If you are looking for something a bit less "tacky touristy" maybe go deeper into the Adirondack region. There are cabin/cottage rentals all over the Adirondacks--- some right on the lakes that are much more "week at the lake" sort of experiences where more of your time is spent swimming in the lake, boating, kayaking, hiking (or for me--short walks in the woods as I'm so not a hiker), campfires, trips to the ice cream store, etc. We have a cottage (fully modern with internet, cable TV, etc) and do all this and then take day trips to Lake Placid, Blue Mountain Lake, the Wild Center in Tupper Lake, etc.
Also, when you are looking for places wherever--don't be too put off by no air-conditioning--- it gets cool up there at night--you really don't need it most days. That's why folks from the bigger cities used to spend their summers "up north in the woods".
WDW it is not! If you are looking for a similar sort of experience---the Adirondacks isn't it. But if you are looking for something different---it's a great vacation.