Criteria for choosing your resort

[LimeGreenCheri]

What criteria do you use for choosing a resort? For us, the main criteria is our budget. But what other things are you looking for? Is it the location? The theming? The amenities?

[MargaretJ]

Budget is our main criteria. If we go Values I do like All Star Movies the best & if we go Moderate I like Port Orleans Riverside the best. One day when budget is not the main criteria you will see me at The Beach Club - location, location, location!

[MissBianca]

Since we have no kids :( and both have good jobs, budget is not a prime consideration for Bernard and I. I have to say we follow our hearts!

So, let's see...I've stayed at the GF because I fell in love with it from the monorail before it was even open and the AKL because I love LOVE LOVE animals and watching them from my balcony was everything I've ever dreamed.

But the Beach Club has our hearts for the long term. That locationis just tops--especially the minute walk to the World Showcase. I also love the fresh feel of the place, goofing with Goofy at breakfast, Beaches and Cream, the pools. It's casual enough to feel homey while having a beautiful theme and all the amenities I can imagine needing. And there's something so nice about being told, "Welcome Back!" when you come in the door...

[AndyL]

For me budget and length of stay mean the same thing. I want the maximum time I can get at Disney World so I'll chose a resort whose cost fit the amount of time I want to vacation.

[cshore]

Right now, frequent trips seem to be what we are doing, so $$$ is important. We usually stay at a moderate. For our winter trips a hot tub is a must. Love soaking in the evenings. I won't be happy until I stay in every resort at least once though.

[LuvmeDisney]

I kinda go for budget combined with location. Having stayed at most resorts on site, I can say that I would stay at most again. It probably comes down to price.

LInda

[Bookwood]

For us (at least until now) budget has been the main thing. WE have only stayed at ASMo (3 times) and Dolphin (twice)- the dolphin stays were paid for with Starwood points DH collects on his business trips. However, as the kids grow up and leave (someone tell me they do eventually leave? :rofl: ) I am hoping future trips will be spent for location and themeing DH wants to try the Poly and I think Beach Club would be great. (I'm still hoping someday for a DVC membership though)

Bookwood

[Tagrel]

Our first trip in 1998 (with a 1.5 year old) was originally at Dixie Landings. Using the wonders of the internet, I heard about great discounts at Villas at the Disney Institute (a water view one bedroom unit with full kitchen) for just over the Moderate rate I had. So we switched. While it didn't have much Disney theming or great pools, it was wonderful having all that space and the kitchen. The loft bedroom was great with our baby sleeping downstairs in her crib. I think it was this room along with driving through OKW on the bus that set us up to eventually buy DVC.

Next trip it was the same. Reserved moderate, waited for codes to be able to afford an 'upgrade'. Got a great YC rate. Fell in love with YC, SAB - Location, SAB and amenities. Two stays here (both at great discounts) and we were Hooked big time, so DVC here we come.

I always loved the WL, but never got to try it. When we bought DVC they were selling VWL and building BCV. Now, I KNEW we'd be buying at BCV, 'cause we HAD to be able to stay there! I'm glad we didn't wait because now we split our vacation and we love it! We focus on the MK area when at WL and then Epcot/MGM while at BCV.

Now, we hope to try out all the different Disney resorts as 'filler' when needed. We tried AKL August 2002, GF last Christmas and look forward to trying an All Stars for a night in Dec this year. I don't think there is anywhere we would NOT stay - we'd love to try them all! But a healthy discount is required to try the deluxes! Those rack rates are WAY to high! :shock:

[mickeefan]

We have always been budget orientated until our 2001 trip. We had stayed exclusively at the CBR for ,I have lost count, trips. In 2001 there was a special offer for residents of certain states and Va, was included.We tried the Contemporary and loved the convenience of it. I just loved being on the monorail. Last year we were to be back at CBR, but were displaced so we were able to try the Polynesian. This is one beautiful resort. Again I loved the monorail. The longer bus rides at the CBR really get to me.The deluxe just seemed to add something to our trip for us.
I guess I have been spoiled as we are going back to the Contemporary in December. Both of us have very bad knees and this just seems to work better for us. Our children are grown so we can handle the difference in price. I still look for the best price such as AP. Looking back, I think about how close I came to joining the DVC the first year it was offered.

[disneylover]

For us it is how long the trip will be.If it's under a week then we go a moderate unless I can find a code for the delux hotels.If it's anything over a week then it's either the Poly or the AKL.First choice would be the the Poly.With both a boy and a girl teens we have too have the bigger beds and the day bed.

[Sandfisher]

First of all, right now, it's budget. We like CBR and can afford that and still have a nice trip because we fly from PA -- not driving that distance is part of the enhancement of the trip!
Miss Bianca, I think I'd like to travel with you.......I fell in love with the Gr. Floridian before it was finished also, but I think I'd love the Beach Club. It's waiting in the wings when I feel comfy spending a few more $$. We really do like CBR, more than just the moderate cost.
Sandy

[Sheryl]

I have a goal like many here to stay at each and every Disney resort. I do have to say the WL is our favorite so far with CS taking a close second. Basically when it comes time for our planning, I look around and we make it a family choice. It always helps if there is a good code. I have promised the bys that on our next trip we will spend some time at either BC or YC so they can enjoy Stormalong Bay.

Basically, as long as I am at disney and on property, I'm Happy.

Sheryl :minnie:

[kathi]

We have stayed at a number of the resorts in all different catagories. Although price is always a consideration, for the past 5 or 6 years we have only stayed at deluxe resorts, but had great rates with AP or codes.

Since we usually only go for 5 days/4 nights it's not that bad on cost.

Right now our heart belongs to AKL. I just love the theming, the smell, the lushness of the whole resort. The rooms are a bit small, but with just the 2 of us it's not a big deal. It is sorta out of the way, but the atmosphere more than makes up for it.

My mom and dad love WL and we will all be staying there in December. The holiday decorations really make that the first choice for December.

We hope to try one of the Disney Epcot Resorts (we have stayed at the Swan) for the location. Epcot is my favorite park (by a lot) and my goal is aways to see Illuminiation as many times in a trip as possible. We never seem to find super good rates for BC, YC and BW but hopefully someday we will be able to stay there.

My husband also really wants to try out the Poly. We have heard great things about that resort from so many people. After we have children Poly will probably be on our list since it is so convenient to MK.

As for the Moderates, we love PO-FQ. The smaller size and romantic atmopshere are really lovely.

kathi

[Brer]

Until I joined DVC, it was budget, so we stayed at POR or POFQ. The location was very good, but after looking into DVC, I decided that we could have both,but if we run out of points ,we stay at Moderates or WL ,Contem or AKL IF ...we can get a good discount

[TwirlerGirl]

Our criterias for choosing a resort are location, location and did I mention location.

After numerous stays off site due to budget, we were determined to stay on property. When selecting a resort our first choice has always been the Poly for the location and themeing. We also liked PO and CB.

Our stay in Sept. '97 was in the downtown Disney area, not a single room available on site except something called DVC. They had a 2 bedroom available, we passed since it was just the two of us, asked for info on it for the next family trip. Our hotel room was OK but nothing to get excited about and bus wait time was terrible. With disappointment in our hotel raining on our parade and a lot of wet wheather, those bus trip back to the hotel got to us. Wet, tired, smelly, no view, long waits for transportation; the DVC thingy peek our interest. We toured and purchased.

To say that DVC filled all our WDW vacation needs of location, amenities and themeing would be actuate. It fits our budget, it is flexiable enough so we can vacation when ever we want and has great locations and themeing. I know its' not for everyone but for us its' just right

Sandy

[Cinderella]

Well, I always tell my DH I choose by budget but.................doesn't really end up that way (shush.....don't tell him!). When I first went with ex-husband the year after DW opened, DD was about 4 and we stayed with grandmother-in-law so we just paid for MK "rides" (remember "E" tickets being the best). The second trip DD was about 8 and DS was about 4 and again stayed with ex-in-laws and drove to see MK (the only park again that was open). Then when DS was 13 we stayed at a Holiday Inn outside DW for one night (ex-mother-in-law picked us up from airport and let us stay there even though I was divorced from her son).
Then married DH and spent honeymoon at Polynesian (monorail view???) and went with the AE/AA plan - very expensive but it WAS our honeymoon.
Next trip we stayed at WL and LOVED it and got a decent rate. Next trip was CS and rate was even better and we loved that too. This time we're going back to WL and the rate is not very good due to the MOUSEFEST being held. Still hoping for a cheaper rate or change in rooms before we go.
I love staying inside DW and am willing to pay for it (even though a cheaper hotel room would mean trips more often).
So, I try to get cheaper rates etc. but want to stay in the resorts we love at the same time.
ONLY 45 DAYS TO GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
:minnie: :mickeyXmas: :clap: :boyears: :girlears:

Cinderella

[HappyCamper]

Well, ours is a tough decision, lol. If we want to stay on property with the camper, we have to stay at Fort Wilderness. The decision is made for us.

The two times I took trips with friends, they made the decision. (I'm easy.)

A few times, DH and I flew in alone and we've decided that we want to try the various resorts when we take these short trips. But, price is also a concern since I just can't force myself to pay $$$ for a room that I only spend the night in.

DH doesn't like All-Stars, so it looks like it'll be the moderates for us. OK, now I understand: as long as the location is on property, it's $$ that speaks!

Whew! That was tough, but enlightening! :D

[TiggersPal]

Budget is usually our first consideration unless DH has a business trip there and then we try to stay at the most expensive place his work will pay for ! LOL

But since we have 4 kids now, we will probably be staying at the All Stars for the forseeable future unless one of us hits the lottery or inherits a truckload of cash because affording 2 All Star rooms is definitely preferable to even trying to cram 6 of us into one room and affording 2 rooms anywhere but the All Stars is probably out of the price range.

We come from Arkansas, always fly becuase we go when the kids are in school, and try to stay as long as possible since we rarely get to go more then 1 time per year and sometimes we have to skip years. And its less expensive, I think, for us to stay longer for one trip than to afford airline fare, etc. for more than 1 trip a year.

Hopefully DH will have lots of new clients in Orlando and we will be able to drive down sometime, but not till the boys are older! LOL

We have stayed at the Contemporary 2 times, which we all just love, ALl Star Sports, PO-FQ, Caribbean Beach 2 times (once on our honeymoon) and Coronado Springs. And of course my goal is to stay at all of the resorts, but I really can't wait to try AKL and WL!

[AmyA]

Well, our primary consideration is budget. However, we're lucky-DH is in the Army so we qualify for SoG so we get the best of both worlds: great price and fabulous locations! This last year, we have benefitted even more than usually possible from SoG. We've gotten to/will get to stay at the CR for $80/night and in January we get to stay at the BWI for $164/night.

I can honestly say that qualifying for SoG is the only thing that I am going to miss when Lance gets out of the Army in 1/2006.