AoA isn't deluxe, but the prices of the suites is deluxe. If you want a spectacular lobby and great theming, I would stay at AKL. That's a great resort that has lots to do and has good food.

I love the Deluxe Resorts mostly for the ease of transportation and theme pools. I prefer the Epcot resort area because of the walkability. With Stormalong Bay not open, I would stay at Boardwalk right now. I have stayed at both BC and BW and Boardwalk has more theming.

 

[Disneylover99]

The Poly and the Contemporary give me the Disney feeling, like no other deluxe ever could.

 

[kbill07]

Ranking Magic at WDW
1. Walking down Main Street and seeing Castle
2. Poly and YC lobby. DW loves the smell.
3. First Margarita in Mexico

 

[JoJoGirl]

”Disney Feel” is probably the biggest factor in my resort decision, followed by location and convenience.

The Polynesian wins in the MK area. I have no idea if it really feels like Hawaii or Polynesia, but it is so kitschy and fun and just plain relaxing. Nothing beats a drink in a pineapple. Maybe it‘s a combination of the theme, the nostalgia, and seeing the Castle from the lobby and the pool. To me the Poly is quintessential Disney.

In the Epcot area, my favorite is the Boardwalk. I just love the atmosphere there - the ambient music in the lobby and on the Boardwalk itself, the lovely water views, the evening entertainment, and the good dining all around the lake. I will admit that I’m looking forward to a room refresh though. The rooms are decorated pretty much like my Mom’s house (she’s 80) - they even have her exact “Blue Danube” china in the display hutches near the elevators!

Following those, I think the AKL and WL are about equal. Maybe even better theme-wise, but less convenient transportation-wise. I personally prefer the exotic feel of AKL and of course the animals. When my budget doesn’t allow a MK or Epcot resort, AKL is my choice.

Honrable mention to the Port Orleans resorts for their beautiful immersive theming and the boat to Disney Springs.

 

[MarkS2112]

We love WL. The theming is top notch, good dining options, nice pool, great feel in the evenings. Out of the way and feels secluded. Also the boat option to MK is great.

BC or YC have Storm Along Bay, best pool on property and also close to Epcot. Also now has Skyliner access which is a game changer plus boats to HS. Beaches and Cream, Epcot firework and plenty to do.

Poly is great also due to monorail loop and access to multiple resorts. Great theming and dining options. Trades Sams is great fun plus Dole Whip at hotel. Downside here is the cost.

 

[Pea2]

Definitely the Polynesian.

 

[DisneyJColeMom]

Definitely the Polynesian.

What room type should I look into? I want a theme park view but not sure if I want to pay that much. How’s Lagoon view?

 

[Wiltony]

Theme parks views are a bit overrated at the moment due to the lack of fireworks. I would save your money.

 

[DisneyJColeMom]

Theme parks views are a bit overrated at the moment due to the lack of fireworks. I would save your money.

If there were fireworks I mean?

 

[Wiltony]

If there were fireworks I mean?

If there were fireworks, and you like watching them, then yes, worth the money. I love watching the fireworks but, maddeningly, my family doesn't care much for them so I'm out there on the balcony ooh-ing and ah-ing by myself while they're inside watching TV or on their phones.

 

[Spazz2k]

For us it depends on the time of year!!
Summer = Yacht and Beach Club for Stormalong Bay
Fall = Ft. Wilderness Cabins for the Halloween stuff in October and the Christmas stuff Nov/Dec
Christmas time = Wilderness Lodge for the incredible Christmas feel with that lobby and Christmas feel everywhere
Jan/Feb = Boardwalk because we love ESPN for football and Super Bowl
July 4th = Contemporary for the fireworks

They are all great, but for us they each shine more than others at different times of the year.

As far theme goes for Disney..while not a deluxe resort, Art of Animation is straight up Disney for the little guys and girls...love it when we bring our godson there.

 

[DisneyAlum91]

I vote for the Polynesian. 1st resort to open, Magic Kingdom across the lagoon, Monorail and the amazing theme that is the only resort where I truly get that "Ahhh … I'm on vacation" feeling. If I truly wanted to splurge, I would get a lagoon view, 3rd floor and avoid those cabins which are way too expensive.