DVC'ers favorite non-dvc resort

[Pa@okw95]

The Disney Inn was our favorite resort at WDW. It was out of the way and known as the golf resort. It was rarely busy. It had the largest rooms at WDW. A real hide away gem. This was back when the only resorts at WDW were delux. The only draw back to it was it was not on the mono-rail system. It was sold to the federal government years ago for use by the military.

 

[JCW]

AKL! We stayed there in May and fell in love. Everytime we woke up, came back from the parks or dinner etc., we were on the balcony watching the animals. I could live there. Plus, the woodsy smell when you enter the lobby. The music, the CM's, the very relaxing atmosphere.

Now that we own at BCV, we will probably try to stay at AKL a couple of nights. Maybe to save some Friday/Saturday points (of course we will watch for those AP discounts for our room).

If they every build an AKL villas( I know, it may never happen) we would be doing a BIG add-on (though I don't know where they would build it. They could add a new Savannah just for the AKL villas! )

 

[DiznEeyore]

It would have to be AKL or the Poly for our family.

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

1. GF
2. BC

HBC

 

[FriendsOfEeyore]

On our last trip we stayed @ WL at deeply discounted price. We were sold on DVC based on the service, styling and overall appeal or WL. However, we bought into BCV, because we just love EPCOT. I think that I would vote WL, but prior to our last trip, if would have been to cost prohibited. My DW and I still want to try out AKL. I think that will vault to #1!

 

[pumpkinboy]

Favorite non-DVC resort would have to beAnimal Kingdom Lodge! My 4 yr old DD burst into tears after learning that we were not living there permanently, after a wonderful week at AKL , poor kid. The theme, the pool, the restaurants., the storytelling around the firepit in the evening, and the Animals outside your window... WOW is all I can say. Now if only we had the Villas at AKL, we'd be near first in line for an add-on there.

 

[Disney Enthusiast]

It's so hard to decide which one we like the best. We love the heavily themed ones as well and have had great experiences at every single one. I guess it depends on where we are in our lives....

When we went before kids, we just adored the GF for its romantic theming. When we went w/ my FIL and MIL in their 70's, we stayed at the BW for its theming of Atlantic City (a theme familiar to them since they grew up in NJ) and loved it for its proximity. Before when we were really poor, we stayed at POFQ and loved the theming and cleanliness and pool. I think the Y&BC and AKL and WL look wonderful from the outside and would love to stay there. Now that we have kids, the SAB at Y&B, the animal watching and firepit stories at AKL, and the Cafe and pool and Christmas theming at WL seem like must sees.

As a child, my favorites were the CR and the Poly.

That's why I love WDW so. I get a chance to visit all the different themed resorts. And that is one main reason why we didn't buy into DVC as quickly as we could have...... we didn't want to narrow our choices yet. But now I can try for the BCV, VWL, etc.

 

[LUVMICKEY]

We are Poly people. It is our most favorite Non-DVC resort.

Michele

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Originally posted by Disney Enthusiast
As a child, my favorites were the CR and the Poly.

LOL! When I was a kid, the ONLY resorts were the CR and the Poly!

Originally posted by Disney Enthusiast
That's why I love WDW so. I get a chance to visit all the different themed resorts. And that is one main reason why we didn't buy into DVC as quickly as we could have...... we didn't want to narrow our choices yet. But now I can try for the BCV, VWL, etc.

This somewhat echos my view as well. We would not have bought DVC if they did not build VWL (unless they built at Poly, or AKL). We just could not give up staying at certain resorts...

MG

 

[trainfun]

Definitely the Poly!
Would feel every muscle in my body relax as I walked over the bridge over the water entering the Grand Ceremonial House.
Our family went about 5 times and we always loved it!

 

[July]

I like the Corondo Springs Resort. Love the pool, the lake is pretty at night. I enjoy walking the resort for excercise...
July

 

[eporter66]

Obviously, the atmosphere is what really attracts people. If I was more of a beach person, I think the Poly would have more appeal. My only issue with the Poly when we walked through was that it seemed a bit dated.

I am not a big fan of the look of the Contemporary. I think if we try AKL, that could have potential to take over.

We were just blown away by the atmosphere at WL. I can also see staying there and enjoying it without doing all the Disney stuff. Hanging out at the pool, renting bikes and boats etc... It would be a nice relaxing place without doing the parks.

Love everyone's thoughts so far!

 

[skorpie]

We are also Polynesian folks! Every trip we go to the Polynesian and have our daughters' pictures taken on the beach with the Contemporary in the background. It is fun to see how our girls have grown over the years. This past July, we added our son-in-law into the family picture! We love the VWL, but I'd stay again at the Polynesian!

 

[Deb & Bill]

We have stayed at several other Disney resorts and found several that we really like.

For deluxes, we love GF and AKL.

For moderates, we love CS.

Haven't tried any of the value resorts.

 

[Kathy C]

Polynesian is ours, but for a moderate we love Coronado Springs too!

 

[twinmomplus2]

AKL hands down followed by the Poly. I may stay at the Poly next time. Even though I can never seem to tear myself away from AKL. We stayed at the Poly as kids and I would love to try it with my own kids some day. Maybe if AKL is under some kind of quarantine and we can not get in.

Pumkinboy. I am afraid you are behind us in the add online for AKL.

 

[DemoBri1]

I'd go YC myself. Can't beat the location, and the water view rooms have the best view IMHO of any resort in Disney with the possible exception of AKL.

Brian

 

[MiaSRN62]

Of the resorts we've actually stayed at, I'd have to say the WL for it's beauty and ambience. As far as the resorts we'd "like" to stay at, I'd have to go with AKL and the Poly. We've eaten at Boma 4 times now and had a chance to explore the hotel and grounds a little. It's got a lot of character---the themeing is on par with the WL I feel.

 

[OKW91]

We love the Animal Kingdom Lodge, would buy there in a minute if it ever becomes part of the DVC.

 

[Bugeye]

Poly, Poly, Poly althoughhhh - Dixie Landings right behind it (I refuse to become politically correct).