Best Resort for the Money

[aliceismad]

I like POFQ for value. I like the decor. My kid loved the pool and splash pad. Beignets are lovely, the boat to DS is a nice diversion, and the resort's small size makes it easy to get around, etc. We'd like to try CSR in the future.

If someone is wiling to pay the deluxe price, or is able to get a good deal on renting DVC points, I really like AKL - beautiful, great pools, good food. Waking up and having coffee while watching the animals outside your balcony is pretty priceless.

And as much as I dislike their exteriors, Swan/Dolphin are a pretty good value considering their location.

 

[bee]

Swan and Dolphin! The location and amenities are comparable to the Boardwalk, Beach Club, and Yacht Club, often at half the price or less.

 

[Fanthomastic]

Swan and Dolphin! The location and amenities are comparable to the Boardwalk, Beach Club, and Yacht Club, often at half the price or less.

Never stayed there but almost did this year. I’m into the bells and whistles of a themed resort like the AKL, WL and POR. But hard to top the location and price of the Swan and Dolphin. Good call.

 

[UNCgolf]

Best value for the money is Port Orleans. Riverside or French Quarter is just personal preference; I like Riverside more but they're essentially part of the same resort.

Animal Kingdom Lodge is the best overall resort but the price reflects that.

 

[bee]

Never stayed there but almost did this year. I’m into the bells and whistles of a themed resort like the AKL, WL and POR. But hard to top the location and price of the Swan and Dolphin. Good call.

I understand the appeal of the bells and whistles, but personally they have had less and less value to me each trip. We stayed at the Boardwalk in 2019 and really liked it, but missed the Swan! There are certain things about "regular" hotel stays that we prefer over Disney resort stays. For example, if you press the "Front Desk" button on your Swolphin in-room phone, you will actually reach someone at the front desk instead of a generic WDW call center. We are also kind of "over it" when it comes to DME and don't mind taking a Lyft from the airport. That said, we are doing a split stay with the Contemporary and the Swan in August so we'll see how they compare!

 

[Dreaming of Disney World]

I stayed at Wilderness Lodge once and loved it, but it is too expensive for us. To answer the question about what resort is a good value for the money, I'd say Pop Century. For around $200 a night you get:
-large food court with lots of options
-skyliner
-one bus stop (makes travel quicker)
- rooms close enough to bus/food (less spread out than some other resorts)
-fun theming
-renovated rooms

 

[MickeyLuv'r]

Well this is really tough to answer because WDW prices have varied very widely over the years. I personally choose my hotel, in large part, based on what type of deal I happen to find. Wherever I chose to stay was, IMO, the best deal offered at that time. Sometimes AKL was the best deal, sometimes the Swan had the best deal, and sometimes the best deal was to stay at like a Fairfield or a Hampton Inn.

I remember when the Swan was $99/night, AKL was $125, and multiple times I've gotten some pretty sweet room upgrades at various Orlando area hotels. In the past, WDW almost always offers some type of discount, but some discounts were somewhat exceptional good deals.

For an example of just seasonal price swings: an outer building garden room at GF varied from $1002 to $737 this past Jan. (rack) That= a $265 shift per night in price! Though historically speaking, $737 is crazy high for a deluxe room in January! (Just five years ago, the value season price for a deluxe hotel room was about $430/night including tax.)

Generically, Swan has frequently been a good deal. Currently, I think one of the best deals is the new Homewood Suites at Flamingo Crossing: very new, includes breakfast, huge suite for about $150/night. Over at Universal, if you don't care about Express Pass, Sapphire falls is nice.

 

[Smiley/OCD]

I know I’m in the minority, and it might not be the best “value”, but I LOVE Art of Animation…you are immersed in all things Disney. DW & I just spent our second “Disneymoon” at GF in December, and while it’s an awesome resort, it just a little too “frou-frou” for me. Considering the amount of time we actually spend at the resort, it’s just not worth it for ME …a clean room, hot water, lots of guests I can interact with and people watch and I’m a happy camper.

The ONLY complaint I now have with AoA and POP IS the skyliner…yes you get to Epcot and HWD quickly (once you’re actually ON it), 90 minutes in the hot, scorching sun waiting at both load areas is a bit much. Give the guests the option of bus service, and it would be great…We’ve NEVER had to wait that long for a bus. That left me with a bitter taste in my mouth.

 

[DznyGrlSD]

Cabana Bay at Universal.

 

[jpinkc]

On property I would say POFQ as well. We are trying Swan & Dolphin for the first time this trip, since the amenities are gone. Might change our mind after but might not. On property I would say Wilderness Lodge would be next for us.

 

[bdearl41]

I’m interested in knowing what others think the best resort for the value is. I like to think it’s French Quarter. It is small and quaint with the same amenities as other moderates. I really love how it feels like you are in New Orleans as depicted in Princess and the Frog. Plus, beignets.

I would have to agree for the ones I have stayed at. French Quarter is great.