What resort would you "show off" to your parents?

[Gary Carter]

My wife and I are planning a trip for next year with my parents (Shhh, its a surprise) and we will be staying in a DVC resort. My parents have never stayed overnight at a Disney hotel, so we want to put our best foot forward as far as the hotel goes. We will be staying 6 or 7 nights in a one bedroom, depending on how point pricey the resort is.

This may sound weird because they are my own parents, but I dont know what their aesthetic is as far as what kind of hotel room they will enjoy! I dont think the Grand Floridian will be their style, and I dont want the Poly because I do want a 1 bedroom, but other than that, I'm stumped! so now I'm looking for suggestions.

We'll be hitting all of the parks, and while we haven't planned the trip day by day yet, I dont think we will be picking a hotel based on proximity to a park, just because we will be seeing them all and probably wont be favoring one too much.

If you were traveling with your parents (about 60) and wanted to "show off" disney and your membership, where would you take them?

Side note, I'm not super worried about availability because we'll be booking a 1 bedroom in September, but of course it doesn't hurt to have a backup.

Hopefully we can all share some good thoughts with each other. Thanks in advance for your suggestions!

 

[crazywig]

I'd narrow choices to 1br with 2 full bathrooms. So AKV or BLT.

 

[MJ NH]

Boardwalk, especially if they like to walk

 

[Gary Carter]

I'd narrow choices to 1br with 2 full bathrooms. So AKV or BLT.

I hadnt thought about this because usually my wife and I travel alone and it hasnt been an issue. Thats a huge deal. Thanks!

 

[igrsod]

I would do AKV savanna room. Those are what sold my hubby on DVC.

 

[MICKIMINI]

In 1998 we hosted my folks (at the time about 60 yrs old) at OKW in a 3 BR Grand Villa and they were floored. My brother, sister in law and their two kids joined my hubby and son. The size and layout was wonderful because of the abundant amount of space and great outdoor deck. There weren't as many choices then, but I still think it is a stellar choice for a big family!

 

[GoingSince1990]

My mother-in-law was blown away when we took her to the Grand Floridian for her first trip to a WDW resort- are you sure that it would not be your parents’ style? If so I would say BLT, theme park view.

 

[Novatrix]

It really depends more on what type of trip your parents would like rather than resort design aesthetic. Are they more likely to be park people or resort people?

If they're park people, I'd go with Boardwalk, Beach Club or Bay Lake Tower. (But my experience with both family and friends is we were always fine sharing one bathroom...)

If they mostly will be hanging out at the resort, Old Key West or AKV-Jambo.

If you think they'd like eating and shopping at Disney Springs the best, or they have bad backs and would prefer not to sleep on a sofa bed, I'd go with a renovated 1 bedroom at Saratoga Springs where they can sleep on a murphy bed.

 

[Brett Wyman]

Jambo and Wilderness lodge have the most wow factor lobby wise, hands down.

I think room wise the Grand Floridian Villas are the best on property(I know OP said maybe not their style).

Grounds wise I feel like GF and Poly have the most wow factor as well; being on the 7 Seas Lagoon, the Monorail over head, the Castle in the distance, the Contemporary to one side, and the fireworks at night. All of those combined give me the most "Disney" experience Ive ever felt.

 

[marcyleecorgan]

POFQ especially with a carriage ride in the evening

 

[mustinjourney]

I'd greatly consider going with a 2BR villa if shacking up with parents and my wife. it's not that much more to go from a 1BR to a 2BR. It's nice being able to have your own room/bed.

Especially if you are trying to wow them -- there's nothing more impressive for the points than a 2BR at VGF (obviously a GV or cabin are more impressive -- but they're a LOT more points).

Other thought is to consider a split stay. 3/4 nights at BCV/BWV/RIV and then 3/4 nights at VGF/BLT. If you want to save points, you could start off for 3 nights in a 1BR at BCV and then "upgrade" to a 2BR for the last few days. Definitely do not downgrade from a 2BR to a 1BR -- you'll be miserable with the loss of space.

 

[wishicouldgomoreofte]

If you were traveling with your parents (about 60) and wanted to "show off" disney and your membership, where would you take them?

I want to caution you. Many of the threads of owners complaining are when they try to "show off" their DVC, and are upset because they were not treated as the Queen of England in front of their guests. It seems like every week there is someone complaining when they are trying to "show off". Please keep your expectations reasonable and like any other trip.
I agree try to go up to a 2 bedroom, even if you have to shorten the trip and borrow points from next year. It will make a big difference in the "show" factor.

 

[Granny]

I would probably vote for AKV-Kidani Savannah View. You get the wow factor from the great lobby (especially if you take them over to Jambo). You get immersion in theming that is exotic and unusual for a United States resort. You get animals outside your balcony. And you get that extra full bathroom.

If you move up to a 2BR, then I think almost any resort will "wow" them. But I agree that worrying about their reaction shouldn't be a focus of your choice. No matter what resort you stay at, there is a chance of a bad view, or a room that doesn't meet your expectations. And I'd hate to have that become a major bummer for your during your trip.

You're visiting WDW with your parents...that alone should provide a lot of magic for the trip! Good luck with your planning.

 

[Noodlez]

I’m another one that would pick AKV Savannah as it’s quite unique and they would be very surprised! My parents are a little older though, so aren’t bothered about walking. I would only stay there a couple of days on my own as I’d be frustrated about not being able walk anywhere.

Have they done Disney staying offsite? Where do they usually like to stay? If they tend to like evening activities I would pick a boardwalk resort because they may well be wowed by the feel off the area (if not the individual resort). To me it feels like a lovely, lively community inside the bubble.

 

[PetePanMan]

Wilderness (copper creek) or AKV savannah

 

[bakerworld]

IMO, if 2 Bathrooms matter, the only choice is BLT. Conversely, if park access matters than I would choose Beach Club with a pool view. We love AK (& own there) but we like to stay there when we're not planning on doing much park time - ditto SSR. Poly is nice for both MK and Epcot - WL/CC is nice for MK access. I don't know how old are the parents but we're 63 and not 'dressy' so we didn't enjoy our time at GF = I've never been able to convince DH to try GFV.

Moving away from parks and bathrooms, for us the most impressive DVC venues are AKL Jambo lobby and SSR for access to DS.

 

[Keetchino]

Dang, double post

 

[Keetchino]

Wilderness Lodge/Copper Creek. Lobby has a big “wow” factor, and can’t beat the huge fireplaces or the indoor creek! Also, all of the shops and restaurants are on the 1st floor, so the ONLY people using the elevators are hotel guests.

 

[CarolynFH]

I agree with AKV Kidani Savanna View 2-bedroom. If seeing giraffes outside their window doesn’t impress them, nothing will.

 

[Frederic Civish]

I own at Poly, BLT and AKV.

I don't recommend Poly as 'impressive.' Sorry. It is nice, and it has the monorail. That is its main selling point. The rooms are just 'meh.' Converted hotel rooms. Not really great. I do love Kona Cafe, and we eat there frequently. Also, the 'Dinner for 2' that they can deliver from Ohana feeds at least 4 or 5 people. And is quite good. But their quick service restaurant, Captain Cooke's is truly one of the worst restaurants in Disney World. First of all, I think ALL the breakfasts served at ALL the quick service restaurants, are a true ABOMINATION, with the possible exception of Grand Floridian. NOT ONE of those restaurants would survive as a breakfast restaurant in the 'outside world.' Denney's or IHOP are gourmet compared to them. But, in addition Captain Cooke's tries way too hard with their other food. They reach . . . . and fall on their face. Their other food tries to be a blend between American-Asian-Island food, and it is a disgraceful failure. I am an adventurous eater. I will try almost anything. I have eaten great gourmet food. And I have eaten the food of many other countries, in those countries. But I love down home goodness, too. Captain Cooke's is a pallid imitation at best, of whatever it is trying to achieve. The food seems poorly thought out and if it was created by a professional chef, he should be fired. The biggest problem is that besides their inedible breakfast food, EVERYTHING ELSE is unbalanced, poorly co-ordinated for flavors, and just repulsive to my taste.

Okay. Now for some better recommendations.

BLT is very nice and is high class. Much more impressive than Poly. Before I stayed there, I thought it would be 'sterile' and uninteresting, but it actually turned out to be quite nice. My family loved it and were impressed. AND, it has the most iconic view of the monorail. I think your parents would love it.

My favorite, and to me the most impressive resort, is AKL. I would not hesitate to put them in a Savannah View room at Kidani. The Kidani rooms are also a bit bigger than Jambo House. It is a massive resort, so request a SUNSET SAVANNAH VIEW room near the Timon elevator (which will probably put you fairly close to the lobby), and you will never beat the views you get from the balcony. Just spend some time relaxing on the balconies, every day. The lodges at Animal Kingdom are UNIQUE in the entire world. And the rooms and the decor are also quite nice. Kidani Village has the largest collection of African Folk Art in the world. Including Africa. The restaurants are also very good, with African-Indian-American fusion elements. But if you are just a bit adventurous you will find them delicious.

I have never stayed at Grand Floridian, or Beach Club or Boardwalk, but I think all of those places could also be good. I would recommend Wilderness Lodge, but the Copper Creek rooms are a bit small.

I know Riviera isn't open yet. It will open tomorrow. However, I would definitely take them there, if it is available. I have a couple of rooms reserved for my family in February, but I don't need to stay there to recognize that it is going to be a winner.