WDWMagic Members Favorite Deluxe Resort

[tigger1968]

With stays at CR (twice), WL, Poly (twice), GF, and AKL (3 times) so far for Deluxe Resorts, I can only say that it always seems that the one we are in at the moment is our favorite. In fact...I stared at that poll for a good 5 minutes weighing my options lol. The one definite is that GF is last on my list. I just didn't enjoy the stay there at all. But we seem to gravitate back to AKL a lot. We really have enjoyed the theming and animals, and the CMs and service there have always been great. I finally went with AKL. Love the pool, the bar, the restaurants, and the quiet at night. Love that place.

But yeah...the monorail geek in me is really mad I didn't pick CR....

 

[boilerpicc]

I've been to all of them except the Swan and Dolphin (I can't count those). I like the Boardwalk location, the Yacht/Beach Pool, the beach at the Poly, and the views from the AKL. But my overall favorite is WL. Something about that lobby, with all of the nooks and crannies to search, just seems cozy. Plus I love walking around the grounds.

 

[psukardi]

It's a toss up between GF & BC. Depends on time of year and my goals.

If I'm looking to revolve my trip around Epcot (see F&W or a lot of reservations there) then BC wins out. If I'm going at a more leisurely pace and don't really have an agenda - then its GF for me. Both have their pros & their cons. But at the end of the day both are quite relaxing.

 

[Foolish Mortal]

Poly......for now.

 

[worldfanatic]

If I must pick one.......
Boardwalk is the best themed of the Epcot resorts, which is my favorite area to stay in WDW.
But the magic feeling at the Animal Kingdom Lodge is pretty overwhelming.
This September, I'll hit them both with my 1st ever stay at the Grand Floridian sandwiched between.
Who knows how I'll feel after that trip???

 

[jeffk410]

My Ranks of Deluxes I have stayed at:

AKL
Wilderness Lodge
SSR
BLT
OKW

Aiming for Beach Club next trip.

 

[Groupsure]

Of all deluxe, including the Dolphin (non Dis) we enjoyed AK Lodge for a list of reasons. Previous to experiences this May we liked the Beach club on our second stay there...but this time poor value for money. So for us....... AK lodge wins.

 

[Howdy]

I've stayed in WL and GF, but spent plenty of time in Poly, CR, and BC. I LOVE the idea of a resort that you can just walk into Epcot or Hollywood Studios from, but WL has it won for me. The theming is right up my alley, super comfortable and beautiful scenery. You can catch a boat to MK where you can either go to that park or hop on the monorail to Epcot without having to deal with buses at all. As an added bonus, you have the jogging trail over to Fort Wilderness and all of the activities offered over there.

 

[Kuzcotopia]

It it were just my wife and I, probably the BC.

Because I have a family, it's all about the WL.

 

[DizneyPryncess]

Boardwalk gets my vote from the deluxes we've stayed at (have never stayed at Contemporary & GF.) I've loved all of them though!

 

[PolynesianPrincess]

For deluxe resorts I have stayed at:

-Wilderness Lodge
-Polynesian
-Boardwalk Villas

I really did love the BWV even though we were only there for 1 night I liked being able to walk to MGM and take the boat back. The Boardwalk itself in the morning was beautiful and loved the Boardwalk Bakery.

We stayed at the Poly, also for one night and that was my dream resort. I love the tropical, lushness about the grounds and the waterfall in the GCH was perfect (I am so sad they are removing it!) I am anxious to see how it looks post refurb.

We stayed at WL twice and absolutely fell in love with it the first time we stayed there. The whole resort from the lobby to the theming to the grounds is absolutely a home run! Loved being able to take the boat over to MK. I also loved how compact it was with everything in one building.

It's a tough choice for me but as of right now, even though it's not on the monorail line, I'm going to have to say Wilderness Lodge. It's a tough choice between that and the Poly though

 

[LizC]

I voted for Boardwalk, it has recently become our go to resort. However, I suppose that is mostly because of location. Out of the hotels on the list I have stayed at (AKL, BW, Swan, Dolphin, POLY & BC) the best themed was definitely AKL. You just can't beat looking out on your balcony and seeing animals, and the restaurants are great! However, for us WDW is about the parks and AKL just isn't as convenient as the other hotels.

Great poll @DisneyJunkie ! Can't wait to see which one comes out on top.

 

[Music2myEARS]

Definitely Wilderness Lodge, especially at the holidays. Such a beautiful resort.

 

[seahawk7]

Animal Kingdom Lodge..walking into the lobby the first time is breath taking..plus having Jiko, Boma and Sanaa restaurants all on the property is a huge plus

and the animals are incredible especially if you get a savanna view

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

Seems you missed a few. Ours is OLD KEY WEST, hands down!

 

[surfsupdon]

Yacht Club all the way. It's got walking paths to 2 Parks, and has nightlife and activities right across the lake at BoardWalk. Every room has a big balcony, and it's Lagoon Views are impressive, especially early morning and night. And it always appears that very few children stay here. More 20 and 30 something crowd.

AKL was the pits. Not that you asked.

I've stayed at all Deluxes EXCEPT GF and Contemp. But we've never wanted to stay at either, so it is ok.

 

[surfsupdon]

Yacht Club. It had been many years since my last stay in WDW but I realized last week that as long as it's up to me, I'll stay at YC on every single trip. YC is my happy place. BC is nice too but extremely chaotic, and Boardwalk doesn't do much for me since I'm from NJ and, well, we have boardwalks.

GF is lovely as always, even more beautiful than I remember, but I just love the atmosphere of the Epcot resorts.

Love being so close to WS, love the view of the Boardwalk, love the utter lack of chaos. Yes, there are a lot of conventioneers, but that added to the calm, quiet feeling. I have nothing but deep, probably unreasonable love for YC.

THIS. EXACTLY THIS.

Beach Club is chaotic and loud.
BoardWalk is beautiful inside, but I live ON a boardwalk here at home in NJ.
Yacht Club is my Disney happy place, laughin place, relaxation place. My family and I love YC.

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

I prefer the HRH over any of the Disney de-luxe's but my fave was the Poly, then either of the Lodges.

Loved the location of the Boardwalk and Y&BC but thought that many of the clientèle were up there own hoop thus spoiling the ambience.

 

[Bowler Hat Girl]

I've stayed at most of the deluxe hotels now, though for a long time it was Contemporary or nothing. I finally realized that I needed to get out of my comfort zone and started trying other resorts. The Contemporary still has a special place in my heart (it's one of the originals, the monorail goes through the hotel, I love being able to walk to the MK), but these days, my favorite is Animal Kingdom Lodge, and that was my vote. I've stayed there twice now and plan to again next spring. It's essentially the polar opposite of the Contemporary in many ways--it's away from the heart of things, it's relatively quiet, it's so new--and yet, I absolutely love it for all those reasons and more.

The theming there just takes my breath away. Honestly, I would rather visit or stay at AKL than go to the Animal Kingdom park. I feel like that's the kind of resort you could have a few non-park days at and still not experience everything. The grounds are awesome, the pool is gorgeous, the restaurants are incredible, and the Kilimanjaro Club is spectacular. I really wish I was there right now...

 

[LowesChevy]

The Polynesian for sure...last visit was last year, but taking some time away with the ongoing construction. We are planning a trip in January to use some DVC points at our home BLT and thinking of Doug a few nights at the Grand. We also like to stay at the Beach Club to enjoy Epcot a little more.