What was the first resort you stayed at?

[HeyMickey]

I stayed in the Polynesian when I was little, 1987 or so I think. It was cheap then.

That was the only time I've ever stayed onsite My mom is a fan of the $20 per night offsite dive motel - UGH! I know when I start going to WDW without my parents, I'm gonna do it right and treat myself to an on site hotel.

 

[Gary M]

GF in 1992. Didn't know about room discounts and paid rack room rate. Ouch!

 

[madcoco]

Contemporary 1973. Parents surprised us.

 

[eeyore0062]

Dixie Landings, which we thought was so great, we stayed there the next time, too. Our only complaint was that our "water view" was obstructed by stairs and a pillar in Magnolia Terrace, and we didn't know enough to let them know so we could have been moved.

 

[WebmasterPete]

My very first resort at WDW was the Dolphin. Prior to that trip, I had never stayed in a resort like that before. It absolutely started my obsession with Disney. I still get goose bumps whenever I walk through the lobby at the Dolphin...reminds me of that first trip

Pete

 

[sjw4870]

My first resort stay was at the Contemporary in 1976. During that visit, we got a look at the Poly and stayed there on all subsequent visits (with occassional return to CR when Poly was sold out - only 3 hotels back then). Even as more resorts were added, I never wanted to stay anywhere except Poly. On my first "adult" trip (ie: had more of a say in where we stayed) in 1996 I saw Wilderness Lodge and decided to give it a try. Loved it. I've now branched out and tried quite a few of the others. I've never been disappointed but sentimentally, I love the Poly.

 

[Pretzel]

We stayed at ASSp first and a lot of people said it was small and undetthemed, but to me it wasnt-the hotels here have no theming a stark bathroom, coloured comforters being the only themeing to be had- we loved it, would stay there this time but got the wonderlust

 

[WDW LifeLong Fan]

The Polynesian! (First Year!)

It remains my favorite to this day. In fact, regardless of where we stay we always visit the Poly on each trip. I love to walk through the doors of the GCH and breathe/soak in the "Atmosphere"!

 

[jwfla422]

We stayed at The Disney Inn (now Shades of Green). I was very impressed with the cozy, woodsy, laid back atmosphere. The rooms were larger than I expected (and probably the largest studio room on Disney property).

You had to take a bus everywhere or you could walk down to the POLY and pick up the monorail (which was a fairly long walk).

It didn't leave me with high expectations from the other resorts because we did stay at the POLY next time around so the transportation was more convenient and we had a lakeside room so that actually was tough to top. But, since there are so many different themes we've never been disappointed or expected "more" from a deluxe resort. I say "deluxe" because the one time we did stay at a moderate, that's when I felt a little "let down" and realized we were spoiled deluxers!

 

[Princess Michelle]

My first resort was the Contemporary. It was nice enough but I don't think I would stay there again. The tower is really cool and I loved the view we had since we were in the North Wing right on the lake and the convenience of the monorail is nice but the resort was just lacking something for me.

So the expectations it gave me is the other resorts have got to be nicer than this. There isn't a whole lot at the Contemporary in the way of theming. It's a nice property but the others are just so much more beautiful in my opinion.

 

[susy]

I grew up going to WDW numerous times. We always stayed offsite in very nice hotels. My first REAL onsite experience (not counting DTD hotels) was ASmo (with my DH and DS).

I was EXPECTING to be disappointed because of all the bad "press" the AS get on these boards. I'm not the "budget-motel" type, so not having extra amenities in the room kind of "stuck out" right away. Housekeeping made up for it by being so attentive and arranging our stuffed animals ,etc. You don't get that kind of care at a cheap motel.

Other than that, I thought it was GREAT!!! Cute theming landscaping, pool, pool bar, awesome food court (not what I expected) and an overall "fun" atmosphere. I almost expected to see people moping around with , "I'm so depressed because I can't afford the GF" looks. None of that at all!

It definitely set a standard. ASSp was nice, but I don't care much about the theming. My next stay was at CBR. I loved the room (big and more of those amenities).

AKL was a dream come true, and CSR is the perfect mix of elegance and affordability! I don't see myself "not liking" any WDW Resort.

 

[beccasmom]

The Contemporary in June, 1981. Wow.....what a thrill!

We stayed in most of the resorts over the ensuing years and finally became DVC members in 1992. OKW is now my favorite resort.....it's home!

 

[Allie322]

Our first on-site stay was ASMusic in 2000 with my daughter's dance group. Prior to this visit we had either stayed off site or (after 1989) at my parents' home 50 miles south of WDW. Quite honestly, we just didn't "get it"--we couldn't understand what all the fuss was with regards to staying on property. Boy, were our eyes opened in 2000! We were hooked. DH and I agreed then that we wouldn't stay off site and decided to try new resorts. Since then, we have fallen in love with the Epcot resorts area and are reluctant to try anywhere else.

 

[Pugsley]

First onsite stay was at BWI in 1997 when it was brand new. It was my 40th b-day so I decided to splurge -- paid rack rate since I didn’t know any better. Next trip I really wanted to stay at CBR, but it was full so I “settled” for CSR (which was new at the time). Fell in love with CSR and it’s still my favorite, even after staying at BWI, Poly, Swan, PO, ASMo. In a couple of weeks I’m finally going to try CBR, but I don’t think it’ll be able to replace CSR in my heart.

 

[Lesley]

Well, my first WDW resort was the Contemporary back in the 70's....I was 7yo. I remember the room and the bathroom being huge....and that I had a great time at the pool, playground and the arcade (playing air hockey with my grandfather).

I don't think it really set any standards for me because I was so young. But I think I did have the impression for a long time that all hotels were this nice. LOL As a teenager I learned otherwise. We rarely stayed in hotels when I was a kid.

My first WDW resort stay as an adult was at CBR. Dh and I loved it! We could see Illuminations out our window. A short walk to either Old Port Royale or the bus stop. And we enjoyed watching wildlife at the edge of the lake (we saw birds eating turtles...birds eating fish....) I think that did sort of set a standard for us....that we didn't want to stay off property again and that we wanted to explore what else WDW had available.

Now we've stayed almost everywhere....only missing YC/BC (staying at BCV in Oct. though), Swan/Dolphin, the GF, and POFQ. And dh has yet to stay at the Contemporary. We've loved each resort for its own reasons and the only place we probably won't ever return to is the All Stars...its just not the same. Since we're now DVC members we keep returning to the DVC resorts....but also to the Polynesian. I think I just love WDW resorts in general! I think the standard that's been set for us is that each resort much have something special about it...and so far, except for the All Stars, we haven't been disappointed.

Btw, I don't hate the AS resorts...but I just didn't love them.

 

[KathleenFL]

I had to check with the "Family Historian" (DD) to be sure, but our 1st stay onsite was the Poly, in 1978. I do remember that we had a lagoon view room, & loved watching ELP every night......

This last May, I finally got the chance to stay there again, & it's still one of the best resorts at WDW!---- I say "one of", because my new favorite is BWV ----For a "big kids" trip, you can't beat the location........

 

[Disneyolic]

We first stayed at Caribbean Beach on our honeymoon. While there we toured Yacht/Beach Club and dreamed of staying there. The next year we stayed at Dixie Landings. We are going this year in November and were originally booked at Port Orleans French Quarter when they announced their refurbishment closure. We were one of the lucky ones to get upgraded to the Yacht Club. Now, how can we ever go back to the moderates when we are going to stay at our dream resort???

 

[Krissalee]

My first trip was in the late 70's. I must have been 5-6 years old. We stayed at Fort Wilderness in what I guess would now be a cabin - but at that time they were trailer homes. My grandma and Pop-pop, who were living in Hollywood, FL at the time, came to stay with us for a few days.

My dad always recalls that there was a rooster who must have lived near our trailer, and would wake everyone up with a "Cockadoodle-doo" every morning at 5AM!

 

[Canadian Tom]

Our first resort was one night at The Disney Inn and then the next day to seven night on the Gold Key Plan at the Contemporary. It was wonderful! We've been back 15 times since then and stayed at All-star, Beach Club, Yacht Club and Dolphin and Swan. This March we're going to try Beach Club Villas for the first time and who knows; we just may move there.

 

[sgtdisney]

The first resort at Disney World that I stayed in was The Golf Resort, as a child.. This was way back in 1976. I remember the bicentennial parade and everything. We had so much fun. We actually went down without reservations and just drove on into the Contemporary. They were booked but they got us into The Golf Resort. Ah the good old days.. After that it was The Disney Village Resort in the Townhouses, Treehouses or Club lake Villas depending on how many went.. I had my honeymoon at The Polynesian, but joined the DVC the following year and it has been OKW ever since..

Originally posted by DrTomorrow
I think we flew Delta (wasn't Delta the 'first' official airline of WDW?).

Actually Eastern Airlines was the original 'Official' airline of Walt Disney World. When Eastern went bankrupt, Delta became the 'Official' carrier for a period of time.. Just a bit of trivia there...