Deluxe Resorts About This Page:

[AngelLily03]

Hello all, our next trip isn't for quite awhile but we are getting the budget together so we can start saving now. We decided for our next trip we will do exactly what we want. One of those things is to stay in a Deluxe Resort, we're thinking Wilderness Lodge. We love the theme and proximity to MK. The other is Animal Kingdom Lodge as we will have young children who may enjoy the animals out the window. We hesitate because of the commute times to the other parks.

But we are curious for those who have done Deluxe and Moderate, is there that much of a difference? Last trip was at CBR and we loved it.

[modisney]

I think the big difference between all 3 categories are the number/kind of restaurants on site as well as the other amenities IE: spa, massage services, marina, fitness center etc. I think it was on Disney's own website there was a good graph comparing those types of things. I have to admit, we've only stayed at deluxes and always enjoyed them. We've done a stay at A.K.L. and really enjoyed it. The overall atmosphere of the resort is very relaxing, the animal viewing is truly unique, the restaurants are great, there's the storytelling and so much more. You can learn a bit about Africa by wondering around and looking at the artwork and displays. The pool is nice as well, not great, but nice. We didn't have any trouble with the bus transportation to and from the parks. I think the opinions on that vary though. For some the worry over transportation would be the deal breaker but I think if you plan ahead and keep your expectations in check you'd enjoy the resort. Another deluxe worth considering with younger children is the Y.C./B.C. Stormalong Bay is a great pool and if Epcot and the Studios are in your touring plan, you're right there. Happy planning!

[Danielle Harmon]

We are staying at Yacht Club in August...first time we have stayed at a Deluxe. If you are going to be spending most of your time in MK then I would suggest WL. AKL gets rave reviews...maybe next time?

[cattayhi]

We have been there only once and stayed at the Contemporary - we had no problems with the buses, ferry or monorail - Personally I loved it!
But I am interested in reading other comments as we are considering somewhere closer to Epcot next time.

[MMMD]

I've stayed at both moderate and deluxe and I have to say I like the deluxe for the theming, amenities, and room size. Especially like getting to Epcot easily. If you can afford it, go for it. If the budget is getting too tight, you certainly don't suffer at the moderates. LOL.

[Dlandmom2]

I've only been once, and we stayed offsite for the first 7 nights and then tacked on 2 extra nights at BC. We had 4 adults and 3 young kids (3-9).

The stay at the BC was so wonderful! The proximity to Epcot and DHS were great. We went to Epcot every chance we got during the BC stay since it was less than a 5 minute walk. The resort was wonderful, and the pool area was a big hit with the kids. Being close to so many food options at BC, YC, Boardwalk and Epcot made it even better!

If your group is more into MK or animals, then I'd say WL and AKL are great options since I've read so many positive reviews of both, but if you enjoy Epcot as much as we did, then I'd say consider BC/YC or BWI as possibilities as well!

[jblondie1999]

Since we lived next to the Memphis Zoo for 2 years and I was an Event Coordinator at The Jacksonville Zoo, well, I'm just not too interested in AKL. LOL We have visited WL and it's really nice. You can hop on a boat or bus and get to MK pretty quickly. The restaurants are fun and the pool is awesome.
We stayed at The Poly last May and absolutely love that resort! What was worth it there was the transportation, food, pool and views. I also felt like, as soon as we arrived back there from a day at the parks, an instant feeling of relaxation. The atmosphere is so calming.
After our X-mas trip, we're planning on maybe booking BCV since my family seems to like Epcot more and their pool is great. Course Cape May is DH's fave.
I think picking which one really depends on your personality. I'd go with which theme you like, which restaurants you'd like to visit and so on. I'd say the transportation sets the moderate and deluxe apart. Having the monorail, ferry and T&TC right there at The Poly was a big plus in our book especially since it rained during our entire vacation last May. My parents were at the WL and we traveled back and forth between the 2 fairly quickly. I'd pick WL if I had to choose between that and AKL. At least from WL you have numerous choices to eat at and the transportation isn't limited to just the bus.
Have fun planning!

[Eeyoresmom]

We've stayed at both Mods and Deluxe, and have enjoyed both. We do prefer Deluxe for the size, the interior hallways, and the overall feel of the resort, but sometimes they just don't fit into our budget. The Mods have been lovely when we have stayed there.

WL and AKL are the most reasonable priced Deluxe and they are both lovely. You can't go wrong either way - but with 2 young children, the proximity to MK and Ft. Wilderness are a real bonus.

[Ashli]

We have stayed at WL, AKL, as well as most of the mods. Personally, I don't see a big difference between the Deluxe and Mod hotels. My favorite hotel that I've stayed in overall is POFQ, a mod of course. (that said, I have not stayed in my dream hotel yet, which is Boardwalk) Anyway, AKL and WL are both beautiful and fun and I don't think you can go wrong either way. If you will be spending more time at MK and would like the convenience of the quick boat ride over there, I would say to go for WL. It really is very easy. The animals at AKL are of course awesome, but WL is a very beautiful and charming resort on its own and doesn't play second fiddle to anything. Good luck!

[OohAahAndKids]

We've stayed at CBR, WL, and AKL....and I love all of them each for their own reasons. I love the boat ride to MK from WL and the pool is nice and we were able to see the fireworks each night from our room which was a nice touch. The kids loved all the animals and the 2 pools at AKL. The food court at AKL is slightly better than WL, but they're both good. We loved Boma, too! I'm not sure I'd pay for a savannah view again since there's so many opportunities to see animals all over the resort. And the busses were pretty speedy, so I wouldn't say we felt "too far out" at AKL either.
There's more amenities at a deluxe and the interior hallways are nice, but I love CBR and we'd stay there again in a minute.
If your budget allows, I'd try a deluxe...but if not, you'll still feel pretty "pampered"
Happy planning!

[guerns17]

There is definitely a difference between the moderate resorts and the deluxe resorts. I see it like this. For the value resorts the rooms are normal and the outside grounds are more child like but still nothing crazy special. The moderates the rooms to me are basically the same as the values, but the grounds are more 'grown up' and beautiful. The deluxe resorts you have an upgraded room with a balcony, flat screen tv, and nice bathrooms AND the grounds are amazing as well as some having the benefit of fun and fast transportation like the ferry at WL or the monorail.

We have stayed in all three categories and I would GO for it! We stayed at WL last December and it was FANTASTIC. I think the AK Lodge is nice, but I really enjoyed being right on the water and there is nothing like the ferry ride to the MK! Plus it offers other things your kids might be interested in; it has a beach, a gaiser, and an incredible pool! Plus you can always see animals at AK park so its not like you would miss out on the animals on your trip. So in my opinion go with WL. We tried it, we loved it, and we are going back next July because I can't see myself trying another resort because we loved it so much. Good luck with your decision!

[Tiki4]

If it is between AKL and WL, I would select WL for the Location, Location, Location. WL was our 2nd choice when we booked but the Poly won us over!!! Good Luck Deciding!!!!

[Sue M.]

We've stayed at Pop (1 night), CBR, POR, WL & AKL. I found the value, pretty basic both rooms and landscapping, but very clean. The moderates have beautiful landscaping, nice room decor with some extras like fridge & coffee pot, larger. And marinas, bike rentals, restaurant as well as food court and lounge. The deluxe have inside corridors, again beautiful landscapping, and very nice rooms, restaurants, food courts, lounges, great pools, marina, etc.

Accommodations In and Around Walt Disney World and Orlando Florida loads of great resort pics here. You can't go wrong with either WL or AKL. We love both resorts. WL has a boat to MK, CR, & Ft. Wilderness. Beautiful resort, marina, hiking trails, bike rentals. AKL of course has the savannas. Also a beautiful resort. Bus service is good, and really only a 20 min bus ride to MK. Loved sitting on my balcony with my morning coffee watching the animals.

[HiddenMickey]

What's nice about your two choices (AKL and WL) is that the resort is all in one building. There is no walking between your hotel building to get to the food court or lobby like with the moderate resorts. I love that aspect. I don't think AKL is really far from anywhere....the ride to MK (farthest park) is only 20 minutes. So, I think either resort will be great for your family.

Congrats on planning a special trip. Have fun in the planning process!

[nurse_mom]

On our up coming trip we are doing AKL. I let our kids look at different pictures, and they wanted AKL. All else fails you can always do a split stay if you are torn!