Confessions of the Resort Changers

[carol/houston]

ktink, We stayed at BWV last year and it wasn't what I was thinking it might be (the best thing about the 2 bedroom villa was having the kitchen for big breakfast each morning and the washer & dryer). I think I had too many expectations for the Boardwalk. Not much going on there while we were there September, 9-14th. We spent every day at the parks and by the time we closed them down it was time for bath and bed. Most evenings there seemed to be very few people on the boardwalk. I think maybe the weekends and summers are different. The grandkids loved the pool with the clown slide. They were able to swim 2 mornings while Mom and Dad played golf. Pretty much had the pool to themselves.....maybe 3 other kids in that big pool. Very limited fast food service. Nice walk to Epcot, however, the boat to Epcot and MGM was slow as were our experience with the buses....too many stops. I sure hope I don't get flamed....this was just my experience. I believe it would be great for those wanting the nightlife and club scene. Big River Grill was wonderful, however, it is no longer on the dining plan. We sure injoyed it.

 

[ktink]

ktink, We stayed at BWV last year and it wasn't what I was thinking it might be (the best thing about the 2 bedroom villa was having the kitchen for big breakfast each morning and the washer & dryer). I think I had too many expectations for the Boardwalk. Not much going on there while we were there September, 9-14th. We spent every day at the parks and by the time we closed them down it was time for bath and bed. Most evenings there seemed to be very few people on the boardwalk. I think maybe the weekends and summers are different. The grandkids loved the pool with the clown slide. They were able to swim 2 mornings while Mom and Dad played golf. Pretty much had the pool to themselves.....maybe 3 other kids in that big pool. Very limited fast food service. Nice walk to Epcot, however, the boat to Epcot and MGM was slow as were our experience with the buses....too many stops. I sure hope I don't get flamed....this was just my experience. I believe it would be great for those wanting the nightlife and club scene. Big River Grill was wonderful, however, it is no longer on the dining plan. We sure injoyed it.

carol/houston thanks for the post. Would you believe the Keister Coaster is the main reason we would want to stay at BWI? And you know that's not reason enough to spend $315 per night. Now that I read your experience and all while I'm sure we would enjoy the slide the reality is that we wouldn't be spending much time in the pool area. And we're not big on nightlife. I think we will venture over to the BW area and check things out one evening just to see if it's a place of interest. The transportation seems to scare me abit too. Thanks again.

 

[nonsmom]

Ktink, check out the book at BC. My friend stays there at the BCV and loves the pool. I think it has a lazy river and sand at the bottom of the pool. It is my dream to stay there some day.

 

[PrejeanPrincess]

stepdisney, you cannot go wrong with WL - it is wonderful. I have stayed there twice now and I have the itch to go back, but carol/houston (my mom) and my DH say lets try something new. While I am excited to try AKL, I still love WL. I even had to convince my kids they will love AKL; they are WL lovers too. My DD6 thinks her servants are there (we had turn down service last time). The boat ride was wonderful, never a long wait and always a seat. It was very relaxing after a long day in the park. We also love WCC, it is a blast. Everytime I walk in WL the lobby takes my breath away. There is a homey and comfortable feel to the hotel. Also indoor corridors are wonderful, just request a room near the lobby or elevators, the halls are very long after an exausting day at the park. With that said, my boys (I have twins) at the time were only 2-1/2 and one of my DD (the whinney one) had just turned 4 and I didn't bring a stroller from home (what a dummy). So needless to say, stairs were out of the question for us. Go and enjoy yourself - I know I would. You can't go wrong you'll be at Disney.

 

[PrejeanPrincess]

I forgot to mention, to all of those on the fence about AKL, it will be on Great Hotels on the Travel Channel on Thursday at 11 a.m. CST. I am sure it is the same old one but it will get us all excited to stay there. Everyone - SET YOUR TIVO.

 

[ktink]

stepdisney, you cannot go wrong with WL - it is wonderful. I have stayed there twice now and I have the itch to go back, but carol/houston (my mom) and my DH say lets try something new. While I am excited to try AKL, I still love WL. I even had to convince my kids they will love AKL; they are WL lovers too. My DD6 thinks her servants are there (we had turn down service last time). The boat ride was wonderful, never a long wait and always a seat. It was very relaxing after a long day in the park. We also love WCC, it is a blast. Everytime I walk in WL the lobby takes my breath away. There is a homey and comfortable feel to the hotel. Also indoor corridors are wonderful, just request a room near the lobby or elevators, the halls are very long after an exausting day at the park. With that said, my boys (I have twins) at the time were only 2-1/2 and one of my DD (the whinney one) had just turned 4 and I didn't bring a stroller from home (what a dummy). So needless to say, stairs were out of the question for us. Go and enjoy yourself - I know I would. You can't go wrong you'll be at Disney.

lalalalal I can't hear these wonderful things about WL. lalalalala You know how wishy washy I can be. Just kidding I'm staying put at AKL but I'm telling ya the boat ride to MK sounds remarkable. I just can't change to WL. And to think we'll be spending the first 2 nights at MK talk about convenience. I must stay put. lalalala

 

[carol/houston]

lalalalal I can't hear these wonderful things about WL. lalalalala You know how wishy washy I can be. Just kidding I'm staying put at AKL but I'm telling ya the boat ride to MK sounds remarkable. I just can't change to WL. And to think we'll be spending the first 2 nights at MK talk about convenience. I must stay put. lalalala

ktink, Just think when you try WL next year you will be able to compare it to AKL, just as we are going to compare AKL to WL this year (no regrets).....who knows we might all meet up at WL next year. PrejeanPrincess was sure BW was going to be her special place....not so! She is wavering again....if we could get that 2 bedroom villa at WLV I think she might jump! If only one would come up at AKL then I would jump! I think we are one sick Disney family.

I sure am getting addicted to these boards. I log out and find my self wondering what everyone is saying.

 

[PrejeanPrincess]

lalalalal I can't hear these wonderful things about WL. lalalalala You know how wishy washy I can be. Just kidding I'm staying put at AKL but I'm telling ya the boat ride to MK sounds remarkable. I just can't change to WL. And to think we'll be spending the first 2 nights at MK talk about convenience. I must stay put. lalalala

ktink, don't pay any attention to me, I am very excited about staying at AKL. I actually had to talk carol/houston into staying there as she wanted to stay WL but there was not a standard room available.

carol/houston (Mom), I am so happy to hear WL might be in our future for next year . I will make sure and tell DH scared1: ), he will really be excited!!!!!!! Especially since I will have this trip and the next one to plan now, because my planning stage is his favorite part of a vacation .

 

[stepdisney]

Whew! It is sooo nice to come here at the end of the day and find that others are going AKL no, wait, WL. prejeanprincess and carol/houston, keep posting. You are convincing me . I do like the idea of multiple transportation options.

Ktink, yes you CAN hear us. Seriously, I know how you feel. Every time I see pictures of AKL I cover my eyes and talk myself out of calling CRO. But you are correct....STAY PUT!

I've come to the realization that this is only our 4th trip to Disney and we have a loooong list of resorts we want to try. It really doesn't matter which one we visit first. We've made a great choice this time. I've also decided that it's okay to appreciate other resorts, especially those I plan to visit eventually. My appreciation just cannot become anxiety or resort remorse. (The path is long but I'm on the road to recovery )

Somewhere there has to be 12 steps to freeing ourselves from resort changing. If not, someone should write them.....

 

[carol/houston]

I've come to the realization that this is only our 4th trip to Disney and we have a loooong list of resorts we want to try. It really doesn't matter which one we visit first. We've made a great choice this time. I've also decided that it's okay to appreciate other resorts, especially those I plan to visit eventually. My appreciation just cannot become anxiety or resort remorse. (The path is long but I'm on the road to recovery )

Somewhere there has to be 12 steps to freeing ourselves from resort changing. If not, someone should write them.....

 

[DisneyBride'03]

ktink...I loved your lalala's!!!! so funny.......
Ok...close your eyes...dont read what I am going to write about WL....stepdisney...keep yours open!!!!!!!!!!!! lol

Well we all know here that AKL and WL were concieved by the same architect, they are similiar.....there lies the beginning of the "AKL or WL" game!! I dont know the whole story abt how they were developed actually, just that is how these 2 started. I also read from minnie6150, the ASMU lover..that WL started out as a Mod on the drawing board, but turned out too nice!! HA! Ummm.....I wouldnt care if they did call it a Mod...just gimme those Mod prices!!!

 

[PrejeanPrincess]

ktink...I loved your lalala's!!!! so funny.......
Ok...close your eyes...dont read what I am going to write about WL....stepdisney...keep yours open!!!!!!!!!!!! lol

Well we all know here that AKL and WL were concieved by the same architect, they are similiar.....there lies the beginning of the "AKL or WL" game!! I dont know the whole story abt how they were developed actually, just that is how these 2 started. I also read from minnie6150, the ASMU lover..that WL started out as a Mod on the drawing board, but turned out too nice!! HA! Ummm.....I wouldnt care if they did call it a Mod...just gimme those Mod prices!!!

I second that!!!!

 

[stepdisney]

Lets all call it a Mod and demand our money back ! Disneybride, that's interesting. I wonder if AKL started out as a mod also because the room sizes are identical and the size and location of AKL is larger than a lot of deluxes. Also, I noticed that there is no monorail access to either. Wouldn't it be great for Disney to include all of the Deluxes on the monorail? The monorail goes right past WL???? Since my DH is good at fixing anything, (we call him Bob the Builder) our running joke here is what I can come up with for him to fix. I recently asked him to fix the monorail situation at WL. I said "honey, I want WL to be on the monorail, can you fix it?

 

[nonsmom]

Lets all call it a Mod and demand our money back ! Disneybride, that's interesting. I wonder if AKL started out as a mod also because the room sizes are identical and the size and location of AKL is larger than a lot of deluxes. Also, I noticed that there is no monorail access to either. Wouldn't it be great for Disney to include all of the Deluxes on the monorail? The monorail goes right past WL???? Since my DH is good at fixing anything, (we call him Bob the Builder) our running joke here is what I can come up with for him to fix. I recently asked him to fix the monorail situation at WL. I said "honey, I want WL to be on the monorail, can you fix it?

I think it would be a little more convenient to get to Epcot that way, but I'm not sure that a monorail running through the WL would be that good for the relaxing atmosphere. I think it has a peaceful feel like being in the mountains somewhere. The gyser, etc. I think that the monorail would make it feel too much like a city. You will see when you get there, the boat is very peaceful going to MK. You will love it!

 

[stepdisney]

I think it would be a little more convenient to get to Epcot that way, but I'm not sure that a monorail running through the WL would be that good for the relaxing atmosphere. I think it has a peaceful feel like being in the mountains somewhere. The gyser, etc. I think that the monorail would make it feel too much like a city. You will see when you get there, the boat is very peaceful going to MK. You will love it!

How about around it? Next to it? They could make it like the train in Polar Express, through a mountain fixture or something? Maybe not to MK but Epcot. I do agree with you, it would change the atmosphere. (I'm sure my husband is saying whew, since this means he doesn't have to find a way to fix this.

 

[ktink]

No, I was just kidding. I'm not waivering. I'm really set for AKL. Did anyone happen to see the post from latexscooter? It was a really great post about her stay at AKL and it's good to read stuff like that.

What's funny is in the past when I would switch from AKL as soon as I would get back on DIS I would see all of these great posts about WL and vise versa.

Like stepdisney said we can still appreciate the other resorts that we will eventually stay at.

 

[DisneyBride'03]

Hi All!!!!

Is everyone busy with the last few days of school with their kids???? Yep...Monday is our last day...cause they had a snow day in the winter!!

Any changing going on??
I need help...have been talking DVC....I know....DH thinks I am nuts and wonders where I think the Money Tree is in the backyard!!! LOL

You guys are going to love P and P Party!! I posted something a day ago...and it never went on for some reason..so ktink...I am still working on that pic for oyu of my DD....sparkly stuff and the hairpiece from Libby Lu...it was moe fun doing the mother/daughter thing Doing it myself...enjoying it and knowing I didnt pay a small fortune
I will go check your pre trippie now....

Stepdisney, are you still at WL????

 

[stepdisney]

Still at WL, but wanted to say, when it comes to activities for children at the resorts, AKL wins over WL. I've only heard of hidden mickey hunts at WL where at AKL I've heard about cookie decorating, doll making, story telling, and much more. I hope it doesn't storm really bad or we're on our way to AKL for sure. Does anyone know if the activities are only for resort guests? There is a slight possibility we may have my husband's neice DN(11) with us on the trip. Her parents are making major life changes and she needs a bit of calm which may mean the summer with us. This will mean a resort change for sure. (Poly for villa?). I'm not thinking about it until we know for sure. Can we make an addition or change after the deadline for free dining?

 

[ktink]

Can't wait to see the pic disneybride and thanks again. That's funny about the DVC. We received a Fed EX package today in reference to DVC. We received a call from a guide last week were we had entered for the AKL DVC giveaway. Needless to say it wouldn't work for us being that we only go to WDW every other year now.

stepdisney, I want to say that you can change after the deadline especially if you will be upgrading and then of course depending on availability. You may want to call CRO and be sure as I've heard different responses. We were allowed to change in 2005 but things could have changed since then. I'm sorry for your DN. It's good that she has your family. My nephew lives w/ my parents so I can relate to how important a positive role model is for children. It's really heart breaking.

Well our trips are winding down. We're at 95 days today!!

 

[deide71]

Disneybride 03:

I thought I saw you over at the DVC boards !

We started with a 50 point contract @ SSR,

Added on 120pts one month later when they did a special "friends and family" promotion,

and added 30 more points, because I really wanted the round # of 200 points!

My advice is start small with what you can afford...avoid weekends like the plague (unfortuntely I just never seem to follow my own advice lol) and add on as you see fit.

I looooove my DVC points!