What is your favorite deluxe resort and why?

[Kleese]

Trying to make my mind up where we are going to stay and could use some help. Also,what do you think about spilt stays? Are you for or against?

 

[snappy]

We usually stay in DVC studios, I read the beach club and boardwalk regular rooms are nicer. I book the boardwalk views (water views for non DVC stays). I find the down time resting in the room is enhanced due to the relaxing views of the lake, and the walk to Epcot via the international gate an east alternative to the front entrance. Done many split stays. Depending on where you stay it can feel like 2 different vacations, like if you split between an MK Resort and an EPCOT resort or with AKL. You can go go go during the first leg of a split stay and then chill at the resort pool more on the second leg. I would stay more than 2 days on each leg if possible, but I have done 1 night stays at the beginning or ending of a trip just to try out a new resort.

 

[Sweettears]

YC because of its proximity to two parks and bountiful restaurants. Also the setting is so serene and relaxing

 

[Hopefully]

BC. Location, location, location.

 

[Sweettears]

BC. Location, location, location.

I also love the location of BC. I pick YC because of the balconies. Nothing better that sitting out in the a.m. or p.m. overlooking CL

 

[Caseheidi]

I have to admit the AKL is the only one we have stayed in, but I love it. I can sit for hours on my balcony or wandering around outside watching the animals. And it is easy access to one of my favorite restaurants!

 

[Brett Wyman]

BC. Location, location, location.

Yup. But villas for us. We prefer a full kitchen. BCV or BWV are my hands down winners even over monorail resorts(walking to two parks is better than one!). BCV wins by an edge for Storm-a-long, but I’d never complain about BWV.

I mean ability to walk into two parks. Ability to pop into Epcot with all its food options. QSR and TSR at 3 resorts all in walking distance(two more if you add Dolphin and Swan). Beautifully grounds to stroll on and lower on the cost scale that some other deluxes.

 

[TJA]

I was not a fan of split stays when my twins were babies/toddlers. Just too much stuff to unpack, transfer, and then unpack again. However, my kids are older now and we all pack ourselves with our own packing cubes and bathroom bags, so it's super easy to split stay nowadays. Having said that.....

I have 3 favorites resorts! That is another reason I'm a fan of split stays. We love the GF and Poly and both have easy access to MK. Then we move over to the BC for easy walking access to both HS and Epcot.

As far as the reasons we have our favorite 3 resorts:
1) the Poly is so relaxing to us. Our favorite room is LV in the Hawaii CL building.
2) the GF makes us feel happy and pampered. Our favorite room is in the main building during any holiday.
3) the BC makes us feel at home. Our favorite room is anywhere near the lobby.

 

[xlsm]

Wilderness Lodge! Perfect location, varied transportation, small (love being under one roof), and peaceful. Good food options and a beautiful pool area.

It was where I stayed on my first trip in 2001, and I made it the first place my kids ever stayed on our first family visit. Sadly, the rooms with just two queen beds don't work well for us anymore, now that the kids are older.

AKL is probably my second favorite, but the distance from the parks can get annoying when you're on a crowded bus. I've stayed at the Poly and Boardwalk, too, but I always have to visit the Lodge at least once b/c I miss it!

 

[mickeynut1]

The Poly:

- Large, spacious rooms
- beautiful tropical atmosphere
- beach for watching the fireworks
- great pool that backs up to the beach (can watch fireworks while swimming)
- 2 monorail stops from MK
- within walking distance to TTC to catch the Epcot monorail

 

[marmar]

DH & I are 60+. We’ve stayed at all minus contemporary. Since there are no longer teens for Stormalong Bay, our resort of choice is now Boardwalk Inn. Walk to 2 parks. Dinners in Epcot. Beach Club is too noisy and chaotic. Yacht Club is longer walk to parks. Transportation was the issue we had at GF,AK,WL. Poly is always more expensive than Epcot resorts.

That said our spring trip is to Yacht Club. I was concerned of SkyTram construction impacting BWI, with noise or lack of privacy.

 

[Ladyandthepuppies]

I love Beach Club, my first time there I was maybe 8 and Stormalong Bay took my breath away. It really is the best hotel pool ever.

I also voted for the Contemporary because right now my kids are 2 and 5, they're too little to swim alone at Stormalong Bay and we have found the Contempo to be the most convenient for our family right now. We can walk back and forth to MK, we can monorail over to EP, and with either option our kids don't even have to get out of the stroller. If you have young kids I think it's worth considering the Contempo.

 

[need2travel]

Boardwalk Inn is DH & I's favorite. Walk to 2 parks, tons of dining options, a fantastic quiet pool in the garden area, Belle Vue Lounge-everything about is just perfect! We've also stayed at Yacht Club & Grand Flo but still would pick BWI hands down. Wish I was there right now...….

 

[Eve & Wall-e]

DH and I did a split stay: 9 days at POFQ and 5 days at WL. We liked WL for the theming. It was so relaxing there. I love the huge lobby. We really liked taking the boat to MK and back, or over to the Contemporary or Fort Wilderness. Our room had a view of the pool and the lake.

 

[JAMIESMITH]

We love The Polynesian! We stayed there on our very first trip so that's part of it. We love access to the monorial and the short walk to the TTC. There are great places to eat and more options a monorial ride away. The fireworks from the beach are amazing! The rooms are spacious and we love the feel of the resort.

 

[izzylovesmickey]

BC! It was our first onsite stay and remains our favorite. That said, YC with the renovated room is a very close second. Location for us is key-so very nice to walk to 2 parks. We do split stays most trips lately since it lets us try a new resort along with a stay at a tried and true favorite.

 

[DaisyDuck001]

I am for split stays.

Before the latest refurb, my favorite was Yacht Club for the strong nautical theming, but that has been toned way down in the new version, so no longer a fan.

Wilderness Lodge is great for a relaxed vibe.

 

[snappy]

Beach club and BWI are neck and neck. Did I mention the nice quiet pool and what I consider the best lounge on property, the Belle Vue lounge, at BWI?

 

[jods]

Poly and WL. Love the relaxing feel of the poly and fireworks from the beach. The grounds at both are beautiful. Didn't care for BC. Walking to epcot was great but getting to MK and other parks were long, especially MK. Ended up using minivans and Uber. I also didn't feel like the resort was relaxing. The pool and lobby were so busy. I didn't get that tranquil feel I had at the other resorts. GF is also relaxing and love their grounds. My kids don't care for it though.

 

[marchingstar]

this is a tough one! it reeeeallly depends what you’re looking for, who you’re traveling with, etc. we’ve stayed at: AKL, CR, BC, GF, and we’re staying at Poly next month. i love them all, and would stay at any again, in the right circumstances (for example: i don’t think i would stay at AKL for a short, park-heavy trip)

as for split stays, the same applies. we’ve done them often and really enjoy them, but we visit for longer stretches and only with each other/other adults (until now). our next trip, we’re staying put at the Poly. we’re traveling as a family of 3 for the first time, and that feels like enough of a learning curve. i think it’ll be better to plant and stay put with a little one in tow.

edited to say i voted for AKL and BC because both have fun theming and experiences unique to the resorts, from watching animals to floating around SAB.