Which deluxe?

[raddisneyfan]

I would choose either the Polynesian--theming, on monorail, access to lots of food venues at Poly, GF, CR, and close to MK. My other choice would be BWI--smaller than BC or YC so feels more intimate to me, access to EPCOT and HS, access to lots of food venues at EPCOT, the Boardwalk and other EPCOT hotels. Just my opinions. Most important, enjoy your special day at the world!!

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Ok...just to throw some salt into this recipe (salt always brings out the flavor)...

The average person looks at view outside their window for maybe 5 minutes a week. Views are the biggest red herring in wdw and they charge a robbers fee for them.

"Romantic" is of course relative...but I would repsectfully contend that options for where you are/what you can do conveniently/what you can eat makes for better overall experience than prom style backdrops.

It seems we've all scene the fireworks and the water pageant here...likely many time over.

My point? Is that it's kinda silly to pay a lot more for a view of a castle made of steel, concrete, and fiberglass that was constructed by foul mouthed, chain smoking dudes in the 60's - not magical dwarves, elves, or gnomes...

Over animal kingdom lodge, yacht club, wilderness lodge? For romance?...nah...not buying.

Just my take. Not for the upcharge.

 

[caliope]

I think it really depends on what you want to do with your time. Do you want quiet and relaxing or close to the parks? If close to the parks, which park will you be at the most? Are good dining options a top priority? Do you care about a view? All of those are factors. We've stayed at both GF and Poly and prefer the Poly, though GF is very nice and I would definitely not be disappointed to return. We've not stayed at the Contemporary but have explored the resort and it's not for us. We had the same impression of the BC, YC, and BW resorts. Though we love world showcase at Epcot, the monorail access from the MK resort area, even with the transfer, is sufficiently close for us; we don't need to be within walking distance. But everyone is different. WDW has enough choices that you're sure to find one that matches your style. Have fun planning!

 

[jade1]

We spent a lot of time on our balcony at BLT. Hearing the train and watching MK wake up and close was magical.

However, BC/YC even BWI is our favorite area because of walking in to EPCOT.

 

[Nancyg56]

Ok...just to throw some salt into this recipe (salt always brings out the flavor)...

The average person looks at view outside their window for maybe 5 minutes a week. Views are the biggest red herring in wdw and they charge a robbers fee for them.

"Romantic" is of course relative...but I would repsectfully contend that options for where you are/what you can do conveniently/what you can eat makes for better overall experience than prom style backdrops.

It seems we've all scene the fireworks and the water pageant here...likely many time over.

My point? Is that it's kinda silly to pay a lot more for a view of a castle made of steel, concrete, and fiberglass that was constructed by foul mouthed, chain smoking dudes in the 60's - not magical dwarves, elves, or gnomes...

Over animal kingdom lodge, yacht club, wilderness lodge? For romance?...nah...not buying.

Just my take. Not for the upcharge.

I agree about the view. We pay for view at AKL, and at the beach. When my dh says ocean front he does not mean ocean view. At the MK resorts, castle view is awesome, but holy expensive!!!

As to romantic and resorts, we all have different viewpoints. My DH hated BC. Every bit of it annoyed him. But the Poly, he thinks that is worth every penny. He finds the entire experience relaxing and loves every aspect. Me? The Grand is incredibly romantic, but I love Victorians. Those Grand Old Gals make my heart skip a beat.

I think if I was trying to please my husband and myself, and we wanted an "us" vacation, I would think about my husbands insistence on ocean view and book theme park view at the Poly or the CR( his all time favorite) and plan on balcony time with coffee in the morning and wine in the evening.

For many view is not just what you see, it is the memories the view brings back. My husband always booked the CR when we just started out. He booked Lagoon view and paid extra so that we could watch the electric light pageant pass by every evening. That meant something to him.... First pleasing me and then when the kids came with us, them. That's when I really knew he lived my kids like he would love his own. When he insisted on special views in a special resirt give them, just as he did for me when he wanted to take me away.

 

[jade1]

I agree that AK Savannah View would increase the time spent enjoying it, just too far away for us.

 

[Juliet25]

Husband and I are considering going on a couples only trip this year. We both are turning 40 and are celebrating 15 years of marriage. We have never stayed deluxe and are considering it this time. I have always wanted to stay at the contemporary in a theme park view, but am now thinking one of the Epcot resort for the closeness of Hollywood and Epcot. So which one would you choose and why? Thanks

My DH and I did an adults-only trip this past August to celebrate his 40th and our 15th anniversary. We stayed at Wilderness Lodge. I would recommend that resort, but the construction might make it less magical. I would instead choose an EPCOT resort. You can't go wrong with any of them. Have fun!

eta: I generally agree about not paying a premium for views. I always book standard. Even at AKL we had a pool view and the trip was just as magical. As for as romance goes, YMMV. Personally, I found it pretty romantic to stroll back to BW from EPCOT.

 

[PSUGuy]

Board Walk. It's a stroll to Epcot and DHS, it's practically a park itself with entertainment in the form of magicians, jugglers etc in the evening, the ESPN Club, a great sports bar, Big River, a micro brewery and restaurant, Jellyrolls, a piano bar to say nothing of the Belle Vue Lounge, a 30s themed bar with a 2nd floor deck for people watching. One can see the aerials of Illuminations from several spots and of course you can just walk over and see the whole show and be 'home' in minutes.This Oct marks our 8th stay.

Bill From PA

 

[Jetta8300]

Ok...just to throw some salt into this recipe (salt always brings out the flavor)...

The average person looks at view outside their window for maybe 5 minutes a week. Views are the biggest red herring in wdw and they charge a robbers fee for them.

"Romantic" is of course relative...but I would repsectfully contend that options for where you are/what you can do conveniently/what you can eat makes for better overall experience than prom style backdrops.

It seems we've all scene the fireworks and the water pageant here...likely many time over.

My point? Is that it's kinda silly to pay a lot more for a view of a castle made of steel, concrete, and fiberglass that was constructed by foul mouthed, chain smoking dudes in the 60's - not magical dwarves, elves, or gnomes...

Over animal kingdom lodge, yacht club, wilderness lodge? For romance?...nah...not buying.

Just my take. Not for the upcharge.

This! Couldn't have said it better. We looked at our theme park view at the Contemporary maybe once. We did see the fireworks from our balcony once but it was the third time that week we had seen it. The romance for us would come from the overall SETTING, not the view. Because 99% of the day, the view is concrete at CR. And the castle is far. Like REALLY far away. The setting of literally any other resort would have been much better. It was like having a room off of a train station, right in the middle of a mall. Not romantic in the least. Our water view at the Coronado Springs hotel was 50 times prettier than our theme park tower room view at the Contemporary.

Morning coffee on the balcony is spent staring at concrete and cars going by at the contemporary.

 

[EthicalAddict]

I've stayed at all the Deluxe Resorts and love them all one reason or another but my favourite by far would be any of the Epcot resorts. If I was to pick a MK resort it would be the Poly.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

I've stayed at all the Deluxe Resorts and love them all one reason or another but my favourite by far would be any of the Epcot resorts. If I was to pick a MK resort it would be the Poly.

Yep...this is me

 

[Aurora0427]

Views are relative.... TPV at the Grand is beautiful- castle straight on, the water, boats, MK. TPV at the CR doesn't do much for me because you're also looking at cars driving by, lots of concrete, and a parking lot!

 

[CinderellaElla]

My husband and I both agree that we would choose an Epcot resort over the other deluxe hotels. We stayed at the Yacht club with a lagoon view last fall. Both of us agree it is our favorite resort, hands down! Both of us are almost 30 and when we went it was just the two of us.

The thing we love most about this Epcot resort is the easy and close proximity to so many areas. It's just a boat ride away to Epcot and Hollywood Studios (you could walk to Epcot if you wanted). We walked over to the Boardwalk, did some shopping, ate at Big River Grill and tasted some of the beer there, the only craft brewery in Disney World There are also some wonderful restaurants in Swan and Dolphin and Beach Club, which are both next to Yacht Club. In BC I recommend Cape May Cafe for dinner and Beaches and Cream that has delicious burgers and ice cream! We are foodie and drink people so being close to so many great food and drink options is a huuuuuuge plus for us!

We actually just got back from a disney trip where we stayed at GF for the first time. We went because, similar to you, I had always dreamed of staying at GF with a theme park view. Although we absolutely loved every minute of it, we found that for us being foodie people, we got more bang for our buck by staying at an Epcot resort because of being so close to many other areas that interested us.

I do have to say though that having the Cinderella castle view from our room every day was something I'll never forget. The weather was nice enough during our stay that we left the sliding door open a crack and in the morning we woke up to hearing the welcoming show at MK "Good morning! Good moooooorrrrning!!" We also got to watch the Wishes fireworks from our balcony which is something I will never forget. We also were able to hear the closing words and music for MK at night. The other thing is, we went to GF knowing that we were going to make the most of what the hotel had to offer instead of being at the parks all the time.

So, my point is, GF was a spectacular and unforgettable experience and I loved every minute we were there, but I don't feel the need to go back any time soon (except to go to Citrico's! YUM!). Yacht club fits more of our needs because it's easy to get to some of the parks and there are still so many places to go back at the hotel!

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Views are relative.... TPV at the Grand is beautiful- castle straight on, the water, boats, MK. TPV at the CR doesn't do much for me because you're also looking at cars driving by, lots of concrete, and a parking lot!

I agree...California grill/the contemporary is overrated for views...it looks down on the service areas more than anything. But the location is hard to beat. Just like beach club - walking distance is hard to beat.

However...I do have to point out that "straight on" is actually on the magic kingdom ferry dock...so technically Moorea at poly is the closest

 

[AshleeH]

I definitely do not spend 5 minutes looking at our view. We always get a theme park view with a balcony in Bay Lake Tower and I'm out there for hours during our vacation. It's best for the fireworks at night or for those quiet early mornings before the family is up and about, but I also love it for our midday breaks. I take a book out there and sit and read, snack on a Disney treat I've brought back to the room, people watch, and enjoy the monorail going by. It is most certainly not a red herring from Disney. We had friends who stopped by our hotel to watch the fireworks on our last trip and they could not believe the view - we stayed out there for hours, that night alone.

As for the OPs question, I would choose Grand Floridian for romance. In fact, when my husband and I go on our Couples Trip in November 2017, that will be what I choose. But Yacht Club certainly has an appeal - especially because we'll spend a lot of time in Epcot. But I've always wanted to stay in GF, so that's the trip to do it.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

The question is how much is that worth?

150...200 hunnie a night? Cause I just did a spot check at the poly and it was $203 a night difference for a randomly selected day. There is absolutely no difference in the quality of your room/service/stay.

It's a matter of opinion...but I'm not going out on a limb with mine. I'm also quite sure there's no such thing as "magic" either...but that drifts toward the realm of "fact"

 

[AshleeH]

If you're going by a dollar amount and asking how much something is worth, then it's all subjective. Some people think a day at the Magic Kingdom is too expensive, others spend upwards of $10,000 on one week of vacation.

So, yes, to me the view is 100% worth it. And I'm not in the minority - if I was, those rooms and prices would not exist. But I'm also in the group that believes Disney is the epitome of magic.

 

[Jetta8300]

If you're going by a dollar amount and asking how much something is worth, then it's all subjective. Some people think a day at the Magic Kingdom is too expensive, others spend upwards of $10,000 on one week of vacation.

So, yes, to me the view is 100% worth it. And I'm not in the minority - if I was, those rooms and prices would not exist. But I'm also in the group that believes Disney is the epitome of magic.

I'm not so sure... I do understand that it would be worth the money to some, it definitely wasn't to us. Many people booking these rooms, like us, we're booking it for the first time. It would be interesting to see how many people who booked that room would do it again. We definitely wouldn't, but then again the whole hotel just wasn't for us. I'm not sure if the view from Bay Lake is different. But the view from the tower (theme park view) was not good during the day, it was concrete and cars. It's all subjective, yes, but these prices on the rooms exist because many people have not booked one of these rooms before and are judging for the first time whether or not it's worth it. And Bay Lake May be situated differently, I'm not familiar.

I would recommend this hotel to someone who was looking for the convenience of the monorail definitely, and also to maybe someone who doesn't travel or stay at hotels often. Then it may not seem as much like the "same old". Google- Contemporary Theme Park View and look at the images. It will give you a good look at reality, although many are just zoomed up on the castle.

 

[jade1]

Couples only, both turning 40, 15 year anniversary?

Yea cheap out on it.

 

[Harambe]

We are balcony people, and the best for us was our stay at the Boardwalk Inn. We were right over the Boardwalk Bakery, and to sit out at night and watch all the activities sipping a cocktail was great! DH even got dragged into one of the magician shows, with the magician yelling up to him throughout his show!!