The best resorts, and why

[Disney-lovin' Dutchman]

Hi guys..

I'm having real problems in choosing which Disney resort I want to stay at..there are so many choices and I have never seen any of the resorts myself

What, in your opinion, is the resort that gives the most bang for its buck?

[Hair_Razor]

Where do you normally stay I saw that you have been here before. As for me I have only been to Pop and we enjoyed it. It was nice for a budget. Good luck on your plans.

[DreamFinder2]

I'd shoot for at least a Moderate resort if you can swing it...you can see where I've stayed in my signature, and it was really a toss-up between AKL and Wilderness Lodge...which didn't make your list.

All of Disney's on-site resorts are pretty amazing, though.

[DisneyorBust]

As you can tell by my signature, we love the POLY . Depending on what you want and want to spend I don't think that you can go wrong with any Disney resort. If we can afford a trip this year we plan to give Carribean Beach Resort a try.

[Wrigley]

Like others have said, you can't really go wrong with any of the Disney resorts. I have stayed at all 3 levels (budget, moderate, and deluxe). I also would try to swing for at least a moderate resort if you can. As far as a moderate resort, I would definately choose Caribbean Beach. I have stayed here several times and just love it. As far as a deluxe resort, I would choose Wilderness Lodge but it didn't make the list, so I would choose the Contemporary Resort. Have fun planning your trip!

[Tygger7]

We've stayed in all 3 types, and our all time favorite is the Wilderness Lodge. It didn't make the poll, but that's my #1 choice. The Contemporary is nice, but if you have more than 2 people in the room, the lack of a vanity in the bathroom is a real pain, as there's no where to put your toiletries. My 2nd choice would be the Poly....the rooms are awesome and it's so convenient to the MK. Only downside is that it's more expensive than WL.

[Funforall]

When I can afford it, AKL is out of this world (or at least this country).

It's been at least 10 years and 30 visits since we've stayed off site. There are so many awesome choices and too many reasons to mention. Because of cost though, we mostly stay in the value resorts to get the bang for the buck.

[#1donaldfan]

I guess I'm going to have to do a write in vote and go for POR Riverside......I know it's not in your selection, but IMHO it's the best resort.

[pogo]

The Poly is the best, hands down.

It's like being in Hawaii but you don't have the long plane ride and you are accross the lagoon from MK.

Stay there one time and you'll understand.

[rj]

Poly b/c of the monorail to MK and Epcot.

[4277]

I voted for the Poly but the Contemporary is a very close 2nd. The Poly just feels more relaxing and better themed but I also like the Contemporary for it's "contemporary" look and feel. That's why we take turns now with both the Poly and CR. Contemporary will be our next stay. We haven't stayed there since they upgraded the rooms so I'm looking forward to that. They are both convenient being on the monorail line.

[jedi jen]

We love the Contemporary. It is the best deal on the monorail, and I, DD(5) and DS(9) love it. It is booked for our next trip, so we are going to try the Polynesian. The kids so love the Contemporary, they were disappointed. I know we will enjoy the Poly though.

[Brian]

From your list, I'd choose the Contemporary. What it may lack in theming, it makes up for in terms of location, monorail access, and price. (Price in relation to most of the other Deluxe resorts.) Plus, the refurbished rooms are very nice.

If you include hotels that aren't on your list, I'd highly recommend the Wilderness Lodge. It's our favorite resort.

In my mind, the biggest bang for your buck is to book the lowest-priced Deluxe resort. Not factoring in discounts that may change the price, this means either the Wilderness Lodge or Animal Kingdom Lodge.

[GrmGrninGost]

I had to vote Poly out of your choices, but, if given my choice it would be Wilderness Lodge.

[WDWgoofy]

AKL and CBR are our favorites. For this poll I voted for AKL as this is truly a unique resort in all the world.

Both resorts are well themed and the rooms are nicely sized. An added benefit of CBR is its central location.

The only problem is that I have no plans to visit either resort.

[Marker]

My favorite would probably be Port Orleans - Riverside, but honestly, I'm not really comfortable picking a favorite. I've enjoyed my stay regardless of where it was.

Thus far, I have never stayed at a deluxe resort and don't plan to in the near future. I suppose I will at some point, but for me it's just not worth the extra expense. I hear a lot of people say "you get what you pay for, and if you pay more you get more", well that may be true, but if you have no need for extra stuff you get, then it's still not worth it.

I love the look and feel of Port Orleans - Riverside. However, I also really enjoy the theming at the All*Star resort. I love the brightness, the colors, and the giant icons. I love the atmosphere, to me it's a much more relaxed feel, and that's much more my style.

[J.T.Toad]

Hello

Some rambling on by JT Toad

Where you stay at WDW really depends on a person’s own financial situation and desires.
The 3 tier system that is Value, Moderate and Deluxe resorts was designed to maximize Disneys profits by allowing people from all income levels to stay on property.
Once you decide at what level of accommodations you wish to stay at the next questions you would have to ask yourself is what am I interested in. I have stayed in 2 deluxe resorts the Polynesian and the Contemporary and 2 DVC villas, the Boardwalk and the Beach Club. Each Resort is a great place to stay for different reasons. But these four Resorts do share on thing in common, that is the ease of transportation and their proximity to a major theme park. And this is why these resorts are first on my list.
If you have young Children you might want to stay at the Polynesian or the Contemporary. The proximity to the Magic Kingdom can’t be beat.
Older Teens would like Storm along bay over at the Beach Club.
Personaly I like the atmosphere of World Showcase in Epcot during the food and wine festival. You can’t get any closer than The Beach Club. If you grew up in the city you might give the Wilderness lodge a go.

I would consider bumping up my vacation to late September or October so you can be there during the food and wine festival.

Good luck
JT

[MickeyMousse]

Out of what you had posted, I voted for the Boardwalk Inn. We enjoy all of the dining choices and being within walking /boat distance of Epcot and MGM.

[chicade88]

I'm with the other posters who have said to go with a moderate if you can swing it. I had always stayed moderate with my family and staying at the Pop last year was just not for us. It really did hurt my vacation experience a lot. It never felt like we were actually on vacation - there was NO relaxation factor! But, we don't have kids so this could be a reason why we felt a tad out of our element. Just my two cents.

Oh, and we really like Coronado Springs in the cabanas section (the pool area is awesome!) but Caribbean Beach looks good as well.

[moe513]

Most deluxe levels have great locations. FOr that reason we like the yc. It didnt make your list so i pick the bwi. The epcot resorts are so close to epcot,mgm and all that goes on on the boardwalk. We wont go anywhere else.