Which resort has the most magic?

[Freyja]

First let me start by saying I´ve never been to any Disney hotel in WDW, except for a character meal at Chef Mickey´s. I therefore have no comparison at all.

In December we´ll be staying for a week at ASMO (two rooms due to family size). It looks very "Disney" , with all the giant icons, Disney figurines by the pool, etc.

I know that the moderates and deluxes have more amenities, monorail access, etc. But how do they measure up in being "Disney like"?

Would my kids still feel they were staying on-site if we stayed somewhere else?

 

[WDW~Lover]

for me it is the Epcot resorts. You have Epcot to the left and Disney Studios to the right. and you can see fireworks every night, and just the feel in the air walking around the boardwalk. It is unlike any resorts I have stayed in. The MK resorts are a second for me. They lack the boardwalk to walk around, you are kind of stuck in your resort.

so that is IMO!

 

[vicki_c]

And to me it's the Poly, with a beach from which you can see the Magic Kingdom, the Grand Floridian, and the Contemporary all at the same time! There's as many answer to this question as there are resorts!

 

[Alaska DogCat]

I think they all have a 'different' magic to them:

Walking around a value like Pop Century, you feel the magic of fads coming to life. At a moderate like Port Orleans, you get immersed in a mystical New Orleans atmosphere. A deluxe like the Animal Kingdom Lodge is like magically going to another land or (my favorite) the Beach Club or Yacht Club have a magical Beach/Nautical feel to them that is just plain relaxing.

They're all magical...

 

[Tink888]

I think they've all got the Disney magic. Disney isn't as "in your face" at the mods and deluxes like it is at the values but it is definately there. Even though the theming is more geared to the particular resort, Disney has definately left it's mark and done what it does best - theming. WL lodge for example has the geyser, a pool with a current, animal paw prints in the cement on the pathways and you can hear western music playing all around you. To me, there is no resort like a Disney resort - I always feel like I'm in another world no matter which one I stay at but I always know I'm at Disney.

 

[dalstitch45]

I agree with Tink888. They each have their own magic. For me, it depends on what mood I'm in when I book my trip. There is nothing like staying on-site. I wish the PC had been around when DS was small. He would have loved it.

I also like doing split stays. It gives me a chance to get a different magical effect during the stay. I have my favorites, and only two (2) I don't really care for.

For me it's the themeing at each resort. I am still a big kid at heart, and there is nothing like Disney magic. I have stayed at each level of resort at WDW, and again it just depends on what I want on that particular trip.

Hey Mickey, see you in 2 1/2 weeks. Can't wait!!!

 

[johnsonet]

I have stayed 10+ times at GF, 5 times at Poly, twice at BC, twice at BWI, once at WL, twice at CR (as a teenager) and 10+ times at AKL. I have almost always had awesome stays but I would say that neither BC nor BWI had the Magic that the others have for me. They are nice hotels with great locations and I enjoyed them very much but they are very different from the Magic Kingdom resorts for me and AKL holds a special place in my heart so to me it is very magical.
Actually, seeing the Epcot "ball" from my balcony WAS pretty magical at the BC but the room and the resort grounds weren't as magical as the other resorts I've mentioned.

 

[spiceycat]

you will be very happy at ASMO.

the deluxes have better transportation (monrail, boats) or you can walk(also boat) to two of the theme parks (studios & epcot). but in get to all the theme parks - even they have to use the buses.

the deluxes have queen beds vs double (full) that you get at values and moderates.

still though would be very, very happy at any of the WDW resorts. each is different and special it is own way.

one more thing - the deluxes are bigger so is appears less people are there.

at a value - expect to see and at times hear alot.

been to almost every Disney resort - my favorite is Pop century of the resorts, akv & okw at the DVC resorts.

 

[suzimar57]

each resort has it's own "magic" - at CR (for us) it's being able to walk to MK and the view of the MK from your balcony with your own private viewing of Wishes each night....

at the BC/YC/BW it's not just the beautiful theming, but the convenience of walking to both EP and MGM

the values totally immerse you in the theming, icons, sounds and over the top "props" around the property - probably the most "magical"!

 

[joanng]

I think any AS resort gives you the magic, I stayed at ASSp first 2 times with my kids and it was just magical, If you have kids its a great first resort. The icons, food court, arcade, and just walking around really give you that Disney feel. Pools are also great, I find most of the value, moderate resorts have multiple pools which works out great. The bus service is one stop at the AS resorts , they might pick up form the other tow AS resorts , but we never have waitied more than 15 minutes at any but stop at any resort.

I know yo will enjoy your choice , have a great trip

 

[LoveKermit]

Two thoughts (I hope).....

First, my first on-site stay was at ASMu. I always stayed offsite as a kid. We like to rent houses. My DH was DBF at the time and he had always stayed onsite. I loved it! So, for the first time, it was completely acceptable.

Now, 8 years and a new career for DH later, we probably won't stay at a value again except for maybe a real quick or last minute visit. The POP does intrigue me.

We've since stayed at the Dolphin, WL and Poly (and another rented house and a nasty Days Inn near Universal). They're all great. But I agree with another about the monorail resorts. The castle was the first thing we saw when we came out of our room and the last thing we saw as we went in. Fireworks in jammies with DD already sleeping--pretty great and convenient.

But I am intrigued (from what I read here) about all of the resorts. I just have to talk DH into them. We're doing teacher discount at the Dolphin next--and EPCOT resorts are magical too. But we were just saying how great the Poly was. It will be a while before we do that again. And I want to try some others first--YC/BC and POR to start.

So maybe a few more than two thoughts, but you get my drift. Start slow and work your way up. You won't be disappointed.