resort dilemma

[prune1977]

We just got back from our 3rd disney trip in 3 years. year 1 was WL, year 2 AKL, year 3 our dream the Poly. Only issue poly we didn't like as well as we thought we would. Part of issue was probably we didn't spend as much time at resort as previous trips. Anyhow, our fav resort is WL but when we go back in Sept we booked using bounceback since it was better than any offer we got this time our 2 yo will be 3 so we can't stay there unless we stay Cl which we don't want to do. We will for sure do a day at the resort swimming and such so where would you suggest for our next stay? We're currently booked at GF but just not sold on it.
Thanks

 

[3happydancers]

We just got back from our 3rd disney trip in 3 years. year 1 was WL, year 2 AKL, year 3 our dream the Poly. Only issue poly we didn't like as well as we thought we would. Part of issue was probably we didn't spend as much time at resort as previous trips. Anyhow, our fav resort is WL but when we go back in Sept we booked using bounceback since it was better than any offer we got this time our 2 yo will be 3 so we can't stay there unless we stay Cl which we don't want to do. We will for sure do a day at the resort swimming and such so where would you suggest for our next stay? We're currently booked at GF but just not sold on it.
Thanks

Do you need a room that sleeps 5?

 

[prune1977]

Do you need a room that sleeps 5?

yes it has to sleep 5

 

[AliceIn]

Have you thought about the Epcot Resorts? The Beach Club/Yacht Club/Boardwalk Inn? You can walk to both Epcot and DHS, and all three have nice pools, especially the BC/YC. These three are a little bit cheaper than the CR, Poly, and WL Club level, but have the same deluxe amenities. I have been going back and forth on resorts for a while. My three finalists were BC/YC, CR, and Poly. I ruled out the GF due to all the construction. I didn't want to deal with that.

 

[3happydancers]

yes it has to sleep 5

I'd consider what AliceIn said. We stayed at the Beach Club last summer and loved the resort and the distance to both Epcot and HS. The Beach and Yacht Club share a pool and the Boardwalk has their own. The other thing that's nice is if you are looking for some down time, the Boardwalk has evening entertainment and you can stop in for ice cream at Beaches and Cream (YUM!)

 

[SA mom]

The Swan and Dolphin have these great deluxe alcove rooms. You can request a roll away and it will sleep 5 with lots of extra space. Since they are Starwoods Hotels, you can even book them on points.

 

[blackacex2]

So the poly wasn't as great as you hoped? It wins every poll for best disney resort and charges a boat load of cash even for the rooms with no view. Always love visiting there, tempted to actually pay their ridiculous prices too but hearing you liked WL better makes me hesitate.

 

[rcraw45425]

BC/YC are great, if a balcony is important than you'd be better off with YC as all rooms have balconies/patios. We love YC but the rooms are noticibly smaller than the Polynesian rooms. Our favorite is the CR, we've been staying there since our girls were 1& 3 and they're 16 & 18 now. Trying thePolynesian again in June, weren't blown away on our last visit, hoping this time will be better. You didn't mention the ages of your other children (or I missed it ) but Stormalong Bay is very impressive, but if your kids are various ages but still require watching, you might find it stressful as it is so spread out. The WL pool is great in that respect. Never tried out the Boardwalk pool on our stay as my girls consider clowns creepy and the slide comes out a clown's mouth

 

[prune1977]

So the poly wasn't as great as you hoped? It wins every poll for best disney resort and charges a boat load of cash even for the rooms with no view. Always love visiting there, tempted to actually pay their ridiculous prices too but hearing you liked WL better makes me hesitate.

Yea it wasn't as great as we thought, we had even visited there prior visits for meals but i don't know, it was just missing that "wow" factor for us i guess. WL def had that wow factor for us as did the lobby of akl but if i was ranking the 3 we've stayed at thus far we'd go 1. WL 2. Poly 3. AKL

 

[prune1977]

BC/YC are great, if a balcony is important than you'd be better off with YC as all rooms have balconies/patios. We love YC but the rooms are noticibly smaller than the Polynesian rooms. Our favorite is the CR, we've been staying there since our girls were 1& 3 and they're 16 & 18 now. Trying thePolynesian again in June, weren't blown away on our last visit, hoping this time will be better. You didn't mention the ages of your other children (or I missed it ) but Stormalong Bay is very impressive, but if your kids are various ages but still require watching, you might find it stressful as it is so spread out. The WL pool is great in that respect. Never tried out the Boardwalk pool on our stay as my girls consider clowns creepy and the slide comes out a clown's mouth

boy age 8, girl age 6, and boy age 3, when we arrive.

 

[rcraw45425]

boy age 8, girl age 6, and boy age 3, when we arrive.

If you have help you would probably be okay, one can stay with the younger one in the shallow play area. The slide entrance is like on one side of a sidewalk from where it enters the water, hard to make it from one side to the other. I liked the way the WL one was when our girls were younger because I could position myself in one spot and see them whether they were on the slide or in the water.