Originally Posted By Rebekah Enjoyment of the Animal Kingdom Lodge varies for me.. if I'm in a theme park heavy mode (using the hotel as main base mid day respite) I don't find it as convenient due to its location, but when we've stayed there towards the end of our vacation its been great to sleep in and sit out on the patio enjoying the animals while we enjoy breakfast -or- come back in the early evening and enjoy the restaurants, pools and animals. Rebekah.
Originally Posted By Rebekah sun-n-fun, Doobie and I stayed at the Coronado for our honeymoon. It was a newly opened resort then. I really liked it. The morning mist over its lake was so beautiful. The pool was quite large as was the jacuzzi. I like the Pepper's Market eating area as many of the items were made to order rather than sitting out under heat lamps. And the Maya Grill offers tasty higher quality dining, too. And now you can see Expedition Everest from certain areas of the Resort. So a nice visual bonus. Rebekah.
Originally Posted By 5formickey Tinkerbell77....are you back from your trip yet? I would be quite interested to hear how you enjoyed your hotel's. As someone who has never been to WDW, I'm thinking about a trip next year and your choices are some I am thinking about. If you are up to sharing your thoughts I would love to hear. In DL I love the DHL or Grand and am looking for somthing comparable.
Originally Posted By jkayjs Love the Poly & WL. AKL is beautiful but like Rebekah said off the beaten path. We love POFQ and very much enjoy PORS-AB section and will be there again in Dec. We often stay @ CBR and like it as well. Our least fav is CSR. We unlike some did not care for the food court. My money is no object pick is CR tower,MK view, concierge level. We're planning a stay for our 35th(2yrs to save) but we'll have to settle for tower, MK view. Concierge' level isn't in our future unless we win the lottery. Mod is always POFQ 1st.
Originally Posted By jkayjs BTW the room size alone is a good reason to stay @ the Poly. We've had 5 adults(us and our 3 grown kids), luggage and 3 sets of golf clubs and still never felt crowded.
Originally Posted By sharon2 I would LOVE to stay at The Contemporary unfortunately, I'm the only one in my group that does They feal it's too cold, I think it's a beautiful piece of modern art!! No resort is really that expensive. Live it up..it's VACATION!!
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo 5forMickey - The Grand Californian is my fav hotel anywhere. So if you were going to WDW I think you would love the Wilderness Lodge or Animal Kingdom Lodge. For convenience and Tiki room vibe the Poly is nice and very central. And if an Epcot fan, Boardwalk is a great choice. If on a budget, I think Port Orleans Riverside cannot be beat. It feels like staying in Disneyland's haunted mansion and has great amenities on offer. It's sister PO French Quarter feels like NOS with less detail. Nothing is as convenient as the GCH as WDW is so spread out, so be prepared for that. If you are, there are some nice options.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo And indeed, it is possible to sit on your balcony at AKL, enjoy a glass of wine watching the fireworks as giraffe and zebra step into view. Awesome!
Originally Posted By NikkiLOVESMickey If money was no object, I'd definitely like to stay at the Poly, Boardwalk or Wilderness Lodge. Maybe one day... We're great fans of POR and plan on staying there for the first time in about three or four years this February. One of my favorite things about the resort is floating down the Sassagoula to Downtown Disney.
Originally Posted By 5formickey Very helpfuly, thanks so much. Davewasbaloo in comparing the Grand and Wilderness, my only complain about the Grand is the size of the rooms are a little tight for 5 of us so we usually have done 2 rooms. Not a big deal since my parents were with us in DL but not sure if they are going this time. Would you think the rooms are about the same size at the Wilderness. Other than that everything is perfect and I would love to find the same. To me, a hotel is more than just a place to sleep and it either makes or brakes our vacation so thanks again for your input.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Ah, sorry 5formickey, WL and AKL rooms are the same size as GCH. If going with 5, the best rooms for 5 people are at the Poly (like I say great location and kitsch tiki room vibe - feels dated to me), Contemporary (huge and well appointed rooms - but feels like the DLH with less theming) or Boardwalk. The Grand Floridian is also good sized, but I find the Victorian theme boring if you have ever stayed at the Del Coronado in San Diego. To me the Wilderness and Animal Kingdom Lodges feel most Disney. Other options are the Fort Wilderness Cabins (sleep 6) and the DVC options of 2 and 3 bed villas (this option is available at WL and soon AKL, as well as the Boardwalk, Beach Club, Saratoga Springs and Old Key West.
Originally Posted By 5formickey davewasbaloo...your comparisons are wonderful. That gives me great info to go with. I have done the Del also, so now I have a good idea of what each will feel like. Might just consider two rooms at WL or AL or one at the Grand. But I'm with you about liking the "more disney feel". Thanks again!!
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo My pleasure. Boardwalk (although Eastern Seaboard) feels a little like Monterey Cannery Row to me. Yacht Club and Beach club (again new england) has a Sausilito vibe to me. Hope this helps. Also, be sure to check DVC as sometimes that can be cheaper than two rooms, and it includes a jacuzzi and kitchen!
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo For pictures and descriptions be sure to check out Deb Wil's site www.allearsnet.com
Originally Posted By bobbelee9 Walking around the grounds at WL, you don't feel like you're in Florida!
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Agreed, that is why I feel WL and AKL are the most Disney - they convincingly transport you to another place, and the characters, while there, are subtle.
Originally Posted By NikkiLOVESMickey <<The Grand Floridian is also good sized, but I find the Victorian theme boring if you have ever stayed at the Del Coronado in San Diego.>> The GF reminds me of the White Sands Hotel in the Anne of Green Gables television series, which used to air on the Disney Channel back when they actually showed things other than kiddie shows.
Originally Posted By jkayjs >>The GF reminds me of the White Sands Hotel in the Anne of Green Gables television series, which used to air on the Disney Channel back when they actually showed things other than kiddie shows<< My kids and I watched it all the time. Sarah Polly was so cute. Sorry I know it's off topic but what a great blast from the past.
Originally Posted By NikkiLOVESMickey jkayjs - you can get the entire Avonlea series on DVD at Sam's Club - it's on my Christmas list! I loved that show and the Anne of Green Gables series of books is one of my favorites. I still read them from time to time.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo It's funny, I always thought the Beach Club felt more like Anne of Green Gables. All in all, they are cute pieces of architecture.
