Which Resort Hotel is the best?

[T16GEM]

We are thinking of going to a Resort Hotel on our next trip, we haven't thought about budgets or anything so lets just say that money is of no object at the moment for research purposes! We usually stay in a villa off site so it's going to be a real treat to stay at a resort hotel.

There would be me, dh, dd and one more infant. Looking for 2 weeks, preferably somewhere with a lift ( they don't all have them do they?)

I have always fancied the AKL, but I also like Contemporary Resort, what do you think? What are the best things and the worst things about your favorite resort?

Thanks for your help

Gems

 

[JohnnySharp2]

We always stay in a villa too and always will - just love it.

This August we are also staying a few nights at the Boardwalk so that would get my vote, had a look around on our holiday last year and really like the look of it.
Plenty of entertainment on site, restaurants/shops/great swimming pools/ plenty to do for the kids and walking distance from EPCOT and other resorts.
Not forgetting the ESPN Sports Bar

Having said all that I have never actually stayed on-site (yet), just like staying in a villa, so I am sure many people will be of more help to you.

 

[Frances999]

These are some of my reasons for liking the Polynesian Resort so much....

• Best on-site transportation. Boat or monorail to MK. Direct monorail to Epcot via path to TTC.
• Wonderful volcano-themed zero-entry pool and nice quiet pool too
• Lovely tropical theming, white sand beaches looking towards MK
• Excellent views of WISHES from the hammocks on the beach
• Great access to dining....walkway to the wonderful restaurants at the GF and monorail to MK/Contemporary...plus its own restaurants as well!
• Largest standard rooms on Disney property (which sleep 5)
• Wonderfully helpful and friendly CMs who go through special, extended training before working at the Polynesian
• Rooms have just been beautifully refurbished with plasma, flat screen televisions and new modern furnishings

 

[paulh]

don`t think it matters which one you stay in you are treated just the same.Only resorts havent staed in are the monorail hotels.Aug we are stayin at pop nect year it will be sartoga springs resort.They all have there disney magic when we stayed of site there was no atmosphere.Onsite there is always plenty to do
Paulh

 

[UKDEB]

We stayed at AKL within a few months of its opening and loved it, but it really isn't the ideal onsite resort. If I was going to spend an entire trip onsite, I'd want to be 'in the thick of it'. The Contemporary isn't a bad option, IMHO - it's been refurbished recently and is in a prime spot on the monorail. Ditto the Poly.

If you prefer Epcot to MK, you'd probably be better off considering the BoardWalk, or Yacht or Beach Clubs. Any of these also give you easy access to MGM.

 

[KayleeUK]

There would be me, dh, dd and one more infant.

Is there something you haven't told us Gem's ????

 

[JohnnySharp2]

don`t think it matters which one you stay in you are treated just the same.

..but they are all so different aren't they?

I think if you have little one's the DVC resorts are a better option as you have the cooking facilities etc plus that bit of extra room......not that I have stayed in any yet so I am hardly an expert.

 

[jockey]

I love GF for lots of reasons
Its a monorail resort
I love the decorations at christmas time
The pool
1900 park fare
mouse boats
Atmosphere

We are staying at week at AKL next trip though as I think DS will love the animals!

 

[gilld]

.

There would be me, dh, dd and one more infant. Looking for 2 weeks, preferably somewhere with a lift ( they don't all have them do they?)

Gems

They all have a lift.

Personally I would choose GF because it is wonderful and so close to MK. And Beach Club for it's proximity to Epcot.

 

[paulh]

..but they are all so different aren't they?

I think if you have little one's the DVC resorts are a better option as you have the cooking facilities etc plus that bit of extra room......not that I have stayed in any yet so I am hardly an expert.

The studios in the dvc resorts are only a little bigger than the rooms at at modderate resort but one bed is a sofa bed (except at vero inn rooms)they give you a wet bar which basicly is a sink with a fridge (bigger than ones you can rent onsite which are more like beer fridges) coffee machine,microwave and a toaster.We have stayed in a 2 bed which we found too big for us but as we like to use the room just to sleep in and we dont cook while we are there a studio suits us best.when i said you are treated the same it was the way the customer is king.we have been in conciarge to value and DVC and have enjoyed all
Paulh

 

[JohnnySharp2]

The studios in the dvc resorts are only a little bigger than the rooms at at modderate resort but one bed is a sofa bed (except at vero inn rooms)they give you a wet bar which basicly is a sink with a fridge (bigger than ones you can rent onsite which are more like beer fridges) coffee machine,microwave and a toaster.We have stayed in a 2 bed which we found too big for us but as we like to use the room just to sleep in and we dont cook while we are there a studio suits us best.when i said you are treated the same it was the way the customer is king.we have been in conciarge to value and DVC and have enjoyed all
Paulh

Fair enough

 

[disneyholic family]

if money is truly not an issue, then I would choose among either the deluxe resorts or the home-away-from-home resorts (taking at least a one bedroom so that you get full kitchen facilities).

I love all of the deluxe resorts, except for the Contemporary (which i really don't like at all).

You don't say how old your daughter is, but personally i find it most convenient when traveling with small children to stay at one of the monorail resorts. Since I don't like the contemporary, that would be either the Grand Floridian or the Polynesian. I love being able to just hop on the monorail and be back at the resort in a few minutes.

If you're renting a car, any of the resorts is convenient, so it's a question of what style you prefer. They're all nice in their own way.
Of non-monorail deluxe resorts, my favorite is the Wilderness Lodge (and kids adore the Wilderness Lodge - they also adore the Polynesian mentioned above).
If you do want kitchen facilites, then the WL also has villas there (again, you should take at least a 1-br to get a full kitchen). The villas aren't in the main building, but in an adjoining building. I prefer staying in the main building to get the full 'feel' of the place.

The Beach Club and the Boardwalk also have villa rooms. But when we stay in a villa we always stay at Old Key West, because i love the feel of it and it has the biggest rooms (the 2 BR is 1350 square feet).

This has sort of been a ramble. I suggest you get hold of a guidebook that lists all the resorts with full descriptions. Also i believe there's a good bit of information about the resorts at allearsnet.

 

[Claire L]

Is there something you haven't told us Gem's ????

Yup looks like it

Claire

 

[T16GEM]

Is there something you haven't told us Gem's ????

Ha ha! Yes!! I have just found out that I am pg again! Expecting in January - not sure of the date yet though as it's quite early days at the mo.

 

[CustardTart]

Congratulations!!!
If I were going to splurge at an on-site resort with small kids then I'd go to either the Beach Club (as it has a fantastic pool area and Beaches & Creammm) or the Polynesian (fantastic atmosphere, nice pools and great view of MK which IMO is what it's all about.) I too have fancied AKL - it always seems good value compared to the other deluxe resorts - BUT it's so far away from everything else. DD and I popped into see POFQ when we were last in WDW and I thought that looked v family friendly. Not sure if it had lifts tho'...

 

[KayleeUK]

Congratulations!!!!!

 

[gilld]

Congratulations! What will your age gap be?

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Congratulations from me too!!

I am now even more convinced that somewhere like the Boardwalk would be ideal for you with the extra room and more important cooking facilities, perhaps a 1 bedroomed villa?

 

[T16GEM]

gilld - about 15 months, we were planning for another soon but we didn't think it would happen this quickly!

Johnny - thanks for the info I think I will have a look at Boardwalk, Kaylee is that where you stay?

 

[misspickle]

CONGRATS!!!! from me too hope everything goes well for you.