Which Disney Hotel would be best for me and my husband?

Question

We want to go to Walt Disney World in either Dec or Feb, and we want to stay on-site (we think) in a nice hotel, before we have kids (about 3 years), and so we are trying to decide which hotel to stay in.
Grand Floridian
Polynesian
Swan
Dolphin
Contemporary
any other choices

Also what is the difference in the swan and dolphin? or is it simply better to stay off site in a nice hotel? Also which room should we get? Thanks!

Answer 1

All of Disney's resorts are nice, but the deluxe resorts are top knotch and, in my opinion, well worth the extra money. If you want to stay somewhere really special, deluxe is the way to go.

I really think any of the deluxe resorts would be a good choice, if you want more space, the villas are also nice. I personally stay at Grand Floridian and Polynesian the most, they are my favorite resorts. But, I also really like the Yacht and Beach Club as well as Boardwalk. Again, they are all great choices. It just depends on the theme you like best, which area you would like to be in (EPCOT, Magic Kingdom, etc) if you would like to have the added benefit of the monorail, etc. Once you have all those factors decided on, you can pick which hotel will be the best for you.


Swan and Dolphin is a nice resort, but even though you are paying a little more for the resort, you still don't get all of the benefits of staying at one of Disney's onsite hotels, the biggest is that you cannot add on the dining plan, which is a great plan and would make your stay even nicer. I've stayed at both Swan and Dolphin, they are nice resorts, have several nice restaurants, etc. But I would still rather stay at one of Disney's resorts.

I definitely think that staying onsite is the way to go, you get so many benefits. Usually the offsite resorts won't save you much to begin with and once you start adding up all the extra things you will have to get, you will end up spending more. Personally, I would rather stay onsite in a lower resort than go offsite. If you don't plan to spend the majority of your time at Disney, then it is another story, but if you plan to go mostly to Disney and maybe a few other places, it is a lot nicer to stay onsite. Of course different people have different opinions, but in my experiences going to Disney so many times I've lost count, staying onsite is the way I prefer to go. I've stayed at many of the nicer hotels in Orlando and not many compare to the qualiy and service at Disney and there are some offsite hotels that I wouldn't even step foot in.


Here are a few of the benefits of staying onsite:

1). Better transportation- Especially if you need to rest in the middle of the day. Many offsite hotels, if they offer a shuttle (if they don't that is an additional cost you will have to pay) only run in the morning and in evening. You usually need to schedule the shuttle, etc. It can also be a long ride and take away a good portion of your time at the park. Onsite transportation is fast and easy, and it runs all day. Depending on where you would stay you have different transportation options, all resorts offer buses, some of them offer boat transportation and three offer a monorail for transportation.

2). You can take advantage of the Disney dining plan. This plan can save you 40% off of your food and you get to eat at the nicer restaurants that you may not eat at otherwise. It is a great deal.

3). Disney offers promotions for just about every date of the year. Unless you are going in the next few weeks, you should still be able to get a promotion for your dates. Currently they are offering free ticket upgrades, but they often offer free dining, especially during value season. So if you add up the saving there, you will more than likely be spending less, or possibly a little more than an offsite hotel, but you get all of the extra benefits and probably a lot more included.

4) The Disney touch- When you stay at Disney you know you are going to be staying at a nice place. I've gone past some of hotels that offer lower rates, and in some cases the same rates as Disney's hotels, and I think I would be afraid to go inside. Most of them aren't very clean, they can be a few miles away, etc. Also, you get the Disney service. If there is a problem, Disney will go above and beyond to try and fix the problem and do everything they can to make up for it. Even in cases where it isn't even their problem, they try their best to compensate in some way.

5). You can charge purchases to a room card so you don't have to bring your credit cards and cash with you everywhere you go.

6). Parking is free at your resort and you will also get free parking for the theme parks and some of the other places on property.

7). You packages can be delivered to your room. I know this doesn't sound like much now. But when you are in the parks, it is hot, you've been there all day, your tired and you have a ton of purchases to carry around, put on the bus, take back to the room (especially if you have kids that have purchases and/or diaper bags, strollers, etc.) it is nice to be able to make your purchase and then let Disney deliver it to your room.

8). Disney also offers Magical Express. Now, this isn't the best service and it does have some room for improvement, but it is also free. So that is another $100 or so dollars that you can save just for your transfer to and from the airport.




To answer your last question, it really just depends on what you are looking for, how much you want to spend, etc. If you really don't plan to spend a lot of time in the room, then standard views may be fine, you save a little money that you can use on other things. If you plan to be in the room more,then upgrading to a nicer view is usually money well spent. Just be sure to look over what each view means and what the rooms are like, if you feel the upgrade is worth it, then you can always make that decision. Since you will more than likely book your room before promotions come out, you may get upgraded to a better view when discounts come out, or save enough that you can spend a little more. I feel that concierge rooms are the way to go, but again it just depends what you want and how much you want to spend.


I've gone to Disney tons of times and stayed in just about every room and stayed at every resort, so if you have any questions, feel free to e-mail me.

I've included some links to help you with your decision. Both sites have lots of info and should really help you learn the pros and cons of each resort, the different views, etc.



Have fun with your planning!

Answer 2

First off, if you aren't commited to going in the winter: DON'T. You run the risk of getting there during a cold spell (there's a reason why most of their cheapest rates are during the winter months, and also why September is low as well with the threat of hurricanes). October or November is best (and the food & wine festival is going on at that time).

Before you commit yourself to a 'deluxe', consider that the moderate resorts are more spread out (meaning, more quiet). And 'Coronado Springs' on top of that is a 'convention' hotel which means less kids & a health club (which none of the other moderates have). And it is possible to enjoy some of the ambience of the other hotels by wandering their grounds, sitting in their lobbies, and eating at their restaurants and shopping at their stores. (Caribbean Beach might be too spread out, it means more bus stops within the resort, meaning longer transit times - but that might be a plus if you are looking for some quiet time).

Grand Floridian is definitely a nice hotel to visit (great to sit in the lobby there, plus Citricos is excellent), but since it's a non-stop trip on the Monorail to the Magic Kingdom there, it's also a kid magnet.

The deluxe hotels have interior corridors instead of exterior. Plus: you might get a private balcony. Minus: thinner walls between room & foot traffic, meaning possibly more noise.

If it's 'park convenience' that concerns you the most: For Magic Kingdom you want a 'monorail' resort: GF, Contemporary, or the Polynesian. For Epcot & the Studios: Boardwalk, Yacht & Beach Club, or Swan or Dolphin (can walk right into Epcot, or even the Studios if you are ambitious). The hotels around the Boardwalk give you better access to the Boardwalk area (no direct bus transportation from it to other resorts).

Wilderness Lodge can take a long time to get to and back. And Fort Wilderness is a 1,000 times worse for travel. And the All Star resorts are noisy kid magnets.

Answer 3

You have a ton of hotels that may suit your needs. If you dont want an official Disney Hotel but would like the benifits that come with disney hotels such as extra magic hours and Disney Transportation then I would suggest the Swan and Dolphin or the Hilton by Downtown Disney on Hotel Plaza Blvd. These are non disney owned hotels that are actually on disney property and whose guest can take advantage of extra magic hours. They are normal hotels and dont have all the kiddie disney stuff. The swan and dolphin are gorgeous resorts in thier own right. If these still dont suite your taste. Then your still left with many options in every price range. Marriott World Center is just outside the park boundries and is huge and gorgeous. Hyatt Grand Cypress is HUGE and amazing and just outside the parks boundries as well. There are also holiday inn, ramadas and other mid range resorts all in close range to the park. A note if your not renting a car is that just because they may say at the park entrance you are actually still miles from the actual parks Disney is HUGE. If I were to chose your hotel I would say book the swan and dolphin. It sounds exactly what your looking for. I think they are owned by Starwood Properties who owns Sheratons

Answer 4

The Swan and Dolphin charge to park in their hotel parking lot. Like $11 every time you drive in...not cool. They aren't "true Disney hotels" as they are run by Westin. The Grand Floridian is big and beautiful. I like the volcano pool at the Polynesian. The Contemporary is a little bland for a theme. For a look at everything, www.allearsnet.com. We love the Animal Kingdom Lodge, it's relaxing to us to watch giraffes chewing. Very pretty, and the restaurants are excellent. The mid priced hotels have full sized beds, small and not romantic for two people having quality time together.

Answer 5

I always recommend staying at more than one resort. My family likes to move around. That way you get to experience all of the conveniences and see more of the beautiful resorts -- and at Christmas time, they are all decorated amazingly.
For example, you could stay two nights in the Magic Kingdom at the Polynesian, Contemporary, Wilderness Lodge or Grand Floridian, and enjoy all of the benefits of being right there. The Contemporary is within walking distance of the MK entrance, and WL, the Poly and the GF all have ferries that take you right from the resort to the entrance.
After that, two days in Epcot allows you to stay at the Yacht and Beach Club, the Boardwalk or the Swan and Dolphin. All are within walking distance of Epcot's international area and have ferries going back and forth to the boardwalk area.
As for the difference between the Swan and Dolphin, they are resorts that are not Disney owned, but are on property and offer many of the same benefits. They also offer great internet specials from time to time.
Then if you want, do a night or two in Animal Kingdom and experience that resort and park too.
The best part is just not having to commute -- you're not waiting for the bus to take you back to your resort because you're already there.
Have a great time and go ahead and spoil yourself with concierge level rooms. You'll love it, and the food and drinks.

Answer 6

Definitely stay on-site at the Grand Floridian, Polynesian, Contemporary, Animal Kingdom Lodge, or Port Orleans Riverside they are all really nice. They will be romantic for you before you have kids. The only difference between the Swan and Dolphin is ones a swan and ones a dolphin. They are across the street from each other. Good luck!

Answer 7

well, you should definitly stay at a deluxe resort. these resorts are perfect for families or for families without children, because they have the best service, transportation and the best locations all around. they have specialty things that are great for couples like signature resraunts,clubs,bars,etc. i highly reccomend you stay at either the contemporary,grand floridian,or the polynesian. i reccomend these because they have the monorail, and this saves you so much time. they also offer 5 star restraunts that can be found inside the resort that you will love. these are the top 3 priceiest hotels an i have stayed at all 3 and have njoyed each one alot. preferably the contemporary though. if you want a moderate priced hotel also, i would reccomend the port orleans french quarter, NOT the riverside. it is way to crowded there. you would like the french quarter alot though because it is themed as a small town i new orleans, and has brick roads throughout it, creativly named road names, gardens galore, and is very peaceful and romantic. this is what i reccomend, and i am staying at the port orleans french quarter when i go back for my 8th time in 2008, and i stayed there this februrary and loved it!!

have fun, i know you will!!

Answer 8

I would highly recommend staying on site. You can go to Disney's website and do a resort comparison, which will allow you to see which resorts have which features in a side-by-side comparison. Check out http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/resorts/resortBenefitComparison?id=BOSOPResortCategoryComparisonPage

Personally, my husband and I enjoyed the Wilderness Lodge - it is beautiful, located on the lake, and has a great pool area - we spent our honeymoon there. We also LOVED the Animal Kingdom Lodge - again, a beautiful resort, nice rooms, wonderful pool area - plus you get the bonus of seeing the animals and some fabulous restaurants.

I think a Disney vacation before children is a great idea - there are some phenomenal restaurants on Disney property, and so much for adults to do. If you do decide to go in December, keep in mind the time between Christmas and New Year's will be very crowded and very busy! Have a great time :)

Answer 9

We just stayed at the Yact Club resort! It was beautiful!!!! The pool has a sand bottom! You can take shuttles to each park or even take a boat over to a couple of the parks! If you want a great room with excellent service! Hope this helps

Answer 10

Of the choices you have mentioned I have stayed in the Contemporary and the Polynesian. I highly recommed the Polynesian it is beautiful and has great resturaunts. We have since decided to stay at the value resorts and go more often. But, you will nave no regrets with this decision.

Answer 11

The Swan or Dolphin very nice!