Going Deluxe - am I crazy?

[butterscotchcollins]

Hey DISboards fam,

Looking for some POVs on staying at a Deluxe resort for a week-long trip (or maybe doing a split stay!). Since our April trip had to be cancelled, and DH and I have both been lucky enough to stay employed but extremely stressed out thereby, I'm trying to convince him to splurge whenever we do reschedule and book a Deluxe resort. I do think spending $600+ a night is insane (even though we could technically afford it but it seems like SO MUCH MONEY) but then again I feel like I've lost my mind so who cares anymore?

So, feel free to weigh in on what you think is the hands-down-best Deluxe (I'm not going to get crazy and book Club Level or a Villa, but Theme Park View is an option) and its can't-miss features. It'll just be DH and I, we don't have kids and are aggressive with our park plans so we can cover a lot in a day and still have time for pool/drinks to relax. The only time I've ever stayed in a Deluxe was like 1999 when I was a teenager and my parents got a sick deal at the Poly courtesy of a family CM (don't remember a thing about that stay), otherwise it's been CBR and All-Stars (or, once, the Howard Johnson in Kissimmee.)

Let's dream some dreams!

 

[Carol_]

I’d go Poly or AKL Kidani Savannah view or both.

 

[Boopuff]

Once you go deluxe.... I've stayed all over at every level. But man, I adore the deluxe rooms. The size alone will make you smile. If you stay at a place with a balcony - even better. I find deluxe to be a bit more relaxing, not as chaotic or noisy as the value resorts. (food courts there give me hives!)

 

[Quellman]

The time you spend at the resort or in your room should influence your decision to stay deluxe, unless you just really like your surroundings. The new Gran Destino Tower and Port Orleans French Quarter are both very lovely resorts and recently remodeled.

Moving to deluxe, we have enjoyed Polynesian and Yacht Club for different reasons. Both have access to top dining locations and splendid pools.

 

[mindy6540]

We love deluxe! Especially now we are empty nesters. When we can’t get a good deal on a deluxe we opt for the Swan or Dolphin. All the good things about being on property, transportation, purchase still sent to hotel, and you can walk to two parks!

 

[rwdavis2]

I would do either AKL Savannah view or one of the EPCOT hotels. It's nice to be able to walk to 2 parks if you want.

 

[Erica Ladd]

We made the mistake of starting at a deluxe and now I’m not sure if I could change but I have considered it often! When DH and I go alone the convenience of BWI or any Epcot resort is great. We park hop, relax in room or at the pool, visit resorts to dine, etc. I’m not the biggest MK fan but would like to try a monorail Resort soon!

 

[BellaBeast787]

We really love AKL. since that visit we do find it hard to go back to moderate resorts. There isn't another resort like it.

 

[Ds4angels]

I'd love to do Polly, theme park view. And honestly, you might be able to get a good deal on deluxe when things open. So if i could find deluxe for a decent price I'd splurge in your position

 

[buzznina]

$600+ no way. We have stayed Deluxe a number of times and have no issues staying at the other levels. We have never came back and said "Deluxe is the only way to go". If you want to splurge then yes, but definitely not "worth" that price.
We think that AKL is by far the most unique resort and I will always recommend staying there at least once.

 

[happily single]

I’d go Poly or AKL Kidani Savannah view or both.

I did this exact hotel stay 2 years ago for dd’s 21st birthday. It hurt to pay about $700 per night for the Poly. We had a studio room. We then rented points for AKL. We had to split it into one night at each of AKL Lodges. We enjoyed the Poly, but didn’t get to truly experience it all since we were always headed to/from a park. Every visit to WDW we eat at the Poly we love it so much. Sadly we had even less time at AKL and never even got to swim in the pool.

while we enjoyed our stays if your plan to spend a good amount of time at the parks I would stay at a moderate

 

[Schneewittchen37]

Adding to the chorus, once you stay at a deluxe, you become a snob and it's all down hill and empty wallets from there. I've stayed at Boardwalk, Wilderness Lodge, Swan, Contemporary. Loved them all. Just booked a trip today for Yacht Club (I too had to cancel an April trip). DH only took a couple of weeks of nudging.... The beds are better, the towels are softer, the walls are thicker, the restaurants are better, the pools are less cray-cray as DD would say. Can't beat walking to the parks either....

And I just booked my summer vacation today!!!! Ahhhh! Ohhhh! A few months ago we were talking Europe. Then it was okay, we'll just go to Hawaii. Nope, I'm goin' downee ocean, hon! Ocean City, MD baby!!!!

 

[MICKIMINI]

It started for us in 1996 when we bought OKW...there is NO going back! AKL Savannah (Jambo) or Poly would be my recommendations. At this point, I think everyone should be thinking about a celebratory trip You can't take it with you!!

ps It may not look like it with all our DVC trips it but I am very conservative financially and don't waste money - but I don't waste my life either!

 

[kylenne]

I think all of the Deluxes have something special to offer, and I think the "best" really comes down to personal preferences: theming, location, etc. You'll have a great time at any of them. I enjoy the Crescent Lake resorts a lot, and the convenience can't be beat when you can walk to two parks, especially if you plan to go during one of the Epcot festivals! But if you're after a Theme Park View, it's monorail or bust imo. Poly or GF would be great choices if pools are really important to you (CR is lackluster there), and depending on how soon they complete the construction, you might be able to walk to MK from them just like CR.

I'm hopelessly biased in favor of the Poly since it's my favorite resort, but there's just something so magical about the MK area in general to me. It has an energy to it that I really love. If you don't want to stay there the whole time, I think a Poly/AKL split would be a lovely idea, it wouldn't be so hard on the budget and you get to enjoy two great resorts.

 

[SarahC97]

As far as general ambiance goes, I think the best deluxe options for an adult-only trip are one of the Crescent Lake resorts. We really enjoy the Boardwalk Inn.

 

[bclittle]

If you are spending time at the resort, Deluxe is the way to go! I love having more things to do and it is more relaxing in my opinion. However, paying $600 a night is a lot! You can stay at many deluxe resorts for under that amount, especially with discount like the summer one going on now. Check the prices of Wilderness Lodge or AKL, they are typically cheaper than the others.

 

[WDWTRAVELLER]

I think if it's something you can do then do it.. We just booked christmas at the AKL. its over 700 per night and with the crappy exchange rate we will almost be 1000 cad. to think 1000 bucks for somewhere to sleep. but you live only once. and the kids can earn their own money and i will enjoy mine

 

[MICKIMINI]

I think if it's something you can do then do it.. We just booked christmas at the AKL. its over 700 per night and with the crappy exchange rate we will almost be 1000 cad. to think 1000 bucks for somewhere to sleep. but you live only once. and the kids can earn their own money and i will enjoy mine

I love it - let those kids "earn their own money"!! I remember our son buying a pair of Oakley sunglasses when he was 13 years old...he saved diligently to buy those at DS (then DD). He is 32, a doc and STILL has those glasses - a GREAT lesson in saving for what you want!

 

[IceSkatingPrincess]

I know you said no club level... but Contemporary tower club in a king room overlooking the park. You might have to call to check availability. The tower club is so quiet and peaceful!

Outside of that, AKL is my happy place. The Poly is also wonderful.

 

[tbssenterprises]

If there is one thing I've learned through this COVID, is that life is certainly full of curve balls. If you don't get to Disney very often, then heck yea, go Deluxe. I love Deluxe, but since I go a couple of times a year (5 hours drive and I am retired and do solo trips), I usually stay Pop. Sometimes the family will come down and if I get good rates, I'll book a few rooms at Beach or Yacht.....and hubby usually spends time at pool while the adult kids and I report to combat duty in the parks.