Opinions on resorts

[gutimom01]

Hi! I am a first time traveler to DW ...we will be going sometime in October 2005 and I was wanting different opinions on resorts. We were looking at staying at either the Animal Kingdom, Swan/Dolphin, or the All Star Movie Resort.....but will take any opinions on any resort. We have never been to DW so really dont know anything about it. It will be myself, my husband, and our daughter(we hope to go in October on her 3rd birthday).

 

[bicker]

Disney is very good at pricing their resorts according to their popularity and demand. As you can well-imagine, the most luxurious resorts are more expensive; the most basic resorts are the least expensive. Different guests enjoy different types of vacations at WDW. Some folks spend no time at the resort except to sleep, while others spend lots of time enjoying the wonderful facilities at their resort. We used to be like the former, but now are more like the latter -- as we visit WDW over and over, we enjoy spending more and more time at the pool, at the health club, on the lake, on the terrace, etc.

 

[milmore104]

Hands down AKL. It is priced reasonably. Your little one will LOVE watching the animals. Our DD loves sitting on the balcony watching everything. The pool there is great and lots to do.

 

[DeterminedOne]

Of those you're considering I'd go with AKL!

 

[sjw4870]

If I was given the choice between AKL, All Star and Swan/Dolphin I would definitely pick AKL. I love AKL - your child will probably love seeing the animals (not too often you can get up close with a giraffe). Even aside from the animals it's an impressive hotel.

Now for some unsolicitated advise - since it is your first time to WDW and you have a 3 year old, you might want to consider staying in one of the hotels in the Magic Kingdom area (Contemporary, Grand Floridian and Polynesian) all are on the monorail which makes getting to and from MK very easy (it's also an easy connection to Epcot). Wilderness Lodge is also in that area, it is not on the monorail but it has a boat to MK. WL is in the same price range as AKL.

 

[psumomluvswdw]

In my opinion your little girl would love the All Star, everything is larger than life and the colors will really get her attention! And the food court is especially convenient when you have children. You can save all the extra money from the room to spend on lots of Princess souveniers!!! We are going on Oct 12 with my grandson and are staying at POP, you just can't beat the All Star Resorts!

 

[Eeyore2003]

AKL would be very nice. The only drawback would be having to take the bus everywhere. Ask for a room on the Zebra Trail, that way with a little one you are on the side of the building with the snack shop and pool. If you can afford the upgrade, a savanah view would be nice for the little one to watch the animals.

For the Swan/Dolphin, I have not stayed at either one, but I have stayed at the Boardwalk Inn. It's nice being able to take the boat to EPCOT and MGM, but you probably will not be going to those two parks as much as MK and AK with a 3 year old, so you would have to take the bus anyway to MK and AK from those resorts.

I have not stayed at the All Stars, so I can't comment on that one. I think you would enjoy the theming and animals at AK, and like I said, a room on the Zebra Trail would be the most convenient for pool and snacks. I've always found the snack bars to have a good choice of food at the deluxe resorts.

 

[disneyholic family]

Of the 3 you list, it's a no brainer - AKL.

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

Of your choices, I would pick AKL. We have no desire to stay at any of the values (guess I'm kind of a resort snob ) DH and I stayed at the Swan. Its nice in a great location, but since you have a 3 y.o. I would pick a place with better themeing. As another poster suggested, I would consider a monorail resort. We stayed at the Polynesian when our son was 4 and it was very convenient. We are going in September, kids at that time will be 7 and DD will turn 2 during our trip. We are staying at the Contemporary Tower. The monorail resorts are soooo convenient.