What resorts shocked you?

[agavegirl1]

I was completely surprised by how underwhelming BC was on my last stay. The location was the only thing my BF and I thought was a positive. I didn't think the themeing was very good, mousekeeping was so-so and none (as in none) of the hot tubs were heating properly. We contacted maintenance and they were aware of the issue and waiting for parts that would be in Friday (this was Monday). Why wouldn't Disney have storage with assorted replacement heating elements for their hot tubs?

CMs at the front desk seemed disinterested or crabby most of the time. It wasn't exactly a "magical" stay.

Since we don't spend that much time in the room, we decided to save money and stay at POP this time. I do hope I am pleasantly surprised.

 

[Deb & Bill]

We stayed at Old Key West. Now, we knew this was the oldest DVC...however, the room layout shocked us. We felt like we were in a regular hotel room. We didn't have that DVC "Big room feel" at all. Never again. We have loved every DVC resort we've visited...except OKW.

You must have been in a studio. But the only thing like the regular hotel room is two queen beds instead of one queen bed and one double sleeper sofa like most of the other studios.

You need to try a one bedroom or larger.

 

[kathy884]

The Contemporary. // DH has a seminar there and I though -- oh Yuck -- sure wish we could stay at a place with better theming. But OMG, I fell in love. First of all the nice guy at the front desk (all convention rooms were the same rate) gave us a high tower room with great view rather than the garden wing. The balcony and view were to die for and I loved hanging there with my family after a busy day and watching the water parade (my favorite time of the whole trip was our hang out time there). The room was nice and updated. The common areas were nice too. I could take the monorail and easily go the POLY (one of my favorites). I could take the little boats over to Wilderness Lodge and Fort Wilderness.

POR // I was really excited to stay here as I had read so many great reviews. // I was really disappointed, though, mostly with dining options. I only made a few ADRs in advance and we weren't on a dining plan. I thought I could just eat some table service there (wrong -- no availability for dinner at all on our stay) -- only their food court was available and I wasn't impressed. But no problem right -- just take the little boat to Downtown Disney and pick one of their little restaurants -- WRONG -- no availability all night at any except rainforest café that had a three hour wait. 3 hours and 45 minutes later we were seated for dinner and yes, we walked around Downtown Disney till a hour before our time. // The fishing that I thought would be fun there was pretty lame too -- really more for little kids. // The resort itself was pretty nice looking for a moderate and rooms were clean and comfortable. // Still OMG, I was so happy to be able to move offsite for the dining options -- enjoyed our offsite condo stay way more. // This was an early June stay.

 

[lynnirene]

The Contemporary. // DH has a seminar there and I though -- oh Yuck -- sure wish we could stay at a place with better theming. But OMG, I fell in love. First of all the nice guy at the front desk (all convention rooms were the same rate) gave us a high tower room with great view rather than the garden wing. The balcony and view were to die for and I loved hanging there with my family after a busy day and watching the water parade (my favorite time of the whole trip was our hang out time there). The room was nice and updated. The common areas were nice too. I could take the monorail and easily go the POLY (one of my favorites). I could take the little boats over to Wilderness Lodge and Fort Wilderness.

POR // I was really excited to stay here as I had read so many great reviews. // I was really disappointed, though, mostly with dining options. I only made a few ADRs in advance and we weren't on a dining plan. I thought I could just eat some table service there (wrong -- no availability for dinner at all on our stay) -- only their food court was available and I wasn't impressed. But no problem right -- just take the little boat to Downtown Disney and pick one of their little restaurants -- WRONG -- no availability all night at any except rainforest café that had a three hour wait. 3 hours and 45 minutes later we were seated for dinner and yes, we walked around Downtown Disney till a hour before our time. // The fishing that I thought would be fun there was pretty lame too -- really more for little kids. // The resort itself was pretty nice looking for a moderate and rooms were clean and comfortable. // Still OMG, I was so happy to be able to move offsite for the dining options -- enjoyed our offsite condo stay way more. // This was an early June stay.

Great info! We are doing a split stay at both those resorts in January, so these reviews were very helpful to know more of what to expect. It would be great if we could get a room upgrade at the Contemporary like you did, but I won't hold my breath

 

[Ofinn]

Bag? Searching my Dis Brain and not finding this one...

I think she was trying to be funny or something I don't know? Don't get it. She started a thread very similar to this one a few weeks ago.

 

[Suelala]

I was pleasantly surprised at POP, and its going to be hard to spend the extra money on a moderate resort again now. Maybe I am just cheap, but I just cant justify paying so much more when most of my time is spent in the parks anyway. If I miss my "hme" moderate resort, I guess I will go visit it!

 

[Suelala]

I goofed.."home" resort, not "hme". Sorry!

 

[meredith1]

I am not into the theming. I would much prefer to leave the character madness behind me once I leave the parks.

I wasn't very impressed with CR but, loved the GF....again, I'm just not into the themed resorts....I'm much more interested, iike you, in good service once I'm back at the resort.

 

[dminnie]

I haven't read all the posts, but it seems like it's possible you were expecting more from CSR due to the cost being more than you were used to paying. You said that you could "barely afford it". I know when I spend more than I can usually afford on something, I wind up having higher expectations and sometimes have some letdown. Maybe 3 resorts in one week was too much moving around too.

We've stayed at CSR and really liked it. The buses were great. Liked the theme. Pool and hot tub were really nice. The beds were comfortable. We weren't crazy about the Pepper Market, but we don't usually eat at the resort much anyways. You seemed put off by them not knowing much about the game you wanted to watch. IDK...I doubt that many people are at WDW with the intention of keeping up with sporting events. Maybe the CM you talked to just isn't that into sports.

 

[nolanboys]

We stayed at Old Key West. Now, we knew this was the oldest DVC...however, the room layout shocked us. We felt like we were in a regular hotel room. We didn't have that DVC "Big room feel" at all. Never again. We have loved every DVC resort we've visited...except OKW.

We were so shocked by how much we loved OKW. So much so, that we bought into DVC. We get 2 bdrms though, which are huge. Love the landscaping there, and how peaceful it is. The boys love it because of the main pool area - which also has a basketball court, volleyball, tennis and ping pong. DH and I love taking a leisurely walk and enjoying the views.

 

[Mousemom234]

I don't think we've been really negatively shocked since we made the mistake of staying at POFQ the year they opened -- just opened.
You want bad bus service ? They had it. The boat wasn't operating, and we'd been assured it was, busses came maybe 2 an hour, and if you had just missed the one you needed, good luck.... The food court definately needed help, but Bonfamille's was an excellent restaurant. (I don't know why they closed it - PO could definately use another TS restaurant). Place was pretty, though. I can't get DH to consider trying it again though

We've stayed at CSR twice, and I would gladly stay again - but was sort of surprised at the second trip, after they redid the rooms.
Gone was the lovely little table and 2 comfy chairs - in their place, a desk, a way-too-springy desk chair, and a footstool thing that was backless and too low to sit comfortably on if you're over 4 ft tall.
Overall, I love CSR, and I do enjoy the theming - or lack of it, but I sort of remember our first trip there were more 'Disney touches'. The rooms were nice, parking was close, and the Casitas are soooo pretty at night, with the fountains. However, the major reason I'd stay there is that I can swim in the quiet pools - they're not chlorinated, theyre bromine sanitized. Pool chlorine and I are not good partners.
We've always had a rental car, so I don't remember much about their bus system, but what little we used it it was unremarkable, so not overly poor
I've seen a few suits, but mostly they stay near the lobby and Center; they've not been a bother to us, but I can see where a large group might get to be annoying.

These days, though, what shocks me the most is the dogawful prices. I'm not made of money like some people seem to be, nor will we go into debt for 2 years to pay for a week. Once upon a time we could afford to 'do Disney' every year or so. But things change, and not for the better mostly, so now we have to budget carefully, and we've been staying offsite. That can be quite a shock too !

 

[FoxyGranny]

WDW has a wide variety of resort choices and wide variety of guests to accommodate . We have stayed at a number of resorts over the years. Our family did not care for the Coronado either. How wonderful that there are so many choices, for WDW fans to enjoy.
P.S. I love Pop Century. Nostalgia, may have tacky aspects but what
A chance to relive those fun times.

It is all about the experience for me.

 

[Son of Gadsden]

I haven't read all the posts, but it seems like it's possible you were expecting more from CSR due to the cost being more than you were used to paying. You said that you could "barely afford it". I know when I spend more than I can usually afford on something, I wind up having higher expectations and sometimes have some letdown. Maybe 3 resorts in one week was too much moving around too.

I don't disagree with this, that's certainly possible. We like the values, we tried a moderate. We paid a lot more for a moderate than we are used to paying, and we felt like that money was wasted. But, we've paid the extra money for Poly and felt justified, so that's not necessarily the problem. But, once again, I'm sure that definitely was part of it.

We weren't crazy about the Pepper Market, but we don't usually eat at the resort much anyways.

We pretty much eat quickservice for our entire stay, so the QS restaurants at the resorts are very important to us, especially when we've already went over budget on the resort.

You seemed put off by them not knowing much about the game you wanted to watch. IDK...I doubt that many people are at WDW with the intention of keeping up with sporting events. Maybe the CM you talked to just isn't that into sports.

I would understand that if I went to concierge and they acted that way (Actually, no, I'll take it back. I would expect concierge to go find someone who could answer my question). This was a bartender at a bar. In a bar, no matter the type, some of your main clientele (especially on Sunday and Monday night) are going to be sports fans. American Football is America's most popular sport. Sunday Night Football is week in and week out the highest rated program on TV. I expect a bartender to at least know if the guys throwing the ball are going to be on TV tonight, and if they don't know, don't look at me with a blank face in silence until I walk out of the bar. Go get someone who knows. It doesn't matter if you're in Disney or Pittsburgh, bars fill up with sports fans. A good bartender makes people feel comfortable so they stay at the bar and spend more money than they would if they were grabbing a drink and leaving. These people made me want to get the heck out of there as soon as possible.

Was it really that big of a deal? No. But I would have spent a three digit bar tab if they would have answered my question, and would have likely been back for Monday Night and/or Thursday Night. Instead, I spent nothing, and I didn't return.

 

[Jennasis]

Bag? Searching my Dis Brain and not finding this one...

Darn auto correct! ! Boardwalk. Apparently my phone doesn't like the abbreviation.

 

[Jennasis]

I think she was trying to be funny or something I don't know? Don't get it. She started a thread very similar to this one a few weeks ago.

Not trying to be funny. Auto correct changed my abbreviation for Boardwalk. And I haven't started any resort thread in a long time. Must have me confused with someone else.

 

[jimmiej]

We were pleasantly surprised by Saratoga Springs. We planned that trip last minute and SS was the only DVC available.

Easily the nicest room we've ever had at WDW. Overall, a very nice stay.

 

[aml3679]

My co-worker suggested POFQ. I love the look of POR better but need a hip replacement next Fall and thought POFQ would be better because it is smaller. In person it is a great resort. It is small. We are less than a 5 minute walk to boat transportation to Riverside or Downtown Disney; to the pool; the laundry; the store; the food court or the buses.

The resort is very quiet and spotless.

We would stay here again or recommend it to anyone,