So, I know y'all are dying to know where we're staying, and can't possibly tell from the title. But before I get into that, let's discuss my Disney resort history. I'm obsessed with Disney resorts. Clearly.
Here's my WDW hotel list....as in, where I've stayed.
WL
Dolphin
GF
AKL
BLT
BWI (x2)
Swan
POR (x2)
CSR
BC
YC (x2)
In addition, Tom has stayed at ASSp and ASMu.
I remember (going way back here) the Walt Disney World Happy Easter Parade, and their unveiling of the GF resort in 1988. At age 8, I decided that I wanted to stay there. Unfortunately, we didn't go to WDW again until I was 18...and though I asked to stay at the GF, the funding simply wasn't there. We did have breakfast however at 1900 Park Fare, and I vowed that one day I'd stay there, and it'd be the best hotel I'd ever stayed at, and it would be the only place I'd ever stay. Ever. Period. No really...period. I mean it.
Soooo...I first encountered the GF on TV in 1988...and I finally got to stay there in 2009. It only took 21 years.
This trip involved the same 4 traveling on this trip. It was to be for 4 nights, and I convinced Tom, Erin and Seth to pony up the cash for a standard GV room. I admit that I almost drove myself crazy that summer worrying, because I knew the GF was expensive, and I didn't want my co-travelers to feel as though they'd wasted their money. I also discovered The Dis that summer and read about some construction going on that summer at the GF, involving cherry-pickers and a new floor going down in the main lobby, and I had visions of the GF in shambles....as in a pile of grand, pixie-dusted rubble, and I wasn't pleased. I considered a move to the Poly or the CR...and the CR move *almost* happened, but friends and family reminded me that I'd always wanted to stay at the GF, and to have a little faith in Disney....and so I did....and boy...did the GF deliver.
We arrived and got off the bus, and were asked for our names. When I said my last name, "Frank" was summoned and was told to bring us in. I assumed this was a little luxury for GF guests, and thought nothing of it.
Until he walked us past the front desk.
Then I knew.
It was happening.
Remember I was pretty new to the Dis, but I knew a little bit about this magical place called Club Level. It was somewhere up in the sky, in the land of "We'll never afford this," just around the riverbend from "Keep dreaming."
And I figured out it was happening to us.
We were becoming the stuff that countless Dis threads tried to figure out the algorithm for.
I started to slap Tom on the arm and say, "It's happening! It's happening!"
Frank turned around and said, "This is Disney's year of a million dreams, and I'm delighted to tell you that you'll be staying in the Main Building (it gets capital letters) with us, in our Royal Palm Club."
Wheeeeeeee!
We were whisked up to our glorious room with this glorious view.....
If you're wondering where our room was...I drew you a helpful diagram. It's very scientific. Enjoy.
Everyone was delighted....including Tom. He took this picture...but believe me. He was delighted.
Soooo anyway. The GF blew us away. We loved that room, and I renewed my vows with The Grand saying I'd never stay anywhere else.
Here's the problem. The GF ain't cheap. And it's not everyone's taste either. I broke my vows and stayed at BLT with 14 of my closest friends the following summer, but missed my beloved GF. I felt like I was cheating....with a sleazy second-rate mistress. I vowed...next trip. GF-city. Period. I mean it.
So, I don't know how it came about, but for our next trip, we brought Tom's co-worker Joe, and we decided not to do the GF, but to do the Epcot loop. I'm assuming that the reasoning was that Joe would not have cared for the Victorian splendor of the GF (humph!). Having looked at pics of the Epcot resorts on AllEars.net, we decided that the BWI might be to our liking. And we found that on the Epcot loop, with the right, discount, we *could* afford CL again...so darn you GF and your magical upgrades, you spoiled us forever! (PS...love you!)
So, we got to BWI...and my thought was, "Hmm...this will do." And then I saw the room...and the lounge....and this view....
And much like that dreadful little Orphan Annie, I thought, "I think I'm gonna like it here!"
And an Epcot loop fan was born.
Fast forward to 2hrs. later, and we've soaked up our view...and the food in the lounge...and are in the scary clown pool, surrounded by loveliness, and I looked at Tom and he said "Say it.." and I did. "I really really....REALLY like it here." And I meant it...and it's held.
By the end of the week...I'd broken up with the GF, and given myself heart and soul to the BWI. But the split with GF was amicable, and we're still friends. But of course, resort-wise, I always have a wandering eye...and my eye was wandering...across Crescent Lake. I wanted to come back to BWI as soon as possible, but maybe add a night or two here and there at YC or BC, specifically BC.
So, the following year, we booked at BWI again...and loved it again, but we added on a couple of bonus nights at BC. We booked a CL-Water view room.
You're not going to believe this.
The Pixie Dust kicked in again.
Hello VP Suite.
Are you kidding me?
Disney..you're going to spoil me.
Living Room
Bedroom
Balcony #1...that's right...there's more than one.
Balcony #2...
Gah! Nothing could top this!
And truly...since then...nothing has.
That was August 2012, and since then, we've stayed at YC twice. No big upgrades, but we really really like it there. I teach 9 year olds all day long, and I love kids, but to find a resort on the Epcot loop that seems to have less than it's fair share of children, is nice. Pleas no haters! Again... I love kids! But I also love peace and quiet on my vacation, and YC just seems more couple-friendly. We also like the dining there very much..and the bar.
So, which resort is my favorite of all?
Who's the fairest of them all?
That's tough...and among the top 3, it changes daily.
Right now, my ranking looks like this.
1. BWI
2. YC
3. BC
4. GF
5. Swan
6. WL
7. Dolphin
8. POR
9. AKL
10. BLT
11. CSR
I reserve the right to alter this list whenever I want to. It's my PTR. So there.
I consider our pets to be part of the family so I can imagine how tough it is to lose one. I agree with you about plotting cats - I think ours plots to injure me on a daily basis lol
Ok, so I feel like I'm a thread-killer, because whenever I subscribe to a PTR or TR, the OP always seems to just stop posting! Please don't destroy my self-esteem! 
