Summer Trip, Which Resort?

[CaliforniaDreaming]

Now that I'm about finished planning my next trip (woohoo, it's coming up in a few weeks!), I'm ready to get in the planning stage of my summer trip. As a DVC Member, we have a villa booked at the BoardWalk. It's a boardwalk view 2BR, and I cannot wait to try this resort, we own there but have never stayed there. We need to choose a resort to stay at prior to our BWV stay.

There are 4 of us, and we will need to get two rooms. Here is what I'm thinking:

Pop Century, Preferred Location
Coronado Springs, Standard View
Animal Kingdom Lodge, Standard View
Animal Kingdom Lodge, Pool View
Contemporary, Wing Standard View

Of the four resorts, we've only stayed at the Contemporary. And, at the Contemporary, I've never stayed in the wings (my parents have, though), only on the 12th floor of the tower.

Now, if there aren't any discounts, we'll probably go with either Pop Century or Coronado Springs. We'd really like to try Animal Kingdom Lodge someday, but I'm also thinking it may be nice to stay near the Magic Kingdom for part of the trip. And, I did really enjoy my last stay at the Contemporary.

So, what do you all think?

 

[wdwfan]

I like the idea of staying at the Contemporary for the proximity to MK. Depending what the discounts are for this summer (hopefully there will be some) I'd like to do 2 days of my vacation at either the Grand or the Poly, just to be close to MK. The rest of our stay will be at BWI. (Hopefully concierge )

 

[SeaSpray]

I voted for the Contemporary, since you expressed liking the idea of being near the MK. The Contemporary is a Disney World classic, can't go wrong with that!

P.S. Since the CR has 2 queens plus a daybed, could the 4 of you stay in 1 room there?? I can understand why you'd want 2 rooms at the other resorts, though!

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

Well, we could all stay in one room, but I think it would probably be best to get 2. I guess that we could always upgrade to the tower or concierge and get one room. Or, we could stay at the GF!

I'm also open to two rooms at the YC/BC or Polynesian. From the "historic" rates, it would be pushing it, but it might be nice.

 

[mkymouse4ever]

I don't see the Poly? Now if your staying at the BWV, your already at Epcot / Mgm area and NEED to be at the Magic Kingdom area! As you've said you have done the GF & right now I am NOT in favor of the CR even the wings, so I am holding my vote till I see the poly.

Ok, tell your dad, you only need 1 room at poly, rooms are huge, and with the daybed you get your own bed. In august we had figi building over looking lagoon, and its garden-view prices with a water-view. Ok not castle view but we could see the water parade, and where very close to the GCH. Very excellent building. All rooms have been (and will be complete) refurbished.

If you insist on your above group, I probably would pick the akl, but depends how many days your going.

MKY

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

True, we could get along with one room at the Polynesian. If you were to choose between lagoon view and concierge garden view, which would you choose? How about between 2 garden view rooms or 1 concierge lagoon view room?

Or, do you think we should just stay at YC/BC or BWI to stay in the area?

We really would like to try AKL, though. Our stay would be 3 nights. We could probably stay in 1 Concierge Room or just get the two rooms (either standard or pool view).

 

[MAGICinMYHEART]

CaliforniaDreaming,

Because you will be staying before your DVC stay, I am guessing that you will be staying a Friday and Saturday. I would stay at AKL concierge and do the Sunrise Safari.

If not the AKL then one of the MK Resorts (not the toaster, AKA Contemporary) but the Poly or Grand Floridian. That way you can do MK while staying there and will not have to spend much time with transportation.

If this would be to $$$ then try Pop Century from reading Tyler's thread it sounds like fun, I don't think I wouldn't even do the Preferred Location just a King Size Room. You will have preferred treatment when you arrive at the BWV.

 

[pixiechick]

I voted for the Contemporary. The wing rooms are huge and not too far from the action. Plus, the price is usually right.

Pop Century might be fun, if only to try it out. It would only be a couple of days no matter what and would certainly be unique.

I love AKL, but I wouldn't choose it in this case. To me, it is a cooler weather spot. Between the warm colors, cozy lodge feeling, and "smell", it seems perfect at Christmas or New Years, but not for summer. Does that make sense? And remember, with the exception of a suite, the concierge rooms are smallish.

btw, I think you will love BWV. It's such a wonderful resort!

 

[MAGICinMYHEART]

Double post

 

[BCV23]

I voted CR out of your choices but now that mkymouse4ever has you thinking straight, if I were you I would book the Polynesian. Can't beat it.

I do think AKL is great for a short stay but to me the magic there lies in a savannah view. I aslo wonder how active the animals are in the summer??

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

Yes, it will be a Thursday-Saturday night stay in June. I think if I can get $199 or $209 at the Yacht or Beach or Polynesian we'd be able to get 2 rooms, but any more would probably be a little too much (we'll be at WDW 3 times next year, so I don't want to put too much into accommodations, when they can go into meals, dinner shots, Cirque, etc). I looked online, and the Yacht is already sold out of standard view rooms, so a discount probably wouldn't happen there.

Maybe this is what I'm considering (with discount):
2 Rooms @ Animal Kingdom Lodge
2 Rooms @ Contemporary Wing
2 Rooms @ Yacht/Beach Club
2 Rooms @ Polynesian

And, without a discount, probably 2 Rooms @ Coronado Springs, Caribbean Beach, or Port Orleans French Quarter.

AH, not sure. Maybe I need to do some resort touring in a few weeks while I'm there.

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

Or, maybe we should go with the Grand Floridian? It would probably be a bit more than we wanted to spend, but it might be worth it. What do you think? I have it figured out that if we can get it for $239 a night, two rooms with taxes would be around $533 a night, kinda expensive, especially compared to our upcoming trip that is $312 a night with taxes for 2 WL Courtyard view rooms. I'm not sure if we really want to spend THAT much.

 

[Pryncess'mom]

I voted for the CR, but any of the monorail resorts would be great. Just staying near the water in the summer is great, plus you get the EWP at night. Even though the BWV are near water, too, the Seven Seas Lagoon is classic Disney! Even though I have never stayed there, my true vote would be for the Poly, too. It is my dream to stay there one day.

Good luck!

Deb