If you had no budget.....

[ms_mckenna]

The sad thing is DH and I have discussed this and this was his idea but I definately would hop along for the ride. This is very very over the top and would never happen even probably if we won the lottery but if money were never going to be an issue for us, and several generations of our family, here is what we would do.
We are going CL the whole way and staying in suites (both things we have never been able to do) with park views. One week for each park and visiting ALL of the parks minus the water parks. So 11 weeks total. If it actually happened I am sure we would come home between destinations because I cannot imagine being away from home more than a month and that might be pushing it.
1 week DL stay at Grand Californian
1 week Disney's California Adventure stay at Disneyland Hotel
5 days at Ct tower MK view
1 week at Poly MK view
9 days at BC water view
1 week AKL savannah
the rest I am not familiar enough with the hotels to say where we would stay but we would stay onsite
1 week DL HongKong
1 week DL Tokyo
1 week Disneysea
1 week WD studios Paris
1 week DL Paris
I can also honestly say I think that we would be Disneyed out for a bit when we did make it home lol.

 

[stemikger]

I would like to stay for 3 weeks at these resorts:

My first choice would be:

The Poly

The Yacht and Beach Club

Animal Kingdom Lodge

 

[fla4fun]

If it's for any length of time, I'd live there permanently.

If I were living there permanently, I would probably want a DVC grand villa, because I woud get too claustrophobic in even a suite (although I might take vacations to the deluxe resort suites, since I'd have to vacation somewhere). I'd be paying for these accommodations, of course, so I'd get daily Mousekeeping (after all, cleaning is not my idea of a fantasy). I think I would pick Boardwalk Villas, because of their location (since Epcot is my favorite park).

If you won the lottery, I wonder how long you COULD stay in a resort (other than the campground)?

 

[eliza61]

I would do 2 weeks in 2 bedroom villa at either BCV's or BWV's.
My idea of heaven.

 

[mikeesuee]

week 1 poly
week 2 2bedroom at beachclub
week3 grandvilla boardwalk

 

[Boncho]

I know some of you may laugh at me, but, I would still stay at Pop Century - but for 2 or 3 weeks this time with park hoppers for the full extent of my stay.

 

[Cee]

My DH and I actually went to WDW last Jan. and did not go to any parks. We
stayed for three nights at a studio in OKW. HEAVEN.

 

[kelscross]

If money were no object I'd do one of the long Disney Cruises followed by at least a week stay at the King Kahmehameha (sp) at the Poly.

OR: If it were really no object..I'd stay about five days at each deluxe resort in the concierge areas!

 

[WendyisDarling]

Well, if truly no budget and no time limits I could go crazy...but I am going to present more along the lines of a high budget...

LY we did a split stay 4 nights Poly LVC and AKL CL (deluxe) room. We also had the dining plan. It was a great vacation. Switching resorts after 4 nights wasn't a big deal. Almost seemed like two different vacations. That trip was in August. If I could go anytime, I would go when it is cooler. The second half of our trip was the first week of Free Dining. I know many like the program, but that first week was not so pleasant for us. IMO, the parks seemed more crowded as soon as free dining started and TS places were having a hard time getting adjusted. It may have gotten better as it got further into the promo. A bit OT, but if budget isn't a concern, I would pay for DDP.

It doesn't look like our schedule is going to allow a trip this year So, I told DH I will plan an even better trip next year . So, I'm kind of thinking the same way as the OP. I will definitely have a budget, but won't pinch pennies either.
I have a while to think... (August is always our vacation time).

Villas: I like the idea of villa space, but I like housekeeping and turndown everyday way too much. I don't need a kitchenette -- last thing I want to see on vacation is a kitchen A suite is too much for the budget.

Our trip will be definitely be concierge (I think IPO is worth the money) and I think 10 days, 9 nights. We will probably invite MIL for a couple of nights and haven't decided if we will share our room (our family is 4, so we can accomdate 5 with a daybed) or get her a separate room. We will definitely do the DDP.
So, now I'm deciding on the resort, same as OP. And trying to decide if we should do a split stay...
DH and DSs loved AKL and that is there choice for a return trip. BUT, now there won't be deluxe rooms from what I understand. So, I doubt we'll stay there. I am leaning toward passing over AKL next year, mostly because Deluxe rooms won't be available to non-DVC.
We love the Poly.
Trying to decide if we should try something new. That worries me because what if we regret the choice. But, you don't know if you will like something until you try it.
I appreciate the realistic answers for my personal planning, but really enjoy reading the "dreamer" ideas...those all sound great.
Thanks for starting this thread, OP

 

[clownfish1452]

The best suite they have at the GF for two weeks with platium dinning and fly first class.

Sarah

 

[DiznEeyore]

If I had the money to stay anywhere I wanted, it would be Polynesian Lagoon View Concierge, every time! Dh and I had two nights there last year for our 15th anniversary and it was HEAVEN!!

Now since we don't have unlimited funds, that was a one-time deal, and we feel lucky to get to stay in regular Poly garden view rooms (when we can get a discount) ... that's definitely my second choice 'cuz the grounds are so incredibly beautiful.

 

[Brian Noble]

Our annual trip is 7 nights in late February. We can't really extend it because of work/school responsibilities. So, that's the length. I would actually prefer a slightly longer trip, though. It's always so hard to fit everything in, but then that might always be true no matter how long you are there.

If there was truly no budget? A 2BR in VWL. That would cost about $4000 to rent the 350 necessary DVC points, or "only" $30,000 to lease a membership of that size.

A slightly more budget-conscious decision that would work for us: a Ft. Wilderness cabin. That's about $2300 for the same week, with a AAA discount. Minimum-cost acceptable onsite option: two Value rooms, about $1600 for the week, again with AAA discount.

 

[BrianD]

If money was no object, I'd go with about 10 nights at the GF RPC right before Christmas. Then, I would go back for another 10 nights in May and stay at the YC, Lagoon View Concierge. Or, if money was REALLY, REALLY no object, then I'd do those same two trips, but in full blown suites.

 

[Gus]

I was actually thinking about this the other day. If I won the big lottery ($100M+), I think I'd try to talk DW into buying enough DVC points to live at the BC. Think they'd cut me a volume deal?

Assuming a vacation, I agree with many, many people here: a week eack at the Poly, BC and AKL.

 

[Buttercup Roberts]

How long is easy! 10 days. Arrive on a Friday after work and leave on Sunday night.

Now, anser me the following questions and I'll tell you where:

What time of year are you going?

Who is traveling?

Do you really love eating every meal on Disney property, or would you like to get few groceries and have some things in your room?

Describe for me the most relaxing vision you can imagine of you at a Disney resort - what are you doing & what are the surroundings like?

 

[Ishy]

Two weeks in each Suite Probably starting with the ones on the monorail and working my then thru the Epcot resort areas, then on out to wilderness and animal kingdom loges finally then I may move onto OKW or SS

There used to be a webpage dedicated to just photos of disney suites...

The link I thought it should be on is full of photo's _ I dont see ones dedicated to showing off the suites at teh hotels tho.

 

[Stan's MaggieMouse]

If money and time were no object I think I would spend a 5 nights at AKL, 5 nights at GF and 5 nights at WL. I've never stayed at any of them and they all look so beautiful. Then I would have to spend several nights at one of the Universal resorts to do US, IOA and Sea World. As long as I'm "living the dream".

 

[mousefan96]

The last two times we stayed at WDW, we lucked out and stayed on the 7th floor(concierge) @ WL. OMG.....!!!!!!! The feeling alone of returning from the parks, hitting the elevator, swiping you room key to access your floor and having every child ask you what it like up there, is pricess enough. We were royalty for a week. What a trip !!!!

 

[rmjkharrisfam]

How long is easy! 10 days. Arrive on a Friday after work and leave on Sunday night.

Now, anser me the following questions and I'll tell you where:

What time of year are you going?

Who is traveling?

Do you really love eating every meal on Disney property, or would you like to get few groceries and have some things in your room?

Describe for me the most relaxing vision you can imagine of you at a Disney resort - what are you doing & what are the surroundings like?

What time of year? I've got 2 options - we just went in early May and loved it - both for the weather and the crowd level. But I've also heard that the week after Thanksgiving through the 1st week of December is a good time so we're thinking about that also.

Who is traveling - 4 of us - myself, DH, DS (7 at the time of the trip) and DD (5 at the time of the trip)

We LOVE the disney meal plan - just used it and will definetly use it again!!!!

Our vision? We want ease of getting to/from the parks, fun pools/water activities for the kids and some relaxation too. Our favorite parks are MK (kids), Epcot (me), and MGM (DH). I'm OK with AK just because I haven't spent enough time there and it's always been packed. DH likes to get up early and go, go, go. I'd like to be able to easily go back to the resort to rest and then either go back for fireworks or be able to watch them from the resort. This was my favorite thing from the last trip - watching Illuminations, slowly walking around the countries after dark, seeing everything lit up at night - it always feels so magical to me. If we could do that without the mile long line and having to wake up 2 very sleepy children to get on the bus I'd be very happy.

Is that enough?

 

[pyrxtc]

well, haven't stayed there yet but would if could.....

I would pick The Grand Floridian. it is gorgeous, close to MK, and I can only dream of staying there. maybe when my business picks up, I can take my profits and stop re-investing it and pay to stay there. I would go concierge and all out.