Have you ever "opened" a resort?

[Mr.MouseFan]

Just wondering if anyone has ever stayed at a WDW resort on it's first night of operation? If so, what was it like? Were they orgazined? Did everything go smoothly? I just made ressies for Pop Century for December 14, the first night they have ressies available.

 

[Shells9]

I haven't, but I will be curious to see what others have to say.
I HAD ressies for Pop Century checking in on the 19th, but had to change to the first weekend in December, so we went with AKL.

 

[mickeysaver]

I'm in that opening day at the Pop crowd myself. I am really looking forward to our stay. I am planning on arriving early in the day because we have MVMCP tickets for that night. I am interested to hear from others that have been through the experience too. Mickey

 

[mliz]

Our family has actually opened 2 resorts. The first was the Wilderness Lodge. Don't remember the year, but seems it was over a memorial day weekend. We checked in early on the day it opened. Besides being awestruck by the beauty of the Lodge, I was also impressed with how smoothly things went. Over the weekend, Mickey and Minnie were seen in the lobby. It was just alot of fun. You could tell how excited the CM's were about the new Lodge. The only glitch was our room key didn't work (lol). The problem was resolve quickly and later in the day we were treated to a tray of chocolates. It was a great vacation! A very magical stay.

The second resort opening we were a part of was the Boardwalk.
I remember thinking that the lobby was bright and cheery, but other than that, I don't remember anything else. I wasn't as impressed with the Boardwalk's grand opening as I was the WL.


Mliz

 

[WDW LifeLong Fan]

Stayed opening day and following week at Board Walk. I believe it was around July 3rd of 1996. (Not exactly sure)

It was a seamless experience! I was expecting some "kinks"...we never saw or experienced them!

 

[Disneydenise]

We opened the GF. It was wonderful there was very little fan fare back then at Disney. It was just a n elegant lovely resort and the staff was extremely attentive.

 

[BethC1952]

I haven't "opened" a WDW resort, but I did open one in San Antonio, TX and I certainly hope that the Pop Century opening goes better! I'm sure it will, since it couldn't possibly be worse (no elevators working in a tall building, no water in my bathroom, and assorted other little details).

I'll be there with the rest of the opening day crowd, and I can't wait!

Beth

 

[jwsqrdplus2]

I have never "opened" a WDW resort, but I stayed ay Excalibur during opening weekend in Vegas. That was pretty cool; no major problems when I was there.

 

[Scarlett & Rhett]

No, I haven't. I like to stay at places after they've worked all the quirks out. I wonder if they give special treats to the first guests?

 

[All Aboard]

Well, I had planned on it.

I had Dec 15, 2001 ressies at Pop Century. That was a Saturday. I had off site ressies for the 14th and planned on showing up bright and early on Sat morning to see if I could be one of the first civilians to check in. Kind of a "what the hay?" But, you all know why that never panned out. Not looking to do the same thing this year, though.

 

[Shannon G]

Didn't open a Disney resort, but checked into ASMo the day after it opened - I think we were the first ones to stay in the room we had. Everything was great - very smooth. I wish I could remember our room number. Please, no flaming for this, but since we knew we were the first ones to stay in that room, we decided we had to leave our mark in some way. So, we took the framed poster down off the wall, signed & dated the back of it, then hung it back in its place. I'd be interested to know if it's still there, but I don't remember the room number. It was in the mighty ducks building, in a room facing the pool, on the second floor. I think it may have been a corner room, but I don't recall clearly. If you went up to the second floor as you approached the building (coming back from the food court & such), it was one of the first few rooms on the side overlooking the Mighty Ducks Pool. It was a handicapped accessable, king bed room. I'll have to see if I can find what room number it was...

 

[Janet2k]

I was at the AKL for Opening Day. My stay was glorious and the staff was organized beyond belief. I fell in love with the AKL as soon as I set foot in the porte cochere. It is a love affair that has continued over the years, *sigh.*

 

[Simba's Mom]

I would love to "open" a resort. The closest I came was when I was in WDW a few days before BCV opened and walked over to see it. There were actually a few people swimming in the quiet pool (still wondering who they were) and I wanted to join them to "test it out" but DH wouldn't let me. Still haven't forgiven him (LOL).
BTW, Wilderness Lodge opened Memorial Day weekend, 1994. Like a dummy, I thought you couldn't even call for ressies until they opened, and still remember that I called then for our trip in the fall of 1994.

 

[TeresaNJ]

We haven't opened a resort on opening day, but did stay at AKL the first week it opened, and also arrived at the BCV on the third day after opening. Both stays went well and everything seemed to run smoothly. It was exciting being among the first guests.

 

[GlennandAnn]

We've never opened a resort, but we did dine at Maya Grill on it's opening night. Things ran very smoothly and the place was crawling with "suits". It was a cool experience.

Ann

 

[beatlebailey]

i had ressies to reopen SOG but thats out i'm trying to boor for there new open date. i hope i can get rooms. they never even sent my letters until i called them. but you can't beat the price or room size.

 

[SQUIGGLE]

We opened ASMO purely by accident. Everything went smoothly; but not all of it was open. We stayed in 101 Dalmations. It and Mighty Ducks were the only sections open; along with the Duck Pond pool. They were working on the rest of the Resort. Fantasia pool was still under construction too; had a big fence around it.
Everything in main building was complete and it was fun being among the first to eat at the food court!
We got a nice medallion on a ribbon. Front is the All Star logo and back says "Disney's All-Star Movies Resort Grand Opening January 15, 1999". Also got an All Star Resorts pin.
We'll be at Pop Century on 12/14. CM I spoke to said check in was still 3pm; but I think we'll get there much earlier and see what's going on.
Of course, we'll have our lime green ribbons on too!! When is everyone else planning on arriving?

fran

 

[timC]

We've never "opened" a resort, but we did have dinner the week that Jiko opened. I remember the CM's were all excited to tell us about the resaurant. We were there for 2 hours, with two kids, and were all very well entertained. They left a wonderful impression, and we've visited AKL many times since.

 

[Mr.MouseFan]

Originally posted by SQUIGGLE

Of course, we'll have our lime green ribbons on too!! When is everyone else planning on arriving?

fran

Fran, I'll probably be there between 10 and 11am on 12/14. My plane arrives at MCO shortly after 9am. Maybe we'll cross paths!

 

[SQUIGGLE]

Kevin, I think we'll be up there around 11. Guess we will be among the first; so there is a good chance we'll run into each other while checking out the Resort.
Have they been showing the ad for Mission: Space up there? I've seen it twice now and it looks awesome!

fran