Tell us about your resort comparisons

[Luv2Roam]

Many of us have stayed at mutiple Disney resorts. (Even on one trip. )
I would be interested in reading the comparisons between resorts, off-site and on.
And I always wonder if anyone had a particular experience, either good or bad, is it the norm?

For example, we stayed at CSR early January '01. CSR was skimpy on the hot water during our week long stay. Marathon morning, CSR ran out of hot water; DH tried the hot tub 3 - 4 tiumes and each time the water was lukewarm; and other mornings I learned to rise early amd shower and get the hottest water.
I always wondered if it was just the temp CSR was setting their hot water that week, or because it was cold outside, or if that is their norm. We thought then maybe it was some conservation effort they had going.
While we were at CSR, we had friend's at CBR. They were waiting MUCH longer for their resort bus service than we were.
The CM's were much nicer/competent/friendly at ASMo during our stay than at CSR.
You always wonder -- fluke, luck of the draw, or the norm.
I didn't mean to or want to make a gripe session out of this. I am just wondering what guest's compariisons are.
I would be interested to read guest's comparions between various resorts on and off site and esp all during the same trip. Realizing of course we all have different needs, wants and expectations to resorts and experiences.
TIA!

 

[eeyore0062]

We also have stayed at several resorts... we like the variety.. and since there are so many from which to choose, we want to experience most of them.

PO-R (then DXL) Mansion section: we had a water view at Magnolia Bend. The room was nice, the furnishings very pretty. The view was supposed to be of the Sassagoula River, but we had a lovely white pillar obstructing our view (make sure to let them know if this happens, we didn't). The area was beautiful and very convenient to Old Man Island. The walk to the food court wasn't bad, and neither was the one to the bus stop.

PO-R (then DXL) Alligator Bayou, building 14: we really loved this building, and the section. It felt very secluded, yet was a 2 minute walk to the food court and the bus stop. We loved the interior, and watching the little rabbits and ducks in the morning. We had a water view of the tributary of the Sassagoula, which was very pretty. Of the 2, this was our favorite. We weren't overly impressed with the full service restaurant, but loved the food court... it had a great variety. The CM's were great here.

WL: we had a view of the 2ndary courtyard, overlooking the villas and the quiet pool. This area is very quiet, but of course, you can't see the guyser, Bay Lake or the Electrical Water Pageant. I was not overly impressed by the interior of the rooms, feeling that they were very cramped, and dark. The balcony was nice, however. The lobby and the main pool were definitely the highlight here... very beautiful, and the CM's were very nice and helpful. We weren't overly impressed by the restaurants, but the counter service was good.

CBR Barbados, building 16. This is a LONG walk from Old Port Royale... not as far as Trinidad South, but close! We had a corner room on the ground level, which was nice. We overlooked a garden area and a parking lot. In the garden area, there were always bunnies and ducks to observe, which was great for our 7 year old. We were about a 5 minute walk from the bus stop. The pool was nice, and our daughter really enjoyed it... we were just so far from it! We loved the grounds, and thoroughly enjoyed the amenities. The food court was so so, mostly due to the fact that you had to pay at each individual food counter, instead of being able to pay all at once, like at PO-R. The full service restaurant was really nice, as were the shops. The CM's were very nice and helpful.

The Contemporary south wing, Bay Lake view. We LOVED this resort. We had a great room on the 3rd floor of the South wing overlooking Bay Lake. The rooms were HUGE, as were the bathrooms. We could lie in bed and watch the Electrical Water Pageant at night. The convenience of transporatation from this resort just couldn't be beat. We loved being able to leave our room and within a 8-10 minute walk be in front of the MK! The grounds were beautifully maintained, and the resort was full of energy. The restaurants are wonderful as is the counterservice and coffee bar. I just can't say enough about the CM's... all were very friendly and helpful.

Next we will be staying at PO-FQ, and look forward to the compactness of this resort. Until October.....

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

ASMu - I've stayed here in the Broadway Hotel #7, courtyard view. The resort is large, with huge icons overpowering the place. It is a fun place, but lacking most luxuries. The food court is nice for a quick bite to eat, and the food always seemed pretty good.

WL - I've stayed here in a bunkbed room overlooking the woods, right over Wispering Canyon Cafe. This is a great resort! Very comfortable and relaxing. It may not be the top of the line, but it is one great themed resort!

CR - I've stayed here in the tower, on the club level, with the MK view. This was my dream resort, and it did not disappoint. To put it lightly, I love this resort! I think it is the true "Disney" resort.

PR - I've stayed here in the Hawaii longhouse, lagoon view. I find it to be a really nice place, comfortable and relaxing. It takes you right to the South Pacific, without the long flight.

GF - I've stayed at this resort in Conch Key and Big Pine Key, garden and lagoon views. I find this to be the ultiment of luxury Disney resorts. It transports you back to an era of high society at a luxury seaside resort. It is my favorite of Disney resorts.

 

[DisneyVirginia]

Best Value--Wilderness Lodge--had a great rate. Resort is beautifully themed. The lobby is amazing. The grounds were peaceful and relaxing. Launch to MK great. Don't know how or if addition of villas has affected it.

Freshest--YC and BC and Boardwalk Inn. Spotless and spacious and eye-appealing throughout. YC and BC have the best pool for kids.

Most Exciting--Contemporary. A "happening" environment with the monorail and shopping level. Best restaurants--Chef Mickey and California Grill. Walk to MK.

Relaxing--Polynesian. Invites you to take it easy, enjoy a tropical frame of mind. But not as fresh or well-maintained, at least not when I was there.

Most Luxurious, Formal and Quiet--Grand Floridian--also qualifies as "freshest". Does not have many, if any, bad rooms. Got my $189 rate for July/Aug through Shades of Green. Otherwise, hard to afford for me.

Great Value--Port Orleans FQ. I thought this was a pretty good deal. The landscaping is wonderful!!! The outside decor interesting and varied. The rooms so-so, but fine for a moderate. My 7-yr old (at the time) son loved the pool.

Good "Roughing It" Environment--Wilderness Homes. Okay, these are trailers with all the comforts of home, and not really roughing it at all. But we enjoyed the stay--especially the bunkbeds--and they sleep six, unlike the hotels.

I would not go back to the bungalows at Disney Institute. (Heard some of the Institute closed down anyway.) Not Disney-like or themed. Not in great condition when I was there.

I know there are a lot of fans on these boards, but I would not go back to the Swan either. We were there last August. No one in our group of 8 was impressed. The rooms badly need renovation!!! Hallways are dingy. And decor is just plain odd.

Can't wait to see the "new" Shades of Green, after it is renovated. Was dirt cheap, relatively speaking, for spacious rooms and good location. But military. retired military and current DoD civilians only can stay there or use SoG for bookings. I use SoG for all bookings, since they provide discounts to the other hotels, and they allow reservations on up to three rooms--so my sister and her family can get the rates, too.

All in all--my favorite Disney vacation was at the Wilderness, and that's at least in part due to the resort.

 

[DeeP]

Contemporary-very convenient location, large rooms, home to wonderful restaurants: Cal Grill & Contemporary Steakhouse. I find the decor of the rooms very loud and strange but just love the size. Ok pool.
Poly-love the atmosphere, the views from the beach, the Electrical Water Parade, MK fireworks, etc. Wonderful large rooms and the bathrooms are all inclusive--meaniing they have the sink, etc all in one room. I perfer the larger bathroom with everything in one room. Home of Kona Cafe which is fantastic restaurant, nicest CMs I have ever run across have been at the Poly. Verey nice pool with a nice pool bar/snack bar.
Wilderness Lodge-most amazing theming and lobby. I could sit for hours in front of the wonderful fireplace or in one of the secluded alcoves. Great resataurant-Artist Point. Beautiful pool and great location for MK. I am not crazy about the rooms though, too small and dark for the price paid.
VWL--everything that is great about WL plus the added advantage of having a villa with all the room and amenities.
CSR--My favorite moderate resort. I love the theming, the pool, the Cabana buildings.It is so pretty at night with the lights reflecting off the water. Wonderful food court with many different choices, a health club, in room coffee makers, bus service to Boardwalk make this a moderate resort with a deluxe feel to it.
CBR--Wonderful Caribbean feel to it with the music, scenery etc. I have not stayed there in 4 years but will have more to report aftter my next trip in less than 3 weeks!!!!
POR--will always be Dixie Landings to me! Great theming to both sections. peaceful resort with the added plus of boat to DTD. Good food court but very large and I am not fond of the sit down restaurant. I think the mansion section is prettier than the bayou section. Also they have the greatest lounge entertainer now that Bob is coming back!!!!! Nice pool.
POFQ--quaint small resort. Nothing is a far walk away, they have good New Orlean specialities in food court. Does not have a sit down restaurant. I like that the hot tub is removed from the main pool area--very nice and relaxing for adults. Pool appeals to the little ones.
All Star Music--great deal for the money. Fast bus service, good reasonable meals at the food court. More quiet due to less young children than the other All Stars. OK pool, very little theming and no pool slide or hot tub. All of the value resorts have the same type of pools.
All Star Movies--the cutest theming, you can't help but smile as you are walking around. Alot of young children and families stay here and it is the toughest of all the All Stars to get in to. My favorite food court our of all the All Stars.
All Star Sports- my least favorite All Stars resort. I just do not like the theming. First pick up and drop off on bus transportation.
YC- a wonderful resort in a super location. Beautiful rooms with balconies that offer great views. Best pool on property. Home to Yachtsmans Steakhouse and Crews Cup lounge which are great eating and drinking spots. Upscale resort all the way.
BC- great resort but not all rooms have balconies, nice theming but I prefer the theming at YC. Best pool on property, home to Cape May Buffet which is a wonderful seafood buffet. Closer walk to Epcot than YC.
BWV--the BEST resort on Disney property IMHO. My DVC home and I love it. It is in the best location with fantastic amenities, within walking distance to parks, shops, night time entertainment, wonderful restaurants and has beautiful villas to relax in and enjoy the wonderful Disney atmosphere all around you. Very nice pool with pool slide and pool bar/snack bar.
Boardwalk Inn-great location, atmosphere etc as BWV but just a hotel room. They are beautiful rooms but I prefer having a villa with a kitchen, washer & dryer, living room etc. Very upscale resort.
OKW--relaxed, laid back atmosphere. Largest 1 BR villas out of all the DVC resorts on WDW property. Very nice CMs. Resort is not very conveniently located to parks or dining options and does not have themed pools. One sit down restaurant, it is a good restaurant with reasonable prices.
AKL-amazing theming, beautiful carved furniture in guest rooms, wonderful view of animals. Great restaurants: Jiko, Boma and even food court Mara. Not a very convenient location to parks, other restaurants and nighttime entertainment. No bike, boat rentals.
FW cabins, wonderful cabins with a lot of room for a family. Great added attractions like petting zoo, campfires, biking and boating. Very quiet and secluded atmosphere. Transportation can be a challenge especially when going to DTD. Pools are not themed and do not have pool slide.
DI and Shades of Green are closed and GF I have never stayed in so I did not comment on these resorts.