Peter Pirate
Its not the end of civilization...But you can see
- Joined
- Dec 19, 1999
- Messages
- 2,656
Just back from a 9 night trip. 3 at the Swan, 3 at the Grand Floridian and 3 at Days Inn on 192.
The swan was a real letdown. No Disney Magic at all. I mean no Mickey soap or shampoo, no Mickey wallpaper, no Mickey wake up call just a hotel with excellent service and location. That sucks. You'd think for the special rate of 139.00 per night they'd at least be able to conjure up a little magic, You know a Mickey bedspread or something... And whats with the business people? Is this a convention hotel? Yuck, who wants to see business people on vacation? I mean really, this totally bummed me out, I mean do I have to swim with these guys too? Eat dinner next to them? Geez, they drink Martini's and wear speedo's!
Anyway, I was so much bummed that I complained to management and you know what they did? Sent me up a stinking bottle of Dom Perignon and comped a meal at Palio! ... As if that's going to make everything ok.
And don't get me started about the stinking rooftop view...sure I could see Epcot in the distance but I'd think they could at least decorate the rooftop if I'm going to be forced to look at it!!!
So we moved on to the Grand Floridian...Grand my butt. They have these teas and piano players and doormen and greeters...What are they doing? Trying to impress someone? Hey! I ain't no Vanderbuilt just give me characters and I'll be happy...But what does the not so Grand Floidian give you? Mary Freakin Poppins! Who wants to see her? I want Pooh and Mickey...You know, Disney characters!
We made the big mistake of eating at the fancy schmancy Victoria's and Alberts Restaurant. Man what crap. No burgers on the menu just sauced up road kill presented in an oh so pretty manner and it took half the day to finish eating...Not to mention the staff continually butting in, filling water glasses, bringing dinner rolls...One guy tried to put a napkin on my lap for me!!! He won't be using his nose for a while!
Well, I complained about the situation and the manager seemed nice enough. He said he'd take care of things but what he did was send up some other characters to our room, Buzz Lightweight, Captain Crook and David Letterman or something thinking this would appease us. WE WANT POOH AND MICKEY!!! This Letterman guy seemed really put out. Who is he anyway? Was he in Pirates?
They comped our V&A's meal as well, but not a stinkin' red cent more as if our wasted time was worth nothing! Fancy hotel my big white butt!
After three nights of this nightmare we moved on to the Days Inn on 192 and I must say this was great! The beds were lumpy and uncomfortable but we had a great room where we could hear the constant buzz of 192 outside...So soothing we slept like logs.
We were able to get Pizza Hut delivery and throw back a few buds on the patio overlooking the 15 x 30 pool...Our neighbors were Jim Bob Pete and his lovely wife Lovey from Hickertonville Texas...Great folks with no pretentions. Didn't have to worry about some nut job putting a napkin on my lap while eatin' my pizza on the patio with Jim Bob and Lovey, no sir...Just used my shirt! Life was great!
In closing, forget the ultimate non-disney Swan unless you happen to like business people or being near the parks...Forget the Lame Floridian unless you think you're Queen Elizibeth or something and stay at the Days Inn on 192. The clerks name is Mel and you can get your smokes from him! Tip him a couple bucks and he'll upgrade you to the oh so fine Roseanne Barr Suite!
Anyway, it's just Disney World anyway so my recommendation, if you have to go, is stay offsite so you can drive the pickup and eat at the gourmet McDonalds, meet regular American folks and visit the parks after a few buds ...Oh, and pay no attention to the people pretending to enjoy themselves...It's just a Disney act! I read about it on the DIS!
The swan was a real letdown. No Disney Magic at all. I mean no Mickey soap or shampoo, no Mickey wallpaper, no Mickey wake up call just a hotel with excellent service and location. That sucks. You'd think for the special rate of 139.00 per night they'd at least be able to conjure up a little magic, You know a Mickey bedspread or something... And whats with the business people? Is this a convention hotel? Yuck, who wants to see business people on vacation? I mean really, this totally bummed me out, I mean do I have to swim with these guys too? Eat dinner next to them? Geez, they drink Martini's and wear speedo's!
Anyway, I was so much bummed that I complained to management and you know what they did? Sent me up a stinking bottle of Dom Perignon and comped a meal at Palio! ... As if that's going to make everything ok.
And don't get me started about the stinking rooftop view...sure I could see Epcot in the distance but I'd think they could at least decorate the rooftop if I'm going to be forced to look at it!!!So we moved on to the Grand Floridian...Grand my butt. They have these teas and piano players and doormen and greeters...What are they doing? Trying to impress someone? Hey! I ain't no Vanderbuilt just give me characters and I'll be happy...But what does the not so Grand Floidian give you? Mary Freakin Poppins! Who wants to see her? I want Pooh and Mickey...You know, Disney characters!
We made the big mistake of eating at the fancy schmancy Victoria's and Alberts Restaurant. Man what crap. No burgers on the menu just sauced up road kill presented in an oh so pretty manner and it took half the day to finish eating...Not to mention the staff continually butting in, filling water glasses, bringing dinner rolls...One guy tried to put a napkin on my lap for me!!! He won't be using his nose for a while!
Well, I complained about the situation and the manager seemed nice enough. He said he'd take care of things but what he did was send up some other characters to our room, Buzz Lightweight, Captain Crook and David Letterman or something thinking this would appease us. WE WANT POOH AND MICKEY!!! This Letterman guy seemed really put out. Who is he anyway? Was he in Pirates?
They comped our V&A's meal as well, but not a stinkin' red cent more as if our wasted time was worth nothing! Fancy hotel my big white butt!
After three nights of this nightmare we moved on to the Days Inn on 192 and I must say this was great! The beds were lumpy and uncomfortable but we had a great room where we could hear the constant buzz of 192 outside...So soothing we slept like logs.
We were able to get Pizza Hut delivery and throw back a few buds on the patio overlooking the 15 x 30 pool...Our neighbors were Jim Bob Pete and his lovely wife Lovey from Hickertonville Texas...Great folks with no pretentions. Didn't have to worry about some nut job putting a napkin on my lap while eatin' my pizza on the patio with Jim Bob and Lovey, no sir...Just used my shirt! Life was great!
In closing, forget the ultimate non-disney Swan unless you happen to like business people or being near the parks...Forget the Lame Floridian unless you think you're Queen Elizibeth or something and stay at the Days Inn on 192. The clerks name is Mel and you can get your smokes from him! Tip him a couple bucks and he'll upgrade you to the oh so fine Roseanne Barr Suite!
Anyway, it's just Disney World anyway so my recommendation, if you have to go, is stay offsite so you can drive the pickup and eat at the gourmet McDonalds, meet regular American folks and visit the parks after a few buds ...Oh, and pay no attention to the people pretending to enjoy themselves...It's just a Disney act! I read about it on the DIS!
trip. Its a shame you keep torturing yourself with all these "experiences" like the Grand and Swan etc.! I'd love to hear about the parks too - especially curious if you ever got to see Mickey or Pooh? 
