Where in the World should I stay??!!!

Picture downloaded from Disneyworld.com
We stayed there and loved it.

Now comes the agonizing decision as to where to rest my weary head between sorties to the various parks.  As much as I want to stay at one of the premium resorts, I'm afraid the that the cost would soon outstrip my budget for the trip.  I have always dreamed of staying on the resort loop but I can't justify this type of expense doing this on my own with out my family to share the experience.  I have stayed at the Boardwalk resort before and really enjoyed it.  All the Crescent Lake resorts are beautiful and close to all the Epcot and Hollywood Studios action. The time I was lucky enough to stay at the Boardwalk Villas, I used the little balcony that came with the room every morning.  I would sit out there and have coffee and watch eagles land on the swan statue at the Swan and Dolphin.  On more than one morning I could see hot air balloons rise into the morning skies. But, once again, the cost is pretty high.   So, while i'm not ruling out a deluxe resort completely,  Chances are, the cost for Crescent Lake and the Resort Loop are not good.  I have stayed at Kidani Village as well some time ago. .  Of all the resorts where we have stayed, this one might be the most beautiful. Jiko a Cooking Place at the Animal Kingdom Lodge is one of my favorite restaurants in all of Walt Disney World.  The Wilderness Lodge Looks beautiful as well yet both these places might be out of reach. I don't think I need the extravagance of staying at one of the Deluxe resorts anyway.

Disney is very proud of the water Villa's at the Polynesian .
We will only stay there if we win the lottery or something.
This photo was downloaded form Disneyworld.com

The Moderate resorts are more affordable and offer some strong contenders for my choice of resort.  I have stayed in two of the Moderate resorts and both experiences were memorable. My first "adult" visit to Walt Disney World occurred in 1985.  With only Epcot and the Magic Kingdom to explore, we chose at that time to stay in an offsite Hotel.  I think it was a Sheraton Hotel very close to the parks.  I really enjoyed the trip and the hotel was really nice.  It wasn't until 2000 that  I got my first taste of staying on property.  My parents took my family to Disney World in October of that year.  We actually drove down and stayed in the Caribbean Beach Resort.  That was an eyeopener for me.  I discovered on that trip how much more I enjoyed the total Disney immersion  one gets when staying in an onsite resort.  Things have changes a bit since 2000.  The bus drivers use to regale their passengers with stories of Walt Disney and Disney world.  I'm sure that due to safety concerns or maybe liability issues, Disney stopped that practice some time between 2000 and 2009 when we finally returned to Walt Disney World. I understand why they had to stop the stories, but I miss them.

Downloaded from Disneyworld.com
We stayed at the Caribbean beach resort in 2000.

Anyway,  A moderate resort could be much less painful on my pocket book than a stay at Disney's deluxe resort alternatives.   The two things sacrificed when staying at the Moderate resorts are the proximity to the parks and the fabulous restaurants that most of the deluxe resorts have. Even if I plan to stay at the more moderate priced resorts I hope to be able to dine in places like the California Grill or Ohana.  I hope the flying fish will be open as well, I've not eaten there over the past couple of trips and I must say, its one of my favorites.  I have stayed at two of the Moderate resorts in my tenure going to Disney.  First, as I mentioned above, I have stayed at the Caribbean beach resort. since i have been there, Disney has done some extensive rework on some of the rooms, giving them a pirate them.  To be honest, I don't need to stay in a Pirate Themed room. I would leave those rooms for the Kids who would get a kick out of them.  The one drawback the Caribbean beach resorts has the bus stops at each resort area before making its way to the parks.  If I was the in the last resort area on the loop then I might as well kiss getting a seat on the bus goodbye. Also, I've read complaints about wait times between buses, some have waited over 1/2 an hour to get a bus.  I don't remember that much time ever going by to get a bus when I stayed in 2000.  But I also remember that visitors had to take an extra bus from their resort area to a central location before catching a bus to the parks. My memory could be flawed however.  The situation with the buses is something to keep in mind when I choose a resort at which to say.

I really loved the French Quarter. It is one of my favorite places
to stay.  This photo was downloaded from Disneyworld.com

I have also stayed at Port Orleans French Quarter.  Wow, did I have fun there.  The amazing architecture of the place absolutely brings me back to New Orleans and the Vieux Carre.  We could have been in a hotel in the middle of the French Quarter. They offer beignets as well.  Those puffy doughnuts covered in powdered sugar along with a hot cup of coffee are the perfect way to start a day in Disney World.  The bus service going to the French Quarter is great.  They often got their own bus and when the bus stopped at Port Orleans - Riverside, it always stopped first at the French Quarter.  While all my trips to Disney World are special, The trip we stayed at the French Quarter remains in my mind, one of the best vacations I ever had.  This was the first trip my wife and I took by our selves without the Kids since we had kids.  I always think of this as a special moment in our lives where we got to share Disney together without worrying about anybody but ourselves.  Also we Celebrated our 25 anniversary of our first trip together to Disney World. in 1985. We visited Disney world during the Holidays for the first time.  This was also the first trip we took with the Dining Plan which allowed us to try many different restaurants that we might not have visited otherwise.  Once again, there are special rooms that were recently added to the resort and once again, I don't need to stay in one.  While it might be a lot of fun to stay in one of those rooms, families with kids would get so much more out of them. I could see how staying in one of the special rooms could make a child's experience at Walt Disney World even more magical.  The only drawback to the French Quarter is that, recently it has been almost impossible to get the free Dining Plan there.  If i can get the Dining Plan there then this resort might be at the top of my list.  Otherwise, I will probably have to let it pass.

This is a beautiful Resort with a good Mexican restaurant.
Maybe I should consider staying at the Coronado Springs Resort.
This picture was downloaded from Disneyworld.com

Still in consideration is the other Moderate resort choice of Coronado Springs. Having never stayed there I don't know a lot about the Coronado Springs resort.  I enjoy Middle and South American culture having visited Mexico and Brazil a number of times so It might be just the ticket for a solo trip to Disney.  I hear the restaurant there is very good and since we are talking about Disney, The rooms will be clean and the beds comfortable. As with the Caribbean Beach resort, the Dining plan is often offered as a perk, which makes it all the more attractive.  Like many of the Disney Resorts and hotels, Coronado Springs is a Convention center.  Would this make the resort more crowded?  Probably not but I don't know.  As time grows nearer to booking, I will definitely consider Coronado Springs.

We have stayed here more than any other Resort.  For Value and
comfort, the All star resorts are great.  I just think All Star Sports is the
best of all of them.  This Picture was downloaded from Disneyworld.com.

While I love the moderate resorts, More that likely, I'll end up at a Value resort.  Most of the Value resorts have a lot going for them, however. They have great pools and decent food courts for breakfast.  The theming of the rooms provides enough immersion in the Disney universe to keep me happy.  The bus service, like all over the property, is wonderful at the Value Resorts.  The only little hick-up that I noticed is that, sometimes, the bus visits more than one Resort.  One of the reasons I prefer the All Star Sports over Music and Movies is the fact that the buses stop there first before going to the other resorts.  I would get a chance for a seat that way.  I don't mind standing on the bus  but my feet will be happier by the end of the day with any rest I can give them.  I am seriously considering staying at Pop Century this time.  I've never stayed there and thought it would be fun to try a new resort.  I know the Art of Animation Resort is mostly Villas. The Art of Animation resort does, however, have single rooms.  The cost looks comparable to the other Value resorts so this might be an option as well.  It might come down to the known quantity of the All Star Sports, or, my more adventurous self wins in the end and I choose one of the other resorts.  Lots of unknowns prevent me from declaring a choice at this time.

Pop Century looks like a fun place to stay.
This picture was downloaded form Disneyworld.com

So, after all this, and after all these words and considerations I'll tell you where I'm leaning.  Of course nothing is set in stone at this time but, if I decide I want to save some cash, I think I want to try the Pop Century resort.  If I can get the Dining plan and want to be a bit more lavish with my room I'll probably choose Port Orleans French Quarter.  A lot of my consideration will revolve around where the Dining Plan is offered if it is offered at all.  The only thing that is certain, is the fact that I will stay in a Disney resort.  The perks of more time in the park, the Magical Express, and the transportation system, outweigh any small savings I might get by staying offsite.  I plan on moving between the parks some and those buses will come in handy.  If I am completely honest, I yearn for the total immersion in Disney that the onsite resorts offer.  Almost from the time I board the Magical Express at Orlando International till I leave the Tragical Express to return home I will be surrounded by Disney.  Immersion in Disney is just what this 57 year old Mouse Junkie needs.

Bonnie and I acting up before the Pirates and Friends Desert Cruise.
This Photo was NOT downloaded from Disneyworld.com