Wife's 50th Birthday

[Capt Silly]

I am looking to take my wife to Disney World for her 50th birthday in 2019, and would like some advice on where to stay. It is the first time for either of us, but we are Disneyland Pros.

I am looking at staying a week (7 nights), mainly visiting the parks at a relaxed pace. I am hoping to do a lot of fine dining, enjoying the adult side of Disney.

I am looking at staying at a Deluxe Club level room, something elegant with an emphasis on Disney Theme and Service. I am currently thinking the Grand Floridian, but would like advice from people who have been.

Captain Silly

 

[DisHmsklMom]

Since you are planning to stay a week I would suggest doing a split stay, do a few days at one of the deluxe hotels by Epcot (Yacht Club, Beach Club or Boardwalk) and a few days at the Grand Floridian. We've done club level at the Yacht Club and loved it.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

I am looking to take my wife to Disney World for her 50th birthday in 2019, and would like some advice on where to stay. It is the first time for either of us, but we are Disneyland Pros.

I am looking at staying a week (7 nights), mainly visiting the parks at a relaxed pace. I am hoping to do a lot of fine dining, enjoying the adult side of Disney.

I am looking at staying at a Deluxe Club level room, something elegant with an emphasis on Disney Theme and Service. I am currently thinking the Grand Floridian, but would like advice from people who have been.

Captain Silly

Either GF CL or BWI CL (or both) will generally fit most everything you describe above. They are also favorites for many adult oriented travelers (although of course there are always plenty of kids there too). YC CL would also fit in this category. If you get deeper in your planning, don't hesitate to come over to the Club Level thread. Lots of folks have detailed experience at both resorts and can assist.

Happy planning!

 

[TJA]

We've stayed at most CL's and GF RPC (Royal Palm Club) really is the most elegant but yet still definitely has the Disney theme. GF RPC is the CL in the main building at GF, which is the one we prefer. GF also has another CL which is in an outside building (Sugarloaf), and we don't find that one to be as much of an experience.

Fine dining can be had right at the GF or a quick monorail ride to the other 2 monorail resorts and also to MK park.

Another elegant CL experience would be at the YC over in the Epcot resort area. It doesn't feel like as much of a "Disney theme" as the GF, I think because of its location away from MK. However, staying at the YC would offer you a walking loop around the boardwalk, which is a lot of fun and has an adult-like vibe. You could also walk to Epcot and enter into the Countries which offer all kinds of fine dining.

Those would be my 2 elegant CL picks, with GF RPC being my #1 choice.

Have fun planning!

 

[TJA]

@GADisneyDad14 I love that we hit "reply" at almost the exact same time!

 

[Hopefully]

Since you are planning to stay a week I would suggest doing a split stay, do a few days at one of the deluxe hotels by Epcot (Yacht Club, Beach Club or Boardwalk) and a few days at the Grand Floridian. We've done club level at the Yacht Club and loved it.

I couldn’t disagree more. It hate split stays. I don’ Like being “Homeless “ on moving day. I like to unpack and settle in
I agree with either GF or YC. Both are wonderful

 

[GADisneyDad14]

@GADisneyDad14 I love that we hit "reply" at almost the exact same time!

Yeah, but your RPC explanation was far superior!

 

[happymommy]

I couldn’t disagree more. It hate split stays. I don’ Like being “Homeless “ on moving day. I like to unpack and settle in
I agree with either GF or YC. Both are wonderful

Same here. I hate having to move resorts.

I prefer the Epcot resorts over the Magic Kingdom ones, although GF RPC would be nice.

 

[mickeynut1]

GF RPC (Royal Palm Club) really is the most elegant but yet still definitely has the Disney theme. GF RPC is the CL in the main building at GF, which is the one we prefer. GF also has another CL which is in an outside building (Sugarloaf), and we don't find that one to be as much of an experience.

Fine dining can be had right at the GF or a quick monorail ride to the other 2 monorail resorts and also to MK park.

I agree. I don't care for SL either, but RPC is amazing and would be my choice for a special birthday trip .

 

[TJA]

Yeah, but your RPC explanation was far superior!

RPC is very fresh in my head so I can't stop thinking/talking about it!

 

[kiford]

If you want to do some nice dining I wouldn't spring for club level (definitely try to get a reservation at Victoria & Albert's). Part of the vacation for us is picking a different TS dining for breakfast (rarely before 9 am) and dinner. Usually, we eat so much we don't bother having lunch or snacks between meals. So, for us, club level would not be a good value because we simply wouldn't eat there or we'd feel we should and it would interfere with planning meals. Our touring style is fairly relaxed and go with the flow. Sometimes we bail from a park and go back to the pool if it's warm enough. Or we go to a lounge and just sit for a bit with a drink and talk.

We like the Boardwalk because it tends to be a bit more adult-oriented (far fewer children seem to be there) and it's close to Epcot where we spend a lot of time. It's also close to Hollywood Studios and a lot of restaurants (Epcot, Boardwalk, Yacht & Beach Club, Swan & Dolphin, Hollywood Studios). Another favourite is Beach Club. More kids but some really nice rooms and a bit closer to Epcot - location close to restaurants is the same as Boardwalk. Also another favourite is Grand Floridian in outer building, lagoon view (Conch Key is our favourite because it's close to the pier where you can get the boat to Magic Kingdom). Large rooms, very elegant but I have to say that the decor isn't entirely to my taste - I prefer BW or BC but it's DH's favourite so we alternate. It's convenient to V&A which we do every time we're there but we've also taken taxis from other resorts to go there for dinner. We've also done Animal Kingdom Lodge (Jambo) with Savannah view room. The rooms are a little smaller but the views are worth it. It's a little more off the beaten path so a bit more time to get to the parks, but not overly so. We just love the decor and Jiko is our second favourite restaurant (after V&A).

Whatever you, I recommend asking for a King bed room. There aren't many but we've managed to get them a few times and the rooms can be bigger (or they just feel that way because of having only one bed) and we've always loved the locations. We had one at Boardwalk Inn on our first trip there. The room was actually smaller than normal but it was on the ground floor with patio doors that opened into the rose garden. Just loved it. Had one at Beach Club that was a corner room, ground floor, huge, with a door that opened out near to the volleyball court so it was really close to Epcot. Never had to go back to the lobby to get to our room. So convenient. Had one in Conch Key at the Grand Floridian with great view of the lagoon and monorail. Also had a room in Conch Key (can't recall if it was two queens or king) that was in the corner so we had two balconies and again great views of the lagoon and monorail and could slightly see the Magic Kingdom if you leaned out a bit. Both really big rooms.

Sigh. Now I want to go.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I am looking to take my wife to Disney World for her 50th birthday in 2019, and would like some advice on where to stay. It is the first time for either of us, but we are Disneyland Pros.

I am looking at staying a week (7 nights), mainly visiting the parks at a relaxed pace. I am hoping to do a lot of fine dining, enjoying the adult side of Disney.

I am looking at staying at a Deluxe Club level room, something elegant with an emphasis on Disney Theme and Service. I am currently thinking the Grand Floridian, but would like advice from people who have been.

Captain Silly

If you want to do something truly elegant, I would recommend a Main Building, Deluxe King Room, CL at GF. IMHO, it doesn't get more elegant than that. You will be in the main building of WDW's flagship resort in a king bed room with the possibility of a theme park view (you need to request it, but I would definitely note it's your wife's 50th birthday on the reservation). You really can't find better service than in RPC at GF and the resort is truly the most elegant of all the WDW resorts, IMHO.

For fine dining, I would really recommend, first and foremost, going to Victoria and Albert's at GF. It's a AAA 5-diamond restaurant and, arguably, one of the best in the US. I would also recommend Cali Grill at CR (for the view and the food) and Artist Point at WL. If you are looking for other special experiences, I would consider a dessert party in MK to see the fireworks and a private Illuminations cruise.

 

[JessicaW1234]

I am looking to take my wife to Disney World for her 50th birthday in 2019, and would like some advice on where to stay. It is the first time for either of us, but we are Disneyland Pros.

I am looking at staying a week (7 nights), mainly visiting the parks at a relaxed pace. I am hoping to do a lot of fine dining, enjoying the adult side of Disney.

I am looking at staying at a Deluxe Club level room, something elegant with an emphasis on Disney Theme and Service. I am currently thinking the Grand Floridian, but would like advice from people who have been.

Captain Silly

I would echo staying club level at the GF. We did that for my 40th, and it truly was magical. While V&A is the ultimate dining experience, there are also other restaurants on site at GF that are lovely- Citricos, Narcoosee's and for a more casual dinner, GF Cafe.
In the evenings, you can sit in the beautiful lobby area and enjoy the live music. There are also several shops off the two levels overlooking the lobby that are fun to peruse.
I also enjoyed riding the monorail to MK and taking their water shuttle from MK in the evenings. The electric water pageant is also fun to watch from the GF grounds.
We stayed in Sugarloaf CL overlooking the marina. So lovely! I know others may not like it as much as the main building, but it is still beautiful and a wonderful experience. Highly recommend it!

 

[Shanti]

I am looking to take my wife to Disney World for her 50th birthday in 2019, and would like some advice on where to stay. It is the first time for either of us, but we are Disneyland Pros.

I am looking at staying a week (7 nights), mainly visiting the parks at a relaxed pace. I am hoping to do a lot of fine dining, enjoying the adult side of Disney.

I am looking at staying at a Deluxe Club level room, something elegant with an emphasis on Disney Theme and Service. I am currently thinking the Grand Floridian, but would like advice from people who have been.

Captain Silly

I recommend the Grand Floridian. It's beautiful, elegant, with good dining options, and easy access to more good dining via the monorail.

 

[ols386]

I would suggest not doing a split stay, rather stay at the same resort during your entire time (seven nights). (This is ONLY my own personal preference.)

I think the Grand Floridian CL would be perfect. It’s romantic, elegant, and convenient. The GF also has two fine-dining (or at least that’s what I’d call them) restaurants.

Staying at the GF, you have the monorail at your disposal for MK. You can also use the monorail to get to Epcot. (Resort monorail and transfer to Epcot monorail. Easy. )

I think all suggestions on this thread are excellent. Can’t go wrong with any of them.

 

[Capt Silly]

Thank You all for the advice. Since it will be our first time, I think I will opt for not doing a split stay. The logistics of packing everything up in the middle of the trip seems a bit much.

I think I was right in choosing GF, but it's nice to know that others agree. I am sure that as the date draws closer I will be asking more questions about how to make the trip truly special.

Captain Silly