Resort misconceptions you wish people would not make

[Mousemommy1]

All this thread proves is that people have different tastes. Personally I don't care for either the Grand Floridian or the Allstars but only because the theming doesn't appeal to me. In the case of the budget resorts I prefer to stay in a moderate but mainly because I enjoy having the extras the moderates provide.

I do think that hotel snobs are rather strange though. Who cares where someone stays?

I've been on the Dis for a few years and have honestly only seen people refer to themselves as a "hotel/resort" snob, not others calling people out for it. I think it is said jokingly, and just to indicate that the person won't stay at a "lower" level, so I always take it as something are proud of, or again use to describe themselves.

Conversely, when some of those same people describe values as "ghettos, trailer parks, etc..." I think that is terrible, and insulting to people who stay in values (and I'm sure you all have seen descriptives used to describe the perceived "type" of person who stays in a value). I think that is completely unnecessary and know for a fact that we have stayed in values, not because we are "ghetto" or "trailer trash" but because we needed a place to sleep and shower and didn't feel the need to spend hundreds of dollars a night for that (even if we could have afforded it).

We now are on a deluxe spree, but that's because our vacation style has changed and the extra money spent on deluxes are well worth it to us now. Value dictates where we stay, not our wallet or socioeconomic status.

 

[Sparrow624]

I am glad to see that most people agree with me. As a teacher, I see this in many walks of life, not just with "resort" stay.

Had another misconception about the resorts at Disney yesterday while talking to the parents:

"Why are you considering wasting your money to go to Disney again? Go somewhere new. You have seen everything there by now and besides, you could get a beach house for a week for much less. At least consider staying at a Hilton or something else down there"

I think many people who have not been there view the Disney resorts, regardless of level, as "2nd class" to other "luxury" hotels or trips.

 

[disney3000]

I used that snobbery of the Grand Floridian as a life lesson. My stepson was around 14. His total ambition in life was to be a skateboarder. He wore nothing but the black, spent hours drawing all the tattoos that he planned to have when old enough and would never get his hair cut without a fight.

One day we were waiting for a character meal at GF and I told him to look around at the guests of the GF. These people paid $500+ per night. They were people who could afford the best Disney had to offer. I then told him to count the number of visible tattoos on those guests. The number of men with earrings or men with little pony tails. Strangely, there were none.

He got the message. Now years later, his skateboarding career didn't make it and he has a regular job. He did get a couple tattoos but wisely got them in areas where they are easy to conceal with clothing. He has actually mentioned that moment to me and the impact it had upon his life.

Whilst not wishing to cause any drama at all and with respect, I have a visible tattoo, my boyfriend has shoulder-length hair and dresses almost entirely in black, and we both have good jobs at a University and are staying in a deluxe on our upcoming trip. It takes all sorts!

 

[Mariep26]

I used that snobbery of the Grand Floridian as a life lesson. My stepson was around 14. His total ambition in life was to be a skateboarder. He wore nothing but the black, spent hours drawing all the tattoos that he planned to have when old enough and would never get his hair cut without a fight.

One day we were waiting for a character meal at GF and I told him to look around at the guests of the GF. These people paid $500+ per night. They were people who could afford the best Disney had to offer. I then told him to count the number of visible tattoos on those guests. The number of men with earrings or men with little pony tails. Strangely, there were none.

He got the message. Now years later, his skateboarding career didn't make it and he has a regular job. He did get a couple tattoos but wisely got them in areas where they are easy to conceal with clothing. He has actually mentioned that moment to me and the impact it had upon his life.

While I can appreciate you wanting to sway your son to your way of thinking, this is just a case of you teaching your child to judge a book by its cover (again -- probably a good lesson that some people are close minded enough to do it so he needs to make decisions with that in mind). I am educated and have a good enough job that my husband stays home with our kids. I have tattoos and piercings and my husband has two full sleeves and a ponytail. We teach our kids about diversity and accepting everyone regardless of outward appearances and we try to teach them to be compassionate and kind and we battle against people who are close minded and judgmental.

 

[Mousemommy1]

While I can appreciate you wanting to sway your son to your way of thinking, this is just a case of you teaching your child to judge a book by its cover (again -- probably a good lesson that some people are close minded enough to do it so he needs to make decisions with that in mind). I am educated and have a good enough job that my husband stays home with our kids. I have tattoos and piercings and my husband has two full sleeves and a ponytail. We teach our kids about diversity and accepting everyone regardless of outward appearances and we try to teach them to be compassionate and kind and we battle against people who are close minded and judgmental.

 

[Butterflygirl35]

My first trip to WDW was as an adult; as a child my vision of WDW was the princess castle and the Mission Earth ball at epcot and how Epcot ( in my mind as a child) was built tomgive us an experience on how us how the future world would look. Part of this vision in my head was the monorail AND the Contemporary resort and how the train goes inside of it. For me the contemporary was like a space station like cool thing. And for me that was DISNEY world. That resort and the monorail was beside the castle, the one thing I i had to see first when i finally got to WDW.

I totally agree... To me the Castle and Monorail are DISNEY!!! It means I am closer to the Magic!!

 

[1stvisit0909]

Wow, wonder what people thought about us, when we had our value package with FD reserved at ASMU and got a double free upgraded to a 2bd room villa at OKW.

The trash invaded!

I admit, just hopping on a OKW bus after Wishes while a million people waited in line for the AS buses made me REALLY glad and thankful we got the upgrade though, when my 4 year old was sound asleep on my shoulder, and I could just sit on the bus no problem.

We decided on POFQ b/c if hubby and I had to sleep in a double bed for a week there might be a D I V O R C E but they sure look cute.

My dream is to one day stay Savannah view at AKL though. I think that would rock. I just cant justify the cost.

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

This is a really interesting thread. I think many times we get our feelings hurt if someone makes negative comments about a resort near and dear to our hearts. Over the years I have seen people have some really passionate reviews that I always try to step back and look at objectively, rather they be negative or positive. So many factors go into choosing a resort, I know for myself I have many favorites for a hundred different reasons. But getting back to the OP about the GF comment, I find it odd that this man on the monorail would even assume you were staying there. Many people get off and on at that stop, you've got some of the best restaurants on property, including a very popular character dining spot. So I wouldn't think much about his comment being a general consensus by any means. I think most of the negative opinions about certain categories of resort can be labeled under "lack of knowledge". If you've never stayed at a value, or never stayed at a deluxe, then you really can't give another person advice or opinions of which is better over the other. I've had some really magical stays at Pop Century, as you can see from my signature we stay there a lot, and I've had equally amazing stays at deluxe resorts. Here on the DISboards I think we've successfully educated so many people about Disney resorts the misconceptions have decreased significantly.

 

[5stljayhawks]

Tell someone you camped at Disney... It horror, shock, amazement....

Camp changes folks, maybe it's because one is not protected or able to hide behind the walls of the hotel room. We all know our fellow neighbors share common, interest outside of disney. it's camping. Kids walking, playing and riding bikes. adults chatting, sharing stories and travels. It's an open community, unlike any other disney resort.

Don't knock it before you try it....... If you have any doubts check out the camping forum or stop by during Halloween or Christmas time and see what I mean.

 

[stasijane]

I guess this really isn't a misconpetion about a resort, but continuing with the discussion. I honestly dont care one way or another what people thing of the resort I am staying in. Yes I do stay value when I choose to stay onsite. I have different ways of thinking when it comes to hotels. I am a very simple person, half the time I even stay off property. All I do is shower and sleep. When I am there I leave early in the morning and dont come back until late at night. I also figure the less I spend on hotels the more Disney Dooneys I can come home with! but thats my choice what I spend my money on, and I would never say anything about the choices anyone else makes.

 

[iheartmickey1111]

some people think that values are awfully and they have never even stayed in a value resort.

don't judge something until you try it.

DVC use to be a good value - now resale still is - but with the prices going up - up with each new resort - it is no longer the value it was. (unless you go resale)

I will admit, I was one of those people who thought the values were icky- I stayed at AKL my first time there, and from the pics on the Disney site, the values just didn't look appealing. But last year I stayed at Pop and fell in love with it! This spring, we stayed at Coronado Springs (hated it) and honestly of all the levels, I like the values the best! I tried so hard to get a room at ASMovies for next week but never could so I am staying at Pop again. Honestly though, for me, I think Disney needs better photographers for their pics of the resorts on their website! The pics don't do ANY of the resorts justice!!

 

[Karabee]

Honestly though, for me, I think Disney needs better photographers for their pics of the resorts on their website! The pics don't do ANY of the resorts justice!!

YES!! When we got to POP I was shocked at how the lobby was not at all what it looked like online. They make it look just horrible but I thought it was perfectly nice - we spent a lot of time looking at the shadow boxes. Another reason to say don't knock it until you try it!

 

[glenpreece]

I have 2 based on my trips to Disney over the last 7 years:

1. People who think/loudly proclaim that everyone who stays in the Grand Floridian is "rich." Due to the fact that the GF is a monorail stop, I have heard this one frequently (last time, a loud "must be nice" from a dad as we got off) and in fact, I would argue that it is quite the oppposite. My wife and I are teachers and save, pinching pennies, for 2-3 years to make the trip. Last time we were there, we jokingly called our floor the "government employees floor" as we met a fireman, another teacher, and an EMS worker and their families. Weird that we were grouped together on the same floor. I have consistantly met many people like this who save up for these trips at each stay. We only get to take a trip once every 2-4 years, so when we do, we like to splurge.

2. People who refer/act like poeple staying at a non-deluxe resort are somehow of a lower class. Or give the whole "why does OUR bus have to stop here" complaint. I guess this shows that there are some people that #1 complains about, but not everyone.

Who else has some?

So true.

 

[AliceIn]

I find it very amusing that people think that where a person stays at Disney is at all reflective of the social class they belong to. The truth is, all sorts of people stay at every level of resort. There are plenty of folks at values who could easily afford deluxe, but who choose not to do it for various reasons. There are folks at the deluxes who scrimped and did without for years to be able to afford their one week vacation at the Poly. There are folks who are going into major debt to stay at any Disney hotel when their income can support only the cheapest off site hotel. Don't judge by where a person is staying!

 

[Lionqueen2]

Over the years we've stayed in various resorts on and off property depending on our mood, needs, etc. One year at one of the All-Stars (can't remember which one), DH and I stopped for a drink at the bar outside near the pool area. We started talking to the bartender and he mentioned that he had started out working at the GF, but applied for the job at the All-Stars as soon as there was an opening. Of course, we were curious about his decision and he responded by telling us that he found guests in the All-Stars friendlier and that they tipped better.

 

[NancyIL]

I find it very amusing that people think that where a person stays at Disney is at all reflective of the social class they belong to. The truth is, all sorts of people stay at every level of resort. There are plenty of folks at values who could easily afford deluxe, but who choose not to do it for various reasons. There are folks at the deluxes who scrimped and did without for years to be able to afford their one week vacation at the Poly. There are folks who are going into major debt to stay at any Disney hotel when their income can support only the cheapest off site hotel. Don't judge by where a person is staying!

Going into debt isn't such a good idea!

Our first multi-day WDW trip was in April 1996. Because there were 5 of us, and the least expensive WDW resort that could accommodate us was Dixie Landings (later renamed Port Orleans Riverside) - we stayed off-site. I booked the Homewood Suites in Kissimmee @ $69/night. Then I found a coupon for the Quality Inn Lake Cecile (on 192 in Kissimmee) @ $27.95/night - so we ended up staying there! It was perfectly adequate, but when we returned in Nov. 1997, we "upgraded" to the $47/night Hampton Inn!

I also stayed at the Comfort Inn (now Clarion) Lake Buena Vista with my 3 kids for 2 nights in April 1999 @ $29.95/night. We splurged the next 2 nights and stayed at the newly-opened Toy Story section of All Star Movies @ $99/night. That's when I became an on-site (most of the time) convert!

 

[fla4fun]

I agree that there are a lot of misconceptions out there about Disney transportation, especially as it relates to specific categories of resort. I have stayed at all levels of Disney resorts and haven't had many transportation issues (other than every DTD bus at every resort seems to take twice as long to arrive as the theme park buses). People think that staying deluxe means you will never have to wait for transportation, and that the transportation will never be crowded. They complain if they are staying at the Epcot resorts that YC/BC share a bus, without thinking that the MK deluxes share buses too (and oddly - why CR or WL share with Poly or GF has always confused me. If the MK resorts are going to share, it would make more sense to go Poly/GF and WL/CR ). By the same token, everyone has these huge fears that the value buses will be completely overrun with people - and some of my best bus rides have been from value resorts. Granted, I don't go during peak season and try to avoid the morning and evening rush, but the rides have been fine. If everyone would just think of Disney transportation as "public transportation" (which it is) maybe they would be more realistic about it.

As to your resort choice reflecting your overall "status" in the world, that's just a load of bologna. Every family chooses their resort based on what they want out of their vacation. None of us know why the person in the next room picked that particular resort for that particular trip. And I, for one, don't care. When I go on vacation, the only thing I care about when it comes to other resort guests is that they are quiet at night so I can get some sleep. While I prefer staying deluxe for the proximity to the parks, I've stayed at all levels for all different reasons. Sometimes it's because of budget, sometimes it's for convenience, sometimes I'm spending a lot of time at the resort (or maybe not even going to the parks), sometimes it's for variety since I go often, and sometimes it's just a place to rest my head. There isn't a right or wrong decision when it comes to choosing a particular resort - just what works for your family.

I think another misconception people have before they arrive is that the deluxe resorts are truly "deluxe" in the off property sense of the word. The main draw for the deluxe resorts (for the most part) is their location - they tend to be closer to the theme parks. Oh, they have a few more dining and shopping options than the mods do, and the rooms may be a little larger, but now that the mods have queen beds, the gap is narrowing a lot between the mods and the deluxes. If people arrive at GF expecting it to be like a Ritz Carlton or a Waldorf Astoria, they will be disappointed. The deluxes are nice, and I stay in them as often as I can, but you can get so much more for the same price outside the "world" that it's like comparing apples and oranges. I think it's so important for people to research the hotel they will be staying in, wherever their travels take them. Don't just go to one website, or read one review - really check it out so you know what you're getting.

 

[LisaTC]

I agree that there are a lot of misconceptions out there about Disney transportation, especially as it relates to specific categories of resort. I have stayed at all levels of Disney resorts and haven't had many transportation issues (other than every DTD bus at every resort seems to take twice as long to arrive as the theme park buses). People think that staying deluxe means you will never have to wait for transportation, and that the transportation will never be crowded. They complain if they are staying at the Epcot resorts that YC/BC share a bus, without thinking that the MK deluxes share buses too (and oddly - why CR or WL share with Poly or GF has always confused me. If the MK resorts are going to share, it would make more sense to go Poly/GF and WL/CR ). By the same token, everyone has these huge fears that the value buses will be completely overrun with people - and some of my best bus rides have been from value resorts. Granted, I don't go during peak season and try to avoid the morning and evening rush, but the rides have been fine. If everyone would just think of Disney transportation as "public transportation" (which it is) maybe they would be more realistic about it.

As to your resort choice reflecting your overall "status" in the world, that's just a load of bologna. Every family chooses their resort based on what they want out of their vacation. None of us know why the person in the next room picked that particular resort for that particular trip. And I, for one, don't care. When I go on vacation, the only thing I care about when it comes to other resort guests is that they are quiet at night so I can get some sleep. While I prefer staying deluxe for the proximity to the parks, I've stayed at all levels for all different reasons. Sometimes it's because of budget, sometimes it's for convenience, sometimes I'm spending a lot of time at the resort (or maybe not even going to the parks), sometimes it's for variety since I go often, and sometimes it's just a place to rest my head. There isn't a right or wrong decision when it comes to choosing a particular resort - just what works for your family.

I think another misconception people have before they arrive is that the deluxe resorts are truly "deluxe" in the off property sense of the word. The main draw for the deluxe resorts (for the most part) is their location - they tend to be closer to the theme parks. Oh, they have a few more dining and shopping options than the mods do, and the rooms may be a little larger, but now that the mods have queen beds, the gap is narrowing a lot between the mods and the deluxes. If people arrive at GF expecting it to be like a Ritz Carlton or a Waldorf Astoria, they will be disappointed. The deluxes are nice, and I stay in them as often as I can, but you can get so much more for the same price outside the "world" that it's like comparing apples and oranges. I think it's so important for people to research the hotel they will be staying in, wherever their travels take them. Don't just go to one website, or read one review - really check it out so you know what you're getting.

This is an excellent post. Very well said. I view the deluxes exactly the same -- proximity to the parks. It would seem that some of the surrounding/nonDisney hotels could actually be nicer/larger - room wise. I have friends who often stay at the Swan or the Hilton and find them very nice. We, too, had mostly great experiences with transportation as well. Getting to MK with the buses instead of our car was always speedy. We even took the bus to MK, then the boat to FW to HDDR, per CM's suggestion, rather than drive and it was really quick and enjoyable. Granted, it was October, but it was very efficient. Plus you get to see the castle at night lit up.

Very good post!

 

[Bell30012]

It is often assumed that transportation will be better at the Deluxe level resorts versus the Value or Moderates. Fla4Fun is right. The transportation services at each resort has its ups and downs. We stated at BLT in February 2012. Getting to MK was super easy, monorail action. However, I found the wait for a bus to AK or HS to be longer than any wait I'd experienced at POP.

 

[robinb]

I have one! The misconception that you must move both heaven and earth to stay at a WDW resort or you just won't have as much fun as those people who are in the "Disney Magic" 24/7. If that means that you need to cram your family of 5 into a small room at POR or sleep in a double-sized bed at POP ... so be it!