Help Needed in Deciding on Resort

[bravokid]

I have used this forum many times ; however, this is my first post. I am a regular Disney visitor, but we usually stay in a Downtown Disney hotel. Also, we have stayed at Gaylord Palms in the last couple of years. Anyway, I have worked out several deals for a trip this December . We will be at Disney for 4 days and 5 nights. We will use park hoppers. All prices I list are confirmed. Which would you choose for a family of four including children 17 and 16 ?

Pop Century - 1209
Coronado - 1463
Swan or Dolphin - 1771
Wildeness Lodge - 2150

These prices include 4 day hopper with expiration. Any advice/ cooments will be appreciated .

 

[MagneticxBoy]

I would pick a Moderate price resort like Coronado!

Im debating what I want to do for me and my bf's trip next summer.. were either going to stay at POP or stay at POR...

I know I love POR and I know i never really liked the value resorts (personally)
but im 19 so ofcourse I need to save as much as possible.. I think for us its going to come down to how much our air fare will be..

 

[blueangel]

Well, If you are used to the Palms I wouldn't suggest the Pop! Seriously, though,for the 250ish dollars, the Corondado Springs is worth the upgrade from Pop, at least. They have an awesome pool area. The Swan and Dolphin are excellent hotels, and really convenient to MGM and Epcot, which would be nice since your kids are older, but keep in mind they only have full size beds, whereas the WL, being a Disney deluxe, should have queen size beds, but that's a whole lot more money. The S/D also just don't feel as Disney as the WL, to me. But I felt that way about Corondo Springs, too... The WL is beautiful, but it is harder to get around from there than the S/D. I guess it depends what kind of experience you are after!

Sorry if that didn't help at all... I guess if it were me I'd go S/D, but I was an only child who adored EPCOT as a teen.

 

[DisneyBeach]

My vote would be WL...simply because we loved our stay at his resort during our last visit. Great atmosphere and boat access to MK. That said, with a 16 and 17 year old you may consider Swan/Dolphin as you might end up spending less time at MK and more at EPCOT. If that is the case, Swan/Dolphin would be your place to stay.

 

[Ladyhawke10]

I'd vote for the Swan or Dolphin.

Primarily for the location...both deluxe resorts are close to MGM and Epcot. Your teenage children might love being close to these parks, and you get the boat transportation if you want, which is great fun. Also, you are next to the Boardwalk which offers a lot of great shops, eateries and fun stuff like surry bikes and water sprites. At the Swan and Dolphin, the pool area is fantastic and there are paddle boats and a lot of dining options in both hotels (plus you are in walking distance to Epcot, the Boardwalk, and the Beach and Yacht Club, which offer a great deal more choices!). In December, the Christmas decorations will be up so it would be great to walk around all the Epcot resorts and see all the beautiful decorations. In the Dolphin, there is a HUGE tree and both resorts are just decked out beautifully. There is also a huge tree just outside of MGM when you exit the boat dock.

I love the WL also but I'm thinking for the ages of your children, they'd probably want to be closer to MGM and Epcot rather than the MK. Also, the pool is on the small side at WL and might be crowded--if your kids are into a deluxe pool experience the Swan and Dolphin's pool area is great and usually less crowded. The WL offers great theming and is a boat ride away from MK, but it's all in what you're looking for. I think the fact that the Swan and Dolphin are actually cheaper, it's just a better option all around.

The moderates, of course, do not have the amenities of the deluxe resorts, the most important being location and transportation issues. I've stayed in moderate resorts on two occasions and just think it's worth it to spend more to be in the middle of all the action than take the buses from the moderates and be further out.

 

[melanie18]

There's not much of a $$ difference between POP & CSR, so I'd go for CSR.

 

[Prissymouse]

The Swan and Dolphin...

They upgraded their beds last year, have kings if you want, or two queens. They are the most comfortable beds in all of Disney.

The location is so much better than any of the moderates.

I did however, have "service" issues the last time we stayed. Even so, for your needs, this is the hotel I would recommend.

 

[speakupjc]

WL - It is a great resort with all of the Disney Amenities and you can take a boat to the MK.

 

[Princess Mindy]

if you're looking for Disney magic, I'd say go for WL. I've seen pics of this resort inside and out and most people who have stayed there rave about it.
My next choice would be CSR because of price, but if you're sharing a room with 2 teenagers it will get cramped as the rooms are not as big as deluxes.
Swan/Dolphin may be a good middle ground but if you wanted DME or dining plan, this is not part of the deal. Besides, I believe staying at S/D would be about the same experience as the DTD hotels.
Do not go with the value unless you get 2 rooms. The rooms are just too small for 4, especially 4 grown (well almost) people.

 

[jiminy1]

I can't rave enough about CSR. The pools are great, the staff was friendly (upgraded us to a water view for no additional charge), and the resort was lively yet quiet. The "feel" to the resort seems to be great for teenagers--not as "kid-like" as Pop. The one thing lacking is that the only transportation they have from the resort is by bus--but, then again, it's that way at many resorts, including the Pop. If at all possible, spring the extra $250 for the CSR--it's definitely worth it!

 

[Rella Bella]

CSR or WL. They both have great pools. WL has more magic/other-worldly-ness, the option to ride the boat, and Wispering Canyon Cafe... reputed to be excellent. But they're both great places.
I think you'd find the rooms at Pop too small for esentially 4 adults.
And although I agree the "Heavenly Beds" at the S & D are THE BEST. Those Hotels are HUGE!!! It's a hike just to get down stairs. And you're 'in a hotel'. Personally, I'd rather "walk" at the park, and stay where the magic is!

 

[jtdl]

I think you would find Pop way too crowded with the four of you. We stayed there with 2 adults, DD13 and DS3 and found it too close for comfort and vowed never again stay in a value unless it were just DH and I (which'll never happen)!

 

[Tinkbellfan]

I'd vote for the Swan or Dolphin.

Primarily for the location...both deluxe resorts are close to MGM and Epcot. Your teenage children might love being close to these parks, and you get the boat transportation if you want, which is great fun. Also, you are next to the Boardwalk which offers a lot of great shops, eateries and fun stuff like surry bikes and water sprites. At the Swan and Dolphin, the pool area is fantastic and there are paddle boats and a lot of dining options in both hotels (plus you are in walking distance to Epcot, the Boardwalk, and the Beach and Yacht Club, which offer a great deal more choices!). In December, the Christmas decorations will be up so it would be great to walk around all the Epcot resorts and see all the beautiful decorations. In the Dolphin, there is a HUGE tree and both resorts are just decked out beautifully. There is also a huge tree just outside of MGM when you exit the boat dock.

I love the WL also but I'm thinking for the ages of your children, they'd probably want to be closer to MGM and Epcot rather than the MK. Also, the pool is on the small side at WL and might be crowded--if your kids are into a deluxe pool experience the Swan and Dolphin's pool area is great and usually less crowded. The WL offers great theming and is a boat ride away from MK, but it's all in what you're looking for. I think the fact that the Swan and Dolphin are actually cheaper, it's just a better option all around.

Ditto Ladyhawke10 - S&D would be a better fit for teenagers than WL or POP. Location can't be beat, dinning options galore, walk to two parks!

 

[Demon Llama]

I stayed on resort for the first time last month for 4 nights at the CSR and it was GREAT. I wouldn't hesitate to stay there again or to recommend it to someone else. We also visited a couple of the deluxes and the S/D. For us, it just wouldn't have been worth it to stay at any of those because we were rarely at the resort except to sleep or wind down.

So....the small jump in price from POP to CSR is TOTALLY worth it. S/D I'd imagine doesn't have that "Disney Magic" feel to it, and WL wouldn't be worth the price jump either, especially if you'll be out and about all day.