Help choosing accommodation!

[Baussie]

I am from Australia and am planning a family holiday with me (31) and my parents for their 40th wedding anniversary in Sept.

My question is where to stay? We want to stay on site but we are used to 5 star new accomodation. We were thinking the Boardwalk villas but I am concerned that they look a bit drab! My mum is rather particular about staying somewhere with new linens and not where they have the old bed quilt style. Am concerned about all the negative reviews about old furniture, linen, cleanliness, smell etc.

We would like to stay in walking distance to Epcot and boardwalk so we can walk to dinner. We need 2 rooms (adjoining) or a 2 bedroom villa.

We really want somewhere nice but don't want to spend the amount needed for the Grand Floridian!

Please help!!!

 

[cwt580]

Yacht club???

 

[Deb & Bill]

The Beach Club was recently renovated with a more modern look. The Villas are strongly themed, thus the "quilt" bedspread. I think the BC is going to cost something close to what the GF costs.

None of the WDW resorts are considered 5 Star. You may want to consider the Waldorf Astoria at Bonnet Creek Resort. This isn't on Disney property, so you don't get the perks of staying on site. But it is directly adjacent to the Disney property and does provide transportation to the parks.

 

[catra121]

I'm sort of at a loss. Maybe look into Swan or Dolphin? They're much more reasonably priced and I've heard good things about their beds and linens (though no personal experience since my last stay at the Dolphin when I was VERY little). Location is great...right between Boardwalk Inn and Beach/Yacht Club. You don't get ALL the disney perks but you can use Disney transportation and you are walking distance to Epcot, DHS, and the Boardwalk for meals. Might be worth looking into if the Disney resorts don't quite do it for you in terms of meeting that 5 star expectation you have. Not saying Swan or Dolphin are 5 star resorts either...but they may be more appealing to your tastes/budget.

Personally...I LOVE Disney resorts, the themes, grounds, etc. I also love all the onsite ammenities that you can take advantage of when staying at them. But if the state of the rooms is so important that you just couldn't enjoy the resort if it didn't have the right linens then you may need to look somewhere else.

Another option may be to try a resort that has had a fairly recent renovation...like POFQ which was renovated last year. Or...maybe...if any rooms are available try a suite at the new Art of Animation resort? That would definitely be in the best shape, would have more room and a kitchenette in the room. But it's VERY heavily themed and that may not appeal to you. AOA is also a value resort so while it will save you some money vs getting two rooms at a deluxe hotel or a 2BR villa...you won't have the ammenities that a deluxe resort has in terms of onsite dining, hot tubs, etc. And at either POFQ or AOA the location isn't your top choice. BUT...POFQ would at least be close to DTD and you could take the boat over there for dinners at DTD.

I think no matter what you choose you will have to compromise...either on the resort itself, location, ammenities, etc. No matter what you choose I think it's important to make sure you go in with realistic expectations about what you are going to get for what price. The way I figure it...even though staying at an Epcot resort is a great location...if you are going to be at the parks or doing other activities during the day then how important is it to STAY at an Epcot hotel? Really need to weigh what is most important to you along with your budget and see what will work best overall for your vacation.

 

[catra121]

Oh...also wanted to mention that connected rooms are NOT guaranteed at any Disney hotel except in cases where there are more children than adults (large families that need 2 rooms due to capacity)...which is not your situation. I don't know how important this is to you guys...could save a LOT of money by getting two rooms instead of a 2BR villa...or even going with the AOA suite which would be less than two deluxe rooms (I think). Just something else to keep in mind when making your plans. I'd look at lots of pics and room layouts to see what will work best for you.

 

[tric8783]

If you are looking for "new-looking" and modern, I'd go with the Contemporary or BLT. The theming isn't heavy and everything is very sleek and modern looking. It's not walking distance to Epcot but the monorail will take you right to Epcot!

The Boardwalk is really made to look sort of "antique-y". So if that isn't really what you're looking for, I wouldn't suggest staying there. GL!

 

[Baussie]

Thank you for everyone's suggestions. We have decided to actually book the Dolphin. Although not officially a Disney hotel it's still on site and we got two rooms with balconies and water views for half the price of anywhere else!

 

[catra121]

I had a feeling that the decor there might be more to your tastes and the location is exactly what you wanted. Have a great trip!!

 

[WDWKOOK]

I am from Australia and am planning a family holiday with me (31) and my parents for their 40th wedding anniversary in Sept.

My question is where to stay? We want to stay on site but we are used to 5 star new accomodation. We were thinking the Boardwalk villas but I am concerned that they look a bit drab! My mum is rather particular about staying somewhere with new linens and not where they have the old bed quilt style. Am concerned about all the negative reviews about old furniture, linen, cleanliness, smell etc.

We would like to stay in walking distance to Epcot and boardwalk so we can walk to dinner. We need 2 rooms (adjoining) or a 2 bedroom villa.

We really want somewhere nice but don't want to spend the amount needed for the Grand Floridian!

Please help!!!

to the DIS, Baussie!

Have you considered the Inn side as opposed to the Villas? In the hyperlink to the BWI thread in my signature, I have many BWI room photos. All the rooms were completely renovated in 2009 - no "bedspreads!" (BTW, the GF actually still have those quilted bedspreads). The rooms are very fresh and well maintained. Have you considered two adjoining Standard Club Level rooms? Standard rooms can have a Boardwalk View (or a courtyard/garden/Epcot View). I think your mum would be quite impressed with both the tastefully decorated modern rooms AND the excellent club level service.

If you can't make it to the BWI thread, here are BWI photos for you to peruse: