Deluxe Resorts

[surfsupdon]

Is there a particular Deluxe Resort that feels very much like a "Resort" and not a "Hotel."

Moderates are spread out and encompass a lot of property, even surrounding their own lakes and having islands. However, the Deluxes seem to sit on the shore of a lake and be one main building with a few off shoots.

I prefer the Moderate "Resort" feel, however will be staying at Yacht Club based on the fact that Y&B Club, BoardWalk, Swan and Dolphin all surround a lake making it have that large Resort feel, all fo them making one experience.

What is the most un-hotel Deluxe Resort?

 

[jake]

The Polynesian almost makes you feel like you are there instead of at WDW.

 

[wild01ride]

I agree!

I think that each person/family should choose a resort based on the theming that they prefer rather than it being "Moderate" or "Deluxe".

Each hotel, no matter what its designation, has its own charm.

For example, the Boardwalk Inn and Villas is one gigantic building, however a good majority of it overlooks the Boardwalk, so there is a whole social environment around you.

Wilderness Lodge has its river/waterfall/pool that, when combined with the surroundings really give a National Park/Great Outdoors feel.

I myself absolutely love Port Orleans- possibly my favorite "resort", but I enjoy many others as well for each's own reason.

 

[tigsmom]

Love the Wilderness Lodge. Yes, its on the lake, but the woods give it an "away" feeling. There is a trail that you can walk/run/bike on over to Fort Wilderness. Reminds me of the Great Camps that they have here in NY up in the Adirondacks.
Our WDW home away from home.

We stayed at the Poly last year. With all of the beautiful gardens it made you feel as if you were on the islands.

 

[SlideOperatorCP]

The Wilderness is amazing, ... i had never seen it, and then we rode the boat over to it from the magic kingdom and had no idea something that awesome was stored away in the trees. The pool and loby were definetely set up to make you feel like you were in a resort, not just a hotel on a lake, ... it is where we are going on our next trip

 

[LivefortheMouse]

We have only been to one deluxe resort and thats wilderness lodge. I think the view we got was perfect it really made u feel as if u were some where else. We had a courtyard view room were u could see very little of the lake from but mostly the woods which made it perfect for us. I love wilderness lodge resort. we also like port orleans best from the moderates though every resort is special in its own way.

 

[Pioneer Hall]

The polynesian gives you a totally immersive resort feel. The resort is nice and big and nothing is on top of something else. I like that resort feel too, makes the place seem nicer.

 

[crazygirley]

I would have to say Animal Kingdom Lodge. You feel as though you have left and gone to an African Lodge. It's really everything; the smells of burning wood and spices, the food, the accents of the CM's that are actually from Africa, the decoration, the colors, the African music in the background, and the animals. Everything just makes you feel like you aren't in a regular hotel, that you are actually somewhere way more special than that!

 

[MinnieFan]

Here is another vote for Animal Kingdom Lodge.

AKL has that "special resort feeling" for me.

 

[goofyman]

Have to go with wilderness lodge! We have stayed at Beachclub, which is great but WL makes you feel like you not even in FLA. We even became DVC members there ..LOVE IT ..But they are all so special!

 

[AkiraRaptor]

And I'll add my $.02 and say Animal Kingdom Lodge, Polynesian, and the Wilderness Lodge are all top resorts to stay at that will give you the feel of a resort that you are looking for.

Most of the other deluxes do have that feeling, but I feel that these 3 really "take you away from it all" so to speak, and you really never feel like you're in a hotel.

 

[Stitch79]

One more vote for the Animal Kingdom Lodge! Just looks and feels like you are not in Florida anymore .

 

[Stellajack]

Agree with you on AKL. I love the odors, sounds, sights, EVERYTHING! Lot's of activities to enjoy, "Storyteller's hour", "firepit", Arusha rock guides, African music , animal feeding time, Boma's, ALL of it.

 

[mrtoad]

I have stayed at 4 WDW resorts.

Polynesian all throughout my childhood

The Treehouse Villas (the name has changed but I have no idea to what. Anyone know the answer to that?

Port Orleans (Now Port Orleans French Qtr)

Dixie Landings (Now Port Orleans Riverside)

All Star Sports Resort

If I had my choice of the above, the Polynesian. I loved staying there. The biggest thing for me though was the view. We always had a view of the castle.

Next would be Dixie Landings. We have stayed there the past 3 trips. Good price, very quite and nice big expansive feel.

Next would be Port Orleans. Very fun feel. Nice background music.

Next would be Treehouse Villas. We stayed there once as a child when my parents booked late and could not get a Polynesian res. I just remember wishing it was the Polynesian.

Last would be the All Star Sports Resort. I would rather wait another year to save up for a better resort. Did not like it.

 

[Kingdom Konsultant]

I would suggest either AKL or WL for that resort feeling. The theming is fantastic. The same architect designed them both.

Pam