What are the the best resorts to stay in in Disney (Orlando) ?

Question

We'd like to stay in a Disney resort. We have 3 kids and would like a suite and some feedback from people who've stayed at some of the DW Resorts. Thanks.

Answer 1

Any of the Deluxe Resorts are awesome. I just got back from Walt Disney World on Saturday. I went with my boyfriend (we don't have kids yet.) We stayed at Disney's Polynesian Resort. We stayed there last summer and it became our favorite. Everything about the Resort is perfect. First off, it was one of the first WDW Resorts opened, the other being hte Contemporary Resort, which opened the same day. Second, it's a monorail Resort. The monorail is defintely the best mode of transportation at Walt Disney World. It's the quickest and the A/C is always working (unlike in some of the buses.) There's only three Resorts connected to the monorail system, the Polynesian Resort, the Contemporary Resort, and the Grand Floridian Resort. The Resort has a few beaches, two pools (the volcano pool with a slide and the "quiet pool,") two awsome restaurants- 'Ohana, which offers all-you-can-eat and a character breakfast, and the Kona Cafe, one of my favoritw restaurants on WDW property, which serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner (try the famous Tonga Toast at breakfast, or the pot stickers as an appetizer for lunch or dinner, they're SO good!) There's also a quick service restaurant, Captain Cook's, which is open all night and offers all kinds of snacks, drinks, etc. Then there's the Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show (the Polynesian Luau,) which offers all-you-can-eat. The show has changed quite a bit since the first time I saw it in '97, but the kids absolutely love it. There's still traditional luau dancers and a guy who twirls batons on fire. It's pretty cool. Kids really love this Resort. At the entrance there's a small sitting area with a TV, playing Disney movies 24/7, and the kids can sit down and make their own leis (but everyone will recieve one at check-in anyway.) Right in the middle of the lobby seems to be a tropical rainforest. There's all kinds of lush green plants, flowers, and waterfalls. There's also wildlife on the property of the Resort. All kinds of ducks, which the kids seem to love to chase around or feed, as well as other exotic birds, rabbits, lizards, and even a cat (last summer we noticed this skinny, little black and white cat, and about halfway through our vacation this time we saw the cat again. I was so surprised. We were pretty sure the cat had escaped from a kennel. The cat still appeared to be way too skinny, so I had my boyfriend run back to our room for some beef jerkey we'd brought. The cat scarfed it down like nothing, poor thing. I asked concierge about it and the guy said he'd just noticed the cat the other day and no one knew how it got there. This shocked me 'cause we'd sen the cat over a year ago. The thing seemed miserable in the heat, and starving, of course. Other guests at the Resort were scaring it away because it was begging for food.) Anyway, I'm getting way off course. The Resort staff is awesome. As soon as we checked in the manager came out and told us we were V.I.P. at the Resort, and we'd been upgraded to concierge. We were given room 1516 with the best possible view available on property, literally. A perfect view of the Magic Kingdom Park, Cinderella Castle, Space Mountain, and the Contemporary and Grand Floridian Resorts across the lagoon. Every night we saw the Wishes fireworks right from our room, as well as the Electrical Water Pageant. At 6:00pm Tuesday through Saturday the Resort has an official torch lighting ceremony. It's quick, but it was really cool (our first time seeing it.) The fire twirler from the dinner show comes into the Resort, blows into a conch shell to get everyone's attention, and then goes outside to perform a dance and light the torches that light the walkway to the Resort lobby. I suggest this Resort, not only because it's my personal favorite, but you wouldn't believe how many kids complained to their parents that they wished they were staying at the Polynesian. People from other Resorts would come to have dinner at one of the Polynesian's restaurants, or just to explore and kids would be like, "Mommy, we should've stayed here! Can we stay here next time?" I don't know, I guess kids just really enjoy it, too. And now that I think about it, I was saying the same thing when I came to visit the Resort for my first time when I was 11. It's such a beautiful place. I mean, I am a huge Disney fanatic, and I know just about everything there is to know about all the Resorts, and I love them all (I plan on taking a two week trip next time and spending two nights in each Deluxe Resort so I can experience them all,) but this is always going to be my favorite. Everything's awesome from the staff to the location. And actually, we took a guided fishing excursion and our guide told us that the Polynesian Resort has the highest return rate of guests out of all the WDW Resorts. This I did not know. It didn't necessarily surprise me though, because it's true, once you stay here, you'll never want to leave or go to another Resort.

This was really long, I'm sorry. If you'd like detailed information on any other Resorts, I can certainly help out, but the Polynesian is definitely my favorite. And the Resort does offer suites.

Answer 2

It depends on what you are looking to spend. The value resorts are great! I have stayed at Pop Century and the Coronado which is on site. I have also stayed at the Hilton, Doubletree, and Best Western at Downtown Disney. I am staying at Sports later next month. I also stay at my apartment (I live in Orlando.) I do recommend a resort other than Pop Century (try Music, Movies, or Sports) only because the buses get crowded fast (this was in May, might not be too bad in the winter months).

I would stay at any of the hotels on property because of the convenience. They are all very nice and give you that 'vacation' feel! Places like the Grand Floridian and the Contemporary are going to cost a lot. The Coronado and Saratoga Springs will be less, and the value resorts are lowest.

Sometimes you can get some really good deals on the Disney website. Honestly, any resort you can stay in will be great, but that is my personal opinion!

Answer 3

Any Disney resort is great. There is one for every budget level.

I have stayed at Pop Century and this year will be at All-Star Movies Resort. These are both in the category of "value resort", as these are the cheaper ones. I prefer to stay at a less expensive resort due to the fact that I don't really spend much time there. I spend most of my time at the parks. I have taken the Disney transportation to many of the other resorts to "check them out". (2 rooms at a value resort is cheaper than one room at some of the other resorts)

No matter where you stay at Disney, you won't be disappointed. If you do experience any unpleasant circumstances, make sure that you let the front desk know immediately as they will probably correct the problem. They are very nice there!!

Answer 4

Any of the Disney Vacation Club Resorts right on Disney property. These are the ultimate vacation club and you get so many perks by staying on site. I happen to own, and rent out my Disney points, so if you are interested let me know. For a five night stay, Sunday through Friday, a typical studio on Disney property costs $2000 if rented from Disney. I can rent the same five weeknights for about 1/2 of that. I don't rent on Weekends because I don't get any discount for Friday and Saturday nights.

Look at this website www.disneyvacationclub.com to see our beautiful resorts. You can get a studio or one bdrm that sleep 4 or a 2 bdrm that sleeps 8.

Answer 5

Well your choice will depend a lot on your vacation budget. Disney's least expensive resort is the All Star. This one is great for kids and you can choose which theme you would like: Movies, music, sports, or pop century! This is the style of hotel with the doors on the exterior of the building, but it is still a Disney Resort with all of the perks, such as free transportation and package delivery from any of the theme parks.
If you'd like a bit nicer of a hotel, I recommend the Coronado Springs or Port Orleans. My favorite Disney Resorts are in the higher price range. Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge and the Polynesian Resort are my top two favorite Disney resorts! Animal Kingdom Lodge is terrific for kids as well and they have all sorts of activities throughout the hotel. Boma is also located at the lodge. It is an all you can eat gourmet buffet, which serves food from Pacific Rim countries like Africa and Egypt! It is my favorite Disney Restaurant.

If you would like any help planning your vacation, or would like to read up on some Disney tips and advice, visit my Disney Vacation Services Website, I'm All Ears at:

http://im-all-ears-disney-vacation-services.blogspot.com/

Answer 6

It depends on two things $ and how much time do you spend at the resort?

When we go my wife and I both agree that since we mainly use the resort/hotel to sleep,shower, change clothes, eat breakfast, and use the pool at night that we go middle of the road in terms of price. We have stayed at Jamaica, Port Orleans, and I forget the last one. They were all nice. We spend the bulk of our time (night and day) in the parks.

We have Friends that are affected badly by the rides (kids included) so they spendd their $ on the resort because that is where they spen the bulk of their time.

In the end I suggest think practical. I suggest contacting a DW vacation planning assistant, it is toll free # or go on line and get their DVD planning trip guide. It really explains the entire DW package.

Answer 7

My favorite Disney Resort is Disney's Boardwalk. It has shops and resturants outside the hotel on the boardwalk. They also have kid stuff to do like games and stuff. Also you can see the fireworks from Ecopt from the boardwalk.. And you can walk to Ecopt and MGM from the Boardwalk. The rooms were nice..especially the villas (lots of room). Disney's Wildreness Cabins are good for children too.. The cabins are big with your own kitchen and they also have a chip and dale campfire where you watch movies on the property.
hope this helps.

Answer 8

My son is 7 and He loved the Pop Century resort hotel, located on Disney property. Its one of the most affordable.

Answer 9

As for the best place for the kids, my family thoroughly enjoyed Holiday Inn's Nick Hotel (Nickelodeon)
Located on 24 fabulous acres, in the middle of Orlando, Florida
One mile from the excitement of Walt Disney World Resort
Minutes from Universal Orlando, SeaWorld, and tons of other attractions
Just 20 minutes from Orlando International Airport (MCO)

Go to www.nickhotel.com for further details
(I promise the children will never want to leave)

Answer 10

All Star MOVIES or POP Century. Both are great kid hotels on the Disney property. Make sure to make reservations at "Chef Mickey's" for breakfast or dinner. Its a character buffet and its really cool. Check it out online. You will need reservations as it fills up fast. I love it!