What resort did you stay at that you were surprised that you liked so much?

[of the seas]

Mine would have to be the Dolphin. One year we did a split stay between the Grand Flo and the Dolphin. We did the Grand Flo 1st and I was not to excited about going over to the Dolphin (we got a great rate on the room at the Dolphin). But it was great! We had a bigger bed than the GF and a better view. We loved sitting on our balcany and looking out over the pretty grounds and the Boardwalk. The pool was nice and big too!

 

[mrsltg]

The Boardwalk. We stayed there because we got a good deal and I am hooked! I would go back there every vacation if DH would let me!

 

[Tinkaroo]

For us, it was SSR. We bought our DVC points there because of an amazing friends & family promo, but I honestly thought we would look to move at the 7-month mark all the time.

We did go "home" on our first DVC trip, and were blown away by SSR. It was great! We have yet to venture outside of SSR on our DVC trips, but do plan to in the near future. (I do have a thing about trying out all the resorts!)

I'll also say that Pop surprised me, too. DH and I had stayed there 1 night in '05 when our flight landed really late, and we just needed somewhere to sleep that 1st night before checking into AKL. We found the room super small, loud neighbors, paper thin walls, turbo toilet, etc.

However, I went back this Oct. with a group of girlfriends, and was pleasantly surprised. (I think having an end room that didn't connect also helped!) While I will still choose a lot of hotels over Pop, it's nice to know that when I need a room that is "kinder" to the budget, that Pop is a good option!

 

[spiceycat]

pop century - always ask for 50's lake view - dedicated - not connecting
then remember to close the bathroom door.

AKV - got a standard view and expected to like it not love it. Well I loved it! despite not having a superior view - the studio was really close to the lobby - so walking through that lovely lobby sometimes 4 or 6 times a day. Also it was close to the DVC laundry mat that the front desk does not know is there.

 

[Daisie]

It would have to be Pop for me!! We were pleasantly surprised...enough to stay there for 3 different trips. I just wasn't sure about the size of the resort, I would stay there again in a minute!!

 

[skipperkim]

Mine would be POFQ. I had my heart set on BC for my Oct 05 trip, but it was booked. We ended up at POFQ. I didn't expect much, and was blown away by it. Loved the boat trip to POR and DTD. The resort is so small that everything is so close. It had its own bus stop to DHS, but that is now gone. It still has its own bus stop at MK in the evening. I also love Eliot Dyson at Scat Cats, the beignets at the food court, the secluded hot tub, and the feeling when I'm at the resort I'm truly on a peaceful vacation.

 

[Mousemom]

We love AKL. My husband was concerned our first stay that it would not feel Diisney enough. We were surprised at how Disney it was. My next choice is POFQ. We love this moderate. We are not opposed to trying different resorts though. We will be staying one night at Pop and 8 nights at POR in September. First time for both of these.

 

[happymommy]

I agree with the Swan and Dolphin (although my preference is the Swan). I got a great deal with the Starwood Amex card, so we stayed for free for 5 nights without DH (just me and the kids). We were so thrilled with the location, the service was top notch (once a few things got ironed out), the room service, the sushi bar, the movies on demand that Disney doesn't have, everything! The room was nice and fresh, unlike some we've had at Disney resorts. The bed was comfy - our last stay at AKL our little queen size bed was like rocks. It's really great, now we love it!

 

[enyaj40]

i've only stayed onsite once at fw and was amazed at how beautiful it was and how much i enjoyed the boat rides to the mk

 

[CinderellyCinderelly]

CSR...Being the spoiled brat that I am I have only stayed at GF and YC. Went last year with some girlfriends and because we paid for it ourselves we looked for a good rate and went for a mod. I was nervous, but I loved it!!

 

[Ilovestitch]

Beach Club. I always thought Polynesian was my favorite resort and was reluctant to stay at BC since it's not on the monorail and I thought it looked boring.

Now BC is my favorite- I just love everything about it.

 

[WL Fan]

POFQ for me too. We had always been lucky enough to be able to stay at the Wilderness Lodge, but last year got to take a last-minute surprise trip and booked French Quarter. It was so peaceful and pretty, I'd stay there again in a heartbeat.

 

[VLee]

Two that have surprised me were Port Orleans French Quarter for a moderate. Very relaxed and unrushed feeling...like the boat and food court was a nice value. Kids loved the pool!!

We also enjoyed the Cabins at Ft. Wilderness. Very spacious and true "vacation" feeling. Loved the golf carts.

We usually stay at BWV, VWL and BCV, but also like OKW. Have been to the Polynesian, all the Values (except Sports), Dolphin and are trying AKV in May.

 

[iloverags2]

Boardwalk. We stayed there only because we got an unbelievable rate once ($110/night, so we just couldn't pass that up), but had no desire to ever make this one of our choices. Oh my goodness, what a beautiful resort!

 

[mickeymyfavorite]

AKL Animal Kingdom Lodge!!!!

me and DS12 go twice a year, July and in November. I swore that I would try to stay at a different resort each visit and then when I was done I would pick my favorite and stay there for each visit.

I stayed at AKL last November and I thought I wasn't going to like it but I descided to stay there because I thought my son would enjoy it, and he did and so did I.

Just for the record we are returning to AKL in July. It was a great place to stay.

 

[Princess_Belle]

I loved ASMu when we stayed in Dec. I really liked the theming. It's nothing compared to the Contemporary. But it was nice since it was about $2000 less than the CR!

 

[dixipixi]

I would have to say POFQ. We had stayed at CBR once and weren't crazy about it, so I was hesitant to stay at POFQ.

But we really enjoyed our stay there. I would not hesitate to stay there again.

 

[Family Fun Mom]

POR is the only resort I've been to. We are a family of five on a budget so our choices were limited. My heart was set on ASMo because I knew my kids would love the big icons and the fun atmosphere. I was so upset to hear we couldn't stay there. So, I booked POR. I wasn't expecting much, I didn't think I'd like it based on the pictures I had seen of the rooms (it just didn't look like "me"). I was disappointed that we'd have to be in the AB with the trundle when I would have much preferred the Mansion Section. I didn't think I'd like the more "rustic" theme. Boy, was I wrong! I simply fell in love from the first step into the lobby. I loved the landscaping, I loved the foot bridges, I loved the ducks, I loved the river, I loved the food court, I loved the pool, I loved the room (even though it was a touch small), I loved the quiet and serene feeling of the entire place, I loved everything.

POR is just beautiful. It completely won me over.

 

[monkeygirl]

POR for me. I wanted to stay at CB but the rest of my family wanted POR. I just didn't think it sounded too interesting. I was glad we stayed there. It was so beautiful and quiet. We had a wonderful water view in Alligator Bayou. It really felt you were a world away.

 

[LSchrow]

SSR for us!
i found a great ding on SWA ($49), so asked 22YO if she wanted to go "spur of the moment".
BWVs were booked, so figured would try SSR. i was a bit nervous after reading a number of negative reviews on the DVC forums to (which i noticed later came from a very small faction that posts a lot, frequently negative ).
the resort is gorgeous!! quiet, great food options, immaculate, very pleasant staff, perfect landscaping & decor (we enjoyed many a chat sitting on benches throughout the resort, enjoying its beauty). loved the room: clean, bright, with a great view of DTD. even the open hallways were nice.....we would stop to look out at the resort everytime we came in or out .
& being able to just walk over to DTD was priceless. imho, SSR is the hidden gem of WDW