Which Deluxe resort? Planning next trip...

[rosiegmendez]

We'd like to start budgeting and planning for my 40th birthday trip in January of 2015 (I know, 2 years off) but we'd like to go big and go deluxe or DVC.

Details - we are a family of 5, kids will be 12, 11, 9.

We are going this year, in April, for DH's 40th, for the first time, and will do a split stay at AoA and POR.

Since we live 45 minutes from Disneyland and we will be at WDW in two months, I think that in two years we can focus more on a resort stay (with parks mixed in) rather than parks focus. So, I'd like to stay at a great resort with amenities (pool, slide, beach, activities, etc) but have great access to parks.

Hard to say if we prefer monorail resorts vs. boat resorts. Poly looks great (like the feel of Hawaii and disney in one) but also like Beach Club Stormalong for kids but what about Grand Floridian and renting out the DVC's when available?

Please help! Must start saving little by little and hoarding my airline points

[rosiegmendez]

Sorry, I'll move this over to Resorts section.

[Wendy5055]

I have stayed at the Poly and it is nice. It was in need of some updates/refurbishments and the room was a bit dark in decor and lighting (some individuals prefer this). Only one standout issue occured during our stay, but was handled to satisfaction. Proximity to TTC (a short walk required) and Ohanas was great!

The GF was over the top amazing for me and my family! There was not one thing wrong with our stays (twice) at the GF. We definately prefer it over the Poly, but that is just us. I much prefer the proximity of restaurants and monorail at the GF (maybe we are lazy on vacation!)

I think that the Poly and GF both have beaches (no swimming in lake water). We prefer the pools at the GF over the Poly.

Overall, I would always say that ANY Deluxe Resort is a great choice! I would definately recommend looking at the photos of each to determine what style YOU prefer.

Hope this helps!

[iluveeyore]

For a family of 5 (like us) we prefer the laid-back feel and huge space of an Old Key West one bedroom villa. This has been, by far, our kids favourite resort over the years, and they always want to stay here, even though we've stayed at Saratoga Springs, Wilderness Lodge, Beach Club Villas and Animal Kingdom Villas (both Kidani and Jambo). The square footage cannot be beat, and the pullout queen couch and twin chair in the living room makes for plenty of space for the kids, and having the master suite to ourselves is wonderful, as well as the huge outdoor covered deck (which we basically use as a rec room every day). The full kitchen always saves us tons of money for feeding five people as well, but not everyone likes to get groceries, as most families like to eat out - saving $$$$ on food certainly helps our vacations be more enjoyable though. Old Key West is central to all the parks, and is practically beside Downtown Disney - only couple minutes on a bus, or a nice leisurely boat ride away. Old Key West has a main pool, plus three 'quiet' pools to use - there are tons of activities for the kids to do - beach volleyball, tennis, basketball, plus Community Hall has air hockey, pool and video games.
If you need the extra bathroom, Animal Kingdom Kidani Village has two full baths in their one bedroom villas.
Happy planning!