Unofficial Guide Resort Report Card

[damien]

I just picked up the 2012 UO Guide. They have a report card section voted on by the readers for the Disney Resorts. Some surprising results (at least to me).

Would you stay at this hotel again?
First place: Animal Kingdom Villas Kidani Village - 100%
Last place: Boardwalk Inn - 33%

All categories put together, Grand Floridian was the highest rated Deluxe, Riverside was the highest rated Moderate, and ASMusic was the highest rated Value.

The three bottom resorts were Boardwalk Inn, Shades of Green and Yacht Club.

I wasn't surprised by the Boardwalk, as I've read similar reviews in other books. What surprises me is Yacht Club. Birnbaum always lists it as the Best Deluxe, and a lot of people on this board rave about it.

Opinions?

 

[kamik86]

I would agree... I stayed at both AKL and Boardwalk in the same stay a few weeks ago. Although my DH and I liked Jambo (where we were this time) better then Kidani (last year) it was only for the quick service place. If they put a quick service at Kidani that would be the favorite no questions asked.

I hated Boardwalk. I realize I was probably put off by the day we switched resorts being my worst day ever at Disney (lost luggage between the resorts, which I'll admit was the fault of both resorts, internet not working in room, important meeting that I needed both the one missing piece of luggage and the internet to attend... yeah wasn't a fun day)

However I hated the buses there which yacht would have the same problem because of. I'm tempted to never try beach club due to this although before I planned to try to stay at every dvc.

I hated the decor at boardwalk.

I especially hated that all the quick services places and all places to refill mugs were outside the resort and all clumped in one place so if your room wasn't near it you had a long walk. I also didn't like how none of them were self serve so you had to wait in line to fill your mug and then had to carry both your mug and the cup they gave you since they don't fill the mug.

I didn't like that all the rooms had really really low bathtubs and the light switches at my waist instead of up higher. I know this would be great for the handicapped but it still bugged me. (although I admit that I probably only remember this because at this point I hated it here so was looking for more things to not like)

I didn't like how the thermostats weren't ones with a temperature setting like at AKL and I think the ones at OKW were the ones with temperature settings when I stayed there too.

Yeah my husband and I will never go back to boardwalk. The convenience of Epcot and Hollywood studios didn't make up for the rest of this.

 

[bowbat]

Okay, I have to laugh at this thread. (For personal reasons, not because it's a stupid thread or anything.)

Without fail, every time I book a resort (and I'm a resort changer, so that's pretty often ), I'll come on DIS and *bam* there will be a thread about why the resort I just booked is horrible. Every. Single. Time.

So, yeah. Just recently changed our November reservations from AKL to BWI.

 

[quigs3]

We have stayed at the YC several times. We fell in love with it after the first visit, but we didn't enjoy the last few. The CMs are exceedingly snobby at this resort. I didn't think it would bother me, but after our last visit this past June, I vowed never to stay there again! It just doesn't seem worth the extra money.

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

I am not happy to hear bad reviews about BWI, because I am overly excited to be staying there in Jan, as well as BWV, and chose it over BC/YC for the theming, but I am one that hated AKL both times we stayed there, so I will probably love BWI/BWV.

Others rant and rave about how wonderful the All Stars are, but we hated them both times we have stayed there. And we usually give them a second chance before deciding not to return. We love Pop, but many people don't.

I don't understand why they would do that for SoG, because only military/DoD can stay there, so that isn't really an accurate reporting.

 

[damien]

Just in case anyone is interested, here's how the Disney Resorts ranked in the "Would you stay there again" poll?

1.AKVillas - Kidani Village
2.Grand Floridian
3.Wilderness Lodge Villas
4.Animal Kingdom Lodge
5.Dolphin
6.Wilderness Lodge
7.AS Music
8.Beach Club
9.Bay Lake Tower
10.FW Cabins
11.BCVillas
12.Riverside
13.Old Key West
14.Polynesian
15.Pop Century
16.French Quarter
17.Saratoga Springs
18.Swan
19.Yacht Club
20.Caribbean Beach Resort
21.AS Movies
22.Boardwalk Villas
23.Coronado Springs
24.Contemporary
25.AS Sports
26.Shades Of Green
27.Boardwalk Inn

Couple of notes:

The average for WDW Resorts was 73%. Everything from the Polynesian up scored at least that.

Boardwalk had the lowest score by a long shot. Shades of Green had 56%, while Boardwalk had 33%.

For the first year in the history of the book, more people said they would return to an offsite hotel than an onsite hotel. That would be bad news in and of itself, but the fact that more people voted this year than any other year really speaks volumes about the Disney Resorts. I think a lot of it comes down to one simple thing - Money. It's always been known that Disney Deluxe Resorts aren't on par with similarly priced hotels in the real world, but as of late, Disney's pricing has gotten out of hand (especially at the Deluxe Resorts), and I think people are getting fed up. Rack rate at the Grand Floridian (tax included) is now over $500 per night!!! At the other Deluxe Resorts (WL and AKL excluded), it's anywhere between $350 - $500 per night, and that's during Value Season.

 

[jackemail]

Okay, I have to laugh at this thread. (For personal reasons, not because it's a stupid thread or anything.)

Without fail, every time I book a resort (and I'm a resort changer, so that's pretty often ), I'll come on DIS and *bam* there will be a thread about why the resort I just booked is horrible. Every. Single. Time.

So, yeah. Just recently changed our November reservations from AKL to BWI.

Lucky you! Boardwalk in November is wonderful.

I am confident you will love BWI...how it ranked so low I will never understand, as it is truly a gem. Must be the clown-slide haters and the people who bemoan the lack of on-site food.

Oh, well---for those who book their reservations by following lists such as this one...wow, are they missing a wonderful, wonderful place in the Boardwalk. (Personal preference, bu I've stayed at AKL 5 times and Boardwalk won me over BIG TIME.)

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

Lucky you! Boardwalk in November is wonderful.

I am confident you will love BWI...how it ranked so low I will never understand, as it is truly a gem. Must be the clown-slide haters and the people who bemoan the lack of on-site food.

Oh, well---for those who book their reservations by following lists such as this one...wow, are they missing a wonderful, wonderful place in the Boardwalk. (Personal preference, bu I've stayed at AKL 5 times and Boardwalk won me over BIG TIME.)

Thank you for saying that. I have been happy with my choice of BWI since I decided it was in the budget this time. We have visited there and found the resort to be very pleasant and I don't think the other issues will bother me one bit. Although, I don't really care for clowns, that is not a deciding factor in where we stay.

AKL leaves alot to be desired for me.

 

[mbrignac]

I hear some people give Pop Century great reviews and some give it mediocre reviews. Is that just personal taste or is there something I should be concerned about? Why was AS Music so great? Going for the first time in 5 years in November and staying at POP.

 

[kaligal]

Birnbaum is Disney's book. Always take it with a grain of salt.

Those results don't surprise me a bit.

 

[dtstampz]

I see they ranked my Coronado Springs at #23. And I've stayed there 3 times since last September! And I'll be back in November, so I must be missing something!

 

[Infamousmare]

Okay, I have to laugh at this thread. (For personal reasons, not because it's a stupid thread or anything.)

Without fail, every time I book a resort (and I'm a resort changer, so that's pretty often ), I'll come on DIS and *bam* there will be a thread about why the resort I just booked is horrible. Every. Single. Time.

So, yeah. Just recently changed our November reservations from AKL to BWI.

I'm with you! Just changed res. from GF to BWV because we really wanted a villa and CR & WL had none available. Figures I'd go from one of the highest-rated to the lowest!

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

I hear some people give Pop Century great reviews and some give it mediocre reviews. Is that just personal taste or is there something I should be concerned about? Why was AS Music so great? Going for the first time in 5 years in November and staying at POP.

We love Pop and give it superior makes compared to any of the All Star Resorts. AS Music probably got good marks because it has the Family Suites and can accommodate more than 4 in one room at a Value price.

To us, the All Stars are really just a glorified Motel 6, and yes, I have heard some people say that about Pop, but it isn't for us. I have yet to have a bad experience at Pop, but both our stays at the AS were bad, they also feel old and run down.

 

[damien]

Birnbaum is Disney's book. Always take it with a grain of salt.

Those results don't surprise me a bit.

I agree. I think they're calling the Yacht Club the best Deluxe because of the bad reviews it's gotten from all the other books the past few years.

I haven't stayed at all the Disney resorts, but I have visited them. I can see why some got high marks and some got low marks. Boardwalk has an interesting theme, but the lack of counter service brings it way down. Plus, the bus service at Epcot resorts is pretty bad in general.

WL and AKL are always at the top of the list. I think it has something to do with the fact that they're less expensive than the other resorts, have the best theme, and have excellent customer service. Also, they both have great food options for the whole family.

 

[tink_n_pooh]

I take most things from the Unofficial Guide with a gigantic grain of salt

I love BWV (I'm guessing the lumped the villas in with the inn?) but I wouldn't mind if we never had to stay at AKV again

For our trip at the end of this month we are staying at BWV, SSR (which I also love), and ending at AKV because it was our only option, I'm still hoping something opens up at SSR for the last 2 nights so we don't have to move to AKV

 

[Cee]

I just stayed at a studio @BWV for the first time and absolutely loved it. Location, location, location. Only took a bus to AKL to go to Boma and DTD. Coming back to the resort is easier if you disembark at the first stop which is Swan. A quick walk through the lobby and out the back takes you over the bridge and VOILA! you're at the Boardwalk. Same with the boat to DHS. I thought it was the perfect place to stay when attending F & W Festival.

 

[damien]

I take most things from the Unofficial Guide with a gigantic grain of salt

I take the Birnbaum Guide with a grain of salt, but the Unofficial Guide ratings comes directly from readers, not the writers of the book.

 

[kaligal]

I take most things from the Unofficial Guide with a gigantic grain of salt

Why? Do you think they lie about what their readers said?

If you do think they're lying, what do you suppose their motivation is?

 

[MusicMouse]

The beauty of the variety of resorts at WDW is that there is something for everyone, so the ranking of any given motel can depend on so many factors! Have your car with you? Then you don't care about bus service! Are you a park commando who is just looking for a place to shower and sleep? You probably won't be disappointed if your resort doesn't have an expercise room or a spa! Your dream is to eat in every country in Epcot? Then don't worry whether or not your resort has a sit down restaurant! As long as folks aren't consistantly complaining about room cleanliness or something else that is a deal-breaker for you, then just choose the resort that is the best fit for you and your group (and nevermind what the guidebooks say - they were probably sent to press 6-8 months before your vacation anyway).

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Honestly I don't take to much stock into where the Unofficial Guide ranks the Boardwalk Inn because I have hard three amazing stays there and this December will be my fourth time staying there. Anyway each time has been great without any problems, so I would rather go with my personal experience and not worry about where it ranks in one book.