Help me pick a Deluxe, please

[Neesy228]

Our kids are growing up way too fast and this is probably going to be the last trip where they really get caught up in the fantasy of it all (oldest DS is already beyond that age) So, we've opted to really "go big" this time. In the past we've stayed at Values (when DD was a baby) and POR (when DD got too big for our family of 5 to fit)....For this trip, we are going to do Deluxe.

Some background to help in the choice: We are a family of 5. Kids from age 11 to 5. We park hop often and don't go back to the room for a break during the day, but we do take a couple of days off to hang out at the pool/resort. My kids like the idea of staying on the monorail route, but we can be flexible on that for something that would be "cooler"

I welcome any/all thoughts on the topic. Since we've never done a deluxe, I'm fairly wishy-washy on the topic (even after reading a lot of the individual resort threads) so I'm looking for thoughts from those who have been there/done that and would or wouldn't make the same choice again.

Thanks a bunch!

 

[dmband]

On the monorail I thnk poly is overall best
Boardwalk might be cool for them too

 

[bowbat]

I think Poly would be the best bet. Nice-sized rooms for a family of 5, great transportation options (resort monorail to MK, walk to TTC for the Epcot monorail, plus the option to boat to MK), and a fun pool area/theme.

Good luck deciding, and hope you have a great trip!

 

[AJA]

My choices would be Beach Club for the pool or Bay Lake Tower for the monorail and Magic Kingdom view rooms.

Also though Animal Kingdom would be memorable for the kids and if you aren't worried about returning to the resort mid day the distance shouldn't be a problem.

Sounds like it will be an awesome trip no matter what you chose.

ETA: I would rent points and have more space in a villa.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I would highly recommend the Boardwalk Inn because in my opinion they have the best theme and atmosphere of any Walt Disney World Resort. Plus you are within walking distance of Epcot and Hollywood Studios.

 

[Kae]

Poly has some of the biggest rooms at WDW along with CR great location. BC has stormalong bay which would be fun for the family.

Kae

 

[HowdyHeidi]

I can't compare as I've only been to one resort, but the Poly rooms were definitely big enough for a family your size and DH said that the slide at the Volcano pool was fun enough for an adult, not just kids, so I would think all your kids would like it.

It was really nice to be on the monorail and right next to the TTC. And oh I loved that Kona Cafe!

 

[twinboysmom]

For MK area I would go with the Poly. Epcot area I woukd choose BC/YC. For Epcot area if you do not do dining plan or need ME don't rule out the swan /dolphin. They have rooms that sleep 5 and are less expensive and have a fantastic pool. Another optiion, not deluxe per say, is the FW cabins if your children would like the campground. My nephew is in the age group of your children and talks about it constantly.

 

[3mickeys&me]

We stayed at the Poly twice with our family and our kids totally loved it. Loved the cool volcano pool, driving the boats in the lagoon. Sitting on the beach and watching the electric light water parade in the evening and having the monalrail right there was nice.

 

[Sue M]

For MK area I'd pick Poly. Poly & CR have the largest rooms, but Poly has the nicest landscapping and transportation. Cr to me is meh, no theming.
Poly has monorail or boat to MK, and has a walking path to TTC for Epcot monorail. We had a GV room in Tokelau great location & all rooms have balconies (or 1st fl. patio) Watching Wishes on the beach is wonderful and being able to see the castle.
I bet when you get there, you'll want to take some mid day breaks to enjoy the resort

Epcot area- BC is great. SAB is the best pool on property, the resort is beautiful, and walking to Epcot is a great perk. You can walk or boat to DHS too. Rooms aren't as large as Poly, but very nice. Again, you'll want to make the time for mid day breaks to enjoy SAB!!!

 

[Neesy228]

OP here! Thanks for the feedback -- you've got me thinking now!

My choices would be Beach Club for the pool or Bay Lake Tower for the monorail and Magic Kingdom view rooms.

Also though Animal Kingdom would be memorable for the kids and if you aren't worried about returning to the resort mid day the distance shouldn't be a problem.

Sounds like it will be an awesome trip no matter what you chose.

ETA: I would rent points and have more space in a villa.

I thought AK didn't have rooms that slept 5 unless you went into a DVC rental option? Am I wrong? I love AKL (as much as I've seen of it), but I didn't think it was an option for us. How does renting points compare to the cost of a deluxe? Sorry for the quiz! TIA!

For MK area I would go with the Poly. Epcot area I woukd choose BC/YC. For Epcot area if you do not do dining plan or need ME don't rule out the swan /dolphin. They have rooms that sleep 5 and are less expensive and have a fantastic pool. Another optiion, not deluxe per say, is the FW cabins if your children would like the campground. My nephew is in the age group of your children and talks about it constantly.

Never considered the cabins...do you know much about them?

For MK area I'd pick Poly. Poly & CR have the largest rooms, but Poly has the nicest landscapping and transportation. Cr to me is meh, no theming.
Poly has monorail or boat to MK, and has a walking path to TTC for Epcot monorail. We had a GV room in Tokelau great location & all rooms have balconies (or 1st fl. patio) Watching Wishes on the beach is wonderful and being able to see the castle.
I bet when you get there, you'll want to take some mid day breaks to enjoy the resort

Epcot area- BC is great. SAB is the best pool on property, the resort is beautiful, and walking to Epcot is a great perk. You can walk or boat to DHS too. Rooms aren't as large as Poly, but very nice. Again, you'll want to make the time for mid day breaks to enjoy SAB!!!

Is SAB busy all the time? I've always had the impression that it was constantly packed because of it's popularity.

 

[wdwlver]

You can't go wrong with YC/BC......walking into Epcot is the best and the pool is fantastic. Love the whole atmosphere there....its our favorite corner of the World.

 

[nkereina]

The FW cabins are considered a moderate resort, so you'd save some money on them. IMO, the grounds are very big and spread out and they don't enthuse me. The boat access is nice, however.

What time of year are you going? Stormalong Bay at YC/BC is amazing and if you take days off just to spend at the pool, this is the best pool to do this at. However if you are going at a time of year when pool use will be minimal or at a very busy time of year (SAB gets crazy crowded during peak season), then I wouldn't pick either resort.

If you're going to splurge on a Deluxe for probably the only time, I'd probably pick Poly. I stayed at Poly as a kid with my parents on our first trip and it was my most memborable time. I've stayed moderate since then. The theming is the best for kids, IMO. As a kid, and even now, I found the theme at Contemporary to be boring and at GF to be too old lady for me. The monorail is a Disney icon so I would at least pick a monorail resort. Plus it's so convenient!

 

[twinboysmom]

Hi OP. I don't know that much aout the cabins as I haven't stayed there myself. I do know they sleep 6. They have a full kitchen, a bedroom with a full bed and bunk beds and a Murphy bed (I think) in the living area. I also know that transportation in the campground is a bit more difficult if you rely strictly on Disney. My family is all within driving distance so we always have a car. Some don't seem to think it's difficult at all. For me, I hate WDW transportation and I always use our car. I know the pool was redone recently to add a slide and there are a lot of activities in the campground. The camping forum would help you more if this is something you are seriously considering.

I do know a lot about dvc rental as I am a dvc member. And you are correct, regular AKL rooms sleep 4. Generally, renting points is cheaper unless Disney is giving out discounts which may or may not be a better deal than point rental. When is your trip? With 5 people, you would need a 1 bedroom villa at either AKL Kidani, BLT, or OKW or a 2 bedroom at the other properties. Points usually rent from around $10 a point from member or $13 a point from a company such as dvcrequest.com. There are different cancellation policies with this and some risk on both parties part. Dvcrequest.com is a good place to start for more information on this.

 

[mommytothe3cs]

We're also a family of 5 and we LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the BLT. Last year we stayed in a 1BR villa and there was plenty of space. I slept in the master bedroom with our youngest dd and our other two kiddos and my husband slept on the sleeper sofa pullout and the sleeper chair pullout in the family room. There is a full kitchen and breakfast nook as well as a huge balcony. There are also 2 bathrooms and a washer/dryer in a 1BR villa, which is really nice. I know that there are a lot of Poly fans on there but having stayed at both resorts I would choose the BLT hands down. We can't wait until our next trip!

 

[damien]

I'd go with the Poly. Your kids want to be on the monorail line. It has the biggest rooms of any of the Deluxe Resorts. Best transportation options (3 ways to MK), walking distance to TTC for Epcot monorail. Great restaurants at resort, and more at Grand Floridian.

 

[Hooked On The Mouse]

Our family of 5 loves AKL, it is our favourite resort. The building and grounds are beautiful, the pool is large and nice, and it is very cool to wake up in the morning and see zebras and giraffes from your balcony. Especially since you say you will be taking a few days off to enjoy your resort, AKL has the atmosphere and activities to really relax and enjoy.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I'd go with the Poly. Your kids want to be on the monorail line. It has the biggest rooms of any of the Deluxe Resorts.

Actually according to wdwinfo.com the average room size at the Poly is 409 sq ft, the Contemporary is 436 sq ft, and the Grand Floridian is the largest of any of the Deluxe Resorts at 440 sq ft.

 

[fla4fun]

I would probably recommend CR/BLT if you plan to spend a lot of time in MK, because of the location.

If your kids are into swimming, then BC/BCV/YC would be my second choice because of SAB.

I have stayed in the cabins at FW. There is a double bed and bunk beds in the bedroom, and a double Murphy bed in the living room. You have a full kitchen, including dishwasher (which Mousekeeping will load and run for you ), and a good size bathroom (which is all in one room - no vanity outside the bathroom with a sink). There are two TVs, which can be handy with kids, and it give the adults a place to relax when the kids have gone to bed. There are lots of activities at the Fort, and the main Meadow pool was updated about two years ago or so, with a slide and kids splash area. FW feels more like a neighborhood than a hotel, and although it feels plenty Disney to me, there are some who don't think so because it's not so "in your face" as some of the other resorts. Also, if you use the DDP, it can be more difficult to dine at FW than other resorts because it is set up on the premise that most people will prepare meals in their cabin or RV. I always tell people that FW is a totally different experience to staying in a resort hotel and so long as they understand that going in, they'll have a great time.

 

[damien]

Actually according to wdwinfo.com the average room size at the Poly is 409 sq ft, the Contemporary is 436 sq ft, and the Grand Floridian is the largest of any of the Deluxe Resorts at 440 sq ft.

You know as well as I do, depending on what site or book you read, the numbers vary greatly. However, 40% of the rooms at the Polynesian, those in Tokelau, Tahiti and Rapa Nui are the largest, at 476 sq ft. The rest of the rooms at the Poly are 415 sq ft. I assure you, the GF rooms are not 440 sq ft. I've stayed at both types of rooms at the Poly and the GF. The smaller Poly room was noticeably larger than the GF's.

http://**************.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/smaller.jpg
http://**************.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/larger.jpg
http://**************.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/Disneys-Contemporary-Resort-Floor-Plan.jpg