Please help me choose our resort (dh is way too agreeable:)

[onceuponadream]

Please help us!! I've read and reread (books, web sites..why is this so hard) ...We are traveling for 12 nights June1-13. We will either do 12 nights at one resort or split the stay between 2 resorts. We have narrowed our "favorites" to these 5. (Actually Poly concierge is my favorite just not in the budget ). Please choose which one you think offers the most quality for the price. We are looking for a comfortable place to sleep, eat and swim (pool is important). Traveling with our 4 kids, MIL and FIL. Thanks for any help!

 

[wdwphanatic]

... because I haven't stayed at any of these particular resorts! We've stayed at All Star Music, Wilderness Lodge, Wilderness Lodge Villas, the Poly, Boardwalk Villas and Beach Club Villas. Not to complicate your life or anything (!), but I think you ought to consider renting points from a DVC owner instead of staying in regular hotel rooms... It might be a lot more pleasurable (and probably even less expensive) to go with villas at the Beach Club, Boardwalk or Wilderness Lodge. As I say, I've stayed at all 3 with my kids (2 ds's, ages 4 and 7), and they're really great for families. We also went last Feb. with a big family group (dh's aunt, uncle and cousins) and it was a blast being able to hang out in each other's villas during our stay.

All that being said, I guess I would lean towards an Epcot area resort, just for convenence sake. It's great having 2 parks within walking distance, not to mention all the fun evening activities at your disposal around the Boardwalk area, etc. If I had my pick, I'd select Beach Club/Yacht Club (or Beach Club Villas!) because of the AWESOME pool. My second choice would be Boardwalk or Swan (are you eligible for your RN discount there as well as the Dolphin? They have queen-size beds, which I would think would work better for your family)... The Swan and Dolphin do have an incredible pool, from what I've read.

Good luck deciding where to stay!!! Wish I could go on a family vacation for that long -- we can only get away for 4-5 nights at a time with my dh's work schedule...

Take care,
Sarah

 

[Grumpy92]

The convenience of the monorail alone makes CR a good choice.

 

[mm6mm6]

Okay, you've already seen the FAQ post here about the Coronado right?
Look upon your prices once more and you'll see a substantial mark up when going to the higher priced choices. But the difference between your All-Star pick and the CSR is just a measly $20 a night. That's nuthin'! Is this your first time at WDW? If it is, then you just plain MUST upgrade from the most basic resort (All Star) and go with the CSR. We went last June '02 for the first time (DH, DW, and DD5) and didn't want to go with the All Stars just for the fact that they're more like a regular hotel room. We picked the Caribbean Beach Resort just on theming over the other moderates. We just plain loved every single thing about it. You truly feel like you're at a genuine resort instead of a motel room. Even though I know WDW was crowded, it never felt that way at the CBR. Everything is so spread out that we only had 2-10 people at the quiet pool when we were there. Only 5-20 at the main pool. We are trying the CSR when we return in Aug '03 just so we can experience another resort. Maybe the time after that we'll go big time but I think you get much, much more for your money (bang for your buck!) by going with a moderate. Everyone on the boards here rave about the pool at the CSR. They say it's the second best next to the Grand Floridian's! Huge, great slides, wonderful hot tub! Add up your total stay's cost (park tix and resort) and then compare the All-Star's to the CSR (or any moderate). You'll find the $20 a night is just around 1-2% of your total cost. Go for it! And don't forget to reply to your own post here and let us know what you decided!

 

[luvindisneyworld]

hi, you replied to my thread yesterday.just wanted to let you know we have decided to stay at CSR, i just cant see spendinding 250.00 a night for a room that we will hardly be in. hubby has always wanted to try CSR i dont think we could have made a better choice, i am sssssoooo excited i cant wait.
misty

 

[ead79]

My choices would be the AKL (I love the super theming and we have had excellent service here) or the CR for it's convenience.

 

[eeyore0062]

Well, looks like I am not alone. We stayed in the Contemporary Garden wing last year, and fell in love with it. Request a Bay Lake view (we were able to lie in bed and watch the Electrical Light Pageant at night!)

We loved being able to walk to the MK, and the transportation service everywhere else was really good!

The restaurants are good, and we loved the coffee bar located in the lobby under the esculator. DH loved the HUGE game room, as well.

The pools are nice, but it was too cold to swim when we were there. There is a good slide in the pool closest to the main building, and 2 hottubs located there.

You can rent watercraft at the marina, take the boat from the Contemporary to the MK, the other MK resorts and Fort Wilderness.

We call the Contemporary "Mickey's Resort" because everywhere you turn there is something of Mickey Mouse, whether it be a sculpture, a statue, a topiary or a restaurant.

The Contemporary, to us, it THE WDW resort... and it is one of the originals!

Enjoy!!!

 

[mkymouse4ever]

Well voted for Contempary resort! Now why:

You stated you liked the Poly, so you liked the "deluxes" and that would follow you probably prefer the larger rooms, and amenities the deluxes offer.

CR is our favorite! The garden rooms are identical to the tower with the small exception of the bathroom, the gardens have 2 sinks on 1 vanity and the tower have the sinks split with 1 in the main bathroom + 1 in with the commode. Otherwise the rooms are totally the same. It is a short walk to the main building from the gardens and once inside the "back door" you are near the food court and the escalator to enter the concourse to the resturants / shopping floor and the entrance to the monorail area. Since shades of green is in the north building (and you did not mention you were sog) you would be in the south garden and that is the closest to the POOL area. CR has 2 pools very near each other. They are not deep 3 1/2 ft? to 4 ft ? has a fair slide, 2 moderate sized whirl pool / hot tubs and the main pool has a large geyser type fountain and an area of fountain's that spray into the pool. There is also a children't interactive fountain spray area near. lots of chairs and a great white sand beach with vollyball! The "quiet " pool is round and is shallower at its ends and as you get towards the middle it gets much deeper. it is out over the bay and is surrounded by a conceret deck with many chairs, chaise's, and tables. The also have a large marina. CR is also noted for there GREAT game room, (adult's go to) it (i believe) is largest on property in the resorts.


CR location cannot be beat, at magic kingdom closing that monorail line is not a worry just walk on back! take your time and enjoy reading the pathway! It is actually just a little further that the last bus stop! Also being on the monorail allows easy acess to all resturants and shops at the poly & gf!

Well, That's my commercial, if I was splitting I would pick CR & akl but its because we haven't stayed at akl (yet) and am thinking about it!

Good luck with your survey, any questions, ask away! MKY

 

[A1A1]

If pool is important, then AKL is the one for you. The pool area is great, albeit a little crowded midday. People are out in full force reserving their chairs by 10 am.

I was so underwhelmed by the pool at the Contemporary that this is not even an option for me. Maybe in the winter it would be.

The pool at Coronado Springs is great. They also have three (?) other quiet pools to choose from.

 

[onceuponadream]

Wow!! Thanks for all the replies and opinions . I think ASMo is definitely out of the running (mm6mm6 good point about the $20 a night).

CSR looks awesome to us...just wondering if it's as good as it looks?? (Also still hoping for a better rate with AP)

CR wing room is at a great rate (I think it's more than 40% off with the AXA code).

AKL is a little out of the price range but maybe if better codes or AP rates come out .

Dolphin is in the Epcot area and I really threw that one in so that I wouldn't feel guilty about not even considering it since so many folks really like it and I get that great rate. However, the Epcot resorts just don't appeal to us ...yet. We'll stay there more when the kids get older.

How about a 3 way resort swap. CSR, CR and AKL 4 nights each? Can we really do that???


Otherwise I think it'll be CR and CSR (6 nights each). I guess we'll have to go back more often to try them all!!

Keep those opinions comng as you've been so helpful

 

[A1A1]

That sounds like a nice combination. I would never do three resorts in the same trip. I don't like to pack and unpack and pack and unpack and pack and unpack and pack and unpack. That's a lot of effort for me. Things never fit in the case the same way. I always end up buying another suitcase when I leave the World.

I strongly recommend the AKL. It is very different. The lobby alone is worth it. Also, if you are into culture, the resort boasts the largest collection of African art and artifacts outside of Africa, I think. The displays are in each hallway. It's really amazing. The pool is great. The food there is also interesting. Even if you decide not to stay there, you might consider a visit for buffet dinner at Boma.

Have you seen the pool at CR? That might change your mind if your family is really into pools. Very dull. I hear the ducks really like it. I remember last summer there was a post about the sanitation of the pool considering the ducks.

 

[Pig Pen]

We did a 3 way swap last trip and found it a bit much.

If I were you I would consider a 2 way.

CSR has an awesome pool area with a waterslide and sandy playground nearby. The resort is absolutely beautiful. I don't think it will be as crowded as the other resorts you list.

I have never stayed at Contemporary or AKL.

The Dolphin is very convenient to Epcot/MGM and is a great deal for us "gov't, nurses, teachers." The pool area is very nice, but I think kids would prefer CSR.

 

[A1A1]

I forgot to mention one thing. The only resort that has really taken my breath away when entering the lobby was AKL. I don't think I breathed for a few seconds. GF lobby is second.

 

[onceuponadream]

is the CR pool that bad?? I'll have to preface the "pool is important" comment with the fact that we have a pool in our backyard and our kids swim quite a bit so to have a pool slide may make it more interesting and the kids may spend more time in it that way. The CR pool looked like it had a great slide and fun fountains. What about the ducks and hygeine though....I guess if you can swim in a lake it's about the same but still..not sure if I want my 3 year old in the water if it's yucky .

AKL does look fascinating but it's so hard to justify the cost as w'll be in the room to sleep and for a few hours in the afternoon when we're not in the pool. Can you see animals from the pool too..that would be great!

Would we be disappointed switching from the CR to CSR? I've heard we should do it the other way (moderate first) but it works out better doing CR first as my in laws wil be joining us for the last half and they've been to the CR and really don't want to go there again.

So it's either
1.CR then CSR
2.CR then AKL
3.CSR then AKL
here's hoping for good AP rates
You've all been sooooo helpful

 

[raidermatt]

Went with Contemporary for convenience and deluxe accomodations. From what I've seen, the AKL pool is nicer, but its also not as convenient for midday breaks due to the resorts location and transportation options (or option).

 

[CarrieAP]

Just my 2 cents. I know there are CR fans and it has in it's favor the proximity to MK, but that is about all it has. In my opinion it is dull!! No comparison to CSR which has gorgeous grounds, theming and the best landscaping of any resort. The pool area is outstanding, with huge water slide, playground, hot tub, bar, volleyball court and arcade all in one area. My kids are happier staying at the resort then going back to the parks after our afternoon break.

If you decide to split stay between the 2 resorts visit CR first as may be a let down if you go the other way!

 

[gumdrop]

I would definetly recommend that you plan to stay at CSR for some, if not all, of your trip. We stayed there this past August and I was 100% totally impressed with the place--I can't say enough great things about it. If you have time, please read my trip report all about CSR and our stay there--it is quite detailed and I hope it gives you some more insight to this great resort. Happy planning!

Link to my CSR review:

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=256071

--Maren

 

[Micca]

I would prefer AKL over CR, but at 50+ dollars a night less, CR IS a monorail hotel and that has great appeal. On the lower end, I'd stay at All Stars before I'd go back to CSR.

 

[onceuponadream]

Just when I thought I had it figured out... Micca what was it about CSR that you didn't like? We are down to 3 (CSR, CR and AKL). Thanks for your opinion and any additional info

gumdrop..Great trip report. Was it really only 5 minutes to El Centro from the Ranchos? We love the look of the Ranchos and know it would be an easier request to get as most will request Cabanas and conventions would be placed in Casitas . Thanks for any help!

 

["thegirls"]

Hi all....here goes my first post ever!!! i've been turned onto this site by fellow disneyholic's(2-3) trips per year and felt right at home in their company and thus begins my addiction lol!! well any how onto my humble opinion. i've stayed all 3 levels over the course of the last 5 years. as-1, cbr-1, csr-.01, poly-1, cr-4, ak-1. my reason for chiming in is my personal take on csr. i just returned on 2/18 and was turned off by the vastness of the resort. just checking in was confusing being that the convention entrance was larger than the regular resort entrance. the theme was quite authentic but to me still had a feel of seperateness from one building to another. i disliked it so that i did a resort change within in a hour. hence the .01. we love akl..just returned yesterday2/18. and the cr is great for location, location, location.