Does your home state affect your theming preference?

[thessaly]

Got to thinking about this today...

My parents moved to Florida when I was a kid, and truth is, I really dislike it and would probably move if my fear of flying didn't mean I would never see my family.

But the result of living in Florida for 20 years is that 'tropical' or 'beach' theming just makes me go "bleah".

For me this rules out:

-Carribean Beach Resort (have never once considered it)

-Poly (ditto)

-Grand Floridian (I notice that their buildings or whatever are named after islands in the Florida Keys... where my parents now live. But to be fair, the Henry Morrison Flagler/Victorian decor doesn't do it for me anyway. I saw the Travel Channel GF show the other night and I cannot *believe* how overbearingly frou-frou and floral the rooms are... reminded me of a B&B I stayed in once, the kind with teddy bears dressed up in fluffy lace dresses and parasols...)

-Old Key West (see above)

-Royal Pacific at Universal (seems like their version of the Poly anyway)

-Yacht & Beach club (I could probably deal with the YC if the theming were a little more subdued... saw those bedpreads with the big garish sailboats on them in some pics and that killed it for me).

-Dolphin/Swan, previous "tropical" theme... could prolly deal with the renovated rooms much better.

I realize the reason the tropical/beach theme is so prevalent is that the ideal fantasy vacation image is lying on a lounge chair near a body of water sipping a frozen drink... but actually living and working in the subtropical heat and humidity for years tends to kill the fantasy.

I'm also not a huge fan of Dixie Landings even though I've stayed there, because in Florida you still get a fair amount of the South. However, I love New Orleans and POFQ is my favorite resort. I'm totally intrigued, however, by the AKL theme and looking forward to my stay.

Anyone else? Any other Floridians feel the way I do? Any southwesterners bored by Coronado Springs? New Englanders who scoff at the YC/BC? Someone who lives in Yosemite and thinks the WL is just goofy?

 

[Pryncess'mom]

I'm not really sure of the answer. Yes , NJ is partially known for it's beaches, and yes, I do love to lay on the beach, but NJ beaches are not particulary *tropical*! No palm trees, no aqua water!! I do like vacationing in tropical areas, warm sun, whipering winds. Hawaii comes to mind first, with other islands next, then FL. My mom lived in Boca Raton and Delray for awhile, and yea, it was nice to be a snowbird and visit when it was cold up here, but I'm not sure if I could live there. I really like our change of seasons. We have never stayed at CBR or Poly (want to do Poly!) We did like POR, and FW cabins. We really would like to do WL, though. The pixs look so cool! I guess maybe it depends on how happy you are to live where you live! Since you are not really happy in FL, you want to try something different! That's what is so great about WDW, I truly think there is "something for everyone"!!

Deb

 

[PamNC]

I live in the south so I have no desire for POR or the now-deceased Dixie Landings. I want a different theme to my Disney Resort. Our fav is YC/BC. Love the Nantucket feel.

PamNC

 

[Kimberle]

Well, I was going to say "NO", but then I started thinkin!

I grew up in So MN. If Disney ever builds a resort "themed" with corn/soybean fields, cows, or farming, I'd run for the hills!!!!!

Now I'm in the civilized 'burbs of NYC, I love all Disneys "themes" .

 

[saturday97]

Living in AZ definately makes the Coronado Springs really unappealing to me. In addition, the Grand Floridan is a copy of the Hotel Del Coronado in San Diego, so I really don't have much desire to stay there (I second the comment about the B&B look). I also shy away from the Poly because I'd rather just go to Hawaii.

 

[jkovick]

I never really thought about this before but...........I guess if they ever built a resort based on winters in Michigan-- with "shovel yourself out your room" and "frozen parking lots you can skate across" complete with "door handles so cold you stick to them" I would definately have to pass. Also-- I do find TL more appealing than BB for theming.

 

[Cleokitty]

Ditto PamNC. Stayed at Dixie Landings (POR) and found it too much like home, not that there is anything wrong with being at home . Can't wait to try some of the other resorts!

 

[thessaly]

Jen - I meant to mention that I really like BB, probably because we don't actually get any snow here.

 

[#1hockeymom]

My husband is an avid Great Lakes fisherman and a hunter. We own property in the Upper peninsula and are constantly either at the cabin or in some motel/hotel in Michigan along one of the lakes (usually just him and ds lately). The wilderness lodge does not appeal to me at all. I look at the pictures, and I swear I can smell that "dusty needs an airing" cabin smell.

The victorian theming of some of the resorts also doesn't appeal to me since we live in a 115 year old victorian in a small village and for the past few years we've both wanted out! We could easily move, but that would probably be the end to our vacations and eating out constantly that we need so badly with our hectic schedules. There won't be an end to DH's "toy" buying or hunting and fishing, so having a six car garage, which you won't find in new subdivisions, also helps with storage.

Debbie

 

[joyjoy]

I think it's true. I grew up in Corpus Christi, TX and was quite the beach bunny, so beachy themes really don't do it for me. Something completely different from what I know, e.g. Animal Kingdom Lodge or Wilderness Lodge are really appealing to me. Interesting observation.

 

[girlsx2]

I never really thought about it until now. We live in WV, lots of mountains, trees, rivers etc. I would have loved to stay at the BC, however, DH wasn't at all interested. We ended up staying at the WL and we all loved it!! Yes, it did reminded us of home (we do have a hunting camp, way up in the mountains), but I think that'a what we liked about it so much. When we decided to go back, we are going back to the Lodge again. I wanted to stay somewhere different, but I don't like the unknown and I just can't believe that I could find something I like better or even just as well as I do the Wilderness Lodge.

Sherri

 

[southernwingz]

Originally posted by PamNC
I live in the south so I have no desire for POR or the now-deceased Dixie Landings. I want a different theme to my Disney Resort. Our fav is YC/BC. Love the Nantucket feel.

PamNC

It's funny that this thread came up, because we feel the exact same way. We're scheduled to stay at POR, and although we hear that it's nice, we live in the deep south and are very close to New Orleans, and the theming of the whole place is just lost on us. We can see this stuff all the time.

We're scheduled to stay at POR via SOG, so it's not our choice. We've faxed in asking for consideration in moving us to the Contemporary, but they can't promise anything.

I'm sure we'll be happy anywhere, but it's just not our first choice.

 

[Disneymoon04]

Yes.

CSR didn't look appealing to me at first becauase the cabanas and ranchos architecture is a dime a dozen in Texas.

Also, POR/POFQ because I grew up in Louisiana.

But, we are staying at CSR because the Casitas section is so beautiful and it seems more deluxe compared to the other moderates.

 

[susy]

I live in FL (Miami-Ft Laud area) and I love living here, but yes, a lot of theming is "lost" on me. When Dh and I stayed at CSR, we were in the Cabanas section. We were in the quiet pool and I said, "This area really has no theme". Dh said, "Yes, it does. It has a beach theme". I LOVED AKL!!!!!! I do like all the resorts, but the palm trees, beaches are lost on me. I can't believe that people would actually WANT to lay out in the sun or lay around in a beach chair-BORING!!!! Several yeas ago I did a few cruises wit my mom and dad in the Caribbean. We didn't put on a swimsuit all week! My mom and I couldn't believe how people would want to waste time in the pool when there was so much to do on the ship.

 

[daannzzz]

Since I live in Silicon Valley I think all of the themes work for me...well... except the Contemporary. That one is a little to bland when put on the list of Disney themed resorts.
I read somewhere that when you go on vacation you should go somewhere that is different than your surroundings. My Dad has always loved the outdoors and camping so I indulged him and we stayed at the WL on his first trip. I alway recommend people trying somewhere different from their regular surroundings.

 

[Alice28]

I don't think so...I think my credit card balance is more of a dictator as to where we stay!!!

That said, when I first went to WDW, I had only lived in CA. None of the resorts are really CA themed....we honeymooned at the WL and I just loved it.

Now I live in the Pacific NW, which is Wilderness Lodge USA, but I still love the WL! I would love to try all of the deluxe resorts someday, with the possible exception of the AKL, only because it seems so remote from everything. I like the monorail resorts for being so close to the MK, the Epcot resorts for being so close to Epcot & MGM, and well, if one stays at the AKL, you still have to take a bus to the AKL...that is a bummer. High up on my list are the GF and the BC---I had a one night reservation at the GF for our upcoming trip, but we were able to reserve that night via SoG afterall, so I pocketed the $180 that we saved.

I think the only resorts that don't appeal to me are the All Stars and Pop Century, but only because I've been spoiled by the Deluxe resorts. I would MUCH rather stay at All Stars or Pop Century than have to stay off-site though.

 

[wld]

After several times staying at moderates we finally stayed at our dream lodge WL. So why wasn't I thrilled with it? The steamed up windows, the heat, what? Then it dawned on me. We spend alot of time in our beautiful northwoods and this just felt too fake and not nearly as beautiful. Since I don't live in the south all the southern and tropical stuff appeals to me.

 

[joats]

Great question thessaly!
I think it definitely does for my DH and I. We have no interest in the "New England" Themed resorts I guess it's just too close to home.

 

[billybaruch1]

Yes, it's the difference that matters. Disney would not build a resort "themed" on modern suburban (or urban) homes. It has to be exotic for guests to feel like they're "somewhere else."

Being from Ohio by way of California, Nevada, and Arizona, the tropical Florida environment is great. I wonder what WDW's next resort will be?

 

[dansyr]

We're from PA, and I think we choose a resort differently because of it.
Anything tropical we love.
However, even though wilderness lodge is beautiful. I have no desire to stay there. I can look out my window and see tons of trees.
Also, no desire to stay at the boardwalk because it reminds us of the jersey shore.