Episode Transcript
[00:00:00] Speaker A: Hello, Mouse Ears universe. Thank you again for coming back and joining us on the Mouse Ears podcast. Your go to source for all things travel, but mostly Disney. Sponsored by, of course, Fairy tale journeys travel. Whether you're a first time visitor or a pro at the parks, we are here to bring you the latest news, any insider secrets and fun stories from the happiest and most magical places on earth. Make sure to give us a like and follow on whatever platform you either listen to or watch us. Don't forget to check out themousharesblog.com where we dive even deeper into Disney trips, Disney tips and all other park magic in one location.
On today's episode, we are ranking the Walt Disney World deluxe resorts.
So join us as we unlock the magic, the thrills and the unforgettable experiences you won't want to miss. Now let's jump into today's episode.
Hello everybody. We are back again on the Mountain series podcast. If you're watching, watching us on YouTube, you're going to notice two unvery familiar faces. It's not Brooks, it's not Jenny, because both of them have, you know, different things going on. I think Jenny's actually doing play rehearsal and I know Brooks is working some overtime, but we're going to miss them dearly, however, and I love both of them.
But we have two people sitting here with us right now that support us from, you know, how would you put it, Steph? It's like there are maps.
[00:02:02] Speaker B: That is, that is the name is the Mouse Ears podcast Spouses support however you want the S to be. You might never see them, but we've definitely talked about them because they are important.
[00:02:17] Speaker A: We certainly have. So those two would be my lovely wife, Casey. Hello, Casey.
[00:02:25] Speaker C: Hi.
[00:02:26] Speaker A: And Steph, I'll let you introduce Mike.
[00:02:29] Speaker B: I got Mike over here.
[00:02:30] Speaker D: Howdy, everyone.
[00:02:31] Speaker B: He's my partner.
And in honor of Brooks not being here and Mike kind of taking over his spot, he's wearing his Roosevelt shirt today.
[00:02:41] Speaker D: Brooks, someone had to represent.
[00:02:44] Speaker A: Somebody had to represent that.
[00:02:45] Speaker B: Brooks, you are missed. So is Jen, of course, but yes, Michael. Michael's like, well, I'm gonna wear my Roosevelt today. I'm like, all right, then I'm all for it.
[00:02:54] Speaker A: We do. We love that. Okay, so you're not here to listen to us talk about that. So. But what we are going to talk about is a good solid debate. We are building a master list and going to decide the ultimate order for the Mountzers podcast and rank all 11 deluxe resorts at Walt Disney World, which could be the grand Floridian being at the top of the list or maybe Wilderness Lodge, who knows. But it's going to come down to theming restaurant, maybe some activities. We all know that, you know, yacht and beach club have the best pool. So is that going to pull through? But we're going to find out here in just a second. As always, we're heading on back. Steph's going to take over new news because something great just dropped here recently and trivia as well. So Steph, go ahead.
[00:03:51] Speaker B: Thank you, Kelton. So are you a Disney subscriber with no summer plans yet? Maybe then you are in luck because today on April 10, the day of our recording, Disney announced some more summer savings with great rates on rooms at select Disney resorts at Walt Disney World. Yes, we've already seen some fantastic deals for the summer, but we got even more people for as low as $99 per night plus tax. This deal is valid for two night stays or longer for most nights from June 29 to July 31, 2025. And I repeat again, select resorts. But you don't want to miss out on this fantastic deal. So reach out to Fairytale Journeys to get paired with one of their amazing agents and get more details. Summer deal. And this definitely goes in par with some of our ranking resorts that we have for today. So definitely couldn't miss this opportunity to share with all of you guys. And on to the trivia. Today's trivia question is brought to you by Fairytale Journeys Travel. Next time you want to book a Disney cruise, let the agents at Fairy Tale Journeys Travel take care of all the details for a stress free experience at no extra cost to you. When you book with them, not only do you get expert advice, but you can also receive up to $1,000 of onboard credit. Let me reiterate, 1,000 onboard credit. This offer is exclusive to bookings made with Fairy Tale Journeys Travel. So contact them today and let them know that the podcast sent you and enjoy a magical Disney cruise getaway. Now for today's trivia question. What was the official name for Disney's Grand Floridian Resort and Spa when it first opened? Plot twist. It did not start as Disney's Grand Floridian Resort and Spa. I didn't know this. This was kind of cool.
This is kind of cool. So stick around so you can find out the answer at the end of the episode. Back to you, Carlton.
[00:05:58] Speaker A: Fantastic. Okay. Thank you, Steph. You're welcome. Let's do it. Here we go. We're ranking. We're ranking some, some resort Hotels here. So we have 11. We have 11 deluxe resort hotels. Now don't be one of those people like Kelton. There's only eight. No, no, we're adding in all the villas. So that includes everything from Animal Kingdom Lodge, Jambo House and Kidani mixed into one, all the way down to one of my favorites, Wilderness Lodge and the Yacht Club.
Here are the rules. So here we go. One by one, we're going to nominate a resort for the spot. For a spot on the list.
Each one of us, all, all four of us will get a chance. You know, we'll talk about, you know, different things, what we're thinking if we want to challenge somebody else. So get ready for that. That's going to be good.
And then on top of that, once we have concluded everything, we want you guys as well to tell us how you would rank these 11 resorts.
[00:07:08] Speaker B: I know there's going to be some heated conversations.
Post this. Like, I can totally picture some of our listeners, like maybe driving to work while listening to this sebum be like, oh my God, you're going to put Wilderness Lodge in that.
I really hope that's what we're sparking in people. Just don't come at me.
[00:07:26] Speaker A: Don't come at me, people.
[00:07:28] Speaker B: We'll come at each other for today, but that's about it. But I'm excited. I think this is different. This is fun and we've got some healthy partners to battle it out with.
[00:07:43] Speaker A: Get ready.
[00:07:45] Speaker B: Okay.
[00:07:46] Speaker A: Okay. So, so we're going to start, we're starting at the top. Animal Kingdom Lodge is where we're going to start ranking that 1 through 11. Now we think about Animal Kingdom Lodge. So very like African safari themed. Hello. It has animals, but the lobby on top of that is top notch theming. What are we thinking? Like what's the thoughts going. Going through some heads right now.
[00:08:16] Speaker B: Animal Kingdom Lodge is top three. I'm not sure yet where in my top three or our top three, but it's in there.
[00:08:25] Speaker A: That top three with all of these, like that's coming out of the gate strong because we.
[00:08:29] Speaker B: Yes.
[00:08:30] Speaker A: We haven't even touched Beach Club. What about Old Key west, the contemporary? Like so you're just. So you are. You're just gonna throw Wilderness lodge at number 11 and just call it dumb.
This is ridiculous.
[00:08:43] Speaker B: I said top three.
I don't know where might be number three.
Yes, Casey. Okay, so, so here's my thought process. You've got animals done.
That's the number one. Okay, seriously though, from like, you know, my travel agent Cap on It is the deluxe resort that I sell the most. So I'm very partial to it because of that. For families with young kids, it is just very attractive. You don't have to physically go to Animal Kingdom. A lot of times with families like, you know, young kids, you want to go to Magic Kingdom, and then you might want to go to Animal Kingdom, but you're also going at the pace of the kids, so having other things to do. And yes, every resort has their charm, but kids are just typically drawn to animals. And you never know. Like, you know, we've talked about it with the safari. You just never know what you're going to get, you know, so it's a different experience all in and of itself. Now, to increase on or build up on the animals activities, you've got a nighttime safari ride that you can do for adults. Hello.
That's awesome. You know when, for those of you listening, when Kelton and I were trying to debate on what kind of an episode we wanted to do today, one of the things that was brought up was like, what if we talked about, like, things to do as for couples at Walt Disney World now, if you want that episode, let us know. We'll have Casey and Mike back on again. But anyways, so I was thinking, you know, you're going to Animal Kingdom Lodge. Let's say you have a really nice, nice dinner at Jiko, and we know from previous episodes Jiko is very, very, very, very popular and very well loved. So imagine just having like a really nice romantic dinner at Jiko, and then after that, you have a safari ride. That sounds awesome to me, if you ask me, which you are.
[00:10:49] Speaker A: So Animal Kingdom Lodge is the only resort on property that has night vision goggles. So that.
[00:10:58] Speaker B: Look at that.
[00:10:59] Speaker A: Oh, wow.
[00:11:01] Speaker B: Pretty cool. So, you know, you got great food, you got animals.
It's.
That's why it's not. No wonder. That's not why it's not number one.
That right there, it's one of the few resorts, yes, one of the few deluxe resorts where it only has bus transportation anywhere.
[00:11:26] Speaker A: But I don't. I mean, you have to think of it this way too, though, is when people say, well, it's so far away. Again, on a bus. All the resorts are within 20 minutes. And actually, Animal Kingdom Lodge is one of the fastest ones to get to because once you leave the Magic Kingdom bus depot and the transportation and ticket center, you don't hit and you hit one more stoplight. And that is right by Animal Kingdom as you're getting ready to Go into Animal Kingdom Lodge. It is all highways at that point. So really, you're only maybe 10 to 12 minutes from magic Kingdom.
[00:12:07] Speaker B: But the Animal Kingdom Lodge grounds are so widespread that you do have to take a bus. Well, don't have to. It's more like recommended to take a bus to get from the main lodge over to Kidani. So that's something else, too, to keep in mind, you know, when it comes.
[00:12:27] Speaker A: And they do. It's one of those. It's one of those smaller buses, or I think they're actually running vans now. But there is. And. And there's no set time for those. It's when you have. If you're going over Kidani, it's just talk to the front desk. They have people on standby to run you over.
[00:12:44] Speaker B: So I also. I also like that you have the pool that's like. I mean, obviously you have rooms that are facing the pools, but the pools in and of itself, unless you're staying there, there really isn't any kind of extra exposure. I think the pools are nice. It's quiet, it's secluded. I mean, you really do have great food. The ambiance. I mean, Animal Kingdom theme park is mine and Mike's favorite park anyways. So kind of have that extra element of just being submerged into that. And I love getting into your room and hearing, like, the, you know, the drums and the African culture sounds and. Oh, my gosh, it's just. Yeah. Plus, let's not forget that they do have some decorations as well for the holidays. I feel like that's something that, you know, we have to also keep in mind that they don't just.
Right. So anyways. Okay. I think that about does it. I'm not a Pog person. Pog. But if you like Pog juice, you can get Pog juice at Animal Kingdom Lodge. Juice or slushie?
You like a frozen pog? You can get a frozen pog at Animal Kingdom Lodge. So, honestly, I think. All said and done. No. I don't know.
[00:13:59] Speaker A: Solid five.
[00:14:01] Speaker B: No. Why?
[00:14:02] Speaker A: Okay. Okay, Okay. I want to hear from either Mike or Casey. Like what?
I mean, middle of the road, bottom. What do you think?
[00:14:11] Speaker D: I'm not gonna go with middle of the road. I'd say definitely top five for me. Maybe even top three. I do really enjoy Boma. I gotta say. That was probably one of the best breakfasts I've had is at Boma. And I am a huge Pog Juice fan. So I.
Any chance I get to have some Pog juice? I. I truly try to enjoy as much as I can. But I do remember Boma being such a great experience. It's a really unique restaurant is the way the setup of it and the food was unbelievable. So I'm a little impartial to that. And then also you have the rooms with like a Savannah view room. You have rooms with views to animals. And I think that's kind of unique. You know, that's just an another layer of immersion that Disney does at this hotel, which you can't really find. There's some at other hotels, but not quite like this with, you know, live animals outside. So, yeah, I gotta say, it's. I think it might be top three for me.
[00:15:10] Speaker C: I think it's number three.
[00:15:12] Speaker D: Yeah, I, I put it at three. That's kind of where I put it. It's. It's one of those for me. It should be up there.
[00:15:19] Speaker B: And you know, I haven't even done club level at Animal Kingdom Lodge. I really, really want to do club level. Animal Kingdom Lodge and club level at Contemporary Resort or sorry, not contemporary Coronado Resort. Those are like my two top. We're not talking about Coronado, but.
[00:15:39] Speaker D: If.
[00:15:39] Speaker B: You'Ve been there, let me know.
I want to do it.
[00:15:43] Speaker A: So we will go ahead and put Animal. Can object number 3 sound good?
[00:15:50] Speaker B: Agreeance, agreeance, agreeance.
[00:15:54] Speaker A: Moving on over, we've got the old Beach Club. I'm gonna let Casey start with this one because if you don't know, Casey used to work on her college program at Beaches and Cream at the Beach Club resorts and she talks about it all the time.
[00:16:10] Speaker C: I'm really partial to Beach Club. It's. It's my favorite resort. It's my favorite smell. I walk in and I feel like I'm at home.
Like we said earlier, it has the restricted pool access.
So working at beaches and watching all the guests at the pool always made me want to just go jump in.
Yeah, I don't.
[00:16:37] Speaker A: Also don't sleep on the ice cream beaches in cream either.
[00:16:40] Speaker C: That's the best.
[00:16:40] Speaker B: It's.
[00:16:41] Speaker A: I mean, you know that, that, that is quality right there.
[00:16:45] Speaker B: But I've. I've still haven't made it there. And it's like every time I'm there, I always look at it and I haven't pulled the trigger yet. And I, I am, I am letting myself down with this one. I completely know this. I completely know this. So, yeah, don't come at me with that one.
[00:17:05] Speaker A: On the other side, you know, you look at your, you know, the transportation is really, really good for, for the Beach Club, because you've got, you've got your Skyliner station over at the International Gateway. You can. It's a 10 minute walk if you're meandering to Epcot, 20 minute walk to Hollywood Studios and then you're only running. Oh, you. Then you can run the friendship boast as well. And that's like a 25 minute from going from one to the other.
[00:17:37] Speaker B: I definitely think these boats are underrated too.
[00:17:40] Speaker C: Yes.
[00:17:41] Speaker B: Except for the spiders on them.
No, seriously, they have too many spiders on them and they freak me out and I will be like, tiny, tiny. Like, don't look to the sides tiny when I go on these boats. But it's a nice little cruise and they're air conditioned. Yes.
[00:17:59] Speaker A: So that's the other thing too.
[00:18:01] Speaker B: Yep, yep, yep.
So where do you rank it, Casey?
[00:18:05] Speaker C: Personally, I would rank it like top five because of how much I love it enough that I would probably say it's my favorite. So I would rank it number one. But I know that that's not necessarily everybody's opinion, but I just.
[00:18:26] Speaker A: Yeah, but then you also have to look at theming as well and how much theming is actually in the beach club.
[00:18:33] Speaker C: I remembered a lot more a number of years ago, but I know that.
[00:18:38] Speaker A: There was, you know, so you look at. I mean, to me, I think the theming is rather plain.
[00:18:46] Speaker B: Subtle. Very subtle.
[00:18:48] Speaker A: It's.
[00:18:48] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:18:49] Speaker A: You know, but to counter the subtle theming, then you have Kate May. And Kate May has an awesome character dining breakfast buffet. Holy smokes. Is that. And I know it's good because we have a friend who refuses to pay for a Disney buffet, but she will go and eat at Cape May.
[00:19:14] Speaker B: So I have a couple clients that. It's Cape May breakfast every time, no matter what. I'm like, okay.
And it's one of the few character buffets, breakfast dining at Walt Disney World that actually does have Minnie Mouse because there's only two or three. Yeah, I had to dig that one up for some of my clients.
[00:19:37] Speaker A: That is right.
Mike, do you have anything to add, my friend? What do you think? Beach club?
[00:19:43] Speaker D: I have personally not stayed here, but we obviously, since we're big fans of Epcot, we. We always walk over in this direction. We have eaten at Cape May and I gotta say, that was a very good dinner buffet. If you like seafood is very into the theme. I thought it was a pretty good bang for your buck. And I thought the food was pretty good too.
I do have to say, for me, it's probably. I would maybe number five. And only reason is this. Every time we walk over there, it is a very busy hotel. It is not one of those if, if you're looking for kind of a hideaway or you know, if you are traveling without kids, this is definitely not one you want to go to because that pool is packed all the time, the lobby everywhere is packed, which is a good thing, you know, for if, if that's what you're wanting. But I have noticed that. So for me personally, that's going to drop it on my list a little bit because it is just a very, very busy, just busy, busy resort. And I kind of, I kind of like a little bit of the in betweens.
So for me I'd probably go around five. That's where I would put it. But I do like the overall somewhat, you know, the theme of it and the restaurants and everything else they have, they do have a lot of stuff.
[00:20:55] Speaker A: And this is where it's going to get tricky because there's a lot of really good resorts on this list.
[00:21:02] Speaker D: Yes.
[00:21:02] Speaker B: So I'll say this. I'm also kind of like in the middle with my ranking mainly, and I say mainly because of location and the amount of transportation. I mean, honestly, at the end of the day after being at Epcot, it's fantastic to just boop boop boop and you're there.
And then also to have so many different variety of transportation options, that's another huge plus. I really love when I can put personally or suggest to my clients, hey, you have all these different ways to move around, like what are you in the mood for?
What's easier for you with your strollers or whatever you've got going on?
And then third, proximity to the boardwalk. We love the boardwalk. We love to be able to. Yes. Does beach club have fantastic food options? Of course, absolutely. But the fact that you have yacht club right next to it and then just, you know, a little bit of a walk away, you have all of boardwalk to be able to roam around, go to the dance hall or go, you know, have a drink at Abracadabar, what have you. You have that flexibility in a way that you really don't have with any other resorts. And that is really, I think is really, really special. So for me, I think five is pretty. Five or six is kind of where I'm leaning at. Again, Kelton, I completely agree with you with the theming. Maybe I'm a little bit biased because as, as someone who was born and raised in Florida, you're from here. But I see that theme all the Time. So personally it's like, you know, I go to Disney and I know for some people, they want, they like the subtleness. I want to see a little bit more Disney embedded.
Just. That's just me though.
[00:23:01] Speaker A: You know, I'm a little hurt that you all did not say that. I am also born and raised in Florida, not just from there. Yes, sorry, that one hurt a little bit. But you're right because our house is beach themed. Shockingly, my parents house is beach themed. Michael's house.
[00:23:24] Speaker B: Michael's parents house. Beach theme. You go to Michael's bathroom. Beach. It's just too much. And I love the beach, but I.
[00:23:31] Speaker A: Want it back a little bit. Bring it in, reel it in.
[00:23:35] Speaker B: Yeah. You know, and like we haven't even talked about yacht club right next door, Old Key West. I mean there's a lot of water, nautical beach theme thing going on.
[00:23:47] Speaker A: No, I want so five or six.
[00:23:49] Speaker D: I'm okay with five.
[00:23:51] Speaker B: I like five or six Sounds acceptable.
[00:23:53] Speaker A: Okay.
Beach club has been put at number five for the master list. Here we go.
Spitting distance right across the water there. We got the boardwalk in now, which is a good one. And rest in peace to jelly rolls when they leave. But there's a lot to do on the boardwalk. Does anybody remember the clown slide? Unfortunately, that was the.
No, I am okay. That they subtly, you know, they did some subtleness to that pool because that was a little weird. I'm not gonna lie to you there. That was a little weird. But the rooms are nice. Rooms are, you know, rooms are nice. Even though it is. This is one of those just Beach Club west too. But it is a DVC resort and your DVC is more mixed in. Unlike beach club, it is segregated to one specific building. But boardwalk is very much, you know, mixed in. And then you have, you know, a ton of restaurants down on the boardwalk and it's all lit up really nice. And then a dance hall, free admission. Go get your groove on. So it's fun.
[00:25:11] Speaker B: Yeah. You know, I think I put this, I think I put this at number.
[00:25:17] Speaker A: I would, I, I would put it low personally. I, I personally will put it low.
[00:25:23] Speaker B: Yeah.
Oh no, that's lower than I thought. I guess I'm 11.
[00:25:28] Speaker A: All these other good resorts coming up.
[00:25:30] Speaker B: Okay, how about seven? Okay, how about seven? And my reason, I, I don't really like the theming for this resort. I think it's too, too old timey now. I love the smell of the boardwalk and I love, I love the entrance, that like beautiful archway at night with all the Lights. I mean, that's awesome.
[00:25:48] Speaker A: However, with the boardwalk lit up.
[00:25:50] Speaker B: Oh, yeah, right. That walk, though, isn't the most fun. From the parking lot to the lobby. I'll say. But having so much to do at the boardwalk. Oh, man. I mean, yeah. I mean, that's a lot of fun. And again, you have just the proximity to the Skyliner and Epcot and being able to take multiple different transportation, you know, it should rank similarly to the beach club. But I'm not a fan of the room themes.
[00:26:26] Speaker A: Yeah, I can agree on the room theme.
[00:26:30] Speaker B: And then. And then definitely the pool. Even though they don't have the clown anymore, I still don't like the pool, personally. I just not. Just not. Like, I'm not. I'm not gonna book the boardwalk to go to the pool. I'm gonna book the boardwalk to be close to Epcot and to use the boardwalk, like nightlife. So to say, now what's gonna happen after jelly rolls goes away? I don't know that taking away jelly rolls, I'll say, might have it be a seven for me because I'm salty.
[00:27:05] Speaker A: Sounds salty.
That's weird.
[00:27:08] Speaker B: But I haven't been to the cake bake shop. Frankly, I kind of have to convince myself still that $25 for slice of cake is worth it. But every single person that has been has said it's unbelievable and totally worth it. And the best cakes I've ever had. And I'm all for it because I'm such a foodie, but I just haven't pulled the trigger for me to go yet.
[00:27:32] Speaker D: But.
[00:27:33] Speaker B: But. But I do think that that's, like, a really nice addition to all the food and the things to do at the boardwalk, really. So, you know, kudos to that. I think I'm leaning towards the 7. Don't come at me, people.
Are we really that salty about jelly rolls? Yes.
[00:27:54] Speaker A: Casey, Mike, thoughts?
[00:27:59] Speaker D: I have not stayed here, nor have I eaten at any of the restaurants. Yeah, of course, we've been. We go to jelly rolls a lot. We love jelly rolls.
The boardwalk is very nice. It is nice having just options and a lot of options, and I love options. And I feel like every time we walk by the little pizza window, every time we want to get it, but we just don't. The smell is amazing. So I'm sure. I'm sure the food is really good. The proximity is great. You know, you do have a lot of different types of transportation there. But just seeing some of the ones coming up on this list, for me, this is. This is probably. I Think I would agree with a seven.
[00:28:39] Speaker B: And it's not because we don't like it. People, please.
[00:28:41] Speaker D: No, no. For me, it's just lack of. I don't have, you know, personal or personal stories with this because I haven't been there yet, but just knowing they're gonna. Because.
[00:28:53] Speaker A: Yeah, yeah.
[00:28:54] Speaker D: I want me. I think it's a seven.
[00:28:56] Speaker B: I want to say too, and I didn't mention this before with Beach Club and I just want to interject with this because there are 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 different room types and there's like a lot of them at Animal Kingdom Lodge, which we didn't mention. I think Beach Club has around four or five. But they do have, for instance, the Honeymoon Villas. I think it was Casey, please correct me. And those are freaking cool and romantic. That's awesome. And to be able to have your own little gate and entrance and then just walk right into Epcot Cool.
That's like a cool little perk that we didn't mention. That also influences or influenced my ranking of Beach Club and why it might be a little bit higher too, than the Boardwalk. Calton or Casey, who hasn't said.
[00:29:50] Speaker C: I don't have many ties to Boardwalk.
It's one of the few I haven't stayed at. I didn't know it was a resort.
[00:29:59] Speaker B: For the longest time.
[00:30:01] Speaker C: I thought it was just the restaurants and that, so.
[00:30:05] Speaker A: And that's a very, very good point.
[00:30:07] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:30:08] Speaker A: Because when you're going by the boardwalk, walking, taking it on the Friendship Boat, even though above the restaurants are rooms, you wouldn't know.
[00:30:18] Speaker C: Yeah.
[00:30:19] Speaker A: Unless you stayed there and that. And that. And that's a really, really big thing. I, I'm, I'm interested. I mean, I think the 7 through 9 is like where I think I would put this one. The room. The room type. I am not into. Not, not my thing. No. I mean too old school. You know, I'm a 90s baby. Let's not take it back to the 40s here. Like, swear. Looks like that's what, you know, boardwalk is trying to do here.
Be great for like dapper day or something like that, you know. So. So I think we're pretty good. You know, same options as, as, as Beach Club and I have same options for transportation as a yacht. Club will have to. So I think we're about. I can go with a seven. So for the boardwalk. No, I'm, I'm down absolutely with that. Which I'm kind of surprised. We haven't fought over anything yet.
[00:31:14] Speaker B: Yeah, we're actually doing pretty Good.
[00:31:16] Speaker A: I think it's gonna come.
[00:31:17] Speaker B: I am surprised. It's. Oh, no. It's undoubtedly coming.
[00:31:20] Speaker A: So.
So we're going to put on the master list the boardwalk resorts and villas at number seven. People, please don't hate us, but tell us what you would do.
[00:31:34] Speaker B: This next one, I think, is when it's going to start to get saucy. Saucy.
[00:31:38] Speaker A: So our next one on our list, if you're keeping track in alphabetical order, you would know that the contemporary resort is the one we're going to talk about.
And. And I. And we are talking as a whole, including the main tower, the garden wing, and Bay Lake Tower. That is the. Even though they kind of say Bay Lake is not contemporary, I'm like, you know, there's a sky bridge. It connects. It's all part. You go through the same gates to get here.
So this is where it's gonna get good.
What? Like, what are we thinking?
And Steph or Mike, I'm gonna have you guys go first, so one of y'all can go first. Not Steph. I'm sorry, Mike.
[00:32:27] Speaker B: Casey. Yeah, I was gonna say.
[00:32:29] Speaker A: That's what. That's what I meant. I'm pointing like this, and I'm saying two different names, Casey.
Transportation. Food.
[00:32:37] Speaker C: So I know that they are updating their theming. The theming has always been weird for me, but I love the food, I love the location.
I have a lot of really good memories at the Contemporary.
[00:32:51] Speaker A: We got married at the Contemporary.
[00:32:53] Speaker C: Contemporary.
[00:32:59] Speaker D: So pick your words wisely.
[00:33:03] Speaker A: I never do, Mike. I never pick my words wisely.
[00:33:07] Speaker B: Wait, wait, wait. What part in what area of the contemporary?
[00:33:12] Speaker A: Bay Lake Tower. Yeah.
[00:33:14] Speaker B: Okay.
[00:33:14] Speaker A: Well, yeah, yeah, we did it in the. We. We got married in the room. Because if Disney catches you, you know, it could lead to.
[00:33:22] Speaker B: Yeah, so cover your ears.
[00:33:24] Speaker A: They want them to share it.
No, but, yeah, I think that's when mom and dad had just bought DVC points, and I think they used all their points or a good chunk of them for us in that.
[00:33:39] Speaker C: And it was like an elopement. It was just us and our families.
[00:33:42] Speaker A: So thank you, Mother.
She'll listen.
[00:33:46] Speaker B: I love that.
Ooh, this is really gonna get saucy then.
[00:33:51] Speaker C: That's why it would rank, like, higher. Top five for me.
Yeah.
[00:33:57] Speaker B: Mike Roth.
[00:34:01] Speaker D: Yeah. You're not gonna like me.
So it's. It's undeniable that contemporary is such an iconic hotel for Disney.
You know, transportation is bar to none because most families want to stay close to Magic Kingdom. It's walking distance, you know, you have the, you have the monorail that goes right through it, which is also a really cool feature. An iconic feature. The food there is, is unbelievable.
We've been to State. I'm sorry, we've been to Chef Mickey's. Awesome breakfast. But I know I've heard plenty about Steakhouse 70. 71 in California.
[00:34:40] Speaker B: Go to Steakhouse 71 in September.
[00:34:43] Speaker A: Yeah, we all went there.
[00:34:46] Speaker D: That's.
[00:34:46] Speaker B: You saved.
[00:34:47] Speaker D: That's right. How could I forget?
[00:34:48] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:34:48] Speaker D: So there was someone with the medical emergency. Emergency that I helped. That's right. Okay. So. But we went for a lunch. Lunch was good.
[00:34:54] Speaker B: We haven't done California green.
[00:34:56] Speaker D: California girl had not done. So they have, they have the food, they have the transportation, they have, you know, the iconic Disney theming. The theming for me is always. Again, that has been kind of weird. It's. It's always been kind of off.
[00:35:13] Speaker B: Pool sucks. Sorry, it's not my turn.
[00:35:16] Speaker D: Yeah, I think the pool kind of, you know, for me I don't really look at contemporary for like activities. You know, I would definitely go to somewhere else for. If I wanted an activity rich location.
I. This for me is going to be sub five, maybe even down. Like would we already give some seven? So I'm thinking maybe a six or an eight. Just because for me it's, it is older. You know, the rooms aren't really.
[00:35:44] Speaker B: The theming of. Some of the rooms are incredible.
[00:35:46] Speaker D: Incredibles. Yes. But it just, it's.
[00:35:50] Speaker B: I don't know, it's still getting work done too.
[00:35:52] Speaker D: Yeah, it's. It just, I think it needs a lot of work. You know, it's older in my mind. And then the monorail running through it, it's kind of cool, but just not really. I don't have a lot of ties to it. So it's kind of lower for me especially seeing some of the stuff coming up that I personally like more. But you can't deny it's got, it's got a lot of really great features. And that's why it's very, you know, it's very.
[00:36:16] Speaker A: I mean it's a very sought after hotel.
[00:36:18] Speaker B: Yes, it was the first. Okay, so I'll say it was the first hotel. Yes, yes. You have the. A frame tower that's iconic. I feel like people think when they think of Disney resorts, you think either Grand Floridian or you think the Polynesian too, or the. A frame tower. You know, honestly, you don't really think too much of Bay Lake, but that one exists. And then you have the garden waves like Kelton mentioned, I don't like the pool. I think the pool is very average. Not really not a good pool. Like it is, whatever.
However, yes, we have some phenomenal, phenomenal dining options there. You've got the convention center too, which gives it some extra space.
You can't like, really.
There is no replicating. I mean, you can, but there is no replicating the original resort that has the monorail going through it. Like, that's just fantastic.
But one thing that we haven't talked about. Yes, proximity to Magic Kingdom. But you can see the fireworks from there pretty much from anywhere on. On that resort is as long as you're facing the theme park, of course, which that's also really special. It's very special. Whether you're at California Grill, club level. Just you have a theme park view room.
That's also something that, for instance, a lot of families with littles, not just because of proximity to be able to take a break halfway through the day if you know they need a break, but also if they're tired, you get back to the room early and you're like, darn it, I really wanted to see the fireworks. You can still see that from your resort. So that's really, really important.
I'm not like a huge Incredibles themed. We love Pixar. He's a massive, massive Pixar fan much more than I am.
But it just theme doesn't do it for me either. And I love seeing like the beautiful. It's a small world mural that's by the entrance into the monorail stairwell and everything. But yeah, you know, I wouldn't be upset putting it at six.
[00:38:24] Speaker A: All valid points. And yes, Chef Mickey's is great takeout. 71 is phenomenal.
[00:38:32] Speaker B: Phenomenal, yes.
[00:38:34] Speaker A: Here, absolutely. California Grill is another top tier restaurant. The monorail going through like Mike said was. It's iconic. However, all of those great things I do not believe counter the. Well, pretty much Disney ignoring the contemporary.
And to me, Incredibles themed in the contemporary.
How does that match? I. When that was announced, I kind of just went, really?
What are you just throwing some mud at a wall, see if it sticks? I mean, that was, you know, and then on top of that, you're also looking at if you want to just have all the options in the world of a room, you know, category. The contemporary is word at. They have 27 room categories from. From a studio.
[00:39:44] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:39:45] Speaker A: Leading up to the three bedroom grand villa theme park room over at Bay Lake Tower. And then of course you have like, they have the presidential suite. Hold on Let me find it here.
This is all dvc.
I'm looking.
I don't know where it is. Room and suites. Oh, that was with club level. Yeah. So there's a lot of room types.
When it comes down to this, I am okay putting it at, like, 8 or 9.
Okay. And it don't. I mean, I. That's just because the list has. I think the list has the number one number. A couple of number ones coming up.
[00:40:34] Speaker B: Yeah. Yeah.
[00:40:35] Speaker A: You want to just throw it at. Oh, we can't put it at 7. It's either gonna go 6 or 8.
[00:40:40] Speaker B: 8 or. Yeah, I'm fine with 8. I'm fine with 8.
[00:40:43] Speaker D: I'd be okay with 8.
[00:40:44] Speaker B: Yeah. Yeah, I'm fine with eight. Yeah. No, I completely agree about the beaming and throwing mud on a wall. I mean, what.
[00:40:52] Speaker A: Put that one on. Put that one on the sticker.
Yeah. Okay, here we go.
Y'all are gonna hate me on this one, too. The Grand Floridian.
The iconic and famous Grand Floridian. Who wants to kick off this train wreck?
[00:41:12] Speaker B: You?
[00:41:14] Speaker A: I did. This is overhyped to me. It's overhyped. I. You know, the fanciness is great, and I would. I have no problem going because, you know, every now. And they'll have the. The piano player or they'll have the jazz band up at the top. You know, they got the gingerbread house during the holidays. However, I think it is overrated. That's me. I would put it lower on the list. I do not believe it is a top three resort. Your transportation wise. Yes. You have the boats over to the Magic Kingdom.
You have the monorail to the Magic Kingdom and the walking path. But the bus transportation lacks.
Because you don't. Also because the other thing is, you don't have bus service to Epcot. You have to take the resort monorail, the transportation and ticket center, and then transfer over to the Epcot Beam. As long as that monorail is running. And so all your. You only have bus service to Disney Springs, Animal Kingdom, and Hollywood Studios. It is. I do not believe it is a top three resort. Who wants to go next? Who wants to follow that one?
[00:42:32] Speaker B: I agree.
Surprise.
[00:42:36] Speaker A: I was not expecting you to agree to agree.
[00:42:40] Speaker B: So I had the pleasure of staying at the Grand Floridian last year, and I did enjoy my time there.
However, when you think Grand Floridian, you think Grand.
Yes. You think, like, vip. Like, you're gonna have the best service on property. Plot twist. You get good service everywhere on Disney.
[00:43:06] Speaker A: So even at the All Star Sports yes.
[00:43:10] Speaker B: So. So is the Grand Floridian beautiful? Yes, Theming is very subtle.
I love that there are nods to Mary Poppins. I love Mary Poppins. She's fantastic. She's iconic. So I do feel in contrast to the contemporary, I really do like the theming and it's subtle, regal, and right now, the contemporary. Sorry. The Grand Floridian is undergoing a huge remodelization overhaul.
Just today, before we started recording this episode, on April 10th, Disney released concept arts for the brand new lobby look that they're going for. The Ramportion. It looks really pretty. They're now going to go with like greens, like nice tones of green, sage, golds, whites, clean marble.
I really get like a timeless feel with it. But I also feel like because Grand Floridian, like, I expect more. That's just like my feeling of it. It's so. It's the Grand Viridian, but it's just another deluxe resort at the end of the day, if that makes sense.
It's still beautiful, but yeah, I just don't think it's all that I. And I had a theme park view room. It was unbelievable to be able to see the fireworks from the room. It was unbelievable to be able to see the. So post Magic Kingdom park being open. You have the water pageant parade.
Parade is. I don't know if that's the right word, but whatever. The floating lights. And that was kind of cool too, being able to see it from the room. And it's also great to be able to walk to the Magic Kingdom, although that is a rather longer walk in comparison from the contemporary.
You know, it's nice to have that option, I think. I think Gasparilla Grill, their quick service is fantastic. You have boat launches, you have citricos, you got narcoossis. You've got some. And we haven't even touched on.
What is it? Alberts. Oh, gosh.
[00:45:25] Speaker A: Victoria and Albert.
[00:45:26] Speaker B: Thank you. Victoria and Albertson. Hello, Michelin. You know, you're willing to drop what, 4 or 500 per person to go to that. I mean, we're talking like this is. It's grand, but it's grand. Depending on what you do when you go. Pools are okay.
I think it would be beautiful to get married at the Grand Floridian and have fantastic room options for that. But for like a regular Joe Schmo stay, it's just.
I would rather go stay at the. I don't know, I'll say Animal Kingdom Lodge because clearly I like it more. Six for me.
Yeah.
[00:46:09] Speaker C: I have no strong Feelings.
[00:46:11] Speaker A: No, strong feelings. All right. She don't care about the Grand.
[00:46:14] Speaker C: Apparently it's pretty. It's iconic.
[00:46:17] Speaker B: But they've got great restaurants though.
[00:46:19] Speaker C: Yes.
[00:46:20] Speaker B: Grand Floridian Cafe. I guess I mentioned Citrico's, Marcuzzis, Victoria Albert, if you've been there.
[00:46:25] Speaker A: We've eaten at the Grand Floridian Cafe a number of times and they do have some.
[00:46:29] Speaker C: And it's always been a great time, great company, great food, great service.
[00:46:34] Speaker B: But yeah. I haven't been to Park Fair though and I get mixed reviews from that. Is that I just know it. Know it for the strawberry soup with the experience.
Well then.
Then I'll go somewhere else. I mean I have.
But. Michael, do you have anything to say about the ground flow just so I.
[00:46:56] Speaker D: Can add something in?
Really don't have much, but I know the Enchanted Rose is really nice. That's a really cool looking bar. I gotta say. That is really cool.
But other than that it is grand.
But that's. I feel like for me that it's only going to be a special occasion. Stay hotel.
[00:47:18] Speaker B: It's.
[00:47:19] Speaker D: It's not going to be my go to hotel.
Like I said, it's very grand. I haven't eaten any of the restaurants there, but it is a beautiful hotel. But for me it just not. It doesn't do it. So I'd be totally fine putting it. Putting it down or putting it number six.
[00:47:35] Speaker A: My only concern would putting it at number six.
[00:47:40] Speaker B: It's getting rid of options.
[00:47:41] Speaker D: I know. Because we only got.
[00:47:43] Speaker A: There goes my middle of the road options.
[00:47:46] Speaker D: Yeah, I know.
Maybe nine.
[00:47:49] Speaker A: I see. I'm okay with it going.
[00:47:51] Speaker D: Yeah, you couldn't put it at nine.
[00:47:53] Speaker A: So then what are we gonna. We gonna put Riviera at nine? Like come on. I mean, that's her. That's really a stab at Riviera.
[00:47:59] Speaker B: No, no, I'm keeping Riviera in my back pocket.
[00:48:04] Speaker A: All right, so we've got the Grand Floridian going at number six for the master list. So.
[00:48:10] Speaker D: So crazy.
[00:48:12] Speaker B: Wow.
[00:48:14] Speaker A: Old Key west is up next and I will fight somebody.
[00:48:19] Speaker B: I guess you and me are going. I guess you and me are going at it.
[00:48:23] Speaker A: If you say you are going to put this at 11, we might as well just turn the episode off now and be done. Call this friendship over.
[00:48:34] Speaker B: At this point I want to hear your arguments pro. Old Key West.
[00:48:38] Speaker A: It's Old Key West. It was the first DVC resort. So you're. You're one and two bedroom and even three bedroom villas are the size of the apartment. You would rent. I mean, you know, it.
Mike, you had talked about, you know, maybe not being stir. Staying in the hustle and bustle of a place like, you know, the beach club.
So you can go the complete opposite end of that spectrum and be out of the hustle and bustle completely. At the old Key west, you want to just. And this is. This is what my dad does.
He will get a room right on the fairway. The. The fairway of the golf course, sit outside. And that's what he does. It's. You want peace in, you know, like inner. Inner calmness.
You stay at Old Key West. Olivia's is fantastic.
[00:49:34] Speaker B: I've been wanting to eat there so bad. So bad.
[00:49:38] Speaker A: Love, Olivia. Now, the downside is that's your only table service.
Their quick service is at the bar. And there's really. So if it's raining, there's really no places to eat. The resort's very spread out, so it takes you almost eight minutes to go around on the buses because you have four stops. Four or five stops.
And if you're staying down at South Point, you are very far away from the hospitality house.
[00:50:03] Speaker B: You're giving me a lot of cons. I. I hope you realize.
[00:50:07] Speaker A: Well, you know, I'm just being honest, but I think with, you know, with the. The peace and quietness, the room size. Olivia's Cafe and hello. It's Key west themed and huge fans. I'm a huge fan of Jimmy Buffett and the Coral Reapers, so that's what I would see. And this is. This is where you guys are killing me here is because I do. I think this is a one or a top two resort. No, I. I'm gonna be on. I don't. But it's also not a number nine, so I'm gonna put. I wanted a number four.
[00:50:47] Speaker B: Oh, dear goodness. Casey, Casey, you. You.
You go.
[00:50:53] Speaker A: She's gotta be careful. She's gotta deal with me after we stop recording.
[00:50:57] Speaker C: And I'm kind of on your side still.
[00:51:00] Speaker A: You think it's boring.
[00:51:02] Speaker C: It's not my favorite.
[00:51:03] Speaker A: What's wrong with you?
[00:51:05] Speaker B: Okay, okay, okay. All right.
Kelton, buddy, amigo, friend. Caballero. What?
What?
Old Key West.
All right.
It is like, the same level as Saratoga, so putting them Back to back. 10 and 11. I'll give you your 10. I don't.
[00:51:30] Speaker A: Don't know. Don't do Saratoga dirty like that either.
I see.
And Sarah. Hold on. Sarah. Token Old Key West Wilderness Lodge.
[00:51:41] Speaker B: Still, man. What?
You're so.
[00:51:45] Speaker A: I would.
[00:51:45] Speaker B: Detached from everything. It's just sad.
What? Okay, okay, okay.
[00:51:53] Speaker A: No, I would put Saratoga at 9 and Old Key west at 4. Yes, I would 100% put Saratoga at 9.
[00:52:01] Speaker C: What Key west are you staying at?
[00:52:03] Speaker A: Old Key West.
[00:52:06] Speaker C: I see them.
[00:52:08] Speaker B: The only point. Okay. The only point.
[00:52:11] Speaker A: Just give me that back. Give me that back. We're done.
[00:52:16] Speaker B: I'm sweating over here. So nervous.
[00:52:18] Speaker A: Ridiculous.
[00:52:19] Speaker B: But like.
Okay, Calton, to give you at least 1.2. I'll give you two points. One, the rooms at Old Key west really are the. Some of the biggest ones by far. You've got one bedroom, two bedroom, three bedroom. They're massive because it was the original dvc. So for sure, like, if you're trying to go for a lengthy period of time, by all means, Old Key west, you know, sure. Definitely. You got the kitchen, you've got. You're secluded a little bit. Frankly, I don't even. Answer me this because we haven't talked about this at theme parks. Where is Old Key west in the bus lines? Is it like close to the front?
[00:53:11] Speaker D: Is it?
[00:53:11] Speaker B: It is. Okay, great. That's another point.
[00:53:13] Speaker A: Magic Kingdom. It's in that first loop.
[00:53:16] Speaker B: We love that. Or that's another point.
[00:53:18] Speaker A: Maybe. I don't know if it's in the first loop or else it's in the second loop, but it is. It is one of the closer stops.
[00:53:25] Speaker B: Great.
[00:53:26] Speaker A: All the resorts, all of them.
[00:53:30] Speaker B: The theming is very subtle.
Still.
Still.
[00:53:37] Speaker A: Right. You know, and I'm on board with that.
[00:53:41] Speaker B: Not a Disney. No. I want. I want theme. I am going to the theme park capital of the world. It's. I want them.
[00:53:50] Speaker A: It's themed like Key west everywhere.
[00:53:58] Speaker D: I mean, I will say every time we're in the Skyliner and we go over Old Key West, I'm always like, man, I really.
[00:54:04] Speaker A: That's Caribbean beach.
[00:54:08] Speaker D: No. Yes.
[00:54:10] Speaker B: It's okay. It's okay.
[00:54:11] Speaker D: The Tin Roost, they look the same.
[00:54:13] Speaker B: It is. It is very tropical themed. Caribbean beach is. But we have too much beach and water theme. Disney.
[00:54:23] Speaker A: This is not beach water. This is nautical. This is nautical theming.
[00:54:30] Speaker B: I guilted. I'm so sorry.
It can't. It can't be higher than nine.
You can't. There's really the only thing that it has to to. It is the size of the rooms, that it's quiet. It's got Olivia's, which. Yes, I've heard fantastic things about it. But you only have bus. You don't even have the. Do you even have the boat to sprint to Springs?
[00:54:59] Speaker A: Yes.
[00:54:59] Speaker B: Okay, so you got a boat to Springs that I Don't even think are currently operational, are they?
[00:55:05] Speaker A: Yes.
[00:55:05] Speaker B: I don't think the Old Key west ones are.
[00:55:08] Speaker A: Yeah, they are.
[00:55:09] Speaker B: Okay.
[00:55:10] Speaker A: They were there. We would. We. They were in December.
[00:55:13] Speaker B: Okay. Okay. So then they are.
[00:55:15] Speaker C: We were at Saratoga.
[00:55:17] Speaker A: Right. But the little flags they fly at the front of are different colors.
And because it goes. The boats from Disney Springs go to Saratoga. They also go to Old Key west and they also go to Port Orleans.
[00:55:33] Speaker B: Operational at Old Key West. But I thought it was only operational currently in Saratoga. They just brought back Wilderness Lodge recently. I could be totally wrong.
But you also don't got good theming. You do have the golf course.
One of them.
But Kelton.
I'm sorry, Kelton.
[00:55:54] Speaker D: We could. We could just get crazy here and move contemporary to nine. No, slot contemporary into nine. Because I could put this one in at eight. Because I don't think Oaky west deserves a nine. But see, I just, I like the theme. You know, the rooms are very big and it's.
It's more of a relaxing resort. It's. It's.
[00:56:19] Speaker B: I'll give you nine.
[00:56:21] Speaker D: Or it's not as busy.
[00:56:22] Speaker B: I'll give you nine. But that, that really, really does not do justice for some of the other ones.
[00:56:29] Speaker D: Remember, we still have a 10 and 11.
[00:56:31] Speaker B: Correct.
[00:56:31] Speaker D: And I think about what's up.
[00:56:33] Speaker B: I know what I'm putting at 11.
[00:56:35] Speaker A: Yeah. Saratoga Springs.
[00:56:37] Speaker B: Exactly. Saratoga Springs is 11.
[00:56:39] Speaker C: I agree.
[00:56:40] Speaker D: Well, let's wait till we get there, people.
[00:56:44] Speaker B: You know, Old Key west should be 10 and Saratoga should be 11. And again, this does not mean we don't like them. It's just ranking the deluxe respons swords.
[00:56:53] Speaker A: I will give you nine for Old Key West. You will not. If you will not let it go higher. It is not going lower than nine.
[00:57:01] Speaker D: No, I. I think it can't go lower. We'll. We'll leave it at nine.
[00:57:05] Speaker B: What are you putting at ten?
[00:57:08] Speaker D: Just wait.
[00:57:08] Speaker A: Yacht club. We'll get there.
[00:57:11] Speaker E: Guys, that got super intense. So we decided to take a little break. Make this a little two parter. And oh, by the way, hey, I'm Brooks.
Done working some overtime until next week. But stay tuned till later on this week for part two of this Mouse Ears podcast episode. But don't forget to join the Mousears podcast Facebook group and follow us on our official social media accounts on TikTok, Instagram X and Facebook to stay up to date on all things travel, but mostly Disney. And if you're interested in having a fairy tale journeys agent book your next trip, visit fairytalejourneys.com and let them know that the podcast sent you. Lastly, if you find this episode helpful or entertaining. I mean, that last little part with Old Key west had to be entertaining there. But if you find it entertaining or helpful, share it with a friend and leave us a review wherever you listen or watch us until part two of this episode. Thanks everyone. Bye.
