Favorite disney resort and why

[mikedoyleblogger]

FAVORITE: CSR for the pool, lake, multiple dining options, lots of elbow room (but not too much), and totally unshared bus service. Weren't sure we'd like it and ended up there twice in five months (this year) and loving it.

LEAST FAVORITE: Thought we'd like the Poly because I stayed there as a kid but hated a recent resort-hopping visit because everything felt so claustrophobic and close together/on top of each other. We were really shocked at how little space there is there and how all the pathways offer privacy-killing views directly into the first floors of every longhouse. We couldn't wait to hop on.

ON OUR LIST: The Contemporary, because we just love the vibe when we visit the resort. Reminds of the Disneyland Hotel in spirit if not in architecture.

 

[Tigger's ally]

Definitely Wilderness Lodge for us. Love everything about it. Love the boat to MK as it is a great way to start the morning. Love the everything under one roof feeling. Love that it is actually cheaper than the other Deluxes we have stayed at.

 

[Trap]

p.o.f.q small and compact

 

[JennaDeeDooDah]

Wilderness Lodge. I love the look and feel of the resort. It feels like it's own vacation all by itself. I love sitting out on my balcony which the Electrical Water Pageant is going on or walking down to see Fire Rock Geyser go off. Last time we stayed there, I woke up before everyone else in my family (and everyone else in the hotel) and went down to the lobby for some pictures. IT was wonderful to just sit in a rocking chair by the fireplace and watch as the resort woke up for the day. It is also just so relaxing which is very welcome at the end of a long day in the parks. My only regret is that we never got a woods view room. The first time we booked it, they upgraded us to a courtyard view (and didn't understand why we kept saying that we would prefer a woods view - we were finally told that they were sold out so it was courtyard for us). The second time, the construction was going on so we saw construction on the new villas instead of peaceful woods. And now, sadly, it seems that a woods-view room is a thing of the past.


Now, that said, I will be at Boardwalk Villas a week from today and have been wanting to stay at Boardwalk since my college program in spring of '05. We'll see if Wilderness Lodge gets dethroned.

So I have to comment on Boardwalk because, as I predicted, it certainly gave Wilderness Lodge a run for it's money. We had a two bedroom villa at Boardwalk and OH MY GOSH. It was excellent. We had the most gorgeous view of the pool and Tower of Terror from our balcony. I loved how close it was to two of the parks. At other resorts, if a park opens at 9:00, I am at the bus stop at 8:00 to make sure I can get to the park in time for rope drop. At Boardwalk, I woke up, had a Dr Pepper out on the balcony (God bless Garden Grocer) with my husband, took a shower, made my daughter breakfast in the kitchen, finished getting ready, had my own breakfast while my daughter got herself ready, did her hair, and walked out our door at 8:30. I loved strolling past the boardwalk on our way to Epcot and entering at International Gateway was so much more relaxing than the main entrance. We were let in early and were in the second boat for FEA, but still got to get beautiful shots of the United Kingdom and Canada Pavilions completely empty. I loved strolling along the water to DHS and seeing Tower of Terror get larger and larger, much like my own excitement. In the evenings, I loved watching Illuminations from the bridge and enjoying the sights, sounds, and smells of the boardwalk. I loved walking to Minnie's Beach Bash on our last day. I just loved Boardwalk. Definitely a favorite resort.

But, Wilderness Lodge is a favorite, as well. I see them as two very different favorites. Wilderness Lodge feels like home to me. It is comfortable and beautiful and I feel like I can waltz into the lobby, kick off my shoes, and take a nap on the couch. That's how much it feels like home (no, I have never and will never do this because it ISN'T my home and no one should be subjected to my stinky feet and snoring). It also feels like a quiet retreat where I am away from the rest of the world. Boardwalk feels like vacation. I am in a luxurious hotel with all sorts of entertainment at my fingertips. It's fun and exciting and feels like an idealistic version of the world. Two very different experiences that fulfill two very different needs. Depending on what I am looking for that vacation, I might pick Wilderness Lodge or I might pick Boardwalk.

 

[aidansmommy]

Our Family has two favorites. The grown ups love the Beach Club for the same reasons stated above-we love the smell and airiness of the lobby, the closeness to our favorite park EPCOT and the pool(kids like that part too).

My son especially loves AKL. He is a complete animal lover and loves being able to sit on our balcony and watch the animals. He also loves the pool and eating at Mara.

 

[WDWNY]

Such a hard question. I love the All Stars for making additional trips happen because of the low cost. I love Pop mainly because thats where I stayed for my first 6 Disney trips.
Loved BWV's probably because it was our first deluxe stay (we won't be staying in another one until Feb) so we can't compare amenities to values/moderates.
Coronado was great but we were in the business class rooms. The lounge was great.
Basically the only 2 resorts that we've stayed at that I didn't mention are CB and Swan. I would recommend them but they don't stand out as much.

 

[mindeola]

My favorite is The Poly. I finally stayed there this past October. It was a splurge and I totally loved it.
I really enjoyed a family trip where we stayed at Art of Animation Cars Suites. It was great to have that space with my three college kids.
One of our multi-generational trips had us staying at Port Orleans Riverside. It is so beautiful and relaxing there.

Can't wait for our anniversary stay at AKL in May! I know this will be my hubby's favorite.