Resort Changers--The Saga Continues.....

[letthewookiewin]

Hi Kim and !! You are in good company here. BTW, I'm renting DVC points for the first time this august (staying at AKV studio) so I can let you know about my experience if you like. And I stayed at WLV and loved it.

Another thought ... keep in mind that POR Riverside should almost be fully refurbed and the manson section wil be converted to the Haunted House theme ... your two boys might love this ... plus queen beds

OMG, I had totally forgotten about that. I just remembered about the Royal rooms.
This trip we're planning is a surprise from our boys. We've had to reschedule and cancel so many times that I just don't want to get their hopes up again if something comes up. Last night I was looking at the food porn thread and our youngest DS sat beside me. He became very interested in the tickers. He wanted me to go through random threads to show him tickers. So, I just decided to show him the different options mickeypath had. As he was looking at the backgrounds and he got a very serious look on his face and said, "Mom, let's plan a Disney World trip behind Dad's back. When it's time to go, if he's all grumpy and whinny, and a big baby about it, then we can leave him at home." I told him we could, but it would just be for fun and not for real. I asked him if he like the idea of HM themed rooms, and he loved it.

You KNOW I choose YC. I'll be there in August. I love the location. I can't really speak to the CL. I don't see the value of it at all but I hear it is nice.



I need to practice my princess wave....lol



WOW!!!! A serious case of "Changeritis" Welcome Have your dates changed? FW may be a good choice if you want to save AND have enough space. Also, FW is in the MK area. I vote for FW.

They did change. We were going to go November 13-17 (or18). The plan was to be there for our oldest DS's 15th bday. I was just starting to feel uncomfortable with taking him out of school a week his Freshman year of high school. Plus I promised my DH that I would start taking 12 hours at school once he took me to WDW, so we really need to go earlier in the year. May was the only month that would work with both school and finances. The current plan has us arriving at WDW on the Tuesday after Memorial day, so we'll be there May 29- June 3, 2012. We're going to drive from North Texas, and depending on finances to stuff on the way there and home. This way the boys will only miss the last week of school.
That's what my thinking was too. My DH likes having a seperate bedroom where we can shut the door at night when we go to sleep. However, I don't think the reasoning will happen anyway b/c I'll be too tired from the parks to go along with his reasoning.

 

[kaffinito]

Christine - Congratulations on 12,000 posts!

I just found this thread...
Hello, my name is Kim and I am a resort changeritis. We are planning a trip for May 2012. It started out as a November trip, though. I am a date changeritis as well. It started out at staying at CR /w a MK view room, then PC for finances, then changed to the CSR, then back to the PC. Then (when we were still going in Nov) I found out about the Art of Animation, so I changed it to that. Since our last trip, I've wanted to stay at the WL while it's dressed for Christmass, so I changed to that. My DH decided that liked the idea of having our own bedroom seperate from our DS's so I changed to the cabins at FW. Then the dates changed, but we still had FW in mind. However, I started feeling bad about the DS's having to sleep on a pull out, so I changed it to the PC. Then I read about the Royal rooms at the POR, so we switched to that. Now I'm afraid the boys will think it's too "girly" and feel selfish doing it since I'm the only girl in the family. Then I read something about renting DVC points, and I had totally forgotten that you could do that. Now I want to rent DVC points. My first thought was to get a studio at BLT /w a MK view, but I may save that for when I graduate. It will give me something to look forward to when I really don't want to do school work. I am seriously thinking about getting either a studio at the WL or at AK /w a Savannah view. The DS's said they wouldn't care if they had to sleep on a pull out couch since it would mean they would get to go to WDW.

Welcome! You sound like you'll fit right in on this thread!

I need to practice my princess wave....lol

I'm sure you already have that down pat! The RC Queens wave is the same wave we do when tracking down CM's at check in.

My DH asked me to check out Kidani and BCV!! We have until the 5th to make changes.....although you all KNOW I've switched resorts during check-in . We are thinking about more space.

OMG, I had totally forgotten about that. I just remembered about the Royal rooms.
This trip we're planning is a surprise from our boys.

I asked him if he like the idea of HM themed rooms, and he loved it.

Ooh! I love surprises! I hope it all works out for you!

I too would love an HM themed room. I'd stay in one for sure!


They did change. We were going to go November 13-17 (or18). The plan was to be there for our oldest DS's 15th bday. I was just starting to feel uncomfortable with taking him out of school a week his Freshman year of high school. Plus I promised my DH that I would start taking 12 hours at school once he took me to WDW, so we really need to go earlier in the year. May was the only month that would work with both school and finances. The current plan has us arriving at WDW on the Tuesday after Memorial day, so we'll be there May 29- June 3, 2012. We're going to drive from North Texas, and depending on finances to stuff on the way there and home. This way the boys will only miss the last week of school.
That's what my thinking was too. My DH likes having a seperate bedroom where we can shut the door at night when we go to sleep. However, I don't think the reasoning will happen anyway b/c I'll be too tired from the parks to go along with his reasoning.

 

[letthewookiewin]

Thanks kaffinito. Fortunatley, I saw the video, so I know not to tell them that we are going to Dick's house or anywhere else super fun. We are planning on going to Kennedy Space Center one day, so they know we are going there. They think the bulk of the trip is going to be Civil War battlefields and cemeteries. We went on a weekend trip with my inlaws to OK, and stopped at several Native American cemeteries b/c of family history stuff. By the time we stopped at the last one, our youngest DS was practically crying when he said, "please no more cemetries". I just plan on driving under the WDW sign and act like nothing is going on. I want to see how long it takes them to figure it out.
I will ask them things like "when we can ever go back to WDW, do you want to eat here?" or other small things like that between now and then.

 

[WDWKOOK]

Hi Gang!
It’s been a busy week at work and at home. DD has been bugging me to move into another bedroom (our “extra room”) so we have been cleaning, and going thru her stuff to donate or give away. Then we have to paint, move stuff and get this all ready for August (before our trip)!

WDWKOOK: Can’t give first hand knowledge in the discussion about CL (having never stayed at this level) AND the only deluxe I’ve stayed in is WL and OKW, BUT I would vote for the POLY (my dream resort).



But ... could it be that you are so much happier in the MK area? Yes I know this time you will be at the CR the first part of your trip, so maybe that will be the difference. Does your DH want to stay at an EPCOT resort?? If so, I would probably try for BWI, but I like the idea of staying at a MK resort in the summer (love the POLY tropical theme) and have the monorail and the beautiful beaches at night. If it were there during F&W, no second guessing, stay over in EPCOT. Maybe you will be pleasantly surprised with the POLY service since ’07.

Oh, and I love the WL!! Yes you do not have the monorail, but you do have the boat to MK. It is so peaceful there and will be different from the CR. AND, since it is the second portion of your trip, won't it be nice to kick back and relax some??

Or ... how 'bout this? Can you change your CR ressie to be the second part of the trip?? Stay first in the EPCOT area, knowing that you will be ending your trip in the MK area which you so love? Or I am complicating things too much

It's kind of fun to move to a new room, even if it's in the same house. I bet DD is excited.

Your ideas are really good and yes, there is that possibility that we'll have a great visit to the Poly. But, no, can't change CR to the backend - it's booked.

You're not complicating anything, the more input, the better. As flummoxed as I seem, I actually love have many choices. Thanks for your input!

I just found this thread...
Hello, my name is Kim and I am a resort changeritis. We are planning a trip for May 2012. It started out as a November trip, though. I am a date changeritis as well. It started out at staying at CR /w a MK view room, then PC for finances, then changed to the CSR, then back to the PC. Then (when we were still going in Nov) I found out about the Art of Animation, so I changed it to that. Since our last trip, I've wanted to stay at the WL while it's dressed for Christmass, so I changed to that. My DH decided that liked the idea of having our own bedroom seperate from our DS's so I changed to the cabins at FW. Then the dates changed, but we still had FW in mind. However, I started feeling bad about the DS's having to sleep on a pull out, so I changed it to the PC. Then I read about the Royal rooms at the POR, so we switched to that. Now I'm afraid the boys will think it's too "girly" and feel selfish doing it since I'm the only girl in the family. Then I read something about renting DVC points, and I had totally forgotten that you could do that. Now I want to rent DVC points. My first thought was to get a studio at BLT /w a MK view, but I may save that for when I graduate. It will give me something to look forward to when I really don't want to do school work. I am seriously thinking about getting either a studio at the WL or at AK /w a Savannah view. The DS's said they wouldn't care if they had to sleep on a pull out couch since it would mean they would get to go to WDW.

Kim, you're welcome here anytime, even if you're sure you're not changing a thing. How many times have I said that to myself and then two hours later I get the itch to switch.

Keep us posted on which Lodge you choose. Personally, I prefer the WL since you can take the boat to the MK and the CR and I love Bay Lake and FTW.

(BTW, you seem to be a big SW fan so you might find it neat that Harrison Ford was the best man at my in-laws' wedding in the 60s. He was my FIL's room mate in college.)

You KNOW I choose YC. I'll be there in August. I love the location. I can't really speak to the CL. I don't see the value of it at all but I hear it is nice.

I knew you'd approve - unless of course you had changed your mind about the YC





Do any of you read the AllEars reviews? Of course you do. Well, I've read them so many times I think I have all the CL ones memorized. Here are some facts I reminded myself of today:

~The Poly CL is the lowest rated of all the CLs! In fact, it's the only CL rated in the 7s (all the others are 8s and a 9+).

~Out of the non-CL Deluxe resorts, the Poly is almost the highest rated resort.

What do you guys make of one resort having both the (almost) highest and the lowest ratings? Seems like CL at the Poly really ends up killing the whole resort experience. This goes completely against what I was hoping in booking CL at the Poly. I thought that CL would somehow make our Poly experience this time around better not worse. Help.

 

[ataylorrdh]

Hi Kim and !! You are in good company here. BTW, I'm renting DVC points for the first time this august (staying at AKV studio) so I can let you know about my experience if you like. And I stayed at WLV and loved it.

Another thought ... keep in mind that POR Riverside should almost be fully refurbed and the manson section wil be converted to the Haunted House theme ... your two boys might love this ... plus queen beds

What is this about a Haunted House theme in the mansion section?

 

[letthewookiewin]

Kim, you're welcome here anytime, even if you're sure you're not changing a thing. How many times have I said that to myself and then two hours later I get the itch to switch.

Keep us posted on which Lodge you choose. Personally, I prefer the WL since you can take the boat to the MK and the CR and I love Bay Lake and FTW.

(BTW, you seem to be a big SW fan so you might find it neat that Harrison Ford was the best man at my in-laws' wedding in the 60s. He was my FIL's room mate in college.)

I do prefer the WL. We stayed there on our last trip and I was in awe the moment I stepped in the door. My DH had to give me a little push toward the front desk, so we could check in. It didn't hurt that there was music from Dances with Wolves or maybe it was Last of the Mohicans. My DH shot down the AK big time. The thing we loved most about the WL last time was sitting on the balcony as the boys fell asleep. We had a woods view room near the otter pond. Once the fireworks were over, we would just listen to the woods. Well he has it stuck in his head that a savannah view would smell of poo on the balcony and there is just no changing his mind. That leaves us with the WL, a HM room at the POR, or a MK view studio at BLT. I just need to hurry and graduate, so we can go more often and hopefully these kind of choices will be easier.
We have a Cabela's near us and I drive by it twice a day when the DSs are in school. It reminds me so much of the WL. I told the DH that if we stay there, I will drive the whole trip, but when we drive up to the WL. I will be so excited that I will have so many tears in my eyes that I may just run into the place.

 

[hstrickland]

Good Morning RCs!!!

For all you GF lovers, here's a little something to start your day...or Poly lovers, since the picture was taken there. Gotta love both...such beautiful resorts!

The Poly has gotten some pretty bad reviews lately, but dang....ya just can't beat the view there!!! It's one of the best at WDW!

Have a great morning!
Heather

 

[Minnie&Nana]

Never would have noticed the 12,000 posts if y'all hadn't mentioned it! Thanks! Not sure if so many posts is a good thing or not...

Heather, another gorgeous photo of two of my favorite places - how can anyone NOT love any of the monorail resorts?

POR Haunted Mansion rooms - from what I've read recently they are not going to be a HM theme, but Royal Themed rooms instead. Check out pics and refurb dates/info on this link: http://portorleans.org/rehab.php

Happy July 1st, my friends!! Hope y'all have a great weekend - will be quiet here so plenty of time for perusing the DIS. (WDWKOOK, any decision? )

 

[hstrickland]

Never would have noticed the 12,000 posts if y'all hadn't mentioned it! Thanks! Not sure if so many posts is a good thing or not...

It only means that your are a well informed Disney addict....did I say addict?!


Heather, another gorgeous photo of two of my favorite places - how can anyone NOT love any of the monorail resorts?

Two of my favorites, also!!! I'm coming to the realization that it might not be the deluxe resorts...it might be the monorail. I wonder if I would stay at a value if it was next to MK and had a monorail???.....YES!

POR Haunted Mansion rooms - from what I've read recently they are not going to be a HM theme, but Royal Themed rooms instead. Check out pics and refurb dates/info on this link: http://portorleans.org/rehab.php

Happy July 1st, my friends!! Hope y'all have a great weekend - will be quiet here so plenty of time for perusing the DIS. (WDWKOOK, any decision? )

I'm wondering the same thing?????

Happy July 4th Weekend!
Heather

 

[Minnie&Nana]

Heather, I forgot to say Thank You for that gorgeous photo.

Hmm...and... think I'd agree that the monorail could be connected to any level of resort and I just might learn to love it there too!

(addict?? Moi??? Funny, so many posts and yet I was away for months at time. Now that's really scary!!)

 

[letthewookiewin]

Heather, that pic is beautiful. Thank you for sharing!!

(BTW, you seem to be a big SW fan so you might find it neat that Harrison Ford was the best man at my in-laws' wedding in the 60s. He was my FIL's room mate in college.)

I was so annoyed with my DH last night, that I forgot I was going to comment on this. OMG that is so cool!! I do love SW and I just love Harrison Ford. I was laying in bed, going off to sleep and I literally sat up and said, "omg Harrison Ford was in her inlaws wedding."

Never would have noticed the 12,000 posts if y'all hadn't mentioned it! Thanks! Not sure if so many posts is a good thing or not...

Heather, another gorgeous photo of two of my favorite places - how can anyone NOT love any of the monorail resorts?

POR Haunted Mansion rooms - from what I've read recently they are not going to be a HM theme, but Royal Themed rooms instead. Check out pics and refurb dates/info on this link: http://portorleans.org/rehab.php
Happy July 1st, my friends!! Hope y'all have a great weekend - will be quiet here so plenty of time for perusing the DIS. (WDWKOOK, any decision? )

Well poo. My DS made is clear that he didn't want a Royal room, but he loved the idea of a HM themed room. I guess we'll to suffer over at the WL.

 

[Minnie&Nana]

Speaking of the WL...

Has anyone ever booked (and stayed in) a standard view room? While this is not something I would normally consider, I've kind of, sort of, maybe considered it as way to save $$, still stay 'lite' deluxe (smaller rooms etc) and have the boat to the MK - HUGE advantage and the ride across Bay Lake is heavenly. While special needs does block a room for us - they usually ask if I have a room number that works for me due to my unique health requirements - but I could keep the request part very simple, not give them a room number and hope for an upgrade to CY - though I honestly prefer to pay for what I want and have never, ever, gone in hoping for an upgrade.

Because SN blocks a specific room I always have to do a lot of homework if it is a resort we've not stayed at (only 2 now) or the room category if it is different than usual - but this also means there are no surprises - which is good and boring.

Since view is part of my vacation, I wonder if I could stand a WL std view - if a high floor and did not look down, maybe it wouldn't be so bad? Would never book a std BC/YC room because those rooftop views are so bad - flat roofs, all white gravel so when the sun hits it, be prepared for a horrible headache. No way I would keep the drapes closed all the time (rarely, if at all anyway...maybe a little).

So, whatcha thunnk??

 

[WDWKOOK]

Happy July 4th Weekend!
Heather

You too, Heather! Your photo was a wonderful surprise this morning

Speaking of the WL...

Has anyone ever booked (and stayed in) a standard view room? While this is not something I would normally consider, I've kind of, sort of, maybe considered it as way to save $$, still stay 'lite' deluxe (smaller rooms etc) and have the boat to the MK - HUGE advantage and the ride across Bay Lake is heavenly. While special needs does block a room for us - they usually ask if I have a room number that works for me due to my unique health requirements - but I could keep the request part very simple, not give them a room number and hope for an upgrade to CY - though I honestly prefer to pay for what I want and have never, ever, gone in hoping for an upgrade.

Because SN blocks a specific room I always have to do a lot of homework if it is a resort we've not stayed at (only 2 now) or the room category if it is different than usual - but this also means there are no surprises - which is good and boring.

Since view is part of my vacation, I wonder if I could stand a WL std view - if a high floor and did not look down, maybe it wouldn't be so bad? Would never book a std BC/YC room because those rooftop views are so bad - flat roofs, all white gravel so when the sun hits it, be prepared for a horrible headache. No way I would keep the drapes closed all the time (rarely, if at all anyway...maybe a little).

So, whatcha thunnk??

I've never booked nor stayed in a WL SV room. However, those who have on the WL thread, seem to always report that they're upgraded and usually all the way to CV. My hunch is, if you book a SV, you'll most likely be upgraded. If not, you could always ask at check-in about upgrading and see what the CM says.

Yes, it's a risk to book SV there because the views are of the parking lot or the service areas, but if it would mean a stay at the Lodge, then I would risk not being upgraded and book it.

I hate the possibility of a rooftop view, too. That's why I can't bring myself to book YC/CL/SV. Looking at those filthy roofs and rocks and water puddles doesn't appeal to me either.

Have you considered a CR/SV Garden Wing room? No rooftop views there and you'd have Bay Lake - just a thought. But I don't know the specifics on the SN rooms at the CR (or any resort for that matter).

 

[WDWKOOK]

I do prefer the WL. We stayed there on our last trip and I was in awe the moment I stepped in the door. My DH had to give me a little push toward the front desk, so we could check in. It didn't hurt that there was music from Dances with Wolves or maybe it was Last of the Mohicans. My DH shot down the AK big time. The thing we loved most about the WL last time was sitting on the balcony as the boys fell asleep. We had a woods view room near the otter pond. Once the fireworks were over, we would just listen to the woods. Well he has it stuck in his head that a savannah view would smell of poo on the balcony and there is just no changing his mind. That leaves us with the WL, a HM room at the POR, or a MK view studio at BLT. I just need to hurry and graduate, so we can go more often and hopefully these kind of choices will be easier.
We have a Cabela's near us and I drive by it twice a day when the DSs are in school. It reminds me so much of the WL. I told the DH that if we stay there, I will drive the whole trip, but when we drive up to the WL. I will be so excited that I will have so many tears in my eyes that I may just run into the place.

Too funny. My DH is absolutely wonderful about my WDW Resort obsession and will stay practically anywhere - except AKL. DD and I stayed at AKL SV last August and I just loved the SV and sitting on the balcony watching all the animals, but DH thinks like your DH about the SV and those freely roaming animals. Now if he could hunt there...

WL is DH's second favorite (CR is first). I think about the WL too when we drive past a Bass Pro Shop!

 

[Minnie&Nana]

You too, Heather! Your photo was a wonderful surprise this morning


I've never booked nor stayed in a WL SV room. However, those who have on the WL thread, seem to always report that they're upgraded and usually all the way to CV. My hunch is, if you book a SV, you'll most likely be upgraded. If not, you could always ask at check-in about upgrading and see what the CM says.

Yes, it's a risk to book SV there because the views are of the parking lot or the service areas, but if it would mean a stay at the Lodge, then I would risk not being upgraded and book it.

I hate the possibility of a rooftop view, too. That's why I can't bring myself to book YC/CL/SV. Looking at those filthy roofs and rocks and water puddles doesn't appeal to me either.

Have you considered a CR/SV Garden Wing room? No rooftop views there and you'd have Bay Lake - just a thought. But I don't know the specifics on the SN rooms at the CR (or any resort for that matter).

Oh, yes, many times have considered a CR GV room, but it would be hard to stay in a GV room after so many Tower stays. We did stay in the old North Wing, with a parking lot view - but we barely noticed the parking lot from our 3rd fl room b/c we were delighted to see the monorail gliding by, the top of Space Mt, hearing the Train...those were the days. Our favorite Tower view is Bay lake - and will be staying there for sure after the next refurb. I was thinking about WL SV in case discounts are slim at best in 2012.

Thank you for reminding me of CR GV - that would definitely be a better alternative to rooftops and service areas. And those Bay Lake views are wonderful, even if we did not get a first floor.

Any decision on your end today? Leaning in a direction?

 

[WDWKOOK]

Oh, yes, many times have considered a CR GV room, but it would be hard to stay in a GV room after so many Tower stays. We did stay in the old North Wing, with a parking lot view - but we barely noticed the parking lot from our 3rd fl room b/c we were delighted to see the monorail gliding by, the top of Space Mt, hearing the Train...those were the days. Our favorite Tower view is Bay lake - and will be staying there for sure after the next refurb. I was thinking about WL SV in case discounts are slim at best in 2012.

Thank you for reminding me of CR GV - that would definitely be a better alternative to rooftops and service areas. And those Bay Lake views are wonderful, even if we did not get a first floor.

Any decision on your end today? Leaning in a direction?

I'm glad the CR is still in future contention for you. Your GW/SV room in the North Wing (RIP) sounds like it had a great view for a SV price, especially on the 3rd floor.

I'm leaning toward keeping Poly CL, especially since I read good things about it today from a poster who is currently there and another who just returned. BUT, possibly I'd switch back to WL CL. YC is out because I just can't see having to book a SV CL room when a GV is so much better and would only be $3+ per day (if available).

Today I checked the booking page and now there is availability at the CR for the second half of our trip. But, we're booked BLV (our favorite view like yours) and the available room is TPV/MKV which doesn't appeal to us (we don't like the parking lot down below nor the additional overcharge). So for a second today I thought, "Yes, I could book the CR for our entire stay!" Until I talked to DD and she said she didn't really want to stay that long at the CR (we were just there in December) and she really wants to stay at the Poly and doesn't want to stay at the WL because, you guessed it, she was "just there." Why do I even ask her anymore?

Yesterday I posted a question here that I'd love everyone's thoughts on. Here's what I posted:

Do any of you read the AllEars reviews? Of course you do. Well, I've read them so many times I think I have all the CL ones memorized. Here are some facts I reminded myself of today:

~The Poly CL is the lowest rated of all the CLs! In fact, it's the only CL rated in the 7s (all the others are 8s and a 9+).

~Out of the non-CL Deluxe resorts, the Poly is almost the highest rated resort.

What do you guys make of one resort having both the (almost) highest and the lowest ratings? Seems like CL at the Poly really ends up killing the whole resort experience. This goes completely against what I was hoping in booking CL at the Poly. I thought that CL would somehow make our Poly experience this time around better not worse.

 

[Minnie&Nana]

I'm glad the CR is still in future contention for you. Your GW/SV room in the North Wing (RIP) sounds like it had a great view for a SV price, especially on the 3rd floor.

I'm leaning toward keeping Poly CL, especially since I read good things about it today from a poster who is currently there and another who just returned. BUT, possibly I'd switch back to WL CL. YC is out because I just can't see having to book a SV CL room when a GV is so much better and would only be $3+ per day (if available).

Today I checked the booking page and now there is availability at the CR for the second half of our trip. But, we're booked BLV (our favorite view like yours) and the available room is TPV/MKV which doesn't appeal to us (we don't like the parking lot down below nor the additional overcharge). So for a second today I thought, "Yes, I could book the CR for our entire stay!" Until I talked to DD and she said she didn't really want to stay that long at the CR (we were just there in December) and she really wants to stay at the Poly and doesn't want to stay at the WL because, you guessed it, she was "just there." Why do I even ask her anymore?

Yesterday I posted a question here that I'd love everyone's thoughts on. Here's what I posted:

Do any of you read the AllEars reviews? Of course you do. Well, I've read them so many times I think I have all the CL ones memorized. Here are some facts I reminded myself of today:

~The Poly CL is the lowest rated of all the CLs! In fact, it's the only CL rated in the 7s (all the others are 8s and a 9+).

~Out of the non-CL Deluxe resorts, the Poly is almost the highest rated resort.

What do you guys make of one resort having both the (almost) highest and the lowest ratings? Seems like CL at the Poly really ends up killing the whole resort experience. This goes completely against what I was hoping in booking CL at the Poly. I thought that CL would somehow make our Poly experience this time around better not worse.

We feel exactly the same about the TPV/MKV - glorified parking lot to us.

Glad to hear you are getting some positive feedback about Poly CL right now - maybe it would giving it a try? Although.....then there are those Allears reviews.

I did not reply to the AllEars questions because I had been blabbing all day. Since no one else has yet to jump in . It does make sense to me that a resort could be opposite in different categories. Seems to say pretty clearly that guests were not as happy with Poly CL as other CL experiences or even if their first CL experience it was less than expectation (which we understand can be a bit over the top when it comes to Disney resort expectations and all that "magic" - make sense?).

As for the higher general resort marks - are those recent? If so, I am surprised, BUT the Polynesian has a certain charm about it so many guests may let the rest slide a bit (guest service, room condition etc). On some level I do the same because I love the resort so much. Still, am honest about the issues - maybe I am a bit pickier than the average guest? I don't feel that way - all I expect is a room in very good condition, very clean and excellent guest service. Dour CM's just don't cut it for me. Or a dirty CS establishment with grumpy servers.

Last November were in RF at least a couple of times a day and not once did we encounter a grumpy cast member - each and every one had a smile and went out of their way to be helpful. It was also always clean.

 

[WDWKOOK]

We feel exactly the same about the TPV/MKV - glorified parking lot to us.

Glad to hear you are getting some positive feedback about Poly CL right now - maybe it would giving it a try? Although.....then there are those Allears reviews.

I did not reply to the AllEars questions because I had been blabbing all day. Since no one else has yet to jump in . It does make sense to me that a resort could be opposite in different categories. Seems to say pretty clearly that guests were not as happy with Poly CL as other CL experiences or even if their first CL experience it was less than expectation (which we understand can be a bit over the top when it comes to Disney resort expectations and all that "magic" - make sense?).

As for the higher general resort marks - are those recent? If so, I am surprised, BUT the Polynesian has a certain charm about it so many guests may let the rest slide a bit (guest service, room condition etc). On some level I do the same because I love the resort so much. Still, am honest about the issues - maybe I am a bit pickier than the average guest? I don't feel that way - all I expect is a room in very good condition, very clean and excellent guest service. Dour CM's just don't cut it for me. Or a dirty CS establishment with grumpy servers.

Last November were in RF at least a couple of times a day and not once did we encounter a grumpy cast member - each and every one had a smile and went out of their way to be helpful. It was also always clean.

Thanks for "jumping in". I was surprised at the high marks on AllEars for the Poly non-CL, too and assumed the same as you, that guests overlook the problems since they love the theming so much. But, when they book CL, they have higher expectations which seem to fall much lower than all the other CLs. Another thought is that CL really does stink there and is considerably worse than all other CLs! I love reading reviews from those who've stayed at many resorts/levels/views and can compare them; I find it very helpful.

I'm glad you had a nice experience at Roaring Fork. Some complain that it's small and doesn't have a varied menu, but I think it's cozy and rustic and offers enough for the occasional meal. Since we were CL last stay, we didn't go much to RF, but I did have a lovely sandwich one evening that was made right in front of me and was fresh, HUGE, and tasty.

I will say that I prefer the food courts like the CR and Poly where you order, then pay then pick-up your food. At the RF you have to wait in line with your food to pay which can be quite cumbersome and your food can get cold. I hope they someday get the ordering kiosks.

By "dour CMs" and "dirty CS establishment," might you be referring to CC at the Poly? Do tell...

 

[Janet B]

Hi RCers!! Busy, busy day again for me at work. Also had to take DD to the dermatologist and it ended up taking 3 hours combined with getting bloodwork

Hope everyone has a safe and happy weekend.

POR Haunted Mansion rooms - from what I've read recently they are not going to be a HM theme, but Royal Themed rooms instead. Check out pics and refurb dates/info on this link: http://portorleans.org/rehab.php

Darn!! I had so wanted those rooms ... just think Disney is missing a great opportunity to get a new category for this mod ... a nice big surcharge to stay in those rooms during MNSSHP!

Happy July 1st, my friends!! Hope y'all have a great weekend - will be quiet here so plenty of time for perusing the DIS. (WDWKOOK, any decision? )

Happy 4th to you too Christine!!

The thing we loved most about the WL last time was sitting on the balcony as the boys fell asleep. We had a woods view room near the otter pond. Once the fireworks were over, we would just listen to the woods. Well he has it stuck in his head that a savannah view would smell of poo on the balcony and there is just no changing his mind.

Too funny. My DH is absolutely wonderful about my WDW Resort obsession and will stay practically anywhere - except AKL. DD and I stayed at AKL SV last August and I just loved the SV and sitting on the balcony watching all the animals, but DH thinks like your DH about the SV and those freely roaming animals. Now if he could hunt there...

Okay, now I hope I don't get any "poo" smells waffling my way when I'm there in August ... oh well, no savannah view for me (unless I get upgraded) so many the poo smells won't be as strong!

WDWKOOK: Have you considered staying CL at the CR? Not sure it you don't want to or if it is not available. Then you could stay at the POLY and not do the CL. Just a thought.

Heather: You are the queen of pix!! Love, love your GF/ POLY pix of the day!!

 

[WDWKOOK]

Hi RCers!! Busy, busy day again for me at work. Also had to take DD to the dermatologist and it ended up taking 3 hours combined with getting bloodwork

Hope everyone has a safe and happy weekend.


Okay, now I hope I don't get any "poo" smells waffling my way when I'm there in August ... oh well, no savannah view for me (unless I get upgraded) so many the poo smells won't be as strong!

WDWKOOK: Have you considered staying CL at the CR? Not sure it you don't want to or if it is not available. Then you could stay at the POLY and not do the CL. Just a thought.

Heather: You are the queen of pix!! Love, love your GF/ POLY pix of the day!!

Three hours?! I do hope your DD is OK and doesn't have to go back to that Dr's office.

Nope, no animal smells at all, if my olfactory serves me correctly. The "savannah" is fastidious and they only graze out there. They don't sleep out there or leave them overnight. I hope you do get upgraded because there's nothing like sitting on your balcony early in the AM watching the sunrise and the animals graze. It's very peaceful.

You're so smart Janet B, your solution is just perfect and I would absolutely love to do that. BUT, since I booked in January, there hasn't been any CL availability at the CR for our dates.

I suspect that the problem is since the 14th floor Tower Club level is being renovated and is closed until the fall, the 12th floor Atrium Club level seems to be closed as well due to the noise of the construction right above it.

Even though I wasn't thrilled with the Atrium Club back in August, I would definitely feel much better at this point booking it over Poly CL, but it just doesn't seem to be an option. But, thank you for your wonderful suggestion.

You're so right about Heather and her lovely pictures. Have you been following her wonderful FTW/CR TR? The link is in her signature.

RCs: I hope y'all have a safe and relaxing weekend

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