Opinions for best resort

[AnOtHeRdIsNeYfReAk]

Ok I have poured over site after site, and guide books, but I can't decide on which resort to stay at. There will be five of us, and I would prefer 2 rooms, but its not a necessity. I wanted to get some opinions on which is the best resort for us. Here are everyone's criteria:
1. "Really cool" arcade (for the 10 year old)
2. Central location (we'll be using disney transportation, so something that is not too far from everything, and a resort where the transportation is fairly efficient.-as long as we don't have to wait 20-30 minutes its ok)
3. A decent "food court" (Although we won't be at the hotel for much more than sleeping, and swimming, we'll usually catch breakfast there on the way to the buses.)
4. A nice view would be preffered, but not a must.
5. A play area for a 4 year old.

Cost is a bit of an issue because we would like to stay for 2 weeks, but a deluxe is not entirely out of the price range.(As long as its one room) So... If you were me where would you stay???

 

[Lizzybee]

We have 5 people and stay at POR. We love it there. Now I didn't realize there was an arcade there, but apparently there is and I have read on here it's "really cool" but I can't give first hand comment on that. There is a nice play area for kids near the main pool. Also you can rent a pole for catch and release fishing in the pool area. There are boats to DTD and POFQ which also has a cool pool and play area (and pool hooping IS allowed between POR and POFQ). We ate a few meals at the Food Court there and never had a complaint about the food. It was as good as any other counter service in Disney. You can also eat at Boatwrights...don't miss it for breakfast if you stay there, it's fantastic! Bob Jackson the piano man plays in the River Roost Lounge and it's a family show for sure, gets the kids involved and all. We find the laid back Southern charm is a welcome change of pace after a hectic day at the parks (a slice of cheese cake from the bakery in the food court is also great after a hectic day at the parks!). Hope you find this helpful.

 

[MiJo]

I would have to go with POR (Port Orleans Riverside), also. In the AB sections, the rooms have a trundle bed so 2 adults and 3 kids can sleep comfortably. The pool area is nice and there are several "quiet" pools throughout the resort. There is a playground near the main pool. The arcade is fine. You have a choice of the food court or Boatwright's. There's a boat to DTD. And, Bob "The Piano Man" Jackson offers lively family entertainment in the River Roost Lounge. Here are our photos from January.
POR Photos

 

[trip]

If you are going to be there for 2 weeks - stay a week each at 2 different hotels. It will be like you are on 2 vacations!!

 

[Terk-1]

If you can, I'd split your stay between 2 resorts. My vote was for the Polynesian, as it has 2 beds and a day bed, but I'd also recommend a room over at the Beach Club for the other week. These rooms also have 2 beds and a day bed. It is very close to EPCOT & MGM, as well as the Boardwalk (with an arcade & ESPN). The pool is very cool, there is an arcade in that resort, as well as the larger one over at the Boardwalk. At the Polynesian, there is a boat & monorail to the Magic Kingdom (the boat also stops at the Grand Floridian). You can either take the monorail to the TTC to connect to that monorail to go to EPCOT or just walk over to the TTC. There are buses for MGM & Animal Kingdom. At the Beach Club, it is a very quick walk to EPCOT & the Boardwalk, as well as a boat to EPCOT & the Boardwalk. There is also a boat that goes to MGM and buses for the MK & AK.

 

[mhaley]

I would say the Contemporary Wing room. With a code, it can be quite a value. The room is huge, could easily fit 5 people. The location is great, being on the monorail and being able to walk to MK. My kids loved the arcade and the food court was not horrible. Overall, I think it was a great place to stay without breaking the bank.

 

[CheezDoodle]

I voted Coronado Springs because I thought they had a pretty cool arcade(I'm also 10)and I also liked their playground(It's the only one with swings!). We had a great view of the lake. Our building was Casitsas 1, and it was right by the lobby and pepper market(the food court). Whatever you choose I hope you have a good trip!

 

[gigi1313]

i would definitely go for a resort w/two rooms... so i voted pofq... we like our space... two weeks in any one room would make us buggy (and yeah, i know, you don't spend *that* much time in your room, but still)... a better option would be to consider splitting your stay... or looking into renting dvc points and getting a 2 bedroom...

 

[Metro West]

I voted for the Contemporary mainly because my family stayed there five times when I was growing up. It's cool to watch the monorail go right through the Grand Canyon Concourse. The Polynesian would be my second choice mainly because of the pool area. Those are both great hotels and are staples of WDW.

 

[F1Julie]

I voted CSR. The pool is great and so is the bus service. As long as you get 2 rooms, I think any of your choices would be fine. I'd just choose the resort that has theming that appeals most to you.

 

[dtsaos]

I voted for allstars (preferably movies) based on the fact that you will primarily be staying at said resort for a place to sleep and that you aren't very interested in what kind of restaurants will be there aside from a food court. I believe that they have an arcade there too. Why not save your money for other things?


personally, we have much younger kids and plan to do things very leisurely this time and spend a decent amount of time at the resorts so we've decided to rent dvc pts to stay at deluxe resorts without breaking the bank this time around.

 

[LoraJ]

I voted for Coronado Springs since you said you would prefer 2 rooms. They had not 1, but 2 arcades!!! 1 in the main building and one by the pool. Also they have the coolest playground I have seen at the resorts. And the pool is great. Love the slide.


I would also suggest one of the rooms being a King.

 

[swilphil]

I would say the Contemporary Wing room. With a code, it can be quite a value. The room is huge, could easily fit 5 people. The location is great, being on the monorail and being able to walk to MK. My kids loved the arcade and the food court was not horrible. Overall, I think it was a great place to stay without breaking the bank.

We loved the Contemporary North Wing. There was a play area just out the door across the hall, and a little beach area right outside our patio door. The arcade is the best one I've been to at Disney. It's right next to the food court, which suited us just fine. The North Wing is also close to the food court. The best part was walking to MK and monorailing to Epcot. Bus service to MGM was also very good. The room is HUGE. The day bed was much larger than I expected and the bathroom was a good size and layout.

Normally I would suggest the Poly because the theming is much more appealing, but the Contemporary fits your criteria to a T. If you are staying for 2 weeks and the Contemporary or Poly is too expensive, you might consider splitting your stay. Disney will move your luggage for you.

 

[billsfan]

I would suggest POP (two rooms for 1 week) and Contempory (one room for 1 week)