Which should we choose for our first Deluxe resort?

[minniemickeyfan]

Hi all, we are considering staying at a Deluxe resort for the first time and needed some advice on what you think we should choose. We usually try a new resort for 1-2 nights and then stay at one of our favorites. There's so many we can't choose but were thinking Polynesian or AKL but the Beach Club looks like fun too with stormalong bay. My husband and I have a DD 17 and new baby boy 9 months! He will be 11 mo in June when we go if this helps. Thanks so much!

 

[DisneyDebNJ]

Hi all, we are considering staying at a Deluxe resort for the first time and needed some advice on what you think we should choose. We usually try a new resort for 1-2 nights and then stay at one of our favorites. There's so many we can't choose but were thinking Polynesian or AKL but the Beach Club looks like fun too with stormalong bay. My husband and I have a DD 17 and new baby boy 9 months! He will be 11 mo in June when we go if this helps. Thanks so much!

We have stayed at the Poly, Contemporary and GF (this year will be our first stay at WL) But we love, love, love the Poly!! Its just so relaxing!! Dinner at Ohana, breakfast at Kona Cafe, and lunch from Captain Cook's by the quiet pool. Just screams vacation!! Then, sitting on the beach, watching Wishes, as the music is piped in, heaven... pure heaven. I can't speak of WL yet, but we did tour the grounds, had lunch at roaring forks, and thought it was extremely relaxing. Whatever your choice is, you can't go wrong with a Disney Deluxe resort. Have fun!!

 

[Mother of 5]

We stayed at beach club a few years ago it was absolutely beautiful beach's and cream for a late night ice cream cape may cafe for breakfast. And the pool was awesome kids loved it. When making your decision think if you want to be on the monarail or if you would like to be a short boat ride to the parks but I agree no matter which one you pick it will be beautiful

 

[stalkingmickey]

I did not like the poly. other than the access to the mono rail found it to be very oldish looking even though we went after renovations. Our room club level was a newly renovated one and the shower head was on the wall so low my DH who is only 5'9" has to bend down to wash his head. Not expected at a high end resort like that. The pool is packed solid almost all day only good thing was watching firework from beach. We are staying AKL next trip and I can't wait

 

[DisneyDebNJ]

Each Deluxe resort has something to offer. We personally like the Deluxe resorts for transportation convenience, outstanding beds, larger rooms, balconies and terrific dining choices. You have the MK resorts and Epcot resorts. The best you can do, is figure which park you would be visiting the most (convenience wise) and go from there. Like I stated earlier, you really can't go wrong with any Disney Deluxe resort

 

[Mrsdonaldduck]

All of the deluxe resorts are so wonderful. I guess it is good to consider which park you will be spending most of the time at. When we went when our youngest was 6 months It was nice to be able to get back to the resort easily. Some days I would head
Back to the resort with the baby and my hubby would stay in the park with the other two little guys.
We love the GF. We have three little ones and being close to MK and the monorail are important to us. We like that we can just roll the stroller on and not have to fold it up. Also, we love hearing the wdw railroad and watching wishes from the resort.
Whatever you decide I sure it will be great! Have fun!

 

[olinecoach61]

Poly! You won't be disappointed!

 

[disneygirl76]

Hi all, we are considering staying at a Deluxe resort for the first time and needed some advice on what you think we should choose. We usually try a new resort for 1-2 nights and then stay at one of our favorites. There's so many we can't choose but were thinking Polynesian or AKL but the Beach Club looks like fun too with stormalong bay. My husband and I have a DD 17 and new baby boy 9 months! He will be 11 mo in June when we go if this helps. Thanks so much!

My vote is Beach Club. The BC/YC is quickly becoming our favorite resort. The pool is amazing. Nothing like it. I have not stayed at Poly. I am tempted to...however every time we go by it just seems run down. I don't know why.

 

[bethymouse]

The Polynesian is a beautiful resort. Check out tikimanpages.com!
The Beach Club is a place where we'd love to stay ( next on our list). You can't go wrong there at all.
AKL is nice because of the animals, but don't pay for the savannah view. There are some standard rooms w/ a view of the animals. Just ask at check-in. Sometimes they will upgrade you as well. It has the most gorgeous and breathtaking lobby in WDW ( just like Wilderness Lodge-have you looked into that one?) The only downside IMHO is only bus transportation, but other than that great restaurants and perfect themeing.
ENJOY!

 

[luv]

All three are fine places to stay. The Beach Club has many rooms with 6" balconies. You can crack the door open and kind of step out, but you could never get a chair on them. But a few rooms at the Poly also don't have balconies.

But all three are great places to stay.

Someone may say (or may have said, I didn't read all the replies) that the AKL is "so far away from everything." People say that all the time. It isn't true. So don't let that be a factor.

Good luck with your decision!

 

[Stu bailey]

Stay on the monorail loop for your first deluxe.

 

[DisneyDebNJ]

You will get alot of opinions but all of our wonderful members agree, you can't go wrong with a Deluxe resort. There isn't a bad thing against any of them, AKL may not be as convenient as the monorail resorts or the Epcot resorts, but you're talking about 10-20 mins here regarding transportation. We all hope our experiences helped in your final decision! Enjoy planning a fabulous vacation!

 

[ifuhadwings]

All of the deluxe resorts are so wonderful. I guess it is good to consider which park you will be spending most of the time at. When we went when our youngest was 6 months It was nice to be able to get back to the resort easily. Some days I would head
Back to the resort with the baby and my hubby would stay in the park with the other two little guys.
We love the GF. We have three little ones and being close to MK and the monorail are important to us. We like that we can just roll the stroller on and not have to fold it up. Also, we love hearing the wdw railroad and watching wishes from the resort.
Whatever you decide I sure it will be great! Have fun!

What is the GF? Would love to hear the MK trains!

 

[englanddg]

What is the GF?

GF = Grand Floridian

 

[ifuhadwings]

[quote, post: 5419084, member: 83383"]GF = Grand Floridian[/quote]
Can u hear the MK trains?

 

[Spikerdink]

Like the others said, you can't go wrong with any of the choices!

Not having stayed at the Poly, I will rely on what others have said, and my desire to stay there myself one day. The benefit of the Poly like @DisneyDebNJ said is really great restaurants and proximity to the MK.

Beach Club has the phenomenal pool and slide, good restaurants (beaches and cream) with the benefit of being walking distance to Epcot and HS. (DD may like this part...) and just a short walk away is the Boardwalk for some great nighttime strolling and entertainment.

AKL, while a bit further to the parks, is still a gem. I think that this would be a better resort for your family when DS is a bit older and he can really enjoy seeing the animals. Right now he won't be that excited... Restaurants are exceptional and the pool is above average.

What it really comes down to is what works best for your family... is your DD the independent type who would like to explore E and HS a bit on her own, ot walk over to the BW? Do you expect to spend a lot of time at the pool? How important is proximity to MK or E or HS to your enjoyment....

No matter what your choice, you will have a great time. All 3 are beutiful resorts...and all three are exceptional experiences.

 

[Genie of the Lamp]

Beach Club. Within walking distance to EPCOT, Boardwalk is literally just across the lagoon, can walk or take the boat to DHS and/or EPCOT. If you walk to DHS, it's about a 15-20 min walk. I love the boardwalk area and it is really beautiful at night. The Beach Club has Stormalong Bay and it is an awesome pool complex and huge to. Cape May Cafe has imo the best character breakfast on property (Minnie, Goofy, and Donald are there) and has Beaches n cream which has the awesome Kitchen Sink dessert dish. The rooms are very comfortable and are decent in size. They're probably the weak link for the resort though, but they are manageable. So, I'd go with the beach club because of the proximity to half of the WDW Theme Parks (get decent bus service to MK and AK, terrible bus service to DD/DS soon to be) and because of the location surroundings of the resort as well.

 

[englanddg]

[quote, post: 5419084, member: 83383"]GF = Grand Floridian

Can u hear the MK trains?[/quote]

I don't think so, no.

I don't recall ever hearing the trains there, but I've not stayed there, only shopped / dined / walked the property. It's close to Magic Kingdom, but not that close. It's further away than Contemporary is...

 

[ParentsOf4]

We've been fortunate enough to stay at all the Deluxe Resorts. Based solely on the description of your party (2 adults, DD17, DS11 months), I suggest Yacht or Beach Club or, alternatively, the Wilderness Lodge.

The Y&BC get you within walking distance of 2 theme parks (especially Epcot's World Showcase) and the Boardwalk. The Boardwalk is fun at night and Crescent Lake is a great place for adults. But the Y&BC are expensive. Everyone should enjoy Stormalong Bay but, IHMO, it's better for the ages 3-to-12 crowd.

The Wilderness Lodge is a completely different experience but usually is the least expensive Deluxe (along with the Animal Kingdom Lodge). The WL is a short bus ride from the Magic Kingdom and not too far from Epcot. (You also can take a boat from WL to MK but this nearly always takes longer. Everyone should try it at least one though for the experience). WL rooms typically are on the smaller side for a Deluxe Resort.

 

[Skibum1970]

I would say the Contemporary as we love that resort. My favorite is the Wilderness Lodge but our first deluxe was the Contemporary. Plus, it's on the monorail line.