What makes a Disney Deluxe Resort "worth it?"

[SorcererHeidi]

@WebmasterJackie
We do try to visit the resort every trip though, usually watching Wishes from the beach on our arrival night

I've not stayed at the Poly yet (or the Contemporary, or GF - came close to GF years ago, but a friend who was going to stay with me backed out due to personal issues @ last minute, so I changed my res to stay @ her mod resort where I had already stayed with her instead to give her support), but like you, I'm usually there every trip - love to go to Ohana for dinner, then Wishes from beach, like you and said. And I agree with you that Halowishes or the Christmas fireworks are AWESOME from that perspective, and I've also enjoyed them (and the Electric Water Pageant) from the beach at Ft. Wilderness. I also love to do at least one monorail loop (late afternoon, so I get both "daytime and nighttime views) as one of my arrival day traditions before going to Ohana. Love seeing the resorts, Bay Lake, and the MK in both light situations, and from that perspective! I will say that - at least in my mind - the Poy itself (and the rooms)have come a long way. I was in a room visiting friends in Dec. '92 (back when the beds had those cloth overhangs), and while the rooms were HUGE, I found them dark, dreary, and "heavy", and had no wish to stay there. The pics I've seen through the years are much better, and now feel peaceful and tropical.

 

[JJZMgailey]

Hey guys!

Today's video is all about Disney's Beach Club Resort which I am seriously in love with! We celebrated my nephews first birthday (a couple years ago) there with all of my family from Seattle and it was the best fun ever! We spent more time at the Resort that trip than we did at the Parks!

 

[SarahDisney]

I just finished watching this one ... JL's story makes me cry every time. It's amazing to hear what Disney has done for her and her family.

 

[pjweaver]

It is hard to describe what I am feeling, it's either jealousy or hatred. I want to be at the Beach Club and I want to do it as part of my job.

Whomever is producing and editing these videos deserves a pay raise.

 

[Tonyz]

Fantastic episode. The DIS continues its streak of never-ending brilliance.

 

[rteetz]

I can't keep up with all of this! I just finished connecting with Walt for the month, I have a Dis pop to listen to, the poly and beach club also haven't seen those videos yet. BC is my favorite resort right now. I can't wait to catch up.

 

[SorcererHeidi]

Beach Club is another resort I generally try to make at least 1 visit to per trip - whether to eat, look around, or just chill out - many great memories here. Especially at Christmas time - have to go check out their chocolate carousel, wreaths with cute sailboats, and other cool decorations. I love to sit in the white rocking chairs along the walkway and just people watch, and get that "I really AM on vacation!" feeling.

JL got me crying with her story - yet again. You can feel she's just such a great Mom, and I tear up every time she does. It was wonderful (and touching) to see her kids much healthier today, and being able to eat the Kitchen Sink. I agree with Max - I WANT Pete to write his book so I can read it! Funny to me that the first Kindle book I ever paid for was The Dark Side of Disney, and the author stayed @ the BC while writing it. I also agreed with Kathy about loving to just sit there and watch the activity around the lake, and/or the boats. Love to lay in bed in that area and hear the boats "tooting", such a comforting sound. I was fortunate enough to stay with some friends years ago (early 90's) at the BC, and I remember hearing what we thought was Sorcery in the Sky in the distance, even though I've never seen it. And I love their interior color palette since the latest refurb - love the blues - as I've loved the gorgeous blue and white exterior.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Beach Club - another great video

first off, I love whenever they use that background music in their videos

Second, I can't wait to read Pete's book

Lastly, I had heard from JL before the story of their first visit and the chef at the Brown Derby but not that they came back to the Beach Club when there were less dietary restrictions and got the Kitchen Sink - I loved that clip with her and her kids eating the ice cream!

 

[SuperNinja]

I stayed at the Beach Club a few years ago for a week. I love it. I have to disagree that it is a relaxing resort, it depends on two things, how you define relaxing and the time you visit. The lobby is overrun by kids running around and no I don't have a problem with kids, but it's hard to relax with an ambient sound of kids screaming from time to time. I do however enjoy the Boardwalk's courtyard where you see kids running around having fun with their parents, it's pretty heartwarming.

With that said, if I have to stay in the area, I'd avoid Boardwalk and definitely go with Beach Club or Yacht Club.

 

[SuperNinja]

I really loved today's video showcasing Disney's Polynesian Village Resort! This was the very first Deluxe Resort I ever stayed in and it was oh-so-magical! It sure has changed a lot since 2009, but I love it just the same.

Although the Polynesian's culture is very unique, it has some similarities to my birth country Indonesia. The theming of this resort really reminds me of Indonesian's culture and one particular resort called Putri Duyung where we as a kid always went to as our most favorite resort (this was back in the 80's, now it looks like the resort has been modernized). As a kid I love Putri Duyung resort, but now as an adult I dislike it so much (for some reasons) and that perhaps is why I could never warm up to the Polynesian resort because of the similarities.

 

[Sean91]

Hmm, what makes a Deluxe worth it? For me it would have to be that feeling of joy I get whilst looking down upon the peasants staying at those Value Resorts.

(This is a joke, I myself am in fact also a Value Peasant)

 

[Huff]

Worth it? More likely people stay where their wallet leads them. For some, $500/night hurts their pocketbook the same as $100 would for most others.

 

[JJZMgailey]

Loving today's video on Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge! Such a gorgeous Resort that really makes you feel like you're in Africa!

 

[chillitsanne]

All these what we love about Disney resorts videos make me teary eyed, the team did a great job!

 

[k5jm]

@WebmasterPete, loving the 24fps videos.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Loved the AKL Video as well! Again, loved the music choice and also loved Kathy comparing the lodge to her experiences in Africa

I really want to try Jiko one day - although no one mentioned Sanaa which is one of our favorites and a great lunch option for Animal Kingdom Park days!

 

[JJZMgailey]

I really want to try Jiko one day - although no one mentioned Sanaa which is one of our favorites and a great lunch option for Animal Kingdom Park days!

I've never been to Jiko either, but it's on my must-do list for one of these days.

I was also surprised that no one mentioned Sanaa! We love dining there! They added artificial moonlight and we saw it for the first time a couple months ago - it was so cool being able to see the animals at night too!

 

[samsteele]

I was also surprised that no one mentioned Sanaa! We love dining there! They added artificial moonlight and we saw it for the first time a couple months ago - it was so cool being able to see the animals at night too!

They added this at Sanaa? That's wonderful! Can't wait to see this on my next visit. Thanks so much for the heads up, Jackie! I haven't seen this info posted anywhere so that's a fun little scoop. Somebody (Jackie) is right on top of all the Magic info!

 

[tink1970]

Worth it? How I feel when I'm there...which is much less measurable than location and quite a bit more variable and subjective. If I'm relaxed, happy and able to enjoy the magic, then that's worth it (I've stayed at them all--and all but 1 fit the bill, some to greater degree than others).

 

[Flyerjab]

I have to say that with all of the new shows and video content, I think that I now watch the The Dis Unplugged YouTube Channel more than I am watching regular cable TV. And I really like the new approach that they are taking with the resort coverage. We usually stay in the deluxe resorts or DVC villas, and I always like hearing what other people think of them and why they enjoy them. I also think that this video series does a great job of showing how each deluxe resort is themed differently, as well as the different amenities that they offer.

Cannot wait to see their video on the Grand Floridian. The Villas at the Grand Floridian is our home DVC resort so I hope some of that is also covered in the video. I think that those particular villas are the nicest and they missed covering the villas in the GF during their last 7 in 7 series.