OK, so we might need help choosing a resort.....

[PolynesianPrincess]

So, we're heading to the world on 11/10 and checking into the All Star Sports resort when we arrive (it will probably be around 1am or so) The next 4 nights, we're booked at the Poly. We couldnt fathom paying $400+ when we're arriving at 1am for that first night so we picked the All Star....

Now, the Poly is my dream resort to stay at and we hardly ever stay on Disney property so we're hoping and praying that they come out with a discount, either general public discount or AP discount for those dates because without one, well, we're going to have to switch resorts. We're trying to decide which resort we would move to should the Poly not be available.. This is where ya'll come in!! We love the thought of being close to the MK (our favorite park) but being close to any park would be fine for us. Other than value resorts, which resorts are your favorite and why? We do plan on spending the afternoon of the day we check in and the last afternoon before we leave at the resort, just enjoying it so we want one with maybe a beach and a pool with a nice waterslide (for me and sister) and just a nice relaxing atmosphere. We will definitely book a preferred room if it's one of the larger resorts. Any suggestions?! Also, any sepcific building suggestions for us to request? We like to be pretty central to the food court, shopping, etc.. :wave:

 

[DisneyJoe]

Always check the AAA rate.

When we want to stay deluxe, but money is a bit tight, we usually go for either WL or AKL, both are great, IMHO.

 

[datw@epcot]

We've stayed at the Yacht Club, Polynesian, French Quarter and Wilderness Lodge during our most recent trips and after experiencing each, I still vote for the Beach Club as my first choice (with the French Quarter my second).

 

[slappy magoo]

Personally, I wouldn't have booked a room without the discount unless I were absolutely sure a discount would come. I would've booked a room I knew I could afford and would like, and then try to switch were discounts to become available. Sure, my way means you might not get into the Poly, but your way possibly means not only not getting the Poly, but if other resorts are booked, not getting anything you really want.

But since you're in this potential pickle, I'd either a: opt for Wilderness Lodge b: opt for Animal Kingdom Lodge or c: see if I can rent a DVC member's points and stay at Bay Lake.

 

[PolynesianPrincess]

Personally, I wouldn't have booked a room without the discount unless I were absolutely sure a discount would come. I would've booked a room I knew I could afford and would like, and then try to switch were discounts to become available. Sure, my way means you might not get into the Poly, but your way possibly means not only not getting the Poly, but if other resorts are booked, not getting anything you really want.

But since you're in this potential pickle, I'd either a: opt for Wilderness Lodge b: opt for Animal Kingdom Lodge or c: see if I can rent a DVC member's points and stay at Bay Lake.

The woman I spoke with told me a discount will be avilable but she is not sure when it will be released or how much it will be. If I call the day it comes out and they don't have it available for the Poly we can either keep the Poly and pay full price or switch to another resort that is offering the discount. If we don't get a discount, we don't get a discount. But at least doing it this way we have a room at the Poly even if it means paying full price..

 

[durangojim]

How old are you and what type of vacation do you like to take? If you're 21 or older, the Epcot resorts can be really great, and F&W might still be going on. Even if it's not, I'd still recommend the Beach Club. Walking to EPCOT in the evening is one of the best experiences at WDW IMO. If you want to be closer to MK, then you could probably get a very reasonable rate at WL with a woods view room. Try calling and ask for a AAA rate, usually around 15%, which is what we have at the BC at the end of OCT/beginning of NOV (although I'm hoping for an AP rate to come out too). Have fun!

 

[PolynesianPrincess]

How old are you and what type of vacation do you like to take? If you're 21 or older, the Epcot resorts can be really great, and F&W might still be going on. Even if it's not, I'd still recommend the Beach Club. Walking to EPCOT in the evening is one of the best experiences at WDW IMO. If you want to be closer to MK, then you could probably get a very reasonable rate at WL with a woods view room. Try calling and ask for a AAA rate, usually around 15%, which is what we have at the BC at the end of OCT/beginning of NOV (although I'm hoping for an AP rate to come out too). Have fun!

I'm 28 and my sister is 26 on Weds and Mama is "29 again" lol The Beach Club was the one we're strongly considering for our second choice if the Poly doesn't pan out.. Either that or WL. Photos of both places look beautiful but it looks like the WL rooms might be a little small... or maybe its just me.. lol

 

[eroyee]

Choose Beach Club. Close to EPCOT and Hollywood studios and lots of things to do on the Boardwalk....you wont be sorry.....

 

[durangojim]

I'm 28 and my sister is 26 on Weds and Mama is "29 again" lol The Beach Club was the one we're strongly considering for our second choice if the Poly doesn't pan out.. Either that or WL. Photos of both places look beautiful but it looks like the WL rooms might be a little small... or maybe its just me.. lol

I'd go for BC then. The rooms are larger, and there's just something to be said for being within walking distance to EPCOT, DHS, and the Boardwalk. You might just want to skip the Poly altogether and stay at the BC right off the bat.

 

[slappy magoo]

I'm 28 and my sister is 26 on Weds and Mama is "29 again" lol The Beach Club was the one we're strongly considering for our second choice if the Poly doesn't pan out.. Either that or WL. Photos of both places look beautiful but it looks like the WL rooms might be a little small... or maybe its just me.. lol

According to this site, http://www.plan-a-magical-vacation.com/disney-world-room-sizes.html standard Beach Club rooms are 380 sq. ft, versus 340 for Wilderness Lodge rooms.

If there are no small children on this trip, Beach Club might be a better way to go, if only because you'll have better access to more bars/lounges and adult-oriented entertainment. You're walking distance to the Boardwalk area, and the Swan and Dolphin, as well as Epcot & the Studios.

However, for the sake of comparison, Wilderness Lodge has boat access to the Contemporary resort, with the restaurants and lounges there. That also means you're a monorail ride away from the Poly and GF and their lounges (you could also just boat to MK and monorail from there). You're also a boat ride/bus ride/walkway away from Fort Wilderness, where you can enjoy their amenities, the Hoop de Do revue, the cheapest buffet on property...

Really, a lot of that decision would rely more heavily on what you and your family tend to do on vacation. And if no one in your family likes to bar-hop, the decision might be better made based on which park(s) you think you'll spend most of your time.

 

[righttrack]

For the best transportation options, nothing beats the Poly. You have the resort monorail in the main building and you can walk to ticket and transportation or connect monorail to Epcot.

I enjoy the theming and spirit of WL and AKL, favoring WL just a bit more.

for Boardwalk resorts, I can only speak about The Boardwalk, which is a wonderful location, and a great resort and pool.

 

[Jessnwonderland]

If you have to switch, I suggest Coronado Springs. It is a moderate but IMO it feels more like a deluxe. The resort is gorgeous with white sand beaches, hammocks, Lago Dorado a 22 acre lake, and most impressive the Dig Site pool that is themed around ancient Myan ruins. There is also a hot tub! There are fountains and giant cactus all over the resort. They also offer queen sized beds! The Pepper Market is a great counter service option and the buses were never crowded when we were there in September. The only downside I can think of is the walking! It is a huge resort and some of the buildings are a good deal away from the main house.

 

[mickeysshoes]

If you cant get what you want than the next best thing (IMHO) would be the Wilderness Lodge. Will cost you a little less and should have the same discount (or maybe a better one) and is still very close to the MK. Its just a short and awesome boat ride away. you are still very close to the monorail...just a boat ride away also...to the Contemporay or to the MK.

 

[ZHoyt]

Both the moderates are quite nice, though not as nice as deluxe. I personally prefer Port Orleans French Quarter, but that's just because I personally love the theme.

Wilderness Lodge is probably your best bet if you want the MK, it is the only one in the area cheaper than the Poly. It is beautiful, but the boat isn't nearly as convenient as a monorail or walking to EPCOT/DHS that you get at EPCOT resorts.

My personal favorite on property, and I've stayed at every deluxe and moderate, is the Beach Club, closely followed by the Boardwalk. The convenience of the Boardwalk resorts area just can't be beat. Walking out the 'back door' of EPCOT after Illuminations is the greatest thing ever.

The monorail resorts offer similar amounts of dining options by monorail, but for me, being within walking distance to two parks is better than being a monorail away from 1 (technically 2 if you take the transfer to EPCOT, but that transfer is far from convenient and the end of night monorails are always SLAMMED). So if you can get beach club, and you like the theme (which is really the most important difference besides location,) go for it!

 

[CaptainShortty]

Since you love being close to MK I would highly suggest Wilderness Lodge. It happens to be my favorite resort and it's cheaper than staying at the Poly. If you're looking to go more the Moderate route, I would not suggest the Caribbean. I haven't stayed at any of the others but I wasn't really a fan of it. Just my opinion of course. I know plenty of people that liked it.

 

[mp2bill]

Always check the AAA rate.

When we want to stay deluxe, but money is a bit tight, we usually go for either WL or AKL, both are great, IMHO.

Agreed. For moderate resorts, Coronado Springs is nice and centrally located. The only beef I have with it is how spread out it is. It takes forever to get anywhere on that campus.

 

[PolynesianPrincess]

Thanks so much everyone!! Fingers crossed that we get the Poly discount but if not, I'm thinking we're gonna lean towards the Beach Club or Wilderness Lodge.

 

[Greenkai3000]

Follow Up Question

Seems to me like everybody's top 2 Deluxe Resorts are the WL, and BC. They happen to be 2 of the three top choices for our next family stay next year. May I please ask which one of them has more pros than cons, or vice versa? The only Deluxe resort we've stayed at so far was the AKL. While we love the theming, the Lobby, and the Savannah, we didn't get quite the Savannah view we paid for or expected, nor was the Resort close ,relatively speaking, to any of the parks.

Is the transportation to and from one of these Resorts better than the other (choices, wait time, etc)? Are there more noisy guests in general at one over the other? Which resort are we more than likely to get a free "room upgrade" at?

Thanks everyone for the help. :shrug::lookaroun

 

[bhg469]

If you have to switch, I suggest Coronado Springs. It is a moderate but IMO it feels more like a deluxe. The resort is gorgeous with white sand beaches, hammocks, Lago Dorado a 22 acre lake, and most impressive the Dig Site pool that is themed around ancient Myan ruins. There is also a hot tub! There are fountains and giant cactus all over the resort. They also offer queen sized beds! The Pepper Market is a great counter service option and the buses were never crowded when we were there in September. The only downside I can think of is the walking! It is a huge resort and some of the buildings are a good deal away from the main house.

This is 100% correct