Can't bear all the code talk, this is the RESORTS forum, let's talk about something

[mikesluss]

Magickingdom5
Did I read right you are going over memorial day weekend
Whew you must be very brave , but even if it is crazy nuts with people that is one of the perks of staying on site
Am I right ???

 

[areno79]

Great idea for a thread! The AP codes are out people, why are we still obsessing over them?!?

I think the best part of staying onsite is feeling like in the middle of everything. Disney really feels like it's own little world

 

[Stitch Inside]

I think one of the most magical things about staying on Walt Disney World Property is all the neat people I meet using Disney Transportation. I had so much fun talking with people on the way to and from the parks.

lol I used to cringe when my DW would ask total strangers where they were from. Now I sometimes ask before she does.

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

I have to agree as far as the CMs. They add 3/4 of the WDW magic, IMO. I am never disappointed and always blown away by the quality of employees they hire at WDW. Just last month, while eating at Jiko, I was seated before the rest of my family arrived, and I had such a cool conversation, walking to our table with the Maitre D' who had just moved to Orlando from Africa, arm and arm, laughing about family and friends. It was like we were old friends reminiscing about old times. When the rest of my clan sat down, he hooked us up and sent over a bottle of wine!! Disney CMs are the best!!!

 

[mikesluss]

Just saw the post dropping so lets pick it up
Does anyone here remember the old discovery island or something like that ?

 

[Cratster]

being one of those people that have been waiting for the ap codes i am just happy they are out and i dont want to talk about them anymore. thank god i got mine at least. but i agree with all of you. i have stayed on property 7 times and this may will be my 8th. everytime that i get there it all seems new too me. i have gone so many other places in the country and there is just nothing like going to disney. i think my favorite part of the whole experience is the fact that once you get there you are there. you dont have to go anywhere else. you can live disney 24 hours a day.

 

[Tinkaroo]

I went to the World many a time as a kid, but always stayed off-site because my dad traveled so much, we had hotel "freebies."

After staying as an "adult" for the first time at a Disney resort (CBR) - we said, we're never going back to off-site!

Disney has always been magical, filled with wonderful memories - and the resorts just give you another avenue to make those memories. They're not "cookie cutter" hotels - that's for sure.

We're going to try as many as we can - we're doing Pop (for one night) and AKL (for 7 nights) in just a few weeks (yay!!!!!!!!!!!) and I want to try POFQ, POR, WL, or BC in early December!

 

[mikesluss]

tinkaroo
having stayed usually in dec every year for the most part
you will love it, be sure to do mvmcp and dont forget the osborne family lights at mgm
also the decorations are very cool , do some resort hopping to check them out

 

[Amy&Dan]

I love the Mickey wake up calls the most! I set the alarm first so I am fully awake to enjoy my wake up call, crazy I know! I will never forget our first trip to Disneyland when we pulled into the Disneyland Hotel. I literally teared up! Then a year later we went to WDW and I still remember driving from the airport and seeing all the signs for WDW. Then we pulled into ASMO and I knew it was really happening! I love the way they have the Disney movies playing for the kids while you check in. Plus all the other guests are so much more cheerful because they are at WDW too! Usually when we arrive at a hotel everybody else checking in is just tired and wanting to get checked in and be done with it. The level of service you get at Disney with their cm's just cannot be beat. Besides where else will you use up a roll of film before you ever get into your room? April 26th cannot get here fast enough when I head to POR!

 

[catnik]

Mikesluss:
We were at WDW for 10 days at the end of May/beginning of June last year. Truly the only really "crazy" days were the Saturday and Sunday of Memorial Day weekend, and to be sure, they were not as bad as mid-July/August crowds (we made the mistake of going mid-summer one year and learned our lesson well!).

I remember Discovery island for one thing: we took my then 4 year old son over and were walking around, looking at the various animals. There were 2 large turtles (Galapagos, I think?) that were very busy trying to increase the number of baby turtles on the island My son was most interested and stood watching for quite a while, finally stating that if they were playing piggy back they sure weren't going very fast. We agreed and moved on

 

[eeyore0062]

I admit, about 2 years ago when we were getting ready to move down here we stayed off property.... man.. what a mistake. The room stunck of mildew... totally disgusting! I came very close to calling Disney to see if we could get a room, but the place wouldn't refund, even though the rooms were subpar... so we stuck it out... learned our lesson and NEVER again, off property!!!

That being said... at Disney you can count on the fact that the rooms will be as they should and if not, they will move you without a hassle. The transportation is very convenient, and the theming just adds to the vacation. Can't wait to go back and stay on property again... even though we only live 35 minutes away, we have to treat ourselves at least once a year!

 

[KayakDaddy]

Staying on-site truely enriches your vacation. When you stay at a Disney resort, you never feel like you leave the parks. I'm like their biggest salesperson, trying to convince coworkers, etc. that staying on site rules. People who have never stayed on-site worry about the expense, but after you try it one time, you can't imagine doing it any other way. It is truely a good value.


Another cool thing about Disney resorts is your fellow resort guests. Yeah, you'll run into someone inconsiderate from time to time, but 99% of your fellow guests will be kinda like you. How so? In my (non-scientific) observation, people who choose to stay at Disney resorts value and put a high priority on family, fun, and the wholesome values espoused by the Disney culture. There is an environment of innocence that is refreshing, relaxing, and priceless.

 

[2princessintraining]

There isn't much more to add then has already been said.

I am a Disney lover. That being said...there are those who don't understand us. I would go three times a year is a)we could afford it and b)my husband would let me.

Staying onsite is the best. The themeing is what takes you away from "real life". When I am on vacation here, I don't think about work, school, bills, tv, etc...People are happy to be here, no matter what resort they are in.

I get the most excited seeing my girls at character meals, or in the swimming pool. My childhood was filled w/memories of Disney, and I feel that is what we are giving our girls....HAPPY, CHERISHED MEMORIES. I don't know if I will feel that anywhere else.

It supports being a family together and not feeling out of place if your child is a little loud, or cranky. Everyone just seems to understand....and has been there before.

Even when it was just the two of us, we honeymooned in Disney....It's just MAGICAL!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[cowtownmom]

Our trip in June will be the first time to stay on the property and I'm so excited about it that I can hardly stand it! We had our first family trip to WDW two years ago and stayed off site. The trip was great - it was so fun to see my DD's fall in love with Disney, but I know we missed out on all that it could have been by not staying in one of the resorts. I can't wait to see the fun my DD's have this time with all of the resort magic too! We were excited about our first trip, but this time the excitement is, oh, I don't know, 1000 times greater!!!!!!

 

[Tinkaroo]

tinkaroo
having stayed usually in dec every year for the most part
you will love it, be sure to do mvmcp and dont forget the osborne family lights at mgm
also the decorations are very cool , do some resort hopping to check them out

We can't wait! We bought AP's for the first time this year (it made sense for us with all the discounts available), so of course we have to get a few trips in, right?!

I've already been showing DH some pictures of all the decorations. We are definitely going to focus on the special holiday things - MVMCP, Candlelight Processional, Osborne Lights, all the resort decorations. I can't wait - if there's one thing I love as much as Disney, it would be Christmas!!

 

[thedisneymom]

I love watching the Disney park channel over and over again. I fall asleep watching it. I love that feeling when you first hit Main Street and all the magic begins again. i love exploring a resort for the first time. We have tried a few and are still trying a few more this time. VERY exciting! I adore trying new restaurants or food courts depending on our pocketbook. I love talking and meeting new people especially from other countries. I adore jumping in the pool at night for a swim. I love waking up to a sunny day with Mickey's voice. (I also love being able to do this because I got a unmentionable discount for the first time)

 

[andrabell]

All your replies are super-great! What a magical way to start the day.

I'm the Disney freak in the house and DH just comes along because he'd rather have peace and quiet. We were talking, rather I was talking at him, about the new packages and such. About the dining package, DH said "but what if you want to eat outside of the resort?". ACK! And I said, "we're staying on property this time, Bunny, there will be no leaving the resort!".

I think that staying on property is really going to convert him. *I hope*

 

[bytheblood]

There are so many beautiful and wonderful things about staying on property.

1. The Mickey Wake-Up Calls are Fun!!
2. Disney Transportation. I Do Not Have to Drive For Over a Week!
3. The Sounds When You Get Up in the Morning are Just Different, Somehow!
4. Most of the CMs are Awesome. They Treat You Great and it Makes You Feel Like You Are Really Somplace Important!!

 

[MagicKingdom05]

mikesluss,

I was just at WDW for 10 nights Feb 25-March 7 and saw everything that I wanted. This is just basically a bonus trip to see the new attractions for the 50th celebration. I am sure that Memorial Day weekend will be nuts, so that is why I'm comming in Thursday night and staying at a monorail resort. I can only imagine what the crowds and the waiting for the Disney buses at the other resorts will be like. I sometimes waited 20 minutes when I was there at CBR and that was not during a holiday.

 

[leighe]

I love, love, love the atmosphere of Disney resorts. I've never stayed anywhere on Disney property that I didn't enjoy. I have my favorites (Poly and AKL) but I have really loved my stays at all. I love the elegant atmosphere and the pure beauty of GF, the Dolphin (not even really Disney) was so whimsical and the beds were to die for (plus the view of Illuminations from the balcony wasn't bad ). I loved the colors and theming of CBR. I can't wait until our YC trip this summer - I don't know how long it is anymore since my countdown timer is gone! I'm trying to get DH to split between YC and Poly but he wants to stay put for the whole trip.

Great thread!