Please Help pick a resort!

[tara30us]

I have always gone to Disneyland but finally talked my family into trying Disney World. At Disneyland there is only 3 hotels to choose from The California closest and most expensive, Disneyland Hotel which is more "magical" less expensive but father away (We stay here the most often). Paradise Pier farthest and cheapest (never stayed there).

Went to look at Disney World Hotels and am simply overwhelmed with options. Im not looking for cheapest nor most expensive, love magical. Which hotel will be the best to stay at? For convenience, comfort and most importantly most magical? Not ruling out and airbnb either. Just looking to make our vacation special. We are coming for 7 days but taking a few rest days at hotel so would love to have somewhere amazing to stay. All adults only one child 9 years old.

 

[cxr]

i think most people would tell you AKL Savannah view. i know my daughter stayed there once and loved it.

 

[_19disnA]

Everyone you ask is likely to give you a different reply. Disneyworld hotel preferences tend to relate to: 1) your budget, 2) which park(s) you plan to visit and 3) what you think of the theming for each. Orlando is a large tourist destination due to Disney & Universal, so you will also find a large number of nearby hotels.

 

[MICKIMINI]

AKV Jambo House is awesome - agreed! Pool is amazing and we love to linger in the lobby (really an African museum) and enjoy the rockers around the fire pit overlooking the savannah... BOMA! Note this is a long ride (30 min or so) from almost anywhere so budget extra time).

Poly for another incredible lobby and a quick monorail ride to MK. Tonga Toast for breakfast (it really lasts all day - the only "cheap" meal at WDW!) The big plus here is you are just a monorail ride away from resorts and restaurants if someone wants nighttime entertainment.

BWV for access to the International Gate at EPCOT. Our son fell in love with traveling at 3 years old! No parking lot or endless green walls to deal with at the other entrance! Also great for nighttime visits to EPCOT or Studios.

OKW if you are into a laid back, tropical vibe and very large villas with a covered balcony . You can park in front of your door (if you have a rental) or stay at Miller's Road or Turtle Pond sets you up to be adjacent to a pool AND the bus stop! Best to have a car rental here.

Time is money at WDW which is 40 square miles so don't get caught up in saving money by choosing a small, out of the way motel room with a mouse on the door as your experience will not be what you expect. We checked out on these rooms in 1996... (no offense to those that love values we just don't).

Better to budget your dining as best as possible allears.net for menus and buy one nice piece to bring home (I'm into D & B and/or Coach). I did just buy my annual D & B from home at 30% off with a gift card (10% cash back cc), no sales tax (NH) and free shipping...so I can use the savings to buy a new pair of ears LOL!

I've helped many people plan a WDW trip (I'm not a TA) and the biggest issue is just getting past the amount you will spend. After that, it is all about location. Everything else will fall in line after that. Enjoy!

 

[tara30us]

AKV Jambo House is awesome - agreed! Pool is amazing and we love to linger in the lobby (really an African museum) and enjoy the rockers around the fire pit overlooking the savannah... BOMA! Note this is a long ride (30 min or so) from almost anywhere so budget extra time).

Poly for another incredible lobby and a quick monorail ride to MK. Tonga Toast for breakfast (it really lasts all day - the only "cheap" meal at WDW!) The big plus here is you are just a monorail ride away from resorts and restaurants if someone wants nighttime entertainment.

BWV for access to the International Gate at EPCOT. Our son fell in love with traveling at 3 years old! No parking lot or endless green walls to deal with at the other entrance! Also great for nighttime visits to EPCOT or Studios.

OKW if you are into a laid back, tropical vibe and very large villas with a covered balcony . You can park in front of your door (if you have a rental) or stay at Miller's Road or Turtle Pond sets you up to be adjacent to a pool AND the bus stop! Best to have a car rental here.

Time is money at WDW which is 40 square miles so don't get caught up in saving money by choosing a small, out of the way motel room with a mouse on the door as your experience will not be what you expect. We checked out on these rooms in 1996... (no offense to those that love values we just don't).

Better to budget your dining as best as possible allears.net for menus and buy one nice piece to bring home (I'm into D & B and/or Coach). I did just buy my annual D & B from home at 30% off with a gift card (10% cash back cc), no sales tax (NH) and free shipping...so I can use the savings to buy a new pair of ears LOL!

I've helped many people plan a WDW trip (I'm not a TA) and the biggest issue is just getting past the amount you will spend. After that, it is all about location. Everything else will fall in line after that. Enjoy!

This! Thanks so much. Honestly not so into price but experience. We almost always stay in California at Disneyland (800-1000 a night) hotel or California 1000-1500 a night). Not cheap by any means but for experience worth it. We almost always include one day VIP tour because it adds to experience and usually only adds 3-5000 to our trip...Always worth it. So not going to be too sticker shocked. Just want the experience to be amazing and want my kids to remember it forever! Especially since we have never been to Disneyworld. I don't want to get home and find out that we should have stayed somewhere else. I want to experience it all Best places to eat, parades and shows we shouldn't miss etc. Time is money, so I dont want to stay far from Disneyworld and if its like a regular hotel I would rather skip. Animal Kingdom look amazing but 30 min away? Not so sure about that. Poly also looks amazing but bungalow's are not available during our stay

now off to figure out acronyms, lol

 

[Marthasor]

This! Thanks so much. Honestly not so into price but experience. We almost always stay in California at Disneyland (800-1000 a night) hotel or California 1000-1500 a night). Not cheap by any means but for experience worth it. We almost always include one day VIP tour because it adds to experience and usually only adds 3-5000 to our trip...Always worth it. So not going to be too sticker shocked. Just want the experience to be amazing and want my kids to remember it forever! Especially since we have never been to Disneyworld. I don't want to get home and find out that we should have stayed somewhere else. I want to experience it all Best places to eat, parades and shows we shouldn't miss etc. Time is money, so I dont want to stay far from Disneyworld and if its like a regular hotel I would rather skip. Animal Kingdom look amazing but 30 min away? Not so sure about that. Poly also looks amazing but bungalow's are not available during our stay

now off to figure out acronyms, lol

I think Poly fits your criteria. I wouldn't necessarily rule it out just because the bungalows aren't available. How many are in your party? Please know, all the hotels are far away from some of the parks. While Poly is close to MK and within walking distance to the Epcot monorail, you will be about 20 or so minutes away from the other parks (DHS and AK) when taking Disney transportation and that does not include waiting time for the bus.

 

[tara30us]

I think Poly fits your criteria. I wouldn't necessarily rule it out just because the bungalows aren't available. How many are in your party? Please know, all the hotels are far away from some of the parks. While Poly is close to MK and within walking distance to the Epcot monorail, you will be about 20 or so minutes away from the other parks (DHS and AK) when taking Disney transportation and that does not include waiting time for the bus.

We have 5 adults and 1 child

 

[DeeBee3]

You could try a 2-bedroom or grand villa at Grand Floridian, Bay Lake Tower (theme park view), or a Cabin at Wilderness Lodge.

Beach Club, Yacht Club, Boardwalk Inn are all in same area and have walking access to Epcot and Hollywood Studios. You can also take a boat.

 

[JM_97]

Polynesian and Animal Kingdom Lodge will have the biggest WOW factor. Poly is one of the most expensive and you are across the lake from the MK. It's very immersive and gets high ratings (and prices) for a reason.

Animal Kingdom Lodge is further out by Animal Kingdom and so it's not near anything else. However, the views are amazing and it's a one of a kind place.

The other deluxes are amazing too (Grand Floridian, Contemporary, Wilderness Lodge, Beach Club, Yacht Club, Boardwalk) are all awesome too but Poly and AKL will give you the WOW factor you're after. If it were me, I'd choose Poly. Closer to more things to do and the atmosphere is more my style

 

[JM_97]

We have 5 adults and 1 child

You could always get multiple rooms. If you want to be all in one unit, you could check out the villas at the other DVC resorts around MK.

 

[redboat45]

Since you're used to the smallness of Disneyland property, I'd go for one of the Epcot or Magic Kingdom resorts where you can easily get to 2 parks. So Beach Club is really nice for Epcot with the wow factor. Or Contemporary/Bay Lake tower or Grand Floridian. I think the Poly might be a bit too busy/congested for your liking.

 

[Marthasor]

We have 5 adults and 1 child

For a first trip, I always think the Magic Kingdom area is the most "magical" - for resorts, that would include Poly, Grand Floridian, Contemporary and Wilderness Lodge. For a "wow" factor, Poly is great - beautiful theming and great location. The bungalows would fit all of you but they are some of, if not, the most expensive accommodations on property. If you want to stay at Poly, consider booking 2 rooms and request connecting (not guaranteed). If you want to "plus" your stay, consider staying club level. If you really want to stay in one room together, you can keep checking for a bungalow, but I would also recommend a 2-bedroom at Villas at Grand Floridian (arguably the most beautiful rooms on-property). Grand Floridian will still give you the "wow" factor, IMHO - it's WDW's signature resort. Wilderness Lodge also offers a "wow" factor and will save you some money - the only drawback is it's a boat ride to MK instead of the monorail. At Wilderness Lodge, take a look at the 2-bedroom villas at Copper Creek Villas which are located within the Wilderness Lodge resort.

 

[LadyBirdV]

For a first trip, I always think the Magic Kingdom area is the most "magical"

I agree. We prefer Epcot resorts now for convenience to EP & Hollywood Studios, but I think MK resorts are the most 'magical' for 1st trip. Something about seeing the castle from across the lagoon, plus the Electrical Water Pageant parade at night, and of course the monorail. I think if you've stayed in Grand Californian before, Wilderness Lodge is pretty similar in terms of Theme, so I would go with either the Polynesian or Grand Floridian.

On the other hand, Disneyland and Magic Kingdom have a lot over overlap, and Epcot's attractions are pretty unique in that sense (other than Soarin') , so maybe an Epcot resort is worth considering. None of them have the "wow" factor grand lobbies of GF, Poly, WL, or Animal Kingdom Lodge though.

 

[Minnie1222]

I also agree with Poly or Animal Kingdom Lodge as being more magical. If you're used to Grand Californian prices, you'll be pleasantly surprised to find that it's cheaper to stay at both Poly and AKL. For the typical rate of a GC's standard view club room, you can get a theme park view club room at Poly or a savanna view 1 bedroom suite at AKL.

 

[Shellyred8]

My first on-site stay at WDW was at the Yacht Club and I absolutely fell in love with the whole Boardwalk area. I love it at night when it's lit up with the string lights and the lights reflecting off of the water. I also loved being within walking distance to two parks. It's also within walking distance to Fantasia Gardens mini-golf. If you are there over the Christmas holiday, the Swan/Dolphin also have a fun light/music show in the evenings on the pathway between the two resorts. A couple of years after that first stay we bought into DVC with the Boardwalk Villas being our home resort. So, we stay there a lot now. The Boardwalk Inn/Villas has a little more whimsical feel to it, which is one of the reasons I like it.

If you like the "feel" of Grand California, you would probably like Wilderness Lodge. I would also give a strong vote to Poly.

In regards to staying off-site, I would not recommend it for this trip. When we stay on-site, we get to just enjoy the trip and not have to deal with renting a car (or using ride-share) and having to deal with driving while on vacation. I like to just hop on the Disney transportation and let them get me where I need to go. You will have to book your own transportation to and from the airport though. We have stayed off-site a few times and it is fine. But I just don't get the Disney-Bubble feeling that I get when we are on-site. It's much easier for me to disconnect from the rest of the world when we stay on-site.

Happy planning!

 

[jimmymc]

I can narrow it down to a few options for you:

Low-end price: Pop Century. You get the Skyliner for quick access to Epcot, Hollywood Studios and the Boardwalk restaurants, a second dining option with the Art of Animation quick service restaurant, and modern rooms. Downside is that the theming is kind of plain, and the rooms aren't huge

Mid-tier price: Caribbean Beach. Even better Skyliner access than Pop, a really cool themed pool, two nice restaurants on-site, and a nice theme, especially for someone not from Florida. Downside is that the resort is very spread out, so it can take some time to walk to the main pool or Skyliner station

Mid-tier price: Port Orleans Resorts. Amazing theming for a middle of the road price, great pools which the two resorts (Riverside and French Quarter) share with each other, a boat to Disney Springs, and nice rooms. Downside is you are a decently long bus ride from the parks.

Mid-tier price: Swan and Dolphin resort: Great location, you can book with and earn Marriott rewards points, a pretty nice pool, and some amazing restaurants. Plus you can walk or take the boat to Epcot and Studios. Downside is that it isn't a Disney themed resort, so the rooms are just plain Marriott style. You do still get perks, like early entry and free busses to the parks.

Higher-price: Animal Kingdom Lodge. Probably the best standalone resort. It has animals, multiple amazing restaurants, larger well-themed rooms, amazing common areas, and a big pool. Downside is the longer bus to each park except Animal Kingdom. Still a bus ride, but a short one.

Really-high price: Polynesian. Monorail access to Magic Kingdom and Epcot, amazing theming and pool, huge hotel rooms, great restaurants and stores. Only real downside is the price.

Beach club, Yacht Club, and Boardwalk are all very close to Epcot and have great pools. Wilderness Lodge, Grand Floridian, and Contemporary are closer to Magic Kingdom. You really can't go wrong with a deluxe resort, but they vary wildly in price so it depends on how much you can spend.

The other option is to rent DVC points and stay in a 2 bedroom villa, which is a whole different world and has some advantages and disadvantages. You'll basically all stay in a 2 bedroom apartment with a kitchen, washer and dryer, and you'll be in a higher-end resort.

 

[agreeable_83]

My only suggestion would be to spend the money to stay somewhere nice and closer to the parks, it really is worth it not to have to waste so much time "commuting"

 

[Sandiz08]

I say wilderness lodge for magical. It is not the cheapest nor the most expensive. I feel it has more character than say the beach club but it’s not as expensive as the rest of the magic kingdom resorts.

 

[FSU Girl]

With 7 days maybe do a split stay so you can experience two hotels? I like experiencing a magic kingdom resort and an Epcot resort, they give totally different vibes. I love the contemporary, it’s fun being in a hotel where the monorail goes through and if you get a theme park view room you can watch the fireworks from your balcony away from the crowds. An Epcot resort will give you two parks you can walk to which is great for convenience.

I love animal kingdom lodge savannah view, but don’t recommend it here. The hotel is more isolated than others and is usually a favorite of mine when I’m not going to the parks. Get a dining reservation at Boma (great buffet) and then you can explore the awesome lobby and see the animals on their savannah in the public areas.

 

[Lumpy1106]

With 6 people, I would recommend the AoA family suite if you all want to be in the same room. It's got a sleeper sofa, a full size murphy bed, and the queen bed in the master. Best of all, 2 bathrooms. Otherwise that puts you in a 2br or two separate rooms.