Help us choose our resort.

[notslim99]

My DW, DS, and I are crossing our fingers that we'll get to go to WDW for 6 days/5 nights in the third week of October. We are shooting for the stars and choosing the Deluxe Dining Plan. I wanted to get opinions on where to stay. I don't know the forum etiquette about posting price quotes, but I want the best information I can get, so I'm throwing caution to the wind here. Here are the finalists (Price includes tickets, dining, and flight.)

Wilderness Lodge- $4363.35 We like the fact that WL has the bunk room with a queen bed. Also, the theming looks fantastic.

Port Orleans French Quarter- $3747.75 My DW and I stayed here this past March and loved it. It's familiar, and we know how to navigate, bus schedules, etc.

Polynesian- $4858.41 We've never stayed at a "monorail" resort, but that's the only reason we are thinking about it.

Beach Club Resort- $4683.75 This is my personal favorite. I want to be right there at Epcot, but it is pricy.

The prices are different, but I want the best value for our stay, not necessarily the cheapest. Thanks all!

 

[jim1051]

I would prefer poly or Beach Club because their locations offer so much. If you are more of an Epcot and studios family, go Beach club. If magic Kingdom, go Poly.

I'd reconsider the deluxe meal plan. That is really a lot of food and time spent eating.

Regular DDp has always worked out better for us.

 

[Pioneer Hall]

Value is this regard is really going to be in the eye of the beholder. Your budget and preferences are really going to make a big difference in this decision. There is no question that the deluxe resorts are a bit nicer and offer more amenities. However, you need to decide is the extra costs are worth it to you for your trip or if you would rather have that money for something else. With that being said, if you see yourself at the parks for most of the day and not thoroughly enjoying your resort then I say to go with Port Orleans. If you are not concerned about the costs and plan on using the amenities then I would choose between the Polynesian or Beach Club. The tipping point for me there would be which park you plan on going to the most since both resorts are great.

 

[notslim99]

I would prefer poly or Beach Club because their locations offer so much. If you are more of an Epcot and studios family, go Beach club. If magic Kingdom, go Poly.

I'd reconsider the deluxe meal plan. That is really a lot of food and time spent eating.

Regular DDp has always worked out better for us.

Thanks for the response. We thought about the regular plan, but we generally eat at two sit down restaurants per day, plus we want to hit some character dining with DS(4) going with us.

As for the resorts, we plan on spending some time there, but we will be at the parks most of the day. Comfort, ease, and location are my big selling points.

ETA: My POFQ price only included regular dining, not deluxe. Will edit.

 

[bgraham34]

I love and often stay at WL. Its a great resort and just a boat ride away from the MK. The resort is well themed and has an incredible lobby, pictures can not do it justice. It has a great pool area and you get the I am not in Florida feeling. I always wanted to stay at the Poly but never did because of the price. Having the Monorail is a big plus and can be a lot of fun. Pool area is great.

 

[bmarkelon]

I vote Poly number one with Beach Club in second. You absolutely cannot beat the convenience of the monorail resorts. Beach Club is also a super convenient location. Sounds like you are in for a luxurious trip no matter what....enjoy! Be sure to check out a few signature restaurants if you're on Deluxe Dining! October is my favorite time of year to go! MNSSHP and Epcot's F and W. Happy planning!! :wave:

 

[Korfar]

I haven't stayed at either yet but I would really like to stay at WL or the Poly. They are both themed very well and close to MK. Having the monorail stop at the Poly would be a big bonus. You have already done Port Orleans so I say try something new.

 

[CaptainShortty]

WL is my favorite resort. I absolutely love it. Since it's the cheapest of the Deluxe resorts I absolutely think you get the best bang for your buck. As far as comparing that and the Poly, I like the theming of WL better and think the boat provides just as easy access as the monorail.

If you're EPCOT people than Beach Club would be very beneficial for you because of how easy it is to get to. Other than the location though, I don't like it as much as WL.

As for the Deluxe DP...unless you're people who love to eat and want that to be a major focus of your vacation, it's not worth the money. The Deluxe plan isA LOT of food and I find you spend more time working your schedule around your ADRs to ensure you get your moneys worth other than planning your meals around your vacation. The Regular DP provides you with more than enough food and is less expensive. Just my opinion. You're the only one who knows what works for you and your family. As long as you're happy, that's all that matters. Happy planning!

 

[EvilQueen-T]

i always ask where do we think we'll be spending most of our time? if the answer is mk then i avoid staying at places like animal kingdom and prefer the monorail resorts or pofq. if we know we'll be doing more epcot/dhs kind of trip we stay at the boardwalk area resorts. personally i really like pofq. it's my favorite moderate. the size of the resort is small so no long walks to/from the bus etc... and it's fairly quick no matter what park you're going to.

 

[Pete C]

I have stayed at POFQ and Yacht Club. POFQ is easily my favorite moderate, and it is probably even better now with the refurbished rooms and queen beds. However, if you don't mind spending the money go for Beach Club. That location is my absolute favorite at WDW. The monorail is neat, but how can you beat 3 deluxe resorts facing each other over the water? It gives you access to more fun night activities at the Boardwalk, more restaurants between the cluster of resorts there plus the Epcot world showcase restaurants, and an AWESOME pool area. I loved Yacht Club and the Beach Club is more or less the same.

 

[Bri1121]

I love love the Poly and the location is great! Especially with a 4 yr old, you probably will be spending a lot of time at MK. The Beach Club is great too and very convenient! Great hotel. You are quickly at Epcot or HS. We love the boats or just walking over to Epcot! There is a pretty big price savings with the POFQ. And it is a great place to stay! We stayed there once for a few days and it was very nice. It is always a tough decision for us where to stay MK resort vs Epcot. So we usually switch back and forth!

 

[coltow]

We love WL it is hands down our favorite resort. Of the 4 you mentioned, we have stayed at POFQ, Yacht Club & Poly before. They all have pros/cons. The ONLY con for us for WL is that we cannot always afford it. DH & I have agreed that Yacht Club and Poly are good but we never need to stay at either again. We just didn't enjoy them as much as we thought we would have. WL is our #1 favorite and POFQ is absolutely #2.

 

[Bri1121]

I vote Poly number one with Beach Club in second. You absolutely cannot beat the convenience of the monorail resorts. Beach Club is also a super convenient location. Sounds like you are in for a luxurious trip no matter what....enjoy! Be sure to check out a few signature restaurants if you're on Deluxe Dining! October is my favorite time of year to go! MNSSHP and Epcot's F and W. Happy planning!! :wave:

Hi!! Haven't seen you post in awhile! Our trips are getting close! 21 days and a few hours here!:sohappy:

 

[bamillerpa]

Personally I am a Poly girl. I love the huge rooms and theming. I love watching the fireworks from the beach, and you just can't beat the location! The Poly is the only resort that allows monorail access to the MK and and a quick, short walk to the TTC where you can hop on the Epcot Monorail. I will admit that the WL is beautiful but the Poly still wins because of the ease of travelling to our two favorite parks. Have fun! I can't wait to go back!!

 

[harveyt0206]

Wow, those are some great and varied choices. As others have already pointed out, I really think it depends on how much time you plan on spending in each park. My husband and I are like you in that we spend most of our vacation time in the parks. But even though that is the case he loves having a nice, close room to return to at the end of the day. Since our days always end at either Magic or Epcot that means a room at the Contemporary for us.

I will say that I do love the Wilderness Lodge and would stay there in a heart beat. It can feel somewhat secluded but I think that is a point in it's favor. Of your four options my vote would go to the Wilderness. The only resort on your list that I haven't stayed at is the Beach Club.

 

[disneylemons]

Poly is my first pic - love staying at a monorail resort, has great pool and restaurants, rooms and theme.

WL is my second pic - love the theme, relaxing feel, good pool and good restaurants there also. Plus we enjoy the boat rides!

 

[disney magic 06]

Of course, all hotels have pros and cons, and it all boils down to personal preference. Personally I'm not keen on the Beach Club, I find it rather stuffy but no one can deny it is in a brilliant situation. I haven't stayed at PO but you have so know exactly what to expect there. Poly is beautiful and the rooms are large but for me the best hotel is Wilderness Lodge. Its is so beautiful, friendly and cosy, and I love the fact that its all in one single building. In fact we have just booked for next year!

Whichever you choose, they are all great in their own way and I'm sure you'll have a wonderful holiday.

 

[wannabeBelle]

Hi there, Comparing a Moderate to the deluxes isnt a fair comparison. The Amenities are different, room size is different, etc. Money is the deciding factor there. My favortie in the Moderate category though is the Coronado Springs Resort, followed by Riverside.
Moving onto comparing the Deluxes, my personal choice would be the Beach Club. I love the theming, the pool area is spectacular and the location cant be beat. Not to mention several great restaurants right within the Yacht/Beach Club complex. Have a great time!!! Marie

 

[JEANYLASER]

pofq! will be perfect resort and ours too!

 

[Poofiesdream]

Port Orleans French Quarter for sure!