How would your resort rankings change if location played NO factor?

[TomicalJM]

We always hear the cliche “location, location, location,” and that seems to play heavily with people’s rankings (as well as the price points) for most of the resorts.

However, imagine that we carved each of the Disney resorts out of their piece of land and judged them in an isolated bubble. Examples: Would the Contemporary be as magical if it were just on a lake outside the MK loop? Would Animal Kingdom Lodge rise in rankings without transportation options knocking some points off of it? Are there suddenly less differences between the moderate and deluxe categories?

Just curious if any people’s feelings about a resort change if they are JUST looking at what happens on the grounds of the resort vs. what is around it.

 

[westie55]

I stayed at the Contemporary last summer and it was underwhelming. IMO AKL is Disney's most exquisite well themed resort. If it were in the location of the Contemporary, there would be no comparison.

 

[TomicalJM]

I stayed at the Contemporary last summer and it was underwhelming. IMO AKL is Disney's most exquisite well themed resort. If it were in the location of the Contemporary, there would be no comparison.

That’s kind of what I was thinking. AKL gets location put as it’s biggest negative- so always wonder how other resorts would hold up if they were plunked into that same spot.

 

[skorpie]

When we were considering a DVC resort, we originally stayed at OKW. At that time Wilderness Lodge Villas were being sold. My husband said that WLV made him feel at home and wouldn’t consider any other place to buy. We are completely happy with the theming of the resort and would be totally happy if it were plopped down anywhere at Disney. Happy to be just sitting in front of the fire places!

 

[Jacq7414]

When we were considering a DVC resort, we originally stayed at OKW. At that time Wilderness Lodge Villas were being sold. My husband said that WLV made him feel at home and wouldn’t consider any other place to buy. We are completely happy with the theming of the resort and would be totally happy if it were plopped down anywhere at Disney. Happy to be just sitting in front of the fire places!

We went to WL on our first trip to Disney as a family. Like your, husband, mine fell in love with it too. He says there’s no point going somewhere else when it’s everything he wants.

I’m really trying though. I’d love to try the beach club

 

[SleeplessInTO]

AKL would probably be my favourite. Amazing restaurants including The Mara, theming, friendly CMs, and two full bathrooms in the 1 bedroom at Kidani. Decent pools.

 

[Wild4Walt]

Best: AKL
: Poly
: YC/BC
: BWI
: POFQ
: POR
: WL/CC/BR
: GF
: OKW
: CBR
: CSR
: AOA
: POP
: ASMO
: ASMU
: All Star Sports
: CR

 

[Sarahslay]

There are some resorts that I've stayed at that have fantastic locations that I just don't enjoy. They aren't bad, just not really my style or ambiance so I choose not to stay there again (most I've stayed at more than once). Everyone has their own taste, but I really didn't enjoy GF or YC even though they both have a great location to parks I like to be close to. I've stayed at other MK and Epcot resorts and love them, but even with their location I can't get behind these for various reasons. Then there is AKL whose location I don't mind, I do like being close to AK and I love the resort itself, but some things (bells services and mousekeeping being the main ones) aren't my fav at this resort so I'll only stay there if I can get an insane discount. Location has nothing to do with that one, it's just not on the top of my list due to things that have happened on two trips in the last year while staying at this resort. Aside from that, if I feel relaxed and welcome at a resort with get great service it doesn't matter where it's located I'll choose that before any other. Case in point: All Star Movies. Had a great stay there last summer, and if I'm going to a value I know I'll go there again.

 

[bumbershoot]

I personally put NO stock in where the resorts are located.

Walkable from ONE resort (well, two with Bay Lake) isn’t useful.

The idea that AKL is sooooo far away from everything makes me laugh. (I’ve experienced the worst consistent bus service there, but get in a car and it all equalizes)

Etc.

 

[Aurora79]

GF is my favorite no matter the location, but BC would probably move to second place instead of the Poly if it was on the monorail or located where the Contemporary is.

 

[buzznina]

My rankings would not change at all. I think "location" is so over hyped/valued. Our top pick for each level
GF, POFQ, POP

 

[MarkS2112]

WL
BC pool is best
YC pool is best
AK
Poly

No moderates or value would make the list

Contemporary and GF just get high marks for the monorail so move them and not so great especially at the price.

 

[corgi_monster]

AKL, WL, and the cabins at FW would jump to the top of the list if location wasn’t a factor or if I weren’t traveling with very young children.

For me, though, locations is the most important factor even though we always rent a car. It’s such a pain to get to MK if you drive and I don’t like the stress of taking two strollers, a 3yo, and a 1yo (not to mention all our STUFF!) on a crowded bus.

 

[atkinstogram]

That’s kind of what I was thinking. AKL gets location put as it’s biggest negative- so always wonder how other resorts would hold up if they were plunked into that same spot.

For us, the "poor location" is a positive - having somewhere just a little further from the madding crowds to retreat to is a definite bonus..

And it really isn't that much further away, to my mind.

 

[kylenne]

The Poly would still be my favorite resort, I just love the theming too much, the 70s kitsch and the history of the resort. The convenience and magic of the location is the icing on the cake. OTOH I don’t think I would rate BC as highly if I couldn’t be in World Showcase in 10 minutes from my room during Food & Wine. SAB overwhelmed me, the hallways got a bit confusing/tiring, and the food options at the actual resort left something to be desired. I want to try YC or BWI next time I stay around Crescent Lake.

 

[Brett Wyman]

I feel location HEAVILY affects my love of the resorts. Put WL or AK on 7 seas lagoons and they would be my favorites. Put GF by Disney Springs and we would never visit although its one of our favorites now.

 

[stephk1981]

AKL would go to the top of our list. Both of my kids love the animals and jungle juice,but I really dislike busing to all of the parks. Due to transportation I won't stay there on trips more than a few days.
My favorite is BC, with Poly as a close second. We have stayed at YC a few times and BWI a few times as well, I don't care for either, but the location to 2 parks wins out for us over theme.

 

[Farro]

We haven't stayed yet (2021), but I love the look of Gran Destino. The dining/bar options look good too. AKL is just stunning, we haven't stayed there, but love to visit it. Probably my favorite of the "themed" hotels. And again, just on looks, Riviera looks pretty nice! FTR we've stayed at Yacht, Beach and Poly the most.

Playing the location is the same game, I will pre-preemptively state we'd like Gran Destino best.

So:
Gran Destino
Animal Kingdom Lodge
Yacht
Beach
Riviera
Boardwalk
CR
Grand Floridian
Poly

 

[loves to dive]

Interesting question and one I've never thought of. We tend to stay at Dolphin because we love Epcot and HS and spend most of our time there. Before it got so darn expensive, YC was my favorite resort on property but again, location played a key role. The only reason, other than price, we don't stay at GF is because of location. We aren't huge fans of MK (I know, don't shoot me) and it's normally a half day park for us. Having to use the monorail to get to Epcot is another minus, I'm not a fan (again I know don't shoot me). If you plopped it down near Epcot and lowered the price, I'm thinking it would be my favorite. Oddly enough, my second choice would probably be Coronado Springs. There is just something about the vibe of that place I like, I just hate having to take the bus every time we want to go to Epcot (which is every day). I haven't tried the tower there yet but the outside hallways have always also been a little bit of a turn off to me. But I love the southwestern vibe, I went to HS in Albuquerque and my heart lies in the southwest so I'm guessing that's probably why I like it.

 

[Devil13]

My top 3 without considering location:
Destino Tower
Wilderness
Boardwalk

Boardwalk and Wilderness would flip if location was a factor but Destino would still stay on top. I've ignored the horrific busses and assume I'll ride share at Destino so, in that sense I've eliminated location there anyway.