Which hotel to stay at?!

[KendallR]

We are taking a trip in August that consists of myself (21), my brother (15), and my father for 4 nights. My father wants to stay at the four seasons in Disney World, however my brother and I would prefer not to for the following reasons:
Bus schedule-the four seasons buses have a more limited bus schedule than disney hotels, as buses only depart on the hour and they start and stop service after rope drop occurs and before the park closes. This would not work for our plans.
the disney "perks"-scoring reservations and fast passes earlier is not available when staying at the four seasons, as well as magical express not being included
convenience- we plan on spending quite a lot of time at the parks and think it would be easier to do so at a disney hotel.

However, my father wants to have similar luxuries available at the four seasons at a disney hotel if we are going to stay at one. He wants a large and nice room to stay in as he will be in the room more often than my brother and I-that is his highest priority. What do you think would be the best fit for us as a group, for a hotel that provides high quality spacious rooms with easy transportation (definitely a deluxe hotel)? I have been considering the villas at both the contemporary (bay lake tower) and the grand floridan as to get more room, along with some other options. In order to make that affordable, we would most likely rent DVC points. If you rent DVC points though, are you able to have the same conveniences of a regular hotel room (booking 180 days out, booking fast passes early, using magic bands, etc)?. If anyone has some insight as to what would be the best option, please let me know. We were thinking the one bedroom would be the best fit in terms of size but could use a standard room at a hotel if that would be the best hotel. We also aren't so picky on theme as long as the rooms are nice.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Well, if you want a larger room, don't do a studio at Bay Lake Tower. You will be much better off with a tower room there. BLT studios are quite small, especially if you pull out the sofa bed.

I think there are other potential issues with the villas for your group and your father's desire for luxury -- 1BR units only have one bed. The sofa in the living area would need to be pulled out to sleep on.

You do get all the standard Disney perks with a DVC booking/point rental -- ME, 180+length of stay ADRs, 60-day FP+. But what you don't get is daily housekeeping. So you'd be reusing towels, folding up the sofa bed (and the sleeper chair) every day if your dad wanted to spend time in the room, bringing your own coffee filters, etc.

You might be better off with standard rooms, unless you really want a kitchen. Standard rooms will have multiple for-real beds, and housekeeping.

Another option to consider would be the Swan-Dolphin. They don't get Magical Express or Magic Bands, but they're traditional high-class hotels, and you'd get 60-day FP+ and EMH.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Hmmmn... interesting dilemma. I've stayed at the Four Seasons and I agree with some of your concerns.

Have you looked into Club Level at the Deluxe Resorts? If Four Seasons is in the budget then I'd also consider Club Level rooms at somewhere like the Grand Floridian or Beach Club. I suspect a standard club level room at the GF is going to be around the same price as the Four Seasons, depending on the time of year. Beach Club has a bit more variety of room sizes. For instance, I strayed in a 1-BR suite with Club Level access there this past summer. It was a nice sized room.

Disney's Club Level isn't directly equivalent to the kind of service and amenities you get at the Four Seasons, but it has similar qualities plus a lounge with various dining options during the day.

There's a lot more to it than that, but that's the simple version. Happy to answer any questions if needed.

 

[Babsy]

If you all want a real bed or day bed rather than a pull out, I would suggest a hotel room at the GF or the CR, preferably club level. Second choice (smaller rooms) would be a room in the YC or BWI. I wouldn't suggest the Swan Dolphin due to the lack of a daybed. The YC or the BWI are in the Epcot and DHS resort area, so if yur focus is on these two parks, you might enjoy a stay here despite the smaller rooms.

The convenience of the CR tower is wonderful, IMO. You can walk to the MK, ride the monorail to the MK or Epcot and have bus service everywhere else.Therooms are large and comfortable. Tower club level rooms or atrium club level are both nice, but your father might like the extra luxury of the tower club level. At the GF, the Royal Palm Club is the preferred club level. Sugar Loaf does not have as nice a. lounge and it is much less spacious.

If you really prefer to have a kitchen and laundry facilities in your room, or want a loot of space, you could go with a two bedroom DVC. As a PP said, you do lose daily housekeeping, but generally you get the perks of staying onsite even when renting points.

Good luck choosing!

 

[Zife]

One poster mentioned a 1-BR suite, but if that's in the budget, I'd go with 2 Studio rooms instead. More room, and generally less expensive.

Another mentioned Club (Concierge) Level. If you're renting DVC points, the only DVC resort that you can get Club Leve at is AKL (Jambo House).

I'd always go with an official Disney Resort personally (and I'd almost always choose AKL), but there are definitely pros and cons to both choices.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I agree with the others that, if you want to stay at a Disney resort and your father is looking for some more luxurious amenities, you may want to consider a club level room. If money isn't an issue, I would probably go with the main building at GF (known as RPC or Royal Palm Club). If the theming at GF doesn't appeal, I would look at Poly, BC or BWI as an alternative. BWI also has deluxe club level rooms which will give you even more space.

I would not recommend a 1-bedroom villa for your family group. While you will get more space, some of you will end up sleeping on pull-outs which are not very comfortable. You would be better off with a 2-bedroom or just a standard room. Plus, as others have mentioned, if you rent points, you don't get daily housekeeping, towels, etc. Definitely not the level of service you would get at the Four Seasons.

The Swan is actually also a lovely resort and all of the rooms have just been renovated. They offer larger family suite options which will probably price out less than the club level WDW deluxe rooms.

If you do end up at the Four Seasons, you and your brother could always uber to the parks to cut down on transportation time.

 

[rwdavis2]

Define large.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

If you're renting DVC points, the only DVC resort that you can get Club Leve at is AKL (Jambo House).

If you're renting DVC points, assume you will not get Club Level. There are a total of 5 CL rooms at AKV; they can be booked as 2BR units, or split to be studio+1BR. The chances of getting any of these as a renter are so small as to not be a realistic option for consideration.

 

[happymommy]

I would go with an Epcot resort or a monorail resort personally. No, the Disney resorts probably won't feel quite the "same" as a Four Seasons, but they're usually pretty nice (and I'm fine with that as you can see in my signature). At an Epcot resort, your dad can enjoy walking around the Boardwalk if he's not into the parks as much. To me, that would be my #1 area to focus on. A regular room would be preferable over a DVC room, plus you'll get housekeeping. What about the Beach Club club level? I'm sure it will cost more than the FS, but you get all the perks like you said. He could enjoy the lounge a lot!

 

[Hopefully]

I definitely would choose a Club Level room for your Dad. He would have access to the Lounge to relax in while you and your brother are at the parks. We love the Epcot area resorts, as we enjoy walking into Epcot World Showcase for dinner many nights. Of course you need a Park Hopper to be able to do that.
Boardwalk Inn Club Level has many devoted followers. As mentioned previously, they also have Deluxe Club rooms which would definitely give your Dad more room.
Good Luck

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

I understand the Yatch Club is nice. We stayed at Beach Club and loved that. Grand Floridian too nice rooms. I also rated Animal Kingdom club but location isn't as good.

 

[Zife]

If you're renting DVC points, assume you will not get Club Level. There are a total of 5 CL rooms at AKV; they can be booked as 2BR units, or split to be studio+1BR. The chances of getting any of these as a renter are so small as to not be a realistic option for consideration.

Yeah, I just learned that the other day trying to book one. They go crazy fast.

 

[KrazeeK120]

I would go with a club level room at the Contemporary. I've stayed there (not club level though) and the rooms are good size. The decor is also the most similar to what you might find in the "real world." You can also walk to MK and monorail to Epcot, which would be convenient for you and your brother.

I want to commend you for taking the time to carefully consider ways to make this trip wonderful for all of the members of your family. I'm sure your dad will appreciate your thoughtfulness!

 

[JJsmama]

Yes, for a summer trip, those extra days for FP and Restaurants and early entry REALLY matter. Four Seasons are wonderful!! but I would not want that transportation hassle at WDW. I would probably choose Club Level at Yacht Club or BoardWalk inn. I love the decor of BWI. If you get park hoppers, you will have Epcot restaurants just a stroll away every night for dinner and dad can easily go back and forth to the room from two parks and catch up with you kids later. (Actually, CR is my favorite resort, but it is not luxurious feeling. I just did not like the GF.)
Are you looking for a suite or just a normal room which is decent size? When all five of my family travel together, we prefer two rooms to a suite anyway, mostly for multiple bathrooms. Even in one regular room,the day bed is fine at Epcot resorts and CR, POly, GF. My 16 year old usually requests it instead of letting the youngest brother have it. That would mean that you would all have your own bed. When it is just myself and my three sons (18,16,9) we stay in one deluxe room at WDW and it is fine because we are not in the room much at all. On relaxing vacations/ beach trips, we do NOT all stay in one room as that would not be relaxing for us at all - just to give you some perspective.
I think you and your brother would love being next to Epcot too. Have Fun!

Added: although I recommend Club level for your dad, we don't actually do CL at WDW because we are at rope drop every morning and usually not around to take advantage of evening happy hour, etc. So consider your schedule when choosing whether to do that or not. The non CL rooms are fine.