Help (or confuse) me in deciding which luxury resort..

[Mickeyhugger]

We've stayed at Polynesian (my favorite,) Beach Club (DH's favorite) and are now considering Wilderness Lodge and Animal Kingdom.

I know one really can't go wrong when it comes to WDW resorts. I like what I've read about AK not sharing buses w/any other resorts, we love the way we can walk to Epcot (though we have to walk farther to Futureworld, but we love World Showcase foods, and we love Beaches and Cream.) We love the Poly because of the nonstop monorail from TTC and the monorail to MK. And, though we've never stayed at WL either, I love that it has boat access and that the lodge itself is all under one roof.

Also, is it a LONG walk from Beach Club to MGM, or is it doable? I'm only asking as my 50 year-old feet do enough walking at the parks.

Thanks!

 

[madalex]

The walk from BC to MGM is about 20 minutes at a reasonable walking pace (not too fast and not too slow). Of course, if you are not up to the walk, you can always take the friendship boats.

 

[A_NY_Outlaw]

We stayed at AKL in October of 2005 for our honeymoon. While at first we were given a room with a view of the parking lot (our TA ASSURED us they wouldn't give us a room like that to newlyweds), sure enough we got one.

I asked the front desk for consideration, and even though we had to pay for it (the upgrade), they gave us one of the best rooms overlooking the savannah. I was impressed thoroughly.

I'm considering AKL on our return trip next October.

The only downside of AKL is that it can be a long bus shuttle ride to the parks like MK and Epcot, escpecially coming home from all day of going.

 

[JohnnyB2]

You are right about Disney's resorts,and there is a resort for everyones tastes.I like the Epcot resort area the best because after you come back from what ever park or? It is so nice to just walk to Epcot for fireworks,food,and drinks.Maybe eat on the Boardwalk and stroll over for the fireworks.Good Luck on your pick.

 

[J.J.]

We can't get enough of the animals at AKL. We just love that resort. I am sure someday we will try WL, but for now we are stuck on AKL.

JJ

 

[Mickeyhugger]

I love reading everyone's experiences with the different resorts. See, we're torn between really enjoying what we already know (Poly and BC,) or trying a new resort each time. I've even thought of Boardwalk too.

We had some friends who had a savannah view when they stayed at AKL, but he said they hardly ever saw them, as they always seemed to sleep. (I don't know what the weather was like, or how big their view was.) Yet, I've read so many great things about AKL. I'm just concerned that the buses wouldn't be as convenient as the monorail or walking, but, the animal views might be enough to keep us there!

I still love reading DISers experiences.

 

[JenniBugInPink]

We just got back from a week at AKL (our first trip to WDW ever) and I don't know if I can bring myself to ever stay anywhere else. I loved seeing the animals from our room every morning. I loved breakfast at Boma in the mornings when we didn't go to a park early enough for 'rope drop'. I loved our suppers at Boma AND Jiko. I loved the lobby, the whole atmosphere. The CMs were superb, and the rooms were lovely. I loved everything about it. I can't recommend it highly enough. Of course, I can't compare it to anything else, but we had a near perfect trip, and after waiting 49 years for it, I'm so happy!

I have an autoimmune connective tissue disease, and walking is a HUGE issue for me, but I managed on my very own feet with my very own bad hips for 5 1/2 days out of 7 (then used a scooter for Epcot), so I'm pretty pleased and proud. I will say, though, that it seemed like our bus stop was usually at or near the end of the row, and our bus was not quite as frequent as some of the others. However, it was certainly not a huge issue, and was workable. Seeing zebras and kudu a few yards away from our balcony, and having Boma and Jiko right downstairs made up for everything else!

 

[A_NY_Outlaw]

I love reading everyone's experiences with the different resorts. See, we're torn between really enjoying what we already know (Poly and BC,) or trying a new resort each time. I've even thought of Boardwalk too.

We had some friends who had a savannah view when they stayed at AKL, but he said they hardly ever saw them, as they always seemed to sleep. (I don't know what the weather was like, or how big their view was.) Yet, I've read so many great things about AKL. I'm just concerned that the buses wouldn't be as convenient as the monorail or walking, but, the animal views might be enough to keep us there!

I still love reading DISers experiences.

Our savannah room seemed to be a dud at first, but usually the animals were closest when we would return late at night from the parks. Most nights, the giraffe would be laying down right outside our balcony. In the mornings, we could sit on our balcony and watch the other animals walking back and forth while we had our coffee. As for the buses, the bus stop seems like a ways from the lobby, especially if you are tired of walking. But it's really not that bad. I think the only issue we had with a bus was getting one from DTD after dinner one night back to the resort.

 

[cristbaby]

Depending on whether you have little children or not. With children I would say Animal Kingdom. Without children I'd say Beach Club.