So, I think we've decided to go to Walt Disney World at some point this year. I haven't been there in ages, and could spend the next decade recollecting my obsession with getting Chip and Dale to eat bacon with me, but I'm actually here to ask you for help: Which resort should we vacation at? I've been researching all night, and I can barely even narrow it down. I'm obviously digging their Pop Century Resort, what with all of its giant Rubik's Cubes and shit, but that seems to be on the lower end of the spectrum -- maybe we should just save that for a day trip. The Tiki lover in me wants to hit the Polynesian Resort, but I'm a little turned off by the idea of family style eating. The woman seems into all of the wilderness-related resorts, but I'm not sure we'll be able to stomach five nights of that. I know, I know -- the park is the main attraction, but I'm all about a good hotel. If you've had any fairly recent Disney experiences, please share 'em in the comments. Would love to get some ideas from people I can trust. I can trust you, right?
New article or two coming this weekend. Hope you'll be around for the SNT. I think I'll be.
REPLIES: 97 comments
I've never even been close to going to Disney. 
Sorry I'm of no help. But I think that's sweet, saying that you can trust us and all. 
Chestnuts roasted by Ryane @ 03/23/2006 10:44 PM EST
Pop Century Resort, its bad---ass.
Chestnuts roasted by joe @ 03/23/2006 10:45 PM EST
Joe, I can't tell if you're saying it's "badass," meaning "good," or "bad...ass," meaning "bad." But that's what I like about you, Joe. You always keep me guessing.
Chestnuts roasted by Matt @ 03/23/2006 10:48 PM EST
Caribbean Beach is really nice. It's one step up (monetarily) from the All-Star Resorts. All of the sections are named after different Caribbean Islands and it's huge with 5 pools and beaches all over the place. I also stayed at the Beach Club. It's across from the Boardwalk area and you can walk to Epcot. Very, very nice but also very expensive. I only got to stay there because my friend is a Vacation Club member and used points.
Chestnuts roasted by Y2JB78 @ 03/23/2006 10:48 PM EST
I've never been but the Review the World guy just got back from Disney World, so they could possibly share something. And since I brought you this information in advanced, I get credit on anything he says. I'm giving myself a pat on the back as I type.
Chestnuts roasted by dohopoki @ 03/23/2006 10:59 PM EST
Maybe I'm just habitual, but I still like the Contemporary. Hot monorail action.
Chestnuts roasted by Kim @ 03/23/2006 11:04 PM EST
It's my 19th Birthday today!
I never stayed at a Disney Hotel whenever I went. I assume you want to stay the hell away from that Holiday Inn that got taken over by Nickelodeon as much as possible.
And if you don't want to associate with Nick at all, don't go neat the Universal parks.
Chestnuts roasted by Invader Norbert @ 03/23/2006 11:20 PM EST
My only trip to the sunshine state, and therefore Disney World, came in the form of a high school band trip. Upon eating breakfast in Animal Kingdom I believe, my party and I were attacked by the photogenic Donald Duck and Mickey Mouse. The only notable picture is a snapshot of me presenting the Blue Shocker and Disney's favortie mallard doing likewise.
Long story short: I got Donald Duck to do the Shocker.
Chestnuts roasted by Warx @ 03/23/2006 11:23 PM EST
stay at coronado springs real nice and private. They have paddle boats, arcade bikes and great food. No werid people sight seeing while you swim or eat. Real nice rooms. I have stayed at many of the resorts and this a real vacation from the crowded parks
Chestnuts roasted by Daniel @ 03/23/2006 11:23 PM EST
Awesome awesome awesome... it's so cool to see you want to go to Disney World. I'm 27 and my boyfriend is 28, and we often feel like we're the only people our age who get excited about it. I'll share what I know:
I don't know when you're planning your trip, but after years of family trips there in June/July, me and the boyfriend went in September a few years back. It blew me away how much better everything was. Ten minute waits for rides, cheaper rooms and tickets, cooler weather, most of the little bastards back in school... so the next time we went in January. That was really good too, but since it's kinda the off-off-season, quite a few rides were closed. I'd recommend any time that isn't summer, but the fall's been the best for us.
Pop Century is a great value, and a hell of a lot better than you'd get paying the same price at a "regular" hotel, but pretty basic for Disney. We were going for economy the time we stayed there, and we weren't disappointed at all. But my favorite of all time is Port Orleans Riverside. Everything's sort of tucked away among the trees (in the Bayou section- the other side is done up like antebellum mansions) and you can take a riverboat ride to Downtown Disney for all the nightlife activities. The whole place was romantic and relaxing.
I've stayed at the Polynesian with my family and eaten at the Grand Floridian, but they were both so spectacularly fancy that I felt too poor to even be there. I know everyone wears shorts and t-shirts at Disney but I just felt extra-shabby.
passporter.com is a great website to O.D. on Disney stuff.
Chestnuts roasted by Welsh Rabbit @ 03/23/2006 11:44 PM EST
Oh - you should totally go to the Hooters. Man, they got chicken wings.
Chestnuts roasted by gramsci @ 03/23/2006 11:58 PM EST
I agree with the Hooters guy.
Chestnuts roasted by Kyle @ 03/24/2006 12:05 AM EST
We took a trip there this summer. The Hilton in the Walt Disney World Resort was more than acceptable. The rooms are pretty standard, but nice, and clean. A couple resturants, pools, gym, etc etc. Shuttles to all the Disney parks and only a few minutes ride to Universal (and if you don't go to the Universal Islands of Adventure you've really missed out. Marvel comics, Dr Suess, and classic cartoon "lands".) It's also the closest hotel to the Disney Marketplace which has more than enough things to do to kill your nights.
Chestnuts roasted by four50four @ 03/24/2006 12:21 AM EST
Matt,
I actually just got back from Disney last week--it was awesome! I didn't have the loot to spring for a Disney resort--although, I agree with you, Pop Century looks too damn cool. We stayed in a pretty cheap hotel we scored off of Travelocity, but the drive to the parks was only 10 minutes or so, so it wasn't too bad, although rental cars can be a bitch. That's another plus about the resorts, though, they'll shuttle you all over the place. No matter what you choose in the end, you'll have an awesome time!
Chestnuts roasted by Review the World @ 03/24/2006 12:24 AM EST
Come on, man - don't you think that you'll have kids at some point? Isn't now the time to be going to... I don't know, Prague or something?
Well, Hooters is cool too, I guess...
Chestnuts roasted by Gunther @ 03/24/2006 12:27 AM EST
Amsterdam is another option... if not now, then when?
Chestnuts roasted by Gunther @ 03/24/2006 12:30 AM EST
first of all, hurray for welsh rabbit. what's up with nobody who was born pre-1980 liking wdw anymore?
if you're fired up about the wilderness business, wilderness lodge rules. or the cabins at fort wilderness if you want to feel like you're camping but still have air-conditioning and a bed and showers and a tv etc.
the contemporary, up until a year or two ago, had the most rad arcade in the history of the universe. somehow, there were still 20+ pre-1988 video games there. may hae been replaced by 'pamela anderson's slammin and jammin mtn dew fantasy' by now but you can go and see the spot where the 'dig-dug' was from 1982-2005.
Chestnuts roasted by consulatsunset @ 03/24/2006 12:45 AM EST
I've always been a fan of the Wilderness Lodge. The setting is pretty cool if you like the woods...duh. They have a geyser there. I've heard that the hotel by Animal Kingdom is pretty cool...you're supposed to be able to see giraffes and zebras and stuff from your window.
Chestnuts roasted by EtHM @ 03/24/2006 12:52 AM EST
Unfortunately my experience with WDW is limited to the Travel Channel so about all I know is if it's Christmas you can go to the Grand Floridian to see the awesome gingerbread house.
Chestnuts roasted by squee4242 @ 03/24/2006 01:30 AM EST
The wife is determined to visit Disneyland Paris while we are here stationed in Germany.
Oh, and sorry for being a grumpy poster lately. Lack of NFL football on television will do that to a man.
Semper Fi,
Erik Majorwitz
Chestnuts roasted by Erik Majorwitz @ 03/24/2006 04:58 AM EST
Hey Matt,
Ok, so I've been to Disney World like 9 times and I've found that you NEED to get a resort in the magic Kingdom area if you want your moneys worth. The pop century resort is cheap because it's like a 20 minute bus ride to the magic kingdom, which is where you'll quickly find you spend the most time at. Animal Kingdom is great, MGM is too small, and Epcot's ok if you're into learning, but the real reason for a trip to Disney World is for the child like escapism element, which you will achieve in spades at Magic Kingdom. That said, I would suggest the Contemporary Resort, The polynesian, or the Wilderness lodge. Each has their own good things going on. I'll run it down for ya.
Contemporary Resort -- Gay decor, but a 10 minute walk from the park which is really really nice. you don't want to spend half your trip waiting for the bus at your hotel.
Wilderness Lodge -- Great theme at this one, and you can take a boat to the park. It's got geyser's and stuff like that behind the hotel and it's tucked away and cozy.
Polynesian -- Always a good bet. Great theme and you are a 5 or 10 minute monorail ride from the magic Kingdom, and you can walk to the transportation center which has quick bus rides and limited monorail service everywhere else.
Grand Floridian -- While also within minutes of the magic kingsdom it's a tremendous waste of money. Avoid.
So anyway, in my humble opinion, these are your best choices for a great time there. The wife and I are going down this december and staying at the wilderness lodge. Hope I was a little bit of a help.
Chestnuts roasted by TC Falcon @ 03/24/2006 08:51 AM EST
The wilderness lodge is really a nice hotel, and so is the grand floridian (although as stated above, really pricy compared to the others). Over the two I'd say the wilderness lodge is a better value though. Don't waste your time on the polynesian. I stayed there my last trip and it was a complete fiasco. never had a problem at the GF or WL though.
Chestnuts roasted by Drez @ 03/24/2006 08:56 AM EST
Sorry Matt, I've never been around there so I'm no help. I'm sure will turn out well though. Oh, and I cannot wait for those new articles!
Chestnuts roasted by Les Paul @ 03/24/2006 09:14 AM EST
Wilderness Lodge is very nice. Would satisfy your lady ( a must) and has many cool amenities. The pool/geyser situation is nice. The trip to the Magic Kingdom is by ferry, which is cool. The lobby is full of huge totem poles and such. I enjoyed it. The Contemporary imho is so outdated it's to the point of sad, but it does have the monorail running through it..
Chestnuts roasted by mvdb @ 03/24/2006 09:45 AM EST
Never been, but I agree with your woman. Do what she wants.
Chestnuts roasted by Jessica Marie @ 03/24/2006 09:55 AM EST
Well, even though I'm a 25 year old loser who hs never personally been to a Disney park, I do have seperate family members who have enjoyed the All-Star Music.
Chestnuts roasted by Rhino @ 03/24/2006 09:59 AM EST
Matt,
I am still fresh from Disney! We stayed at the allstar movies resort. It is on the value end but so what, we only slept there! The allstar resort had a Toy Story theme which was cool because it had a three story Woody, sorry couldn't help it. The Pop Century looked cool with the giant rubix cube and other stuff. If you want to go on the higher end the Grand Floridian is nice too. Stayed in both but if I am paying, I go value. You can spend more at the parks and not feel too bad. Anyway, got a ton of stuff on Disney World so just ask. My wife is a Disney geek and I have two friends who did the exchange worker program. Also a tip, I know you, like myself love Halloween. The entire month of October is dedicated to HW there and looks really cool. Also there are Mickey shaped pumpkins at Mickeys house in the Magic Kingdom.
Chestnuts roasted by Tigerfan @ 03/24/2006 10:07 AM EST
Wish I could help. I've never even been to Florida. I would say just hit up the Hilton.
As for not wanting family style dining, I don't blame you. I could never stand all those family restaurants that my "family man" friends would drag me into. I am soooo not ready for that lifestyle yet!
Chestnuts roasted by Nate @ 03/24/2006 11:08 AM EST
MAtt,
I've been to WDW about 15 times. Stayed at a few of the hotels, and completely agree on getting one INSIDE the park.
The GF is nice, but pricey.
The Contemporary is ok. I'm aprtial to it becuase that's where we stayed at when I was a kid with my folks and brothers.
Never been to the Wilderness REosrt.
The Beach Club, I thought was the nicest, but can pricey also.
I've also statyed at the SWan and Dolphin. Those were really nice, and about half the price of the Grand Floridian.
If you're going budget, any of the theme hotels are pretty much standard hotel fare, with themes.
I think it depends on how much money your willing to spend. You can't go wrong, especially since you get shuttled to the parks. Man,I need to go back there.
Chestnuts roasted by Darth Galvatron @ 03/24/2006 11:10 AM EST
I stayed at pop century last year and thoroughly enjoyed myself. There are nicer resorts, but for the minimal amount of time I spent at the hotel it worked nice. PC has has a ton of pools.
Chestnuts roasted by BlackCloud @ 03/24/2006 11:14 AM EST
Oh, and don't just do whatever your girl wants! When's the last time you ever succeeded with a woman just by giving her whatever she wants like a total wuss bag! (for those of you who don't know what I'm tlaking about, read David DeAngelo; his stuff works)
Chestnuts roasted by Nate @ 03/24/2006 11:16 AM EST
It seems Rhino, Les Paul and myself are the last 3 humans on the planet that have not been to Disney... ( I really wish that looked like a sad face 
)
Chestnuts roasted by Ryane @ 03/24/2006 11:55 AM EST
I've never been to DW, either. and the only DL visit I had was as a wee babe. There's a pic of me and Tigger (who's been one of my spirtual mentors) but that's about it.
There used to be a site that had photos of ugly people and bad fashions seen at theme parks, but I can't find it now. Just wanted to inspire you to use your camera in unexpected ways.
Chestnuts roasted by kingklash @ 03/24/2006 12:31 PM EST
Go to Conch Flats. Its a really nice resort. Me and the Fam went there, we had our own kitchen. Youc an walk aroiund and go golfing and they have their own arcade with the old Simpsons game and Star Wars Pinball. You can also rent movies there, really shitty movies though. If your not into that, stay at the Contemporary, a true calssic to be assured. I stayed at the Polynesian back in 1987, it was pretty nice. I'm sure its changed since then. The Grand Floridian, pretty much a giant hotel. Conch Flats, is probably the best one I can suggest, Matt. Hope you enjoy your trip no matter what though. PS-Don't forget to ride The Aerosmith Rock-N-Rollercoaster
Chestnuts roasted by Rixliss @ 03/24/2006 12:46 PM EST
I've never been either, Ryane. Farthest south I've ever been is Atlanta, but it's just not the same.
Chestnuts roasted by Jessica Marie @ 03/24/2006 12:51 PM EST
I'm 24, I've never been to WDW, and I hate my parents for it. Actually, I don't hate my parents. I do find it funny though when I tell people I have never been to said park, they are suprised and they almost seem to feel bad for me.
Chestnuts roasted by Geoffinsanity @ 03/24/2006 02:10 PM EST
Here's another to add to the list of never-been-to-Disney-anything. Well, except The Disney Store that used to be in the mall here, but somehow that's not quite the same.
Living in Missouri, my family theme-park vacations usually wound up at Silver Dollar City in Branson, which has some sort of "late-1800s" theme going on. Those were all mostly back in the days when Branson was mostly vacant save for SDC and a few country-music theatres, but nothing like the "Vegas if it were run by Ned Flanders" aspect it's got going on now.
I did used to own stock in EuroDisney though, thanks to a Christmas gift from my stockbroker aunt the year it opened (somewhere between '88-90?). I eventually cashed it out for not much of a sum, but I understand these days the park is finally profitable. Go figure.
Chestnuts roasted by lugnut @ 03/24/2006 02:15 PM EST
I had the pleasure of staying at the Caribbean Beach. It was a nice place and not too expensive. While they had the beech and pools we never utilized them because we were always in the parks.
The one thing that I did not like about Caribbean was there was only one food court in the complex. We had the misfortune of being on the other side of the lake which required us to walk around the lake anytime we wanted to use it.
Not something you would consider fun after days of walking in the parks.
Rooms were clean though a little worn, but well within acceptable levels. All in all I liked the place and would stay there again, but I'm trying some of the other places first.
Chestnuts roasted by Wenthral @ 03/24/2006 02:54 PM EST
I'm also amongst the group that's never been to any of the big Disney themeparks. Back when I was a kid the family had this big piggybank shaped like a peanut, any american change we got (I'm in canada) went in there. I was always told that we'd use that money to go to Disneyland someday, but we counted the cash in there a year or so ago, and it turns out the whole thing comes out to about $50... Mostly in pennies...
Chestnuts roasted by DocDragon @ 03/24/2006 03:01 PM EST
I haven't been there in years, but when I went I went in the summer, and the weather was hell. The park was great, but whoever lives in that swamp by choice must enjoy sweating 24/7, it is damn humid. SO all I can suggest is to go in a month that is cooler.
Chestnuts roasted by kb @ 03/24/2006 03:09 PM EST
I made some location suggestions earlier, but I forgot to mention that the best time of year to go is absolutely positively the weeks in between thanksgiving and the week before christmas. It's a hard time for most people to go, because they are already taking off for christmas and are also spending money on the holidays, so if it's at all possible to get there during those few weeks, you have the place to yourself. My wife and I did our honeymoon during that time, and it was incredible how quick the lines were.
Chestnuts roasted by TC Falcon @ 03/24/2006 03:29 PM EST
We stay at the Grand Floridian when we go or the Contemporary and we love both. They have the monorail right there and OMG the pool at the Floridian is awesome now that is has the slide. We were there at the end of Feb. and The Grand Floridian is still my all time favorite hotel there.
Chestnuts roasted by Rimmie @ 03/24/2006 03:46 PM EST
If you don't mind the price I'd suggest Beach Club or Boardwalk just for convenience of getting to the parks. You take buses for the Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom, and boats to MGM and Epcot (or you can just walk to Epcot if you want).
For some reason we had terrible luck with the buses when we stayed at Caribbean Beach, but that may have just been because we were there in the off-season. Nothing is worse that watching three buses for the same place go by when you want to go somewhere else.
Chestnuts roasted by cravipat @ 03/24/2006 04:10 PM EST
*polite golf clap for nobody going for the obvious "week almost in the can" line*
Chestnuts roasted by kingklash @ 03/24/2006 04:37 PM EST
Well, I can't recommend a nice on-site resort. On both occasions I went to Disney World, we stayed in an off-site hotel called Hawthorne Suites. In exchange for a ten-or-so-minute drive or bus ride, we enjoyed a room twice the size, twice as fancy for half the price. The competiting hotels in Orlando, it seems, go crazy trying to drum up business against Disney's omnipotent resorts.
Chestnuts roasted by Der Super @ 03/24/2006 04:50 PM EST
TC Falcon
I always found the best time to go was shortly after all the schools start. Very few parents pull there kids out of school only 3 weeks into the school year.
Oh and Matt, never and I mean NEVER go on a weekend. The lines will suck the life right out of you.
Chestnuts roasted by Wenthral @ 03/24/2006 05:57 PM EST
I live 45 minutes north of Disney...you should come stay with us!
I'd share recent experiences, but after having annual passes every year from 1995 to 2000, I have gone to Disney about 3 times in the past 6 years. Well, other than to Downtown Disney, but that doesn't count. Keep that place in mind if you get tired of walking around the parks: you can catch a good show at House of Blues or run around playing arcade games (and more!) inside nicely air-conditioned, completely indoor DisneyQuest.
OK, in terms of hotels...sorry, can't help you. To me, all the hotels on property are overpriced...and having moved here from New York about 11 years ago, I've never had any desire to stay at a hotel near there.
I think there's a Holiday Inn Express right off property. That's staying smart.
Chestnuts roasted by Ell @ 03/24/2006 06:40 PM EST
I've never been to Disneyworld. Which I suppose is okay. Because you know that Donald Duck is a murdering bastard.
Chestnuts roasted by Jedoc @ 03/24/2006 07:57 PM EST
That might just beat suicidal mickey mouse
Chestnuts roasted by dohopoki @ 03/24/2006 08:09 PM EST
Never been to or even been close to Disney World, but I was supposed to go to Disneyland in Cali a couple of times last year, but the plan just kept falling through even though we were only a few blocks away from the place.
So, I want to go to Disneyland this year, but I don't know if it'll happen. It might have to wait for a while. Cross your fingers for me.
Anyhow, have fun on your trip.
Chestnuts roasted by Matt(#2?) @ 03/24/2006 08:18 PM EST
I live in Orlando, and cohabitated with two Disney employees for a year, so I've spent a ridiculous amount of time at the parks, and playing at the hotels. (Every WDW hotel has a pool complex, and everyone of them has a different waterslide. It's a game to get to all of them.) My favorites are Boardwalk, Animal Kingdom Lodge, and Comtemporary. Don't plan on staying in the "main" Contemporay building, though. It's very expensive. Polynesian is nice, too, but the ones that don't appeal to families as much are better. Expect a LOT of screaming brats at Pop Century or any of the All Star resorts, since budget-minded families stay there. I don't know how the bus system works, I always drove, but no hotel is THAT far from any of the parks.
Chestnuts roasted by puttysan @ 03/24/2006 08:41 PM EST
Despite having been born in Florida (Ft. Lauderdale), I haven't been in Disney World since 1990. We stayed at the Fort Wilderness campground, probably because it was the cheapest on-site accomadations at the time and my sister is a horse nut, so being in the woods made her happy. I remember the "cabin" we stayed in being more like a basic hotel room in a trailer and it taking forever to get to MGM and Epcot; other than that, the last thing on my mind during that trip was where we were sleeping.
How long has it been since I was in Disney World? Tommorowland still looked like a bunch of 70s hotels, River Country was open, and the Disney-MGM Studios was heavily promoting the live-action "Dick Tracy" in shows and merchandise. We actually have some great pictures documenting all of the above; my favorites are the ones of my sister and I pretending (I was about 12 then and she was 11) to drive the golf cart Dad rented to get around Fort Wilderness.
Chestnuts roasted by starwenn @ 03/24/2006 09:06 PM EST
is it me or does disney world seem like a gigantic cartoon prison?
i went to disney land a couple of times as a kid but i dunno, i guess i never really got into it. i was happy enough with six flags but more into the water parks (wet n wild)
plus they used to force us to watch those awful live action disney movies (old yeller, mary poppins) and the boring cartoon ones (bambi) in grade school which i think burned within me a deep resentment of disney from a young age
Chestnuts roasted by doc bong @ 03/24/2006 09:16 PM EST
Dear God, I just watched the worst movie ever made. I dare someone to rent Dark Harvest 2 and sit through the whole movie. I triple dog dare you.
I'm still in shock.
Chestnuts roasted by Matt(#2?) @ 03/24/2006 10:22 PM EST
Conversely, I just got home from watching Inside Man. I must say that I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was actually worth my time.
Chestnuts roasted by Rhino @ 03/24/2006 10:25 PM EST
Having worked at almost all of orlando disney hotels and having read as far as I know every article you have on this site (I once sat and typed in every number from 1-1000 in the html to try to read them all) here's my expert suggestion. Spend a night or two at Pop Century (that place kicks ass) and spend the other half at Ft. Wilderness. It's these really cool cabins tucked in fake woods that your woman would probrably love.
Chestnuts roasted by Ben @ 03/24/2006 10:29 PM EST
I'll have to check that movie out, Rhino. I'm currently cracking up at these reviews that I'm reading for the movie I was just talking about: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0451109/usercomments
Chestnuts roasted by Matt(#2?) @ 03/24/2006 10:39 PM EST
Thanks for all of the suggestions, everyone!
Kinda still leaning towards the Polynesian.
Chestnuts roasted by Matt (#1) @ 03/24/2006 11:11 PM EST
All these comments have shown me that I really effing need to go to DW. I've been wanting to get to California Adventure since DL is giving out two-fers but all this stuff sounds soooooo much cooler.
(I understand family style dining as communal bowls everyone shares from, which is cool at home...but with strangers? If that's the case at the Polynesian...ick. My finicky germaphobia and antisocialism are outraged.)
Glad to hear Inside Man is good, I've been dying to see it since I saw the trailer before Kong. I love a good heist movie.
Chestnuts roasted by squee4242 @ 03/25/2006 12:29 AM EST
kingklash nobody knows what the hell I'm talking about when I do the golf clap.
Has anyone ever read the book "Thank You For Smoking" the one the movie is based on? Or anything by Christopher Buckley? Good stuff, my fave is "Little Green Men".
Chestnuts roasted by kidneyboy @ 03/25/2006 04:23 AM EST
http://allearsnet.com/
Chestnuts roasted by xero @ 03/25/2006 10:43 AM EST
Ah, the Saturday morning lull on X-E... The calm before the storm.
Chestnuts roasted by Rhino @ 03/25/2006 11:13 AM EST
Matt - I'm a NY'r, I also have been to Disney about 8 times. I also lived in FL for 5yrs. I have stayed at
The Conteporary, The Polynesian, the Port Orleans. And the one I'm going to recommend to you.
I am recommending you stay at the ROYAL PLAZA http://www.royalplaza.com/
it is a hidden jem in downtown disney. Fair prices - about the same as the rest but nicely redecorated - and basicly your just gonna sleep in it, and maybe grab a coffee on your way out to the parks. Shuttles come every 10 minutes all day / night - so why pay the extra for the disney crap.
This is on disney property yet a more adult place. I highly recommed it.
Chestnuts roasted by Xenophobe @ 03/25/2006 11:16 AM EST
Add me to the ranks of "never been to a Disney park". I was born and raised in Virginia and have never lived more than 45 minutes away from a theme park (Kings Dominion just outside of Richmond and Busch Gardens in Williamsburg.) We didn't have a ton of money, so there was no way my parents were going to spend 4x as much to go to a theme park just because it had Disney characters. My dad got to go to different Disney parks for various conventions. There's something so mean about coming home and showing your kids your pictures from Disneyland.
Chestnuts roasted by Lori @ 03/25/2006 11:26 AM EST
Anything but an All Star Resort! If you think the grounds look cool, then visit the hotel and walk the grounds. The rooms at them (I had relatives who stayed there and we visited for the day once) are really small and when I was there, shabby. Really. Plus, Pop Century doesn't just have cool things like Rubik's cubes. You could get stuck in the wong with a giant cell phone for stairs and a twenty foot tall "Waaazzzz Uppp?" pasted on top of the roof.
If you want something midrange, Carribean Beach or Port Orleans (cartoon gator statues!)
Rates Depeding, for a little More, you can stay at Animal Kingdom lodge and see giraffes, african cattle, birds, gazelles and things out your hotel window). They have night vision goggles to view the critters at night too. You don't have to be a hotel guest, either. You just show up. Its little extras that really are fun. If you want to be a total nerd at AKL, you can go around for a day doing kiddy crafts and you get a bead for each activity.
Chestnuts roasted by Lost Lenore @ 03/25/2006 01:14 PM EST
It's so weird to hear so many who've not been to Disney since I'm used to how it is here in So Cal where it's the go-to destination for band trips, grad night, etc.
Chestnuts roasted by squee4242 @ 03/25/2006 01:15 PM EST
yerr, nothing going on here yet, huh?
time to go shopping!!
Chestnuts roasted by kidneyboy @ 03/25/2006 02:46 PM EST
Every time I've gone to Disney World, I stayed in the Contemporary, cos the mono goes through it, which is terribly convenient. I'm all about convenience. They have an arcade, too. I mean, I'm sure the other hotels have arcades, but if I remember right, this one was decorated with pink neon lights. It's just a game room until you add the pink neon lights--that's what makes an arcade. And it had skee ball. Which I'm also all about.
Chestnuts roasted by violetdied @ 03/25/2006 03:19 PM EST
Whenever the X-E Theme Park and Resort opens up, I might just live there from the start of Summer until Hallowe'en.
Chestnuts roasted by kingklash @ 03/25/2006 03:27 PM EST
X-E World would be like the Who Framed Roger Rabbit of theme parks...just a melange of pop culture icons and genres smashed together into one awesome package.
(note: no idea if "melange" is a real word, but it sounded good )
Chestnuts roasted by squee4242 @ 03/25/2006 05:14 PM EST
melange is a real word...and I'm pretty sure you used it in just the right way.
Junkie XL had a song called "Cool Melange" that was pretty good. That was before Elvis made him change his name to JXL...damn dead Elvis!
X-E World would be incredibly hard to get a room at...that's for damn sure! I would want to sleep in the Skeletor room!
Chestnuts roasted by kidneyboy @ 03/25/2006 05:26 PM EST
The Darth Poop suite would have a turn-down service featuring ChocoDiles and Baby Ruths, unwrapped and placed lovingly on your pillow.
Chestnuts roasted by kingklash @ 03/25/2006 05:57 PM EST
but really, what kind of people want to sleep in a Darth Poop suite?
only the X-E kind!!
What about the Green Bamboo Peanut Room? A room shaped like a peanut, in bamboo, green, and decorated with Bamboo Peanuts all around!
Chestnuts roasted by kidneyboy @ 03/25/2006 06:17 PM EST
I haven't been to disney world in ages, and I'm kinda looking to go back after seeing this: http://www.meaningofplus.com/videos/Donald-Duck-Nazi.jpg
And this: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5809480155676785259&q=disney
Chestnuts roasted by b-rownd @ 03/26/2006 03:49 PM EST
I work at disney world's fort wilderness but can reccomend either pop century or polynesian as awesome resorts, the former is cheaper but the latter has direct monorail connection.
Chestnuts roasted by serpentor @ 03/27/2006 07:07 AM EST
I wish I would've seen this thread on Thursday. I'm a Disney "expert" of sorts... I'm slightly obsessed with anywhere that has robotic pirates and presidents. Anyways, my advice is to NOT stay at the Pop Century or the All Star Resorts. They're adorable hotels, but they are frickin' loaded to the brim with kids. If you can afford to and can find rooms, my advice is the Contemporary resort since it's posh, closest to the Magic Kingdom and who doesn't love a hotel with a monorail running through it? If that's not your style, any of the Deluxe resorts are awesome. The Moderate resorts are nice, but some of the rooms can show their age a little. For the deluxe, Animal Kingdom is cool because you can see safari animals just outside your room and the lobby has a huge beautiful picture window for viewing. The Polynesian is also beautiful and will give your vacation a more "tropical" feel. You just kind of have to decide what kind of vacation you want and then pick the hotel that matches.
Definitely stay at a Disney hotel because the benefits are awesome. You get earlier and later park hours, you can get stuff you buy at the park sent to your room so you don't have to lug it around, and they have free "magical express" so you don't have to wait at baggage claim and then your luggage just magically appears in your room when you check in.
Chestnuts roasted by Rebecca @ 03/27/2006 07:34 AM EST
Some other tips for your Disney vacation: make reservations for restaurants as soon as you know when you're going. Even if you want to eat at a restaurant that doesn't look like you'll need reservations (unless it's "fast food" obviously) make reservations. And if you book a "Fantasmic Dinner Package" they'll arrange it so you get priority seating for the Fantasmic show. Also this site http://allearsnet.com/menu/menus.htm has menus from all the restaurants which will make your reservations a lot easier. Another site, http://www.disneyworldtrivia.com has a lot of good advice about WDW in their forums and lots of trivia and secrets to get you impatiently excited to go.
Sorry if this is too much information, didn't mean to write a guidebook here. I'm going in 27 days and I can't wait! Hope you have an awesome trip, Matt!
Chestnuts roasted by Rebecca @ 03/27/2006 07:53 AM EST
DO NOT STAY AT THE POP-CENTURY HOTELS! we stayed at on the music ones last year and it was terrible. 15-20 minute waits for buses that were about 15 minutes from the park. terrible food selections at the "grill". you will notice that all of the food keeps you taking regular highly-compacted dumps to keep you from missing any money-spending opportunities. Our bathroom had actual shit splatters on the wall in FRONT of the toilet on the music themed wallpaper- also, ray charles had a doobie drawn in on his picture. stay in one the "real" resorts if you can.
Finally, mission:space in epcot is awesome.
Chestnuts roasted by porchlight @ 03/27/2006 09:23 AM EST
DO NOT STAY AT THE POP-CENTURY HOTELS! we stayed at on the music ones last year and it was terrible. 15-20 minute waits for buses that were about 15 minutes from the park. terrible food selections at the "grill". you will notice that all of the food keeps you taking regular highly-compacted dumps to keep you from missing any money-spending opportunities. Our bathroom had actual shit splatters on the wall in FRONT of the toilet on the music themed wallpaper- also, ray charles had a doobie drawn in on his picture. stay in one the "real" resorts if you can.
Finally, mission:space in epcot is awesome.
Chestnuts roasted by porchlight @ 03/27/2006 09:23 AM EST
DO NOT STAY AT THE POP-CENTURY HOTELS! we stayed at on the music ones last year and it was terrible. 15-20 minute waits for buses that were about 15 minutes from the park. terrible food selections at the "grill". you will notice that all of the food keeps you taking regular highly-compacted dumps to keep you from missing any money-spending opportunities. Our bathroom had actual shit splatters on the wall in FRONT of the toilet on the music themed wallpaper- also, ray charles had a doobie drawn in on his picture. stay in one the "real" resorts if you can.
Finally, mission:space in epcot is awesome.
Chestnuts roasted by porchlight @ 03/27/2006 09:23 AM EST
sorry for the triple post. but i triple mean it.
Chestnuts roasted by porchlight @ 03/27/2006 09:26 AM EST
Now there's a photo essay for somebody! "Unexpected Graffitti at Walt Disney world." Glad someone left the porchlight on.
Chestnuts roasted by kingklash @ 03/27/2006 11:37 AM EST
Man, oh, man, I wish I could've gotten in on this action when it was actually relevant. I'm a Florida native, and a current Orlando resident, so I've been to WDW at least 10 times a year for my whole life. *sighs contentedly*
I agree with the "value resorts are nice, but only for awhile" mentality of the other posters. Wildnerness Lodge was great, and they have (or at least, used to have) Marshmallow roasts and old-time cartoons to watch in the evenings.
You should definitely take advantage of all the "staying on Disney property" perks. And don't DON'T drive your car at all once you get on property, because parking pretty much anywhere but Downtown Disney is $9 bucks a pop, and if you're already paying up the wazoo to stay on site, you might as well wring gas money out of the Mouse.
I'm so exited that Matt will be so close for a brief period of time! Yeah, I won't see him at all, but it just seems like such a momentous occasion!!!
Chestnuts roasted by purplegirl247 @ 03/27/2006 02:43 PM EST
My girlfriend and I went last year, but because we had spent 5 days in Tampa first (which was bloody awesome) we had a rental car so we stayed at a hotel on highway 192 (about 10 minutes from most of DisneyWorld). Having the rental car turned out to be perfect, and we spent a lot of time driving around when we weren't at the parks.
Our monorail DID get stuck at the Polynesian for about a half hour and it looked like a really nice hotel.
Other stuff that was awesome: Sea World; Pirate's Cove mini-golf (yarrrgh!); Contemporary hotel looked really nice, as we walked through it; the fireworks show; driving around in Celebration (although everything was closed)
Stuff that sucked: Our lunch in Cinderella's castle; dinner at the Californian Grill (on the top floor of The Contemporary); Most of my pictures didn't turn out because I'm an idiot.
Overall, a pretty useless post. Enjoy your trip though.
Chestnuts roasted by Mike @ 03/27/2006 03:27 PM EST
Some other info about Disney. I don't know when you're going, but I think both the Polynesian and Contemporary are having their rooms updated so there might be some construction. If you can get to Disney World this weekend apparently they're shooting for America's Funniest Home Videos and on the 3rd they need 450 extras in Animal Kingdom and on April 5th they need 1200 extras for the "Big" show. I'm assuming this is like the season finale type thing. Also on the 6th they need 400 extras for a shoot about their new ride Expedition: Everest. I think it would be super fun to see what goes on when they tape stuff. I wish I could go!
Oh! And Pirates of the Carribean is out of commission for a while because they're adding a Johnny Depp robot pirate and other stuff to make it more relevant to the movie. Sad, because I love me some pirates. Hope this helps. And that you still read the comments...
Chestnuts roasted by Rebecca @ 03/28/2006 04:14 AM EST
Just got back from Disney in Orlando this week.
Satyed at the Animal Kingdom Resort. Way cool- giraffes right outside the window and the lobby is amazing...
But if you're into retro the Polynesian looks pretty much as it did in the 70's and the luau dinner is fun... in a "how is this still going on" sorta way.
Chestnuts roasted by Astroboy @ 03/28/2006 10:34 AM EST
Thanks AGAIN for the input, everyone!
Chestnuts roasted by Matt @ 03/29/2006 09:54 PM EST
Just went to Disney last May. Stay at a Moderate Resort. Pop Century will be flooded with kids and is a lower priced resort. I've stayed at the Polynesian and it's closest to Magic Kingdom but far from all the others. Its the higher priced resort. Where I stayed last May was moderate so you don't get the shitiest or the most expensive. It's called the Caribean Beach Resort. It's the only one that has a beach besides Polynesian and its located in the middle of most all parks. It's priced moderate has the beach island feel and is private.
Chestnuts roasted by KJ in NJ @ 03/30/2006 11:25 AM EST
Hey Matt,
I live in FL and go to WDW often. While the Disney hotels are fine for the themes and all, I found that the best deal in the area is the Royal Plaza Hotel. The rooms are ten times better than POP century and even better than the Wilderness Lodge. I'm talking large rooms that were recently renovated with Jacuzzi tubs. Deluxe shit for less than the moderate Disney hotels and it is realy close to the parks. They have their own bus too. It is definitly worth looking into. I'd stay there again over any of the Disney hotels. Check it out here:
http://www.expedia.com/pub/agent.dll?qscr=dspv&htid=16964&itid=152985297&from=i
Chestnuts roasted by Jason @ 03/31/2006 12:26 AM EST
Hey Matt, me again (see above).
The hotel I'm talking about is the same one Xenophobe mentioned above. I read his post after making mine.
Seriously, that place is your absolute best bet! It is really close to the parks, and within walking distance to Downtown Disney (which has a great LEGO store!)
Chestnuts roasted by Jason @ 03/31/2006 12:30 AM EST
People who don't like the Polynesian are high. It's completely trippy and cool.
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