What do you look for when choosing a resort?

[CapeCodTenor]

Is it the theming, location? Do you go by level? I know there's a thread about choosing a resort based off the pool(s). So what is it? What do you look for when choosing a resort to stay at? I'm just curious as I've only ever stayed at POFQ. When chose to stay at the POFQ it was because I liked the theming when I looked at the pictures. Once I got there, I found that I really liked the small layout and how there was no one building that was a long walk from the main building, so that's something I'm going to consider. So what it is? Thanks

 

[Disneylover99]

Theming/Resort layout/Small size

We’ve stayed at all resort levels and so we pretty much stick to our favourites at each level at this point.

But cost is important too, so we stay for up to two weeks at value resorts, and only up to four days at Deluxe.

 

[The WDW 3]

$$$

 

[CapeCodTenor]

Theming/Resort layout/Small size

We’ve stayed at all resort levels and so we pretty much stick to our favourites at each level at this point.

But cost is important too, so we stay for up to two weeks at value resorts, and only up to four days at Deluxe.

The size of the resort is important to me because I don't want to have to take a bus, or walk 20 minutes, just get breakfast. I wake up early and my DW and DD sleep in, so for me to be able to get up and head over to the food court for coffee and be back at a decent time is kind of important, don't want them thinking went off to the parks without them. I have been looking at the maps of the different resorts, and found that a couple of the buildings of the All-Star Movie resort is pretty close to the main building of the Music resort. So I wouldn't mind staying in one of those two buildings...it's be easy to head over for breakfast and to catch the busses.

 

[CapeCodTenor]

$$$

As much as I'd love to stay at one of the deluxe resorts, I couldn't justify it.

 

[ladyjubilee]

Cost balanced with quiet. We started at Pop Century once; cost was great noise terrible. On our last trip, stayed in a Cabin at Fort Wilderness; quiet was wonderful, cost was high.

We also like to try different resorts, though have chosen POFQ most often.

 

[Disneylover99]

The size of the resort is important to me because I don't want to have to take a bus, or walk 20 minutes, just get breakfast. I wake up early and my DW and DD sleep in, so for me to be able to get up and head over to the food court for coffee and be back at a decent time is kind of important, don't want them thinking went off to the parks without them. I have been looking at the maps of the different resorts, and found that a couple of the buildings of the All-Star Movie resort is pretty close to the main building of the Music resort. So I wouldn't mind staying in one of those two buildings...it's be easy to head over for breakfast and to catch the busses.

I like the theming and layout of Movies. Movies would be my go to at the AllStars. I really dislike the layout of Music.

 

[OKW Lover]

Well, we are resort snobs. Being DVC members, we restrict ourselves to just the DVC properties. Then, its a question of what our primary purpose is. If its one of the big Epcot events, then we try from BWV or BCV. If its a general family trip, then OKW. Exceptions are if we recently did one and want to try one of the other resorts.

Now, if we weren't DVC members, we would be going with the deluxe resorts. In those cases, we prefer the Poly among the MK resorts. Or BC for the Epcot resorts. They just "feel" right to us. Oh, and an occasional visit to AKL just because.

 

[CapeCodTenor]

I like the theming and layout of Movies. Movies would be my go to at the AllStars. I really dislike the layout of Music.

Movies doesn't seem as spread out, and thus easier and quicker to get around in.

 

[Disneylover99]

Movies doesn't seem as spread out, and thus easier and quicker to get around in.

Definitely.

 

[bakerworld]

With the kids the resort was all $$. We had preferences but in the end it was $$. As the kids grew it was a combination of $$ and time (location), as tween/teens tend to lock up vacation time with sports/school related events. If all we could spare was a long weekend, the resort location which meant less bus time was the decising factor. When it was down to us we started with a goal to stay an every resort so then it was about location. Eventually we found locations that we preferred and now it's about location (a vacation for 2 is a lot less expensive than 4 or 5). We eventually joined the vacation club because our preference is Jambo or Beach Club and the vacation club saves $$$.

 

[mom to minnie&mickey]

I'll speak for my family only. We go to Disney to enjoy the parks so we always stay at a value (which we also enjoy). We mostly rope drop and stay all day. By the time we come back to our resort it is dark and we are ready to sleep. We usually do have a resort day where we sleep in and use the pools but spend the afternoon/evening at Disney Springs and resort touring. We started with Pop back in 2007 but it has gotten too expensive so we now choose to stay at one of the All Stars. Staying on-site is non-negotiable and the values give us all the perks at an off-site price when we go during the summer.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Is it the theming, location? Do you go by level? I know there's a thread about choosing a resort based off the pool(s). So what is it? What do you look for when choosing a resort to stay at? I'm just curious as I've only ever stayed at POFQ. When chose to stay at the POFQ it was because I liked the theming when I looked at the pictures. Once I got there, I found that I really liked the small layout and how there was no one building that was a long walk from the main building, so that's something I'm going to consider. So what it is? Thanks

We always pick our resort based on what our touring plans are for a given trip. For example, for a short trip last November, our biggest goals were going to MVMCP, going to EP and then riding the new Skyliner over to DHS. Our choice for that trip was CR, garden wing. That location allowed us to walk to MK on our party night (which happened to be our arrival day), head out on the monorail to EP, ride the Skyliner and then just one bus trip back to CR. We also typically take trips at the end of August when it is really, really hot. Because we spend most of our time in EP, we almost always choose an EP resort for those stays. For a short trip this upcoming November (for a milestone birthday), our must-do's are MVMCP and V&A, so I booked GF. For us, it's travel convenience above all when picking a resort.

 

[loves to dive]

Usually, it's an Epcot resort because we spend part of every day there. Lately, that has been Dolphin because it's less than the WDW resorts but still within walking distance of both Epcot and HS. We do split stays with the first and sometimes second nights at a value or moderate (whichever is less and I can get in to) then move over. That first 1/2 day after we arrive is usually spent at whatever park the first bus that arrives at the bus stop goes to. Second day is for either AK or MK since you have to take a bus to either of them anyway when staying at an Epcot resort. I don't really think about theming, cost does factor into it a bit.

 

[OnceUponATime15]

Our last few trips have all been split stays, done for the purpose of not relying on bus transportation. The crowds at the end of long park days for busses made the decision for us.
We do a split between MK and Epcot/HS area resorts. Makes planning easier, only need to bus to AK. Monorail/Boat to MK. Walk, Boat or now the Skyliner for Epcot & HS

Skyliner up & running now opens up some value and moderate resort choices we are planning a Riviera/WL split. Or CBR/Poly or maybe POP/GF... or some version of those resorts.., lol.

It’s good to have choices!

 

[MomOTwins]

Transportation is a big deal for us. There is a lot I don't like about Disney buses--the unreliability of wait times, the disorganized crush of people trying to get on all at once, the difficulty of toting a stroller onboard, having to stand when seats run out. Much prefer the boats, walking, monorail or skyliner so we try to stay a resort that has one of those.

 

[SaintsManiac]

Location, transportation, theming, size in that order.

 

[CapeCodTenor]

Transportation is a big deal for us. There is a lot I don't like about Disney buses--the unreliability of wait times, the disorganized crush of people trying to get on all at once, the difficulty of toting a stroller onboard, having to stand when seats run out. Much prefer the boats, walking, monorail or skyliner so we try to stay a resort that has one of those.

Not to hijack my own thread, but I found it annoying that there would be bus after bus heading to one area (pick one) with very few, if any, people at the stop, but the bus stop I'm at has multitudes of people waiting for buses.

 

[Disco Lemonade]

Not to hijack my own thread, but I found it annoying that there would be bus after bus heading to one area (pick one) with very few, if any, people at the stop, but the bus stop I'm has multitudes of people waiting for buses.

We had a bad time with that at CBR. Buses would keep coming for the same park, so they had to call extra buses for the one that kept getting skipped (and everyone was waiting for). The buses have always been my least favorite part of Disney World and the source of the most stress. We usually split stays and try to limit the number of buses we have to take.

 

[SaintsManiac]

Not to hijack my own thread, but I found it annoying that there would be bus after bus heading to one area (pick one) with very few, if any, people at the stop, but the bus stop I'm at has multitudes of people waiting for buses.

Picture it, Thanksgiving night at AK. Park closed and tons of people heading to the buses. Pop and AoA stops were overflowing. An HOUR went by and NO buses. We saw 3 buses picking up for the Epcot area resorts and nothing for us. Someone finally called and got through to a Pop CM and 2 buses showed up.

Lots of angry people that night.