What makes you decide on a resort?

[reteppir]

Hi everyone.

Just curious how you decide on which resort to go to.
This is our first time and we looked at each resort over and over again.

It came down to the Contemporary and the Grand Floridian.

We liked both so much and couldnt decide so we let our dog pick.
I know I know its crazy but we really didnt know what to do.
We put two bowls of food out , one Marked GF and one marked CR.

Well Lamby picked the GF and we are so excited for our first ever trip.

 

[perla75]

That's so funny!

We always do split-stays because we just can't make up our minds.

 

[TJA]

Oh how funny! That's cute. Congrats on your first trip to Disney. As far as your question on how we decide on our resort, a lot depends on which parks we think we'll frequent the most. You can see by my sig that we've tested out quite a few resorts. When we stay at a monorail resort, we plan to be at our resort or at the MK most nights so we can enjoy Wishes and the water parade. We take total advantage of being so close to MK by visiting that park very often. When we stay at an Epcot resort, then we spend many nights eating at a different country in Epcot, letting the kids go to the kidcot stations, and watching Illuminations. So, in conclusion, we tend to choose our resort based on the parks. Being that this is your first trip to disney, I agree a monorail resort is perfect for you because it really is magical to see the Castle every day and night and to be staying at a resort so close to MK. We have not stayed at GF (yet!), but we have stayed at both Poly and CR and it's a really wonderful and magical experience. Enjoy!

 

[Alicnwondrln]

What? You let your dog choose?

 

[reteppir]

I knew that sounded crazy but we just couldnt make up our minds as we thought both were great!
Do you think we made a good choice?

 

[disneypolybride2008]

that's funny, i would pick GF over the Contemporary b/c i dont like the theming there, the GF is so fancy and pretty. We pick our resort based on budget, we dont spend more time in the resort than necessary so we dont feel the need to spend extra on a hotel, however after being there a few times, we realized how much nicer it would be to be able to use the monorail and quickly get to and from the parks and other monorail hotels for dinner and breakfast. I just really dont like waiting soooo long for the value busses which are packed and have a long travel time to the parks. -particularly MK.

I also love the Polynesian theme and their restaurants so that's where we're going on this trip since we're getting married there even though it's expensive, it'll be worth it. I'm probably a little too excited about using the monrail and seeing the castle from my resort!

We are always going to MK for the EMH and since it's always open late so the monrail will be so awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I wont miss having to go to the last stop at the bus station!

I'm sure you will LOVE the GF! Have a great time

Since we'll be at such a nice resort i scheduled resort time!

 

[Tinker*Shell*Bell]

I've heard stranger things Reteppir.
My baby girl was named by her 8yo brother.
Dad and I couldn't decide between 2 names and he walked in the room and said "I like Emily better." Ok...Emily it is then...

 

[kaffinito]

Too funny! I should have let one of our cats pick - then I wouldn't have changed resorts over and over again! My kids were no help either.

I ended up with POP because I want to stay there at least once and I like the looks of the Hippy Dippy pool, and because if we do then we can stay at Poly for a few nights. I almost stayed at POFQ for pretty much the same reasons. We are splitting our stay so that at the end so that we (I) can have a resort that's on the monorail and have that darned boat to the MK. I don't know why I'm so hung up on having a boat that goes someplace!

You will be very happy with your choice, the GF is really much more beautiful in person than it is in pictures. Disney did a really good job on that resort and it looks very elegant. Here's some for you!

 

[praline3001]

You do know dogs are not allowed at the GF aren't you?

 

[sharadoc]

I start with what we NEED, then I look at what we can afford that has those amenities. We really wanted a living room and kitchen or kitchenette since we'll be there for 10 days and don't like eating out THAT much. We decided on the ASMu suites because they had everything we wanted, except for a full size fridge (the only compromise, I think). We are bringing a crock pot, toaster and electric burner and a pot and pan to cook on, so we have something other than microwaved food. A DVC studio has less living space than the family suite, so we would have to move up to a 1 bedroom, which was out of our price range.

We're driving so the transportation isn't that much of an issue, but I think we'll do valet parking at a monorail resort on MK nights. Paying the $10 will be worth it compared to walking to the bus stop and waiting.

 

[reteppir]

I also love the Polynesian theme and their restaurants so that's where we're going on this trip since we're getting married there even though it's expensive, it'll be worth it.

Wow you are getting married there! I didnt know you could do that! Wow Congrats .i'm sure its going to be a magical time!

I've heard stranger things Reteppir.
My baby girl was named by her 8yo brother.
Dad and I couldn't decide between 2 names and he walked in the room and said "I like Emily better." Ok...Emily it is then...

Good thing he wasn't watching power rangers or Oobi or Backyardigans

Too funny! I should have let one of our cats pick - then I wouldn't have changed resorts over and over again! My kids were no help either.

Hey! I have a cat too. We used the dog cause we felt he was more fair and balanced..not like our moody feline

You do know dogs are not allowed at the GF aren't you?

Oh , what that be nice if they were. Lamby is the most gentle dog you'd ever meet as long as you don't have any food in your hands.
lol Im just joking lol Lamby would fit right in at the GF.

 

[hoosiergirl7]

I had a good laugh. Maybe one of these days we'll get to stay at the GF.

For us right now what makes us decide on a resort is if we can afford it. We stayed at WL in April but will be staying at CBR, a moderate in October.

We had hoped to go in December but due to the fact we are expecting to move at the end of the year we won't be able to. If we would've gone in Dec we would've been able to afford a deluxe w/ the DDP. We plan on going in Dec of next year instead.

Enjoy your 1st trip. You may get so spoiled though that you'll never stay anywhere but GF!

 

[IshallcallhimSquishy]

The DIS board reviews and advice has always steered us in the right direction based on what our Disney vacation "wishes" are.

We've stayed at GF, CONTEMP, POLY, DIXIE, CBR, ASM, POP, and CSR....so many different wonderful experiences

We choose the resort based on what we want to experience, our budget, our Disney plans specific to parks we enjoy and travel options to those parks.

We enjoy Epcot and MGM so CSR is a great option for us based on where we like to be.

Touring Resorts and spending time at GF is always a highlight for us, enjoy your magical time there

 

[KMLOVESWDW]

It kind of starts with what kind of trip we want. This past May we wanted some parks of course, but we also wanted days of just relaxing. We couldn't decide between POR & POLY because we love them both so we did a split stay. After 10 disney trips of all sorts, this was my absolute favorite trip. It was the best of both worlds & it was like two great trips. Now this Dec is our first Christmas trip While we still love the rides, this trip is really about MVMCP, Osborne Lights, Candle Proces. etc. It's only a four night trip & it's not about relaxing, so we are staying at POP. We've never stayed there before & it really looks like alot of fun. When I want more peace & quiet or more activites, then a pick a different resort. Sometimes a discount or code will bring me in a different direction too. And then there is the theming. For a mod, I would pick POR or CSR anyday. And for a deluxe, I would pick POLY or WL over the CR hands down. There is something for everyone that's for sure. I do like the idea of having my kitties pick!

 

[Redbudlover]

Budget plays its part, of course, though I didn't like the way the values looked from the ME bus, so didn't try one until this year when I stayed at ASMU for one night. Wasn't thrilled, but if I had to choose between no WDW and value resort I would pick ASMU and get a preferred room. If I had the money - and I mean cash because I don't charge vacations, for a moderate but not a deluxe, I would stay at POR for its theming and beautiful landscaping, its food court and pool. I stayed at CSR and POR and POFQ first trips, but liked POR the best. If I could afford deluxe, the decision would be driven by parks and how long since I had stayed at AKL, because I love the AKL, but it is so far from most parks that I would only do it every so often. If I wanted to spend time at Epcot - which I prefer to MK, I would stay at BWI, though I am thinking about trying the Swan because it is cheaper and has supposedly better beds. I also love the BC but the Flying Fish is my fav restaurant and BWI is right there.

If, however, I was taking my 2 year old DGD, I would stay at an MK resort if I could afford it to be closer to the park we would spend the most time at and also be closer to home when she gets tired. I love the POLY but the WL is cheaper and comes highly recommended by a friend of mine so am taking DGD there in Sept. So to summarize having tried a bunch of them ,in the future will choose depending upon whether I want to be close to Epcot which I love - or am taking my DGD which would take me to either WL ,or Poly if I could afford it maybe with an AP discount. If not I would take her to a value because she would love the theming better there than at a mod... SAB is not a big enough plus, in my mind, to choose an Epcot resort over a mk resort when traveling with little kids. Being close to MK is more important in my mind with kids. Adult trips though call for Epcot.... I like the restaurants and lounges and easy access to EP and MGM. Plus there is nothing better in my mind than strolling over to the International gateway early in the morning and poking along as I wait for the park to open with no one there and the birds singing and the flowers so pretty...

 

[lisa3383]

I love it!

I choose based on a number of factors: What can we afford right now? What time of year is it? What restaurants does it have? Is there in room dining? Will I want easy spa access? Are we celebrating a special occasion? etc.

For example, this year we are going for Christmas. I researched the well-themed holiday hotels and that narrowed my decision to WL or GF. We've never done WL so chose that!

Also, I have discovered that I only like the deluxe options (GF spoiled me) for theming purposes and dining purposes mostly. This really narrows my choices down quite a bit. Then I go by the above questions and of course when in need: ASK THE DISERS!

 

[piratemom07]

My family consists of myself dh dd (13) and ds (18)
We have always stayed at Value except one year my dad thought we were all staying together and when he found out we were not he was nice enough to pay the difference and move us to where the rest of my family(dad,mom and sister) were staying which is his favorite resort the GF. That was so nice

One day we hope to stay there again but it will be in the distant future maybe I wont be to old and will be able to enjoy myself.

Other than that year we have stayed at All Star Sports(1994) , Grand Flordian (1997), All Star Movies (2001), POP (2006) and POP (Aug.08).

No more than we are in our rooms we just cant see paying the price of the mods and we just cant afford the deluxe. We considered the POR this year but did not do it. And our funds have became tighter than when we made ressies for this vacation. I had two part time jobs and I lost one no fault of mine cutbacks last to hire first to go so the extra money I was making we were going to use for our trip.

Anyway excuse my rambling on. I do agree the values do lack some of the thrills the others have but we enjoy our time there and have been pleased.

One problem I worry abou this year as my kids have gotton older will the beds be big enough for both of them to share. My dd has already informed me she cant sleep with her db but I have told her she will make it for 5 nights. At one point I considered us getting two rooms for the added space but could not swing that extra cost.

We are very excited about our trip in 4 weeks and cant wait to go but dd says when we return school will start in 5 days the only downer.

 

[Carlyzmom]

We are staying at AKL next year. I just pictured myself sitting on my balcony drinking my morning coffee and looking at a giraffe and a zebra. That did it for me!!

 

[Hugpug]

I choose based on what I can afford and what I want in a resort. Next year I will be at POR would have preferred WL or POLY but price was an issue this time. I don't like the teaming at GF but each to his own. I'm more the out doors type so I like the woods feeling. WL and FW have that and POR comes close and affordable. I've stayed at a number of resorts over the years and I have to say WL is my number one choice. I am sure you will love your choice and you will love your dog for it. That was a cute way to choose I love it.LOL

 

[MickeyNicki]

Price determines the room, we love to stay Deluxe but only if the price is right. Also length of stay, dont want to blow too much on a weekend trip since we will not be using all of the resort amenities.

If it comes down to 2 resorts we choose the one we havent stayed at before but that is not working so well anymore since we have stayed at almost all of them!