Must see resorts- not so popular ones

[MissKristinaLianne]

Hi! We're going to WDW for our 10th trip August 24th. We're only doing one park and plan to go the resorts... go to a few malls etc. We've seen all the disney resorts except for...

Disney's Old Key West
Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort
All Star Movies
Pop Century
Conronado Springs
FW Campground

...are any of these places worth the trip? We like to see different resorts so we can try somewhere different the next time we go. We're not to fond of the values though... but we think they're fun. In comparison to fab places like POLY or GF > are we missing anything?

Thanks Kristina

 

[G8r4evr]

Coronado Springs is beautiful!! Weve also always wanted to try OKW.

 

[tkldisney]

I think Pop is fun.

 

[NEVERENOUGHWDW]

IMO your not missing a thing......

 

[Amy&Dan]

In my opinion you will enjoy all of those resorts. The large icons at Movies and Pop Century make great photo ops for people of all ages. Saratoga and OKW are easy enoough to get to and can be combined with a trip to DTD. They are also right next to each other. They both have expansive grounds perfect for a stroll. There is boat access from both of them to DTD. And Coronoado Springs is really very lovely as well, again, the lovely grounds make for enjoyment. All of these resorts have some sort of dining option, even if you just have a piece of tye dyed cheesecake and a frozen coke at Pop! I havent' been to the campground, but it looks pretty from the pictures.

It sounds like your trip is of a lowkey nature and that touring these resorts might fit very well into that type of trip. Have fun!

 

[skipperkim]

Cornado Springs...hot in FL and the southwest. I love OKW, SSR is okay, too close to DTD for me. Though the easy walk back some night might be a draw, but would it be too noisy is the question? Pop has great photo ops as all values do. I don't want to stay at one again, though. FW, has some fun things to do especially HDDR. Did you know there is a new segway tour at FW or carriage rides?

 

[minijeanie]

I would try SS and OKW -been at BWV and Y&B-you might enjoy

I loved CSR-my new favorite moderate

I would never stay again at FW-I would rather stay outside the parks

and Values just don't do it for me

 

[Minnie&Nana]

You'll never really know until you stop by the resorts for a visit. Last trip I'd not been to SSR and had not been back to OKW since it opened - visited both and can live without seeing either again...still happy we stopped by though.

POP might surprise you due to the lake - the icons are over the top, but can be nostalgic. We enjoyed the walk around the lake (esp at night) and Lady and the Tramp icons. Hate the icons all over the front of the buildings though. Back of the resort is nicer

Anyway, we really enjoy visiting resorts, so if you do as well, then why not have a look see? Might be surprised and decide to try a stay some time or be happy just to walk through

Have a great trip!

 

[paintnolish]

You should really check out CSR. The grounds are so beautiful! I love it!

 

[Buzz2001]

CSR!! Awesome at night!!

 

[kileybeth]

well, now that you've seen all those gorgeous photos of CSR, no need to visit! just kidding Buzz2001 , love those pics every time you post them! Made me want to visit on our upcoming trip just to see it!

that said, my DH and I found SSR to be beautiful, loved the lobby area to rest in, cool pool, and liked the counter service food area a lot! The spa and gym over there are not to be missed. as for walking, stroll over to DTD and make an afternoon of it.

just our impression but OKW felt worn and older looking to us, kind of shabby? JMO tho. we took the boat over to see it.

I've never seen the values so we will be going over to see them this trip too. I'm sure they are something to look at with all the icons just not really interested in staying there. I hear they have a nice store, good CS food selection, and POP has a rockin' arcade!

and if you fit all of that in, bravo to you! espceially if using Disney transport the whole time like we did!

 

[spiceycat]

go over to FW in the afternoon - then stay for the campfire!

petting zoo, boating, biking, horseback riding

OKW is surpose to look like Old Key West - it does. It cost a lot to make new look old.

 

[MissKristinaLianne]

Thanks for all the replies. I LOVE seeing the different resorts (I work in hotel industry so i live... eat... sleep hotels lol) In fact I cant wait to get onto that monorail and see the POLY, CR AND GF!! loveee them!!!

Saratoga looks awesome.......... THANKS FOR POSTING THOSE PICS!

We've stayed at the ASMU back in 97 and walked over and saw the ASP... may or may not have time to check out the other two values. It sucks cause theres no sit down restaurant there so you can't even really make a night/afternoon out of it. We're only there for a week it would be nice to fit them.

SSR, OKW and FW may have to wait for another trip.

 

[AllyGirl_79]

If you're going to do the tour of the monorail hotels, jump on the boat to FW at the Contemporary.

The resort has all sorts of activities, like the campfire and carriage rides, and great theming. You might want to consider a meal at Trails End - the food is great and very reasonable.

 

[Minnie&Nana]

If you're going to do the tour of the monorail hotels, jump on the boat to FW at the Contemporary.

The resort has all sorts of activities, like the campfire and carriage rides, and great theming. You might want to consider a meal at Trails End - the food is great and very reasonable.

Trail's End has a fantastic lunch buffet for about $13!! It would be worth it (if you are not vegetarian) to make a lunch ADR and take the boat from CR (or MK or any MK resort). Also has a great breakfast buffet the dinner buffet is only about $19, but lunch is just as good. Fried Chicken and BBQ Park, plus so much more! The last time we went Lunch included dessert and beverage, even tho Allears says it is additional. We were there in March of this year. Check out the menu here:
http://allearsnet.com/menu/menu_teb.htm

 

[kileybeth]

oh I know spicycat, OKW is an okay place just not my cup of tea. I grew up going to beaches so it just fells a bit beachy to me maybe is what I mean. All that sun, sand and water does give that type of appearance I guess. The size of the rooms makes up for it though huh? and the lower DVC points!

 

[Mayl]

Without a doubt the camp grounds are wonderful. Even if you just take the boat to the launch, get lunch at Trails End and sit on the porch drinking a beer afterwards.

If you can, a short walk about the loop(s) and you will tons of people to talk to and see a side of Disney you never knew existed.

The best trip we ever had was two years ago. Instead of a deluxe resort, we rented one of the FW cabins for a week along with a golf cart. Talk about an amazing trip. So many great things for the kids, so many nice people to just talk to, and the center pool was just amazing.

Even if you are not a guest, just take the internal bus to the middle loop, catch the nightly outdoor movie and entertainment.

 

[kikiq]

Hi! We're going to WDW for our 10th trip August 24th. We're only doing one park and plan to go the resorts... go to a few malls etc. We've seen all the disney resorts except for...

Disney's Old Key West
Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort

...are any of these places worth the trip? We like to see different resorts so we can try somewhere different the next time we go. We're not to fond of the values though... but we think they're fun. In comparison to fab places like POLY or GF > are we missing anything?

We did a low key trip this time. Only did a few shows and rides....but decided to check out OKW and SSR because we are considering buying DVC. We spent several hours walking around SSR. You can look at the DVC models between 5 -7 without a guide. Then we had dinner at Artist Palette. Took a "pool" tour to compare pools within the resort. We took the boat over to DTD. You can see DTD, but you really can't "hear" DTD from SSR. It is a big plus for my DDs to have DTD right there since they are 19 and 23. The next night visited a friend who is staying in OKW near the Turtle Pond stop. She's staying in a 2 br villa. Really nice, quiet , a pleasant walk to the main pool, a short walk to the nearest pool, and we had dinner at Olivia's. Didn't need ressies although it was packed when we left later. Her kids are older and take the boat to DTD all the time.

 

[NEVERENOUGHWDW]

Without a doubt the camp grounds are wonderful. Even if you just take the boat to the launch, get lunch at Trails End and sit on the porch drinking a beer afterwards.

If you can, a short walk about the loop(s) and you will tons of people to talk to and see a side of Disney you never knew existed.

The best trip we ever had was two years ago. Instead of a deluxe resort, we rented one of the FW cabins for a week along with a golf cart. Talk about an amazing trip. So many great things for the kids, so many nice people to just talk to, and the center pool was just amazing.

Even if you are not a guest, just take the internal bus to the middle loop, catch the nightly outdoor movie and entertainment.

My cousin did FW with her family & her extended family (41 in total, every year her inlaws take as many of their kids, spouses & grandkids that are available on a summer vacation) and she said it was great....They had a bunch of cabins rented. They enjoyed the camp fire, went horseback riding and at that time River Country was still opened.