Subsonic Radio

A friend and I are going to WDW this August. We are fortunate enough to live in the South (New Orleans) within 12 hours driving distance from Orlando. So, we are thinking about spending a little more on our hotel.

The past three times I've been to Disney, I've stayed at the various hotels along the Hotel Plaza Boulevard area near Downtown Disney. I've stayed at Hotel Royal Plaza, the Doubletree, and the (now former) Grosvenor.

I find the walking distance to Downtown Disney very convenient, as we are in our twenties, and the nightlife there is a big bonus.

In any case, I've been researching the other hotels in the area. And I recall always seeing the beautiful Buena Vista Palace.

Has anyone stayed there? I've read that they just completed renovating. And the rooms look very modern and comfortable.

Is it worth it?

My wife an I stayed at the BVP on our honeymoon 24 years ago when the hotel was almost brand new. We also stayed there several times over the next 2-3 years after that. The hotel was very nice at the time. I do know that it has undergone at least 1 major renovation since then but I have not seen the end result myself. If you would like to be close to the shopping village/downtown disney/west end then you can't beat the location.

Well, you can pretty much walk right across the street from the hotel to Downtown Disney (if I am remembering correctly). This eliminates the time needed to catch a shuttle from the other the resorts.

I'm on the fence about whether I want to stay here or not. I've never actually stayed at one of Disney's "official" resorts. The only options - if we decide to - are Pop Century, All-Star Music, or Port Orleans French Quarter.

The thing is, we are FROM LOUISIANA. Why would we want to stay at Port Orleans when we live the laissez-faire LA life everyday?

It almost comes down to a Port Orleans vs. BVP, Pop Century vs. All-Star Music matchup.

I guess I'm still trying to get a response from someone who's stayed at BVP recently, and (even better) from someone who's stayed at Pop Century and/or Port Orleans.

Of the resorts that you listed, I would choose POFQ. I think it gives you a more complete Disney experience.

I've never stayed at BVP, so I don't have any insight there.

I have, however, stayed at Pop Century and All Star Music. I haven't stayed at POFQ, but I stayed at Port Orleans Riverside when it was still called Dixie Landings.

When it comes to choosing a Disney hotel, it really comes down to preference and priorities. How important is the room to you? Are you going to spend a lot of time in the room, or do you basically just need a place to stay at night?

The overall effect of the moderate resorts (POFQ) is definitely nicer than the value resorts (ASM, PC). The moderates are a bit nicer, more spread out, and quieter than the value resorts. They also offer restaurants, as opposed to the food courts in the value resorts.

However, the moderate rooms are not significantly larger than the value rooms, while they are nearly double the price. Personally, the moderates just aren't worth the difference in price to me.

I guess if price didn't matter, I would certainly pick Port Orleans. Then, I would go with POP, and then lastly ASMusic. I stayed at ASMusic last year and had the worst experience I have ever had at WDW. So, I probably won't be going back to that resort any time soon.