Your Absolute Favorite WDW Resort

[theBIGyowski]

I have stayed at:

Coronado Springs
Shades of Green
Saratoga Springs
Port Orleans French Quarter
Port Orleans Riverside
Old Key West
Bay Lake Tower

The most charming place was definitely Riverside. It was beautiful, quiet, and perfect for our honeymoon. Old Key West was our favorite in terms of walking around. You felt like you were literally in the Keys...and the only reminder you had that you were in WDW were the buses. DW and I would definitely stay there again.

Now...the most amazing place we stayed was without a doubt Bay Lake Tower. Not only is it very, very nice and gorgeous...but you are minutes away from the Magic Kingdom. Once we have kids and take them down there...I pray we can afford Bay Lake Tower. Being able to walk to and from the Magic Kingdom is a HUGE perk. I have yet to stay in an Epcot resort...but maybe one of these days.

Have you ever thought about renting from a DVC owner? That is what DW and I did on our last trip. We were able to stay at nicer places for almost half the normal cost...especially when you add in taxes that you don't have to pay with DVC. We took a 9-day trip down there and I know we wouldn't have been able to pull that off without going the DVC Rental route. Plus it allows you to stay in the resorts you normally wouldn't if you were booking through Disney.

[boilerbabe]

BIG, we tried to rent from DVC for Jan. but they didn't have anything we requested, unfortunately.

Amy: B-dude and I did the carriage ride at PORS for our Anniversary, I think when we were there in '08 and it was wonderful!!!! I don't remember the cost b/c he took care of that, but I don't remember him saying it was something outragious. You do not have to be a guest at that resort in order to enjoy a carriage ride. I think you and F1gment would love it!

[Amy]

BIG, we tried to rent from DVC for Jan. but they didn't have anything we requested, unfortunately.

Amy: B-dude and I did the carriage ride at PORS for our Anniversary, I think when we were there in '08 and it was wonderful!!!! I don't remember the cost b/c he took care of that, but I don't remember him saying it was something outragious. You do not have to be a guest at that resort in order to enjoy a carriage ride. I think you and F1gment would love it!

Thanks b-babe. I'll have to look into it. I think the fireworks cruise might be more fun if the carriage ride is really very expensive. I would rather spend a little more and have a cool vantage point for fireworks!
How do you rent from a DVC member if you don't know any personally?

[boilerbabe]

BIG, we tried to rent from DVC for Jan. but they didn't have anything we requested, unfortunately.

Amy: B-dude and I did the carriage ride at PORS for our Anniversary, I think when we were there in '08 and it was wonderful!!!! I don't remember the cost b/c he took care of that, but I don't remember him saying it was something outragious. You do not have to be a guest at that resort in order to enjoy a carriage ride. I think you and F1gment would love it!

Thanks b-babe. I'll have to look into it. I think the fireworks cruise might be more fun if the carriage ride is really very expensive. I would rather spend a little more and have a cool vantage point for fireworks!
How do you rent from a DVC member if you don't know any personally?

There is a web site you can go to to rent DVC time shares. I think M-dude might know the site since I got the info. from Mouseoholic, it escapes me at the moment. M-dude.....

[Sharonofwindham]

I am enjoying all of the insight! We've never stayed at a WDW resort before so I cannot give my opinion, but lots of great info here!

Well you'll love Caribbean Beach! Even though I've never stayed in the rooms it's my favourite moderate. Mostly for the food.

COMPLETELY forgot about the Carribbean Beach Resort ! I stayed there in '96 and loved it! Anyone considering it, be sure to check out a map of the resort, IT'S HUGE!! If you want to be close to the Old Port Royale(food and shops)for example, ask for a room in either Jamaica or Aruba(a short walk across the island, Parrot Cay, and if you want peace and quiet, Trinidad. It can be a very long walk to get where you want to go

[Amy]

I am enjoying all of the insight! We've never stayed at a WDW resort before so I cannot give my opinion, but lots of great info here!

Well you'll love Caribbean Beach! Even though I've never stayed in the rooms it's my favourite moderate. Mostly for the food.

COMPLETELY forgot about the Carribbean Beach Resort ! I stayed there in '96 and loved it! Anyone considering it, be sure to check out a map of the resort, IT'S HUGE!! If you want to be close to the Old Port Royale(food and shops)for example, ask for a room in either Jamaica or Aruba(a short walk across the island, Parrot Cay, and if you want peace and quiet, Trinidad. It can be a very long walk to get where you want to go

That is one of the things we disliked about Caribbean, too darn big and lots of bus stops. I do have some cool photos of the snapping turtles on the beach there. I was very disappointed that you couldn't swim in the lake ~ I suppose that was in part due to the snapping turtles

[theBIGyowski]

I think this is where I went to request points to rent for our last stay.

http://www.mouseowners.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=58

They tell you what the post and how to post it...then people respond and give you quotes. Combine that with how many points you will need and you will know about how much it will cost you. The DVC owner(s) do all of the booking for you and you pay them (probably via Paypal) and after that you are good to go. You will be treated like a DVC member while you are at the resort(s) so that is very nice. Worst case scenario you can go through a broker...but that will generally cost more and it's more comforting (to me at least) to work with an actual owner.

[Amy]

I think this is where I went to request points to rent for our last stay.

http://www.mouseowners.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=58

They tell you what the post and how to post it...then people respond and give you quotes. Combine that with how many points you will need and you will know about how much it will cost you. The DVC owner(s) do all of the booking for you and you pay them (probably via Paypal) and after that you are good to go. You will be treated like a DVC member while you are at the resort(s) so that is very nice. Worst case scenario you can go through a broker...but that will generally cost more and it's more comforting (to me at least) to work with an actual owner.

Thanks ~ I'll have to investigate that further this evening...

[MmeLeota]

I am enjoying all of the insight! We've never stayed at a WDW resort before so I cannot give my opinion, but lots of great info here!

Well you'll love Caribbean Beach! Even though I've never stayed in the rooms it's my favourite moderate. Mostly for the food.

COMPLETELY forgot about the Carribbean Beach Resort ! I stayed there in '96 and loved it! Anyone considering it, be sure to check out a map of the resort, IT'S HUGE!! If you want to be close to the Old Port Royale(food and shops)for example, ask for a room in either Jamaica or Aruba(a short walk across the island, Parrot Cay, and if you want peace and quiet, Trinidad. It can be a very long walk to get where you want to go

Thanks Soarin!
Yeah, we've looked at the maps and ralized just how huge the resort is...but since we have no basis for comparison, we thought we'd give it a try. It came down to POR and CBR...hubby liked the idea of a beach (me too...we love the feel of the sand) so we went for CBR.

We're looking to do the carriage ride at POR as well...it seems so romantical.

I'm hoping this will be the first of many trips to WDW where we actually stay at a resort...

[Amy]

[quote="MmeLeota"]...It came down to POR and CBR...hubby liked the idea of a beach (me too...we love the feel of the sand) so we went for CBR..../quote]
Did you see my post about the turtles?! But you can still enjoy the sand under your toesies!

[MmeLeota]

...It came down to POR and CBR...hubby liked the idea of a beach (me too...we love the feel of the sand) so we went for CBR..../quote]
Did you see my post about the turtles?! But you can still enjoy the sand under your toesies!

Yes. That's why I mentioned the sand. We aren't much for getting in the water, so that's not an issue. But we love that beach sand on our feetsies. (besides, wouldn't the water be a bit chilly in January???? )
I'm sure we will have tons of turtle pictures as well...

[Sleepy90]

...It came down to POR and CBR...hubby liked the idea of a beach (me too...we love the feel of the sand) so we went for CBR..../quote]
Did you see my post about the turtles?! But you can still enjoy the sand under your toesies!

Yes. That's why I mentioned the sand. We aren't much for getting in the water, so that's not an issue. But we love that beach sand on our feetsies. (besides, wouldn't the water be a bit chilly in January???? )
I'm sure we will have tons of turtle pictures as well...

All Disney pools are heated MmeLeota

[MmeLeota]

All Disney pools are heated MmeLeota

While that may be true, the air outside when you get out is not...

[Amy]

All Disney pools are heated MmeLeota

While that may be true, the air outside when you get out is not...

That is very true ~ but the lake at the CBR, I'm sure is not heated, but it isn't for swimming either, just looking, and walking around.
I would be tempted to swim in January, if only because we definitely couldn't swim outside here in January

[MmeLeota]

All Disney pools are heated MmeLeota

While that may be true, the air outside when you get out is not...

That is very true ~ but the lake at the CBR, I'm sure is not heated, but it isn't for swimming either, just looking, and walking around.
I would be tempted to swim in January, if only because we definitely couldn't swim outside here in January

I wouldn't be swimming in a lake in FL anyway...who knows what you might find!
(not to mention what might be floating in the water of any given WDW lake... )