Deluxe Hotels

[TXDisney]

My wife and I are headed back to Disney the beginning of May of 2016. We stayed at the Boardwalk just in September and loved it, just kinda thought we'd like the BC or YC more. But I know they are refurbishing the whole resorts there so wasn't sure on if it will all be done by then. We've stayed at GF for 2 days about a year ago. We've decided we definitely wanna do deluxe this upcoming trip, but are pretty open to peoples inputs on why they like certain Deluxe hotels. We've kinda not wanted to stay around MK quite yet bc we figured we will wanna do that when we have kids, so we kinda wanna save those resorts until then. But if a hotel there is so good, we could be persuaded. We r just doing a 6 day 5 night trip. Any input and ideas are welcome. Probably booking in the next 2-4weeks.

 

[wdwmagic]

Swan.

Newly refurbished rooms, amazing location, fantastic main pool, lots of nearby dining. It also has the best bed on property, by a long way.

 

[SamandChel]

I love the animal kingdom lodge. its so nice going out onto the balcony and watching the animals. Really good food too. Also it's not usually very packed so it's very relaxing after being in the parks all day. Only downside is it is kind of out of the way of everything I feel. Really nice resorts and very well maintained.

The only deluxe resort I don't like is the contemporary. It just feels old and beat up. the furniture in our room there was all beat up and worn.

 

[sgtmgd]

Boardwalk is our favorite resort hands down we will be checking in again in 9 short days...IMO its better than YC and BC..unless you have to have stormalong bay. We stayed a week at Kidani village last year and its a beautiful resort, however the animal view was nice, but we rarely were in our room during daylight hours to see them. I would look at Wilderness lodge if you want something different..

 

[SamandChel]

Boardwalk is amazing and so much fun to just wander around.

 

[Courtney6682]

We stayed at OKW villas in Feb 2014...I liked the resort, but my husband loved it! The marina and bar area are really nice and relaxing...the views of the water and golf course are really pretty too. You can also take the boat to DTD which is a nice change from the busses. The lobby smells like coconut which is amazing lol...

 

[sgtmgd]

Boardwalk is amazing and so much fun to just wander around.

Water view room at the Boardwalk offers amazing views at sunset and sunrise..coupled with the ever busy boardwalk activities its by far our favorite resort. great location with Epcot and DHS a short walk/boat ride away..and the Yachtsman Steak House is a short walk/boat ride...also our favorite place to eat.

 

[TXDisney]

Originally when we booked Boardwalk we thought we could use Stormalong Bay. But after research we found out we couldn't. Was kinda bummed but the weather was not great that trip so we wouldn't have used it that much anyway. We probably definitely won't do Boardwalk this trip just bc we just did it and want to try new things. If the BC and YCs refurbishments are done by then, they're what we are leaning toward. But the contemporary and poly are in the running too. We've done Swan before and weren't that impressed. Just doesn't feel like a Disney hotel there like the other resorts. If we were on a tighter budget I'd look into there again, but we're spending big this trip.

 

[SamandChel]

Hehe Disney and budgets. I learned early on just plan to spend a ton and you won't be disappointed. Plan a trip on a budget and you will be sad when you get home.
I always spend wayyyyyy too much at Disney.

Have you considered staying multiple places. I don't know how long you are planning on staying there. We normally stay at least two weeks and have done multiple hotels to just see them and enjoy them.

 

[TXDisney]

I wish we were going for 2 weeks. But we're only doing 6 days 5 nights, so multiple hotels are kinda pointless. Although I will look into it bc I know transfering luggage isn't that big of a deal if it's between2 disney resorts.

 

[SamandChel]

Between two resorts they usually just pick it up in the room and deliver it to your other room. All you have to do is call the front desk to let them know your luggage is ready and that they can get it. Then it "magically" appears at the next hotel. Really easy. Did it between 3 hotels last trip with no problems. Is kind of hard to justify two hotels with 5 nights though. then you can't settle in since your packing again after 2-3 nights. Definitely look into it though if you want to experience different hotels. Or want to stay in one of the really nice rooms for a night or two.

 

[Nick Pappagiorgio]

Have done both YC and BC. YC feels a little more formal, but the rooms have actual balconies (at least ours did). BC is a little more casual but we didn't like that the "balconies" are more of sliding doors with railings on them. Other than that they are really comparable.

 

[tigger1968]

Try Animal Kingdom Lodge. I think it offers some of the best theming on property, great restaurants, and of course, the animals. Plus many times its pricing is better than the monorail resorts. I know many talk about how it feels far away from everything, but for me that's part of what I like about it. I don't find the transportation bad, and kind of like the remote feeling the resort has. Took my girlfriend there for her first trip to WDW and was informed that all future WDW stays must include giraffes...

 

[lostpro9het]

Try Animal Kingdom Lodge. I think it offers some of the best theming on property, great restaurants, and of course, the animals. Plus many times its pricing is better than the monorail resorts. I know many talk about how it feels far away from everything, but for me that's part of what I like about it. I don't find the transportation bad, and kind of like the remote feeling the resort has. Took my girlfriend there for her first trip to WDW and was informed that all future WDW stays must include giraffes...

This!

People always seem to say "Its so far away" and " The bus trips take forever". After staying a week at Jambo during Christmas and a week at Kidani during F&W and I cant disagree with these sentiments more. Its not that far away and the bus rides are far from long or unreasonable. We're looking forward to making it our home resort come May.

 

[SamandChel]

I love AKL because it seems far away from everything but really isn't that bad. Disney is about 44sq miles but only about 10 miles long so in all honesty it can't be a very long drive no matter where you are. 15 minutes from MK I believe. Not much different then a lot of other resorts.

Each resort is close to some parks and far away from others. Thankfully AK Is my favorite lol.

 

[TXDisney]

Only trouble I've ever had with the buses was from MK to Boardwalk. The line was so long bc buses took forever for one to arrive. Probably sat in line for an hour. Next time I'll just take a cab.

 

[JasonDeyoung]

Another vote for AKL

 

[TXDisney]

Another quick question. I'll probably just book through calling here in the next couple weeks. I know when booking via phone, if alli food book the resort, they only charge 1 night stay to secure the reservation. My question is, is in saving for it seperate it bc we have like 5 other vacations this year. So this will be a pay as I save type deal. I can just book my park tickets after once I have that saved, the deluxe dining plan once I have that saved all seperate it and then link them inked right?

 

[SamandChel]

Yeah you can do that. I usually just book and put the $200 deposit down for the package. But yes u can add all that afterwards as u get the money.

 

[sgtmgd]

Yeah you can do that. I usually just book and put the $200 deposit down for the package. But yes u can add all that afterwards as u get the money.

Spot on with one caveat and that is provided you're not in the 45 window of arrival at which point you cant book a package piecemeal, you could reserve one nights stay and turn it into a package once you have the full amount.