Fact Vs. Nostalgia ( -Resort Edition-)

[ImagiNationStation]

I have been watching many of the older 7 in 7s and, with the next round coming soon, I figured it would be fun to pose this challenge.

P.S. - Thank you to Pete for the inspiration. Your love of Old Key West is legendary.

Directions: Make TWO lists of your top THREE resorts (Value-Deluxe and everything in between)! One list is based on nostalgia while the other takes emotion out of the equation and focuses on the cold hard "facts" (amenities, price, theming, dining, rooms, etc.)! Compare your results!

Hope this is a fun exercise!

(Final Question: What is the BEST resort to build those memories from the ground up?)

 

[ImagiNationStation]

FACT- 1. Polynesian Village Resort & Spa, 2. The Cabins at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort, 3. Disney's Art of Animation Resort
Notes: I had it narrowed down between the Poly and Animal Kingdom Lodge, but the location/convenience won the day for me. AKL beats out the Poly for dining options and theming, but not by much. Rooms are better at the Poly. Fort Wilderness is the best "escape" for me. Underappreciated and entertaining dining options, great themed activities and the Cabins are a unique feature for WDW. Art of Animation is a no-brainer for me when comparing it to the other values. The food court is the best on property, the rooms are well-themed (especially for families) and the pool is awesome.

NOSTALGIA- 1. Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, 2. Wilderness Lodge, 3. Fort Wilderness
Notes: Yes i know..TWO deluxe and no value. Let me just begin by saying: Pop Century is an honorable mention and i have never stayed at the Grand Floridian (but that is not a requirement). I've been lucky enough to eat at Victoria & Albert's, Narcooses and Citricos (all wonderful to spectacular dining options). The gingerbread house during Christmas? Getting a drink at Mizner's Lounge while listening to some of your big band favorites or a piano medley? Sure it is stuffy, but sometimes you need a little bit of that on vacation. Wilderness Lodge was the first deluxe resort i was blessed enough to stay in. The theming is perfect and the lobby has that WOW factor that draws you in like a magnet. I love all the artwork and little details found scattered across the resort (the story found up the totem poles, the strata in the fireplace or the red accents that represent the Chinese influence on the West. I love the use of dark woods, beautiful water features and all the nooks and crannies built into the expansive main lobby. (Hint: Ask for the Hidden Mickey sheet at the front desk. It's the best way to explore the resort!) Finally, Fort Wilderness rounds out the list (caught on to my favorite theming yet?). My first WDW visit, back in 1999, we stayed in the Cabins at Fort Wilderness. Sitting in front of the TV watching Chip and Dale while my grandmother checked us in...watching the Jungle Book under the night sky while roasting marshmallows...even waiting at the bus stop before the sun came up to make rope drop...it was perfect.

I hope you all enjoyed my lists and notes! Can't wait to read yours!

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Nostalgia: Polynesian, Polynesian, Polynesian (wait, did I have to list alternatives?) This is the first resort I stayed in in 1980 and I still can see the old lobby configuration and the old gift shop where I bought the hula skirt and bikini top I wore to the Poly luau on that visit.

Fact: Boardwalk Inn, Beach Club, Wilderness Lodge
Walking to two parks plus numerous restaurants can't be beat, plus we love the pools. They also tend to be much quieter than the monorail resorts (I never want to hear the Electric Water Pageant again.) WL for the beauty of the resort, the boat ride to MK and the price point in the MK area!

 

[ImagiNationStation]

Nostalgia: Polynesian, Polynesian, Polynesian (wait, did I have to list alternatives?) This is the first resort I stayed in in 1980 and I still can see the old lobby configuration and the old gift shop where I bought the hula skirt and bikini top I wore to the Poly luau on that visit.

Fact: Boardwalk Inn, Beach Club, Wilderness Lodge
Walking to two parks plus numerous restaurants can't be beat, plus we love the pools. They also tend to be much quieter than the monorail resorts (I never want to hear the Electric Water Pageant again.) WL for the beauty of the resort, the boat ride to MK and the price point in the MK area!

CHEERS to the Poly and Wilderness Lodge! Only change i would make is to expand Trader Sams and make it more like the Disneyland version. I completely understand the noise issue and the overall "traffic" of the resorts around the MK monorail line. As for the Boardwalk/Yacht/Beach Club area...my only knock on that, personally, is the theming. Otherwise, i love all the amazing options you have for dining and just overall fun. I view these three as ONE giant resort. Throw in the proximity to EPCOT/World Showcase, Jelly Roll and Beaches and Cream and i think you have the best VALUE for your dollar. I think it's an amazing FIRST visit option to experience all that Disney has to offer, but for vets i love diving into a story/theme. THANK YOU for the great response!

 

[OneinThree]

Nostalgia:

1. Fort Wilderness- Might sound counter-intuitive to include in the deluxe category, but think about the amenities included with the cabins (which used to be Terry's and Fleetwoods). Number one because I spent half of my summers there as a kid, literally. Did someone say Hoop Dee Doo!!!

2. Contemporary- As a 9-year old, I was in awe at the sight of that A-Frame, the monorail passing through a hotel, and the visual impact of the Grand Canyon Concourse. Fiesta Fun Center was the bomb for the arcade generation.

3. Polynesian- Quintessential Disney immersion and beauty. Underappreciated by me as a kid.

Fact:

1. Polynesian - Maybe because I've yet to stay at GF, but this resort is the epitome of a Disney vacation, which isn't complete without a view of the castle and Seven Seas Lagoon. And that main building. . . gorgeous. The larger rooms are also nice. Kona is also a great option to have access to. Boat to MK and Monorail for Epcot. Love it.

2. Wilderness Lodge- A lot of the same qualities as Poly, but throttled back a bit. Great dining, beautiful lobby, Bay Lake, comfy rooms, -just no monorail.

3. Contemporary- Large, appealing rooms with a current feel to them, a number of dining options including the most excellent California Grill at the top of the hotel, and if you've got a theme park view in the tower -just wow!

Which one I would start with would depend on the travel party. With kids -Fort Wilderness hands-down. Adults -really depends on your tastes, because GF, CR, and Poly are all so different in their decor and ambiance.

 

[ImagiNationStation]

Fort Wilderness will always have a special place in my heart! Never got a chance to experience River Country, but i hope they use that space to PLUS that property and theming. (I also love the different themed carriage rides they have during Christmas and Halloween). The cabins could use a little updating, but having that grill is always a lot of fun!

What can i say about the Poly? I agree with everything you said!

The Contemporary escapes me a little. It's beautiful in its own way, but i've never felt an emotional attachment to it. It is one of those resorts i can skip without feeling like i am missing out. That said..i LOVE your memories associated with it! I also like its display during Christmas and California Grill is perfection!

Thank you!