Where do you really feel the magic?

[ktink]

I was just thinking last night that our first trip we stayed at Pop and it was so magical. I think in part because it was our first stay but then also the loud decor and all was really great IMO.

Our next trip we stayed at CSR and it was great. I wouldn't call it magical but the accomodations were more relaxing and the grounds were beautiful. We really took the time to enjoy the pool more as well.

This year we're booked at WL. I'm really thinking that it will be relaxing and a thrill to soak up the lobby, pool, boat ride to MK, etc.

I'm a little concerned about the "magic" though. Does it seem to decrease as your accomodations get better? We have DD 11 and DD 6 my main concern is for this to be about the kids and not the bells & whistles. KWIM


So where do you really feel the MAGIC?

 

[fla4fun]

I think whatever resort you stay in for your first on property experience will always have a special magic for you.

I don't find that the magic is less in the different levels of resorts, but I don't find it's more either. You get more amenities as you move from value to mod to deluxe, but not necessarily more magic. You may find that your expectations change the more often you stay on property, partially depending on the level of resort you choose. Some people feel there should be a real appreciable difference when they are paying $300 per night vs. $99 per night. There is a difference if you are looking at practical things like room size and other physical amenities. But magic is an intangible thing.

You might have a trip at Pop, and have the most outgoing and happy CM's, you might get to the bus stop just as the bus is arriving so you never have to wait, and you always find a cashier in the food court when you need one. That sounds like a magical trip, right? Then your next trip might be to a deluxe, where you may have the misfortune to be checked in by a CM who has personal issues they can't leave at home, you might always just miss the bus/boat/monorail, your neighbors may shout and pound on the walls all night, and the restaurants will be full of screaming guests and no servers. Not so much magic, is it? It's just the luck of the draw, and it could happen at any level of resort at any time.

Personally, I feel the magic when I drive in under the welcome sign at the edge of WDW property, and the magic stays there until I pass back under that sign going the opposite way. I feel it when I enter my resort room for the first time each trip, and the first morning I wake up with my entire vacation ahead of me. It doesn't matter which resort it is, the magic is there.

BTW - I think your kids will love WL, and you will too.

 

[skipperkim]

To me magic is stepping off the plane, going to the resort, checking in, going to the park and when I'm too tired to do anything else, board a bus back to my resort and my bags are "magically" in my room. I've stayed at all ranges of Disney resorts and prefer the mods. I want a hot tub to use for my poor feet and back and a fridge in my room so I can breakfast in my room before heading out to the parks in the morning. But to each his own. My plan may not work for everyone else.

 

[blue_eyes5212]

To me, I feel the magic at the values. They were the first and only place that I have stayed and while eventually I will stay somewhere else, I have a special place in my heart for the values!

 

[fluidimagery]

I find the Polynesian resort to be very magical. I love the sounds and smells when entering the lobby. The view of the castle from the volcano pool is also very magical. When the monorail pulls up to take you to the Magic Kingdom is another special moment for me.

 

[G8r4evr]

We felt the magic at CBR. =)

 

[SplashMtnCrew]

We are staying at WL again this time, and the reason is because of the magic. Part of the magic for us is to return to our resort and you get a vacation within a vacation...we are looking forward to seeing the WL lit up at night when we get back in from the parks. You can't forget to make your own magical moments for yourselves either. Our first onsite stay was at POR and it was great, however, my DH loves food and that is a big part of the magic for him...I really think he is hooked on deluxe resorts even though he would never admit it My DS and myself....we're just happy to see Mickey

 

[SplashMtnCrew]

We are staying at WL again this time, and the reason is because of the magic. Part of the magic for us is to return to our resort and you get a vacation within a vacation...we are looking forward to seeing the WL lit up at night when we get back in from the parks. You can't forget to make your own magical moments for yourselves either. Our first onsite stay was at POR and it was great, however, my DH loves food and that is a big part of the magic for him...I really think he is hooked on deluxe resorts even though he would never admit it My DS and myself....we're just happy to see Mickey

 

[SplashMtnCrew]

We are staying at WL again this time, and the reason is because of the magic. Part of the magic for us is to return to our resort and you get a vacation within a vacation...we are looking forward to seeing the WL lit up at night when we get back in from the parks. You can't forget to make your own magical moments for yourselves either. Our first onsite stay was at POR and it was great, however, my DH loves food and that is a big part of the magic for him...I really think he is hooked on deluxe resorts even though he would never admit it My DS and myself....we're just happy to see Mickey

 

[DisneyMomx7]

Although I love all the resorts we've stayed at, GF will always be the most magical for me. It was the first place our youngest children stayed when we got bit by the Disney bug. I still get chills thinking about how much ds (then 2) loved to sit by the marina in the early morning watching the castle change colors.

 

[airhead]

...it starts the minute I get off the plane! When I finally drive under that sign,I'm "home"! I'm in "mickey-mode"! For me,its not the soap at the resort or the mickey wake up calls. Its the state-of-mind I get into. I'm 53 but I'm 5. I'm tired but I'm energized. NOTHING aggrevates me,no stress. I suddenly don't need sleep,just stand me up and point me in the direction of MK,AK,Epcot,or MGM. Heck,I feel "the magic" at Sea World!!
Sometimes when I read peoples' posts asking for opinions on what resort should they stay at to "feel the most Disney magic",
I wonder what they consider " Disney magic" to be. Just being
there is magic!!!

HAVE FUN!!!!! Now that's some magic!!!!!

 

[mickey2minnie1]

For me, it began when ME wisked my family away to the POLY for 9 nights. That is where it began.

It continued as I saw through my children's eyes the ride on the monorail to the MK first thing in the morning.

I loved watching them swim in the Volcano pool. While I watched, I smiled and realized how lucky I was for soooo many reasons.

We looooove Disney!

 

[Atchley]

I think the magic really happens for me when I cross under the signs that say WDW. From there on out, it is continous magic. I love checking into the resort--even if there is a wait! Walking around the resort for the first time, Getting on the bus to the MK, it is all great. I can't wait.

 

[kaysmommie]

I felt the magic as soon as arrived at WL our first family trip. The theme and atmosphere is great! I also feel that DIsney magic at Poly as well. I like being near the MK, that might be why. As far as Pop I'll let you know as we are staying there for a long weekend in March. I think you will love WL .

 

[kaysmommie]

I felt the magic as soon as arrived at WL our first family trip. The theme and atmosphere is great! I also feel that DIsney magic at Poly as well. I like being near the MK, that might be why. As far as Pop I'll let you know as we are staying there for a long weekend in March. I think you will love WL .

 

[java]

Do I have to pick just one? I think hotel wise it will always be the GF for me. It was where dh and I first stayed and I remember those yummy strawberries we got back then (for FREE- well besides the cost of the room )

Parks wise it is as soon as a parade starts. When that music plays I get all choked up.

Oh and we did not feel the magic at CSR- but it is all about different strokes for different folks- some love those resorts and hate the ones we love. That is what disney does so well. Something for everyone.

 

[ploto]

I have stayed at three Disney resorts:
Pop Century
Contemporary Resort (two stays)
Polynesian Resort (two stays)


I have found them all to be very very magical

 

[noahdove]

I have never stayed at the Poly, but as soon as I exit the monorail and enter the front door of the Poly..well, I am filled with awe and a feeling of joy..

 

[noahdove]

oops

 

[snappy]

So far the most magic I have felt was definitely my birthday/RFTC trip stay at WL last September. Meeting DIS friends, being upgraded from standard to inner courtyard, and getting lots of other special pixie dust bestowed on my mom and me was an experience I will never forget.

We have joined DVC now and I imagine BW (our DVC home) will surpass WL in the magical department. However, I will definitely be squeezing in some WL nights as well in the future. Any place from which I can arrive at the MK (by bus) in under 5 minutes rules my heart. Love, love, love the MK.