Not trying to sound like a snob but...

[KathyTX]

Originally posted by Aisling
Is it just me? All the countdown clocks have extremely high numbers on them! My trip is in 2oo something days and my clock now says 600 something! And that's what I'm seeing on all of yours' too!

Check the date setting on your PC. The countdown is simply a calculation of how far away the date in the countdown is from the current date and time, which it gets from the PC you're using...

 

[Aisling]

faithfull,
about the countdown clock, I just went to the Technical Board here on the Dis, and it explained indetail how to set up the clock. Give it a try, it's so exciting seeing the days get less and less! I just have to figure out how to change the clock on my computer, it's saying it's 2002.

Ok, back to the topic...

 

[jjarman]

Thanks for the reply. Actually, the more I think about it, it is the parents' behavior I am thinking about as much as the childrens'. I keep thinking back to some of the behavior I witnessed at our lodge pool this summer and in summers past and usually it was the parents who got out of hand, noisy, drunk, etc. I can only think of one incident of some kids getting out of hand when they stole a paddle boat and then a fishing boat. Again, that was lack of parental supervision.

Actually, I have been really pleased with the responses I have gotten. I debated long and hard over this question and fully expected to be flamed but everyone has been very reasonable about this. I know I can't be the only one who has wondered this.

Originally posted by Wineaux
I applaud Jjarman for having the courage to ask such a question. Asking the question indicates the mind isn't made up yet, so I think some of the harsh replies are a little out of line here.

That said, I don't think a family's economic status has a whole lot to do with how well behaved their children are. Poorly behaved children are everywhere, in priviledged schools and underfunded ones. Money does not equate good parenting.

However, It's been my personal experience that the parents I know that are financially strapped have better behaved children. Maybe the fiscal discipline required in these families spills over to the kids. The kids aren't the ones in charge of the bank account which means mom and dad run the show.

The families I know that have money to burn have kids who run the show. They do whatever they want and mom and dad just look the other way cause life is just so cushy. These kids want, want, want everything and they get it cause mom and dad can afford it and don't have to suffer the inconviences of saying no and sticking to it. Oh, and it makes these trophy kids more fashionable and worthwhile to show off too...

But have I seen every family? No, of course not. This is just the way it is with the 8 or so families I'm thinking of right now in my tidy little North Dallas community. My point is that a fat wallet doesn't make for bad parents any more than a big one makes for good ones. Or vice versa.

I believe all the resorts at Disney are designed to make all families comfortable so the risk of running into poorly behaved kids is a pretty fair one across the board, IMHO. But there are resorts that may be regarded as a little less 'family intensive' than others.

 

[jcemom]

I, along with my monstrous children, will be at the AKL in February.

Yes, I'm kidding...sort of. My children are not monsters, though like most children, they do act like monsters on occasion. lol I'm pretty sure they would behave the same way regardless of where we were staying. Kids are kids. I know children from families with what you may call a low income who are very well behaved, and children from very well-to-do families whose behavior is thoroughly outrageous! (And vice-versa )

I'm sure, also, that while many families stay at the All Stars when they could easily afford a deluxe, there are families who save up for a deluxe when their budget would normally be for a value resort. Right?

 

[Castillo Mom]

Originally posted by Musky
Well, now I reckons those uppity folks at the GF insist on doing those high-falutin things like brushin their teeth and takin showers EVERY DAY and wearin shoes. They probably like some kind of fancy sauce on their 'possum and pick their noses with their pinkies instead of their index finger. Probably only have one family in each room, too. Me, I like to try to fit all 150 of my first cuzzins into my room at the All Stars when I'm there. And we don't need no fancy showers - we can wash up in that there cement pond out back. And we's just as good as anyone else. Why, Billy Bob got let out of prison early for good behavior, and my 17-year-old just gradyated the 6th grade! Maybe now he can get him a job at the fillin station....


Musky

LOL! You're too funny Musky!

Seriously though, the OP posed an interesting question that I'm not at all offended by. In terms of vacationing at WDW, I'm sure there's a wide range of people who choose the resort they stay at based on their travel style and not always on the class of the resort. As others have posted, someone who is wealthy may choose to stay at a value and some who are not so wealthy may choose to stay at a deluxe after having saved up for it. I don't think everyone chooses their hotel solely based on price as some do. Personally, I find nothing wrong with either scenario. I've been planning our vacation for over a year and half now and we'll be staying at a deluxe for our ten day vacation. If I would have coordinated our vacation only six months in advance like I usually do, we'd be staying at a value, one year out it would have been a moderate. As far as hotels go, I don't think ALL low income people will choose Motel 6 and I don't think ALL wealthy folks will always want to stay at a Ritz Carlton-type hotel. I do have a couple of observations, though. Nearby where I live there's a Walmart that I used to frequent. Now before anyone flames me, I love their stores and I'm not a snob. That being said, I no longer shop there unless it's online. Whenever I've gone, the store has been filthy, children running around unkempt and unattended. Even my own kids asked to not go with me when I used to shop there because it stressed them out and shoplifting is rampant. One of the clerks told that it was common for children as young as four years of age to be detained for stealing with no parent to be found nearby. This particular Walmart is in the city adjacent to ours in a not-so-nice neighborhood. I've traveled to one much further away in an upscale area and it's a completely different environment. The store is clean, not as crowded and much more peaceful. The problem is that I just don't have the time to shop there, so I just just do so online. Now that doesn't mean that ALL low income folks are bad parents and have bratty kids and that ALL wealthy people are great parents and have perfect kids. It's just my personal observation. My grandparents were dirt poor when my mother was a young child and they raised five educated and well adjusted children who have passed on their good values to us. On the other side of the coin, just because one has money doesn't mean that their children are automatically spoiled. The material objects that we give them is not what spoils them. They must be taught values, morals and the fact that the world does not revolve around them. Just my opinion.

 

[dreamflight99]

Originally posted by Sanchez


To answer the question, I submit that that there is a difference. I am NOT saying that one is necessarily better than the other as your choice should depend on your particular needs. If you want a quiet, relaxed stay you will be better off with moderate or deluxe. The best part about a WDW trip is that there is something for everyone.

Very well stated. Just as most persons would behave "differently" in Shula's Steak house VS. McDonalds (noting dress code and all), they will also behave a bit more "refined/repressed" in more expensive/pricey resorts (for the most part).

This subject would certainly make for a great thesis (I'm sure it's been done). It is plain and simple human nature. As Sanchez (and many others) posted, it does not make it better/worse....just "different". Wherever you decide to stay, enjoy your time in the MAGIC. And Remember...."$$$ can't buy class."

 

[Castillo Mom]

Originally posted by dreamflight99
Very well stated. Just as most persons would behave "differently" in Shula's Steak house VS. McDonalds (noting dress code and all), they will also behave a bit more "refined/repressed" in more expensive/pricey resorts (for the most part).

This subject would certainly make for a great thesis (I'm sure it's been done). It is plain and simple human nature. As Sanchez (and many others) posted, it does not make it better/worse....just "different". Wherever you decide to stay, enjoy your time in the MAGIC. And Remember...."$$$ can't buy class."

Very true!

 

[Kaycee]

We have stayed at 2 deluxes and one moderate. Sorry, can't comment on the budgets.

I can only speak from my own experiences on this one, and I haven't read all the other replies (just found the post) but I'm going to give my opinion anyway. If anyone is offended, I'm sorry, that was definitely not my intent.

For our first family visit we stayed at a deluxe (the Dolphin). It was so quiet I was afraid that my rather well-behaved children (ages 9 and 12) would offend other guests. We did, however, love this resort. And DH, who does not sleep well away from home, got enough sleep due to our very quiet room.

Our next stay was also at a deluxe, but one that has a reputation for being rather loud (Wilderness Lodge). We did, on occasion, hear some noise from the room next door, but for the most part we found this resort to be surprisingly quiet. DH had a couple of nights with disturbed sleep, but overall not much problem at all. The lobby here is always pretty loud, but we didn't see anything that would be classified as unruly during our week-long stay.

Third stay was at a moderate (Coronado Springs). We purposefully chose this moderate because it was just DH and I and we wanted something more quieter and more romantic, yet within our budget for a trip without the kids. Were we ever disappointed! This resort was much louder, in our experience, than WL. DH did not get a good night's sleep the whole week. Neither did I, and I can usually sleep through most noise. We found this resort to be extremely noisy, contrary to what we had heard.

So, next trip we are back to the deluxe resorts (back to the Dolphin). We've realized that getting a good night's sleep on vacation means more to us than saving money.

 

[ducklite]

We've been disturbed by unsuprevised hellions at the GF and Polynesian. We've also been disturbed by unruly children and obnoxious teens at the All Stars. I don't think the place or relative cost makes any difference as far as rudeness.

That said, I think because there are simply more people in a smaller area at the value resorts they tend to be louder. They also attract more youth groups which can add to the noise. And the way the stairwells are built surrounded by very echoy metal, they can be very noisy as well.

So bottom line IMHO, the value resorts are noiser, not because the behavior of the people staying there is any different, but there are simply more people in a place where the architecture and layout tends to create a noisier environment.

As far as the behaviour of the people staying there, no matter where you stay you always run ito the possibility of rude people. It can be at home in your local Wal-mart, or in the poshest store in Beverly Hills. I can't say I've run into more rude people in one resort or resort type over another. I've met both rude and delightful people at value, moderate, deluxe and home away from home resorts.

Anne

 

[Gutto]

Friends, i just want to say few worlds about this thread

I am a Medical Doctor in Brazil (ophtalmologist) and i attend any " kind " of people and i have to agree, as others friends said, if you have money it isn t guarantee of good behavior and character, i think it should be, but it isn t.

i just think that u have to make the diference beetween people who didn t learn good behavior for people who doesn t give good example for their childreen. Some ppl sometimes speake loud, don t ask polite for something or don t know correctly how to use a spoon and knife just because some situations of life, i thing we should be more complacent with these ppl. i am from a poor familly and even we didn t had money my parents always gave me examples of honesty and character and one phrase that i always hear from them and use with my children can resume my words.

( I don t know if it means exactly in english)

anywhere you stay, any money you have, IT DOENS T MATTER

"Your right finish when the others begin "

i think that most childreen try to do exactly what their parents do, so we HAVE to give them the best examples and always respect anybody.

Thanks

Gutto

 

[ducklite]

Gutto--

Obrigado para suas palavras sábios! Eu esperança que meu Português não seja demasiado mau. Eu estou aprendenda ainda.

Com respeito,

Anne

 

[dreamflight99]

Gutto~"Bravo"! What a wonderful "take" on this thread, and a fabulous interpretation. You are "right on the money", as persons lacking in manners are to be found in every corner of life. I am a very tolerant individual, and try not to "judge" these persons solely by their actions. Some are not even cognizant of their errant behavior (or that it bothers anyone), others are~and seem not to care. These persons come from EVERY walk of life.

I never refer to anyone as "POOR", as that would presume they are "poor in the spirit of the Lord". I would refer to them merely as "less fortunate" than others. They may actually be VERY RICH in spirit, and many other areas of their lives. Money is not the only determining factor when describing a person's circumstance. The streets are filled with homeless people much more content with life than the more fortunate persons living in the mansions/estates.

Here in Cali, we have many wonderful persons from South America and Mexico. Many are unfamilar with the "customs and rules (morays)" of our society in the United States. Many of my friends have explained some "differences", such as the "lines" we prefer to patiently form while waiting for a service, attraction. In Mexico, they do not essentially use such restrictive measures. They gather in a "crowd" and move forward together, squeezing and pushing until they arrive at the front. There are too many differences to mention, but most are not harmful. They just tend to "annoy" most persons accustomed to a "different" way of life.

I have stayed at the ole DIXIE LANDINGS (POR), in Oak Manor...and recall jubilant youths from Brazil and Argentina (La Tourismo) RUNNING up and down the corridors and stairwells late in the eves rerturning from the parks. They NEVER bothered us. Their excitement is part of "YOUTH", and being in a different, MAGICAL location. It is the "Joi de Vivre", and I will never tire of seeing HAPPINESS expressed in this manner. I would be more saddened...if they slouched and strolled along, in a droopy-depressed manner as they walked back to their resort room.

Kindness and tolerance is the backbone of America. It's also part of the magic of WDW. I've enjoyed all the posts on this thread, and the opinions/perspective of each person.

TTFN...DF99

 

[susy]

We need not look too far to see bad behavior among the more affluent- the behavior of some celebrities leaves me with mouth hanging open!

I agree somewhat with what other posters say about how you would act different at a Mc Donald's vs. a fancy restaurant. I say "somewhat" because I don't believe that the All Stars are THAT low on the hotel totem pole. I act just as repectful when I am at the All Stars as I would anywhere else. When I walk into the All Stars I don't run in yelling and waving my arms like a lunatic yelling, "free for all!! I don't throw my table manners out the window because I am at a food court and talk with my mouth full and throw food at my kid.

HOWEVER, all that being said (and we were all young once), I can just IMAGINE what the place is like when the large groups of kids are there. When they are there. I will be at a mod or deluxe....

 

[Jomrog]

I ditto Wendi's reply. My daughter is a sweet angel, then my DS came along. Wholly cow! He can downright be a brat! We have stayed at WL, POFQ, Dolphin & AKL. We chose those resorts because they were appealing to us & we had good rates. However, this was without my DS. We hesitate to go to WDW for at least another year because of him. He can't handle a simple trip to the supermarket!!!!

I am not at all offended at the question. I can say that in the past I have encountered more rude adults & children in the parks, not at the resorts.

Go & have a good time.

 

[TimeWarp]

On our last visit to WDW we were so caught up in the fun , we didn't even notice what other people were doing...good or bad. I mean we spoke to other families and had conversations on the bus but in general I can't even remember one time that I was concerned about some other families children. Hey, you have to understand that kids are on excitement overload at Disney. If I see some kid having a tantrum I am more likely to think he didn't get enough sleep than to assume that his parents are bad and can't make him behave. Just get out there and have a good time with your children.

 

[ducklite]

Originally posted by TimeWarp
If I see some kid having a tantrum I am more likely to think he didn't get enough sleep than to assume that his parents are bad and can't make him behave.

I agree but for a different reason. IMHO it DOES mean the parents are "bad" in that they pushed the kids too hard and didn't allow for enough time resting and relaxing. If your kid needs eight hours of sleep at night and a two hour nap in the afternoon at home, they'll probably need nine hours of sleep at night and a three hour nap in the afternoon at WDW. That's simply common sense.

But again, you'll find this lack of common sense at every resort and in every socio-economic group.

Anne

 

[missypie]

You know, that's the primary reason I waited until my kids were 12, 10 and 7 to give them a Disney vacation ... I've been at Six Flags and Sea World with them when they were younger and DH JUST WOULD NOT STOP TO REST OR LEAVE EARLY. I can remember several melt downs at other theme parks when the kids had skipped naps and DH still insisted that we stay at the parks. I knew that DH could simply not do a Disney vacation without DOING EVERYTHING SO I waited until the kids were old enough to keep up. Even then, that is why I chose DLR for our first trip instead of WDW...because there was LESS to do, we would get a bit more rest.

 

[ead79]

I just wanted to give my two cents about the original poster's question. I have stayed at every deluxe resort except the Contemporary (it's on my list of to-do's), and I've also stayed at the All Star Music. I saw the most ill bahaved children of any trip at the Beach Club. I don't think it had anything to do with the financial situation of the parents that it happened at the Beach Club not the All Stars. I think that's just when I happened to see some overly-tired, exhausted kids. I'm sure tantrums happen daily at every single WDW resort, from the All Stars to the GF. I also know from experience that there are people from every socio-economic level that have wonderfully behaved children and that have ill-behaved children. Also, even wonderful kids have the occasional breakdown, especially when in WDW where they are so over-stimulated.

 

[jjarman]

Originally posted by >>^..^<<
Wow.. it's a really interesting question, anyone offended by it needs to lighten up.

It's like how I look at our local supermarkets.. we have one gorgeous one, with everything you could need, floral department, seafoods, deli really nice atmosphere, music, displays and it is expensive.

We also have a local no-frills market with just the basics.

I am sorry but I can tell you these two stores attract different types of families. It is a fact.

Normally I shop at the nice store but once in a while if I need something quick I run into the no-frills store as it is closer... I see kids banging carts into things and running down the aisles, yelling, touching things, the parents are just ignoring them and I don't know but the people look kind of grubby, seriously, and the kids look unkept.

Over at the nice store... you just don't see that, no grubbies. The kids just seem like average kids, walking with their families, or riding in the cart, nice clean cut, behaved kids.. nothing like the other store.

What can I say? it's just my observation ~ I have no first hand knowledge of guests at Diseny values compared to guests at Disney deluxe. I have no idea LOL.... but it seems to work as you suggest here at my local supermarkets.

>>^..^<<

Thanks for the response. I have noticed the same at some of our stores too. I keep relating back to the two pools and the difference in the people. Sure there are good and bad behaved kids and parents at both. You just don't see the nipple rings on guys, drunk adults fighting, kids squirting adults who are sunbathing with squirt guns (I nearly killed a kid over that one, lol) at the country club where I have visited and you do see that at our local lodge pool. Sure, not all the people are like that and it is really only a small majority but on a Saturday afternoon it sure can mess up your day. I felt it was a valid question and am not offended by any comments.

 

[pewing]

Wow...what a fun little heated forum


jjarman...hats off to you for asking an honest question. That's what these boards are for. You need to know...you ask here and find out

For those of you flaming her...shame on you.

I think it is a perfectly valid question. I too would be concerned. We once planned a camping trip to WDW. We are avid campers and have heard the campground is wonderful. We ultimately decided against if for two reasons...first of all we wanted to avoid the drive and secondly we figured a lot of the folks camping at Disney aren't camping b/c they love to camp. They are camping b/c it is a lot cheaper. Not everyone falls into this category, but some do.

I have a habit of defending myself by saying...'I don't want to sound like an elitist snob', but recently I can to a conclusion. My husband and I are elitist snobs We don't want our kids playing with a lot of kids. We don't live our lives like a lot of the people around us. We are an affluent family by most standards (because of hard work both making and managing our personal finances...and the grace of God) and we live at an elevated standard...in many ways.

I hale from the 'redneck capital' of the world (Alabama) and I am not ashamed of my home, but I also strive to overcome that stereotype.

All that said, we all know money does not equal class and 'rich kids' can be some of the worst!

But I am with you. We stay at Deluxes. It is more $$, but we don't have as many worries. We know it will be nice.