Which Deluxe?

[candleonwater]

I'm so confused about trying to decide which Deluxe to stay at in December. My 5 year old daughter and I are heading out on a 7 night cruise, but I couldn't imagine being down in FLA and not going to WDW... so I plan on spending 2 nights there. Of course since I'm talking about checking in on 12/26... no matter which way I go, it's going to be expensive, but after having stayed at the Beach Club last December, the values and moderates just don't hold any appeal for me any longer.

Beach Club - the pool says it all
Contemporary - convenience of the monorail (would have to have a tower room)
Poly - Monorail and the luau (is there any other reason to stay there?)

Suggestions? Comments? HELP!

 

[jldriscoll]

Your daughter would love Chef Mickey's at the Contemporary for dinner!

 

[WDW4ALL]

Beach Club for me. I just love the location.

Opening it up to all Deluxe resorts - I'd say AKL - it is my favorite. The animals in the morning and night. The service is by far the best I ever had on WDW.

 

[candleonwater]

I just had a coworker return from a stay at AKL and he said he wasn't impressed... he said the hotel was too dark and that as an adult he just couldn't get too excited over watching the animals. Of course he doesn't have a small child either.

I love the location of the Beach Club as well, but what makes it better than, say, the Boardwalk? The Yacht Club? or even the Swan and Dolphin?

 

[beattyfamily]

We've decided to stay at Monorail resorts unitl our children are a bit older. It's just so convenient and so much fun being so close to the monorail and MK, where we spend most of our time!

So far we've stayed at the Contemporary (wing) and then GF and this year we're staying at the Contemporary (Tower) again. Maybe we'll try the Poly next year.

 

[wdwnutze]

I would have to say the Poly. It is our favorite. The pool is awesome, the monorail convenience, watching the fireworks on the beach at night, the tropical feel, playing on the beach, the tiki torches lighting the paths at night etc. The question is really, Are there any reasons not to stay at the Poly?

 

[ducklite]

Well, it might be awfully cool to swim that time of year, so I wouldn't base my decision on that.

I would think about resort theming for the holidays.

I visited all the deluxes except WL last December. The BW had the nicest decorations. It was simply gorgeous. I dragged my husband in a couple times in our early January trip just to ooh and ah over the lobby there.

We stayed at the AKL in December, and the GF in January, and although both wree nicely decorated in their own ways, the BW was nicer.

If the decorations don't matter to you, you might want to consider continuing the nautical theme with a stay at the YC/BC.

The AKL is a truly wonderul, remarkable place to stay. I can't wait to return there next February (I hope). It draws you in like no other WDW resort.

I'm not a CR fan. And for some reason the Poly and the holidays just don't seem to go hand in hand.

Anne

 

[WDW2000]

Considering the time you are going (December) I would chose the WL. THe theming there is absoulte best AND during December it is really awesome!!! PLUS, you are just a boat ride from the Magic Kigdom. I would say Beach Club over WL, but since you already did the BC try something new. You will love WL in December. Contempory is too concrete for me and Poly is looking it's age (IMHO) Beach Club has best location, WL has best themeing and best hot tubs, AK I haven't tried yet, but it seems a bit far from everything.

 

[eeyore0062]

Well, we love the Contemporary, and with a 5 year old, it is so convenient! They love the fact that the monorail goes straight through the building, and of course, Chef Mickey's is there. We stayed in the South Wing, and didn't find it at all inconvenient. And the Rooms are HUGE!

That being said, the WL is absolutely GORGEOUS at Christmas! Your 5 yo will love the pool (if it is warm enough to swim), and finding the hidden Mickey's is so much fun! The boat ride to the MK is great, as well!

The Poly is nice, but not overly Christmas-y... we prefer it in the warmer months.

And, of course there is the GF, which is also absolutely AWESOME at Christmas, with the life sized Gingerbread house in the lobby and the model train. The tree is beautiful.

Since you have stayed at the Beach Club, I would give the MK resorts a try this time!

Have a great time!