Originally Posted By DDMAN26 My parents are going down to WDW next week(very jealous) and they will be staying at Cornado Springs for the first time. So it got me to thinking. Which hotel or hotels on the property would you like to stay at that you haven't gotten around to. I'm not factoring any of the DVC stuff into my decisions just the hotel itself. My choices: 1. Polynesian 2. Animal Kingdom Lodge 3. Wilderness Lodge 4. Boardwalk 5. Yacht and Beach Club
Originally Posted By RoadTrip The Poly... I've been in love with the Poly since the first time I walked through the lobby. I've stayed at the Wilderness Lodge, Boardwalk and Yacht Club. Of those I prefer Boardwalk for it's wonderful location and the Wilderness Lodge for the best theming. But when you look at location AND theming together, nothing comes close to the Poly.
Originally Posted By Mr X I'll go with 1, 2, and 3 on your list DD... I've always loved those places, but never stayed there. As for number 4, I stayed there and loved it. LOVE the lobby, love the Boardwalk vibe, love the rooms. Number 5, for some reason I was never very enamored with that resort. I dunno why, exactly...it's obviously a first class place. I just never got into the vibe there. I would have to add 6) Contemporary Resort though...yes it's dated and all of that, but it's still quintessential DISNEYWORLD as far as I'm concerned and I'd love to stay there someday. I would also add the old Golf Resort, though it's not possible for regular guests to stay there these days if the reservation system is the same as a few years ago (it's now a military-only resort, no?)...LOVE the location and I love the fact that it's somewhat off the beaten path but still very close to the monorail resorts.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer Poly. Always Poly. I love that place, even if all I get to do is relax there.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Hmm interesting one. I have been lucky to stay at many, but I think I would like to try the Boardwalk resort (for location) or a pool view Wilderness Lodge Room. I really would love to try the 4 Seasons when it opens. I have little interest in trying the Grand Fla though. A little too normal to me since I grew up in California (with stays in the Del Coronado) and we have similar and nicer places in Europe. I also fancy trying the Coronado Springs.
Originally Posted By Autopia Deb Any of the deluxe resorts. It used to be the Poly, hands down, but I had an epiphany about it. I can probably stay at a similar or even nicer resort IN Hawaii for the same or less money so I'd rather do that. But Wilderness and AK Lodges are still high on my list along with the other Deluxe resorts, and I still wouldn't say no to the Poly if the right opportunity came my way.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer ^^^ Right, but the Poly, for me, is honestly more about the classic WDW vibe than the Hawaiian vibe. It's location on the 7SL, the views, the actual aesthetics of the place are vastly unchanged from the hotel's opening in 1971.
Originally Posted By wahooskipper I stayed in a pool view at Wilderness Lodge once. It was terrific. We had breakfast sent to the room one morning and say on our little deck overlooking the stream/pool area. One of my nicer "moments" at Disney. I have not stayed in the Animal Kingdom Lodge yet and would like to do that. Coronado is nice (and I like the pool area in particular) but it is a HUGE property and if you aren't staying up near the main building it can be a real hike to get back and forth. I swear I was closer to Epcot than I was the lobby. Boardwalk is high on my "wannado" list too.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo >>>I have not stayed in the Animal Kingdom Lodge yet and would like to do that.<<< We had a very mixed experience. Looks, animals and food were fantastic. Service, cleanliness and transport were some of the worst in my experience, travelodge quality. Let the whole thing down.
Originally Posted By wahooskipper There is no doubt that they need to get a handle on the transportation. When I stay on property I drive everywhere because I just find it unreliable. Sorry to hear about the service and cleanliness though.
Originally Posted By A Happy Haunt My Mom is OBSESSED with The Poly so I kinda grew-up there as a kid.. Life's rough, I know I dream of The Contemporary.. It's so sleek & minamal.. Next would be Animal Lodge then, The Boardwalk.
Originally Posted By Mr X ***I really would love to try the 4 Seasons when it opens*** BOO!!!!!!!!!!! Party foul, dude. ***I have little interest in trying the Grand Fla though*** I agree. I like the lobby and all that, but I have ZERO interest in staying there. As for Coronado, I have stayed there for a few days...it was nice enough, but it's a convention motel like all the other moderates...newer, I suppose. The food court was pathetic. The pools looked okay. The rooms are motel rooms. Nuff said.
Originally Posted By Mr X ***I can probably stay at a similar or even nicer resort IN Hawaii for the same or less money so I'd rather do that*** That's pretty much a truism for ANY Disney hotel though...obviously they're going to be overpriced BECAUSE they are Disney hotels. Either you're okay with that, or you're not (for me, I'm on the fence as far as value is concerned, I love amenities AND I love beachfront places so for me PERSONALLY, I'd rather stay at a luxurious oceanfront resort than a Disney hotel, BUT it's really a trade-off because staying "in the magic" does have its' merits!
Originally Posted By Mr X ***Sorry to hear about the service and cleanliness though*** Agreed. Like wahoo, I'm a former employee of WDW and hearing that makes me sad. Transportation, they need to figure out better for sure. But the fact you had bad service and cleanliness! Unacceptable and EMBARRASSING for Disney to say the least!
Originally Posted By Autopia Deb I can have a lovely "in the magic" resort experience at POR and be within my budget. I agree that the Poly is an original 1971 experience, but the premium they charge is FAR to high, even for Disney. So, I would rather spend the money on a kitchy retro hotel/resort in Hawaii.
Originally Posted By Bolna For me the top three where I haven't stayed at but would love to stay at are: 1) Boardwalk (that will soon leave this list since I am going to stay there in October! ) 2) Wilderness Lodge 3) Port Orleans French Quarter I am really lucky that I already stayed at the two that appealed to me the most of all WDW hotels: Animal Kingdom Lodge and the Poly. Loved both places. <<Service, cleanliness and transport were some of the worst in my experience, travelodge quality.>> I have read your comments about AKL quite a few times and must say that I have a very different experience. I stayed there three times, never had cleanliness issues and transportation worked about 95 % of the time (one bad wait on every trip, but most of the time no long waits and not overcrowded busses). If by service you mean the lack of 24h room service, you are right, that isn't there. But for me it wasn't an issue (I can see that it might be for others). Otherwise I encountered a lot of lovely cast members there. I am not saying that your experience wasn't as bad as you say, but wanted to point out that others can have perfectly wonderful stays there.
Originally Posted By Autopia Deb I don't intend to be down on the Poly, it used to be #1 on my wish list. If I were to win the lottery or marry money you can bet your bippy I'd book a trip ASAP. But as it stands I can't help but think a stay there now is a couple of months in my retirement I'll have to spend without electricity or necessary meds or food.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo >>>I can have a lovely "in the magic" resort experience at POR and be within my budget.<<< Agreed, we honeymooned there and it was on par with our experiences in many ways of more expensive places. I think this is a part of what disappointed me so much at AKL.
