Best Disney Resort to stay at?

[Mr. Bungle]

Wow, those are some bad experiences!

A few years ago I had a similar luggage issue but I was able to pick my bag up in the morning, no late night/early morning wake up.

[Barbaraann]

I just spent 6 nights at Pop Century and I really enjoyed it. There were three of us, and we had two connecting rooms. I loved it there. It is orgainized well, and you really don't have to walk very far to get to the main building where everything you may need is located, like food, guest services, buses, etc:

Our rooms were immaculate, and the beds were comfy, and my grandson's only complaint was no wi-fi.

I have stayed at all the moderate hotels, except Port Orleans French Quarter. I highly recommend Riverside. I understand that Coronado Springs has recently been remodeled, and I really enjoyed staying there as well. I did feel that there was way less walking at Port Orleans Riverside. Caribbean Beach was nice as well, but you do a lot more walking, to get around at that resort.

I planned my most recent trip during value season, so with my AAA discount, I only paid about $75 a room per night. I really felt that I got a bargain. I would definitely stay at Pop Century again.

If I ever decide to choose a moderate hotel, I really would like to stay at Port Orleans French Quarter.

[MarkTwain]

Originally Posted by Barbaraann

I just spent 6 nights at Pop Century and I really enjoyed it. There were three of us, and we had two connecting rooms. I loved it there. It is orgainized well, and you really don't have to walk very far to get to the main building where everything you may need is located, like food, guest services, buses, etc:

Our rooms were immaculate, and the beds were comfy, and my grandson's only complaint was no wi-fi.

I have stayed at all the moderate hotels, except Port Orleans French Quarter. I highly recommend Riverside. I understand that Coronado Springs has recently been remodeled, and I really enjoyed staying there as well. I did feel that there was way less walking at Port Orleans Riverside. Caribbean Beach was nice as well, but you do a lot more walking, to get around at that resort.

I planned my most recent trip during value season, so with my AAA discount, I only paid about $75 a room per night. I really felt that I got a bargain. I would definitely stay at Pop Century again.

If I ever decide to choose a moderate hotel, I really would like to stay at Port Orleans French Quarter.

Yes, I'd have recommended Coronado Springs as well because it's absolutely beautiful, but some of the rooms are quite a long trek away from the lobby.

[disneymom2jhe]

We love Port Orleans Riverside and Caribbean. I would definitely recommend either of those. Riverside has the great boat ride to Downtown Disney (nice change from the buses). Plus, the piano player at River Roost is really fun. On the other hand, we love the Caribbean though because of the new pool area and the rooms are now Nemo themed (one of my kids' favorite characters). I've never stayed at any of the values, but we have never had a problem with the moderates.

[DisneyIzz]

I really appreciate all these reviews!

My family and I would probably lean more towards the cheaper end of the Moderate Class of resorts, especially after reading some reviews on the Value class, as well as the simple fact that my sister and I are teenagers and we love our big pool areas and extra features in resorts

[DisneyIzz]

Originally Posted by Mouse princess

I also requested ahead of time for a fridge for medication, which I was told would be in the room when I checked in because I needed it for insulin. It was not there. I had to call 2xs asking for it, all the while keeping the insulin in a bucket of ice. i will not stay at the Sports again.

Thankyou VERY much for adding this point in!
I'm a type 1 diabetic, having had it since I was 7 years old (2001) and I know my Mum's often complaining about how to keep the insulin cold and where to get free ice so she can do a site change for my pump while staying at resorts.

Personally, from what I've now read and my previous impressions of the hotels, we most likely won't be staying at a Value resort.

[yoyoflamingo]

If you're looking at a moderate, I would recommend French Quarter; it's the smallest of the 4, and it feels the most intimate and there is less walking that some of the others, which can sometimes mean quite a walk from your room to the food court/shops/check in. However, having stayed at all of the moderates, I do not dislike any of them.

If you are willing to look a little higher, the Wilderness Lodge is a slightly pricier hotel, but has a lot of deluxe perks. IMO it is the best resort on Disney property; its theming, location, amenities, everything are fantastic! It's a little more than a moderate, but not as much as the other values.

Another option would be the Swan or Dolphin. Spectacular locations, fabulous rooms, most of the amenities of a Disney resort, and a fraction of the cost. Look for code on Mousesavers.com, and if anyone in your family is a government employee (teacher, military, etc,) they often have discounts for that. Many of the discounts make these resorts almost as much as a moderate. I highly recommend them as well.

[DisneyIzz]

Anyone have any experiences of staying at the Caribbean or Polynesian?
I was also taking a look at the Fort Wilderness which we heard fantastic reviews about and my Mum seemed rather keen on it, so i'll definately be taking a good look at that one.
Also there was the Animal Kingdom lodge which I thought looked good too, so I'm a bit torn between which to choose right now!

[yoyoflamingo]

Originally Posted by PrincessIzzie

Anyone have any experiences of staying at the Caribbean or Polynesian?
I was also taking a look at the Fort Wilderness which we heard fantastic reviews about and my Mum seemed rather keen on it, so i'll definately be taking a good look at that one.
Also there was the Animal Kingdom lodge which I thought looked good too, so I'm a bit torn between which to choose right now!

Polynesian is amazing, but the most pricy of all the choices discussed thus far. Great location, great theming, and just all around wonderful choice.

I haven't stayed at the Caribbean Beach in a number of years, but I still think it is a great hotel. The only downside is if your room is far away from the central area, then it's a lot of walking to get there...

[tinkerb]

Every resort has plusses and minusses...........my favorite is the Boardwalk!!! It is close to 2 parks and has lots to do. My favorite moderate resort is Port Orleans Riverside. Favorite value resort is Pop Century. Staying on property is offers guests the total 24-7 Disney Magical Experience!!

[DisneyIzz]

We'll definately be staying on property, but really it's just a matter of deciding where!! The resorts are all so different from what I've seen which is why I'm asking for personal reviews on them!
I think I'm probably leaning more towards staying in the Magic Kingdom area, as we'll probably spend more time there than anywhere else.

[DarkSideoftheMouse]

Our family really likes the Wilderness Lodge. The landscaping and architecture of the hotel is truly beautiful, and the lobby is immaculate. The rooms are nice, and they have bunk beds which were very convenient for my family. The pool is very nice as well, and its always quite relaxing to take the afternoon off from the parks and go for a swim. Transportation to the Magic Kingdom by boat through Bay Lake is a nice experience too. We love that hotel, and the only other one we've stayed is the Riverside. I feel the same way as many on here do. The themeing of the whole resort is very nice and its a little less pricey than the Deluxe hotels. It's also fairly centrally located and easy to get to all the parks.

[DisneyIzz]

Anyone has reviews on which hotels have the best pools/views? My family and I tend to look at those 2 factors when choosing hotels!!

[tinkerb]

Check the WDW Newsletter site for a few details. Again, I think it depends on what themeing best suits your traveling party. Fort Wilderness is themed like Yellowstone, witha geiser in the pool area. The Polynesian is, well I bet you can guess.......and there is a volcano in the pool area. The Grand FLoridain is majestic and the pool there over looks the lake. There is a little beach front for both the Polynesian and Grand FLoridian, but not for swimming. The Contemporary has a mod feel and the pool area also over looks the lake. I really am not sure about the slides at any of them. Slides, hot tubs and chidren's play areas are probably themed accordingly as are pool bars. Have fun planning......that really is part of the MAGIC!!!

[nicoleloveswalt]

Originally Posted by PrincessIzzie

Anyone has reviews on which hotels have the best pools/views? My family and I tend to look at those 2 factors when choosing hotels!!

Yacht and Beach Club is commonly considered to have the best pool on property. A majority of the rooms are also water/Boardwalk view.