Which Resort to Stay at?
One of the items on our family's WDW bucket list includes staying on each Disney resort property at least one time. While we have not hit all of them yet, we are close! People always ask me which property is our family's favorite. On our way home from Disney we design our favorite by pulling bits and pieces from different properties we have been fortunate to enjoy. Here are the resorts we have stayed at so far.
Art of Animation, Animal Kingdom Lodge, the Polynesian, Contemporary, Wilderness Lodge, Port Orleans Riverside, Port Orleans French Quarter, Coronado Springs, Old Key West, Saratoga Springs, Boardwalk, Beach Club, Yacht Club, Caribbean Beach
Below is a review of three of the above. I will discuss more in later posts.
1. Art of Animation
The Art of Animation is a Disney value level hotel. What this title refers to is in reference to price to stay reflected in size of room and transportation options. This is the only value resort we have stayed at. As mentioned in an earlier post, we stayed in a Nemo family suite due to the age of our children at the time of the trip and the size of our travel party. The decor was pleasant and the kids enjoyed exploring the Cars area the most. The property is dedicated to four movies: Cars, Finding Nemo, The Lion King, and the Little Mermaid. It has smaller pools around the property but the one that draws the crowds is Nemo themed. It is zero entry on one part which is great for smaller children and the splash pad area is one of the larger we have experienced. The quick service dining area is large to account for the mass number of people at the resort. What was a disappointment: the transportation. With one spot at the front of the resort to shuffle people trying to get to various locations with their parties, transportation caused us a lot of frustration and waiting. Not something I wanted to deal with outside of the parks. Additionally, I did feel the property was crowded. I do not mind the crowds at the park because that is to be expected but on resort property I want to relax; there was too much hustle and bustle for me.
2. Animal Kingdom Lodge (Kidani Village)
This property is in the deluxe category. We decided to stay here for a couple nights after staying at another Disney resort property for the first part of our trip. We surprised the kids with a savanna view room that did not disappoint. The animals were visible all day and all night. The kids enjoyed spotting various animals they learned about on the safari. The room was spacious but the boys had to sleep on a pull out couch. Not bad for two nights but not ideal for a week. Somehow we ended up in the DVC area so we did not have mouse keeper service either which was a bummer. The major downside to this resort is the distance it is in relation to the other Disney attractions. Hands down the longest bus rides we ever had. Not always bad when your child needs to catch a nap but when you are ready to get back to your room after a long day at the parks, it is not ideal. We did enjoy one of the pools. The splash pad area was closed but the pool had a small slide that Reagan was comfortable riding by herself. We thoroughly enjoyed being able to dine at Sanaa. This restaurant still ranks as one of our favorites. The bread service (nan) is amazing! The food is African inspired by Indian flavor. If you have a picky eater in the family don't worry! It is Disney and they have options for young ones ;) Request a table close to the glass windows so you all can enjoy looking at the animals while you eat. Dusk is a great time to go. Additionally, right outside of Sanaa is a patio area. Disney has Cast Members on location to answer any questions on the spot of the various animals you see.
3. The Polynesian
Honestly, the Polynesian is one of my favorites and I am yearning to stay there again. We enjoyed a stay at this deluxe resort when we went down for Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween party. We wanted to stay somewhere close to Magic Kingdom. We knew this was going to be a short trip so we wanted to maximize our time. This was also the trip we tried club level for the first time. Club level is a private section of rooms which includes food and beverages as well a private congeries and turn down service. We are not big eaters in our family, we just like to snack. Club level was perfect for us! At the Polynesian, Club Level is in its own private building that you have to use your Magic Band to enter. You are personally escorted to the building wearing your leis by a Cast Member. Once at Club Level, you and your family chat with a Cast Member about the Club Level experience and the kids get goodie bags. Then a Cast Member shows you where the dining area is and then your room. What was awesome about the Polynesian Club Level is that the dining room had a huge glass window making a perfect view of MK. At night, once the kids are bathed and in their jammies, you can bring them to the dining area for dessert. The view affords a perfect spot for the electrical water pageant and the MK fireworks. Disney pumps the room with the music from the fireworks show =) The food was Pacific inspired and introduced me to Kona beer. 'Ohana is a favorite restaurant of our family. Being on property makes for a easy walk to enjoy the family style eating experience. We also thoroughly enjoy sitting outside at Trader Sam's Tiki Terrace. With live music, mom and dad can relax while the kids dance. It is a short walk to see the lighting of the torch. We were able to swim on that trip. The pool was large; again with a zero entry area. Cooper was not a big fan of the slide as most of it was inside covered and dark. The transportation was a huge win for this resort. You have multiple options: bus, monorail, or boat. We enjoyed the boat straight to MK and the monorail to the Contemporary for dinner. Additionally the transportation center is a short walk. If you all want to go to Epcot and bypass waiting on the monorail a couple of stops, the transportation center is a short walk nearby. What beats coming back to a room, bed turned down with a chocolate on the pillow, drink in your hand, and spacious room to relax? Definitely add this resort to your WDW bucket list!
Art of Animation, Animal Kingdom Lodge, the Polynesian, Contemporary, Wilderness Lodge, Port Orleans Riverside, Port Orleans French Quarter, Coronado Springs, Old Key West, Saratoga Springs, Boardwalk, Beach Club, Yacht Club, Caribbean Beach
Below is a review of three of the above. I will discuss more in later posts.
1. Art of Animation
The Art of Animation is a Disney value level hotel. What this title refers to is in reference to price to stay reflected in size of room and transportation options. This is the only value resort we have stayed at. As mentioned in an earlier post, we stayed in a Nemo family suite due to the age of our children at the time of the trip and the size of our travel party. The decor was pleasant and the kids enjoyed exploring the Cars area the most. The property is dedicated to four movies: Cars, Finding Nemo, The Lion King, and the Little Mermaid. It has smaller pools around the property but the one that draws the crowds is Nemo themed. It is zero entry on one part which is great for smaller children and the splash pad area is one of the larger we have experienced. The quick service dining area is large to account for the mass number of people at the resort. What was a disappointment: the transportation. With one spot at the front of the resort to shuffle people trying to get to various locations with their parties, transportation caused us a lot of frustration and waiting. Not something I wanted to deal with outside of the parks. Additionally, I did feel the property was crowded. I do not mind the crowds at the park because that is to be expected but on resort property I want to relax; there was too much hustle and bustle for me.
2. Animal Kingdom Lodge (Kidani Village)
This property is in the deluxe category. We decided to stay here for a couple nights after staying at another Disney resort property for the first part of our trip. We surprised the kids with a savanna view room that did not disappoint. The animals were visible all day and all night. The kids enjoyed spotting various animals they learned about on the safari. The room was spacious but the boys had to sleep on a pull out couch. Not bad for two nights but not ideal for a week. Somehow we ended up in the DVC area so we did not have mouse keeper service either which was a bummer. The major downside to this resort is the distance it is in relation to the other Disney attractions. Hands down the longest bus rides we ever had. Not always bad when your child needs to catch a nap but when you are ready to get back to your room after a long day at the parks, it is not ideal. We did enjoy one of the pools. The splash pad area was closed but the pool had a small slide that Reagan was comfortable riding by herself. We thoroughly enjoyed being able to dine at Sanaa. This restaurant still ranks as one of our favorites. The bread service (nan) is amazing! The food is African inspired by Indian flavor. If you have a picky eater in the family don't worry! It is Disney and they have options for young ones ;) Request a table close to the glass windows so you all can enjoy looking at the animals while you eat. Dusk is a great time to go. Additionally, right outside of Sanaa is a patio area. Disney has Cast Members on location to answer any questions on the spot of the various animals you see.
3. The Polynesian
Honestly, the Polynesian is one of my favorites and I am yearning to stay there again. We enjoyed a stay at this deluxe resort when we went down for Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween party. We wanted to stay somewhere close to Magic Kingdom. We knew this was going to be a short trip so we wanted to maximize our time. This was also the trip we tried club level for the first time. Club level is a private section of rooms which includes food and beverages as well a private congeries and turn down service. We are not big eaters in our family, we just like to snack. Club level was perfect for us! At the Polynesian, Club Level is in its own private building that you have to use your Magic Band to enter. You are personally escorted to the building wearing your leis by a Cast Member. Once at Club Level, you and your family chat with a Cast Member about the Club Level experience and the kids get goodie bags. Then a Cast Member shows you where the dining area is and then your room. What was awesome about the Polynesian Club Level is that the dining room had a huge glass window making a perfect view of MK. At night, once the kids are bathed and in their jammies, you can bring them to the dining area for dessert. The view affords a perfect spot for the electrical water pageant and the MK fireworks. Disney pumps the room with the music from the fireworks show =) The food was Pacific inspired and introduced me to Kona beer. 'Ohana is a favorite restaurant of our family. Being on property makes for a easy walk to enjoy the family style eating experience. We also thoroughly enjoy sitting outside at Trader Sam's Tiki Terrace. With live music, mom and dad can relax while the kids dance. It is a short walk to see the lighting of the torch. We were able to swim on that trip. The pool was large; again with a zero entry area. Cooper was not a big fan of the slide as most of it was inside covered and dark. The transportation was a huge win for this resort. You have multiple options: bus, monorail, or boat. We enjoyed the boat straight to MK and the monorail to the Contemporary for dinner. Additionally the transportation center is a short walk. If you all want to go to Epcot and bypass waiting on the monorail a couple of stops, the transportation center is a short walk nearby. What beats coming back to a room, bed turned down with a chocolate on the pillow, drink in your hand, and spacious room to relax? Definitely add this resort to your WDW bucket list!
Comments
Post a Comment