Had a wonderful stay. We have tried a variety of resorts including Poly, WL, YC, CSR, and CR. I can actually say this was the most relaxing trip yet.
When we arrived the bellman took our things up to the room and upon entering said "Does it smell musty to you?" I hadn't noticed but then agreed that yes it did. He called down to the desk and moved us to a room down the hall. So yes there are musty rooms. We had a beautiful view of the lake in the east wing. The baby cirb was brought up within 5 minutes and they are the nicest I have seen at any hotel. They are port a cribs not pack a plays and the linens are very nice and the matress it thick.
Two days later during our little ones' nap I heard hammering. They never woke up but it annoyed me. I went up to the 6th floor and yes there was rennovations about 4 doors down from where our room was. The front desk immediately moved us to the west wing with a beautiful view of the grotto pool and MGM. We were on the last arm of the wing but not too long of a walk to the elevator. Both of our rooms only had one sink but did have two vanity areas.
Two days later a family checked in a 10:30 at night. They were loud but we gave them until 12:00 then called the desk. They asked them to quiet down and they did. I later discovered that they have an autistic child (could hear the issues from the hallway while waiting for dh) who they tried hard to calm down we let the rest of the noise slide and they were quiet by 10:00 then on. I can't imagine dealing with him in the parks but if I had other children like them I would probably try it. The west wing is the place to be if you have children, close to peakaboo, the pool, kids club, candy shop, bus stop, etc.
The service was outstanding anytime we had a request they would call back to make sure it was filled. They were so nice and helpful. The only rude lady was at the disney desk who groaned when we asked her to check on an ADR. We soon found that the conceirge could do this more pleasantly and quickly.
The pool was just lovely and I enjoyed it more than SAB. I don't like the sand, personal preference. The water was great some areas warm and some cold and there were plenty of chairs and towels. Drinks were pricey at $8.50 for a frozen machine drink but tasted good. They also had a dj on the weekends that played games with the kiddos.
The resturants were mixed. The Fountian was OK, the icecream was not that good IMO. Peakaboo was really nice and the food selection great and tasty but very expensive. Blue Zoo was wonderful, we ate in the cafe part. Didn't try Shula's because we have one too young for the kids club and they don't have a kids menu.
The kids club was great and you get 2 free hours if you eat at Blue Zoo, Shula's, Il Mulino, and one other one I think. Our dd loved it and didn't want to leave. They have games, crafts, movies, etc. They take them to Peakaboo for dinner at 7:00 if they are there by 6:45 and this is also free. We gave them a $20 tip and felt like it was a steal of a deal.
The Mandera SPA is the best part. Jennifer is wonderful and I recommend a massage with her. The place is over the top and smells like heaven. I had to go back for round 2. It is pricey but puts the strip mall places to shame. If you eat at Peakaboo there is a 15% off coupon at the bottom.
We really like the lobby and our kids had fun playing around the fountain. The lobby bar is nice and has plenty of little tables on the opposite side. They have coffee and pastries in the morning as well.
The boat rides to MGM and Epcot are great and it's a short walk to the boardwalk which we also enjoyed.
The laundry room was pretty standard but I did have some nice conversations with people there and it was a rainy 4 inches in 2 hours day so I wasn't missing anything.
We had a teacher rate of $169 and it was by far the best deal we have ever had at Disney. I think it will be our new home unless we can get the same price at the YC or BC and that would still be a toss up. I am so glad we decided to try it over CSR which was our first plan. There really is no comparison.
Any questions?
Monica
When we arrived the bellman took our things up to the room and upon entering said "Does it smell musty to you?" I hadn't noticed but then agreed that yes it did. He called down to the desk and moved us to a room down the hall. So yes there are musty rooms. We had a beautiful view of the lake in the east wing. The baby cirb was brought up within 5 minutes and they are the nicest I have seen at any hotel. They are port a cribs not pack a plays and the linens are very nice and the matress it thick.
Two days later during our little ones' nap I heard hammering. They never woke up but it annoyed me. I went up to the 6th floor and yes there was rennovations about 4 doors down from where our room was. The front desk immediately moved us to the west wing with a beautiful view of the grotto pool and MGM. We were on the last arm of the wing but not too long of a walk to the elevator. Both of our rooms only had one sink but did have two vanity areas.
Two days later a family checked in a 10:30 at night. They were loud but we gave them until 12:00 then called the desk. They asked them to quiet down and they did. I later discovered that they have an autistic child (could hear the issues from the hallway while waiting for dh) who they tried hard to calm down we let the rest of the noise slide and they were quiet by 10:00 then on. I can't imagine dealing with him in the parks but if I had other children like them I would probably try it. The west wing is the place to be if you have children, close to peakaboo, the pool, kids club, candy shop, bus stop, etc.
The service was outstanding anytime we had a request they would call back to make sure it was filled. They were so nice and helpful. The only rude lady was at the disney desk who groaned when we asked her to check on an ADR. We soon found that the conceirge could do this more pleasantly and quickly.
The pool was just lovely and I enjoyed it more than SAB. I don't like the sand, personal preference. The water was great some areas warm and some cold and there were plenty of chairs and towels. Drinks were pricey at $8.50 for a frozen machine drink but tasted good. They also had a dj on the weekends that played games with the kiddos.
The resturants were mixed. The Fountian was OK, the icecream was not that good IMO. Peakaboo was really nice and the food selection great and tasty but very expensive. Blue Zoo was wonderful, we ate in the cafe part. Didn't try Shula's because we have one too young for the kids club and they don't have a kids menu.
The kids club was great and you get 2 free hours if you eat at Blue Zoo, Shula's, Il Mulino, and one other one I think. Our dd loved it and didn't want to leave. They have games, crafts, movies, etc. They take them to Peakaboo for dinner at 7:00 if they are there by 6:45 and this is also free. We gave them a $20 tip and felt like it was a steal of a deal.
The Mandera SPA is the best part. Jennifer is wonderful and I recommend a massage with her. The place is over the top and smells like heaven. I had to go back for round 2. It is pricey but puts the strip mall places to shame. If you eat at Peakaboo there is a 15% off coupon at the bottom.
We really like the lobby and our kids had fun playing around the fountain. The lobby bar is nice and has plenty of little tables on the opposite side. They have coffee and pastries in the morning as well.
The boat rides to MGM and Epcot are great and it's a short walk to the boardwalk which we also enjoyed.
The laundry room was pretty standard but I did have some nice conversations with people there and it was a rainy 4 inches in 2 hours day so I wasn't missing anything.
We had a teacher rate of $169 and it was by far the best deal we have ever had at Disney. I think it will be our new home unless we can get the same price at the YC or BC and that would still be a toss up. I am so glad we decided to try it over CSR which was our first plan. There really is no comparison.
Any questions?
Monica
