What Dictates Which Resort You Choose?

[tkldisney]

It depends on who I go with. If with hubby we stay at deluxe resort on monorail. I like the CR but, he prefers GF. Neither of us cares for Poly.
If I go with friends depending on cost moderate or value. I really like the Pop Century over All stars. My favorite moderate is PORS.

 

[WDW LifeLong Fan]

4. Price - depending on if Mr.Murphy is with or against me each year decides our price range for hotel. Mr. Murphy and his laws have been kind this year so we get BWI and Contemporary.

 

[ihearttink]

1. Theming - I prefer paint versus wood and light versus dark. I always think about trying animal kingdom but the theme is just not me.

2. Proximity to parks - We prefer epcot area, BC or BWI to be able to walk or take the boat to Epcot and MGM;

3. Pool - we usually go to the pool every mid-afternoon to rest and relax before going back to the park for the evening.

4. Price is last on the list. We now pick deluxes. When we started going to the World eons ago there was no "value" resorts. What is now considered moderates was your only choice along with deluxe. We made a mistake about 7 years ago treating ourselves to a stay at the BC. Never have looked back. My personal preference is to go once every two/three years and stay at a deluxe versus once a year at a value or moderate. Also, our daughter is grown and doesn't go with us on vacation anymore so I just tell myself when I book the BC that this is what I would spend on a moderate with tickets for 3 people . Oh the things I tell myself to justify what I want .

 

[mousiemom]

We love staying @ Pop Century!! We have stayed @ the All Stars before but we try to go during value season to cut the cost. The crowds are always better then too. I love all the props to look at and I take a whole roll of film the last day around the hotel. I love everything about Pop Century. We will be staying there in Jan.
Have fun on your honeymoon!! Be sure and get the bride & groom mickey ears to wear.

 

[bugsy]

1) definately deluxe. I work 12+ hrs a day, so I treat myself
and DH to the best.
2) location! we chose epcot area, since it is close to epcot,
mgm, and the boardwalk, seemed like there was a lot
very close at hand
3) ammenities- want them all!! now I will mention that we
originally booked at the BC, due to location, and of
course, SAB, which was pretty exciting for me! THEN
I read of (and saw pictures of) the TEEEENY balconies
and when the AP rates came out, quickly switched to
the YC, keeping all of my original bennies, plus a FULL
balcony, and scored a water view as well, for the
same $ with the AP disc!
4) transportation options-not really #4 cuz, as I mentioned in #1, I never
considered anything but deluxe, and I did look into the
GF, being of course the deluxe of the deluxe, but IMO,
aside from the monorail, it was sort of isolated, and
didn't have all the options ultimately as the epcot area

 

[yecats]

As I don't have any kids, my deciding factor is really dealing with what activities I'll enjoy the most. First off, price is an issue to a degree - A week can not go over $800 to $1,000 for hotel cost. This allows me several options for a hotel (usually I move around between mods, deluxe and DVC rental). I like adult activies which is why I loved my stay at POR. You could take the boat to DTD or go to the bar for the weekend entertainment which is always fun. OKW and SSR are wonderful for proximity and access to DTD as well. I also like POR as it has a nice pool atmosphere and I usually end my park days by swimming in the pool as a winddown and help for sore muscles.

I really love CSR for the pool, hottub, slide, food court and general look to the area. As for proximity it is close to MGM/Epcot and AK and farthest from MK so at most may have a 10/12 minute ride. For the money, this is a great place to stay and schedule spa time or just relax in a hammock. I also love BW, the pool and slide are fun as well as the various restaurants to eat at and general nightly entertainment. We sat on our balcony and watched Illuminations and the various BW entertainers many nights which was also relaxing and a great way to end the day.

Like you, it is interesting to see how people choose where to stay. I have coworkers who won't shell out more money to upgrade to a moderate and feel as they get all the advantages at the values. On the other hand, I feel as though I have a better time when all my neighbors are spread out in a larger resort and you don't have that consent noise or have a ton of people in the pool with you.

 

[SeaSpray]

Our first on-site stay was at CBR which we LOVED, but my DH has since turned into a resort snob and now only wants to stay at deluxe resorts. Hey, I won't argue with him. lol

So, first of all, it has to be a deluxe.

We decided on the Wilderness Lodge and the Polynesian for this next trip because the Polynesian concierge wasn't available for all of our dates AND DH wants to try the WL, so we're starting out at WL CL for 2 nights, then over to the Polynesian

We chose the Polynesian because last time while we were staying at the Grand Floridian (which we loved), we ate lunch and dinner at the Kona Cafe and then had a CM give us a tour of the resort and show us a room, and we ALL fell in love with it! So, we decided back then in 2001 that our next family trip we'd stay at the Polynesian We were supposed to stay there last September after our Disney cruise but Hurricane Frances had other plans for us, including turning our 7-night cruise into a 10-night cruise!

For future trips, I honestly don't know. Someday I'd like to stay in the Contemporary tower for ONE night, just to fulfill a childhood dream. Otherwise, I don't care much at all for that resort. I'd definitely return to the Grand Floridian, and I'm assuming we'll love our stay at the Polynesian in July and will want to return there too. Eventually I'd like to try the Yacht Club and the Animal Kingdom Lodge. No interest in the Boardwalk at all, or Swan/Dolphin.

 

[Bugsmom73]

Right Now-
1.) Price
2.) Proximity
3.) Transportation
4.) Theme

 

[Eeyore2003]

Well, since renting points from a DVC owner in July for OKW, I'm sold. We even checked into doing this ourselves, but right now with putting two kids through college it's not feasible. For the same price as a deluxe room, (and probably cheaper), we get a full kitchen, king bed, living area, jacuzzi, washer/dryer and the amenities of the deluxe resorts. This is a one bedroom. The studio, was nice also, but I'll splurge for the nice additions the one bedroom provides. We've stayed at OKW and BWV and anxious to try others.

As far as how we choose, I guess the situation dictates that,

CR tower was kids choice, largest game room, turned out perfect with kids.

OKW, went with brother and for $120.00 per night for a studio with mini-kitchen, couldn't beat that price, my SIL wanted the mini-kitchen with the kids, and OKW is the best deal we could get for it. (rented points)

Boardwalk (Inn and Villas)-off season and close to Epcot, which is open later. This turned out nice.

AK-AP deal, split cost with my sister and it was wonderful.

We DO enjoy deluxe.

 

[funnybunny921]

usually:
1) price
2) atmosphere (i would never stay at AS sports or AS music, but i love pop and am willing to try AS movies)
3) reviews in guide books and on sites (here all ears etc)

honeymoon:
1) deluxe
2) affordable (if that makes sense ie we can afford a nicer room in x vs any at GF)
3) perks
(based on this we decided on concerge CR)

 

[clkelley]

Price - $100 a night is my limit, so that leaves it at values, or AP rates at moderates.
Food Court on the way to the bus stop - We're early up type folks and grab a bagel, fruit, and juice on the way to the bus.
One Bus Stop - I don't like the spread out resorts where you have to take a bus just to get to the desk/main building, etc.

So, that leaves me with, All-Stars, Pop Century, and Port Orleans, French Quarter.

I do stay at Ft. Wilderness tent camping once a year, but the tent camping outweighs all the negatives

I also stayed at Boardwalk Villas once for one night paying $230 for the night, but I wanted to be in walking distance to the Studios to get there for the Millionaire Walk In and Win.

Carol

 

[kandeebunny]

Price is the major deciding factor. Right now we are going to be staying at ASMu because it was the only resort on property with a price under $200 a night for the week we want to be going.

 

[MsWitty1]

My first few trips I choose by the following:
- Theme and location
- Who is going (someone who loves animals AKL, someone who loves camping WL)
- Price
- Trying something new!!

On the trip I am taking in September I have also used the opinion of a lot of people on this website. There is such great information so now I just need to commit!

 

[DisneyJen0504]

We go by atmosphere, price, comfort, good transportation and a good food court-we love CSR because it fills all of our requirements!! haha!
If we chose to spend the money on a deluxe, I think atmosphere, proximity to parks and which ones would also play into the decision.

 

[PolyAddict]

UH?

MONEY

of course!!

Then monorail availability!!!!

And that's about it!!!!

Michele

 

[MinnieM21]

Whatever theme appeals to me. The Grand Floridian's theme is the only one that interests me. Location also is a deciding factor and the Grand Floridian's location is perfect because of the monorial.

I'll only stay at the Grand Floridian!

 

[DAWGPOUNDAJ]

Wow I just re-checked this and was shocked to see so many detailed responses! Reading it's actually helped me re-define the way I look at resorts!

I think I'm noticing a general theme:::

- Money is the most often listed factor. No surprise there. Now if only we could all get a Disney discount for spending so much there so often!
- If money is not the primary factor, proximity to resorts is a must.
- If there is no rental car, proximity is a must. (Like monorail, water transport, quick bus service reviews, favorite park location in relation to hotel, etc.)
- If there is a rental car, proximity seems to not matter (like with us since we drive down from Cleveland! )
- If there are kids they play a HUGE role in deciding where based on if they still nap, how long they can stay at the parks (b/c that dictates how long you'll actually be in your hotel room), and what waterslides and foods they like.
- Activities solo adults and couples like. Like do they want water activities? Specialty restaurants? DTD nearby, etc.

That being said I'll re-state our reasons a bit better. lol

- The resorts proximity to parks (though it has to be on-site) and their transportation do not matter b/c we always drive down. My husband's ear ducts formed too small so while he hears fine, planes are not something he gets along with without severe pain. Consequently we've learned to love our roadtrips. If we ever did fly there we'd also prefer a rental car, and would stay at a value with a rental car, rather than say at a deluxe without one. We just liek the flexibility to go somewhere right when we want to without worrying about the bus schedule. Call it impatience.

- The main pool is nothing special to us b/c we do not like crowds while swimming. We just like to wind down in a pool and read by it (AKA Silence is good!) Statistically the quiet pool is the least crowded always, so thats where we head every time. The more quiet pools at a resort, the better we like it, thus the CBR.

- Theming. Some themes just do not appeal to us visually, and would make staying there less fun. Liek while I like POR, it's theming just doesn't do anything for me. It doesn't seem as happy or romantic when I go there. Thats also how I feel abou the CR. The GF is sorta ruined for me by a bad exeprience there but it's a bit too stuffy for my taste. The WL is not a first choice only b/c I grew up on a ravine with woods surrounding our home, and when I vacation I want something different from what I'm used to. WL is a lot more like my parents house honestly so thus, we stay elsewhere. It's neat seeing why people like different things though I think!

- Food courts. Besides quickness, I find they have more selections that are not "spiffed up too much" and that makes it easier to find food to eat quickly. I have some really odd food allergies and food courts are accomodating like that I think. Plus, I just don't like restaurants.

- Room decor. Important b/c we want to feel immersed in a place not liek our home when we vacation. The CBR really dos that for us!

 

[opal]

Our criteria has changed over the years. While price is not as big an issue now as when dd was younger, I still like to feel like I am getting value. Paying rack rate makes me crazy!!!!!

When dd was younger, we stayed mod. CBR was always our first choice. We love the theming. But I think the real reason this was our favorite was it was the only moderate at Disney the first year we went. Our first trip was so incredible that I think we will always link that "feeling" with CBR. It is more an emotional thing than that resort is somehow superior.

Then in 2002 when tourism was off and codes and discounts were great, we took a leap and tryed BWI. Now we are hooked on the Epcot resort area!!!
I'm embarressed to admit how much time I dedicate to finding the best deal on a Epcot resort! Our most recents stays have been at the Swan though we did split a stay one year between Y&B and Swan. Even though S&D lacks the "Disney theming" I have to say they are fast becoming a favorite. Love the bed, coffee, location, etc. and so far there haven't been any cheerleaders only kidding, sorta.

But all that said, after staying at 3 mods and 3 deluxes, we have never had a bad trip or been disappointed with our accomodations. We are happy just to be there.

 

[Liz]

Definitely price, and that doesn't necessarily mean the least expensive. If there was a great code on values and moderates I might choose the moderate. The deluxes are just out of our range, unless a load of pixie dust falls on us!

 

[vettechick99]

Price is not at the top of my list because if I really want to stay at the Poly, I'll save and save and save til I have enough money!

We are going in Oct for the F&WF, so being near Epcot was important to me. We got ressies at BCV, but BWV would have been ok too. So level of hotel is most important to me along with location (which really goes hand in hand). I love some of the moderates, but I hate the bus system, so it kinda puts a damper on our resort choices.

But this is if I have months to plan my trip...if we are just running down for a quick trip, I don't care much where I stay!