Location + X factor

[tinkertaylor05]

Hi all,

Thought this is the best place to post, we'll be wdw first timers in oct 13 I've booked us at ssr as just needed to get something in, now I'm looking at our trip in more detail I'm thinking about what other options we have.

A bit about us .... The party will include myself, my 8yo dd and my mum,I don't drive so will be relying on wdw transport/cabs but would like to minimise time spent on buses if that's possible, we're staying 7nts onsite concentrating purely on wdw, we're big walkers so would be nice if there's any resorts we can walk to, we love Disney but quality is often more important to us than theming if that makes sense.

So please my lovely dis boarders tell me what resorts in your opinions have the location and x factor for a family like ours and if you will why?

Thanks for any input

 

[TheRustyScupper]

would be nice if there's any resorts we can walk to
. . . you can walk to OKW over the bridge
. . . you can also walk to DTD

quality is often more important to us than theming if that makes sense
. . . good
. . . SSR is good for quality
. . . but, poor for theming
. . . it looks like a grouping of Holiday Inn buildings
. . . other than color the only difference is the roof cupolas

So please my lovely dis boarders tell me what resorts in your opinions have the location and x factor for a family like ours and if you will why?
. . . for the x-factor, try OKW
. . . it has the best theming due to building designs
. . . of course, AKV has the animals

 

[tinkertaylor05]

Thanks for the info, getting over to DTD was the main factor with ssr. My primary concern is potential time spent on buses

My heads been turned with 4 resorts SSR, AKL (as you pointed out they have animals ), WL and YC ... All very different I know!

 

[jrtoastyman]

I have not stayed at SSR yet, so I can't comment upon that property specifically, but I can tell you that from a location standpoint, it's not really close to any of the parks, and I've heard people allude to the bus situation there being less than ideal. If your primary goals are to be close to the things that you're doing and minimize your time on the buses, SSR doesn't really check either of those boxes.

Regarding walking to the parks, you'll want to look at the EPCOT resorts -- Boardwalk, Yacht Club, Beach Club, Swan/Dolphin -- and you can also walk to MK from the Contemporary. If you're at an EPCOT resort, you can also walk to HS, which is nice.

That said, you will be doing PLENTY of walking, and you might be overestimating the need to get more in than you otherwise would. I've seen estimates that the average Disney guest walks up to 9 miles a day.

Based upon what you're telling us, I'd suggest you take a good hard look at the Swan/Dolphin. They are both in the EPCOT area and will allow you to walk (or take a boat) to EPCOT or HS. Also, they are Starwood properties (they are basically Westins), not Disney -- there is not a lot of theming, but the room quality is high by Disney standards and the beds are definitely the most comfortable on property. The rooms at most Disney hotels are generally nothing special is you strip away the theme, whereas the Swan (and I presume the Dolphin) rooms are actually nice. Moreover, you'll be close to most of the best restaurants in WDW between the EPCOT hotels and the World Showcase.

There is a catch: no Magical Express at Swan/Dolphin, and there are a few other differences between them and regular Disney hotels in terms of what you can and cannot do, so definitely look into that before you pull the trigger to see if any of them are deal breakers. Based on your wants, though, I would think it would be a good fit.

 

[mmmears]

SSR, AKL, WL, and YC...

Yes, they are all very different. I haven't tried SSR (just doesn't appeal to me) so I can't fairly comment on the pros/cons. But I'm splitting my upcoming trip between the AKL and the YC and have stayed at both several times, and I have visited and would like to try the WL someday.

YC -- the best (IMO) if you like to walk to the parks, since you can walk (or take a boat) to both Epcot and DHS. So that only leaves AK and MK that you would bus to (although you can walk through Epcot and catch the monorail to the TTC to the MK -- it's fun but time consuming). YC has the largest rooms of the 3 resorts you are asking about, the best pool, and lots of dining options within walking distance (between the BW and WS at Epcot). It's a great resort, to!

AKL -- really amazing resort if you like animals. Less expensive since you do need to take a bus everywhere, but it doesn't share a bus like all the other resorts do so it's not so bad. Very unique, amazing theme, lots of activities for kids (where they actually learn about the animals), just stunning. Nice pool and you can walk to Kidani and use their pool and water play area as well. Good restaurants there, too. The rooms are nice, but smaller than the ones at the YC. Because of the location, we often split a stay here with a resort that is more centrally located -- but it's an amazing resort.

WL -- beautiful resort on the lake. Smaller rooms, nice pool but nothing out of the ordinary. Can't really walk anywhere, but they have a nice boat that takes you to the MK. Since it's on the lake, you can rent boats if you want to. (YC also has rentals, but it's a much smaller lake).

Have you looked at the resort photos? Sometimes that really helps people decide which one is the best for them. But simply in terms of wanting a resort that lets you walk to the parks, YC is the best for that one.

Hope this helps!

 

[tinkertaylor05]

Thanks both you've given me just the kind of things I was looking for, now to get researching some more

 

[cannonboys]

I love checking out youtube.com and searching a specific resort. There are great videos people have taken of properties. It gives you great insight from someone vacationing at the resort from their perspective and children's as well.

 

[hannaconda]

Well since I have stayed at SSR and actually like it I will comment. It is a large resort. I beleive it is themed after someplace in Upstate NY or that area not sure but I sure someone will gladly correct me since they seem to do that quite often. I like OKW. It has a sorta Key West island style fill to it. Never had a problem with the bussess at either one. We are not that anal about getting to park at sunrise like some ppl are so I can wait that extra 10 mins if I hav to. In SSR Paddock has a new refurbed pool. I like this area as it seems to be a little quite and its only about a 5 min walk to the main pool. AK Jambo house is quite nice as well. Kinda dark but goes with the African look and feel with all the relics and animals which is what Disney wanted. Good luck and have fun with your adventure and have a magical time on yauls trip. Also remember that most of the deluxes are themed from locations so if you want diseny 24/7 then stay at a value but like you, I also like quality over theme. Just my opinion

 

[MBELSANTI]

Out of BC, BW, CR,WL and SSR we liked BC the best followed by WL. Like the previous poster said SSR is themed after I believe the horse racing place in upstate NY. It is big. When we stayed there I requested a room near the main pool and we got it. We never had an issue with the buses and I was nervous about that at first because of all the stories told. We didn't really check out the table service restaurant there as I had ADR's at other places so I cannot comment on that. We did spend time at the pool which was nice.
BC is so centrally located and so easy to walk to Epcot. We liked the small size of it compared to BW. Plus BW all the restaurants are outside. So if it's raining you have to dash around and the boardwalk is very slippery when wet. I saw a few people fall. WL has lovely theming and has a cozy feel. YOu can walk to the beach and watch the electrical pagent or take boat to MK or the other Monorail resorts, so other dining options available pretty easily. Good luck with your choice and have fun!