That certain "snobby " feeling

[NADINENURSE]

Now please, don't take this the wrong way !!! With that said, we have stayed at WL and felt the life guard, and at times the other (PLEASE DON"T GET ANGRY !! ) guests , were , here goes, snobby !! Felt more comfortable at ALL Star Movies, the best, believe it or not. Moderates were not as bad, but more kids, more family feeling at All Star. So, now that said, what do you think I will feel at AKL ? My kids were actually the ones uncomfortable at WL, 10 year old said the people were "weird, uptight", where did he get that from ? I liked WL, loved the lobby, but DS and DD were uncomfortable. So, what do you all think, be kind to me !!!

 

[GEM]

I honestly have no idea. WL has been CRAWLING with kids both times we have been there. I can't imagine how anyone could find it snobby or uptight. The Grand Floridian, maybe - but not the Widerness Lodge. We are talking about the resort with the Whispering Canyon Cafe in the lobby, right?

Anyway, I can't imagine kids feeling out of place at AKL. Lots of families with young children pick it because of the animals.

 

[NADINENURSE]

GEM, I swear to GOD, we were there 9/2003, and the life guard at the pool spent more time on his whistle than I ever heard before, and we saw few kids, those we did see were also frequently whistled at. Maybe it was a bad time, but it left a weird taste for us.

 

[BWgirl]

Weird...I totally didn't get that feeling there either! I've seen some people say that about BW or YC...GF also. But never WL!

 

[jaysue]

Did not find that at WL either

thanks
jaysue

 

[GEM]

Well, we did see the lifeguard using his whistle a bit at the pool - when kids were running, pushing other kids under water, chasing ducks, etc. It didn't seem like they were over using the whistle or anything, just trying to keep kids from getting hurt.

 

[ciera123]

We haven't stayed at WL, but certainly didn't get that feeling at AKL. The people we met at AKL seemed as nice as can be. We spent A LOT of time at the pool and we didn't notice that the lifeguards were heavy on the whistle, but I think that depends on how well behaved the kids at the pool are.....

 

[jaysue]

Could not say at AKL re the pool

All the CM's were quite nice - the people were a mixed bag - pretty much everyone doing own thing but chatty when engaged for example at the bus stop or whilst waiting at the Mara for food service

As for the pool, it was 47 outside when I went for a swim so there was only one other person in the pool and the lifeguard was not looking too pleased by the weather

thanks
jaysue

 

[tiggersmom2]

I have never experienced the "snobby" attitude at any WDW resort, and I have stayed at the All-Stars - to the Grand Floridian. I'm not saying you didn't experience this but I didn't. Also, when I go to Disney I'm in "Fun" mode, and I don't even try to look for negative experiences unless they "slap" me in the face! I usually let things just roll off my back!

 

[skiwee1]

I've always noticed lifeguards at the resorts blowing their whistles. While it may sound like a lot it was always because some kid was doing something they shouldn't have been doing. Where your kids doing something wrong?

 

[Sammie]

The only difference I could think of between WL and All Star is the size of the pool. When a pool is small and you have alot of kids using it and the slide a lifegaurd has a harder job than at a bigger pool and no slide. So it is possible the lifegaurd came across as being stern due to this fact.

 

[ducklite]

I'm scratching my head on this one. A life guard blowing his whistle makes the resort snobby?

I'm with GEM on this one, the only time I've seen a lifeguard use a whistle at WDW was when kids were doing something against pool rules (which are in place for safety) or to clear the pool due to thunder or some sort of contamination.

I don't feel any of the WDW resorts are snobby. On the other hand Disney obviously realizes different strokes for different folks, which is why they offer so many different types of resorts. Stay where you're happy

Anne

 

[scanne]

Well, we stayed at WL in Aug. 03 and felt right at home. But, that being said, DH and I consider ourselves to be "resort snobs." When we stayed at All Star Music this past February, we were VERY unhappy with the hotel, food court and cast members. We had a problem with our room and it STILL hasn't been resolved.

I don't know - this is just a theory - but certain people gravitate towards certain kinds of hotels/resorts because they fit their personalities better, know what I mean? I know that my family will never stay at an All Star resort again, but we will DEFINITELY return to the deluxes. It's not that we're "snobby" people (come on, we live in a town house and drive Hondas not BMW's), but when we travel, we like a certain level of service and that's what we expect - that's what we pay for.

This is just my 2 cents to add a theory.

BTW, we've stayed at AKL as well and found it to be very family friendly. I think it's because of the animals. Also the cast members there were GREAT!!!

 

[ValerieK]

We have never stayed at a value or mod resort, so I can't say what those are like,but we have never felt it was "snobby" at any of the deluxes. We have stayed at the WL in a standard view room and never felt anything but welcome. I didn't have a problem at the pool and we spent a lot of time there. I am sorry you didn't have a good feeling there. Try AKL and see what you think.

 

[McCall]

So the lifeguard actually doing their job for a change instead of ignoring bad and dangerous behavior while they chat up girls or boys, is a bad thing?
I wish every CM in WDW would do their job all the time, then we would not have smokers where they should not be, people cutting in lines, people getting in front of people who have been patiently waiting for parades, etc, etc, etc.
If that makes them snobby then I hope WDW will become a very snobby place.

Perhaps it is what behaviors and attitudes your children are most used to that is the problem and not the resorts themselves. after all, and I am not saying this is your case, but children who have only ever eaten at McDonalds would find any fine restaraunt to be snobby.
Perhaps the more upscale resorts which have a bit more decorum are being percieved as snobby.

 

[vicb]

Hmmm, we have stayed at BWI twice with our 2 kids and never felt unwelcome or anthing snobby at all! I think the CM's at BWI have gone out of their way to make kids feel comfortable there and the lifeguards are very friendly. We also stayed at Poly and it is definitely "kids rule" there!

 

[helenk]

Sorry to hear you were made to feel uncomfortable.
I loved our stay at the WL, to me it was very homey, not snobby at all. All of the CMs were helpful and friendly. The WL maybe considered a deluxe resort, but the cost was just a bit more than the moderates.
Even at the GF we were treated very well, and did not feel out of place.

 

[WDW LifeLong Fan]

Sorry to hear of your experience. I hate to hear that you and especially your children felt uneasy.

We have stayed at WL/AKL and most other WDW resorts several times and never had an issue with snobbery. (If that is a word?!?!)

I'm sure your visit to AKL will be wonderul!

Enjoy!

 

[Judgekw]

If your kids felt uncomfortable at the WL then they will also feel uncomfortable at AKL; they are very similiar. The lobbys are both designed with a huge open roof and the AKL almost feels even more upscale because it is done in a elegant Africian theme. I would save my money and stay where you are comfortable. The whole reason disney has so many resorts in so many styles and price ranges is that everyone has different tastes and opinions. Go where you and your kids are comfortable.

 

[brownsoup]

The lifeguards that are employed by Walt Disney World are trained by a specific life saving method (can't remember the name) that involves a strict discipline. The life guards are trained to limit interaction with guest and focus on safety.