I Can't Make Up My Mind

[JonFromPhilly]

New member here looking for as much advice as I can get. I am planning a trip to WDW (obviously) for next summer and I'm having a hard time picking a resort. As of right now the trip will consist of me and my girlfriend (26&27) and this will be our 4th trip to Disney together (12th trip for me). Our most recent trip was around Labor Day '14 and we stayed at the Yacht Club resort and even though we enjoyed our stay, we're looking to try something new. So far my places of choice are Beach Club (new rooms), Polynesian Village (maybe try one of the new studio rooms) or Swan & Dolphin (yeah I know, it's not official lol).

Any feedback, suggestions, advice or maybe someone who wants to pick for me, it would all be greatly appreciated.

 

[Jahona]

What other resorts have you visited so far besides Yacht Club?

 

[NYwdwfan]

New member here looking for as much advice as I can get. I am planning a trip to WDW (obviously) for next summer and I'm having a hard time picking a resort. As of right now the trip will consist of me and my girlfriend (26&27) and this will be our 4th trip to Disney together (12th trip for me). Our most recent trip was around Labor Day '14 and we stayed at the Yacht Club resort and even though we enjoyed our stay, we're looking to try something new. So far my places of choice are Beach Club (new rooms), Polynesian Village (maybe try one of the new studio rooms) or Swan & Dolphin (yeah I know, it's not official lol).

Any feedback, suggestions, advice or maybe someone who wants to pick for me, it would all be greatly appreciated.

I would figure out what's most important to you (park you will visit most often, what restaurants you want to try, do you think you will go back to the room midday or will you be going morning through night, pool you like best, view you like best, etc.) and you will probably be able to narrow it down that way. Beach, Yacht, Swan & Dolphin are all geographically similar so if you are looking for a new location the Polynesian would seem to be the logical fit.

 

[JonFromPhilly]

What other resorts have you visited so far besides Yacht Club?

I have stayed at Orlando World Center Marriott & Dolphin as an adult. I honestly don't remember where we stayed during my childhood visits.

 

[JonFromPhilly]

I would figure out what's most important to you (park you will visit most often, what restaurants you want to try, do you think you will go back to the room midday or will you be going morning through night, pool you like best, view you like best, etc.) and you will probably be able to narrow it down that way. Beach, Yacht, Swan & Dolphin are all geographically similar so if you are looking for a new location the Polynesian would seem to be the logical fit.

We do plan on visiting all the parks during our stay and if I remember correctly, we only went back to our room once during the day last time so I can't imagine we'll do much of that the next time. But you have given me a lot of things to consider. Thank You.

 

[JusticeDisney]

I have not been to the Beach Club since the refurbishment was completed, but the place was spectacular before that so I can only imagine how great it must be now.

As for the Dolphin, I have stayed there numerous times over the past ten years and the place is awesome. It's true that the rooms are in need of updating (which is scheduled to happen next year so you might want to take that into account), but it has the best collection of restaurants of any resort on property, has the second best pool on property (behind Stormalong Bay), has spectacular views of Epcot and HS, and is in a perfect location. Oh, and did I mention that the room rates are a fraction of the rates at any other deluxe?

For me, the Beach Club and the Dolphin are neck and neck for the best resorts in Disney World.

 

[Jahona]

Hmm. I was thinking Poly or Wilderness lodge as those would be a large design change from the Yacht Club. Although you said you don't spend to much time at your resort so maybe one of the moderates like French Quarter or Coronado Springs might also be an option.

 

[DizneyPryncess]

From your list, I would try the Poly. It's a change of scenery from where you've been (Dolphin & Yacht Club). I love being on the monorail, and so close to MK. Although the Boardwalk area is my favorite, I do think changing it up sometimes is fun too.

 

[JonFromPhilly]

Thanks for the feedback everyone. Has anyone been to Poly since the recent changes?

 

[JonFromPhilly]

I have not been to the Beach Club since the refurbishment was completed, but the place was spectacular before that so I can only imagine how great it must be now.

As for the Dolphin, I have stayed there numerous times over the past ten years and the place is awesome. It's true that the rooms are in need of updating (which is scheduled to happen next year so you might want to take that into account), but it has the best collection of restaurants of any resort on property, has the second best pool on property (behind Stormalong Bay), has spectacular views of Epcot and HS, and is in a perfect location. Oh, and did I mention that the room rates are a fraction of the rates at any other deluxe?

For me, the Beach Club and the Dolphin are neck and neck for the best resorts in Disney World.

Yeah staying at Swan or Dolphin cost about half of what it cost to stay at any Deluxe resort. I did see that Swan is almost done with their room renovations and it was definitely much needed but I love the resort overall.

 

[JonFromPhilly]

From your list, I would try the Poly. It's a change of scenery from where you've been (Dolphin & Yacht Club). I love being on the monorail, and so close to MK. Although the Boardwalk area is my favorite, I do think changing it up sometimes is fun too.

I love the Boardwalk, especially at nighttime. I think I'm leaning towards staying at Poly, hopefully all the construction is done by the time our trip comes around. What's transportation like from Poly as far as getting to Epcot & Hollywood Studios?

 

[TXDisney]

If you loved YC you'll love BC even more. Our favorite

 

[DizneyPryncess]

I love the Boardwalk, especially at nighttime. I think I'm leaning towards staying at Poly, hopefully all the construction is done by the time our trip comes around. What's transportation like from Poly as far as getting to Epcot & Hollywood Studios?

The BW at night is my favorite time there too. I love to walk the loop around and just unwind from a park day. I usually drive to Florida, so I can't give much of an opinion on the buses. But to Epcot from the Polynesian, you can just walk to the TTC or take the monorail to it, and jump on the Epcot monorail. Hollywood Studios would require a bus trip.

 

[JonFromPhilly]

I considered Grand Floridian but from pictures I've seen and various reviews, the place seems a bit dated and not worth the price.

 

[yaksplat]

Thanks for the feedback everyone. Has anyone been to Poly since the recent changes?

My family had stayed at the Floridian in 2013 and 2014. This year we switched to the Polynesian and we loved it. My kids loved the new kids area by the pool and the new lava pool is wonderful. We didn't have a complaint about the resort. Traders Sam's is a blast. The monorail is always nice for travel to MK. TTC is just a short walk away for the monorail to epcot. Our room was beautiful, the staff was as helpful as could be. We will be going back there for our next trip.

 

[slappy magoo]

Swan and Dolphin are cheaper than "real" Disney deluxes (and arguably more deluxe, too) but just remember, if you plan on having a car, you pay for parking at the resort. If you don't have a car, you'll have to pay for a way to get on property as you won't be eligible for Disney Magical Express.

I'm not saying either of those issues will break the bank, and it'll still probably be cheaper than a Disney deluxe resort. Just a consideration regarding your time and logistics.

 

[JonFromPhilly]

My family had stayed at the Floridian in 2013 and 2014. This year we switched to the Polynesian and we loved it. My kids loved the new kids area by the pool and the new lava pool is wonderful. We didn't have a complaint about the resort. Traders Sam's is a blast. The monorail is always nice for travel to MK. TTC is just a short walk away for the monorail to epcot. Our room was beautiful, the staff was as helpful as could be. We will be going back there for our next trip.

I would really like to stay at the new Deluxe studios they have at Poly but it seems to be unavailable online. So do you prefer Poly to Grand Floridian?

 

[JonFromPhilly]

Swan and Dolphin are cheaper than "real" Disney deluxes (and arguably more deluxe, too) but just remember, if you plan on having a car, you pay for parking at the resort. If you don't have a car, you'll have to pay for a way to get on property as you won't be eligible for Disney Magical Express.

I'm not saying either of those issues will break the bank, and it'll still probably be cheaper than a Disney deluxe resort. Just a consideration regarding your time and logistics.

Yeah when we stayed at Dolphin before, we booked a roundtrip shuttle for $40 so I'm sure something like that is still offered. I was thinking about renting a car since we're going to do Universal one day while we're there but doesn't make sense to rent a car just for that. It seems like "deluxe" only refers to the size of the Disney resorts lol, the rooms are rather small and average.

 

[yaksplat]

I would really like to stay at the new Deluxe studios they have at Poly but it seems to be unavailable online. So do you prefer Poly to Grand Floridian?

I had actually booked the Floridian this year because the Polynesian was full. I started calling every morning at 7am EST during my drive into work to see if I could get a Polynesian room. On my fourth attempt one had opened up and I switched the reservation and saved $500 over the cost of the Floridian. Don't get me wrong, the Floridian is beautiful but we just enjoyed the Polynesian much more. There was a lot more walking at the Floridian as it's much more spread out.

 

[JonFromPhilly]

I had actually booked the Floridian this year because the Polynesian was full. I started calling every morning at 7am EST during my drive into work to see if I could get a Polynesian room. On my fourth attempt one had opened up and I switched the reservation and saved $500 over the cost of the Floridian. Don't get me wrong, the Floridian is beautiful but we just enjoyed the Polynesian much more. There was a lot more walking at the Floridian as it's much more spread out.

Right now we're planning to go the first week in July and I've been able to find standard rooms at Poly but not the deluxe studios. I'm going to call their reservation line and see if they can find something for me.