Choosing a Disney resort

Aurora · Post by **Aurora** » Jan Tue 10, 2006 3:43 pm

We go for location and comfort overall. The past two times we were lucky enough to stay at the WDW Dolphin, and after the first time we'd been there my father said that he knows now how an addict feels because he just never wanted to stay anywhere else again. It was the amazing service and the beauty of the resort accompanied by the closeness to two of the parks, and just a beautiful area that drew us in.

David · Post by **David** » Jan Wed 11, 2006 1:13 pm

We always stay at the All Star's and it is and it's not because of the expense. By that, I mean we are at the parks from the time they open until the time they close. We do not go back to the hotel for a swim or a nap, so, while we could stay at a resort hotel that may be a little more upscale, why pay for something that you do not use? I can sleep, shower and change just as easily at All Stars as at the Contemporary.

Post by **Dr. Ravenscroft** » Jan Wed 11, 2006 1:26 pm

I have to say the Contemporary is got to be my favorite but it is almost out of my price range. I love it when you can get a room with a view of the MK.

Cheshire Cat · Post by **Cheshire Cat** » Jan Wed 11, 2006 3:01 pm

We've always stayed at Old Key West, even when it was the Disney Vacation Club. I love the tropical feel of it. (probably because I'm from New England) I haven't been down to see the pool renovations yet though

commandorabbit · Post by **commandorabbit** » Jan Thu 12, 2006 2:04 pm

Beach Club has been my favorite of those that I have stayed at. You can't beat that pool! Also, EPCOT is my favorite park and I love being so close. I love walking home from a busy day at the parks through World Showcase and then to my room. It's great. We usually try to stay in one of the hotels near EPCOT.

CommandoRabbit

ericpabear · Post by **ericpabear** » Mar Tue 07, 2006 8:32 pm

We LOVE the All Stars. They are fun and cheaper than the other resorts. It is so conveinent. The parking, busses, pools, and food are so close to you. Ocassionaly, when I supprise my family with a trip to Walt Disney World, we'll saty at one of the All Stars. But when it is a planned trip we stay mostly at Old Key West. We are Disney Vaction Club Members, and Old Key West uses the least amount of points.

kristen · Post by **kristen** » Mar Tue 07, 2006 10:56 pm

Money is always the number one factor when deciding on a resort. We always stay at a deluxe or moderate, but depending on the season and a few other variables, money becomes an issue.

Location is next. We like to stay by the Magic Kingdom. The Contemporary is our favourite because we feel closest to the magic and we like being in walking distance to the park. And being able to see Cinderella Castle and Wishes from your bed is priceless. I like to just sit on the balcony and watch the World go by.

We like [private] balconies. If it wasn't for this, moderates would be more appealing. I have to say that a Magic Kingdom view balcony at the Contemporary and a courtyard view balcony at the Wilderness Lodge are just awesome.

Next is theme. I don't think my parents care much about theme, but I do. I like the simplicity, clean lines, and modern design of the Contemporary. I like the rustic but comfortable feeling of the Wilderness Lodge. I like the tropical oasis feel of the Polynesian. I like the colour and fun of the Caribbean Beach. I think the resort we stay in can sometimes set the feeling for the entire vacation.

Transportation options also play a role, but I don't think it's as big a role, because we really like the Caribbean Beach despite the only transport being busses. Again, the Magic Kingdom area wins, because we have the option of taking the monorail, boat, bus, and walking (at the Contemporary); not to mention the option of travelling resort-to-resort via boat.

Pools don't really matter to us as we aren't big swimmers. The only time it has been an issue was when my mom booked us at the Boardwalk during the height of my clown-phobia. Reservations were promptly changed to the Contemporary. My mother tells me that I spent a lot of time in the pool at Dixie Landings (in 1992 when it was still called that) but I don't remember.

Post by **addlema** » Mar Wed 08, 2006 7:18 am

Boardwalk is awesome for locations.. I guess so is the Beach Club/Yacht Club and the Swan/Dolphin. They are all 10 minute or less walks to Epcot and MGM

Since we love those parks the most (epcot for the win!) we always stay there. WE also love the action on the Boardwalk at night.. There are a TON of good resturants there within walking distance (Spoodles, Brewery, and ESPN Zone, Jellyrolls, Cape May Cafe, Yachtmans Steakhouse, + tons more).

The boardwalk is hoping at night.. Tons to see and do.. Kinda feels like your in one of the parks without the rides.

Ohh and we love the theming there. MY wife being from NJ spent many summers on the shore and just loves the theming/feel of it all.

And the DVC rooms are great! The rooms with the view of the lake looking over the boardwalk are superb!

dwellsbct · Post by **dwellsbct** » Oct Sun 07, 2007 10:10 am

I prefer to stay at a value resort. I am in the parks from open to close. If I want a great meal I can take a bus to a nice resort to eat at Bomas or Whispering Canyon etc. Then return to my "cheap" room to shower n sleep.
The thememing of the resorts is nice but if I'm asleep ... who cares. I can go enjoy the theming of any resort for free which I do, I just don't need to sleep there

CapnHook · Post by **CapnHook** » Oct Sun 07, 2007 8:49 pm

For us there has been a sort of complex interplay of factors.

For the first trip, We started off booking at the Dolphin, based on family's reccomendation. But I wasn't satisfied. So my wife called and they offered us a deal on a tower room at the contemporary. Jumped at it. Special occasion/Money were the last two.

The next trip was because we had to go back.

So we had some money, but not Contemporary money. So that was a limiting factor for that trip. We went with Carribean Beach because we liked the pictures. Looked like staying at POC

Then a quick one Just for the wife and I. That was a Pop Century trip, and for that one it was because the Wife just liked the sound of it.

So While money has played a part, it wasn't the deciding part. Theming, reason for the trip, photos of the resort, and special occasions were also heavily involved.

princessara · Post by **princessara** » Oct Sun 14, 2007 12:53 pm

most important decideing factor is money of course. i'd love to stay at GF but it is way out of my budget. 2nd would be theme. i've stayed at all star sports once and it was ok i just didn't care for the themeing.

globalcitizen081 · Post by **globalcitizen081** » Oct Tue 16, 2007 3:07 pm

money is probably the number one factor in the back of everybodys mind for everything at disney, but after that it would have to be the theme. The themes are the best thing about the resorts they make them so great and unique

BuDz211 · Post by **BuDz211** » Oct Tue 16, 2007 3:14 pm

swarlock wrote:When mom and I stayed on the grounds at Disney World we went by the least amount of money we could spend staying in one for three days. We were in The Pop Century hotel and stayed in the 80's suite.

How was the 80's suite? I am seriously considering booking a room in the 80's era for my next trip since I love that decade.

AKLRULZ · Post by **AKLRULZ** » Oct Tue 16, 2007 4:29 pm

Keep in mind that there are no "suites" per se at Pop Century (like there are at the All Stars Music) and the 80's section can be requested, but not guaranteed.

wdwannabe · Post by **wdwannabe** » Oct Thu 18, 2007 6:58 pm

aklrulz, when we went, the only time so far at the resorts, we stayed at POP, we only have three, so size was not a factor, and we knew we would only shower and sleep, so we didn't need a delux or mod, so just a value, but, I did splurge on a upgrade location and I am glad I did! It was just a minute to the food court and a hop to the buses! We did not even use the pool on this trip, so I was very happy with the value resort! I thought POP was great!

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