Okay then on-site experts - SELL ME YOUR HOTEL!

[steve_rob]

Despite having (between us) been to Orlando on over 15 occasions, neither myself or DW have ever had the pleasure of staying on-site at WDW. We've always wanted to experience it, but lack of money and the fact that we normally spend less than half our holiday actually at Disney itself, means we've always decided against it.

However, we've been saving up for a while now and we're finally going to do it - and it's going to be BIG. This might be our only chance to do this, so we're going to blow all our budget on one amazing trip!

The plan is for 2007 (still a long way off!) - four nights at an on-site hotel, four day DCL cruise, then four more nights at a different on-site hotel.

This is where you guys come in. I'm asking all the people on this board with on-site experience to "sell" me your favourite hotel - where would you recommend we stay and why?

I'll give you a little information about us and what we like in order try and help you out, but I'd like to get as many opinions as possible - I've got an open mind towards EVERYWHERE.

It'll be for just the two of us - we don't have any kids. At the moment, the budget looks like it will be for one Moderate and one Deluxe hotel (though it might stretch to two Deluxes if Dreams Unlimited can work some magic for us on the pricing!).

Epcot is our favourite park so definately one (if not both) of our stays will be in that area - I do like the idea of being able to walk to both Epcot and MGM from our hotel.

We won't be hiring a car (whereas we usually would when off-site), so somewhere that has a good variety of restaurants would be appreciated - if not in the resort itself, somewhere nearby that won't take an hours bus ride to get to and from!

I eagerly await your help in making this trip as magical as possible!

 

[rob@rar.org.uk]

My choice would be four days at the Animal Kingdom Lodge, then four days at the Boardwalk. The Boardwalk because it you can't beat its location, and you have all that wonderful entertainment literally on your doorstep. AKL because it's unlike any other hotel at WDW. I spent hours ion the balcony just chillin' and watching the giraffes and zebra: just unforgettable!

Regards

Rob

 

[Cinderella]

If it were me and i had no kids, and preferred Epcot, I would definitely say BC. I have stayed there and it is excellent - short walk to the World Showcase, great restaurants, pool, and it is so close to the boardwalk. The Boardwalk Inn would be a great choice too. I haven't stayed there - just looked round the villas but it is an excellent location. Why not hop over to the DVC rent/trade board and see if you could rent some DVC points for a studio at BCV or BWV?

 

[disneyholic family]

the wilderness lodge is the most reasonable deluxe in my experience and very picturesque.....
but you really can't go wrong choosing any WDW resort...

 

[UKDEB]

My choice would be the BoardWalk for the easy access you want to Epcot and MGM. It's my favourite of the the onsites there, but both the Yacht & Beach Club are very nice, too (of those, I prefer the Yacht Club - a bit more 'adult' than the Beach Club). The shared pool at Y&B will be full of children. That's also true of the main pool at the BW, but it has a second pool which is usually quiet. You'll also be overwhelmed with restaurant choices - Epcot and all the hotels (including the Swan and Dolphin) have some excellent options.

I would do the BW after the cruise. Beforehand, I would do one of the monorail resorts for easy access to MK. The Contemporary is currrently having its rooms refurbished (they look lovely) and it's now possible to book a Magic Kingdom view.

Animal Kingdom Lodge is a lovely hotel, but it's miles from everywhere (except AK) and, if you're not going to have a car, you'll have to travel everywhere by bus. For me, it defeats the object of staying onsite.

 

[Frances999]

Tough choice!! Which theme appeals to you most? The Polynesian arguably has the best onsite transportation of all the resorts. You have the direct monorail to the Magic Kingdom, and can take a short walk to the TTC for the direct express monorail to Epcot as well (it's a short, but really great journey from the TTC to Epcot). There are beaches, electric water pageant, amazing views of Magic Kingdom, great dining and shops, rooms which are being totally renovated with flat screen TVs and a totally new design....the list goes on

The Grand Floridian is great too, but we prefer the Polynesian. However, if it were just DH and I we would probably stay at the GF, as there are a lot of children at the Polynesian. You have the health club here, as well as some excellent dining choices.

I would avoid AKL. It's a bit "out in the wilderness" and I would say that a hire care is essential if staying here. However, the rates are pretty low.

Of course I am biased as the Polynesian is our favourite resort. As Beth said, I don't really think you can go wrong with any of the deluxes. Choose a theme and location which appeals to you.

I would avoid the AKL. It's a bit "out in the wilderness" and I would say that a hire care is essential if staying here. However, the rates are pretty low.

 

[gilld]

I'd opt for the GF and BC. That way you're on hand for both MK and Epcot/MGM.

 

[tyke]

Our one and only stay at an on-site resort was back in December at the Wilderness Lodge.

We were pretty much in the same situation as you in the fact that we had visited Orlando on numerous occassions but had never stayed on-site and thus were also unsure of which hotel to choose - but once we arrived I was totally convinced that WL was the right choice for us.

The theming of the resort is amazing (especially at christmas time) - the lobby is unlike anything you will have ever seen before !

If you do stay here make sure that you dine at the Artist Point restaurant - the meal was one of the best we have ever experienced in Orlando (only beaten by our all-time favourite - Tchoup Chop at the Royal Pacific Resort)

Although there is no direct monorail link at the resort we found the bus and boat transportation service to be excellent.

The rates for this deluxe resort are very reasonable compared to the GF or the Poly.

Check out the Disney Resorts forum for loads of tips and advice about staying on-site!

tyke

 

[Sarnia]

If you want to be within walking distance of Epcot and MGM then i'd suggest the Swan & Dolphin as a good option. They are the only on-site hotels which give you all the same perks as the Disney owned ones, but because they are owned by one of the big groups (Sheraton I think) they are less expensive.

They have some great restaurants and it's only a five minute walk to the Boardwalk and fifteen minutes to Epcot for more places to eat and drink.

My wife and I stayed there three or four years ago and thought it was a great place to stay without children.

 

[angel659]

Admittedly I have only ever stayed in All Star Movies/Sports. This year we are staying in All star Movies, the kids love it. We are planning to return in 2007 this time I want to stay in AKL Savannah Room. Its sounds lovely and the reviews are excellent. Apparently the lobby changes with lights and something I cant remember I read it in Virgins brochure. It sounds lovely. This would be where I would like to go next!

 

[Firestorm]

Having stayed at the Contemporary,Riverside and Yacht Club,without a doubt if money isn't a problem then I would choose the Yacht Club.A short walk to the "back door" of Epcot and a longer walk to the Studios or a boat trip to both plus a stroll around the Boardwalk and a short hop over to the mini golf course if you need a change.

 

[allie5]

We had to make this choice this year as well. This will be our one and only onsite stay so we wanted to choose wisely!!

Having visited most of the resorts, we had an idea of the feel of each one and eventually chose:

Animal Kingdom Lodge for our first 2 weeks. Why? Unusual theming, not to "full on" Disney, but enough to keep us all happy! We all love Boma and were also drawn by the pool complex (zero entry pool and a couple of spas!!). We will have a car, so distance isnt a problem for us. We may have reconsidered if we were reliant on WDW transport alone though.

3rd week we plumped for the Polynesian. Why? We wanted a monorail resort as our 2 year old is monorail crazy! Plus we liked the idea of being close to MK where we spend a lot of our Disney time. Also, the beach was a big factor and Ohana which we love as well. Did consider the GF but thought the kids would enjoy themselves more at the Poly.

Had we been a couple, then I think we would have chosen the Yacht or Beach club to start and moved onto the GF. We will get to do that in about 18 years time when the kids wont want to come anymore (hopefully!!).

 

[LeCras]

We will get to do that in about 18 years time when the kids wont want to come anymore (hopefully!!).

Oh and you really think that's going to happen??



Charlotte

 

[robinb]

The plan is for 2007 (still a long way off!) - four nights at an on-site hotel, four day DCL cruise, then four more nights at a different on-site hotel.

Will you be booking one of the hotels along with the cruise? Are you planning for a big stateroom? That might make a difference.

I would suggest renting points from a DVC member and staying at Boardwalk Villas or Beach Club Villas. You won't get maid service, but you will get a large room with a microwave and toaster. Depending on what time of year you are going you can stay on 4 weekdays for as little as 48 points, or $480 at the going rate of $10 per point. Most other times (except Christmas, New Years and Easter) are less than or equal to 56 points for 4 weeknights. That puts you near Epcot and saves you money. BCV has very cool slides and is close to Epcot. BWV is more dining options.

As for a moderate, my favorite so far is POFQ. It's a small, quaint and romantic resort. I have also stayed at CBR and will be trying CSR next month ( ).

I see by your ticker that you will be back in Orlando soon. Why don't you make a list of resorts and spend an afternoon resort hopping? You can check out the main areas, pools, etc and narrow down your decision.

 

[steve_rob]

Thanks for all your replies so far guys - you've really given us some good ideas. I think we're sold on the idea of the Boardwalk for one of the two already!

To answer a few of the questions that have been posted - we're looking at either a Cat 6 or 7 stateroom for the cruise, we've visited a number of Disney Hotels in the past for meals, but do intend on 'nosing around' a few more in our trip in November to see if any take our fancy and we probably won't go down the renting DVC points route - mainly cause DW doesn't fancy making her own bed (I'm not too fussed myself!)

Keep them coming!

 

[Miffy2003]

I will be able to let you know about AKL, CBR and BWV in a month's time

I would definitely go for one of the Epcot resorts though

 

[julie.uk]

Hi,
imho I would recommend the AKL savannah view before you go on your cruise, The resort is a little far out although very close to Animal Kingdom, but we found the bus service to be fantastic as it has it's own bus service & does not share with another resort. It is quite an adult hotel, watching the animals from your balcony is something you cannot do anywhere else, it's restaurants are fantastic and the ambiance of the resort cannot be beaten. The rooms are lovely and the pool is great to just lie beside and relax. After dark sitting in one of the 2 spa's watching the stars is something I love.

After your cruise I would try the Boardwalk, It's elegant decor is wonderful, it's position cannot be beaten in that you can walk to Epcot & take a boat to MGM. The restaurants close by are very good and varied, there is always something to do or see. The quiet pool is great if you need a break away from the crowds.

So those are my personal recommendations based on the information you gave.

Enjoy your holiday and the planning

 

[robinb]

we probably won't go down the renting DVC points route - mainly cause DW doesn't fancy making her own bed (I'm not too fussed myself!)

You can pay extra for housekeeping. I think it's $25 per day. You may still save money and get a room with more amenities if you rent from DVC. For instance, all studios have a regular sized balcony or patio while some of the cheaper Beach Club rooms have a micro-balcony that will only fit a small chair. Also, since you are planning so far in advance you should be able to find a DVC member who can book you a guaranteed Boardwalk View over at BWV at the 11 month mark.

Just something to think about .