If you have a moment, help my friend and I choose a deluxe!

[JustFel]

Hello, everyone! After a few weeks of browsing around these boards, I've finally gone ahead and created an account. I just wanted to start off by saying that I really appreciate how helpful a lot of you are around these boards, and I look forward to getting to know some of you during my time here!

Anyway, to dive into the topic of this thread, my best friend and I are planning to celebrate our ten years of friendship next year around September. Due to us having not seen each other physically for a couple of years (she now lives in Portland, OR and I live in PA), we thought it would be a good idea to splurge a little and are looking at the Deluxe resort category for our 2018 stay. Neither of us have much experience with any of the Deluxe resorts, but we seem to be leaning towards either the Animal Kingdom Lodge, Beach Club, or Polynesian Village Resort. However, I should note that my friend is concerned about any potential smell that could be noticed at Animal Kingdom Lodge, so I thought it would be best to reach out to you folks!

While we will be visiting the parks on this trip, I don't think we'll be doing rope drop to park close like I am usually used to. We're looking at staying for about a week and going to the parks for 4-5 days out of that time; instead of nonstop rides, we're very much more interested in spending time together, trying some new places to eat, exploring our resort, and having some really delicious cocktails!

So, fellow Disney fans, which Deluxe would you recommend for this leisurely, celebratory trip?

(Oh, and I'm actually going to be in Disney this September (9/10-9/17) and was looking for similar dates for next year! I thought about getting an annual pass, but I'm still not sure if that's the right route to go considering the laid-back approach to the parks that will occur next year. Any thoughts on this would also be appreciated!)

 

[Shanti]

Hello, everyone! After a few weeks of browsing around these boards, I've finally gone ahead and created an account. I just wanted to start off by saying that I really appreciate how helpful a lot of you are around these boards, and I look forward to getting to know some of you during my time here!

Anyway, to dive into the topic of this thread, my best friend and I are planning to celebrate our ten years of friendship next year around September. Due to us having not seen each other physically for a couple of years (she now lives in Portland, OR and I live in PA), we thought it would be a good idea to splurge a little and are looking at the Deluxe resort category for our 2018 stay. Neither of us have much experience with any of the Deluxe resorts, but we seem to be leaning towards either the Animal Kingdom Lodge, Beach Club, or Polynesian Village Resort. However, I should note that my friend is concerned about any potential smell that could be noticed at Animal Kingdom Lodge, so I thought it would be best to reach out to you folks!

While we will be visiting the parks on this trip, I don't think we'll be doing rope drop to park close like I am usually used to. We're looking at staying for about a week and going to the parks for 4-5 days out of that time; instead of nonstop rides, we're very much more interested in spending time together, trying some new places to eat, exploring our resort, and having some really delicious cocktails!

So, fellow Disney fans, which Deluxe would you recommend for this leisurely, celebratory trip?

(Oh, and I'm actually going to be in Disney this September (9/10-9/17) and was looking for similar dates for next year! I thought about getting an annual pass, but I'm still not sure if that's the right route to go considering the laid-back approach to the parks that will occur next year. Any thoughts on this would also be appreciated!)

Animal Kingdom Lodge does not have any animal scent at all. Not even from an animal view balcony, or when you're lounging outside. It's a great place to get away from it all and relax. Good restaurants & a grown-up feel to the resort. It's very beautiful.

 

[akfan513]

I say Animal Kingdom. No smell at all. Make sure to get a Savannah View. Lots of dining choices, a great quick service (Mara), buffet (Boma), and signature (Jiko). I would suggest staying in the Jambo House verses Kidani Village. Huge pool that never feels crowded. And, nothing beats the amazingness of the lobby and theming. Truly transported to another place.

 

[MarBee]

I did not notice a smell while staying at Animal Kingdom. However, if I were you, I'd choose Beach Club. It's super close and convenient to both the Boardwalk and Epcot. With what you described that you wanted, they seem like the places you'd probably like to hang at the most.
Have a wonderful trip!

 

[JustFel]

Animal Kingdom Lodge does not have any animal smell at all. Not even from an animal view balcony, or when you're lounging outside. It's a great place to get away from it all and relax. Good restaurants & a grown-up feel to the resort. It's very beautiful.

Thank you so much for your thoughts! It's definitely been difficult to narrow our choice down, but I do really love animals and am glad to hear about how beautiful and relaxing it is. It's the only one of the three resorts we're leaning towards that I've yet to see in person!

 

[Jen4400]

The Poly is our home resort, and we love it. That being said, if I was going with a friend (or just kids-free, in general), I would probably choose Beach Club. The proximity to Epcot would be worth it! Whatever you choose, happy planning!

 

[HopperFan]

First off

I vote AKL. It's so special, so many details, so much exploring, art throughout, CMs from all over Africa, some of Disney's best dining ...and the animals. Where in this country can you enjoy animals right outside? It is an absolutely STUNNING resort and the others don't hold a candle to it. Walk in that lobby and you will be WOWed.

The only smells will be wafting throughout come from the restaurants! or they pump it in.

 

[JustFel]

I say Animal Kingdom. No smell at all. Make sure to get a Savannah View. Lots of dining choices, a great quick service (Mara), buffet (Boma), and signature (Jiko). I would suggest staying in the Jambo House verses Kidani Village. Huge pool that never feels crowded. And, nothing beats the amazingness of the lobby and theming. Truly transported to another place.

Thank you so much for taking the time to suggest this! I've heard from some people that they've had good luck seeing animals with standard view rooms, but I'll be sure to look into the price difference if AKL is the resort we go with. I also really appreciate the tips on which section to stay in - it's super helpful when I've never seen the resort!

 

[JustFel]

I did not notice a smell while staying at Animal Kingdom. However, if I were you, I'd choose Beach Club. It's super close and convenient to both the Boardwalk and Epcot. With what you described that you wanted, they seem like the places you'd probably like to hang at the most.
Have a wonderful trip!

I'll definitely be honest here and say that I have been in love with Beach Club ever since seeing it for the first time. I also am keeping in mind that if we're going to be there during the dates I'm hoping for, Food and Wine might still be going on -- which adds another plus to the Beach Club, for sure! Thank you for your reply, I really do appreciate the help and everyone's thoughts! They all seem like such great resorts and I don't really think there's a wrong choice.

 

[JustFel]

The Poly is our home resort, and we love it. That being said, if I was going with a friend (or just kids-free, in general), I would probably choose Beach Club. The proximity to Epcot would be worth it! Whatever you choose, happy planning!

Hello! Thanks so much for your reply -- if you have the time, would you mind sharing some of the things you love about the Poly? I can imagine the monorail is probably super convenient, but you're definitely right in regards to the Beach Club's Epcot proximity. I'm glad that you really love your home resort, and thanks again for sharing your thoughts!

 

[Skippyboo]

Even if you have a standard or pool view room at AKL, there are numerous viewing places to see the animals throughout the hotel.

 

[JustFel]

First off

I vote AKL. It's so special, so many details, so much exploring, art throughout, CMs from all over Africa, some of Disney's best dining ...and the animals. Where in this country can you enjoy animals right outside? It is an absolutely STUNNING resort and the others don't hold a candle to it. Walk in that lobby and you will be WOWed.

The only smells will be wafting throughout come from the restaurants! or they pump it in.

You know, honestly, I would not be surprised about them pumping in super delicious smells. Thank you very much for the kind welcome, and for your suggestion! I do wonder though - did you find transportation to be at all difficult there? It isn't as though we'd been in any real rush, but I am curious! c:

 

[Jen4400]

if you have the time, would you mind sharing some of the things you love about the Poly?

Of course! The monorail is convenient, but the biggest draw (for us) is the relaxed atmosphere and tropical theme of the Poly. If you're looking for fun drinks, Trader Sam's is a great place to go. Also, the rooms at the Poly are quite roomy.

Poly, AKL, or BC.....what a fun dilemma to have!

 

[Shanti]

Thank you so much for taking the time to suggest this! I've heard from some people that they've had good luck seeing animals with standard view rooms, but I'll be sure to look into the price difference if AKL is the resort we go with. I also really appreciate the tips on which section to stay in - it's super helpful when I've never seen the resort!

We stayed in a standard view room on the Kudu Trail, and had animals (giraffes, etc.) right outside of our balcony 24/7.

The bus service was good, too.

 

[HopperFan]

You know, honestly, I would not be surprised about them pumping in super delicious smells. Thank you very much for the kind welcome, and for your suggestion! I do wonder though - did you find transportation to be at all difficult there? It isn't as though we'd been in any real rush, but I am curious! c:

Transportation never an issue. It's right at AK, pretty close to Epcot & DHS and not a bad highway ride to MK. We found once we were on bus it was never more than 10-15 to get to MK depots. I'd spend even longer on bus to stay at the resort. It's really a plus to me that once we leave the parks we are in a quiet and exotic resort. It's like two vacations in one that we aren't always surrounded by Disney, parks and busy.

 

[CynBeth]

I would pick either Poly or BC. At the Poly you have a boat ride or monorail to the MK and a short walk to the TTC for the Epcot monorail We loved the grounds including the tiki torches at night and the electrical water pageant plus being able to view the fireworks at MK if we were back at that time. For the BC it is an easy walk or boat ride to Epcot and HS. Plus there is SAB if you enjoy pool time.

 

[mkh531]

With a friend I would choose Beach Club, you can walk to Epcot or the Boardwalk at night, or chat while floating in a lazy river. You can also sit poolside and Guillermo will bring you tasty tropical drinks

 

[Wild4Walt]

There are pros and cons to each of the hotels you have listed:

Poly - pros: proximity of MK, O'Hana's and Kona Café, ease of Monorail
cons: price - this is usually the 2nd highest priced resort ( at least in my experience when I want to stay there )

BC - pros: awesome pool, close to Epcot and BW, laid back atmosphere.
cons: it seems like there are several different room types - if you want a full balcony, make sure you let them know when you make your reservation, quick service dining is also weak at this resort ( IMO ).

AK - pros: awesome scenery, great food options
cons: furthest from most of the theme parks, resort is spread out

 

[minniegirl19]

with a friend and wanting to not be at the parks as much I would hands down choose Beach Club. The proximity to Epcot for food and wine and the boardwalk can't be beat. Having a late night at jellyrolls is a lot of fun and being able to walk there is super convenient. I just think there is more to do in that area. AKL is to secluded from everything to just hangout there a decent amount even though it is a beautiful resort I dont think its the right fit for this trip. the poly does have my favorite atmosphere and you could ride the monorail to other resorts but I still vote for beach club

 

[Eliserose]

I'd say Yacht Club. It the same proximity and pool as BC, but the rooms were redone this year. You also will have a definite balcony at YC. I just got back from my first stay there this week and it was amazing. Short walk to Epcot and the Boardwalk for cocktails. We stayed at the Poly too, rooms were way better at YC, but Trader Sam's and the monorail are nice options at the Poly too.