I am sure it has been asked before..Best Property at Disney??

[Allensfan]

I am certain someone before me has asked this....but I am so torn on which hotel to pick. I have only stayed at AKL and we loved it.

What is the best hotel to pick? Here is where my head is:

AKL: Wonderful, but given the only hotel we have ever tried, want to try something new. Room was very nice, lobby was beautiful, and the pool was really nice and large.

GF: Walked in lobby and went to V&A, looked beautiful but we are traveling with an 8 year old..did not think he would be excited about it

Poly: Looks fun with the theme (we are parrot heads), small pool worries me and I have heard it can be a bit shabby from the years of wear and tear. Love the speed boat idea

WL: Looks a bit like the AKL, how is transportation and the pool...can't really tell from the pictures how it is and how rustic it is

Contemp: Looks very sterile to me. Not one of the ones I am leaning towards..unless everyone here is crazy about it

I think these are all the ones we are considering. Twist my arm if need be...but can you help me decide???

We love to swim and we like to be well cared for at a resort. We spend a good bit of time in our room too so the quality of the room matters to us. We must have a balcony!

Thanks in advance

 

[hmp2z]

If you like to swim and have a child, you might want to consider the Yacht Club & Beach Club - Beach Club seems to be louder & more child-oriented. They both have access to Stormalong Bay pool, and they also are within walking distance of both Epcot & MGM.

Cheers!
Heather W

 

[antmaril]

Have you considered an Epcot Resort? We love being able to walk over to Epcot and MGM (or take the boat).

We like the Boardwalk Inn. Yacht Club and Beach Club are both beautiful too. Your 8 year old would probably love the pool at YC/BC.

 

[ploto]

I would give contemporary a try. Many peolpe it is old and dated but its really not. All of the rooms have just been renovated and are now VERY nice. The unofficial guide 07 says they are some of the nicest rooms in WDW. By the time the renovations are done the place is going to be like brand new. The monorail stops on the 4th floor so you cant beat that and it is a short walk to the magic kingdom. The views from the rooms are amazing!!! You will either have a view of bay lake or the MK. I have had both views and they are great. If money is not a problem then get a MK view, something about seeing the castle all the time from your room is so magicial. also you can see the fireworks from your room and see the lagoon in the distance. The contemporary is truely amazing and i hope you will reconsider it.

 

[spiceycat]

from your list either Polyn or WL - both are nice.

I like the CR but it is not for everyone. It has a pool with a slide - but that is it just a pool with a slide.

both Polyn and WL has a theme pool.

WL starts in the lobby and goes down - it is definitely cute.

Polyn is a volanco that goes off.

 

[TJA]

Hope I can help a bit -- we've stayed in many of the WDW resorts.

WL -- comparable to AKL, yes. Same architect, I believe. Very large fire place in lobby with rocking chairs all around the resort. The resort gives me a feeling of being in the mountains, very beautiful grounds and nice pool, has a boat to MK and bus transportation also. Fine dining restaurant (Artist Point), fun family style restaurant (Whispering Canyon), and also a fast-food place.

Poly -- hawaiin theme and a relaxing resort, main pool can probably get somewhat full if you go during peak season -- we normally go during value or regular season and we've never had a problem with the pool being too full, love the restaurants there (Ohana dinner is great food and fun for the kids, Kona is good food too, fast-food newly refurbished and has good food). The rooms are all newly renovated and modern with flat screen plasma TV's and standard rooms are some of the largest in Disney -- I believe CR has the largest standard rooms with Poly being a close 2nd. Great transportation with monorail directly to both MK and Epcot.

CR -- we personally love this resort -- especially if you can swing a tower room (you can watch Wishes from your balcony), there is a walking path to MK, main pool is fun, has another small round pool near the lake, great restaurants there -- Chef Mickeys is a very fun character meal and California Grill is fine dining at the top of the resort, monorail to Epcot and MK, though you can easily walk to MK, many people think this resort is too much like a convention hotel -- we used to feel that way too until we stayed there and now we love it. However, in terms of "beauty," it is not at the top of the list. I think CR is more "magical" in that it's located right next to MK.

Let me add these resorts to the mix because the Epcot resort area is very stunning and has a lot to offer:

BC/YC/BWI -- Epcot resorts, wonderful area to stay, can walk or boat to both Epcot and MGM (5 minute walk between BC and Epcot), 5-minute walk between the boardwalk and YC/BC, unlimited restaurants within walking distance, rent surrey bikes, ESPN Club on boardwalk, carnival-type entertainment, magicians, etc., on boardwalk, lots of ice cream/candy/baked goods. GREAT pool at YC/BC, sandy bottom section with lots of sand for the kids. Disadvantage at BC is not all rooms have full balconies. We have always requested one and received it, though. YC has mainly all full balconies, I believe. BWI has a different pool but is still very fun. However, YC/BC probably has the best pool in WDW.

 

[kelscross]

You're gonna get lots of answers for different reasons, however we personally love the Poly. The theming is like a vacation in itself and it's proximity and transportation to the MK (which is our main park with and 5 and 6 year old) can't be beat. We've never encountered the pool to be so crowded that you couldn't swim.

 

[Cool-Beans]

I am certain someone before me has asked this....but I am so torn on which hotel to pick. I have only stayed at AKL and we loved it.

What is the best hotel to pick? Here is where my head is:

AKL: Wonderful, but given the only hotel we have ever tried, want to try something new. Room was very nice, lobby was beautiful, and the pool was really nice and large.

I like AKL a lot, too. One of my favorites. But you want to move on - Been there, done that. Right?

GF: Walked in lobby and went to V&A, looked beautiful but we are traveling with an 8 year old..did not think he would be excited about it

I don't think he would, either. He'd probably like the Contemporary a lot more, if he's anything like my boys.

Poly: Looks fun with the theme (we are parrot heads), small pool worries me and I have heard it can be a bit shabby from the years of wear and tear. Love the speed boat idea

They need another big pool there, that's for sure. But it isn't in bad shape at all. Just gets crowded. If you want parrothead-type music, though, you'll find that over at Old Key West. Not the man himself, but it's still good. The Poly has polynesian music playing everywhere - you can even hear it under the water in the big pool for most of the day!

WL: Looks a bit like the AKL, how is transportation and the pool...can't really tell from the pictures how it is and how rustic it is

VERY similar hotel. Different theme. I like it a whole bunch. If you don't stay there, try to schedule a lunch or dinner at Whispering Canyon Cafe (fun) and then go out back to watch the geyser go off.

Contemp: Looks very sterile to me. Not one of the ones I am leaning towards..unless everyone here is crazy about it

I despise the Contemporary for so many reasons, but many people enjoy it...and it was my boys' favorite, hands down.

We spend a good bit of time in our room too so the quality of the room matters to us. We must have a balcony!

Take your balcony request up with Disney, lol. Poly has nice, big, newly refurbished rooms and even the garden rooms have pretty views. Plus, you get the monorail and you can't beat that for getting to the Magic Kingdom!!! My favorite hotels are Poly, AKL, and Beach Club (not in that order.) So, from your list (and especially since you want the big rooms and aren't all that jazzed about GF or CR), I'd pick the Poly.

I always say the "best" hotel is the one you love. That said, I've found AKL and Grand Floridian to have the best service (except valet - Beach Club still gets the blue ribbon there!). Just pick the theme you like, don't set your expectations too high, and you'll be happy.

 

[Allensfan]

I just LOVE that you all took the time to respond to me!!

I have never seen the pool at the YC, pictures anyone?? I went to that hotel when my son did the pirate cruise and it was very pretty but not very "Disney"...but very nice. I did not see the pool.

I guess I have always wanted to stay at the Poly, it is a lot of money...which I don't mind...I just want it to be worth it. I think you are paying for location more than anything with that hotel. The theming is nice, but no nicer from what I can tell than AKL or WL.

WL looks nice...can't tell much about that pool either...we are not "lodge" people per se, but I am sure we would enjoy it.

I will consider CR, I have been to CG before ad CM...hated CM and thought CG was nice, but I liked other rest. better. Just my humble opinion. But I should look at the room before I decide because they may not be as sterile as I am thinking they are.

 

[Allensfan]

You know what would be fun...to get to have a tour of all the properties you were interested in. I would sign up for that for sure. That way I would not have to bug you guys!!

 

[eliza61]

I just LOVE that you all took the time to respond to me!!

I have never seen the pool at the YC, pictures anyone?? I went to that hotel when my son did the pirate cruise and it was very pretty but not very "Disney"...but very nice. I did not see the pool.

I guess I have always wanted to stay at the Poly, it is a lot of money...which I don't mind...I just want it to be worth it. I think you are paying for location more than anything with that hotel. The theming is nice, but no nicer from what I can tell than AKL or WL.

WL looks nice...can't tell much about that pool either...we are not "lodge" people per se, but I am sure we would enjoy it.

I will consider CR, I have been to CG before ad CM...hated CM and thought CG was nice, but I liked other rest. better. Just my humble opinion. But I should look at the room before I decide because they may not be as sterile as I am thinking they are.

Stromalong bay is the pool for the YC. Not sure what you mean about being very "Disney". Many folks feel the values are the best resort for the "disney" feel because of the big characters outside. So that's pretty subjective. We love WL, the main pool has a nice slide and when we were there in August, the cm's organized games for the kids (volleyball and marco polo)

 

[Allensfan]

Stromalong bay is the pool for the YC. Not sure what you mean about being very "Disney". Many folks feel the values are the best resort for the "disney" feel because of the big characters outside. So that's pretty subjective. We love WL, the main pool has a nice slide and when we were there in August, the cm's organized games for the kids (volleyball and marco polo)

What I meant by "very disney" is that at the YC, it was very pretty but more themed for adults. I found it elegant, the kind of place I think my in-laws would enjoy...but I did not know if my 8 year old would be jazzed about it. But it was pretty. I finally found some pics of Storm along Bay and it was okay.

I am going to look into WL and Poly...unless something comes along to really sway me, I think these too seem to fit us the best. Now I have to find pictures of these properties. You guys have been so helpful...keep the advice coming.

 

[TJA]

I just LOVE that you all took the time to respond to me!!

I have never seen the pool at the YC, pictures anyone?? I went to that hotel when my son did the pirate cruise and it was very pretty but not very "Disney"...but very nice. I did not see the pool.

I guess I have always wanted to stay at the Poly, it is a lot of money...which I don't mind...I just want it to be worth it. I think you are paying for location more than anything with that hotel. The theming is nice, but no nicer from what I can tell than AKL or WL.

WL looks nice...can't tell much about that pool either...we are not "lodge" people per se, but I am sure we would enjoy it.

I will consider CR, I have been to CG before ad CM...hated CM and thought CG was nice, but I liked other rest. better. Just my humble opinion. But I should look at the room before I decide because they may not be as sterile as I am thinking they are.

Yes, I agree the theming at Poly is as nice as the theming at AKL and WL. And yes, also agreed you are paying for location and convenience. However, one difference is the room size and Poly has much larger rooms than AKL and WL, if that matters to you.

YC and BC share the same pool. But don't worry, the pool area is VERY large. It's not just a standard pool -- one entire section is for the younger kids with sand on the bottom and mounds of sand to play in. I will attach pictures for you from our trip last month. As far as resorts, YC and BC are very similar except BC is perhaps a little more "busy" with the character breakfast and the lobby tends to be full of families and kids. YC seems quieter and a bit more formal.

As far as feeling "Disney," well, there was a thread about this a little while ago and I guess it depends on what your definiation of Disney is. To me, Disney means Magic Kingdom and therefore the monorail resorts seem the most Disney to me. However, BC is our favorite resort and area to stay in.

Here are some pictures of BC/YC pool area -- just the sandy pool part as we have young children:

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s79/tjaphotos/100_0374.jpg

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s79/tjaphotos/100_0315.jpg

 

[swilphil]

Go for Beach Club or Poly. The Poly rooms have been renovated recently. Go to allearsnet.com to see pictures.

 

[MainStreetFireman]

POLY: all 1st floor rooms have patios, some have direct access to other parts of grounds (eg, beach, pool, garden), some are closed-in by foliage; all 3rd floor rooms have balconies...many 2nd floor rooms do NOT have balconies.

BC: many rooms have walk-out balconies only (only enough room for 1 person to stand there). YC is better if a balcony is important to you, all rooms above ground-level have full balconies (which I think is the same case at the WL).

You can always request a balcony, but one cannot be guaranteed. We have always requested balcony or patio and have gotten patio and have enjoyed it much.

Good luck deciding.

 

[Buzz2001]

Poly or Y&BC

 

[Doc CW]

GF it was the perfect place for our family, the monorail made it easy for my baby-sister so we didnt have to collapse her stroller, the food was really good plus it was open 24/7, the hotel has an extremely good atmosphere and my baby-sister loved it so its the best for our family and favorite.

 

[jennapens]

I haven't stayed in all the hotels you suggested, but I can comment on the two I've stayed in - Contemporary and Wilderness Lodge.

I like the Contemporary. I like the convenience to Magic Kingdom and the fact that it's on the monorail.

But by far, the WL is my favorite hotel on the property. We are going in Sept and we wanted to stay there, but we're staying at a Value because of monetary constraints (new job, baby on the way, etc, etc, etc). I absolutely love the feel of the WL. The pool is nice, and I think a child would really enjoy it there. THe only problem I've ever had there was the transportation can be a bit slow sometimes. We have always gone in the off-season, so that may be why.

Personally, I don't like the GF. I've never stayed there, and honestly I probably never will. I don't know but it just seems to fancy for my taste.

Good luck!