first timer

[crzykid]

Hi
this will be my first time to wdw. What is the best resort to stay at? Are there any discount codes for a may stay? will be there the middle of may. Any information anyone could provide will be appreciated.

 

[Micca]

Hey Crzykid, Welcome to the Dis You'll have a great trip. Try spending a bit of time on the Dis checking out the details and comments about the various resorts. They come in many themes and price ranges. Perhaps you could determine how much you wish to spend each night and start from there. I'm sure you'll get lots of suggestions

 

[woody5]

Also check out www.mousesavers.com for discount codes. There are some available during May. You have to first decide which level of resort, value, Moderate or deluxe. Price difference is significant. Enjoy your planning it is half the fun. Also, you might call CRO and ask what resorts even have rooms at the discount during your stay. That may help you narrow down your selection and you won't have your heart set on a specific resort in which there are no discounts available and you would have to pay full price. All the resorts I think are great in their own way. It just depends on the experience you want and how much you are willing to pay.

 

[yecats]

Hi and welcome to the Disboards.

Wow, where to stay. There are so many options. But first you need to set your budget and see what you can afford. Check out a site called wdwig.com (I think it also pops under a different name but it should link you to it). That is a great site to check out how big the room is and what the resorts look like. Some great pictures can be found on this site as well.

Value resorts are All Stars and Pop Century. The rooms are around 260 sq. feet, have 2 double beds, wall safe, a sink and open closet area outside of the bathroom. Bathroom is small and has just enough room for tub and toilet. There is one tv and a dresser, small table with 2 chairs. The resort has open walkways to all rooms (not inside corridors) and are 3 or 4 floors tall with larger than life icons all over. These resorts are very big with young kids and pre-teens. There are at least two pools (one main themed pool with a bar and laudry facilities) to each section. There are no hot tubs at these resorts.

Moderate resorts are Coronado Springs, Carribean Beach and Port Orleans (French Quarter and Riverside) resorts. These resorts are also outside corridored resorts usually 2 or 3 stories tall. These resorts are a bit more spread out over a larger piece of land with its own theming throughout the entire resort (for instance PORS has 2 sections, Bayou homes or Mansion buildings, which has beautifully landscaped grounds). The rooms are larger around 340 sq. feet with 2 double beds and furnishings fit the theming of the resort. You'll have a table with 2 chairs, dresser type of armoire with tv, sitting bench and hooks to hang clothes. There is also an open closet (larger than at Value Resorts) with a wall safe. You have two sinks and 2 mirrors with a long shelf to put your toothpaste, etc... The bathroom is similar to the ones at Value with toilet and tub. These usually have one main pool with a waterslide and a hot tub and then will have a few quiet pools inbetween the various buildings. The quiet pools have buildings for the laundry area. The only exception to the quiet pools is POFQ as it has only one main pool and hot tub. Their are also nice playground areas for kids to play in and you can rent bikes or boats to tour the property.

Deluxe resorts. These are several indoor storied resorts. They usually have a main pool and pool area (usually with a hot tub or two) very themed to the resort, babysitting services, sit down and counter restaurants, exercise facilities and better or closer access to the resorts. The rooms are a bit larger than moderates and many, depending upon the resort may have a 5th bed (daybed type). There is also concierge floors with varied services depending on if you have the money for same.

You should be able to dind some sort of code but certainly set a limit as to how much you want to spend. Have fun planning.

 

[Disneygem]

Hi!I agree with the advice above - there are so many lovely hotels at wdw. I haven't stayed at any of the value resorts but i'll give you a list of my favourites in each category:
Deluxe:
Grand Floridian (wonderful but expensive - v close to MKingdom)
Beach Club (great location - Epcot, MGM, Boardwalk, great pool)
Animal Kingdom Lodge (unique exerience - get a pool room or savannah view)

Moderate: Port Orleans Riverside
(By far the best moderate - my mum even prefers it to AKL)Hope this helps. You'll have a great trip no matter which wdw resort you choose.

 

[leighe]

We usually try to decide how much time we'll be spending in the parks vs. resort when we are making reservations for a resort. If we are planning on being park "commandos" we go with a moderate (CBR is great). I just can't justify spending all the extra $$ on deluxe if we aren't actually going to use the amenities. When we want lots of relaxing resort time we stay at a deluxe.

Poly is a great deluxe! (I think I've stayed there about 17 times.) The tropical theming is wonderful, the volcano pool is awesome, great restaurants, PLUS the monorail makes you only minutes from MK. MK fireworks from the concierge lounge are spectacular!

My favorite moderate is CBR (okay, it's the only moderate I've ever stayed at, but we loved it!). I guess I just have a thing for tropical/island theming. The landscaping is so beautiful!

We've never stayed at a Value, but will be spending a night at Sports before our spring break at AKL. DH is sooooo excited about the possibility of staying at Homerun Hotel.

Have fun plannng! You are going to have such a great time!