Which are the best/worst run resorts?

[Hayley]

I wonder if we could come up with any consensus at all about management problems at any given resort? Do you think we'd come up with any kind of trend or will it be all over the board?

We could probably discuss housekeeping forever and come up with all the resorts being lacking at one time or another.

In another thread, Gabrielle said a mouthful when she said it's not the mistake, but how they handle it.

Personally, I had a bad housekeeping experience (truthfully my only really bad one in my 12+ times at WDW) in the Garden Wing at the Contemporary. And more than it being a matter of bad housekeeping, was the pitiful way I was ignored when I spoke to management about it. <i>None</i> of the problems in my room were <i>ever</i> corrected, and management completely blew me off. But it's OK, because we've kind of settled on the Poly being our favorite and I think housekeeping is great there. The housekeeping staff has bent over backwards to take care of us every time we've stayed there.

If you've had a really bad and really good experiece with housekeeping and management at a WDW resort, what are they? What's your best and worst stay at WDW in this respect?

Mine: best - Poly
worst - Garden Wing Contemporary

 

[Eyesnur]

This is really a loaded question because it really comes down to personal experiences. But I'll give you my thoughts.

We've stayed at the Poly (2), BC (3), WL (1), PO (1) AKL (7), Swan (12) Dolphin (3) & Coronodo (4).

From our experince the Poly was the least well run. It was harder to communicate with management for some reason and they seemed to be good at not knowing whats going on. Poor communication & lots of bewildered looks.

The best is undoubtedly the AKL. They have been 'johnny on the spot' with every request, problem or question and while I've received some responses I've been sad or surprised with I, at least, received them in a professional and definitive manner, quite unlike the Poly.

 

[BrianD]

I would say that the best run resorts are all of them and the worst run resorts are all of them. For every single resort, I hear rave reviews and bad reviews. So my advice would be to pick the one who's theme and accomodations would best suit you and your family. Remember, a bad resort stay is the exception, not the rule.

 

[Hayley]

Originally posted by Eyesnur
This is really a loaded question because it really comes down to personal experiences. But I'll give you my thoughts.

But that's my point - . I know we all have different experieces and I'd like to hear them. I was wondering if we'd be able to see any kind of a pattern - you know, to see if any one resort got more complaints or more praise than another.

 

[PamNC]

Let me give it a try. We've stayed at the following resorts:

AS Music (2x)
CBR (2x)
Coronado Springs (2x)
Contemporary Resort (once)
Yacht Club (2x)
Beach Club (2x)
Grand Floridian (once)

At this moment, our favorite resorts are YC/BC. We love Stormalong Bay and the convenience of walking to Epcot and the Boardwalk, as well as the boat to MGM. However, as far as well run I'd say The Grand Floridian is tops with YC/BC running a close second. Our room at the Grand was SPOTLESS and beautiful and the cast members were the most gracious. This sounds silly but we were at Gasparilla Grill and my husband was just saying to me that he wished they had orange soda. A CM heard him and told him to wait a moment - she went somewhere in the back and brought him an orange soda. Which, they didn't sell there at the Grill. She didn't charge him a penny. Silly, I know...but a nice touch.

I don't think any of our resort experiences were bad. If I had to pick one as being the least well run..I'd say Contemporary. It wasn't terrible, we enjoyed our stay. BUT, we did find that the response to requests was quite slow. And, our room key didn't work once. We were dripping wet in the lobby so we called the front desk. It took them FOREVER to come help us. I wouldn't call it a horrible experience, but it wasn't the Grand or YC/BC.

This is an interesting and intelligent thread. I look forward to reading more.

PamNC

 

[Hayley]

OK, we have 2 people not thrilled with the Contemporary management! Do I see a trend? Let's hear it form all of you who disagree!

We 've stayed at Dixie Landings, Wilderness Lodge, Grand Floridian, Contemporary, Poly, The Swan, and the Boardwalk. With no disrespect to the person who told the story about the bad experiece at the WL - I mean, I totally believe she had a problem - I found WL to be very clean.

 

[Eyesnur]

Oh, this thread will be fun, but your second negative post on the Contemporary is rather mild so how will this factor in? But alas, I've had no desire to stay at the Contemporary so I get no vote!

Actually, I agree with Brian (again) that in the final analysis it will probaby be pretty even.

 

[April in Disney]

My personal experience:
We have stayed in PO(1) CON POLY(2) AKL(1)
Best Mousekeeping= CON POLY
Best Run resort = AKL

 

[Nolcrest]

Let's see - we've stayed at the CR, FWcabins, WL, POFQ, POR and CBR. Lucky for us we've NEVER had a bad experience at any of the resorts. Housekeeping and CM's were acceptable at all resorts. Oh no, does this mean my luck is running out. Honestly, now I just decide what theme I want to be immersed in and that is the resort I choose.

 

[GoingtoWDWagain]

I've stayed at ASMO, Coronado Springs, CB, and Poly and I never had a bad experience that's why I keep going back! Poly went out of their way to knock and ask if all was okay and if we needed anything.

 

[chrisp]

Interesting thread - OK - I disagree with the negative comments about the Contemporary: We've stayed at the Contemporary 14 times, the Poly once, and CBR once - had a terrible experience at the Poly and only wonderful experiences at the Contemporary. We were in a garden wing room once, and since then in the tower. We love the CR - housekeeping and all CM's have been terrific. So for me:

worst - Poly
best - Contemporary Tower

 

[Hayley]

Originally posted by Eyesnur
Oh, this thread will be fun, but your second negative post on the Contemporary is rather mild so how will this factor in?

I was kidding - I won't call it a consensus with 2 of any kind of comment. It will be interesting to see if you are right, that it will all come out even.

 

[Luv2Roam]

We have stayed at:
CSR
POR
ASMo
ASMu

The best service we have had at these four resorts (in every area) was at ASMo, with ASMu a VERY close second.
That's what amazes me. The AS' having better service (from our experiences) than the mods!
And I don't think it was more so from expectations. The AS' were just better in every aspect , hands down. (Other than food court quality I have to admit.) The only other downside I have noticed at an AS is no in room coffee maker. I still can't figure out why that is not an option -- even for an extra charge.
CSR came in third by a long shot from POR. The only problems we had even worth mentioning were due to the Pepper Market.
I always thought maybe the new staff started out at AS, and then moved up the ladder to end up at deluxes. But I wonder now.....

 

[Simba's Mom]

Having stayed at POR (5X), POFQ(2X), WL(3X), OKW(1X),BC(1X),ASSports(1X),ASMu(1X),AKL(1X), and FW(3X), I'd have to say WL. We gave them 3 tries and this last time took the cake-not so much for our problems, but the way the CMs responded at the time-"We're the beautiful WL, and we don't care. You're just so lucky to be here." That's the attitude we encountered. I know some people love it there, and I wish we'd encountered the CMs you did, because it is beautiful there. All the other resorts have been so far superior in their management. BC had made several errors, but you know what? They handled everything in such a prompt, friendly manner, that BC is my favorite resort! As someone said, we're dealing with humans-everyone can make mistakes, but it's how they're handled. So true!

 

[pkitty]

I would have to agree... the ASMU,ASSP and ASMO although they are considered the more basic Disney properties are also among the cleanest and most accomodating I've found. Lets put it this way any resort that has housecleaning staff driving around in golf carts, stopping at every garbage can hopping out and wiping the thing down until it gleams gets my vote of confidence. Towels, shampoo ,clean food court all great. Not to mention anytime I've ever requested a specific building (EG FANTASIA at ASMO) they have been able to meet my request no problem. Fun resorts especially if you have smaller kids!!!

P.S BETTER BUS SERVICE TOO>>>A BUS EVERY 10 TO 15 MINUTES AND YOUR NOT STOPPING AT OTHER RESORTS!!!!!

 

[Leota]

Worst housekeeping - Polynesian Concierge
Worst Response to requests or problems - WL

Best all around - Beach Club
Close Second Best - Coronado Springs

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

Best housekeeping = YC
Best customer service = YC
Friendliest staff = OKW
Best deal for the money = CBR
Best transportation = CBR
Best views = GF
Best restaurants = Poly
Best pool = YC/BC
Best all around resort = YC

 

[DisneyFreaks]

We have really only had two bad experiences at the resorts. At Coronado Springs resort we were treated rudely beyond belief by the CM who check us in. She apparently was suppose to be doing something on the computer that day when the check in desk became extremely busy and this man told her she had to wait on us. She was so angry she was turning red and ultimately took it out on us. I can honestly say that I have never been treated so poorly. It was shameful. Our room was never cleaned properly our entire stay. The floor was not vacuumed even one time. We had to call on three different occasions to have someone come and give us clean towels and empty the trash. The only excuse we got from anyone was that the foreign employees did not understand what was expected of them. We probably will never choose CSR to stay at ever again. Secondly is Wilderness Lodge. Although our room was cleaned beautifully each and every day I have to say the management there is very lacking. They act as though they just don't care if their guests are happy or not. One night while we were sleeping someone unlocked our door and tried to enter our room. Lucky for us the night latch worked. We called the front desk and never even received an apology for this intrusion. We found the transportation out there really bad and when we complained we were told no one else ever complains so you have to be wrong. From these boards I have read many posts about bad transportation there. I can't believe we were the only ones to ever voice a complaint about it. We do love Disney though and are giving them another chance as I know many of you do as well. But I'm beginning to think if you want magic anymore you will have to find it yourself.

 

[onceuponadream]

We have only stayed at POFQ and CBR but we had wonderful experiences with both with staff and housekeeping. The only time we really encountered staff was at check in, meals in the food court and the gift shop. As far as housekeeping goes we are so tired after a day at the parks I can't say we honestly paid too close attention but I'm sure we would have noticed any gross negligence. The rooms seemed fine and the beds were always made . Can't wait to try ASMo, CSR and AKL!!

 

[bratdeb]

My family and I stayed at the WL during Halloween. I have to admit the setting is beautiful, but the staff kind of dampened our vacation. We normally stay at the Carib. and love it. Maybe we just had a bad string of luck. We are trying the AS for a Christmas suprise (the first week in Dec)--hopefully it will be magical