Resort Hopping...

[GO2209]

In full planning mode....

Probably going to fly out on the 12/9/03. Going to book the 4day cruise for the 14/9. Want to have a mix of accommodation at WDW.

Never been to the Boardwalk before, so considering spending a couple of nights there (12th & 13th) - but I am tempted to stay at the AKL again for these two nights.

Then the cruise.

18th - 21st either CBR, Coronado or Port Orleans.

21st - 26th. Poly

Was going to mix the deluxe resorts, but when I typed the numbers into a spreadsheet I had a panic attack!!!

Questions :

1)I do not know anyone who has stayed at Boardwalk. Is it worth staying at or should I stick to what I know (AKL)?

2) Is there a boat from Port Orleans to Downtown Disney?

3) Of the moderates - which would you recommend?

4) Anyone know if DCL have AP discounts - mousesavers seems to imply they do, but only on special dates?

Thank you.

 

[squitty]

Hi

I can answer a couple of your questions.

Yes there is a boat to DTD from POR, we used this back in April and it was very nice and relaxing

I looked round the moderate resorts before booking and chose POR, so my vote would be for POR

 

[UKDEB]

I haven't stayed at the BoardWalk, only visited, but there are plenty of people here who have. Kaylee springs to mind for some reason!

Funnily enough, we're having the same dilemma as you. We've booked our first four nights at the new Ritz-Carlton (in place of our original plan to stay at Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress). We know we want to spend at least 2 nights (maybe 3) onsite at Universal and we were then going to split the rest between AKL (like you we've stayed there before) and Gaylord Palms.

We've been going round and round in circles over the WDW stay. We know we love AKL, but we also think it would be great to stay at an Epcot resort - easy access to Epcot and MGM and loads to do in the evenings. We don't much like the Beach Club (where we <i>have</i> stayed), but we do like the Yacht Club and the BoardWalk (where we haven't).

Not any help, I know, but at least you're not alone!

Boats do go between Port Orleans and Downtown Disney.

Haven't stayed at a moderate, or been on a cruise, so I can't answer your other questions.

 

[KayleeUK]

Thanks Deb

Ahh.......the Boardwalk Its my DVC 'home' and I love it. Loads to do in the evenings on the Boardwalk, great pool and a quiet pool too. Now I haven't stayed on the Inn side only the Villa's which I expect you are going to consider. Great to have a night at Jellyroll's and then 'roll' back to your room. The resort it so convenient to walk to both MGM and EPCOT. This is lovely after Fantasmic or Illumination's, you could also get a boat ride to either of these park's too. There are ton's of places to eat - between The Boardwalk - Swan - Dolphin and Yacht and Beach Club - have I sold it yet???

For your moderate - the only one I can tell you about is CBR - we stayed here on our first trip to the 'world' It is a fabulous resort with a 'village' to stay in - we stayed at Martinique which was right next door to food court, shop and main pool. There is a main themed pool and quiet pools in each village. You can hire little boats to go out to the lake. In the evening you can sit on the 'beach' in a hammock with a lovely cocktail.

I hope this helps, I would love to stay at the Poly one day - that's where we got married..

 

[vernon]

Kaylee's answered very well on the Boardwalk with a lot of additional info, I'd just agree that it's a nice resort ( stayed there twice) and a fantastic location. Because of it's theme it is a little more "lively" (AKA occasionally noisy) than some of the other Disney resorts but that is part of it's charm. If you want somewhere with a "bit of a buzz" then IMHO it's the best pick on site.

For moderates it does depend on what your preferences are.

CBR is probably the most spread out of the resorts and has a number of smaller "quiet" pools. They have recently changed the restaurant arangement by adding a full service restaurant. This is in the last couple of month and I haven't heard any reports but I would think it can only be for the better.

PO has a really nice relaxed atmosphere to it, I've always liked the restaurants there and it has a nice main pool area, the boat ride through to DTD makes a nice change as well.

Can't help on the AP discounts for DCL, sorry.
Coronado Springs is the newest of the mods and has IMHO the best pool area, it's a "duel purpose" hotel as it often hosts conferences and as such probably has a slightly higher ratio of guests without kids. Great mexican full service restaurant ( although pricey) and a good food court. Of all the mods I would say I like the feel of Coronado the best, but all are fine resorts.

 

[GO2209]

Looks like I will be starting off with Boardwalk then! I think you have all pretty much sold me on that (KayleeUK - are you on commission?)!

I know CBR has been recently refurbished - POR has the boat to DTD and Coronado has just been given a thumbs up by Vernon. This isn't getting any easier?!!

I will probably opt for POR - just because of is proximity to Downtown Disney. The GF liked the look of CBR (we have just received the Disney WDW DVD) - bit dissapointed with the coverage of the resort hotels though.

I suppose I could add an extra 'hop' or two - but to change accommodation 4 times in a fortnight must be time consuming. Ah well, I guess there is always next time!

 

[KayleeUK]

I wish I was on commission - I could buy more DVC Points. Glad I have helped you with your choice.

 

[BevS97]

I don't know if this will help, but we stayed at the CBR and thought it was wonderful - it is an amazingly quiet oasis in the middle of a crazy WDW. It's very beautiful and the sandy beach around the lake is lovely.

I also like the look of PO (I fancy the mansions, I don't know which bit that is), but we couldn't get booked in there so we went to CBR, I was worried we would be disappointed but we weren't

AKL is amazing too - we like to resort hop, cause we can't afford to stay onsite fro 2 weeks, but we do like to experience the different hotels.

Bev

 

[GO2209]

I have wanted to stay at the CBR for a while now, but I have also read some good reports of CS and PO looks so nice! For this trip I want to try different types of resort. My logic is as follows :

Boardwalk - KayleeUK seems rather fond of it! Plus, I wanted somewhere 'busy' and with Jellyrolls etc, it should be fairly upbeat? Probably wont do the parks - well, maybe a few hours, for the first couple of days. Going to save them for after the cruise.

Poly - Beach/Lagoon, quieter and on the monorail for access to MK. Never seen the Water Parade, so I would like to be somewhere round the lagoon.

PO - good access to DD & MGM/Epcot.

It is my birthday on the 22/9 and I wanted to be somewhere 'posh' for it! Didn't want to spend so many nights there (reason=cost), but I don't want to finish the holiday on a high note. I shall economise by either not having a car for the full duration or get a basic compact car. I love renting the big Chryslers and Cadillacs...

I am hoping for some good AP discounts to be announced for September.

My planning is now becoming an obsession - I have created an excel spreadsheet to log scores for each resort based on trip reports etc and plot them on graphs. I have stooped to new depths of nerdiness.... Help!

 

[TartanFan]

Firstly, let me say I like your thinking! Now let me try to add my tuppence worth and I hope it doesn't make your planning worse!

1) Haven't stayed at an Epcot resort (booked Swan once but didn't happen!) but seems like a happening place. Have stayed at AKL twice and would go back in an instant!

2) There is a boat from PO to DD - but timings were a bit "variable" when we used it - either got one straight away or had to wait 45 mins!

3) My favourite mod is far and away CSR - deluxe amenities at a mod price! Best pool and great food court (although there are mixed feelings about the Pepper Market, I loved it)

4) Unfortunately, no AP rates on DCL. In fact, no discount rates at all on DCL but hasn't stopped us doing a 4 day and 2 x 7 days!

Hope this helped. Sorry if it hindered!

 

[GO2209]

I chuckled at Vernons 'duel purpose' hotel - can't help but picture conference attendees fighting it out with pistols at dawn. Actually, not a bad picture...

TartanFan (and everybody else!) thank you for your thoughts. I confess, I am still undecided about which moderate. Just finished reading some great reviews/trip reports covering CS - yes mixed reviews of the Pepper Market...

I will exclude CBR from my thinking (I think!?) as I guess it's style might be too similar to the Poly??? So I am down to CS and PO. Guess its a matter of waiting to see what AP discounts appear.

Veron - as a DCL Veteran - what is the ship movement like? My GF can get motion sickness whilst walking downhilll (okay, an exageration). I have joked about being able to tolerate a green girlfriend for a few days, but I am not sure if can cope with her complaining about being green!?!