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

[onceuponadream]

Wow! Welcome to The Dis "thegirls" and thanks for your opinions. Only .01 days at CSR that's too funny. You must have really not liked it. We have stayed at CBR so have experienced the spread out resort and don't mind it. The 7 bus stops however were a little much for us . Also we didn't really like the pool that much (the slide was too small and pool too divided- it was difficult to keep track of the kids).

I can't believe all the different opinions. I guess that's what makes Disney so great..something for everyone .

I think we'll stay at CR the first 6 days then...either CSR or AKL depending on the availability of AP rates or codes

 

[Mitla96]

Just back from the Swan and I am confused by your quoted RN rate at the Dolphin. We got $129/night, and this is a deluxe resort whose location can't be beat. You should be able to book up to three rooms at this price. Did you look on the Dreams Unlimited site under "Other Orlando hotels"-that's where the RN discount is quoted.

If you plan to visit Epcot and MGM at all, I would strongly recommend the Swan. We were upgraded to a resort view, two "Heavenly Bed" room for the $129 price. We walked back to our room after Illuminations fireworks in 15 minutes. I thought the variety at the Tubbi Buffeteria was good-we never paid more than $20 for the four of us for a take out breakfast (including Krispy Kremes). All the Yacht Club and Boardwalk restaurants are a 5 minute walk away.

It is REALLY REALLY nice not to have to get on a bus after a day at the park. Maybe CR for part and Swan for part?

 

[onceuponadream]

Hi Mitla96--I included tax in all of the rates I quoted (and the resort fee for the dolphin. $129 per night plus 11.5% tax plus $10 resort fee adds up to $158 unless I added wrong ). It was easier for me to compare with tax. Glad you enjoyed the Swan. We ususally visit MGM and MK the most. Epcot not as much so even though it's a boat service to MGM I don't think it's much shorter than a bus from the other resorts (15-20 minutes) from what I've read. That being said I definitely can't discount it completely and am open to comments/opinions about any of the 5 resorts.

We have considered Dolphin for half and CR for half. Not sure if the Dolphin is right for us with the 4 kids though...Thanks for taking the time to post .

 

[eeyore0062]

If you are worried about the ducks swimming in the pools at CR, then you may as well worry about it at all of the resorts... its just going to happen.

As for the pools at the CR, no they aren't themed, but they are VERY nice. The slide at the main pool is relatively new, and it is pretty cool to swim in a pool surrounded on 3 sides by the Bay Lake.

I would still go with CR!

And for CSR... the pool is great, as is the slide, but nothing else about it appealed to us. Since it has convention facilities and only has 2 options for eating (the restaurant and the food court) both can get overcrowded, and the 10% surcharge in the food court still gets me... we expect to eat with plasticware and get our own drinks at the food court, and don't want to feel as though we have to let others just to justify the surcharge. Oh, and there is only one sink in each room's bathroom.

 

[A1A1]

I think your parents would really enjoy the AKL, and strolling around the resort to see all the artifacts. The animals are quite an attraction. I will never get over waking up in the morning to giraffs only 40 yards from my balcony. It was amazing! I will never forget this resort. There is a waterfall that runs through the resort and then outside. Also, there are two firplaces--one is a firepit outside that is surrounded by rocking chairs. The bar area is great, and overlooks Boma and the indoor stream/waterfall. The food is great here. Very different and tasty, especially the desserts at Boma. There is a viewing area near the pool.

Maybe you could stay at least a few of the nights at AKL. I found the transportation to be the most efficient I have experienced at WDW.

I liked CSR as a moderate. I didn't really feel like I was at a moderate. I don't think I ate at weird hours, but never found at the food court/rest at CSR to be crowded. I didn't mind the 10%, because I felt the servers gave good service. I liked not having to get up once I sat down with my food. I liked having all the food choices available there also. I enjoyed the live music that played there in the evening. They had the most unusual and long instrument. I can't remember exactly what it was now, but it was great to sit near them, eat and enjoy the music.

I am not interested in CR, as hard as I try to be. I have visited there several times to eat and walk around. I find it to be very cold and uninteresting. I am not sure if I could take all that color and confusion in the room decor. I have looked at several sites with photos of the rooms online, with the hopes of becoming interested in this resort. I just am not. It's not my style, but there are those that feel very "Disney" by staying there. They love it.

Had you considered the POFQ? Many people love that for a moderate. They are supposed to have a neat serpent slide in at the pool.

 

[mkymouse4ever]

Well since this thread is starting to read like a debate over which resort is best, and "my" contempary seems to be taking a beating I need to chime back in.

As I stated earlier I am interested myself in AKL so I would also be interested in trying this but yes that price is too high for a deluxe that is off by itself (not park connected) and on total bus service.

CSR we have NOT stayed here, BUT have walked the grounds and I mean all of it, several times. It is way to spread out. you could find yourself way far from the main buildings or the "fun" pool. With the way the lake is in the middle of the resort the perimeter is the only transportation option and you really are hiking.

Swan (I'm also an RN) We had a terrible experience here last august and cancelled trip here for last oct. based on aug. trip. I really would not recommend it for a family vacation.

Dolphin We stayed here about 5 years ago and the experience was ok, we do like the location, transportation is good, lots of resturants, etc... Prefer over the swan!

AS look ok, haven't tried them ourselves yet, we walked around, ok if its just families staying here but worry about large tourist groups be it, cheerleader or foreign teenagers, etc... they tend to stay in the all stars. (unfortunately)


Now my Contempary commercial: the pool theme is the shape of mickey mouse's head. My favorite part of the contempary is the fact that is a hidden secret! Only few people really know what a gem it truely is! and we really should try to keep it that way. shhhhh!


MKY

 

[CuteKatCar]

I shouldn't share the secret either.........

We love the CR too. We've stayed Dixie Landings (when it was DL), GF twice, CR twice.

We hopped from the GF to CR one year. We weren't happy at first, but ended up *loving* the CR. At that time the GF had no pool slide, so the CR pool was awesome to my kids (they were 5 and 8). I have no other pool to compare it to at WDW. (only used kiddie pool at DL).

I am a MK fanatic. For our upcoming trip in June, we were going to stay at CBR and Poly. When codes came out, I switched to CR and Poly.

I kept thinking about EE at MK and I just want to be able to walk out of the hotel and be there in 10 mins. - not waiting for a bus or monorail - or anyone else in my way!!! My DH just wants to be on the monorail - period.

I think the grounds at the CR are pretty also (behind the resort). When my kids are playing at the playground, and I'm sitting looking at Bay Lake, I feel like I'm on an island somewhere. It is peaceful and relaxing.

One of these days we are going to stay in the tower. I believe it is Janet2k who has pictures of her tower room. Looks awesome.

I have to admit that I was looking forward to staying at the CBR. So I do like your CR and CSR idea. All the moderates look pretty to me so I don't think you can do wrong whichever way you choose to hop.

Just remember, go to MK alot when you are at CR - take advantage of the proximity.

Waiting to get there is killing me.......have fun!!

Anna

 

[CuteKatCar]

Sandy,

I noticed your trip is June 2003. We will be at CR from May 30th until June 2. Then Poly from June 3 til June 7th. Wearing a lime green ribbon on my backpack.

Anna

 

[snowwhite86]

I also had this same problem. I decided to split our 7 day stay between the AKLand the AS-MO. We've stayed at the Movie before and it was O.K. This will be our first time at AKL. We also have stayed at the CS and enjoyed it, but it wasn't my favorite theme.

 

[onceuponadream]

Wow! You guys are awesome . Thanks for all the great info! My dh has been reading your responses and becoming more interested. We are now swinging towards spending more and staying 6 nights at CR wing then 6 nights at AKL...as we may not be back for a while and have already tried 2 moderates..what the heck you only live once . I was really suprised to see the RN rate not get more votes (the Dolphin has never really appealed to us as we are up early and to bed early with the little ones so wouldn't enjoy the nightlife yet). I still feel guilty not using it as so many people would love that rate. We will definitely try CSR on another trip. It sounds great! Again thanks to everyone who took the time to post!

 

[kdibattista]

Animal Kingdom Lodge!!!!!