Favorite resort and why?

[DisneyLindsay]

Tell me your favorite resort and why?
List your loves, and does the cost matter?

 

[thelionqueen]

What a tough question...that's like asking which is your favorite Disney character or movie

Since I'm way too indecisive to pick just one, I will list a couple

Saratoga Springs - Love the proximity to DTD, love the spacious rooms and close parking. Pool is great, love the Fitness club, and kids club is great too. It is usually available at a decent price (for non DVC owners)

Beach Club-Love the proximity to Epcot, HS & Boardwalk. LOVE the way it smells and Stormalong bay. Great restaurants and shopping, and close to other resorts for pin trading. Close to Epcot so can dine at more of the restaurants over a stay. Price is kind of high and availability is tough.

 

[KatMark]

I'll do by category:

DVC -- Tie between AKL and OKW; love AKL for the animals and the African flavor; love OKW for the peacefulness of the resort

Deluxe -- Poly -- we love the rooms, the theme, the grounds, pool, etc.

Moderate -- Coronado Springs -- have stayed here nine times and it has been our home away from home for nine of our last eleven trips; if not for getting OKW cheaper by renting points, we would be back "home" in a heartbeat (love the pool, the fact I can get a massage, the theme, the grounds are beautiful with the fountains, etc.

Value -- none; we've done them twice and we won't be back (just does not fit our vacation style at all)

Cost plays a factor in our choice that we sometimes have to decide between a moderate or deluxe or DVC. If we couldn't manage a moderate at least, we would just save up longer.

 

[DizDaD7]

I'm going to have to say coronado springs for this 1. I know it's only a moderate but I or we consider this a deluxe lite. From the beautiful decor to the comfy queen size beds to the awesome restaurant and bus service to the excellent main pool. All this for the affordable moderate price. Theming is very authentic as well. All around great resort.

My next trip is bwv so this may change but as of now CSR is tops for us.

 

[Marty Joe]

If you ask 20 people, you will get 20 different answers. I will depend on your taste (atmosphere) and budget. Length of stay will play into it as well. For us, it the Polynesian because of the Hawaiian/Polynesian style laid back atmosphere. The landscaping is stunning. The views of the Grand Floridian and Contemporary Resorts at night are beautiful. Watching the castle change colors at night and fireworks from the beach is awesome. Dinning at 'Ohana and Kona is just a pure joy. Its the simple things such as walking around the grounds taking pictures of the flowers, saying "aloha" to everyone, the way you are treated, listening to the Hawaiian soundtrack everywhere you go (even underwater), and tiki torch lit pathways at night. Then there's shopping, the monorail, the boat to Magic Kingdom, and a short walk to the TTC for the EPCOT monorail. Being on the monorail loop, you are only a few minutes to two other resorts that you can explore.

The cost matters a great deal to a lot of Disney thrill seekers - and I get that. I don't find the cost of the Poly to be that unreasonable. Expensive? Yes!! Worth it? YES!!! We go to WDW once a year for around ten day and we are going to "let er rip". When all the smoke clears and we are on our way home, we start planning another one.

There are many great resorts to choose from and you will have a great time at any of them. Do some research, look at the pictures, and ask questions.

We have stayed at the AllStars (Music) the first two times at WDW - Loved it!
Caribbean Beach the next two times - loved it (except for stepping on a snake!)
Stayed at the Poly twelve times - OMG
Stayed at Pop Century twice (one was a split stay with the Poly).
If I can't stay at the Poly, I will do Pop in a heartbeat!!

 

[DizDaD7]

If you ask 20 people, you will get 20 different answers. I will depend on your taste (atmosphere) and budget. Length of stay will play into it as well. For us, it the Polynesian because of the Hawaiian/Polynesian style laid back atmosphere. The landscaping is stunning. The views of the Grand Floridian and Contemporary Resorts at night are beautiful. Watching the castle change colors at night and fireworks from the beach is awesome. Dinning at 'Ohana and Kona is just a pure joy. Its the simple things such as walking around the grounds taking pictures of the flowers, saying "aloha" to everyone, the way you are treated, listening to the Hawaiian soundtrack everywhere you go (even underwater), and tiki torch lit pathways at night. Then there's shopping, the monorail, the boat to Magic Kingdom, and a short walk to the TTC for the EPCOT monorail. Being on the monorail loop, you are only a few minutes to two other resorts that you can explore.

The cost matters a great deal to a lot of Disney thrill seekers - and I get that. I don't find the cost of the Poly to be that unreasonable. Expensive? Yes!! Worth it? YES!!! We go to WDW once a year for around ten day and we are going to "let er rip". When all the smoke clears and we are on our way home, we start planning another one.

There are many great resorts to choose from and you will have a great time at any of them. Do some research, look at the pictures, and ask questions.

We have stayed at the AllStars (Music) the first two times at WDW - Loved it!
Caribbean Beach the next two times - loved it (except for stepping on a snake!)
Stayed at the Poly twelve times - OMG
Stayed at Pop Century twice (one was a split stay with the Poly).
If I can't stay at the Poly, I will do Pop in a heartbeat!!

Dayum... Your description has me wanting to stay here now more than ever.... Now im a dvc member so i doubt that'll ever happen.

 

[LifeIsDis]

I would have to go with the Wilderness Lodge. It was the first resort I have ever stayed at WDW when I was two years old. It just feels like home to me. I don't get the "I'M HOME!" feeling like I do at WL at many other resorts.
Of course I love other many resorts but the WL will always be #1 for me.

In terms of cost, it is not a problem for us because we are DVC members. In the past few years we wouldn't have stayed becasue of the cost.
So I get to stay at the WL for the first time in over 10 years this summer thanks to DVC!

 

[Couchy]

I have 2

When trying to be good and save $$$

Swan - love this place. The pool area is great, the pool bar is and there are so many dining options. Location to Epcot/DHS/Boardwalk also very good


YC/BC- Location, location , location and of course SAB

 

[HANDYMOM]

Deluxe - Poly. THE most relaxing, beautiful places in The World!

Moderate - POR Riverside. Lush, quaint, on the River with an AWESOME food court. We've stayed at CBR before and will stay at CSR in September. Let's see if POR RIverside remains my favorite mod or if CSR takes it!

Value - ASSports! While we loved POP too, I really remember loving Sports. It may have been that my room was just closer to the busses or the crowds were less, but as much as I liked Pop, our room was at the very back of the 50's section, the resort was crowded and walking distances in the rain bothered me.

 

[tinkerbella16]

I have two favorites.. one that I've stayed at and will continue to stay at and one that is my dream to one day stay someday.

Port Orleans French Quarter is my absolute favorite resort that I've stay at in wdw. I love everything about it.. from the small size, grounds, newly renovated rooms w/ queen beds, boat to DTD, landscape and theme. It doesn't cost a fortune to stay in the moderates, which is one big reason why I love them. They are a big step up from the values for just a little more money and its perfect for us. This resort literally had me HELLO!

The Polynesian is my favorite resort that I haven't stayed at and probably won't for a long time with those prices. It is the one resort on property that I must, on every trip, make it a point to visit and have a meal. I will visit more than once just to take in the atmosphere and ambiance. I love it. It is my dream to one day stay there, so maybe if I get a really good discount in the future it'll happen. Kona Cafe is my favorite restaurant on property. I cannot to finally go back after 4 years since my last trip. I booked a dinner and a breakfast at Kona and I cannot wait.

 

[*Fantasia*]

Value- ASMovies- Theme and most affordable, food court, I love the TOY STORY bldg. Fun and "in your face Disney!"

Moderate- POFQ- Theme, boat ride to DTD, I can walk to POR and use their ammenities and beignet. Lovely and quaint. Very romantic.

Deluxe- Poly & WL- Theme, restaurants, monorail and boat ride and walking distance to TTC. I can watch the fireworks from the beach and watch the nightly water parade. The atmosphere is very relaxing.

The cost matters.. We stay where our budget takes us. And no matter where we stay.. we always have a "magical" time!

 

[*Fantasia*]

Dayum... Your description has me wanting to stay here now more than ever.... Now im a dvc member so i doubt that'll ever happen.

Can you add a day or two on your trip? Some DVC members here do a split stay where they stay at their own "home" and stay at another of their favorite resort. Cheer up.. Do what makes your trip "magical"!! You don't have to stay at your "home" only.

 

[spiceycat]

Dayum... Your description has me wanting to stay here now more than ever.... Now im a dvc member so i doubt that'll ever happen.

give it time - Polyn will become a DVC resort - waited 15 years for one (brought OKW in 1993) - so really think Polyn will become one too - just give it time.

now think it will wait until GF dvc villas sell out.

DVC - BLT - own it and love it - being able to walk to the MK GREAT!!! The CM's here are pretty good. Now also love VWL, AKV, BCV, and BWV....

deluxe - Polyn and BC - love the SALB pool at BC, and watching the fireworks from the beach at Polyn with a drink.

moderate - POR - just love it

value - Pop - this is a pretty nice resort - especially for the price. It has a lake (only value until AoA that does) - it has an excellent food court, the CM's are wonderfully. that say the noise level here can be loud during busy times.

 

[DizDaD7]

Can you add a day or two on your trip? Some DVC members here do a split stay where they stay at their own "home" and stay at another of their favorite resort. Cheer up.. Do what makes your trip "magical"!! You don't have to stay at your "home" only.

Id have to pay OOP. My home resorg is SSR. Igot lucky to get bwv. But in order to stay for so many nights I'm going in august in a standard studio. For me to stay in poly would cost me double the amount of points. Stinks i know but once u get dvc they want you at dvc resorts so they up the points at all the other resorts to discourage u.

 

[vettegirl]

My overall favorite for is CSR. I love the digsite pook, the beautiful rooms with cozy down comforters and it's location is near everything IMO. Our last stay was on their club level and that made me love it even more!

 

[Kimi313]

If staying on a budget then ASMo, Toy Story section

Otherwise either Beach Club or Poly, whichever gives me the best discount.

 

[DisneyMomx7]

Beach CLub is our all time favorite.

Since we travel as a party of 5 deluxes are the best choice for us and BC is our favorite deluxe!

 

[longrf01]

If it's just Mrs. longrf01 and I, then POLY. If you add DD9 and DS5, it's BC. DS5 says the values are over-themed, but he says "ugly.".

 

[Sammie]

Dayum... Your description has me wanting to stay here now more than ever.... Now im a dvc member so i doubt that'll ever happen.

DVC will be at the Polynesian at some point.

 

[singjenn]

Hey! I have only stayed on site twice, but my favorite (I have visited a few) is POR.

PROS
Goregeous!
It has a Disneyesque feel
The food court was great....huge and always a place to sit
The theme is really neat
Bus service was good
Pool area
Lots of places to park
Boat ride to DTD


CONS
HUGE
Picking the wrong bus stop... there are several along the resort and if you picked the "wrong one" you had to ride around for a while before you started your way to the parks.
Long boat ride....faster to ride the bus
Did I mention it's HUGE??


I would definitely stay here again!!