Should Have Listened To My Gut - Resort Reaction

[msteddom]

This fellow Southern Californian couldn't agree with you more!

I hear you .... we had the same issue with CSR ... The architecture totally reminds me of home (Southern California). For that very reason, POR is our favorite Mod ... it's nothing like home.

 

[ToddyLu]

Living 110 miles from New Orleans in Mississippi---Disney did a great job with the theming at POFQ. It definitely has the 'Nawlins vibe. If you don't like POFQ, save your money and do not plan a trip to the Big Easy. I am kidding. But we loved the resort because it was quiet and had a "touch" of home.

When we were looking at DVC, we picked AKL because it was nothing like home. OKW, HH, VB, BCV reminded us of home, VWL reminded DH of fighting forrest fires in the National Parks when younger, BLT's decor was not appealing at all, SSR was huge and too much like a condo (however we do really like the look of the THV). Our home has a darker decor, DH loves the animals and we like the remoteness of the resort. One look at the other rooms and I was like---Ewwwww!.

I think the reason so many travel to Disney is there is SOMETHING for EVERYBODY there. Don't like the African savanna, then stay in Key West, a national park, Mexico-way....it is all waiting for you today at WDW.

 

[jamimb]

Living 110 miles from New Orleans in Mississippi---Disney did a great job with the theming at POFQ. It definitely has the 'Nawlins vibe. If you don't like POFQ, save your money and do not plan a trip to the Big Easy. I am kidding. But we loved the resort because it was quiet and had a "touch" of home.

When we were looking at DVC, we picked AKL because it was nothing like home. OKW, HH, VB, BCV reminded us of home, VWL reminded DH of fighting forrest fires in the National Parks when younger, BLT's decor was not appealing at all, SSR was huge and too much like a condo (however we do really like the look of the THV). Our home has a darker decor, DH loves the animals and we like the remoteness of the resort. One look at the other rooms and I was like---Ewwwww!.

I think the reason so many travel to Disney is there is SOMETHING for EVERYBODY there. Don't like the African savanna, then stay in Key West, a national park, Mexico-way....it is all waiting for you today at WDW.

Where in MS do you live?? We live in Gautier.

I thought I would not like POFQ being so close to New Orleans but we love that resort as well! (POR is our fave!)

 

[kissy]

We were supposed to stay at por on our last trip then I ended up switching also. ( I also live in gautier!) I want to try all the resorts but not really into the whole New Orleans thing when I'm at disney! Hopefully next year we'll get to try the poly!

 

[Wood Nymph]

We live in the Chicago area and the Contemporary holds no appeal to me at all. The Grand Floridian doesn't seem like a resort I want to go back to, either. We have plenty of concrete around here so when I go on vacation, I want trees and grass and flowers. The resort has to be quiet, too. The WL appeals to me because I have always loved the mountains. And the beach theme at BC is another favorite. We might try OKW some time, as that theme also seems nice.

 

[jamimb]

We live in the Chicago area and the Contemporary holds no appeal to me at all. The Grand Floridian doesn't seem like a resort I want to go back to, either. We have plenty of concrete around here so when I go on vacation, I want trees and grass and flowers. The resort has to be quiet, too. The WL appeals to me because I have always loved the mountains. And the beach theme at BC is another favorite. We might try OKW some time, as that theme also seems nice.

The reasons you listed above are why we love POR. The resort is so quiet and the landscaping lush!

I completely agree with you about the contemporary. I hate all the concrete.

 

[Sue M]

I love how different everyone is. I think the biggest thing is to know yourself and what you want. And second is to keep an open mind in regards to trying new things.

For us, we live in the Northwest, but I would love to stay at WL because it would feel like home. However I can understand the OP not liking staying somewhere that is too much like her home. This is the great thing about D
WDW staying on property. Something for everyone, and no wrong answers.

We are from the NW and still love WL. A resort reminding me of home is a non issue, as long as its a great resort

 

[Hollymom1229]

We had a similar experience to the OP a few years ago. Due to some last minute changes to our travel plans that were out of our hands we had to shift our trip at the last minute back one day which meant I was left scrambling to find a night on property. All I could get was one night at the Contemporary.
My DH and I travel a lot for business and stay in very modern, sleek looking business type hotels for work. There was something about the Contemporary that had always reminded us of those hotels, and we did not want to vacation somewhere that reminded us of work. But as it was the only room we could get on property we took it. And thank goodness it was just one night, cause it confirmed that the Contemporary is not for us. My DH has even said we will never trade in to Bay Lake Tower as he has zero interest in ever staying at that property. Now AKL and AKV on the other hand, bring it on.

 

[Cavy]

DH and I decided not to stay at CSR because we live in the southwest. We looked at the pictures and thought gee, that's nice--but we have it here! We ended up choosing POFQ. It looked nice and intimate, and I hope we're right! The husband said he didn't mind staying there even though he's originally from NO. We'll see how he likes it.

We were really looking at moderates because of price, but if we have the money next time it might be BC or YC. I love the look of that pool

 

[wishing4PA]

Just returned from a wonderful week at WDW and I wanted to share my resort adventure.

Stayed at LM for one night at AOA and was very impressed with the resort and moved to PO for the next 5 nights.

PO never really impressed me in the pictures but I was determined to give it a try because so many DISers love it. I should have went with my initial reaction to the resort when I was doing the research. I really didn't like the theming - I am from the south and it just looked too much like home. I knew I wanted the AB section (paid for preferred) but as soon as I walked to my room I knew it wasn't the place for me (landscape could have been from my hometown).

Thanks so much for sharing! My first on property trip (and first as a Mom) was going to be at POR, mainly because I wasn't sure DH would be happy at a value, we couldn't afford deluxe, there's the DTD boat, and POR seemed to have great reviews.

We never wound up staying there, because we had to reschedule and wound up at ASMo (where DH was very happy, btw.) The Royal rooms look gorgeous, and AB always seemed like it would be kind of fun, but overall, the pictures look like places near "home", and I use that term loosely because the longer I live in the South, the less I like it! And even the restaurant menu was loaded down with yukky southern style foods. I'd at least like to get out of this region after driving all the way to Florida (which is not in the South, in case I need to remind anyone, lol).

Living 110 miles from New Orleans in Mississippi---Disney did a great job with the theming at POFQ. It definitely has the 'Nawlins vibe. If you don't like POFQ, save your money and do not plan a trip to the Big Easy. I am kidding. But we loved the resort because it was quiet and had a "touch" of home.

I do think I might enjoy POFQ. I'd probably prefer the theming of CSR or CBR, but POFQ looks really cute, different from "my" part of the country, reminds me of the Princess and the Frog, and it has that DTD boat. So it would be a tough decision, if I'm ever considering the mod level at all other then the cabins. I love boat rides!

Different strokes...!

 

[buzznina]

Just returned from a wonderful week at WDW and I wanted to share my resort adventure.

Stayed at LM for one night at AOA and was very impressed with the resort and moved to PO for the next 5 nights.

PO never really impressed me in the pictures but I was determined to give it a try because so many DISers love it. I should have went with my initial reaction to the resort when I was doing the research. I really didn't like the theming - I am from the south and it just looked too much like home. I knew I wanted the AB section (paid for preferred) but as soon as I walked to my room I knew it wasn't the place for me (landscape could have been from my hometown). I picked up the phone and requested to be moved to CB. WDW was very accomodating and I was moved with no issue.

Please realize that I am not knocking the PO resort but just want to share my experience. If when searching for a hotel you aren't really sure it looks like something you will like, you might was to reconsider your choice. If I had visited PO on my previous trip I would have realized that while it is a beautiful resort it wasn't a good place for me to stay. I had stayed at CB before but was worried it would seem out of place for a Christmas trip. CB was not Christmasy to me but it did look like a vacation spot.

Just wanted to share. Merry Christmas to everyone!

POR is our famlies favorite and we have the same response about CBR We live in the panhandle of Florida with some of the nicest beaches and that is why CBR does not appeal to us. Just glad you were able to move and had a great trip.

 

[theduck619]

PO has never been one of our favorites. It's all a matter of taste. We prefer CBR for the moderate and Pop for value.

 

[partigus]

I never used to "get" the Poly when I lived in south FL, then I moved to Central PA and figured it out!

I think that's why I gravitate to the epcot reorts...that just doesn't exist anymore- even the places that used to be like that are now old and worn- its like a trip back in time!

I like the contempt for the same reason. It's that vision of the future we had while growing up in the 70's

 

[chimilady]

I hated POR. Maybe I'm just a cheap date, but I thought POP was much much MUCH more fun. POR was too spread out, and even though we stayed in a princess room, I would never stay there again. I wanted to like it, but I really didn't. Back to Pop for us.

 

[HappyGal]

veryone raves about PO. Everybody gushes about POFQ. So when free dining was offered with a moderate I chose PO (against my better judgement). Everybody talks about how lush and serene it is. And it is. I live just outside of Atlanta so the "southern" theme just didn't appeal to me.

I should have listened to my gut. My girls and I tried to like it but just couldn't. On the 3rd day I went to the front desk and asked to be changed to a different resort. And thank goodness they did ....AoA. And while I enjoyed AoA, I still prefer POP. Give me Colorful! Give Me Disney!

 

[jp02]

Glad you were able to move and had a good trip. The hotel is a big part of my stay so I can understand why you would want to move.

 

[Disney Doll]

When I choose a WDW resort, I do prefer one that isn't themed similar to what I see at home. For me, this would be SSR. I live in CT, so a resort themed liked upstate NY is very similar to what I can see around here...that's not to say anything negative about SSR because it is a lovely resort and I have stayed there several times & will be staying there again soon, but it's usually not my 1st choice. Usually when I am staying there it is because circumstances have made it necessary.

In general though, I am happy to be at Disney!

 

[sydneysmom]

OP, I can totally appreciate what you're saying because we're BIG believers in "gut instinct". You can't do what's right for someone else, you have to do what's right for you. I happen to love POR.... but I did not like CSR or CBR. Not for anything specific, it just seemed way too spread out I think.

When we were planning our trip for June 2013, we debated going to the CR because we weren't sure we wanted to spend the money again to go to GF. And we absolutely LOVED the GF. Well, we went back and forth and decided that even though it got awesome reviews, it just wasn't for us. It didn't "feel" warm or anything like that... to us. So we went back and forth w/ the Epcot resorts.

Finally, my DH just said, "look, we're trying to find a good substitute for the GF...why not just go back to the GF where we KNOW that we love". And that was that.

Trust your gut instinct... it won't let you down. Disney trips are alot of money, no matter which resort you stay at. So you want to make sure it's money well spent and a vacation week that was worth taking off from work. Because both are precious.

 

[Hooked On The Mouse]

It is definitely true that the unfamiliar is the most appealing. Many people love WL, but it leaves us cold. I really understand and appreciate that it is a gorgeous resort, but it always reminds me of a huge version of a Canadian National Parks building and to us that's kind of ordinary. We want something exotic, like AKL or Poly or CSR.