What Is Your Favourite Deluxe Resort?

[KlippertFan]

I'm thinking of staying at a few resorts on my trip. I was thinking of doing 7 days in a value resort, 2 days in a moderate resort, and 1 day in a deluxe resort (though depending on budget I may have to forgo this one and add an extra moderate day resort). I decided to do a couple polls since I've never been to WDW and see what are people's favourite resorts. Unfortunately I can't do three polls in the same thread so I've had to create seperate threads for them. For this thread could you please vote on your favourite deluxe resort and if you would like post why you like the resort you voted for. Much appreciated!

OH! I should mention, I'm travelling alone, no children.

 

[DAWGPOUNDAJ]

While out of all the Disney resorts, CBR is my ultimate favorite, a close second is the Polynesian. Nothing beats the AMAZING check in area right when you first walk into the resort, and find yourself surrounded by plants, gurgling streams, and Polynesian ambiance. The rooms themselves make you feel as if you just stepped into a rainforest hideaway (I would know since I've actually been fortunate enough to have visited two rainforest's in my life so far, and outside of them the hotel rooms were quite similiar to the Polynesian's decor), and it's just amazing.

Also, the Polynesian is right on the Seven Seas Lagoon, WITH the monorail if you are using Disney transporation. We never do though, but the few times we have done it just for fun the Poly has been superb with getting us places quickly. The pathways with the lit tiki torches are amazing, not to mention their pool, and the scent of the whole place is indescribable! And if you like sit down restaurants, Ohana's there is the ONE restaurant we make sure to go to on every Disney vacation, and that's coming from someone who HATES sit down meals! Their character breakfast's are the best!

The only complaint about this resort is the LACK of a good food court. I'm not a big sit down meal fan, I like to have fruit, bagels, sandwhiches, salads, etc. ready so I can grab them and go, and the quick grab and go areas in all of the deluxes that I have been at sort of stink and fall short of my expectations for them. However, the Mara at the AKL (which very well may soon be my favorite deluxe, Ill let you know in 2 weeks!) is rumored to be a very good food court.

 

[Claroquesi]

BW because of it`s location. We love EPCOT and DH LOVES Tower of Terror. Both are a quick walk/ boat ride away. Also we love the nightlife that the Boardwalk offers. PI is a little too un-disney for us. There is just something about a girl dressed as a "nursie" selling syringes of jell-o shots, that doesn`t exactly say "Disney magic" to me. The Boardwalk is still fun but it keeps it`s Disney feel.

The rooms are super quiet, and pretty. They have a really cute pool area, complete with a Keester Coster. The major drawback is that the BW shares it`s busses with Swan, Dolphin, Yacht AND Beach Club. Very slow. If not going to MGM or EPCOT, we took our own car.

 

[eleanor]

All of the Above. I really like the BWI or the BC

 

[WDW LifeLong Fan]

You are right eleanor!

 

[WDW LifeLong Fan]

I agree with eleanor....ALL of the above!

If I had to choose...My first and still my favorite...The POLY!

 

[GCM13]

Polynesian...love the atmosphere, large rooms, and location. In my opinion, the Poly has the best transportation options of any WDW resort. Monorail, ferry, or small boat to MK, walk to TTC, monorail to EPCOT. The EPCOT resorts are great for walking to EPCOT and possibly MGM, but the there are too many resorts sharing buses to the other parks.

 

[marathonmommy]

Okay,
I'm gonna' go with a favorite that probably no one will agree with (although I have not stayed at all of the deluxe properties.) I really love the Contemporary (TOWER ROOMS ONLY.) Nothing beats WALKING back from the MK after the fireworks, when the monorail and bus lines are longer than ever! Nothing also beats walking out of your room, into an elevator, and on to a monorail (never having to brave the elements until you get off.) This resort is a favorite of mine when traveling with children at stroller age. The rooms are also large, and Chef Mickey's and the Grill are favorites. I'm going out on a limb by choosing CR (so many are great), but I'm just lovin' the convenience!

PS I love the idea of this message board. I can't talk about stuff like this with just regular people - there aren't too many people who understand my obsession with WDW! I'm glad I found this place. I am truly a WDW geek, and DIS Boards is for me!

 

[AJKMOM]

Loved AKL, not crazy about the south wing of Contemporary.

 

[Mis4Mouse]

While we've visited all the resorts, for dinner at the various resort restaurants, and to tour the grounds..... the only Deluxe we've stayed at was the Swan and the Yacht Club.

My family adores the Yacht Club, and swear they aren't interested in staying anywhere else for a few reasons....

1) Location - their favorite park is Epcot, and it's walking distance, and they love the Boardwalk across the water- especially at night.
2) Pool - love the pool area
3) Atmosphere - casually elegant...not as stuffy as the GF sometimes seems,
but also not as super casual or somewhate dated as the Poly. or the Cont.

I'm still trying to convince them to stay at the Poly cause we have an aunt who works there and gets a nice discount, but all I hear is grumbles when I say "let's try someplace new..."



Sue

 

[cassie]

I have to say AKL, being the only deluxe I've stayed at. I only stayed 3 days at the end of my vacation, and I found it very relaxing. I don't think I could stay more days than that. I like to be able to walk around the grounds, and AKL is very limited. I had a savannah room overlooking the Zebra Trail, and it was a wonderful sight seeing the animals from my balcony.

That said, CBR is my favorite. After roaming around the rest of the deluxes, I would pick the Poly if I were to stay in a deluxe again. The entrance and the lobby, with all the plants and waterfalls just floored me.

 

[goin2disneyagain]

It used to be AKL but after just returning from a stay at GF I have a new favorite. AKL is still great though.

 

[Laurajean1014]

AKL by far the best - view, structure, shopping and restaurants....

 

[ufgator]

I've done all the deluxes except GF, YC and BC. We love BWI and AKL the best (just DH and I, no kids yet). For BWI, love the theme, it was quiet in our room but you could go outside to action, lots of restaurants to choose from, next to Epcot (our favorite), DH loves walking to BW bakery in early morning and seeing BW so quiet. For AKL, loved theme, lobby impressive, loved being able to see animals from room at all hours, Boma - yum!, night vision of animals and other activities there, good bus service.

 

[Goofy05]

Hands down, the Polynesian is my fave. Walk the grounds at night, the air smells fantastic! Also, the piped in drums creates a Hawaiian-type atmosphere. Hoping to return this winter. Have DVC points I need to use or lose.
HTH

 

[heavenly]

We have stayed in the GF Main Bldg, BC, YC, AKL, Cont. Tower, Dolphin and Swan... The Swan in our hands down favorite, I must admit that might not be the case if I wasn't SPG Platinum with all the benefits that comes with but it is hard to beat that Heavenly Bed not to mention the service especially from Thabo and Mama T.

 

[crazy4wdw]

Beach Club is by far my favorite. I love being able to walk to Epcot and also Stromalog Bay is great. I like the New England theme of the resort. I try to stay at the BC at least once per year.

 

[cinmell]

Contemporary