We went last May and stayed at the Swan Reserve. All the perks of Delux at a super low price. Well, free for us (other than parking fees) with using Marriott Bonvoy points. We had free breakfast delivered to our room every morning, walking access to Epcot and Hollywood Studios, and going to the extended evening hours was amazing. Our room had fireworks views of both Epcot and MK! We loved it.

Port Orleans isn’t even deluxe but it’s my favorite and I love either side but those beignets at the French Quarter are worth a trip alone! Happy Wednesday y’all! 🥂🎩🖤

@birbluv9595

Жыл бұрын

It was my favorite until I reach the age/physical point where I have to return to the room in the middle of the day for a brief rest. It just takes too much of the day to travel between any park and Port Orleans - and, since the buses make several stops, it drives me crazy. In 2022 I had to take rideshare, which gets really expensive and still takes a long time. So I have switched to an Epcot area resort and, despite the cost, am very satisfied with it.

@wdwexploreandchill

Жыл бұрын

@@birbluv9595 yep I get it, I’m one for long walks at the resort over even going to the parks so that makes a huge difference.

@emilyclara1967

Жыл бұрын

Same!

Hubby and I are local adjacent - we live in the Tampa Bay Area - and staycation at WDW Resort often. The Poly is our favorite but lately the price and experience of AKL has been our go to!! We leave our car in the parking lot for our whole stay and take advantage of Disney's complimentary transportation. The bus rides have always been seamless, very quick and efficient with very friendly drivers!! When we stay at the Poly, we use boat transportation as much as we can with the over crowded Monorail as a last resort!!

We always stay at the wilderness lodge. We love the lobby and the restaurants.

Extended magic hours was nice. We spent the day at the pool. Arrived to the park around 7, ate, took pictures, shopped, fireworks. Park closed at 11. From 11-1am we walked on to every ride, no wait. In Epcot got back to back Guardians because of the extra virtual queue.

@Loriap4540

Жыл бұрын

Do you need to be in the park at 6 to be able to try for virtual q for guardians?

Either of the Port Orleans resorts is basically a Deluxe resort, highly recommend them.

I remember watching the Today show when the Grand Floridian opened. Willard Scott was there touring the place.

YES it's worth it! (If you can afford it...) There is no substitute for staying where you can easily walk to one (or two!) of the parks and a variety of table service restaurants. Of course there are other amenities as well.

Staying onsite in Beach Club for the first time this year, was a tough decision but so excited for our couples week as we love EPCOT

The Poly is my favorite. Two trips ago we stayed at the Contemporary, but had dinner at Ohana. As soon as we walked into the Poly, I regretted staying anywhere else. Sure it’s expensive, but we only go every 2-3 years and I’m hoping we decide to do Club Level on our next one.

@lesliegallagher2682

Жыл бұрын

Club level at Poly is absolutely amazing! Location is fabulous and the lounges are wonderful. Honestly, I've traveled all over Southern USA and to Europe, yet my favorite ever is Club level Poly! Tonga building is the best for cozy comfort (its own concierge and lounge plus rugs in the bedroom) and Hawaii is best for beach proximity and proximity to the full service lounge. Plan it! You won't regret it.

@melj6488

Жыл бұрын

@Adam Efimoff if only those bungalows weren’t sooooo dang expensive. Although we did enjoy the smaller DVC room options there.

@lesliegallagher2682

Жыл бұрын

​@Saphire Gates Gaming I stayed at Carribean Beach a couple of years ago. Beautiful beach and great location near Skyliner, but just not as luxurious as Poly.

I love yalls videos Makes me feel like I’m there 😢❤

When we went in January, we visited every resort just TO see them! (Also had some meals at a few). From what I saw, the Poly and Wilderness and Beach Club are MUST do for our future trips.

Exactly what i needed to watch! 🥰🙏

It's weird that Disney World still doesn't have merchandise delivery to their own resorts, considering Universal Studios had their hotel delivery available at least as early as June last year.

We are staying at the Polynesian club level for my sons 13th! This is once in a lifetime and I’m so excited! We will be there when Tron opens and hope we get to ride it!

@richardmercer2337

Жыл бұрын

You will have a great time! The last time I was there, I could see from my room the construction for Tron.

@parkerwalker5128

Жыл бұрын

Club Level sounds awesome! Have fun!

Going on my last Disney trip before college in a few months and I’m staying at the grand for the first time!!! I’ve wanted to stay there my whole life and we’ve saved up enough dvc points to do so ahh!!!

Animal Kingdom Lodge is by far our favorite. So nice!!

@richardmercer2337

Жыл бұрын

The only possible problem with AKL: you pretty much HAVE to have a (rental) car --- unless you REALLY like long bus rides.

@4TayFun

Жыл бұрын

@@richardmercer2337 I agree. We actually stayed at the Lodge 3 weeks ago, you can see our videos. We drove our own car, so it was easy to go park to park.

The lounge at animal kingdom lodge is a smaller spot, but honestly one of the best lounges ive been to at the hotels!

Not me voyeuristically watching this video even though I don’t even have budget for the value resorts 💀💀

woah i’m first!! love you DFB💕💕

Not enough stress on big time savings using DVC rentals. Saved $1500 for 6-night stay at Grand Floridian during marathon time. Huge.

I’ve been to Disney World four times in the last year and a half and every single time I was able to buy items in the theme parks in. I was able to send it to my hotel. It’s an amazing park. I love it. I’ll keep on doing it.

This past trip my family totally held back at not buying as much merch because we were going to have to carry it with us.

I wish you would do more Disneyland videos

I’m stuck between contemporary resort and art of animation resort amazingly they are the same price… we absolutely love art of animation it’s our favorite but the lore of being in a deluxe resort is strong…

I can’t decide between the Poly and Grand Floridian for this year’s visit. I need the helpful advice of a strong Jedi 😍

@RLucas3000

Жыл бұрын

If you love Mary Poppins, see if one of Grand Floridian’s new MP rooms is available yet. I’m boycotting them until 1900 Park Faire reopens as it’s the most fun character dinner for adults and kids! Great character breakfast too! Ohana is always a win, as long as you don’t let them rush you out the door. If you are a Lilo n Stich fan like my BFF, Ohana breakfast is also a must. Go for the Poly! It’s so much fun, and so Disney.

@parkerwalker5128

Жыл бұрын

@RLucas3000 I agree with you wanting 1900 Park Fare to reopen. I’ve never been, but I really want to take my kid. Maybe it will reopen later this summer? We love both Mary Poppins and silly Stitch! My last resort was a Value, so any of the two would be a treat! (Thinking Poly😍) Thanks Jedi!

@lesliegallagher2682

Жыл бұрын

Poly all the way!!! It's like a Hawaiian vacation while Disney World is a short walk (TTC is like a 10 min walk to connect directly to Epcot monorail) or hop the monorail to MK.

@janett253

Жыл бұрын

Disney is remodeling the 1900 Park Fare. I sure hope they don't ruin the Mary Poppins theme but knowing Disney it will be a disaster. Not holding out hope.

@xmoomoo9158

Жыл бұрын

I like the Floridian too but I think they are remodeling still. We are going to stay at the Yacht club. I like the fact that Epcot is a few minute walk away. The Swan and Dolphin are nice too!

My rankings are 1. Yacht club, 2. Beach Club, 3. Boardwalk, 4. Contemporary, 5. Grand Flo, 6. Wilderness Lodge. I have NOT stayed at the others Deluxe resorts.

When splurging for a Deluxe resort it is prudent to plan non-park days to enjoy the amenities of the Deluxe resort.

It got to the point that I couldn’t even afford the cheap hotels in Disney so now I don’t bother stay right outside by Saratoga springs. I go to Universal and stay in one of their deluxe hotels for half the price and I get fast pass with it.❤ only time I think about going to Disney is to go to Epcot for the festivals that’s about it because the Disney sucks compared to universal now

is tipping necessary at the deluxe resort restaurants or is it included?

I love the deluxe resorts at Disney but alas my wallet does not always love them. So if I can book one at a good price, I'm there, but if not my first choice for moderate is always French Quarter and if I have to do a value I'll stay at Pop.

A caveat about Epcot-area hotels: the walkway to the International Gateway to Epcot is partly bordered by a big smoking area next to the waterway. I have extreme sensitivity to tobacco smoke (actually, any smoke, but tobacco is worst) and my doctor told me to stay far away from it. I have to wear a heavy-duty mask supplemented by many layers of tissues to breathe even a little to walk past this. The boat option is far better.

@kisim7088

Жыл бұрын

Good to know i have asthma so we ll take boat

Animal kingdom lodge all the way

I wish I could be there :/

Is there a lot of hotels in Disney World

If you stay at the Swan & Dolphin, can you still visit the other Disney hotels for restaurants and such?

@DFBGuide

Жыл бұрын

Of course! You can always visit Disney’s Resorts for dining, we’d recommend making reservations as the resorts have some very popular restaurants

Contemporary is a $700 Marriott- Polynesian and GF are so much better!

So if you stay on property you get free parking at the parks and at the hotels?

@xhpy6760

Жыл бұрын

Yes. Guests not staying at the resorts have to pay to park at the parks.

Hi AJ! Can you PLEASE tell me if Disney has brought back the Meal Plans???

@DFBGuide

Жыл бұрын

The Disney Dining Plan has not returned yet and there have been no announcements about when it may return

@leahwithheld783

Жыл бұрын

It’s baa-aaack!!!

Stayed at Animal Kingdom Lodge’s Kidani Village numerous times. Very nice seeing animals outside your room. With that being said, staying at overly expensive resorts is the biggest waste of money there is. Just how much time are you going to spend in that room?

@janett253

Жыл бұрын

I enjoy a great resort. I spend a lot of time there. It's a great plus for me. I would rather spend time at the resort than the parks. But that's me.

I simply don’t get the loudness of the water pageant. It’s the most bizarre thing

Please do Universal hotels, please

@4TayFun

Жыл бұрын

Portofino is the best!

Just spent 2 nights at BC and couldn't have been more disappointed if I tried. The worst of the 5 hotels we've stayed it. POFQ for us going forward

@birbluv9595

Жыл бұрын

Which is BC? Beach Club?

@christineschmidutz5057

Жыл бұрын

@@birbluv9595 yes

To give an idea how expensive it could be, I will give you a an example. We have a trip this October, we are staying in a 3 bedroom Savanah view at Animal Kingdom Lodge. We are using our built up DVC points. If we were paying cash the 9 night stay would cost $28,851. That does not include park tickets or food! Crazy!

@DonZalinski

Жыл бұрын

@Adam Efimoff I get that but over $3k per night. Thank goodness we had enough points, 906 to be exact.

@kisim7088

Жыл бұрын

3 bedroom and savanah tier that actually doesn’t sound that crazy for 9 nights at deluxe

@vincent412l7

Жыл бұрын

The price for a top level suite. Standard rooms about $500 per night ($700 for savanna view)

@ryancordle3625

Жыл бұрын

440 a night for contemporary thoughts?

@DonZalinski

Жыл бұрын

@@ryancordle3625 I wouldn’t know. I have been a DVC member for over 10 years, so I haven’t paid cash for that long.

Find a dvc owner that needs to sell their points. Best way to stay luxury for cheap!

@janett253

Жыл бұрын

It's a great deal but you cannot cancel. That is a turnoff for me. Some give a credit for a future date but that doesn't work for everyone. I don't like renting knowing this. Paying cash at a Disney resort you can cancel up to 5 days and get a full refund.

Crews Cup USED to be a great lounge to go to. Not anymore. They've changed the menu now and you can only get steaks. A continuation of Yachtsman Steakhouse. You can no longer get a burger or the prime rib sliders. Big mistake by Disney. I used to go there all the time and they always had a line to get in. I was just there last week and the lounge was empty. A real gem is now gone. Another failure by Disney's greed

I’m not a crazy animal rights person but am I the only one who the animal kingdom lodge depressing ? I also find it kinda wrong they have the most African artifact collection in America. Disney has it? I’m sure many other groups associated with African culture in a real way would value it much more, like a museum. But fr all those African animals cramped up at Disney for guest viewing pleasure doesn’t seem fun. Also the area looks dingy.

@loracaro4427

Жыл бұрын

I have stayed there when it first opened up what I do love about the lodge is for me this is close as I'm ever going to get to Africa. The food the culture the language stories the music the people. I love that the people were employed from all throughout Africa. It was wonderful to have conversations with people from Cape Town to Johannesburg and everywhere in between from cities to small villages.a majority of the items in the store and decorated throughout the resort were all handmade by local craftsman . This by far is one of the most culturally rich resorts you can ever stay in.the animals are well cared for on property as well. I encourage you to seriously take a look you will be impressed.

@xhpy6760

Жыл бұрын

There’s a lot of space for the animals to roam and they’re well taken care of. Also, the resort lobby where the African treasures are kept is beautiful and they are handsomely displayed. Hopefully you’ll get a chance to see this with your own eyes. It really is a captivating resort.