Inspired by JOANNA..Are the resorts on par with your other travel destinations?

[MOMTOMOOTOO]

Just wondering, are the resorts that you choose to stay at in WDW on the same scale as some of your other destinations? Or do you find them to be a step above or below?

Laura

 

[Demosthenes]

Disney is...different. The resorts are themed resorts for one thing, which I don't usually stay at, with the exception of Las Vegas. I prefer Disney's themes to Vegas' themes, but the service at Vegas is superior. At most other locations, the hotel are simply a nice place to stay. I look for places with good service and good amenities. Nobody can beat Disney's amenities, and their service is usually good to very good. OTOH, I've stayed at some places that play the hotel game a lot better than Disney. In Santa Monica, there is a place called Shutters on the Beach. That place is my vision of a perfect hotel. The service was impeccable; the rooms were large, comfortable, and offered great views. The restaurant was fantastic. The resort is right on the beach next to the Santa Monica pier. It is the perfect place to get away for a week or so. After a stay there, DW and I were more relaxed than any other vacation we've ever had.

But, for me, my favorite vacation destination is still WDW. I prefer that feeling I have when I'm there. There is something...wholesome, I guess, about WDW. Something about it just keeps drawing me back. I love the hotels, and think I get good service. There is just something magical about the place.

 

[ducklite]

Interesting question.

Two of my favorite resorts ended up on the latest Travel and Leisure "Best Of" list. None of the WDW resorts did, although Vero made it to one of the lists, and DCL made it to the cruise list at #6.

I love the Rimrock in Banff, and the Mirror Lake Inn in Lake Placid. Both are impeccable. Theming? To a degree. Both are nestled in their respective mountain areas, with sweeping views.

The Mirror Lake Inn has some rooms themed with an Adirondack style. Other parts of the resort are also themed in this manner, the library, the indoor pool area. The room we always stay in is not though--it has beautiful cherry furnishings. The service there is extraordinarily friendly and gracious, the staff makes it known that they are happy because their employers and guests give them a reason to be. The room prices vary so much depending on view, season, and room type that it's hard to compare, but the room we always stay in is about the same cost as a similar room at WDW. I very much like their policies on children--they are welcomed as long as they behave, but they will not allow children to disrupt other guests, and they can and will be asked to leave if they do, with a zero tolerance policy in the formal dining room. The restaurants there have always been excellent in terms of food and service.

The Rimrock rooms are also beautifully appointed. The service there is not quite as "friendly", although it's gracious. The prices there are slightly lower than comparative prices at WDW, partially due to the exchange rate. The resort doesn't really have much theming, although the sleeping rooms are incredibly appointed with outstanding views. The restaurants there are not as good as one would expect for a resort of that calibre. The spa is to die for.

Anne

 

[Puffy2]

The loews hotels at Universal blow the Disney hotels out of the water. Difference? mostly bedding - Disney should upgrade all the beds to those "of so comfy" beds of a Loews resort. They (loews) also have finer linins for drapes, comforters, etc...

Now, I'm looking forward to the new rennovations at the Swan because the Heavenly Bed is also superior to any Disney bed. Otherwise, the hotels are fine (clean, serviceable, superior in many ways but not the best of the best)

 

[awatt]

The Disney resorts we've been to have been excellent. However,Disney's resorts are just a notch below the resorts we usually stay at as far as service,amenities and elegance. IMHO,The Breakers is tough to beat.

That said,our other destinations don't have the magic of WDW

 

[bridgettesmom]

Sorry, a bit of topic here...Ducklite- We go to ski at Banff every year and stay at the Banff Springs.Even though I looove the Banff Springs ,I always been curious about the Rimrock,as a matter of fact our last night this year I had booked a room at the Rimrock,but, we decided to drive to Calgary instead and stay at the Delta at the airport(6am flight).The Banff Springs is so big and the Rimrock looks so cozy.The staff at the Banff Springs have always been very attentive and accomodating.We've been staying there for the past five years. Can you tell me more about the Rimrock? Please PM me.

Now,back on topic...
Of course, when you pay for a deluxe at Disney you pay for the ammenities and the convenience.The service is very good,not excellent,like we have experiences at other deluxes elsewhere.

 

[Bim-muv-fab]

I agree that Disney is just different. We love the theming and the atmosphere, but Disney is very expensive for what you get. Granted, what you get is very nice.

When we get away for non-Disney vacations and it is just the two of us, we like to stay at country inns, which are sort of upscale bed and breakfasts. $250 a night at a country inn is considered a medium to high price (although there are many over that price) and for that you get a lot more than you do at Disney. Of course there are no theme parks outside your window, either!. But when we go away to a place like that we want quiet. These are great places to catch up on reading.

There are no concierge levels at country inns as it is just expected that they will take care of just about anything you want. The rooms are large, elegant and very well kept and most folks expect it to be very peaceful and relaxing. Plus, a full breakfast is usually included with the night's stay, and frequently so is afternoon tea. So at Disney you are definitely paying for the location and the name.

 

[PamNC]

You mean there are other destinations? Just kidding. (sort of)

I think that the Disney resorts, although not as fancy as resorts at other destinations, have the "magic" and great theming. Plus, just being in the middle of the magic. But, if I were to say that the actual room at my favorite Disney resort, Beach Club, were on par with a hotel of that price in another resort destination, I would be kidding myself. Take away the theming and atmosphere and they probably aren't "on par". But they are "on par" to me.

PamNC

 

[CarolA]

Actually this was the reason I had was very disappointed in the Grand Floridian. Disney markets it as a top tier resort and implies that it is comparable to other resort hotels. It is a very nice hotel, but as far as service I have stayed at upscale Marriotts with better service.

For the most part with Disney you are paying for a couple of things. LOCATION is a biggie especially with the MK and Epcot resorts which is why they can get away with that premium charge. Service at all the Disney hotels from All Stars to Resort has been fine. For Disney resorts I kind of expect the kind of service I would get at a Marriott not that you would get at a luxury resort.

 

[michelem]

Only one negative thing about Poly. You couldn't get a meal by the pool, you had to walk over to Trader Jacks, get your tray, wait 10 minutes and then walk back to the pool area with your lunch. I've never stayed in a deluxe resort that didn't have waiter service around the pool.

 

[PatriciaH]

I think the Disney resorts are a good price/"worth it" at an AP discount or code rate. For example $89 + tax for a moderate, $129 + tax for standard at AKL or WL, $179 or $199 + tax for a deluxe, a bit more for concierge. At rack rates they are way over priced. The rooms are nice and the resort landscaping lovely. The theaming and being close to the parks is great of course. The rooms are not as nice as the Lowes hotels, Sandals, Beaches, Ritz Carltons, Four Seasons, the Venetian or Belliago in Las Vegas or The Plaza in NY for example yet they charge higher rack rates.

 

[ww52]

Rooms at the Disney resorts seem smaller than comparable hotels in other areas; the in-room features are about the same. The smaller room sizes I suspect is intentional - they expect and certainly want you to go out to the parks and other activities.

But they are certainly overpriced. In another thread it's estimated that over half the people pay close to rack rate - and for the deluxe resorts especially that is way overpriced for what you get. The codes or rates are kept secret - people on these boards know of them, but there are virtually no deals or sales given to people without them knowing a code. A Sheraton or Marriott in a major city is much better over all and cheaper - you can usually get a rate much lower than rack just in the course of making your reservation and asking what is available. I think maybe Disney has started to feel that a bit - hence the FTP. I hope the success of that leads to other specials other times.

 

[Josephine]

Originally posted by CarolA
Actually this was the reason I had was very disappointed in the Grand Floridian. Disney markets it as a top tier resort and implies that it is comparable to other resort hotels. It is a very nice hotel, but as far as service I have stayed at upscale Marriotts with better service.

For the most part with Disney you are paying for a couple of things. LOCATION is a biggie especially with the MK and Epcot resorts which is why they can get away with that premium charge. Service at all the Disney hotels from All Stars to Resort has been fine. For Disney resorts I kind of expect the kind of service I would get at a Marriott not that you would get at a luxury resort.

I agree. I liked the GF but wasn't wowed by it. I think the rooms at most Hyatt Regency resorts are nicer. As much as I like concierge at Disney, I find that places like the Hyatt Regency Club level offers more (the one exception would probably be the AKL concierge, it comes very close). Even the regular rooms at Four Seasons resorts are much nicer then the GF and much bigger with those oh so comfy beds.

Of course we love the theming at Disney and that is why we go back.

 

[susy]

I stayed at the Boca Beach club in Boca Raton, FL way back when. It was VERY nice, wonderful service, rooms, views, food, everything was top-notch. Disney is very child friendly , so you can't expect the atmosphere to be up there with a resort that just tolerates kids. There are special rates right now at the Breakers in Palm Beach -$149. I told you guys you can get these 5 star hotels in Fl for about $150. THAT is a REALLY beautiful place! A year ago December we stayed the Ft Lauderdale Marina Marriott. What a view from our balcony!!!! There was so much to do there. The service was unbelievabe. The concierge was just knocking herself out for people (this was the day before Christmas Eve and very busy). I think the service at the Mariott was just a tad better than at Disney... then again, the best hosuekeeping I've EVER had was surprisingly at CBR!

 

[Pryncess'mom]

I don't know about any one else, but when we go to Disney, we aren't going for the resort. We go because we love the whole thing! The parks, shopping and food. The room is only one piece of the equation, and a small one at that. As we have taken multiple trips, we have been spending more time at the resort, but still spend 80% of our time in the parks. We look for clean, comfortable room that will fit the five of us without throwing us into bankruptcy! Top of the line resorts are usually places where we go just for the resort and the amenites it offers. I like laying on the beach, being served cold drinks by the cabana boy !!! But I'd take a plain room in Disney any day I could get it!!


Deb

 

[jbthi]

I agree with Pyrncess'Mom. Comparing Disney and many other luxurious hotels is like comparing apples and oranges. For most families the hotel isn't the destination, Disney World is. We usually stay at BWV or BCV. We own several other TS that the units are much larger and more plush but DVC is our favorite. What others can we take a five minute stroll to Epcot?

June

 

[julfre]

The way I look at the hotels at WDW is that they are classifed as deluxe etc by what is OUTSIDE the room. The deluxe resorts themselves are very comparable to other resorts I've stayed at for the same price. However, when you go inside the room-bedding, refrig(or lack of) internet service, bathroom, amenities, sevice etc, they fall very far behind comparable resorts.

I've stayed at the AKL, BC, CBR, and CS so I've seen a mix of deluxe and moderate. An earlier poster was correct, the ROOM itself at a WDW deluxe is put to shame by the loews hotels. I stayed at the hard rock last year and was wowed by the quality of the room itself. That said I still enjoy staying at the WDW hotels and hope to be at one in december-if they ever offer discount codes!

 

[FloridaCat]

Let's face it. It is the kid in all of us that keeps us coming to WDW. We all say we are doing it for DS or DD, or in my case DGS or DGD, but it is the kid in us that will keep us coming back. No matter the cost, no matter the accomadations. It is our escape from a scary uncertain world.

I wish all young families would experience at least one of our Western National Parks, as there is Magic there as well. Our National Parks were a love of Mr. Disney.

The Magic Kingdom will always hold a special place in all of our hearts. I remember when WD came on TV, back in the 50's, outlining his vision of Disneyland. I have no doubt his spirit dwells over MK

 

[hookedup]

Originally posted by ww52
A Sheraton or Marriott in a major city is much better over all and cheaper - you can usually get a rate much lower than rack just in the course of making your reservation and asking what is available.

I had to LOL when I read that because my dh has said this to me more than one time. We travel a lot and like to stay in deluxe hotels. What he hates is the fact that the "deluxes" at WDW are not deluxes in the real world. Most of our 5 star hotel stays make the deluxes at WDW look like moderate hotels.

Nevertheless we still stay at deluxes when we go to WDW and we know that what we are paying for is the whole tamale - the location, the theming, the illusion, the magic of Disney morning, noon and night.

 

[*123JOANNA123*]

Great thread.

I think for me, I find it difficult to compare Disney resorts with other hotels just by virtue of it's location. I love the GF, and I think it's one of the nicest places to stay, and looking at it with my rose tinted disney glasses (which I don't take off when I'm there!) I'd have to say it does stack up.

There are some deluxes in Ireland (Ashford and Dromoland Castle for example, where several US presidents have stayed) that would give the Disney deluxes a run for their money, but they wouldn't be a good fit for me and the family (ds 4 and dd 2).

Another point is that US deluxe hotels in general blow the socks off European ones. What passes for a 5* hotel in some of the European countries leaves a lot to be desired.