Two Favorite Resorts On Property

Totally agreed on BC and AKL!! Those are two of my favorites as well. And, YES, you HAVE to get a savanna view room at AKL--no reason to stay there if you don't! And BC has become a bit of a "home" for me (even thought I'm not a DVC member) because I stayed there a LOT on rented points for a few years.

Glad you like coronado springs, too. It's always been my favorite moderate (I'm partial to hammocks and margaritas...). Have you seen Buzz's site about Coronado? Check it out!!

So far my favorites are: (In no order except thinking where I have been)

Pop
ASMu
ASMo
CBR
Dixie Landings
CR
AKL
I think my favorite is the one I am staying in at the time.

I will say that POFQ never did it for me, and while I like CSR, I don't know if I would stay there. I also love the old Disney Institute.

People love POFQ, but I've never stayed there. It seems small to me...

My favorite is usually the one I'm staying in at the time as well. Except for Saratoga. I really didn't enjoy staying there; it felt like a giant condo complex and I kept envying people getting on busses to other Disney resorts.

Never stayed at the Disney Institute--it's so creepy now to pass those defunct Treehouses. Are they doing anything to update those?

Last I read the tree houses were going to be demolished. They don't meet today's building codes and the county won't let them be used. I never stayed in them, but they were VERY popular with a lot of big families, some of them had 3 or 4 BRs. Lots of golfers booked them, 8 men playing golf for a week.

The other DI rooms were either 1 BR with a small kitchenette or 2 BR with a bigger kitchen OR a 2 floor town house. I stayed only in the 1 BR rooms. It was nice to be able to cook in the room if needed. I was always there for DI management seminars and some meals were included for the class, some weren't. Rather than go out for dinner, I would just nuke something and relax.

I get what you mean about SSR being very condo looking. I thought it would be different somehow, but I can't describe it. And POFQ, it never appealed to me because it was so small. I like big spread out, lots of places to walk all over resorts.

Agreed. I want to know that I can spend a whole day at my resort and have lots of resort-centric activities. I love Wilderness Lodge because of the great walking paths. I imagine the Poly would be great in this way, too.

I think I have to try out the Contemporary and Polynesian before I can decide for sure...plus Pop Century...

Pop Century is really fun. I think I need to stay at ASMo, too...

I'm a lodge fan...Animal Kingdom and Wilderness

Ditto

Though I'll stay just about anywhere. We love to check out new resorts.

We stayed at the Poly concierge in Jan of this year and really don't want to stay anywhere else. If you EVER have the opportunity to stay there we highly recommend it. The view from the lounge is amazing.

Our 2nd favorite resort is the Boardwalk.

Hard to go wrong with the Polynesian, especially on the concierge level. I have trouble investing that kind of money in the hotel sometimes because I often spend so little time there. Some trips we just chill in the room, but some we're barely ever there. Someday I would like to stay at a monorail resort though.

How long did you stay there?

We were there for 5 days at the end of Jan/ first of Feb. We were there during the Super Bowl and the staff threw a Super Bowl party complete with all party type foods (and beer/wine). Half time was perfectly timed during Wishes. We literally walked to the beach at the beginning of halftime, watched Wishes and went back to watch the 2nd half. It could only be Disney Magic.

We have stayed at concierge level at several hotels and by far the Poly is hands down better than any of them.

Prior to staying there earlier this year we really had no desire to stay there and were just "checking it" off the list. That being said I really don't want to stay anywhere else on property now. It will spoil you.

I hate to show my ignorance...but what how does concierge level differ?

Usually you have a better view/location with concierge (it was true for us at the Boardwalk, but not at the Poly) Also you get pre-trip planning-basically someone to take care of all your ADR's, spa treatments, special hard ticket events, etc. They were able to get CRT breakfast and LeCellier ADR's when I had been unsuccessful for weeks prior. They have a continental breakfast in the mornings (pastries, fruit, cereals, etc) they had afternoon snacks (chips, goldfish crackers, pretzels, cookies) at the Poly evening service was usually enough for us to eat for dinner (it was hot finger foods, soups) plus beer/wine. After dinner you get desserts and cordials. They had soft drinks and water available all the time which was nice. I don't know if it's just the atmosphere at the Poly (very laid back and friendly) but it was just so relaxing there and the staff at the Club level did everything . We are AP holders so we don't usually do the dining plan and are able to get plenty of food at the lounge which saves us in the parks later.

Granted it's not something we do everytime due to the cost, but we really enjoy it when we can.

Someone with "extra access" to help with ADRs could be a HUGE benefit. I wonder how much extra pull they have...I will say that extra food (as far as the snacks) is usually about the last thing I need at WDW

Hey everyone,

I agree with Brad in that my two favorite resorts are Animal Kingdom and Wilderness Lodges. I'd give a slight nod to AKL because I like its clear pool, Uzima Springs, a little bit better. I think Boma has the best breakfast buffet on property.

Jim

I am partial to the Boardwalk, just because it was my first WDW experience. I also love Wilderness Lodge because we spent the week after Thanksgiving there and WDW is so fantastic during the holidays.

The pre-trip planning sounds great. I wonder how that differs from a regular old travel agent? Also, the extra food could be a real cost savings if you'd rather not eat in the restaurants.

Who'd rather not eat in the restaurants?!?!?

The Beach Club's pool is amazing. Almost worth staying there just for that. Plus you're so close to Epcot.

Good question. But sometimes I like to spend a whole day at the resort (sitting by the pool, etc.), and grabbing stuff in a concierge lounge would be great for those days!

I think the Yacht/Beach Club, Boardwalk and Contemporary are very unique in how close they are to a park. Being able to just walk in the back door of EPCOT is really cool and useful.