help me pick a deluxe

[Tracie]

well, we were treating our friends to a trip this June, but they cannot go now. My wonderful DH who is giving a portion of his first big bonus, for the trip said I could keep the same budget, for the 4 of us that I had for the 8 of us. Soooo I think I would like to try a deluxe. We have stayed at the AS's and CBR. I am leaning toward the Epcot area for the great location and toward the BC or YC for SB for my 2 DS. Would like to hear any and all thoughts on the DR.

TIA
Tracie

 

[ContemporaryGirl]

I think that's great that your husband said to keep the same budget!! How exciting!! Ive checked out alot of the Delux's to try to figure out where would be the best, and found that the Beach Club, has everything we want. From the decor, to the huge swimming pool, to the resturaunts, plus it's so close to the boardwalk, and walking distance to Epcot, and MGM. We had stayed at the Contemporary before, and it was wonderful, but have decided since the kids were older and a little more independent that we this would be just perfect for all of us. All the deluxs I heard are wonderful. I've also heard great things about the AKL!! Good luck where ever you decide!!! And let me know!!!

Donna

 

[alyssa810]

We loved our stay at WL last fall; when we decided to stay at a deluxe, we looked over all our options and although GF had been my first choice, when you start with the best, it's hard to go anywhere else. We had gone resort hopping last January when we visited Universal and we checked out WL, GF, YC and BC, and Boardwalk; we had walked through the poly a few trips ago, and decided we didn't really want to stay at the Contemporary...anyway, we really liked them all a lot but decided WL would be a good place to start; it was also the most affordable. We thought the CMs were great, the pool was awesome- we had a courtyard view- and we really enjoyed it. Our only complaint was that we didn't like the buses. We've since decided to get a car, and hopefully that will work out better.
We're off to AKL on Thursday, and we've seen lots of good reviews, and we watched the segment on the Travel Channel so it should be fun.
I'm sure whereever you stay will be a wonderful trip!

 

[Tracie]

When I hopped over to WL last year I really loved it and I do want to stay there, but I have heard alot of bad reports of the bus service and since we never rent a car I don't know if we should try it at peak season. Is the bus service really that bad because of the campgrounds?

 

[JohnTBap]

I love the Polynesian. No matter what you decide, you'll have a GREAT TIME!

 

[Gillian]

IF you're deciding between YC & BC, consider if a balcony will be important to you. Many of the BC rooms only have a tiny balcony that's only large enough for standing. No furniture. Almost all of the YC rooms have normal ones with 2 chairs.

At the Polynesian, some buildings have no balcony on the second floor.

We enjoy have a quiet place to unwind & talk while our 2 year old falls asleep.

 

[Tracie]

Hi CGirl,
I was thinking the same thing about the BC, my DS are 10 & 12 and love the pool as much as the parks, so SB seems to be right up their alley, and i would love to use the kids club so DH and I could go to Jellyrolls, but not be too far away from the kids. The first time I walked out of IG and saw the BC I thought I have to stay there someday, but I am finding it hard to choose, now that I can stay at a deluxe!! Have you looked at the BWI? That and the AKL are the 2 that I have not visited. Dh and I will be celebrating our 20th Anniversary this trip and I really want him to have a great time since he is not a disney lover and has only been on 2 of our 7 trips (both offsite), so got to show him that onsite is worth every penny.

thanks for the help and I will be sure to let you know what we decide

Tracie

 

[Tracie]

When I hopped over to WL last year I really loved it and I do want to stay there, but I have heard alot of bad reports of the bus service and since we never rent a car I don't know if we should try it at peak season. Is the bus service really that bad because of the campgrounds?

 

[Epcotgal8]

Tracie, first of all, would you like some new friends?? (Hand in air) Just joking but it was VERY generous of you and your dh to offer to treat your friends to a trip to WDW. The only deluxe resorts we have stayed at on property are the Wilderness Lodge and the Beach Club. Both are wonderful as I do believe all the deluxes are. We had heard of the transportation complaints at WL but never had a problem. You can't beat the location of the BC and the ease of getting to Epcot and MGM. Although both great, the ambience at the WL and the BC are quite different. The WL is much more laid back while the BC and surrounding area is very busy. It all depends on what you're looking for. The only disappointing thing about the BC was how crowded Stormalong Bay was while we were there. It wasn't even "peak season", it was the befinning of May but there could have been a conference being held or something making it so crowded that we didn't know about. SBay was uncrowded when we left in the mornings but by 11:00 it was packed and stayed that way until closing. Still a beautiful place but the kids had long waits on the slide and it was hard to find any lawn chairs not previously "staked out." That being said, it is a wonderful resort and no matter where you stay rent one of the surrey bikes on the BW. Lots of fun!

 

[ContemporaryGirl]

Tracie,

My kids are just about the same age, and we also had the same idea about getting out for a little bit, but not being to far from them. My husband is the same way about Disney. I did check out the Board Walk INN, but just decided that the decor and the pool, at the Beach Club were just more our style. I think the pool at the BW had kind of a Carnival theme to it. I thought it might be a little to much for DH and my DS!! But it's all up to the individual!!! And I have heard very good things about the BW. If you want to check out alot of picutres and info go to www.DisneyWorld.com, then click onto Resorts. There pick the resort your intrested in, and the even have a virtual tour through the rooms, lobbys, pool areas. etc.......pretty neat! We will also be there in June!! Let me know if that website, and those pictures help you.

Keep me posted!!
Donna

 

[Mackey Mouse]

I think the first thought I would have is which side do you want to stay on.. the MK side or the Epcot side.. we prefer the Epcot side and love walking into Epcot through the International Gateway....also we like the availability of walking to MGM if we so choose....I have stayed at the Beach Club, Yacht Club, Boardwalk, Swan and Dolphin, there is a faq sheet on this board if you want to check out S/D and see if you are entitled to any of their discounts ... my least favorite was Boardwalk.. just too noisy and the room was such a far walk from anywhere... also when we stayed there, there was really no snack bar per se.. I do believe they have something at the pool, but if I had to choose I would pick any of the others over Boardwalk..

On the MK side, my favorite is the GF followed by the Poly... I think Poly is so kid friendly and I like the grounds for walking with children...probably the reason I love the GF is the decor and they do have great restaurants.. I have never had a problem staying there.

Good luck with your decision..

 

[candleonwater]

Definitely take a look at where you'll be spending most of your time (MK or EPCOT) and decide from there. I'm looking at staying in a Deluxe in November and while I LOVE Beach Club... I wanted to try a different resort, so I toyed with the idea of the Poly or Boardwalk... but keep coming back to the Beach Club.. so it's BC for us!

When it comes to the Deluxes, I don't find WL or AK to be as convenient.

 

[PamNC]

We love the Epcot Resort area, specifically the YC/BC. Stormalong Bay is wonderful. The boardwalk area is so much fun. It's perfect for us. We love walking to World Showcase - we spend a lot of time at Epcot. I will have to agree with a previous poster that you should pick your resort based on which park you plan on spending the most time, MK or Epcot.

Beach Club is our favorite!

PamNC

 

[kimmar067]

.....will you be staying at WDW??? (and let me be the first to say, how GENEROUS of you to offer to pay for your friends!!!) Would you consider a split/stay? It's not as bad as it sounds and you get to experience TWO great deluxes instead of one! We had done a split stay last July/Aug and it really wasn't that bad (CBR and WL). This way, we were fortunate enough to feel like we were on two separate vacations (one in the Carribbean and one at the great Northwest!!)

 

[doombuggy]

That is a great idea, to stay at two different places!

My mom stayed at Beach Club back in 1997 & loved it (especally since her comany paid for it, as they had their annual meeting at WDW). I have stayed at the Poly and the Contemporary & loved both.

No matter where you go, have a great time!

 

[Poorman]

Hi Tracie, You are in the position I was a couple of months ago. Someone suggested I rent some points from a DVC member and get a Villa at BWV. I did rent the points it saved me 50% and now I own there also. If you were to get a 1 BR villa in June,I figured June 21-27 for comparison,it would be about $2700.00 for the week. And you get a full kitchen,laundry,and a great location. This is for a prefered view. BCV would be about the same,if you could get them. Just a thought. Good luck,Rich

 

[DisneyMSF]

We've stayed at the BC 3 times and have always had a great time. It's one of our favorites. The location is fantastic, and your kids will love Stormalong Bay.

 

[Tracie]

WOW, you guys are great! how nice it was to come home from work to 2 pages of input, thanks to you all.
Sorry got so excited about the budget and upgrade forgot to put in the dates. June 13-18 WDW and 19-21 PBH at US/IOA
We hope that our dear friends will be able to go with us next year on the DCL.

Ok, I think we have narrowed it down. Epcot and MGM are both of my DS favorite parks, so we will be staying in the Epcot area.
I have a new wrinkle now,I saw the pictures of the 1 bedroom villas and I'm in Love!

I thought I would let you in on the budget (although it seems over the top to me after so many penny pinching trips) he is giving me $10,000 which I don't think I will come close to spending, but it sure is fun to think about.

I have thought about renting points, after reading all the post about it and after seeing the villas I'm gonna check it out.

Again thank you all for your replys and great views, keep em coming I will decide soon but I am leaning toward BCV right now.

Tracie

 

[bigsis1970]

Wow Tracie your hubby is very good !!!! does he have single 30ish brothers .. Kidding.. If had the choice i would do as many suggested and rent DVC member points and get a one or two bedroom and my picks would be YC/BC for Epcot area and Poly for MK area.. Good luck and let us all know what you have choosen Michelle

 

[Mackey Mouse]

I am not sure how long you are staying, but if it were me.. I would go for the top with a budget like that.. so I would definitely pick concierge at the YC or BC... and I would make sure I ate at all the best restaurants which I am sure the Restaurant Board could help you with..

I have split my time between the Poly and the BC.. it was great.. we had fun.. best of both worlds...as long you do not mind moving. This is exciting..