MK Area Resorts

ImagineerDude

ImagineerDude

Well-Known Member
On our latest trip (last week), we stayed off property and only went to the MK for one day. We also spents some time walking around the resorts on the Seven Seas Lagoon/monorail loop. We are going next summer, but we have that taken care of as far as lodging goes. I was looking for my May 2014 trip where we will be doing a strictly behind the scenes Disney trip. We have it narrowed down to three we'd really like to stay at. AKL, Contemporary, and Grand Floridian. I'm going with my mom and grsndparents. Let's talk about the resorts we walked around now. Polynesian had an odd smell with the plants in the interesting lobby that turned my mom and I away instantly. Next, the Contenporary. When my great grandparents went, it was a simple $31 per night. Now look at the prices! Anyway, I like to Contemporary because of simple conveniences and design and history. However, when we walked into the GF lobby my jaw dropped and I just HAD to sit down on the super comfy couch near the grand piano just to catch my breath. It was around 10pm and the band was still playing so we got the urge to dance as well as the actual guests on the many floors above us. The staircase behind the elevator was simple yet magnificent and I felt like staying there forever! It was also just one stop away fron the MK on the monorail! Obviously, the GF was the most appealing to my family and I...just not to our wallets. We are going in May and not the value season sadly, but close! Any suggestions? What about the AKL. We have heard many great things about that resort as well. What do you prefer? :D
 
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ImagineerDude

ImagineerDude

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
maryszhi said:
i would say contemporary if you wanted to be on the monorail line. in terms of value: pop century, mod. port orleans riverside. and i really love the beach club/ yacht club. best pool on property and is in the deluxe catagory
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We saw the pool when we rented bikes at the Boardwalk. It was really cool! If we are going to pay THAT much $$$, we will definitely stay at AKL or in the MK area. :)
 
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jlsHouston

jlsHouston

Well-Known Member
We are staying deluxe for the first time next week and I booked us AKL for 3 days since
1. it's the only resort my bff will stay at on property and she and her family are meeting us halfway thru the trip
2. wanted a few extra days this time since it was summer and kids out of school and got a really good room only rate
However without ever having stayed at the GF, if that was one of my options I would choose it, since like you mentioned, the lobby is so appealing to me. Also I think the food choices are excellent and it is on the monorail line and I love the little shops on the 2nd floor especially the bath bomb one!:p
 
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disney magic 06

disney magic 06

Well-Known Member
Of the three I would say AKL is the nicest, but it is a bit out on a limb. There are plenty of buses though, it doesn't seem to take any longer on their buses than any of the other hotels, but you don't have the convenience of the monorail or fun of the boats that other resorts have. My favourite resort is WL.
 
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Pooh Lover

Pooh Lover

Well-Known Member
disney magic 06 said:
Of the three I would say AKL is the nicest, but it is a bit out on a limb. There are plenty of buses though, it doesn't seem to take any longer on their buses than any of the other hotels, but you don't have the convenience of the monorail or fun of the boats that other resorts have. My favourite resort is WL.
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My thoughts exactly. I'll admit I'm biased toward the WL but I'm just not a fan of the bus rides from AKL. I love the AKL but will probably always choose the WL due to location. It is usually the same price as the WL.
 
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disney magic 06

disney magic 06

Well-Known Member
Pooh Lover said:
My thoughts exactly. I'll admit I'm biased toward the WL but I'm just not a fan of the bus rides from AKL. I love the AKL but will probably always choose the WL due to location. It is usually the same price as the WL.
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Wilderness Lodge is normally a little bit cheaper than AKL, quite a lot less if compared with a savannah room which most people seem to go for. WL is also much less than CR or GF. No monorail though of course.
 
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meganw1985

meganw1985

Active Member
You really should look at the Wilderness Lodge. I have stayed there and Animal Kingdom both. WL is both nicer and more convenient to Magic Kingdom access. Just hop on a boat and you're there! Not as neat or convenient as the monorail resorts I imagine, but just as nice and much less expensive! And ALMOST as convenient. We liked AKL, but it just was so far removed from everything. And it just didn't have the same ambiance for me, even though we had a savannah view. Another thing with the WL, we asked to wait for a high floor room, and they put us on the north side, and we could see Tomorrowland from our balcony.
 
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bethymouse

bethymouse

Well-Known Member
Cabins at Fort Wilderness are nice too. The boat takes you to the MK. We're staying at the POLY for the 1st time!:) Would love GF, but the expense is just too much.:( Contemporary Garden wing, not tower, may be manageable some day!:) AKL is beautiful, but only bus transport!:eek: WL was by far my fave MK area resort! Still... you just can't go wrong w/ any of the deluxes! ENJOY!:D
 
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jlsHouston

jlsHouston

Well-Known Member
bethymouse said:
Cabins at Fort Wilderness are nice too. The boat takes you to the MK. We're staying at the POLY for the 1st time!:) Would love GF, but the expense is just too much.:( Contemporary Garden wing, not tower, may be manageable some day!:) AKL is beautiful, but only bus transport!:eek: WL was by far my fave MK area resort! Still... you just can't go wrong w/ any of the deluxes! ENJOY!:D
Click to expand...
so lucky , the POLY? That is my dream resort..:p
 
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J

jmargarone27

Active Member
HANDS DOWN!!! pick the Grand Floridian. All the renovations will be completed by then, it's my personal favorite, and the service is just a step up from all of the other deluxe resorts (it is the flagship resort, of course.)
 
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disneygirl76

disneygirl76

Carey Poppins - Nanny and Disney Enthusiest
ImagineerDude said:
On our latest trip (last week), we stayed off property and only went to the MK for one day. We also spents some time walking around the resorts on the Seven Seas Lagoon/monorail loop. We are going next summer, but we have that taken care of as far as lodging goes. I was looking for my May 2014 trip where we will be doing a strictly behind the scenes Disney trip. We have it narrowed down to three we'd really like to stay at. AKL, Contemporary, and Grand Floridian. I'm going with my mom and grsndparents. Let's talk about the resorts we walked around now. Polynesian had an odd smell with the plants in the interesting lobby that turned my mom and I away instantly. Next, the Contenporary. When my great grandparents went, it was a simple $31 per night. Now look at the prices! Anyway, I like to Contemporary because of simple conveniences and design and history. However, when we walked into the GF lobby my jaw dropped and I just HAD to sit down on the super comfy couch near the grand piano just to catch my breath. It was around 10pm and the band was still playing so we got the urge to dance as well as the actual guests on the many floors above us. The staircase behind the elevator was simple yet magnificent and I felt like staying there forever! It was also just one stop away fron the MK on the monorail! Obviously, the GF was the most appealing to my family and I...just not to our wallets. We are going in May and not the value season sadly, but close! Any suggestions? What about the AKL. We have heard many great things about that resort as well. What do you prefer? :D
Click to expand...

We love Grand Floridian. We have stayed there 3 times. It is our hands down, by far, fave resort. We love everything from the experience, to the rooms, to the decor, to the ambiance. Everything! We have also stayed at Wilderness Lodge with is also considered a MK resort. And we really like it. You do rely mostly on the buses, since it is not a monorail resort. But it is cozy romantic and charming.
 
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