Help deciding on a resort

[shosh1530]

We are considering a January or February trip for our first-time visit to WDW. There are some seemingly good deals with the 35% off discount during this time frame that are very tempting.

Since we've never been, can you give me feedback on a few options? It is me, another adult, and my 9-year-old son. We would try to hit the four major parks once (and maybe a day or two at Universal) and am leaning toward renting a car given the pandemic.

We prefer options with three beds. Not sure how much resort-time we'd spend but DS would enjoy pools, fun theming. I'm torn about the value of being close to Epcot for walkability factor (not sure I can actually get him to walk it since he'll get tired out at the parks and too big for stroller). He has some special needs and may need to take mid-day breaks on long park days. Adults prefer quiet rooms, relaxed feeling resort. I've had my eye on AK, Wilderess Lodge, and Poly as dream places since I started researching, but not sure any of them are great options during pandemic?

Looking at:

• Animal Kingdom Kidani with Savanna View (only 2 beds, but love the idea of the view, could even consider the 1 BR)
• Beach Club Villas
• Boardwalk Villas
• Boulder Ridge Villas
• Ft. Wilderness Cabins
• Polynesian Villas

Most of these are ranging between $300-400 for the dates we are looking at.

Thoughts?

 

[sponica]

Personally I'm skipping the Poly until the resort reno is completed.

Given that park hours may not be as long as in the past, if you're planning on a midday break, I'd choose Beach Club or Boardwalk. Then at least on the Hollywood studios/Epcot days you'd be relatively close....

 

[Beachmom0317]

If you are going to do all four parks I would do the Boardwalk because you could walk to Epcot and Hollywood Studios. You would also have the skyliner at International Gateway which would allow you to visit other resorts on the skyliner easily (AoA, Riviera, CBR, Pop). I wouldn't do Kidani because you are only near 1 park and Jambo is technically "open" but none of the restaurants or stores are.

 

[LynnTH]

The Boardwalk is my favorite. We have stayed there many times. Everytime I say that I am going to try a different resort but always come back to Boardwalk. We love it there. My kids are now 21 and 19 but we have been staying there for a while. Have another stay there in May. Hoping Park Hopping will be back by then as that is one of the best parts of being close to Epcot. We ended up there many nights after other parks.

 

[DeeBee3]

The advantages of Boulder Ridge is there is a boat to Magic Kingdom. We always find that nice and relaxing. Have not been there yet during covid. Going in November. The Wilderness Lodge, in general, is beautiful. The lobby is amazing. I find it never too crazy with noise. Boulder Ridge rooms are not updated and there are not 3 beds. You could also decide among rooms that have Murphy beds.

 

[Disneyfan754321]

As I dont have much experience with those hotels,
We just stayed at coranado springs. Although we did not stay in it they have a one bedroom suite with two beds and a sofa sleeper. It's a great location in the animal kingdom area. If you take the bus it's not a crazy amount of people on the buses. We had a car and still took the bus to the parks because it drops you off curbside.

 

[quinacciani]

Vote is for Beach or Boardwalk. If mid-day breaks are important either are your best bet.

 

[RoseGold]

Caribbean Beach sleeping 5 has three beds, and is half the price of these options and just as good if-- you aren't focused on Magic Kingdom. Parking is also cheaper, because it is a moderate. The skyliner has been an awesome transportation choice during Covid and gets you back there FAST from either Epcot or HS.

Poly is under construction.

If I were going to pay a premium, it would be for Beach Club. Stormalong Bay is fantastic. But if you don't plan to use the pool, there's no point and I'd stick to Caribbean Beach. The Boardwalk activities are all closed, and dining is sad. WL is not my style, I would get an actual cabin if I wanted that style.

And option that might work well for you is renting points at Old Key West. If you need to get back from the park quick, this is the one. Parking is much more convenient than most hotels, and is included in the DVC rental, so free at the hotel and the parks, which makes the pricing competitive. It's stupid expensive cash, but much better DVC. It's also practically empty, so you should be able to get a request filled for easy access to parking. Renting points has a lot of downside, so consider it carefully. It is not for everyone, and cash booking is certainly more flexible right now.

Edit: OKW studio has two beds, so not your goal.

 

[Marthasor]

We are considering a January or February trip for our first-time visit to WDW. There are some seemingly good deals with the 35% off discount during this time frame that are very tempting.

Since we've never been, can you give me feedback on a few options? It is me, another adult, and my 9-year-old son. We would try to hit the four major parks once (and maybe a day or two at Universal) and am leaning toward renting a car given the pandemic.

We prefer options with three beds. Not sure how much resort-time we'd spend but DS would enjoy pools, fun theming. I'm torn about the value of being close to Epcot for walkability factor (not sure I can actually get him to walk it since he'll get tired out at the parks and too big for stroller). He has some special needs and may need to take mid-day breaks on long park days. Adults prefer quiet rooms, relaxed feeling resort. I've had my eye on AK, Wilderess Lodge, and Poly as dream places since I started researching, but not sure any of them are great options during pandemic?

Looking at:

• Animal Kingdom Kidani with Savanna View (only 2 beds, but love the idea of the view, could even consider the 1 BR)
• Beach Club Villas
• Boardwalk Villas
• Boulder Ridge Villas
• Ft. Wilderness Cabins
• Polynesian Villas

Most of these are ranging between $300-400 for the dates we are looking at.

Thoughts?

I would do Beach Club. AKV is beautiful, but very remote. BWV is nice, but we were never thrilled with the fact that you have to go outside to access the food options, particularly when it rains. BRV is lovely, but, again, a bit remote and the rooms are in need of a refurb. Ft. W is vast and difficult to navigate, IMHO. Poly is gorgeous, but as PP noted, I wouldn't stay there during the refurb. Beach Club is lovely and offers you the closes access to EP, the Skyliner and the resort bus stop. The food options are easy to get to as well and are all accessible via covered walkways.

 

[shosh1530]

Thanks for the input everyone. I'm going to take a closer look at Boardwalk and Beach Club. I do also keep coming back to CBR as well because of the 5th sleeper option. But the 35% discount was tempting me to upgrade to a deluxe.

So many options!

 

[jillinastoria]

I am considering switching from CSR to Yacht Club or Kidani Village (edited, this is my son's preference!) for our mid-April trip. Any thoughts about what's open at each? We have a five-year-old who would love the pool at Yacht Club and I know he'd love KV!

 

[Deb & Bill]

The advantages of Boulder Ridge is there is a boat to Magic Kingdom. We always find that nice and relaxing. Have not been there yet during covid. Going in November. The Wilderness Lodge, in general, is beautiful. The lobby is amazing. I find it never too crazy with noise. Boulder Ridge rooms are not updated and there are not 3 beds. You could also decide among rooms that have Murphy beds.

The Boulder Ridge studio would have one real queen bed, one double sleeper sofa and the bunk sized murphy bed. Plus a kitchenette.

 

[DeeBee3]

The Boulder Ridge studio would have one real queen bed, one double sleeper sofa and the bunk sized murphy bed. Plus a kitchenette.

Forgot that! Thanks! Then I vote for Boulder Ridge.