Resort misconceptions you wish people would not make

[I Love Pluto]

We are Passholders. We stay Value & Mod because that is what we LIKE, not because some law is laid for us.

Deluxe would take us down to less trips a year. 3 or 4 trips at Deluxe prices would not be possible. I NEED to see Mickey every few months. So - the Annual Passes with Value & Mod stays works for us.

I think it's all what a person wants & needs to get out of a vacation that dictates where we stay. If I made only ONE trip a year, I would definitely stay Deluxe. Why not?

No - I don't feel that anyone turns their noses up at me. I feel that I exist WITH the Deluxe people at WDW, not under them.

 

[browneyedgrl4282]

I agree with these

The thing I hate is when people talk about "how far AKL is from everything". Really? Because AK is next door to it! If you look at a map, AKL is closer to AK, HS and the same distance to EPCOT as GF. It's just not the closest to MK. Plus, let's face it, for those of us who go there alot, we know something could be near or far and it's really going to depend on the transportation!

I also agree with the "spread out" thing. I LOVE OKW and people seem shocked I would like a resort so spread out. If I can't walk around my resort a bit, with the beautiful well-manicured grounds and enjoy the fresh air and relaxation, I certainly shouldn't be walking around a theme park all day! (Clearly this doesn't include those with mobility issues).

I LOVE AKL, people told me I was nuts for wanting to stay there because it too so long to get anywhere. Uh no the bus rides were not bad at all and we never waited too long.

OKW is a great resort too!

 

[mcd2745]

Caribbean Beach gets a lot of hate because it's spread out, personally I LIKE that it's spread out because it means people aren't all clumped together. It feels more peaceful and less crowded. I like that the property also has a lot of beautiful landscaping and a little island in the middle. Essentially it's pretty easy to get to Old Port Royale no matter where you are or get a room near the bridge so you have an easy walk to OPR. CB also doesn't share a bus with other resorts like some others do.

THIS!


People somehow get the notion that if you stay at CBR you'll be walking miles and miles to get back and forth to the pool and food court and also that you'll spend an hour on the buses before you leave the resort. We love CBR, have had very few bus issues and never had to walk that much to get around the resort.






When it comes to the GF debate...I really think it has less to do with how much it costs (the Poly really isn't that much less but doesn't get the same reputation) and more to do with the Victorian theme which a lot of people associate with a little "stuffiness", if you will. Whether that's fair or not...who's to say? I know I have never had any desire to stay there because that themimg does not appeal to me at all even though we could probably afford it.

We have stayed at two deluxes in the past - Beach Club and Contemporary. I was not impressed with the Contemporary at all and have no desire to return (my DS wants to stay there though, just for the "cool" factor of the monorail stopping inside the resort). The Beach Club I would return to, but for the main reason of location, location, location as we spend more time at Epcot than any other park. The theming is nice, but nothing that really draws me. Stormalong Bay is great, but since it closes early and you really don't get to use it upon returning from the parks after they close (we usually stay until closing), that kind of negates it.

So while we can afford to stay deluxe, we'll probably keep CBR as our main resort choice (none of the other mods interest me). And like I said above, I didn't care for the Contemporary and I have never had any desire to stay at the GF (same goes for the WL and DVC resorts - we prefer some mousekeeping). Boardwalk I'm completely indifferent towards - seems nice but if I'm going to stay in that area, might as well go back to BC. The only resorts I would really like to try are the Poly and AKL.

Like others have said, WDW is great in that it supplies guests with lots of choices. To each their own.

 

[susieq76]

Its the "Wow, Disney again? You MUST be doing really well" comments.

Drives me crazy. The same people that say this go out to dinner twice a week while we eat home on a budget every night so that we can have our Disney vacation. Ugh.

 

[Butterflygirl35]

CBR has great theming IMO but the only reason I wont stay are full beds.. To me it is a deal breaker.. Hopefully they change that soon!!!

I also love OKW, great laid back feel and boat to DTD..

That being said we LOVE almost all Disney resorts and go multiple times a year..

We choose by deals found, points availability, etc..

My only stay away from is Values and not because theme but I need the bigger beds..

I love GF but also love Boardwalk.. Every vacation is different and we love to try new resorts...Love the monorail but without a deal... I just can't justify it.. Hopefully a nice bounce back will be in our room at Boardwalk in January as I really would like to try Poly

 

[hgeisler]

That the CR is boring and has no theming,so it is not worth the money. It may not have blatant theming,but it is a beautiful resort with an AMAZING view of MK,the fireworks,and Bay Lake. It has a great TS restaurant in the Wave (Sorry,not a fan of Cali Grill:/).The rooms are large and plush,the staff is friendly and attentive,and you can walk to the MK. What else could you want?

 

[DVCismyhappyplace]

I just don't get why some couples go to WDW when they hate kids!

That's the misconception I wish people wouldn't make....DH and I are childfree by choice. We go to WDW because we LOVE it. Believe it or not, having traveled most of the world, some of my favorite romantic moments with DH have occurred at Disney. Disney is not just for kids nor is it just for people who like kids.

 

[tsme]

I completely agree with you, DVCismyhappyplace. I'm not a fan of children. But I love Disney & it makes me & my DH happy to be there. It's not just for children or people who like children, it's for everyone!

And I also get the comments of you're going back to Disney. A close friend of mine actually told me, "OMG, I don't know why you keep going back to Disney World, if I had that kind of money I'd travel the world!" Not very nice, but I knew she just didn't get it.

To get back on topic: We've stayed at the POR, Poly, & BC, loved all three, but Poly was our favorite. Mostly what annoys me is someone assuming that you're "crazy" to pay for a Disney hotel, whether it's deluxe, mod., or value. It's all about what you like. We love staying on properity & it's worth for us.

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

My resort pet peeves:

1. That CSR is not "Disney" enough or not family-friendly since it is a convention resort. So are GF, BW, YC and CR, but people don't complain that they are not Disney enough or family-friendly enough. Maybe because CSR is a mod, it is less acceptable for the theming to be understated? Disney is about great theming and service, not just giant cartoon icons.

2. That we are somehow less worthy when we stay at a moderate instead of a deluxe. We sometimes stay at CSR, sometimes stay at a deluxe, and even occasionally stay CL. But the comments on the DIS suggest that we must somehow be "settling" if we choose to stay at a mod, or we just can't afford a deluxe. Which I can deal with pretty well personally, but the threads about the "value people" are just offensive. We don't stay value because DH prefers a queen bed and he doesn't like loud colors at a resort - it has nothing to do with the class of people or the price of the rooms. We have seen classy and not-so-classy people at different resorts as well as in real life - income is definitely not the determining factor.

 

[Scott MC]

I wish people wouldn't be so hard on the Swan and Dolphin. I've now stayed at both, but I've also sayed at the GF, BLT, WL, BC, BWI, and AKL. Five of my trips have also inclued Club Level stays. While I've enjoyed all my Disney deluxe stays, I also thoroughly enjoyed my Swan and Dolphin stays. Here's why....

1. Location, location, location....you can't beat the walk or boat ride to both Epcot and Studios.

2. Beds...they're better than any Disney-owned hotel...period.

3. Bedding and pillows....more luxurious than any Disney-owned hotel.

4. Toiletries...I enjoy them as much as H2o+ products at Disney-owned hotels.

5. S & D share buses with BWI and sometimes YC and BC....and are picked up last and dropped off first! Same with boats to the Studios!

6. There may be no hidden Mickeys in the room...but you can buy all the Mickeys your heart desires in the lobby gift shop....and looking out your window and seeing ToT, Expedition Everest, or Spaceship Earth? It doesn't get more Disney than that!

7. PRICE!- For our next trip, a full stay at a deluxe isn't financially in the cards, and we priced out both POR and The Dolphin. For a 4-night stay, the Dolphin rack-rate came out to be less than $100 more....total. For us...the location and the comfort make this choice a no-brainer. We're going to stay at the Dolphin...and I frequently see it on Priceline for about $45/night less than the rack-rate...if this happens, then it will actually be cheaper than a moderate! Deluxe hotel for less than a moderate? Yes please!

In summation....S & D aren't my favorite hotels on the property, but BC and BWI are, so we've decided that when we're blessed enough to have the funds, we'll stay at BC or BWI, but when money is tight, we'll be more than glad to stay at the Swan or Dolphin, and I think these resorts deserve a little more respect around here!

 

[*Fantasia*]

LOL, at just under 6' tall, I manage to tip the scales at 235lbs and weight train at least 4 days a week - "dainty" would not be used to describe me --- he shook his head and muttered something about people minding their own business and walked away.

Tom

Hehehe... He is smart for not saying anything after he saw you! I wish he was smart of how to handled his child. At that late at night.. yep, that child should have been in bed. Kudos to you!

 

[tianna26]

I'm not a fan of the presumption of income regardless of where one is staying.

Just because I can afford something more expensive doesn't necessarily mean I want to pay for it.

Amen

 

[robinb]

I'm so glad you brought up GF. I have never understood why people think that the Grand Floridian translates into snobbery.

You mean other than being WDW's "flagship" resort, the most expensive resort on property, the only resort with two Signature restaurants plus the most expensive restaurant on property, a resort themed with staid Victorian restraint and the only resort with "Grand" in it's name? I agree ... I have no idea .

 

[Sparrow624]

But again, even with all of those things you just mentioned...that does not make someone who stays there a "snob."

I guess regardless of how "open" of a discussion we attempt to have concerning this topic, people will always form their own opinions, accurate or not.

To the person who posted about Swan/Dolphin, we may be staying there this summer. Why? Just found out they have teacher rates. Can't beat the location for the price!

 

[Butterflygirl35]

But again, even with all of those things you just mentioned...that does not make someone who stays there a "snob."

I guess regardless of how "open" of a discussion we attempt to have concerning this topic, people will always form their own opinions, accurate or not.

To the person who posted about Swan/Dolphin, we may be staying there this summer. Why? Just found out they have teacher rates. Can't beat the location for the price!

Totally agree

The Grand Floridian is a great resort and just because we enjoy it does not make us snobs! I love shopping in Basin White and having breakfast at GF cafe....I wish I was there now!! Love the Convenience and location.. And chocolates on my bed did not hurt either

I am staying for the first time at an Epcot resort in Jan, can't wait!!! I am renting points for Boardwalk as it was the most cost effective....

 

[ajh88]

DH and I were just having this discussion regarding the GF the other night. From our perspective, it isn't about snobbery, but having visited there several times (never stayed) for various things, there is a feeling of formality, at least in the main building, that is sort of fun for a little while but not what we would want for our entire vacation.

DD and I went for tea in the Garden View tea room. We got dressed up and we had a lovely time, but I'm not the dress up and have tea kind of girl on a day to day basis. I know that not everyone who stays at GF is that kind of person either, but it is part of what makes me feel just a little fish out of water there.

We have stayed at all levels of resort on-site and I will admit that TPV at the Poly is our favorite, but we enjoyed our stays at All-Star Sports and CBR as well.

My biggest pet peeve is people who complain about a resort based on poor mousekeeping. I just can't imagine not at least trying a resort if it appeals to me because a few people said they didn't feel like the housekeepers got their room clean enough. (And yes, I recognize that sometimes people have legitimate complaints and that with thousands of rooms, there are bound to be a few that are somewhat less than spectacular).

My second biggest pet peeve is people who complain the Poly is too dark. I was worried the first time we stayed there that we wouldn't be able to see anything, but it seems just as bright to me as our All Star room, maybe even more so because we got a lot more natural light. I guess it is a matter of opinion, but I definitely don't find them dark.

 

[almcg]

We stayed at the Dolphin this past July and we loved it! What I didn't love was a lady complaining on the bus about the Dolphin! We were on the bus making our way back from Animal Kingdom and there was a lady complaining that "the people staying at the Swan/Dolphin get dropped off first, which I can't understand as they aren't Disney Hotels. We should be dropped at the Beach Club first, considering the amount of money we spent!" As she was standing we had to walk around her to get off the bus at the Dolphin. I must admit I felt a bit uncomfortable I'm guessing she had had a long day and just wanted to be 'home'.

 

[RedfromNL]

Some of the people mentioned here really remind me of a character in a british sitcom: Keeping up appearances.

Don't know if it was ever shown on US tv, but it was hilarious

Mrs Bucket (pronounced by her as bouquet) always trying to appear better, always putting people or things down to make herself appear better. She ended up looking laughable, snobbish and none too bright of course.

When I meet people like that in real life it reminds me of her and I have to smile, that really annoys that type

We also get all the : Disney again? Whys stay in such an expensive hotel? yadayadayada stuff, forget them. I do whatever I like.

PS we are planning a trip to the WL
because we like being so close to the MK, we just plain like the hotel, you prefer the colourfullness of a value? Then stay at one!!! Remember: it's YOUR holiday, not anyone else's.

 

[Belle & Ariel]

Originally Posted by Alexsandra
I just don't get why some couples go to WDW when they hate kids!



Ooooh that's another myth we need to bust.

I don't think people hate kids. They are annoyed by children who are not taught to behave and parents are too lazy to discipline them. That's what the problem is.

 

[Missytara]

Originally Posted by Alexsandra
I just don't get why some couples go to WDW when they hate kids!



Ooooh that's another myth we need to bust.

I don't think people hate kids. They are annoyed by children who are not taught to behave and parents are too lazy to discipline them. That's what the problem is.

That one.

I am single and childless by choice; well, not totally by choice at first, but now I am all over the fact that in my early fifties, "life is all about me."

I am just not used to be around children, so I tend to shy away from experiences where I am directly one-on-one with them.

However, I love my disney trips every year; three times, I have done the cruise and people think I am completely nuts for being on a ship with a bunch of kids. But there is always things to do that are purely adult; like the spa, etc.

I have also had one of my most fun trips, with a five year old along. It was great to see the World through her eyes in an entirely different way. I stood out in the rain, wearing my hoodie, so she could see the parade at MK. I sat with her and we bonded, while her mom and dad and my neighbors went on rides she was too short or didn't want to ride on. We had an absolutely wonderful time.

I like the fact that at Disney, you can go and enjoy watching the kids enjoying themselves, but then you can go off on your own and enjoy some down time by yourself and it is still a wonderful place to vacation. What bothers me the most is when kids aren't given boundries by their parents, or they wander around texting their friends and not looking where they are going and you have to go around them and the parents do not say a word about it.