Should Have Listened To My Gut - Resort Reaction

[ratcatshell]

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!

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

You are so right! I always tell people to go with their gut when it comes to choosing a resort. It's just like ordering off a menu at dinner. Just because everyone at the table orders steak doesn't mean you should too! I hope you try some of the other resorts in the future and find the ones you love best. They are all so special in their own ways.

Merry Christmas to you also!!

 

[Waddler]

Yeah, I can understand that. I've lived near Saratoga for most of my life, and SSR feels like a nice, but generic, subdivision at home. On the other hand, POR was exotic!

The Artist's Pallette even reminds me of one of my favorite restaurants in Lake Placid, NY. Not that WDW necessarily ripped it off... but I'd rather go to the "real thing".

 

[pamkat1820]

I totally agree! We stayed at POR RR in April it was a beautiful resort but not for me at all. When we planned I wanted the wow factor for my daughter (5yrsold) lol. She could have cared less and I discussed it with my planning buddy. She not going to get it we both said we should stay we're we want which would have been WL for $300 more. My daughters aid"mom it's Disney of course the headboards light up" . We even discussed paying the extra and moving but we stuck it out, our next trip will be BC mom's pick, I'm leaving the parks for the kids and the resort my picking lol

 

[SarahKate]

I actually had the opposite experience. Last year we were trying to decide on a moderate and POR looked boring to me, quite honestly. I went back and forth on it and ultimately decided to go for it. We decided on POR based on a friend's recommendation as well as the different activities it had to offer.

I am so glad that I decided to go AGAINST my gut and give it a try because we absolutely love this resort. Our daughter's getting a little older and doesn't need the kiddish atmosphere of the values.

Normally I say go with your gut, but for us in this particular instance, I'm really glad that I didn't!

 

[elaw]

.... 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 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.

 

[canyoncam]

I actually had the opposite experience. Last year we were trying to decide on a moderate and POR looked boring to me, quite honestly. I went back and forth on it and ultimately decided to go for it. We decided on POR based on a friend's recommendation as well as the different activities it had to offer.

I am so glad that I decided to go AGAINST my gut and give it a try because we absolutely love this resort. Our daughter's getting a little older and doesn't need the kiddish atmosphere of the values.

Normally I say go with your gut, but for us in this particular instance, I'm really glad that I didn't!

I actually had a similar experience.

We stopped at POP on ME heading to AKL one time & I thought "Oh I am so glad we are not staying there!" But two years later and on a whim because of an excellent timing situation I spent a week at POP. I geared myself up first thinking I'd be at the parks most of the time anyhow. But I actually REALLY liked it! I kinda like the values or moderates because you do a lot more walking outside than in. I actually thought AKL was too dark inside.

Of course if you are spending a LOT of time at your resort I might still choose something else.

I am taking a few days next spring just to visit the different resorts. Then knowing exactly what they are like I can plan my next true vacation to WDW based upon what I know. And of course what I can afford!

 

[minnie mum]

I completely agree with the OP. Different strokes for different folks and all that. POR is a beautiful resort, there is absolutely nothing wrong with it, but it has never been our favourite. We've always tried to do our research, look at lots of resort pictures, visit the different resorts when we had time, and then select our resort based on how it 'felt' to us. We still like to stay at different places each time, but know that there will always be certain resorts that we just won't want to stay at.

 

[nansmama]

This is how we felt too when we visited the cabins at Fort Wilderness. We lived in the real woods for eleven years and would never pay for an approximation of that. We went with Old Key West for our next stay, LOL.

 

[ratcatshell]

I am so glad that Disney has a resort that appeals to everyone. I visited YC, GF, WL and the Contemporary while we were there. I was wowed by the Christmas decor at GF but can't imagine I would ever stay there - seemed a little too formal for me. YC and Contemporary were nice but again probably wouldn't book it. On the other head, I would LOVE to stay at WL.

 

[pamkat1820]

We have also stayed at AKL And loved it. If I had to I would stay there again. I agree with the poster different strokes for different folks. I prefer a smaller resort. My first choices would be BC, WL or AKL. In that order. My gut tells me I would not be happy at other mods because of the size and POFQ reminds me to much of a motel. The values are to over the top for me plus we need queen beds lol I agree go with your gut ,ask questions, do research what is best for your family

 

[Caseheidi]

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.

 

[chocovrdmicears]

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.

Funny thing - we are from the NorthEAST and I would never stay at WL because I don't want to fly to FL and stay in the woods.

 

[fla4fun]

Funny thing - we are from the NorthEAST and I would never stay at WL because I don't want to fly to FL and stay in the woods.

And I like to stay at WL because it makes me feel like I've left Florida even if I'm only 20 minutes from home, lol! On the other hand, as much as some people love AKL, I really prefer a resort that has some waterfront. I really missed having a lake around when I stayed there.

You really do have to go with what will make your family happy. I always suggest making a list of the must have amenities for your family and eliminate any resorts that don't have them. Once you have your short list, go with the one that appeals the most to you based on theme and location.

 

[eliza61]

that happens a lot I think. We had that experience with the Contemporary. I never had any desire to stay there but my family was dying to try it because of the monorail going through it. thank God we did a split stay. Moved in after 4 nights at WL and it was "blah" to me. Just made me feel like I was in some bad "george jetson" cartoon. go figure.
I didn't hate it, just didn't move me.

 

[sunsetbeachgal]

I like some themes more than others...I grew up in Arizona, so CSR holds great appeal. Also love the national parks so love WL.

Did OP say if they stayed at PO French Quarter or Riverside?

 

[conefrog]

I think it's great that Disney has choices. I love POFQ and we stayed at AOA in a Nemo suite last time. We want something quiet for our next trip so POR is the next one.

 

[smiths02]

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!

Thanks for sharing. We are currently saving up to stay at the Poly for our next trip, but we are now a family of 5...so if we can't afford Poly our options will be limited in a few years. POR would be one of the options but I just can't get myself to like it, especially the Alligator Bayou rooms (which would offer us more space). I do think POFQ looks cute and we really enjoyed CBR (even though that seems to get the least amount of love of the moderates).

Once our twins turn 3, I am thinking we may just do a suite at AoA (not in love with AsMu or Ft Wilderness Cabins)

 

[jamimb]

Our favorite resort on property is POR! We live in the deep south (Mississippi) and I too thought that it might be too close to home but boy was I wrong! We love this resort!

Having said that "gut reactions" can be wrong as well. I used to think from the pictures alone that I would never want to stay at AKL. My mind was quickly changed when we had dinner at Boma's one night. I loved the vibe and atmosphere of the resort even though previously I had stated that I didnt like it at all and would never want to stay there.

I say visit a few resorts while at WDW. You never know if your going to like it until you see for yourself.

 

[hsmamato2]

Funny thing - we are from the NorthEAST and I would never stay at WL because I don't want to fly to FL and stay in the woods.

haha that's how I feel! on the other hand, any tropical theme, or the POFQ theming we stayed at last week...now THAT"S a vacation! AKL and WL hold no interest for me.....