Resort Reviews

Disney Yacht Club Deluxe Resort Hotel Review and Information

by josh on April 11, 2010

Wondering how the Yacht Club stacks up against the other Disney World Deluxe Resorts? Check out The Best Disney World Deluxe Resorts for a comparison of the eight Deluxes in a variety of categories including Best Layout, Best Dining, Best Transportation, Best Location, Best Rooms, Best Pool, and Best Overall Deluxe Resort.

Address:

1700 Epcot Resorts Boulevard
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830-1000

Direct Phone: 1- 407-934-7000, Fax: 1-407-934-3450, General Reservations: 1-407-WDISNEY (1-407-934-7639)

Note, this overview is similar to the Beach Club because they are sister resorts that are fairly similar.  The main differences are in the theme, best room, and dining sections.

Resort Class: The Yacht Club is a Deluxe resort, the most expensive resort type.  There are 11 different room, concierge, suite, and view configurations with prices ranging from $340 for a Standard Room with a Standard View during Value Season all the way up to $2,790 per night for the two-bedroom Captain’s Deck Suite during Holiday Season.  There are two available views for Standard Rooms.  Standard View rooms have a view of the parking lot, roof, or garden and cost $340 in Value Season and go up to $520 during Holiday Season.  “Water or Pool View” rooms have a view of Crescent Lake or the resort’s quiet pool and cost between $420 and $585 per night.  Club Level with Concierge Service starts at $470.

Location: The Yacht Club is to Epcot what the Contemporary Resort is to the Magic Kingdom.  In other words, the Yacht Club is within an easy five-ten minute walk of Epcot’s World Showcase entrance (also known as the International Gateway).  In addition, the Yacht Club is just a quick boat ride away from the Hollywood Studios, within walking distance of the Swan and Dolphin Resorts, within walking distance of the Boardwalk with its restaurants and activities, and within walking distance of its sister resort, the Beach Club.  The Yacht Club sits on the man-made Crescent Lake and offers a variety of water recreation activities and beach areas.

Size:  With only 630 rooms, the Yacht Club is one of the smallest resorts at Disney World.  All Yacht Club rooms are located inside one 5-story building.  The walk to the lobby or bus stop should not exceed ten minutes from even the most remote rooms and the hallways are nicely air-conditioned which makes walks within the resort more pleasant.

Room Amenities and Quality: Most of the Standard rooms are about 380 square feet and can accommodate up to five people.  This is about 70 feet larger than Moderate rooms and 40-60 feet smaller than Standard rooms at the Monorail Deluxes.  Rooms come with all of the Deluxe amenities including: small table, two chairs, ceiling fan, internet access ($10 per 24 hours), 32” LCD television, small safe, telephone, hairdryer, iron, ironing board, alarm clock, coffeemaker, refrigerator, bathroom with double sinks, shower/bathtub combo, toilet, and mirror.  There are a number of possible bed configurations.  Your room will either have one queen bed and one day bed, two queen beds and no day bed, two queen beds and one day bed, one king bed and no day bed, or one king bed and one day bed.   I would note your preference when you make your reservation and follow up with the resort by phone or fax about three days before your stay.  All rooms have balconies or patios.

The Yacht Club completed a room refurbishment project at the end of 2009.  All rooms were upgraded with new beds, linens, televisions, and furnishings.  The rooms are tastefully decorated in blue and white with a nautical themed bedspread, headboard, and decent wooden furniture.  The rooms are not as elegantly themed as the Grand Floridian or as modern as the Contemporary, but they are relatively large and laid out well.  Housekeeping is also excellent at both the Yacht Club and Beach club, which is even more important than fancy furniture or artwork.

Theme and Layout: The Yacht Club, as you might expect, has a nautical theme.  According to Disney, the Yacht Club “transports Guests to the summertime Shingle Style hotels of Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket.”  The staff is dressed like they’re the crew of a ship and it seems like the goal of the resort is to make you feel like you’re actually on a boat rather than inside of a swanky clubhouse.  Either way, the resort features an elegant main building with expansive wood flooring, ship memorabilia, dark wood furniture, and simulated captain’s wheels.  The main building isn’t as amazing as the ones found at the Animal Kingdom Lodge, Grand Floridian, or Polynesian, but the building is tastefully decorated and I don’t think anyone will leave feeling underwhelmed.

Unlike most other Disney resorts, all of the guestrooms are located in one building.  The advantage is that the walk from your room to the main building or bus stop will be primarily inside and air-conditioned.  The downside is that rooms near the end of either wing are about 10 minutes away from the bus stop, which is above average for a Deluxe.  In addition, the guestrooms are down halls that are somewhat maze-like in nature.  It’s not just a single hallway with rooms on either side.  All of the twists and turns can be confusing, but it shouldn’t be too difficult for most guests to find their way.  The resort shares many of its amenities with the Beach Club, including its feature pool, counter service restaurant, and marina.  There is no counter service at the Yacht Club, only a self-service area.  This means that you will have to walk to the Beach Club or Hurricane Hannah’s at the feature pool if you want to refill your refillable mug.  Although it’s usually a pleasant trip, it’s not always convenient, especially in poor weather.

Like the Grand Floridian, the Yacht Club is thought of by some to be a “stuffy resort” that is less kid-friendly than other Deluxes like the Beach Club or Polynesian.  While I don’t agree with this assessment, it’s true that families with children tend to stay at the Yacht Club’s sister resort, the Beach Club. Some guests prefer the casual atmosphere of the Beach Club while others enjoy the refined elegance of the Yacht Club.  Either resort is perfectly kid-friendly.  The fact that fewer children will likely be present may also make the resort more appealing to couples or families with older children.  When it comes to the Beach Club and the Yacht Club there really isn’t a wrong choice, especially because they share so many amenities and are so close to each other.

Pool: Stormalong Bay, the feature pool complex that the Yacht Club shares with the Beach Club, is far and away the best pool area of any resort at Disney World.  Stormalong is a three acre, 750,000+ gallon water park, complete with an authentic sand bottom pool, several water slides, a lazy river for tubing, kiddie pools, and a life-size pirate shipwreck.   Guests are required to show their resort key card to gain entry, so there are no “pool hoppers” from other resorts.  If you’ve ever been to the Polynesian then you know how crowded the Volcano Pool can get when people who don’t belong fill it up.  In addition, there is a quiet pool on the other side of the resort that’s available for swimmers who would rather enjoy a more relaxing swim.

Transportation: Arguably, the Yacht Club has the best location of any resort at Disney World (along with the Beach Club and BoardWalk Inn).  While it’s difficult to rate it above the Monorail Resorts, it’s true that the Yacht Club is less than a ten minute walk to Epcot, less than a ten minute boat ride away from the Hollywood Studios, and within walking distance of the Swan resort, Dolphin resort, Beach Club resort, Boardwalk, and Boardwalk Inn resort.  It’s the perfect location for anyone planning several meals at Epcot or those who enjoy the Hollywood Studios.  It’s not particularly far from the Animal Kingdom or Magic Kingdom either.  The downside is that there is no bus transportation to the front entrance of Epcot so guests will need to enter from the International Gateway, nearest to the World Showcase.

The times below are calculated after the bus or boat leaves for its final destination.

Hollywood Studios by Boat: about 15 minutes (including the wait for Swan and Dolphin guests to board)    Hollywood Studios by Walkway: about 25 minutes
Epcot by Foot: about 10 minutes
Epcot by Boat: about 15 minutes (including additional stops)
Animal Kingdom: about 15 minutes
Magic Kingdom: about 15 minutes

Best Rooms: As you are probably aware, Disney charges more for “view upgrades,” like a lake or garden view instead of a parking lot view.  The problem is that their definition of a “water view” is a view of any body of water, including a swimming pool or hot tub.  I don’t know about you, but I don’t consider my condo in Las Vegas to have a “beautiful view of the water” because there’s a community swimming pool in the middle of it.  Water View rooms can cost as much as $100 more per night.  Since you won’t be able to guarantee what room you will be assigned until you check in at the resort, Water Views are in essence a $100+ per night gamble that you won’t be stuck on the second floor of the resort looking out at a kiddie pool.  This is the primary reason why I rarely recommend paying to upgrade to a better view.  You just don’t know what you’re going to get.

I bring this up now because the Yacht Club offers a surprisingly few number of rooms with a fantastic water view.  You would think that a resort built right in front of a 25 acre lake would have a lot of rooms with beautiful views, but that just isn’t the case.  Most of the “Pool or Water View” rooms overlook the quiet pool or look out at an angle where you would have to crane your neck to see the Lake.  For that reason I will have to get a little more specific than usual on my room recommendations.  Remember, although you can request a particular room, there’s no guarantee you’ll get it.

The best rooms at the Yacht Club are 5201, 5203, 5205, 5207, and 5209 followed by 5163, 5161, 5081, 5079, 5077, 5075, 5073, 5071, 5069, and 5067.  These rooms are all Concierge level and cost extra.  Of the Standard rooms, 4209, 4207, 4205, 4203, 4201, 4163, 4161, 4081, 4079, 4077, 4075, 4073, 4071, 4069, 4067, 4065, 4063, 4061, 4059, 4057, 3209, 3207, 3205, 3203, 3201, 3163, 3161, 3081, 3079, 3077, 3075, 3073, 3071, 3069, 3067, 3065, 3063, 3061, 3059, 3057, 3025, 2023, 30121, 3019, 3017, 3015, 3013, 3011, 3009, 3007, 3005, 3003, 2081, 2079, 2077, 2075, 2073, 2071, 2069, 2067, 2025, 2023, 2021, 2019, 2017, 2015, 2013, 2011, 2009, 2007, 2005, 2003 all have full balconies and look out over Crescent Bay directly.  The first number is the floor number and the second three digit number is the room number.  Higher three digit numbers are closer to the main building, restaurants, and Stormalong Bay.  For example, room 4209 is room 209 on floor four and is closer to Stormalong Bay than room 3061, which is on floor three, room 061.  Rooms on higher floors are usually quieter and have a slightly more panoramic view than those on lower levels.    When requesting a room, it’s always better to do it at the time of reservation and then follow up directly with the resort about three days before you’re set to arrive.  Instead of listing the room numbers above on your request, it’s more helpful to tell the resort why you’re making the request.  Instead of requesting room 4209, request a room with a full balcony and a direct view of Crescent Bay.  The resort will then have a better understanding of where you want to be placed and you will be more likely to have your requests granted.

On-Site Dining Options: Although the Yacht Club is close to the many excellent restaurants at Epcot, the Swan, Dolphin, Beach Club, and Boardwalk, it only has two restaurants of its own.  The Yachtsman Steakhouse is the resort’s Signature Restaurant and costs two table service credits on the Dining Plan.  The Captain’s Grille is also a sit-down restaurant that costs one table service credit on the Dining Plan.  There is no counter service location at the Yacht Club, which means you will have to go to Hurricane Hannah’s or the Beach Club to refill your mug or order a hamburger.

The Captain’s Grille is primarily a seafood/steak restaurant that is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.  The food and service are both above average and it’s rarely busy.  The décor is nothing special, but it’s a nice alternative to the more expensive Yachtsman, especially if you find yourself back at the resort during meal time with little energy to travel elsewhere.  Breakfast offers egg and pancake fare, along with more interesting options like the Crab Cake Benedict or Steak and Eggs.  There’s also an all-you-care-to-eat breakfast that costs $15.99 per person and features the usual suspects – fruit, yogurt, pastries, pancakes, smoked salmon, cereal, bacon, sausage, eggs, and potatoes.  Lunch features several inexpensive sandwich and hamburger options, along with seafood-inspired dishes like Classic New England Lobster Roll and Grilled Ahi Tuna.  As usual, dinner is the most expensive meal, and includes options like the Snow Crab Legs, Lump Crab Cakes, and Grilled NY Strip.  For breakfast most entrées are in the $10-$15 range, lunch entrées are in the $13-$20 range and dinner entrées are in the $20-$30 range.  I wouldn’t go out of my way to eat a meal here, but it’s a relaxing and convenient option if you’re staying at the Yacht Club.

The Yachtsman Steakhouse is only open for dinner and features a menu rich in expensive cuts of meat.  There is a 20 ounce bone-in rib eye, 8 ounce fillet mignon, as well as a chicken, tuna, and lamb entrée.  Entrées are expensive, with most on the upper end of the $30-$50 spectrum.  The restaurant is themed like an elegant New England steakhouse with hardwood floors, leather cushions, and an open kitchen where you can view the chefs cutting the meat and preparing the meals.  The beef is better here than most restaurants at Disney World, including more popular choices Le Cellier, Brown Derby, and Kona Café.  The cost is also higher, both on and off the Dining Plan.  If you’re looking for an excellent steak in a slightly more upscale atmosphere then I would strongly recommend the Yachtsman.  It’s also much easier to get a reservation than most Epcot restaurants.  Since the Yacht Club is so close to Epcot, anyone visiting Epcot can easily leave through the International Gateway and walk the ten or so minutes to the Yachtsman as well.  If a steak is on your mind and everything at Epcot is full, then this might be your best bet.

Full reviews coming soon.

Best For: Those who plan to spend considerable time at the resort enjoying Stormalong Bay, the beaches, and watercraft rentals.  People who want to take advantage of the Yacht Club’s location within walking distance of Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Beach Club, Swan, Dolphin, and Boardwalk.  Adults looking for more elegant surroundings with a chance of fewer children around.

Worst For: Those on a budget.  People who don’t swim, don’t plan to take advantage of the location and dining options, or have children that will not appreciate the theme.

Summary of Key Points: The Yacht Club is a classy Deluxe resort along the lines of the Grand Floridian.  Its location is one of the most convenient at Disney World, which is a key advantage if you plan to spend a lot of time enjoying what Epcot has to offer.  The rooms have been recently renovated, and while not particularly eye-popping, are themed tastefully and housekeeping is usually excellent.  All of the guestrooms are in one building, which makes walks through the resort more pleasant when the weather is poor outside.  The downside is that rooms at the end of the wings are relatively far away from the restaurants and main lobby.  Also, rooms sometimes have an odd bed configuration.  Some rooms have daybeds while others do not.  It’s best to request a daybed if it’s a feature you want or need at the time of reservation and follow up with the resort directly via phone or fax three or so days before you’re scheduled to check in.  Finally, many of the “Water or Pool” view rooms do not have a view that justifies the increased cost.  See above for rooms with the best view, but since it isn’t possible to guarantee the room you will be staying in until you arrive, paying for the upgrade is a gamble.  You might want to hold off until you check in and see what rooms are available before you commit to the costly upgrade.

Other than its location, the resort’s key asset is its feature pool complex, Stormalong Bay.  Stormalong is like no other resort pool area at Disney World and probably one of the best resort pool complexes in the United States.  Spanning three acres and filled with over 750,000 gallons of water, Stormalong offers several pools, water slides, Jacuzzis, kiddie pools, and a lazy river for inner tubing.  On top of that, the pool has a sand bottom and there is a life-size replica of a ship wreck with a kiddie pool inside of it and a giant waterslide that feeds back into the main pool.  Since guests are required to show their room key to gain admittance, there are also no “pool hoppers” from other resorts unfairly hogging space like there is at the Polynesian or other popular pool areas.

The Yacht Club isn’t a well known resort, both due to its small size and the fact that it isn’t new or visible from the Magic Kingdom.  If you were to ask a casual Disney vacationer if they’ve even heard of it, chances are most people would look at you funny and ask if you’re mistaking it for “that white resort with the red roofs.”  Luckily, if you’ve made it this far then you’re well versed in its many advantages.  I would recommend the Yacht Club to any couple or group of adults who are looking for a relaxing, elegant atmosphere in close proximity to Epcot and the Hollywood Studios.  The resort is also fine with children, just be sure that they won’t be too disappointed when they find out there’s no 40 foot tall Mickey Mouse standing outside.

Overall Rank on The Best Disney World Deluxe Resorts: 6th out of 8

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Caribbean Beach Resort Review at Disney World Orlando Florida

by josh on March 26, 2010

Wondering how the Caribbean Beach Resort stacks up against the other Disney World Moderate Resorts? Check out The Best Disney World Moderate Resorts for a comparison of the four Moderates in a variety of categories including Best Layout, Best Dining, Best Transportation, Best Location, Best Rooms, Best Pool, and Best Overall Moderate Resort.

Address:

900 Cayman Way
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830-1000

Direct Phone: 1-407-934-3400, Fax: 1-407-934-3288, General Reservations: 1-407-WDISNEY (1-407-934-7639)

Cost: Caribbean Beach is a Moderate resort and the cost for a standard room is the same as the Port Orleans.  Caribbean Beach also offers Preferred Location, King Bed, Water View, Pirate Room Standard View, and Pirate Room Water View upgrades.  Upgrading to Preferred, King, or Water View costs an additional $28 per night, upgrade to a Pirate Room costs $34 per night, and upgrade to a Pirate Room with Water View costs an additional $62 per night.

Location: The Caribbean Beach is officially an Epcot Area Resort.  Caribbean Beach is closest to Epcot and Hollywood Studios.

Size:  Caribbean Beach is larger and has more rooms than any other Moderate, at 2,112.  It is broken up into six separate “villages” inspired by and named after Caribbean islands.  Each village surrounds the 45 acre lake which is located in the middle of the resort.  Caribbean Beach is so large that it has a continuously running interior bus service in addition to Disney Transportation that takes guests to the Parks.  Each village has its own bus stop, seven in all, so rooms should not be far from transportation options even if the room is as far as 1.5 miles from the check-in area.

Room Amenities and Quality: Many websites and books erroneously report that Caribbean Beach rooms are the largest of the Moderates, at 340 square feet.  I’ve measured several and they have all measured 314 square feet, the same as the other Moderate resorts.  All rooms have been recently renovated with either a Finding Nemo or Pirates of the Caribbean theme.  Caribbean Beach rooms have the same amenities as Port Orleans – two double beds or one king size bed, small table, two desk chairs, two bed-side tables, luggage seat, dresser, mirror, hair dryer, small safe, 4-cup coffeemaker, small  21” x 16” refrigerator, iron, ironing board, Ethernet port for internet access, and television.  Unlike the Port Orleans, Caribbean Beach rooms have flat-screen LCD televisions, new carpets, new bedspreads, new wallpaper, and new furnishings.  The Finding Nemo theme is not overdone and is really only apparent in the bedspreads and wallpaper.

In 2009, Caribbean Beach refurbished the rooms in its Trinidad South building with a Pirates of the Caribbean theme.  Pirate rooms feature carpet that looks like wood planks, pirate ship bed frames, a barrel case for the refrigerator, drawers that look like crates, a compass themed table, and pirate themed bedspreads, shower curtain, and bathroom separator curtain.  If your kids love Jack Sparrow or you have a nine year old boy concerned that Disney World is too “girly,” this room may be the answer to get everyone in your party excited.

Theme and Layout: Disney doesn’t keep this one a secret.  It’s the Caribbean.  The resort is split into six “villages”– Trinidad North, Trinidad South, Martinique, Barbados, Aruba and Jamaica on grounds that span more than 200 acres.  Beautiful white sand beaches, palm trees, and hammocks are common sights.  Disney refers to the resort’s colors as “so bright and playful, the buildings could almost be mistaken for candy.”   Unlike Coronado Springs or Port Orleans Riverside, the external theme of the buildings does not change much from village to village.  Each building is two stories tall and does not have an elevator.

Pool: There are six heated pools at the Caribbean Beach.  The main pool is one of the resort’s strengths and the pool complex includes a kiddie pool for children, two water slides, waterfalls, and two hot tubs.  The main pool is themed like the Spanish fortress, Fuentes del Morro Fort, complete with canons, lookout towers, and zero-depth entry.  The kiddie pool is popular with kids and features three smaller slides and a large bucket that dumps water over the area.  The quiet pools, found at each of the six villages, are convenient and usually relaxed.  As far as Moderates are concerned, the Caribbean Beach feature pool is probably the second best behind the Dig Site at Coronado.

Transportation: Caribbean Beach is connected to the World via bus only.  There are 7 bus stops around the resort and chances are your bus will either stop or have stopped at every one of the stops before leaving for your destination.  This can add 15 minutes or more to the length to the trip.  Transportation is generally the second biggest critique of the resort, after its size.  Transportation can be spotty, and although some guests report no problems, many others report long waits and insufficient service.  Although it is unlikely that Caribbean Beach is purposefully neglected, the number of complaints regarding longer than average transit times is greater than any of the other Moderate resorts.

The times below are calculated after the bus leaves the resort.

Hollywood Studios: less than 10 minutes
Epcot: about 10 minutes
Animal Kingdom: about 15 Minutes
Magic Kingdom: about 20 minutes

Best Rooms: Disney knows this is a large resort and they charge a premium for rooms closest to dining, shopping, and check-in.  Preferred rooms are currently an additional $25 per night, the same additional cost as a King Bed or Water View upgrade.  Pirate rooms are found in Trinidad South, the furthest section from dining and check-in.  The closest rooms to the main building are found in Martinique buildings 24, 25 and 26, and in Trinidad North buildings 31, 32 and 33.  These rooms usually cost extra.  Of the “Non-Preferred” rooms, Jamaica 45 and Aruba 51 are closest to the main building.  As far as bus stops, the Trinidad North stop is by building 33, Trinidad South by 36, Jamaica by 46, Aruba by 56, Barbados by 13, and Martinique by building 23.  If you would prefer to be near the dining areas and main bus stop, I would strongly recommend paying extra for a preferred room.

On-Site Dining Options: Caribbean Beach is not known for its dining.  Its counter service option, Old Port Royale, offers a variety of adequate pizza, pasta, burgers, sandwiches, and rotisserie items.  Shutters, the Caribbean themed sit down restaurant that’s only open for dinner, is not particularly popular and only features about a half dozen appetizers and entrees.  There is no on-site lounge and no bar other than the one located at the pool.  Full review to come.

Best For: Those who love the Caribbean theme or want to stay in a Pirate themed room.  People who want to stay at a Moderate when the other Moderates are booked.  Those who don’t mind paying extra for a Preferred room or don’t mind a long walk around property.

Worst For: Those who prefer a small, more compact resort.  People who plan to eat most of their meals at the resort.

Summary of Key Points: The Caribbean Beach resort is the least recommended Moderate resort.  This is evident in the fact that it is often times the last Moderate to sell out during popular promotions.  This isn’t to say that the resort doesn’t have any redeeming qualities though and some guests love the resort and will not stay anywhere else.  Nonetheless, it is worth pointing out its detractions, including its large size, inconsistent bus service, and below average dining options.  The Pirate rooms are fun, but it’s hard to recommend them at $34 to $62 extra per night (or $204 to $372 extra for a six night stay).  The Pirate Rooms are also located in Trinidad South, the furthest away from the main building.  The Caribbean Beach resort is not a bad choice if you love the Caribbean theme, but the other Moderate resorts have more upside.

Overall Rank on The Best Disney World Moderate Resorts: 4th out of 4

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Coronado Springs Resort Review at Disney World Orlando Florida

by josh on March 26, 2010

Wondering how the Coronado Springs Resort stacks up against the other Disney World Moderate Resorts? Check out The Best Disney World Moderate Resorts for a comparison of the four Moderates in a variety of categories including Best Layout, Best Dining, Best Transportation, Best Location, Best Rooms, Best Pool, and Best Overall Moderate Resort.

Address:

1000 West Buena Vista Drive
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830-1000

Phone: 407-939-1000, Fax: 407-939-1001, General Reservations: 1-407-WDISNEY (1-407-934-7639)

Resort Class: Moderate.  Coronado Springs is usually $5 more expensive than the other Moderate resorts, per night.  This is because the rooms have been recently renovated and have queen beds instead of doubles.

Location: The Coronado Springs is officially an Animal Kingdom Disney Resort.  It is located on the opposite side of the Animal Kingdom Lodge though, making it closer to the other parks. 

Size:  Coronado Springs is a large resort with 1,921 rooms.  It is also the home of Disney’s 95,000 square foot Convention Center.  There is a large 15 acre lake in the middle of the resort that is about one mile around.  This equates to a walk of as much as a half mile each way between the main building, El Centro, and the Ranchos section of the resort.  It is possible to hitch a ride on a golf cart and be driven to your destination by a resort employee.

Convention Center: Coronado Springs is Disney’s most popular convention center resort and the only resort in the Moderate or Value class with an attached convention center.  This means that a great number of guests may not be at the resort for the usual reason– a Disney vacation.  Thus, Coronado Springs may be the best choice for guests looking to get away from children.  Be careful though, as Conventioners can be even more annoying than the wildest children and there isn’t always a convention going on.  Refer to the list of conventions at the end of this article.

Room Amenities and Quality: Coronado Springs is also unique in its room options and sizes.  Of the more than 1,900 rooms, 160 have king beds, 99 are set aside for the disabled, 30 are Junior Suites, 10 are VIP Suites, and 6 are Executive Suites.  Suites are expensive – a minimum of $350 for the Junior Suite all the way up to $1,300 a night for the Executive Suite.

All rooms have been recently renovated and this is the only Moderate with two queen beds in each room instead of doubles.  There is also a flat screen LCD television, DVD player, new carpeting, new wallpaper, new furnishings, and sliding doors that separate the bathroom area from the main room.  The sliding doors are a vast improvement over the simple drape found at other Moderates.  However, there is only one sink in the vanity instead of the two sinks found at other Moderates.  This is also the only Moderate hotel with wireless internet in addition to wired access.  Each room also has the other standard Moderate amenities, including a small table, two desk chairs, two bed-side tables, luggage seat, dresser, mirror, hair dryer, small safe, 4-cup coffeemaker, small  21” x 16” refrigerator, iron, and ironing board.  Shampoo, conditioner, and bar soap are also provided.

The Junior Suite is about the size of two standard rooms put together and sleeps up to six people.  There is a bedroom with either two queens or one king bed and a separate living room type area with a sleeper sofa.  There are two bathrooms, one in the bedroom and one in the living room.  VIP Suites are also one bedroom with two queens or one king, but the main living room area is twice the size of the Junior Suite bringing the overall size to about three standard rooms put together.  The living area has a wet bar, a second bathroom, a sleeper sofa, two sitting areas, and a dining room table that seats four.  Finally, the Executive Suites have two bedrooms and a main living area.  One bedroom features a king bed with full bathroom and whirlpool tub and the other bedroom has two doubles and a full bathroom as well.  The living area has a wet bar, two seating areas, half bath, sleeper sofa, and a dining table that seats six.  All suites also have the standard Moderate amenities.  Each of the regular rooms is the standard 314 square feet.

Additional Resort Amenities: Since this resort doubles as a convention center, there are a number of amenities designed to please the business crowd that are not found at other Moderates.  This includes the La Vida Health Club located in the Casitas section.  There are a half dozen treadmills and elliptical machines along with free weights and weight machines.  A tanning bed and massage rooms are also available for use.  Also in the Casitas section, the Casa de Belleza Salon provides haircuts and other assorted beauty services.  There is also a business center with computers, fax machines, internet, copying, notary, and other various business services.

There is a coupon for the spa available at http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/media/wdw_nextgen/CoreCatalog/WaltDisneyWorld/en_us/PDF/85379_Dollar_CorSpr.pdf

Theme and Layout: The theme of the Coronado Springs is Spanish Colonial Mexico and the Southwest United States.  The resort is split into three distinct areas – Casitas, Ranchos, and Cabanas that all surround a 15 acre man-made lake.  The Casitas section, referred to as an “urban terra-cotta paradise” by Disney, is generally used by convention guests.  Casitas is nearest to the Convention Center and buildings 1, 2, and 3 are nearest to the dining area.  Casitas 4 houses the spa and salon and Casitas 5 is closest to the main pool.  The Cabanas section features more of a beach look, complete with hammocks and its own nearby quiet pool.  Buildings 8A and 8B are closest to the Dig Site pool and 9B is best if you prefer to be closer to dining and service.  Finally, the Ranchos section is the furthest away from the dining area and main building.  This remote section features desert landscaping and buildings that resemble Southwestern Pueblos.  Although it looks as though Ranchos is nearest to the Dig Site pool, the area is actually separated by a swamp, so it may be a lengthy walk to the main pool and as much as a half mile to the main building and restaurants each way.  Ranchos does have its own quiet pool and bus stop like the other sections, so if you aren’t planning on visiting the main building or don’t mind a bit of a walk then the Ranchos section may be an oasis of peace and serenity.

Pool: Arguably, Coronado Springs’ Dig Site pool is the best of the Moderates and probably the third or fourth best pool overall.  It is also one of the most popular so it may be crowded, especially in the summer months.  The pool, named “Lost City of Cibola,” holds 272,000+ gallons of water and features a 50 foot tall Mayan temple.  The Jaguar water slide is 123 feet long and the 22 person hot tub is one of the largest on property as well.  Each morning, children may participate in the pool’s “opening ceremony” which is a fun way for kids to get involved.  Each of the three resort sections also has its own heated quiet pool.

Transportation: Coronado does not share bus service with any other resort.  However, fewer buses service the resort due to the number of conventioneers that do not attend the Parks.  This may make buses less crowded, except on days when the conventioneers decide to attend the parks.  The resort also has several stops which can add ten or more minutes to the trip depending on what stop you use.

All bus transportation times are approximate and begin only after the bus has departed its last stop on the way to the Park.

Bus transportation times:

Hollywood Studios: about 10 minutes
Epcot: about 15 minutes
Animal Kingdom: about 10 Minutes
Magic Kingdom: about 20 minutes

Best Rooms: This is a more difficult question to answer because the resort is so spread out and guests may want to be closer to the pool rather than the main building or the bus stop rather than restaurants.

Casitas 1 is closest to the food, main building, and main bus stop.  Casitas 4 is nearest to the Casitas bus stop, fitness center, salon, and Casitas quiet pool.  Casitas 5 is the furthest away from the main building, but closest to the main Dig Site pool.  The Ranchos section is the most remote, but 7A is nearest to the Dig Site and bus stop.  Ranchos 6A and 6B are the furthest out, which may also make them the quietest depending on your neighbors.  Being near the pool isn’t necessarily a good thing as that area is generally the noisiest and brightest section of the resort.  Although the Ranchos section is farther out, if you have no need to go to the main building then it may be ideal for those who prefer a quieter stay and enjoy an occasional walk around the lake.  It is also possible to ride one of the “shuttles” around the resort, which can be a fun golf cart ride and may be necessary with luggage after checking in and out.  Cabanas 9B is closest to the bus stop and across the bridge from the Dig Site.  It’s also near Cafe Rix.  Cabanas 8a is closest to the Dig Site pool.

On-Site Dining Options: The Maya Grill is the resort’s sit-down restaurant and features mostly Mexican inspired fare.  It is one of the more expensive resort restaurants with the average entrée priced at about $26.  Portions are large, but it’s still overpriced considering the quality and cost of the ingredients.  Pepper Market is the resort’s counter service option and it is a unique experience.  Guests are seated by a host and given a card that is stamped when an item is ordered from the various food serving stations.  After you finish your meal you will give the card to a cashier who will ring you up for your purchase.  Food is prepared fresh while you wait and there is a diverse menu of items for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.  A 10% gratuity is also added to the bill unless you choose to get the food “to go.”  Guests staying at the Coronado Springs may want to seriously consider the Disney Dining Plan as you can order a $23 Ribeye steak from the grill for one counter service credit, by far the best value on property.  Café Rix is the relatively new lounge and bar area which is larger than the bars at the other Moderate resorts in order to accommodate the convention guests.  There is also a full service pool bar.  Full review coming.

Best For: Those looking for a resort that may have fewer children.  Those who will appreciate the unique amenities the resort offers – queen beds, LCD televisions, doors separating the vanity area from the living area, a fitness center, beauty salon, and wireless internet.

Worst For: Those who would prefer short walks between their room and various points of interest at the resort.  People who want to eat at the resort often, but not spend a lot of money.

Summary of Key Points: Coronado Springs is one of the largest, most sprawling resorts at Disney World.  On top of that, there is a 15 acre lake in the middle that makes it impossible to walk directly to most places.  You have to walk around the lake.  Despite its large size, it is also one of the most beautifully landscaped properties and walks are usually quite pleasant as long as it isn’t 100 degrees out and raining or you’re toting crying children.  There are a variety of amenities at the Coronado that are not available elsewhere, including the fitness center, salon, business center, and wireless internet which any resort guest can take advantage.  The recently renovated rooms are nicer than the rooms found at the Port Orleans or Caribbean Beach Resort and the wueen size beds make it easier for four people to sleep comfortably.  The LCD televisions and new furnishings are also a touch above the accommodations found at other Moderates.  Those on the Disney Dining Plan may enjoy significant savings here, as the Pepper Market and Maya Grill can get pricey.  It’s possible to spend $30 on a single meal at Pepper Market and more than $40 at Maya Grill.  The pool is also one of the best on property, but it does get busy, especially when the weather is warm.

The biggest complaint about Coronado Springs is the size of the resort and the amount of walking necessary to get from place to place.  Luckily, if you are reading this you already know about the best room locations so that should be less of a problem.  The Convention Center and conventioneers in general can have both a positive and negative impact on your vacation.  Chances are the convention will be catered, but if it is not there may be a lot of extra people at the Pepper Market.  Unlike most children, Conventioneers also smoke and drink alcohol, which can be annoying as well, especially if you are in the Casitas section where most of the conventioneers are housed.  The Pepper Market may be confusing when ordering and can get expensive, but since they make it in front of you it is guaranteed “fresh” and there is a large selection.  The Maya Grill is expensive and not well reviewed.  I would recommend the Coronado over the other Moderate resorts to anyone that wants to take advantage of its unique amenities and doesn’t mind potentially long walks to points of interest on property.

Overall Rank on The Best Disney World Moderate Resorts: 3rd out of 4

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Port Orleans French Quarter Review at Disney World

by josh on March 26, 2010

Wondering how the Port Orleans French Quarter Resort stacks up against the other Disney World Moderate Resorts? Check out The Best Disney World Moderate Resorts for a comparison of the four Moderates in a variety of categories including Best Layout, Best Dining, Best Transportation, Best Location, Best Rooms, Best Pool, and Best Overall Moderate Resort.

Address:

2201 Orleans Drive

Lake Buena Vista, Florida 32830-1000

Direct Phone: 407-934-5000, Direct Fax: 407-934-5353, General Reservations: 1-407-WDISNEY (1-407-934-7639)

Resort Class: Moderate

Location: The Port Orleans French Quarter is officially a Downtown Disney Resort.  Its sister resort, the Port Orleans Riverside, is a 5-10 minute walk or two minute drive away.  The French Quarter is within 20 minutes of all Disney Parks by bus.

Size:  The French Quarter is the smallest, most compact Moderate with only 1,008 rooms.  There are seven buildings with guestrooms, each three stories tall with elevator access.  There are four room categories – Standard, Water View, River View, and rooms with king size beds.  Water View rooms have a pool view, River View rooms have a view of the Sassagoula River and the 62 King Size bed rooms have one king size bed instead of two double beds.  There are no preferred location rooms.  Water View and King Bed rooms are $25-$30 more expensive per night than Standard View rooms.  River View rooms run $30-$35 more than Standard Rooms per night.  Each room can sleep up to four and there is an additional $15 fee for the third and fourth adult in each room.

Room Amenities and Quality: Each room at the French Quarter is the standard size for Moderate resorts, 314 (25.5 x 12.5) square feet.  The French Quarter was extensively refurbished in early 2011 and all rooms have been updated with new furniture, two queen-size beds, and flat-screen televisions.   The usual Moderate level furnishings are also included – a small table, two desk chairs, two bed-side tables, luggage seat, dresser, mirror, hair dryer, small safe, 4-cup coffeemaker, small  21” x 16” refrigerator, iron, ironing board, and Ethernet port for internet access.  There is a curtain separating the sleeping area from the vanity area which has two sinks and a connected bathroom with toilet, bathtub, and overhead shower.  Shampoo, conditioner, and bar soap are also provided.

Theme: Officially, the French Quarter “is inspired by the romance and pageantry of the historic French Quarter in New Orleans, and where every day is a celebration. Step through a wrought-iron portal into an alluring world of delicious Cajun food, jazz music and dazzling parades.”  You’ll find cobblestone streets, mini wrought iron fences, fountains, and bougainvillea flowering plants.  The grounds are immaculately maintained and the theme is tastefully executed.

Pool: There is one large heated pool that features a sea serpent water slide and water spouting alligator band and one hot tub with a maximum occupancy of about eight.  As a bonus, French Quarter guests may also use Port Orleans Riverside pools.  There are no quiet pools at the French Quarter.  For many guests that enjoy pool areas, the French Quarter leaves something to be desired.  While adequately large, the pool does not feature the same level of detail and fun theming that you find at the other Moderate resorts.

Transportation: Bus service is shared with Port Orleans Riverside, which means many buses that stop at French Quarter will also stop at Riverside.  The good news is French Quarter is picked up and dropped off first, giving French Quarter guests a better chance at seating on bus rides to the Parks.  The bad news is that it may add an additional 10 minutes or so to transportation time due to the additional Riverside stops.  There is only one bus stop at the French Quarter, near the entrance to the main building.  There is also a unique boat ride available that takes guests to Downtown Disney.  The ride is about 20 minutes long and boats leave the dock every 30 minutes or so.

All bus transportation times are approximate and begin only after the bus has departed its last stop on the way to the Park.

Bus transportation times:

Hollywood Studios: less than 10 minutes
Epcot: about 10 minutes
Animal Kingdom: about 20 Minutes
Magic Kingdom: about 10 minutes

Best Rooms: Buildings 2 and 5 are closest to the pool.  Building 4 is closest to the bus stop and food court.  Buildings 1 and 7 are further out and may be quieter.  The resort is small and all rooms are within a few minutes walk of any destination.

On-Site Dining Options: Port Orleans French Quarter is the only Moderate resort without an on-site table service restaurant.  French Quarter’s sister property, Riverside, features Boatwright’s Dining Hall, which has improved over time, but is still nothing to write home about.  The Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory is the resort’s counter service and it offers a variety of adequate options.  The resort also features Scat Cat’s, a full-service bar, as well as a pool bar.

Best For: Those looking for a smaller, quieter, more relaxing resort.  People who enjoy visiting Downtown Disney.

Worst For: Those looking for a variety of dining options at the resort.  People who prefer an overt “Disney” theme or prefer large resorts where a lot is going on.  Guests that are looking to spend a lot of time enjoying the pool facilities.

Summary of Key Points: Disney’s Port Orleans French Quarter is the most recommended Moderate Resort.  Its small size makes it easy to get to the food court, bus stop, and boat dock from any room.  The theme is executed well and the grounds are beautiful and well maintained.  The pool, while not particularly large, is laid out well and the water slide is popular with children.  French Quarter guests may also use the pool facilities and amenities at the Port Orleans Riverside and of course everyone is welcome at the Riverside restaurants.

The boat service to Downtown Disney is fun, convenient, and unique to the Port Orleans.  Bus transportation is generally above average as well.  Since the buses stop at French Quarter before Riverside, there is usually ample seating.  Bus rides back from the parks may be busy, but it is unlikely buses will fill up.  If it’s a particularly busy time, the French Quarter and Riverside will have dedicated bus service.  This is common during the evening at the Magic Kingdom.  Somewhat centrally located, it is not a particularly long drive to any Disney destination.  Detractions include a lack of choices in the food court and no sit-down restaurant.

The recent refurbishment of every room at the resort has improved the quality of the beds, televisions, and furnishings immensely.  Riverside is expected to undergo a refurbishment beginning in June 2011.  For now, the French Quarter has the second nicest rooms in the Moderate category, behind only the Coronado Springs Resort.

Overall Rank on The Best Disney World Moderate Resorts: 1st out of 4

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Port Orleans Riverside Resort Review at Disney World

by josh on March 26, 2010

Wondering how the Port Orleans Riverside stacks up against the other Disney World Moderate Resorts? Check out The Best Disney World Moderate Resorts for a comparison of the four Moderates in a variety of categories including Best Layout, Best Dining, Best Transportation, Best Location, Best Rooms, Best Pool, and Best Overall Moderate Resort.

Address:

1251 Riverside Drive
Lake Buena Vista, Florida 32830-1000

Direct Phone: 1-407-934-6000, Fax 1-407-934-5777, General Reservations: 1-407-WDISNEY (1-407-934-7639)

Resort Class: Moderate

Location: The Port Orleans Riverside is officially a Downtown Disney Resort.  Its sister resort, the Port Orleans French Quarter, is a 10 minute walk or two minute drive away.  The Riverside is within 20 minutes of all Disney Parks by bus.

Size: The Riverside has about twice as many rooms as the French Quarter, at 2,048.  The resort is large and spread out, so room location is more important as it may be a 10+ minute walk to the food court or bus stop from your room.

Room Amenities and Quality: Riverside rooms are 314 (25.5 x 12.5) square feet with standard Moderate amenities.  Rooms in the Alligator Bayou section have a 54” long “trundle bed” which is a small bed hidden underneath one of the double beds.  Trundle beds are suitable for children around 9 years old or younger.  The Riverside is the only resort with trundle beds and the only Moderate resort that can sleep five people.  Rooms have not been recently renovated and may show wear.  All rooms have two double beds or one king size bed, a small table, two desk chairs, two bed-side tables, luggage seat, dresser, mirror, hair dryer, small safe, 4-cup coffeemaker, small  21” x 16” refrigerator, iron, ironing board, Ethernet port for internet access, and 27” tube television.  There is a curtain separating the sleeping area from the vanity area which has two sinks and a connected bathroom with toilet, bathtub, and overhead shower.  Shampoo, conditioner, and bar soap are also provided.

Theme and Resort Layout: The overall theme of the Riverside is the Antebellum South.  The resort has two distinct sections – the Alligator Bayou and Magnolia Bend.  Magnolia Bend is made up of two, three, and four story plantation style buildings with 256 rooms in each.  Magnolia Bend buildings have elevators.  The Alligator Bayou is located in a more densely wooded area and features sixteen two-story rustic style buildings each with 64 rooms that do not have elevators.  Although the rooms are the same size, the Magnolia Bend rooms are decorated more ornately.   The grounds are adorned with magnolia and oak trees, rose bushes, and azalea.  Like its sister resort, the grounds at the Riverside are immaculately maintained.

Pool: There are six pools.  The largest is 158,000 gallons and features a 95 linear foot water slide, numerous waterfalls, and the largest ever transplanted oak tree is next to it.  There are also five smaller quiet pools located around the resort.  As a bonus, French Quarter guests may also use Port Orleans Riverside pools.

Transportation: Bus service is shared with Port Orleans French Quarter and most buses will stop at the French Quarter to pick up guests first.  This means that buses will already be partially full before they arrive.  The main bus stop is usually crowded, but there is rarely anyone at the other three stops because buses are usually standing room only after picking up guests from the main stop.  It is unlikely that there will not be room on the bus, but standing is more common and it may be hectic as people jostle for position when the bus arrives.  There is also a unique boat ride available to Downtown Disney with a duration of about 20 minutes.

All bus transportation times are approximate and begin only after the bus has departed its last stop on the way to the Park.

Bus transportation times:

Hollywood Studios: less than 10 minutes
Epcot: about 10 minutes
Animal Kingdom: about 20 Minutes
Magic Kingdom: about 10 minutes

Best Rooms: The closest rooms to the food court and main bus stop are in Alligator Bayou buildings 14-18.  Building 14 is ideal due its closer proximity to the main pool.  The Magnolia building in Magnolia Bend is closest to the main feature pool.  Alligator Bayou buildings 34-39 and Magnolia Bend’s Acadian buildings are the furthest away from the main bus stop and food court.  Corner rooms have an additional window, making the room brighter.  Since there are no “preferred” rooms it is not possible to guarantee a particular building or area.  It’s best to make room requests at the time of reservation and follow up directly with the hotel via a phone call or fax a few days before your vacation.  Waiting until check-in to request a room is not recommended because you will be at the mercy of whatever is available.

On-Site Dining Options: Port Orleans features a New Orleans inspired sit-down restaurant, Boatwright’s, and the Riverside Mill food court.  Riverside Mill has five diverse food stations and is considered by many to be one of the best resort food courts.  The River Roost is the Riverside’s full service bar and features live entertainment on the weekends.  There is also a poolside bar.  Full review on its way.

Best For: Those looking for a beautifully landscaped resort with all of the Moderate amenities.  People who enjoy visiting Downtown Disney.  Families or groups of five with a small child that can take advantage of the trundle bed.

Worst For: Those who don’t like to walk and end up with a room far away from the main building.  People who want state of the art accommodations.

Summary of Key Points: Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside has a reputation of being a spectacularly landscaped, sprawling resort.  Room location is important, unless you don’t mind walking 10-15 minutes each way to the dining area or main bus stop.  The large size of the resort and long walk times are probably the most common complaints.  The rooms have not been renovated or refurbished and many are showing significant signs of wear.  Riverside features one of the best resort counter service options and Boatwright’s, the New Orleans themed sit down restaurant, has improved as well.  The resort has a somewhat central location so transit times to Parks are relatively short.  Bus service is shared with sister property French Quarter which is picked up first, so it is not uncommon for all seats on a bus to be taken before it arrives at Riverside.  The boat ride to Downtown Disney is a unique, fun, and convenient experience.  The pool area is popular with adults and children.  Overall, most people who stay at Riverside recommend it, although it is not as well reviewed as the smaller French Quarter.

Overall Rank on The Best Disney World Moderate Resorts: 2nd out of 4

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All-Star Movies Value Resort Review at Disney World Orlando

by josh on March 18, 2010

Wondering how the All Star Movies stacks up against the other Disney World Value Resorts? Check out The Best Disney World Value Resorts for a comparison of the four Values in a variety of categories including Best Layout, Best Dining, Best Transportation, Best Location, Best Rooms, Best Pool, and Best Overall Moderate Resort.

Address:

1801 W. Buena Vista Drive
Lake Buena Vista, FL

Direct Phone: 407-939-6000, Fax: 407-939-7111, General Reservations: 1-407-WDISNEY (1-407-934-7639)

Resort Class: All-Star Movies is a Value, the least expensive Disney resort type.  There are only two room categories – Standard and Preferred.  Rooms in the Fantasia, Toy Story, and 101 Dalmatians buildings are all considered to have a “preferred” location and cost $15 more per night due to their close proximity to the main building, dining, and feature pool.  There is a maximum of two adults per room and each additional adult will cost an additional $10 per night.

Location: All-Star Movies is officially an Animal Kingdom area resort and is closest to the Animal Kingdom and Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex, but relatively far from the Magic Kingdom.  There is also a McDonald’s restaurant on Disney property that’s about a half mile away.  The All-Stars are also about 5 minutes away from a number of off-Disney areas with cheaper dining and shopping, which you should keep in mind if you decide to rent a car.

Size: All-Star Movies has 10 three-story buildings, each with 192 rooms, for a total of 1,920.  All buildings have elevators.  Buildings in the Love Bug section are the furthest from the bus stop and main building.  Guests staying in the Mighty Ducks buildings are actually closer to the All Star Music bus stop and may find it preferable because All-Star Music is picked up and dropped off before All-Star Movies.  The furthest rooms are about a 10 minute walk to the main building and feature pool.

Room Amenities and Quality: The rooms are 260 square feet, the same standard size as the other Value resorts.  Unlike the Pop Century or All Star Music, All Star Movie rooms have not been recently refurbished.  There are either two double beds or one king size bed in each room, depending on reservation.  King bed rooms can be requested, but they go to guests with disabilities first because they have bathrooms that can accommodate wheelchairs as well.  Each room has a nightstand, two chairs, armoire, 19” television, wall mirror, clock radio, small safe, one sink, one mirror, and bathroom area with toilet and combined bathtub and shower.  Shampoo, conditioner, and bar soap are also provided.  Value resorts do not have a refrigerator, but one can be rented for about $10 per day, unless a medical necessity in which case the fee is waived.  Items that may not be included, but can be requested for free, include iron, ironing board, extra pillows, towels, and blankets.  Each room can sleep up to four people, but cots are only available in King Bed rooms due to the fire code.  Claims of unclean rooms are rare, although service requests may not be immediately remedied.

Theme and Layout: The All-Star Movies resort may have the most popular theme of any Disney hotel, especially in the eyes of most children.  The resort features gigantic action-figure like statues of popular Disney characters including a Buzz Lightyear that towers nearly 50 feet in the air, a 30 foot tall Woody, and 27 foot tall bucket of Toy Story Army Men, along with numerous others.  Although the All-Star resorts are the least expensive at Disney World, nothing about their theme or layout appears “cheap.”

Pool: All Star Movies’ main pool is 231,000+ gallons and nearest to the Fantasia building.  A smaller kiddie pool is attached.  There is also a smaller 105,000 gallon pool between the two Mighty Ducks buildings.  No Value resorts have water slides or hot tubs and this is no exception.  Towels are also not available at the pool so guests must bring them from their room and request more from housekeeping.  All-Star movies is generally considered to have the best pools of any of the All-Star resorts due to their theme and size.  Guests of any All-Star resort can use the pool facilities of the other All-Star resorts as well without any problem.

Transportation: There is only one bus stop at the All-Star Movies and it is located in front of the main building.  One nice thing about the All-Star resorts is that the bus to each Park has its own queue (line).  This makes lining up more orderly and boarding buses more fair, especially when it’s crowded. Transportation speed and success depends mostly on whether or not all three of the All-Star resorts are sharing buses.  Often times Movies will share buses with All-Star Sports and Music and since All-Star Movies is the last stop, buses may be fairly or all the way full by the time they reach Movies.  Coming home, this also means that Movie guests will be dropped off last which can add an additional 5 minutes or more to transit times.  There are also no benches and the bus stop is not shaded or covered in any way, so it can get hot as well in the summer months.

The times below are calculated after the bus leaves the resort.

Hollywood Studios: about 10 minutes
Epcot: about 15 minutes
Animal Kingdom: less than 10 minutes
Magic Kingdom: about 20 minutes

Best Rooms: Three of the five buildings, or 60% of the rooms, are booked as Preferred and as previously discussed are closer to the food court and main pool.  If noise is a factor, you may want to request a room that isn’t right on top of the pool because that is usually the loudest spot at a resort.  A Preferred room may be worth the extra cost, especially if traveling with young ones or during the summer heat.  Although a ten minute walk may not sound bad in 70 degree weather, it is much less pleasant when it’s 102 degrees out, raining, and you’re carrying a crying child.  The resort’s quiet pool is located between the two Mighty Ducks buildings.

On-Site Dining Options: Value resorts have a food court and no table service option.  All Star Movies’ counter service facilities are adequate, but may get crowded at meal times, especially if there are any large organized groups staying at the resort.  Full review on its way.

Best For: Those who do not plan to spend much time at the resort and are aware of the limited amenities offered.  Guests traveling with children who would enjoy the theme.

Worst For: Those used to staying at the Ritz Carlton or are otherwise expecting more than they receive.  People who plan to spend a lot of time relaxing at the resort.

Summary of Key Points: The best thing All-Star Movies has going for it is the fact that it is the most “Disney” of any resort in the world.  There is no denying the fact that a 50 foot tall Buzz Lightyear screams “Disney” in a way no amount of landscaping possibly could.  On the other hand, rooms have not been refurbished like at All-Star Sports and Music, so the rooms’ furnishings may show signs of wear.  Luckily, housekeeping at the Movies is excellent and a clean room can be more important than cracking wallpaper or scuffed furniture.

Like other Values, Movies does not have any hot tubs or water slides, but the pool areas are themed well and more popular than either of the other two All-Stars.  Transportation depends largely on whether bus service is shared.  All-Star Movies is picked up and dropped off last if there is not dedicated service which may lead to major inconveniences and uncomfortable bus rides.  Luckily, bus rides to the Parks are not particularly long.  Another potential problem may be large organized groups of children.  Pop Warner and cheerleading competitions bring thousands of youngsters to the Value resorts and may make the your stay incredibly busy and loud.  If you are considering a Value, it may be in your best interest to call the resort and ask if they are expecting any large groups during the time of your stay.

The rooms in the All-Stars are small and best for those who don’t plan to do much at the resort other than bathe, sleep, and swim.  Overall, the Value resorts are perfect for guests on a budget who want to take advantage of Disney transportation and Extra Magic Hours and plan to spend most of their time at the Parks.

Overall Rank on The Best Disney World Value Resorts: 4th out of 4

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All Star Music Value Resort Review at Disney World Orlando

by josh on March 18, 2010

Wondering how the All Star Music Resort stacks up against the other Disney World Value Resorts? Check out The Best Disney World Value Resorts for a comparison of the four Values in a variety of categories including Best Layout, Best Dining, Best Transportation, Best Location, Best Rooms, Best Pool, and Best Overall Moderate Resort.

Address:

1801 W. Buena Vista Drive
Lake Buena Vista, FL

Direct Phone:  407-939-6000, Fax: 407-939-7222, General Reservations: 1-407-WDISNEY (1-407-934-7639)

Resort Class: All-Star Music is a Value, the least expensive Disney resort type.  There are three room categories here – Standard, Preferred, and Family Suite.  Preferred rooms are closer to the main building and pool and cost an additional $15 per night.  All-Star Music is the only Value resort that offers suites.  Family Suites cost a little more than twice as much as a Standard room, per night.  For example, during Value Season, Suites cost $190 and Standard rooms cost $82 each per night.  That would make the Family Suite $26 more expensive than booking two Standard rooms.  A room in a Moderate resort during the same period would cost $149 per night.

Location: All-Star Music is officially an Animal Kingdom area resort and is closest to the Animal Kingdom and Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex, but relatively far from the Magic Kingdom.  There is a McDonald’s restaurant on Disney property that’s about a half mile away.  The All-Stars are also about 5 minutes away from a number of off-Disney areas with cheaper dining and shopping, which you should keep in mind if you decide to rent a car.

Size:  All-Star Music has 1,604 rooms of which 215 are suites.  The basic layout of the buildings is the same as the other All-Star resorts.  There are five themes with two buildings per theme.  The themes are Broadway, Calypso, Country, Jazz, and Rock.  Preferred rooms are found in the Calypso buildings and cost an additional $15 per night.  Family Suites are found in both Calypso and Jazz Inn.  There are two elevators in each building.  The buildings furthest from the bus stop are located in Country Fair and it takes about 10 minutes to walk from a Country Fair room to the main building.

Room Amenities and Quality: Standard and Preferred rooms are 260 square feet, the same standard size as the other Value resorts.  The rooms in All Star Music are recently refurbished, meaning they have new carpet, wallpaper, furniture, and 25” televisions.  There are either two double beds or one king size bed in each room, depending on reservation.  King bed rooms can be requested, but they generally go to guests with disabilities first because they have bathrooms that can accommodate wheelchairs as well.  Each room has a nightstand, two chairs, armoire, 25” television, wall mirror, clock radio, small safe, one sink, one mirror, and bathroom area with toilet and combined bathtub and shower.  Shampoo, conditioner, and bar soap are also provided.  Value resorts do not have a refrigerator, but one can be rented for about $10 per day, unless a medical necessity in which case the fee is waived.  Items that may not be included, but can be requested for free, include iron, ironing board, extra pillows, towels, and blankets.  Each room can sleep up to four people, but cots are only available in King Bed rooms due to the fire code.  Claims of unclean rooms are rare, although service requests may not be immediately remedied.

The All-Star Music is the only Value with Family Suites that can sleep up to six people.  These suites are actually two connecting rooms that have been refurbished into one suite with a square footage of 520 feet.  Each suite has two bathrooms, one bedroom, one living room with furniture that converts to beds, two 27” flat-screen televisions, and a small kitchenette with 4.3 cubic foot refrigerator, microwave, coffee machine, sink, and storage area.  In the living area, the couch turns into a double bed, the ottoman turns into a short twin bed, and the chair turns into a twin bed.  The bedroom has a queen bed.

At a little more than twice the cost of two rooms, it is difficult to say whether or not a Suite is a better value than two connecting rooms.  With Disney, you are not guaranteed connecting rooms, meaning that it is possible that rooms will not be next to each other with an interior door connecting the two rooms.  A suite would guarantee that your family would be connected.  Suites also offer a kitchenette area with a microwave, which none of the Values or Moderates have, as well as a coffeemaker which no other Value room offers and a refrigerator which would cost extra in a Standard or Preferred room.  If your family of five or six requires a refrigerator, coffee maker, microwave and needs connecting rooms then a Family Suite may be a better option than two connecting rooms.  The downside is that the convertible beds may not be comfortable and the cost is high considering the resort’s lack of amenities and dining options.

Theme and Layout: Music is similar to both Movies and Sports in that it features gigantic figurines, bright colors, and the same basic ten building layout.  The theme is perfect for children (or adults) who love music and will appreciate the 40 foot tall saxophone, size 270 cowboy boots, and sky high guitars and banjos.

Pool: All Star Music’s main pool is 251,000+ gallons and has a kiddie pool attached.  There is also a smaller 106,000 gallon pool situated in the middle of the resort.  No Value resorts have water slides or hot tubs and this is no exception.  Towels are also not available at the pool so guests must bring them from their room and request more from housekeeping.  All-Star Music also has organized pool games throughout the day that are popular with children as well as a Disney movie in the evening.  Guests from any All-Star resort can use the pool facilities of any other All-Star resort as well.

Transportation: Often, especially during off-peak times, the three All-Star resorts will share buses.  During peak times, All-Star Music may have dedicated bus service.  All-Star Music is in the middle of the All-Star complex and is picked up and dropped off second.  Transportation times are relatively short to the Parks, with Magic Kingdom being the longest ride.

The times below are calculated after the bus leaves the resort.

Hollywood Studios: about 10 minutes
Epcot: about 15 minutes
Animal Kingdom: less than 10 minutes
Magic Kingdom: about 20 minutes

Best Rooms: Only rooms in the Calypso building are designated “Preferred.”  The problem is that these rooms may be louder due to the proximity to the 500+ person dining area and swimming pool that may be open 24 hours a day even if the posted hours show that it closes at midnight.  The best rooms may be in the Jazz Inn because they are close to the main pool, main building, quiet pool, and do not cost an additional $15 per night.  Unfortunately, it isn’t possible to guarantee a room in this section and your reservation request may go unfulfilled.

On-Site Dining Options: Value resorts have a food court and no table service option.  All Star Music’s counter service facilities are adequate, but may get crowded at meal times, especially if there are any large organized groups staying at the resort.  Full review on its way.

Best For: Those who do not plan to spend much time at the resort and are aware of the limited amenities offered.  Guests traveling with children who would enjoy the theme.  Those on a budget who want to take advantage of Magical Express, Disney Transportation, and Extra Magic Hours.

Worst For: Those used to staying at the Ritz Carlton or are otherwise expecting more than they receive.  People who plan to spend a lot of time relaxing at the resort.

Summary of Key Points: Music, like Sports, has been recently renovated and the rooms are generally better furnished than Movies.  Although the theme is not as overtly “Disney” as Movies, many guests may still favor it.  Unique to Music is the Family Suites which may be the ideal room type in certain situations.  Although Suites are more expensive than two Value rooms, they are guaranteed to keep families next to each other and offer several amenities that would either cost extra or are unavailable in Standard rooms, such as a refrigerator, coffeepot, and microwave.

The rooms in the All-Stars are small and best for those who don’t plan to do much at the resort other than bathe, sleep, and swim.  The resort may be noisy depending on your neighbors and whether or not there are any large organized groups staying at the resort during your stay.  If you are considering a Value it may be in your best interest to call the resort and ask if they are expecting any large groups during the time you plan your vacation.  Also, request to be in a building further away from the pool areas and noise should be less of a factor as it is less likely screaming children will be constantly running past your door.  Overall, the Value resorts are perfect for guests who want to take advantage of Disney transportation and Extra Magic Hours and plan to spend most of their time at the Parks.

Overall Rank on The Best Disney World Value Resorts: 2nd out of 4

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All Star Sports Value Resort Review at Disney World Orlando

by josh on March 18, 2010

Wondering how the All Star Sports Resort stacks up against the other Disney World Value Resorts? Check out The Best Disney World Value Resorts for a comparison of the four Values in a variety of categories including Best Layout, Best Dining, Best Transportation, Best Location, Best Rooms, Best Pool, and Best Overall Moderate Resort.

Address:

1701 West Buena Vista Drive
Lake Buena Vista, FL

Phone:  407-939-5000, Fax: 407-939-7333, General Reservations: 1-407-WDISNEY (1-407-934-7639)

Resort Class: All-Star Sports is a Value, the least expensive Disney resort type.  There are only two room categories – Standard and Preferred.  There is a maximum of two adults per room and each additional adult will cost an extra $10 per night.

Location: All-Star Sports is officially an Animal Kingdom area resort and is closest to the Animal Kingdom and Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex, but relatively far from the Magic Kingdom.  There is also a McDonald’s restaurant on Disney property that’s about a half mile away.  The All-Stars are also about 5 minutes away from a number of off-Disney areas with cheaper dining and shopping, which you should keep in mind if you decide to rent a car.

Size:  All-Star Sports has 10 three-story buildings, each with 192 rooms, for a total of 1,920.  All buildings have an elevator.  Football (Touchdown), Tennis (Center Court), Baseball (Homerun Hotel), Basketball (Hoops), and Surfing (Surf’s Up) are the five themes and there are two buildings themed for each sport.  All rooms should be within a ten minute walk of the main building and bus stop, with Center Court and Hoops the furthest away.

Room Amenities and Quality: The rooms are 260 square feet, the same standard size as the other Value resorts.  The rooms in All Star Sports are recently refurbished, meaning they have new carpet, wallpaper, furniture, 25” televisions, and pillow top beds.  There are either two double beds or one king size bed in each room, depending on reservation.  King bed rooms can be requested, but they generally go to guests with disabilities first because they have bathrooms that can accommodate wheelchairs as well.  Each room has a nightstand, two chairs, armoire, 25” television, wall mirror, clock radio, small safe, one sink, one mirror, and bathroom area with toilet and combined bathtub and shower.  Shampoo, conditioner, and bar soap are also provided.  Value resorts do not have a refrigerator, but one can be rented for about $10 per day, unless a medical necessity in which case the fee is waived.  Items that may not be included, but can be requested for free, include iron, ironing board, extra pillows, towels, and blankets.  Each room can sleep up to four people, but cots are only available in King Bed rooms due to the fire code.  Claims of unclean rooms are rare, although service requests may not be immediately remedied.

Theme and Layout: Sports is similar to both Movies and Music in that it features gigantic figurines, bright colors, and the same basic ten building layout.  The theme is perfect for children (or adults) who love sports and will appreciate the 51 foot tall tennis racquets, 45 foot tall megaphone, and 60 foot long whistle.  Disney characters Goofy and Donald also make appearances.

Rooms in the Surfs Up and Touchdown sections are considered to have a “preferred” location and cost $15 more per night due to their close proximity to the main building, dining, and feature pool.  Rooms in the Hoops Hotel, Homerun Hotel, and Center Court are farther away from the main building, but it should not take most people more than 10 minutes to get to the main pool or building.  Of the two Preferred sections, Touchdown will likely be quieter than Surfs Up.

Pool: All Star Sports’ main pool is 242,000+ gallons and has a kiddie pool attached.  There is also a smaller 119,000 gallon quiet pool between the two Homerun Hotel buildings.  No Value resorts have water slides or hot tubs and this is no exception.  Towels are also not available at the pool so guests must bring them from their room and request more from housekeeping.  The Goofy “quiet pool” between the Homerun buildings is usually much less busy than the main pool, so consider checking it out for a more relaxing swim, especially during peak times.  Guests from any All-Star resort can use the pool facilities of any other All-Star resort as well.

Transportation: Often, especially during off-peak times, the three All-Star resorts will share buses.  This is not as much of an issue for All-Star Sports because it is the first stop both leaving and returning from the Parks.  Bus service is generally considered to be above average at Sports because of this and transportation times to the Parks are relatively short as well.

The times below are calculated after the bus leaves its final stop for the Park.

Hollywood Studios: about 10 minutes
Epcot: about 15 minutes
Animal Kingdom: less than 10 minutes
Magic Kingdom: about 20 minutes

Best Rooms: Two of the five buildings, or 40% of the rooms, are booked as Preferred and as previously discussed are closer to dining and main pool.  If noise is a factor, you may want to request a room in Touchdown in Preferred or the back of Hoops Hotel or Center Court in Standard.  Surfs Up is generally closer to the pool and noisier, but most guests report a quiet experience no matter where they’re located.  A preferred room may be worth the extra cost, especially if traveling with young ones or during the summer heat.  Although a ten minute walk may not sound bad in 70 degree weather, it is much less pleasant when it’s 102 degrees out, raining, and you’re carrying a crying child.

On-Site Dining Options: Value resorts have a food court and no table service option.  All Star Sports’ counter service facilities are adequate, but may get crowded at meal times, especially if there are any large organized groups staying at the resort.  Full review soon.

Best For: Those who do not plan to spend much time at the resort and are aware of the limited amenities offered.  Guests traveling with children who would enjoy the theme.  Those on a budget who want to take advantage of Magical Express, Disney Transportation, and Extra Magic Hours.

Worst For: Those used to staying at the Ritz Carlton or are otherwise expecting more than they receive.  People who plan to spend a lot of time at the resort.

Summary of Key Points: Sports, like Music, has been recently renovated and the rooms are generally better furnished than Movies.  Although the theme is not as overtly “Disney” as Movies, many guests may still favor it.  Sports does have the best transportation of the All-Star resorts because it is picked up and dropped off first, regardless of whether buses are shared between the three resorts.  Overall, Sports is not as popular as Movies or Music, due to the fact that Movies has its theme going for it and Music has suites and fewer rooms.  This may mean that Sports is the only Value available during peak times or promotions.  Don’t be too fearful though, as there are really few differences between the All-Stars and it does have transportation going for it.

The rooms in the All-Stars are small and best for those who don’t plan to do much at the resort other than bathe, sleep, and swim.  The resort may be noisy depending on your neighbors and whether or not there are any large organized groups staying at the resort during your stay.  If you are considering a Value it may be in your best interest to call the resort and ask if they are expecting any large groups during the time you plan your vacation.  Also, request to be in a building further away from the pool areas and noise should be less of a factor as it is less likely screaming children will be constantly running past your door.  Overall, the Value resorts are perfect for guests who want to take advantage of Disney transportation and Extra Magic Hours and plan to spend most of their time at the Parks.

Overall Rank on The Best Disney World Value Resorts: 3rd out of 4

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Pop Century Value Resort Review at Disney World Orlando

by josh on March 17, 2010

Wondering how the Pop Century Resort stacks up against the other Disney World Value Resorts? Check out The Best Disney World Value Resorts for a comparison of the four Values in a variety of categories including Best Layout, Best Dining, Best Transportation, Best Location, Best Rooms, Best Pool, and Best Overall Moderate Resort.

Address:

1050 Century Dr
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830-1000

Direct Phone: 407-938-4000, Fax: 407-938-4040, General Reservations: 1-407-WDISNEY (1-407-934-7639)

Resort Class: Pop Century is a Value, the least expensive Disney resort type.  There are two room categories here – Standard and Preferred.  Preferred rooms are closer to the main building and pool and cost an additional $15 per night.

Location: The Pop-Century is the only ESPN Wide World of Sports area resort.  It is south of the Caribbean Beach resort and near Hollywood Studios, Epcot, and the Wide World of Sports.

Size: In terms of rooms, Pop Century is the largest resort on Disney property with 2,880 rooms.  That is 960 rooms larger than either All-Star Sports or Movies.  The layout of the buildings is better than the All-Stars and walk times are significantly less.  Although the square acreage of the Pop Century is similar to any of the All-Stars, Pop Century’s buildings each have an additional floor.

Room Amenities and Quality: Standard and Preferred rooms are 260 square feet, the same standard size as the other Value resorts.  The rooms in Pop Century are currently being refurbished, one building at a time, starting with the 70s building.  The rooms are all scheduled to be refurbished by Easter.  There are either two double beds or one king size bed in each room, depending on reservation.  There are 2,621 rooms with double beds, 115 handicap accessible with double beds, 81 King Bed rooms, and 63 handicap accessible King Bed rooms. Each room has a nightstand, two chairs, armoire, 27” television, wall mirror, clock radio, small safe, one sink, one mirror, and bathroom area with toilet and combined bathtub and shower.  Value resorts do not have a refrigerator, but one can be rented for about $10 per day unless it’s a medical necessity in which case the fee is waived.  Items that are not included but can be requested for free include iron, ironing board, extra pillows, towels, and blankets.

Each room with double beds can sleep up to four people.  If there are more than two adults in a room then there is an extra charge of $10 per adult per night.  King Bed rooms sleep only two.  Both types can accommodate a small child in a crib.  The beds are attached to the floor and cannot be moved and there is not enough room between them to fit a twin inflatable mattress.  A twin bed should fit if the furniture is moved around.  Claims of unclean rooms are rare, although service requests may not be immediately remedied.

Theme and Layout: Pop Century is similar to All-Star Movies, Music, and Sports in that it features gigantic figurines and bright colors.  The overall theme of the Pop Century is 20th century popular culture.  In addition to the 40+ foot tall Rubik’s Cube, 65 foot tall bowling pins, and dancing silhouettes, Disney has also included several gigantic Disney character figurines so the Pop Century looks more like the All-Star Movies.  Mickey Mouse is here, along with Goofy, Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head, and Roger Rabbit.

“Preferred” rooms are actually found in six different buildings at Pop Century and cost an additional $15 per night due to their close proximity to main building and pool.  The following are the Preferred room locations:

Building One: Rooms 1-36

Building Three: Rooms 61-72

Building Four: Rooms 1-36 and 61-72

Building Five: Rooms 1-12 and 37-72

Buildings Six: Rooms 1-12

Building Ten: Rooms 37-72

This might seem a little silly, but Disney does like to charge an extra $15 a night wherever and however it can.  All rooms, Standard included, should be within about five minutes of the main building, so a Preferred room isn’t as much of an advantage as it would be at resorts like the Caribbean Beach.

Pool: Pop Century’s feature pool is 235,000 gallons and is closest to the 60s section.  There are two other quiet pools, one near the 90s buildings and the other near the 50s buildings.  No Value resorts have water slides or hot tubs and this is no exception.  Towels are not available at the pool so guests must bring them from their room and request more from housekeeping.  Like the All-Stars, Pop’s pools are themed well and are plenty large, but they are not much more than “just a pool” due to their lack of slides.

Transportation: One of Pop Century’s advantages over the All-Star Value resorts is that it does not share bus service with any other resort.  There is only one bus stop at the front of the main building and there are separate lines for each destination.  The bus stop is not covered or shaded and there is no seating.

The times below are calculated after the bus leaves the resort.

Hollywood Studios: about 5 minutes
Epcot: less than 10 minutes
Animal Kingdom: about 10 minutes
Magic Kingdom: about 15 minutes

Best Rooms: The Preferred rooms are listed above, but are not necessarily “better” because of the additional noise that may come from the pool area.  All rooms should be within a 5-10 minute walk of the main building and most should be within 5 minutes, depending on speed and whether you cut through the parking lot.  The best rooms at Pop are probably the top floor of 60s’ building 4 that face the lake.  These rooms have a nice view, reduced noise, and are close to the main building and feature pool.  In reality, there isn’t really an inherently bad room at this resort.  Rooms farther away from the feature pool and main building will be quieter and rooms closer will be louder, but have a shorter walk to the buses and dining.  It just depends on what you want.

On-Site Dining Options: Value resorts have a food court and no table service option.  Pop Century’s counter service is favorably rated and there is a wider variety of options than counter services found at other resorts.  The food court seats 650, but may still be full during peak times, especially around 8am for breakfast.  Full review on its way.

Best For: Those who do not plan to spend much time at the resort and are aware of the limited amenities offered.  Those on a budget who want to take advantage of Magical Express, Disney Transportation, and Extra Magic Hours.

Worst For: Those used to staying at the Ritz Carlton or are otherwise expecting more than they receive.  People who plan to spend a lot of time at the resort.

Summary of Key Points: Pop Century is the most recommended Value resort because of its dedicated bus service, resort layout, food court quality/selection, and pools.  It is also the first to sell out during popular promotions.  The dedicated transportation is a key advantage because it could save an hour or more on transit times daily over a resort like Caribbean Beach which makes up to seven stops per trip around the resort or the All-Stars which share buses.  Pop Century’s rooms are also more centrally located and walk times are significantly shorter than those found at rooms in many of the Moderates.  The room refurbishment that is currently taking place will make room accommodations nicer as well.  Rooms are still small though and two adults and two teenagers may have trouble getting along in such cramped quarters.  The resort may also be noisy depending on who is around you as walls are not well insulated against noise.  I would recommend the Pop Century to anyone wanting to stay at a Value resort as it has the most upside of any of the Values.

Overall Rank on The Best Disney World Value Resorts: 1st out of 4

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