Deluxe Disney Hotels Suggested

[danceguest]

The deluxe hotels are-

Animal Kingdom Lodge
Beach Club Resort
Yahct Club Resort
Boardwalk Inn
Contemporary Resort
Ploynesian Resort
Wilderness Lodge Resort
Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

I suggest

Animal Kingdom Lodge
Rating: 6 magic keys

Resort hotel guests are immersed in an environment inspired by the cultural splendor and picturesque beauty of an African wildlife reserve. Many of the deluxe resorts hotel guestrooms feature balconies overlooking 33-acre tropical savannah that is home to more than 200 mammals and birds including giraffe, zebra, thomsons gazelle, ostrich and sacred ibis.

Contemporary Resort
Rating: 6 magic keys

From the dramatic art in the main tower with sleek monorails cruising overhead, to the casual style and convenience of garden rooms overlooking the beach, this is a Walt Disney World resort experience not to be missed. The deluxe resort's bold a-frame design makes it a modern masterpiece, capped off by a breathtaking view of the Disneys Magic Kingdom. Take in the awe-inspiring view of Cinderella Castle from high atop the resort at the award-winning California Grill Restaurant. The perfect hotel accommodations for any Disney vacation.

Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Rating: 6 magic keys

Legendary elegance and lavish decor combine with impeccable service and spectacular views to offer guests the graciousness of a bygone era in a stunning world of Victorian charms. This deluxe resort hotel features live lobby entertainment by the Grand Floridian Orchestra, multi-paneled arch windows, turn-of-the-century gas lamps, regal chandeliers and a world-class spa.

Polynesian Resort
Rating: 6 magic keys

A relaxing tropical paradise with lush landscaping, waterfalls and colorful birds awaits guests
at this deluxe hotel resort. Friendly people, fun, laughter and good cheer reflect the enchanting customs and culture of the islands.








[ For more hotels in disney world check http://www.disneyvacationguide.com/ all information from there ]

[BigPigletFan]

Re: Deluxe Disney Hotels Suggested

Dance,

Are the three you suggested ones you've stayed at? Any thing unique about those three that make you like them more?

I love the Poly for the tropical atmosphere, dining locations, and monorail access. (It also helped that yoyo took me here. :cgrin

[Hamlet Schmalzbach]

Re: Deluxe Disney Hotels Suggested

Wl is grand...great location and atmosphere. But I see you list AKL...which became a favorite of mine on my last vacation. Love the building, the pool, the food and the animals.

[Loomis]

Re: Deluxe Disney Hotels Suggested

I'm thinking of splitting my time between Contempo and AK when I eventually get there. Might be pricier, but hey...how often does an Australian get to travel to Florida?

[BigPigletFan]

Re: Deluxe Disney Hotels Suggested

I'm thinking of splitting my time between Contempo and AK when I eventually get there. Might be pricier, but hey...how often does an Australian get to travel to Florida?

True, very true.

Maybe some day I will visit Australia?

[Cmash95]

Re: Deluxe Disney Hotels Suggested

yacht and beach club or boardwalk, I just love the ambiance and the rooms. nice and big and i love the pool area at the beach club.

[TDLFAN]

Re: Deluxe Disney Hotels Suggested

I'm thinking of splitting my time between Contempo and AK when I eventually get there. Might be pricier, but hey...how often does an Australian get to travel to Florida?

Actually a lot. I have several friends from down under who come here often. One change though... I would ditch the Contemporary and go to the Grand FL or Wilderness Lodge instead.

[danceguest]

Re: Deluxe Disney Hotels Suggested

Dance,

Are the three you suggested ones you've stayed at? Any thing unique about those three that make you like them more?

I love the Poly for the tropical atmosphere, dining locations, and monorail access. (It also helped that yoyo took me here. :cgrin

Well i have only stayed at Animal kingdom lodge. I have looked threw websites and those three i like the most and were rated the highest. Contemporary i ate ate, its just beautiful, and california grill! BEST SHIRP EVER! At the grand floridian i ate there for breakfast. They have alot of fancey restaurants and such that my Dad ate at and loved.

Animal kingdom i stayed a year ago in october. You walk up and you see a zebra outside your room (depending where.)
This hotel is based on africa and you basically have an arican suffari outside of your room.

[drnilescrane]

Re: Deluxe Disney Hotels Suggested

Actually a lot. I have several friends from down under who come here often. One change though... I would ditch the Contemporary and go to the Grand FL or Wilderness Lodge instead.

Well the WL isn't on the monorail, one of the reasons he chose the Contemp (not to mention staying at both lodges on the one trip is a bit over the top), and personaly I find the GF to be to 'Gradma's Flat', though you may feel differently.

The new Contemporary rooms I honestly feel are the best on property, and the plans for the concouse are excelent. Don't hold the convention centre (or the fact it's not a part of the Tokyo Disney Resort) against the whole resort, especialy with the excelent changes in store for the resort.

If the Contemporary isn't you thing, then the Poly may also be a good choice, if you are looking for a laid back south seas type atmosphere.

[Jerren]

Re: Deluxe Disney Hotels Suggested

My preference is:

1. Poly - Its all about Location and atmosphere Poly has the best of both with easy access to MK and Epcot (via walkway to TTC) Its also the hotel I stayed at first as a kid and again on my Honeymoon so there is a strong nastolic draw for me personally.
2. Wilderness Lodge - For grand theme, price, and its just the most relaxing... 3 Hot Tubs no waiting! Will be staying there next week!
3. Beach & yacht - Awsome pool, easy access to Epcot and MGM via boat, and the boardwalk for something different.
4. Grad Floridian - quick accesss to MK, great food, the Spa on site, and nice touch with the TV's at the bus stations... why don't they all do that? Might not get so many complaints about the busses always running late...

OK.. I have not stayed at Ak lodge, only thing keeping us from doing so is its just too far from everything... The Contemporary is just the opposite way too busy, too much excitement I want to RELAX at the resort the contemporary just is the oposite of that...

[danceguest]

Re: Deluxe Disney Hotels Suggested

AK lodge, it isn't a far drive, about 2 minutes from all parks. (5 to MK)
If you dont have car use disney bus.
It is worth going, trust me!
You feel like your in africa. You see all kinds of african animals and birds. There are many flamingos and Eland. They give you a animal guide when you book a room so you can search for all the animals.
The worst room of all there is such a nice room! The people are so kind and you get to see and watch african dances, movies, stories, ect.
One day when i was there they had a kids party in the lobby where 7 and under can play african instruments and dance in african costumes. Fun eh?

[RonNYC]

Re: Deluxe Disney Hotels Suggested

AK lodge, it isn't a far drive, about 2 minutes from all parks. (5 to MK)

AKL is fabulous indeed, but 2 minutes from all parks? I don't think so. AKL is situated near Animal Kingdom Park on the western end of the developed WDW property. AKL and AK are a bit aways from the central part of the resort as a whole and especially far from Magic Kingdom.

You're looking at a good five minute drive to Animal Kingdom, ten to fifteen to Disney-MGM and EPCOT, and at least fifteen to twenty to Magic Kingdom.

Two minutes? C'mon....

[danceguest]

Re: Deluxe Disney Hotels Suggested

AKL is fabulous indeed, but 2 minutes from all parks? I don't think so. AKL is situated near Animal Kingdom Park on the western end of the developed WDW property. AKL and AK are a bit aways from the central part of the resort as a whole and especially far from Magic Kingdom.

You're looking at a good five minute drive to Animal Kingdom, ten to fifteen to Disney-MGM and EPCOT, and at least fifteen to twenty to Magic Kingdom.

Two minutes? C'mon....

Well, you can tell whos speeding!
Lol, i need to watch out on that, lol my dad speeds so much he needs a radar detector, yet in the states and many provinces in canada its against the law. Not in alberta, where he needs it most. :lol:

[MickeyMania]

Re: Deluxe Disney Hotels Suggested

Actually a lot. I have several friends from down under who come here often. One change though... I would ditch the Contemporary and go to the Grand FL or Wilderness Lodge instead.

For a guy who says that going to WDW is wasting money, why would you waste money on the GF? I always had a nostalgic thing for the Contemporary, but if I could get a reasonable rate I'd go there in a heartbeat now because the rooms aren't repulsive.

The GF is too darn overpriced. Aspirations of luxury were seriously underdelivered there. I went in thinking Bellagio and walked out thinking Treasure Island.

[TDLFAN]

Re: Deluxe Disney Hotels Suggested

For a guy who says that going to WDW is wasting money, why would you waste money on the GF?

I never have. I have only stayed at the Contemporary Hotel (4 times) in 1974, 75, 76, and 79. Then I worked there in Guest Services in 1984-85.
But ever since they plopped that godawful convention center in the parking lot and destroyed the MK view of the upper west-facing floors in the south annex building, the place has gone downhill. Not worth it to pay for it, and if you are going to pay, may as well pay for the GFL. And now, they plan to destroy the integrity of the entire complex by adding yet another multi-floor tower to the north of the main building?? What's wrong with that picture?!?!?

The new Contemporary rooms I honestly feel are the best on property, and the plans for the concouse are excelent. Don't hold the convention centre (or the fact it's not a part of the Tokyo Disney Resort) against the whole resort, especialy with the excelent changes in store for the resort.

When those changes are finally accomplished, I may or may not change my mind about the Contemporary, but as it is now? NO. Heck! I would take the HKDL Hollywood Hotel 20 times over the Contemporary and it's wonderful location and monorail line.

[wdwnut4life]

Re: Deluxe Disney Hotels Suggested

I absolutely luv the Floridian, so close to MK & Epcot.Beautiful hotel, graet food, pool is cool, cm's are the best; GF all the way baby! Are there any websites for the GF?

http://www.freewebs.com/tiff_lisatony7/

[Tikiman]

Re: Deluxe Disney Hotels Suggested

I have visited almost all the Deluxe resorts and seen or stayed in the rooms at all the Deluxe resorts except the Swan and Boardwalk. We can afford to stay at what ever resort we choose so money is not a factor in our decision. If money were a factor my list of favorites might be different.



For more info visit here. http://www.tikiman2001.homestead.com/

Our next favorite is the Yacht Club. The Beach Club offers many of the same things with closer access to Epcot but we liked the rooms better in the YC and we did not like how some of the BC rooms had very small balconies. The location is great and while the transportation is not the same as at the monorail resorts it is close enough to walk to Epcot. We were not happy with the bus service and the boat was fun but took very long. The food options and entertainment are great around the Boardwalk area. I pool was nice but did not impress us and did not compare to sitting in the Polynesian pool along the beach watching the fireworks. Many say that if you want to go to Epcot you should stay in a resort over around the Boardwalk area (which is good advise) but we did time studies that showed that taking the monorail over to Epcot took 8 minutes and the monorail was only a 2 minute walk from rooms at the Polynesian. Walking from our room at the Yacht Club room to the International Gateway in Epcot took 10 minutes and was outside in the rain or heat.

Here are some photos from our stay at the Yacht Club. http://disneyecho.emuck.com/wdw/yachtbeach/yacht.html

The Animal Kingdom Lodge would be higher on our list if it were in another location or on the monorail. The resort has an awesome theme and the food is worth staying there alone. The rooms are small and our experience with the busses was not good at all but others love the transportation since it does not share with other resorts. Seeing the animals is a big part of it. The pool was a very good size but the slide was a joke. We felt isolated since we were use to being able to walk to other resorts, dining or having the monorail to hop on to other resorts. Also we love to walk around the grounds and beaches of the other resorts. The AKL only has some small inner paths to walk and we sort of felt trapped after spending the better part of a day hanging around the resort. Because of the small rooms (which I have also stayed in) we upgraded to a one bedroom suite on our first stay. Here are some photos. http://www.geocities.com/TheTropics/Bay/2553/akl.html

[BigPigletFan]

Re: Deluxe Disney Hotels Suggested

I have visited almost all the Deluxe resorts and seen or stayed in the rooms at all the Deluxe resorts except the Swan and Boardwalk. We can afford to stay at what ever resort we choose so money is not a factor in our decision. If money were a factor my list of favorites might be different.



For more info visit here. http://www.tikiman2001.homestead.com/

I see that Tahiti is your favorite place there too Tikiman.

Very nice post. I'm quickly starting to agree with you on this one about the Poly. While value resorts are in my budget, my experiences in simply visiting the Poly and then staying there - wonderful.

There is also a major rehab going on of a couple of the buildings that should be done soon. :cgrin:

[Tikiman]

Re: Deluxe Disney Hotels Suggested

I see that Tahiti is your favorite place there too Tikiman.

Very nice post. I'm quickly starting to agree with you on this one about the Poly. While value resorts are in my budget, my experiences in simply visiting the Poly and then staying there - wonderful.

There is also a major rehab going on of a couple of the buildings that should be done soon. :cgrin:

Aloha BigPigletFan,

You know it is funny you say that Tahiti is my favorite. Many keep saying that. I guess I need to edit my Tahiti comments a little. Tahiti is my favorite for a lagoon or Magic Kingdom view room (non-concierge) but it would be much lower on my favorite list if I were speaking of a garden view room. Not that the garden view room in Tahiti is bad but it is no where near the best. Tokelau would take the number one spot for best garden view room. Hawaii would be the best location but it is concierge only.



Glad you enjoy the Polynesian also.

Aloha

Steve

[herb2linda]

Re: Deluxe Disney Hotels Suggested

Tikiman,

Read all of your posts and your on the money. Polynesian is one I enjoy tons also. I love the islands and that is where my other vacations usually take me, although the past two years I throw is something different like San Francisco or Tuscon. Still two trips every year to WDW though.

Question: Why bother going to the Swan? Dolphin/Swan, same thing. They are notowned by Disney and even though they just did a redo and have some descent prices, they don't give that Disney feel. They like to cater to the business crowd. If your going to Epcot and want to save some bucks I guess its OK. Boardwalk, I have been there three times now (when going to Epcot) and enjoy it, night time entertainment is a blast. You can see the fireworks going off at Epcot and MK, with Epcot being right there. Great places to eat also but then again if you stay at the Dolphin/Swan you can just take a walk around the lake.

At the Boardwalk I have been in a courtyard room on the third floor with a great view of the big EPCOT ball and the night time fireworks. Also stayed in a room with a view of the lake and the night time action. Both great rooms but the courtyard is alot quiter.