Spinoff: Cost aside, which resorts would you choose OVER "higher-grade" resorts?

[KingLlama]

TonyZ's resorts poll got me thinking, and it led me to start this spinoff thread.

Put money completely aside for a moment.

Are there any specific WDW resorts that you'd choose over a specific moderate resort? Any specific WDW moderate resorts that you'd choose over specific deluxe resorts?

Again, cost/value is not a factor. This is strictly based on personal preference. So take into account theme, rooms, dining, location, etc.

I think I'd take AofA over Coronado Springs, and Caribbean Beach. And I would probably take French Quarter over Yacht Club, and Swan/Dolphin.

 

[Tonyz]

I would take Port Orleans and Coronado over Yacht Club. That's probably it.

 

[rteetz]

I think I'd have to stay at each moderate to have a good opinion of this. I've never even been to CBR or CSR. I have stayed at POFQ and POR which are great and I've stayed at only 1 deluxe that being Beach Club. I think BC takes the cake but POR is a close second. I also enjoy the Pop century as I've stayed there. Each category has its positives and negatives. I've never stayed at Saratoga springs old key west but I'd probably stay at POR instead of those two. I'd never pick a value or moderate over beach club though.

 

[Princess Jes]

For me, probably not, based solely on location.
But throw a value (AoA or AS: Movies) in a deluxe location, and id be ok staying there

 

[TheMaxRebo]

I agree with @Princess Jes rhat location plays a big role. But excluding ability to walk to EPCOT or monorail to MK I would take AoA over many of the mods or Deluxe

 

[pjweaver]

If Ft Wilderness counts as a mod, I would take that over AKL (there's too much walking from out room to the busses or lobby and you have to take a bus everywhere).

I would go Pop over Coronado or CBR for a similar reason. Pop has the most rooms of any resort (I believe), but the layout is such that room to bus station is never more than 5 minutes. After an 18 hour day on my feet I just want to get to my room. I do not like the idea of getting off the bus, then having to wait for an internal bus.

I am also tempted to put Pop over OKW for the same reason listed above. A deluxe that doesn't have a second way to one of the parks loses the biggest draw for me. I sleep in my room, then I go to a park. I rarely make use of the pools, the gym, and if a resort has restaurant I really like I can always go even if I'm not staying there. I don't use the resort food courts much, and as far as Disney gift shops go, the entire property is one big gift shop.

It's only my wife and I when we go, so room space means little to us.

 

[SorcererHeidi]

I would pick OKW over a lot of resorts because of sentimental memories, the ability to park pretty close (if not right outside) your unit, room size, general "laid back feel" and relaxing, pretty atmosphere of the resort, watching golfers from your balcony, and the awesome boat ride to Disney Springs. One of the few "down sides" to me is no elevators if on upper floors.

I would also pick POFQ over a lot of resorts (including deluxes!) because of a lot of the same reasons, and also the perfect footprint of the grounds - so close to everything, and yet does not feel "crowded" at all. One of few "down sides" to me is no sit down restaurant, miss Bonfamilie's - especially for complimentary beignet basket and black skillets at breakfast!

Both of these locations just say "aaaaaaah - relax - you're on VACATION, get Zen!" to me!!! Even just thinking about them, like now!

 

[disneysteve]

I actually have no desire to stay at Grand Floridian. Like most luxury resorts, I find it stuffy and pretentious. I'd much rather be at Caribbean Beach or AoA. I also don't have any burning desire to stay at the Contemporary (and I did stay there once in the garden wing years ago). The only monorail resort that really appeals to me is the Poly. I'm just not a "deluxe" kind of guy. Sorry @Princess Jes but I'm not itching to stay at the Yacht or Beach Club either, or Boardwalk. The only spot in that area that I'd do is Swan and Dolphin (with preference to the Swan).

 

[disneysteve]

I would pick OKW over a lot of resorts because of sentimental memories, the ability to park pretty close (if not right outside) your unit,

This is one of the reasons we love staying offsite. It's great to park right outside your door, not have to haul luggage anywhere, and be able to get in and out quickly during those wonderful Florida monsoons.

 

[TinkFan74]

I would take the Ft. Wilderness Cabins of Wilderness Lodge any day of the week. Even though I own at SSR, I would stay at POR or POFQ before I would stay at SSR.

 

[Princess Jes]

I actually have no desire to stay at Grand Floridian. Like most luxury resorts, I find it stuffy and pretentious. I'd much rather be at Caribbean Beach or AoA. I also don't have any burning desire to stay at the Contemporary (and I did stay there once in the garden wing years ago). The only monorail resort that really appeals to me is the Poly. I'm just not a "deluxe" kind of guy. Sorry @Princess Jes but I'm not itching to stay at the Yacht or Beach Club either, or Boardwalk. The only spot in that area that I'd do is Swan and Dolphin (with preference to the Swan).

Is that because subconsciously you're still thinking of the $$ though?

I do agree that even if I had all the money in the world, I wouldn't stay at the Grand Floridian. Not my speed at all. Way too stuffy.

As an aside: how do people afford to stay there?!?! It's like $600 a night in a low room category!

 

[SorcererHeidi]

And the weird thing is I always feel the same way when I step into the GF (which I do on a lot of my visits) - like a lower class, unwashed ruffian. And yet I've never had anybody "look down their nose" at me, and I remember a LONG time ago, when I was looking for something specific (can't remember what, but something I was hunting down to buy as a gift I believe) the CM's at the front desk were some of the nicest and most helpful I had ever dealt with, gathered a whole little group of themselves together asking for me, and even made a bunch of phone calls trying to find the item for me. So even though I always remember those positive experiences, and know it's uncalled for for me to feel that way, I still do. Sorry Jes, but Yacht Club has always made me feel the same way.

 

[disneysteve]

Is that because subconsciously you're still thinking of the $$ though?

No. I don't think it is. Although I enjoy various "luxury" experiences, there are some where I just don't feel comfortable. As Heidi said, it might be more about me and have nothing to do with the place itself, but I just feel out of place there.

 

[SorcererHeidi]

LOL Jes - I'm subscribed to the Disney Parks YouTube channel, and they just e-mailed me the above video to watch. Maybe they're reading the board? LOL Def made me think of you!

 

[Princess Jes]

Ahhhh!!! I can't wait to go back!!
I like the in too decor better at yacht club than at the beach club. The lobby I couldn't care less bout as I spend no time there.

I just love it!!!

 

[tink1970]

I've had three visits at BC ranging from not good to are you kidding me this is bad so I'd take POFQ, POR and AoA over BC.
I think I just have bad luck there (or it's Disney's way of saying "stay at the stuffy and pretentious GF! Which I like...).

 

[SarahDisney]

I'd take Art of Animation or Pop Century over anything but the monorail resorts. I like the over the top theming at the values. The only reason the monorail resorts win out is proximity to Magic Kingdom and my obsession with the Poly and Contemporary.

 

[rteetz]

I've had three visits at BC ranging from not good to are you kidding me this is bad so I'd take POFQ, POR and AoA over BC.
I think I just have bad luck there (or it's Disney's way of saying "stay at the stuffy and pretentious GF! Which I like...).

Really? What went wrong? I had an amazing time there in January. Service, room, location, food, buses all were great.

 

[AdamEfimoff]

delete

 

[Princess Jes]

I am just going to say they practice medicine and earn about the Grand Floridian charges in a day each. I did not write this to boast but to say my parents worked the butt off and have been in the business for years. I do not mind others saying that they cannot afford that and I personally feel sorry that they cannot. But I keep on hearing stuff like how can one personally afford that ? and stuff like you must be unethical etc?

I beg your pardon?