Your input needed for which resorts you recommend.

[Bertie131]

I would love to hear from fellow Dis'ers about which resort they recommend and why. I am interested in Value, Moderate, and Deluxe. I have stayed in Poly and love it, but we are considering downgrading due to cost. What does everyone think? Thanks!

 

[glocon]

We've only ever stayed at POR (mod) and AKL (del) and would stay at either again. Both are cheaper thatn Poly. Staying at BC next time (del) which I believe is cheaper than Poly also. I like to google "pictures from______" fill the blank in of the resorts you are considering. That way you can see lots of pictures that usually have write ups with them also.
But like I said, I would surely go back to POR or AKL in a heartbeat.

 

[PrincessDaisyDuck]

If you want to do a moderate, we loved Port Orleans French Quarter. It is very pretty, quiet and small so no matter where you are in the resort you're fairly close to the food court and bus stop. Also it's connected to Riverside so you can walk that property and use their food court as well if you'd like (both food courts are good but Riversides is bigger and has an amazing pasta station - so good!)

We have also stayed at Animal Kingdom Lodge which is more affordable than the Poly but is still a deluxe if you want to stay in that range. It is also a beautiful resort, the animals are great, and you can save money by getting a standard view room instead of a savannah view - there are lots of places to look out at the animals throughout the resort, so it's a nice way to save some money.

Good luck, I am sure you will have a great trip no matter where you stay!

 

[Bertie131]

Thank you for the responses. I appreciate them!

 

[minnie mum]

We've stayed in resorts at all three levels, though 9 times out of 10 we stay at one of the mods. Frankly you couldn't pay me to stay at a value again; I'd rather skip a trip until I could afford a mod; but that's our opinion only, and others find them satisfactory.

We've stayed at all the mods, some more often than others, and while CBR is our personal favourite (even though they only have double beds), we tend to change them up just for the sake of variety.

I agree with the PPs who like AKL. It is just so strikingly different that we would even stay there without the savannah view room (if we had to). Saving money by 'downgrading' from Poly to AKL or WL would certainly be no hardship.

 

[Epic Epcot]

I've stayed at three levels. Depending on the size of your party I highly recommend PO-FQ. I stayed there with my DW a couple years ago and loved it. It's by far the quietest of any of the resorts I've stayed at (values are way too loud for my liking). The only downside to PO-FQ is there is no sitdown rest. but there is a decent food court, and a nice pool. Plus since it's one of the smaller resorts you're never too far from the bus stops...

 

[bowbat]

We've stayed at CBR, Contemporary, Poly, WL, BWI and GF.

Of those, my favorite is definitely BWI. I love the size & look of the rooms, the atmosphere on the Boardwalk, the ease of walking/boating to Epcot & DHS, the extremely friendly CMs, and all the dining & shopping options in the area.

My husband's favorite is WL (and it's probably my second favorite). The theming is incredible, the resort is compact & easy to get around, lots to do & see, easy access to all the goings-on at Ft. Wilderness, and the boat ride to MK. The negative for me on WL is the size & relative darkness of the rooms (and they definitely could use updating...but that's apparently starting in April). Still, it's a great resort & we'll be staying there again in November.

Either one would be cheaper than Poly. The BWI perhaps only a bit cheaper, WL a decent amount.

 

[SFreelove]

My family prefers the values. Some people like the luxury feel of the deluxe hotels in Disney- which yes they are just that beautiful BUT if you don't spend alot of time at your hotel, really is that extra money worth it? Or would you rather stay in a value (which are the most disney themed hotels in DW) and put your money towards other things you can do while on your DW vacation. Honeslty everyone is different and has different tastes.. but to me, the most sensible thing is to stay in a value (the kids seem to like the values the best, its more geared for the kiddos) and put our money to extra expenses/disney experiences. I know one moderate that will save you a vast amount of money and people rave about is Port Orleans River Side- but remember if you have kiddos along, i've heard it isnt as thrilling for them.

 

[tarin24u]

Stayed at CBR, POR/Riverside, and BC so far and will be at AKV... I cannot recommend any value resorts but I have been to All Star Music and you could not pay me to stay there. I know people love the AS resorts but I really thought the rooms were scary small and the place was mobbed. Everyone did seem to be enjoying themselves and there were a lot of kids under 5 but wow - it was soooo loud and crowded by the pool and in the food court.

Love Riverside... good food, great pool, nice rooms. We really liked CBR but our stay was in 2000 and I have heard mixed reviews lately.

BC is awesome - my fave! Location, pool, and rooms can't be beat My sister stayed at GF and we met her for dinner... lovely, beautiful, big rooms, great atmosphere.