Help Us Choose a Disney Resort for Our Honeymoon!

[ducklite]

Sammie-

Regretfully that was not a one time problem at the GF. My DH and I had so many problems there that we left for the BW after less than 24 hours. Kristi1357 has a honeymoon horror story about the GF. There are many, many others. Yes, while I'm sure that as many or more people have had great experiences there, the sheer numbers of serious and IMHO valid complaints make me think that I'd be choosing a hotel with a better track record. I seldom if ever hear complaints about teh BWI, in fact it's generally high praise.

Of course anyone can have a bad stay anywhere, but it seems that for about 30% less you can get an equally nice room with IMHO much better service and a great location at the BWI.

Anne

 

[robinb]

Originally posted by Bride2Be0705
My FH's mom is paying. I got online today and got some prices. Here they are:

Deluxe Resort: $4149.05
Moderate: $3909.05

Lucky girl! I was in my 30's when I was married and we paid for everything ourselves .

I have never stayed at the GF, so I can't give you any advice there. Of the resorts I've stayed at I prefer:

The Polynesian for a MK resort. I love the kitsch of the place, the Volcano pool, the lobby and the rooms are spacious. You can monorail or boat to the MK and you can monorail or walk to the TTC to catch a monorail to Epcot. You can also enjoy the beach area and see the castle and the other MK resorts.

The Beach Club for an Epcot resort. The #1 thing going for this resort is Stormalong Bay. It's awesome. You can also walk or boat to Epcot and MGM. The Boardwalk is right across the lake for evening fun.

The Animal Kingdom Lodge is also a great resort. I loved being able to see the animals right outside our balcony. Plus, I think Boma's and Jiko are 2 of the best restaurants on property. The lobby is huge, but there are many intimate and out of the way places in the resort. We're staying here on our next trip.

I like Port Orleans French Quarter in the moderate category. It's very small and compact. It shares a bus with Port Orleans Riverside (the old Dixie Landings) but it stops at POFQ first so you always have a seat and you get dropped off first in case you're standing on the way back. It also has a boat to Downtown Disney.

I have stayed at both the Swan and the Dolphin. I think they are both very nice resorts, but I personally like the Disney resorts better. The grotto pool is nice, but can be a little cold in the cooler months. Like the Beach Club, you can walk/boat to Epcot and MGM. The biggest advantage to the Swan or Dolphin is the bedding. The beds are to die for! Since it's your honeymoon, that may be a consideration .

I think that you can find romance anywhere at WDW ... even *gasp* the value resorts. Nothing says romance quite like a giant can of tennis balls outside your room . Romance is what you make of it. Congratulations on your upcoming nuptials .

 

[stinkerbelle]

Originally posted by robinb

I like Port Orleans French Quarter in the moderate category. It's very small and compact. It shares a bus with Port Orleans Riverside (the old Dixie Landings) but it stops at POFQ first so you always have a seat and you get dropped off first in case you're standing on the way back. It also has a boat to Downtown Disney.

FYI - not always the case.

We stayed at POFQ last week. Sometimes we were the first picked up, sometimes we were the last. Sometimes we were the first dropped off, sometimes the last. All depends on the bus driver I think.

 

[robinb]

Originally posted by stinkerbelle
FYI - not always the case.

We stayed at POFQ last week. Sometimes we were the first picked up, sometimes we were the last. Sometimes we were the first dropped off, sometimes the last. All depends on the bus driver I think.

Yuck. That's bad news for POFQ guests. Bus Roulette.

 

[swilphil]

Bride2Be-- I would probably choose the Swan over the Dolphin for a honeymoon. We have stayed at both the Swan and Dolphin, and the Swan is smaller, quieter and probably has fewer kids. I like the Dolphin's lobby much better. The Swan's lobby is just your average hotel lobby, nothing special. Make sure you go online to AllEars and look at the rooms, etc., to make sure the S/D appeals to you. I will say that the big draw for the Swan/Dolphin is they have some great discount rates. If as part of your package, you can apply those great rates (like a AAA rate), definitely go for the Swan. You can probably upgrade to a suite for the same amt. of money you would stay at a Disney Deluxe standard room. On the other hand, if you are paying the rack rate for the Swan/Dolphin, I would probably choose the Boardwalk for around the same price. I've heard nothing but good things about the Boardwalk's concierage while Swan's concierage (club level) is a waste of money, in my opinion. I've never stayed at the Boardwalk (because of the cost) but the lobby was very impressive.

The Swan and Boardwalk are right next to each other, so you can enjoy the Boardwalk festivities and the short walk to Epcot at either. I don't want to sound contradictory because I do love the Swan/Dolphin. I'm just afraid since you are doing the land/sea package you won't get the usual price break that we Swan/Dolphin fans rave about. You might want to save your stay at the Swan/Dolphin until you are an old married woman with kids--like me.

 

[Sammie]

Originally posted by ducklite
Sammie-

Regretfully that was not a one time problem at the GF. My DH and I had so many problems there that we left for the BW after less than 24 hours. Kristi1357 has a honeymoon horror story about the GF. There are many, many others. Yes, while I'm sure that as many or more people have had great experiences there, the sheer numbers of serious and IMHO valid complaints make me think that I'd be choosing a hotel with a better track record. I seldom if ever hear complaints about teh BWI, in fact it's generally high praise.

Of course anyone can have a bad stay anywhere, but it seems that for about 30% less you can get an equally nice room with IMHO much better service and a great location at the BWI.

Anne

I understand what you are saying, and I am familar with your situation. However I take everything I read on the Internet with a grain of salt.

As to a hotel having better track record, that is the DIS track record, which in my opinion is not scientific at best.

I just know if the standard at the Grand Floridian was anything near what is protrayed here, they would be out of business and I don't see that happening.

I have read horrible reviews about all the resorts at Disney.

Interestingly, the Concierge manager of the BW Inn is now the new manager at the Grand Floridian. Maybe there has just not been enough time for the same level of service to carry over.

I just know we have been very, very pleased with our stays.

 

[lyncruiser]

Sammie,

Why do you say you take everything you read on the internet with a grain of salt? Do you think Anne is lying? If not, her criticisms are valid and need to be considered by anyone weighing an extremely expensive stay at the GF. Same thing with your good experiences. Should we take your posts with a grain of salt in considering whether to stay at GF?

 

[leighe]

Originally posted by Bride2Be0705


I think that since this is FH's first time at Disney (I was so shocked to hear that, but it's true, sad, but true), and I want him to love Disney and the World around it as much as I do. Disney World, and Florida, are a big part of who I am, and a part of my family's traditions.

This sounds a lot like me and my DH! We took our (his first, my millionth) first trip to Disney for our 1st anniversary. I was so worried that he would hate it! He loved it! We stayed at CBR that time and then went back on my spring break and stayed at AKL.

For a honeymoon I think AKL would be perfect! It is one of the most romantic places I have ever stayed. It's so nice to feel "away from it all" after a long day in the parks. However, I have also heard great things about the Swan and Dolphin - I know the Heavenly Beds are to die for! DH and I try to stay in Westin or Sheraton properties when we travel just because of the beds! And of course, the GF and Poly are spectacular too! Sorry, I'm no help!

Congratulations! You are going to have such an amazing time!

 

[Sammie]

Originally posted by lyncruiser
Sammie,

Why do you say you take everything you read on the internet with a grain of salt? Do you think Anne is lying? If not, her criticisms are valid and need to be considered by anyone weighing an extremely expensive stay at the GF. Same thing with your good experiences. Should we take your posts with a grain of salt in considering whether to stay at GF?

Sure, its my opinion. You have no way to know whether any of this is accurate.

I said I was aware of Ann's situation. I know her account is accurate. My comment had nothing to do with her comments.

I also know I have read accounts on this forum that were not accurate as I witnessed the episode first hand and what was reported here was not what happened. It was highly embellished.

It's like car reviews on the Net. I read them but I would never let it be the end all of my decision to buy a car.

I also know that in the heat of the moment things seem worse than they really are at times.

I just know that if every time someone checked into a Disney resort they got bad service they would go out of business. I don't see that happeneing. I also know that CL at the Grand Floridian is sold out alot.

I am not saying anyone is lying about their accounts. I know Anne would not. I just don't take everything I read from strangers as the complete story. There is always 2 sides to everything. We only get one side here.

I mean look at major journalists lately, half of what they have printed has not been factual.

My comment was due to the fact that someone that has never stayed at a particular resort would cancel or avoid it completely based entirely on what is read here. I think that is a bad decision.

Yes some have bad trips at Disney resorts, but many more have very good experiences. My worst trip was the BW Inn, but I would never tell someone to avoid it, as I know that others have really enjoyed it.