Late August trip... Should I book now and where to stay?

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

Its just my sister and I.

We were supposed to go late August 2020 as well as either November of December 2020 and were going to stay in values since we were going twice but neither trip happened.

This year we are planning on going twice and since we didn't go at all last year we are now thinking of staying mod or deluxe for August.

Should I just be booking it now even though the discount isn't what we'd like it to be just so we have it booked?

And based on what is currently bookable which of these resorts would you choose to stay? (Or do you have another suggestion?)
Keep in mind we have not stayed at any of these in the past.

The options are...
-AKV Kidani Savanna view. (I'd have the sleeper sofa, not sure how comfortable it is, wish AKL was fully open so we could stay in a regular room with Savanna view)
-Poly standard view room (We don't mind that the current monorail situation)
-Riviera deluxe studio standard view (like that there's a murphy bed instead of sleeper sofa)
-Gran Destino Tower water view (The least expensive option and while I don't like CSR in general I feel like GDT is like a different resort)

 

[NelleBelle]

If you're going to "treat" yourselves by upgrading, I'd go for the Poly! You would each have your own bed, rooms are big, pool is awesome (heck, entire resort is awesome)! Unless they start opening more up at AKL, there isn't a lot happening with food options. Riviera is a lovely place but seems so expensive (sorry, I haven't checked prices except when I was looking to book resorts for my trip and that was months ago) comparatively to the others. I think if I had to narrow it down to two, I'd either do poly or the Rivera.

 

[networkpro]

Whats your plans... eat in the parks or resort you're staying at? Use amenities like pools, bars, walking trails? Travel via Disney transportation, your transportation or ... ?

 

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

Whats your plans... eat in the parks or resort you're staying at? Use amenities like pools, bars, walking trails? Travel via Disney transportation, your transportation or ... ?

Eating depends on the day and which resort.
If at EPCOT we'd likely eat in the park. If at AK we probably wouldn't.
If staying at Poly I think we'd have plans to eat at the resort. One of the other resorts I mentioned? Probably less likely to eat at the resort.

Amenities...
We are not likely to use the pool no matter where we stay but we do always bring our swimsuits in case.
Bar... If staying at Poly we'd probably make plans to have a drink or two at Trader Sam's. Other resorts? Probably not but we'd probably have some drinks somewhere during the trip...
Walking trails? No. We walk about 11-13 miles per day in the parks lol.

Transportation...
Disney's transportation or perhaps uber/lyft if we were finding Disney's transportation to not be working well. (I find that value resorts do transportation the best and have not have as good of expereinces at mod/deluxe).

 

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

We talked it over and we're definitely crossing off the Animal Kingdom Lodge Villas form the list.
I'm guessing a regular room with the Savanna view is cheaper (can't see prices to know for sure) and I think it makes more sense to stay where we can both have a bed instead of a sleeper sofa. (The murphy beds are fine because they have a real mattress but traditional sleeper sofas are just ugh)
So if AKL fully opens we'd consider it otherwise maybe that will have to be a priority for a future trip.

 

[networkpro]

Personally, I'd recommend in order Poly then the Riviera.

The transportation and dining options are far superior at the Poly. TTC is a short stroll away, good bus (first stop when shared with the Grand Floridian) coverage, the monorail platform should be finished by then, and boat launches. For food Captain Cooks and Kona (maybe Trader Sams will be open by them) and the Tambu Lounge is open (Lapu Lapu!), and not to be ignored is that all the rooms are going to have just been refurbished.

Disney's Riviera is new and has lots of wonderful food (even though my wife and I detest Topolinos bread) , but the transportation is lesser.

 

[ilovelabs2021]

I honestly wouldn't choose AKL for the limited food options currently and the fact that you need to take a bus to every park.

 

[Dory71]

Personally, I'd recommend in order Poly then the Riviera.

The transportation and dining options are far superior at the Poly. TTC is a short stroll away, good bus (first stop when shared with the Grand Floridian) coverage, the monorail platform should be finished by then, and boat launches. For food Captain Cooks and Kona (maybe Trader Sams will be open by them) and the Tambu Lounge is open (Lapu Lapu!), and not to be ignored is that all the rooms are going to have just been refurbished.

Disney's Riviera is new and has lots of wonderful food (even though my wife and I detest Topolinos bread) , but the transportation is lesser.

I second this response!!

 

[SyracuseDisneyFan]

Have fun