Which are the best/worst run resorts?

[Gary M]

We have stayed at WL (14), GF (8), AKL (2), DL (1), BWI (1) and Poly (1).

Our experience at the Poly was not good and we will not stay there again.

The other resorts were great. We have stayed at WL 14 times and will be back next Sat.. We feel like the CM's and guests at WL are the best.

 

[Disney Cape Codder]

We stayed at CBR 3 times and loved it each time. The CM's, theming, pool, food court and transportation were great. We had our worst trip at POR due to bad mousekeeping (stolen jewelry, taking our DD's favorite blanket, etc.) and other mishaps such as misplaced luggage. The Swan was okay. We loved its grotto pool and proximity to Epcot but did not like the convention atmosphere and the fact that our bathroom had mold on the ceiling (we asked to be moved but could not be since the hotel was full). We can't wait to try AKL in just 3 weeks.

No matter what we always have a great time...its Disney.

 

[ducklite]

We've stayed at:

YC concierge
BC
BCV
BWV
BWI concierge
AKL concierge
GF concierge
GF non-concierge
Poly concierge
AS Sports
POFQ
SoG

We had bad stays at AS and GF concierge. At the AS they did make an attempt to "fix" the problem, but it was too little, too late, and I'll NEVER go back. At the GF they couldn't have made me happy during my stay, it was beyond that, although they made me a nice offer to come back, and I really enjoyed that stay (although it was not concierge and I'll NEVER stay concierge there again.)

BWI and BWV has consistantly been at least very good, and often excellent. AKL was outstanding in every respect.

Best housekeeping = GF/BWI/AKL
Best customer service = BW/AKL
Friendliest staff = AKL (BY A LANDSLIDE!)
Best deal for the money = AKL
Best transportation = BW/BC
Best views = AKL/GF castle view/Poly castle view
Best restaurants = AKL (Jiko)/GF (Citrico's)/CR (Cal Grill)
Best pool = YC/BC
Best all around resort = AKL

Anne

 

[wilderness01]

We have stayed at:

CR (tower)
CR (south garden room)
OKW 2 bedroom villa
BC
BWV (studio)

We loved the CR. The CM and housekeeping were wonderful. OUr rooms were very clean. Food and Fun was just ok. The pool was fun. The transportation and location could not be beat. There was one small problem at the CR tower room and it was fixed within 30 minutes. We were very impressed. The theme of the rooms were very George Jetson, but we didn't care because we loved the size of them!!!

The worst housekeeping had to be between OKW and BC. They must be overworked. They both left the rooms filthy!

BWV housekeeping also was a close second for being the pits. The front desk even told us upon check in to please report any problems as they have been having great difficulties with cleanliness lately (summer 2002). That is too bad because the location is great! Yes our room was less than stellar.....

The best and friendliest CM's were at the OKW. The elderly people that work in the gift shop are very sweet.

 

[Hayley]

Thanks for all the responses - keep them coming - I'll try to make some kind of pseudo-scientific evalutation soon!

 

[Mitla96]

Eyesnur, I know this is off topic, but I noticed you have stayed at the Swan 12 times, and I would sure like to hear something nice about it, having just read the HORRIBLE reviews on Fodors! It is what we can afford during the time my husband can travel, and I really, really want him to like Disney-my kids and I had such a good trip back in 2001 to POR. Since we only do one park a visit, and we are doing Epcot, I thought the Swan was a steal at $129. Please, please tell me something good (besides location) about the Swan!

 

[eeyore0062]

We have stayed in all but one moderate, as well as WL and the Contemporary, and have never had any problems with management, housekeeping, the valets, the bellhops, front desk, guest services, the state of our room, or really anything of any consequence. I think that the resorts in which we have stayed have been wonderful, their staff courteous, accomodating and the rooms and grounds have been clean and tidy.

I think anyone can find something wrong with anything if they really look for it, but we like to view the glass as half full instead of half empty.

 

[laf]

Mitla96: Our stays at the Swan and Dolphin have been great. Only drawback would be the late pickup of room service dishes in the hallways--but that's not even a real problem, I think more of a ugly to look at type of thing. And you can't beat the location for access to MGM, Epcot and Fantasia golf course. Hope you have a great time!!!

 

[Mitla96]

Thanks, laf-I'm anxious for my husband to like it so we can be regulars like you all!

 

[eeyore0062]

Best housekeeping = WL, CBR and PO-FQ
Best customer service = WL, PO-FQ and Contemporary
Friendliest staff = WL and PO-FQ
Best deal for the money = PO-FQ, CBR, PO-R
Best transportation = Contemporary, PO-FQ
Best views = Contemporary... Bay Lake View
Best restaurants = Contemporary
Best pool = PO-FQ and PO-R (we really haven't stayed anywhere with a "really" fancy pool
Best all around resort = PO-FQ (mod) and Contemporary(deluxe)

 

[goofy4tink]

Best was POR, worst DxL!!! Okay, enough with the funnies. Have only stayed here the two times. Was pretty terrific each time. Transportation was fine, food court fine. Housekeeping could have been a tad better. My only complaint is with the CMs at check-in. Our first visit went smoothly. However, my dd's room key/hopper pass got demagnatized somehow. Based on the reaction of the guy at the desk you would have thought the kid repeatedly rubbed a magnet over her pass!! Very grudgingly gave us a new one, saying to be more careful from now on!! Our last visit the CM at check-in seemed to be bothered that we were there, interrupting her day. It was a little hard to ask for the room we wanted with her attitude. But, all that being said, we would not hesitate to stay there again.

 

[Mackey Mouse]

I think this thread is productive........I am not someone who looks for faults, I do expect the room to be clean at WDW and do not think that is being unreasonable... we are all paying good money to be there.. I think that all transportation should be equal... that no one should have to wait an ungodly time for a bus to get to the park...

I have not stayed at all of the resorts.. I choose my resort on best price, location, and of course the room itself.. I have had some very interesting experiences over the years.. if I am staying on the MK side, I prefer the GF or the Poly.. on the Epcot side, I prefer Swan or Dolphin or the BC/YC... and as I said I have had an issue at one time or another with these hotels.. I just call the front desk and will not take no for an answer....if it is cleaning problem, then get someone there within the hour.. if it is a check in problem, I ask for the manager.. We pay too much to get there, I do not expect perfection, but I do expect to receive what I pay for.. These are my thoughts this morning with no caffeine.. LOL

 

[Eyesnur]

Mitla96, in our dozen visits at the Swan we have had one bad experience...Our phone didn't work and they couldn't get it working. We had to use the concierge phone. It was no big deal but when we came back to the room that night after the parks they left us a big bowl of cookies and a pitcher of milk!

I have NEVER had a bad (unclean or overly worn) room and word is the newly refurbished rooms are great. Further, the staff has always been professional, maybe more business professional than vacation type but still no problems.

Especially for the discounted price the Swan is just awesome!

 

[PamNC]

Hey ya'll - Let me clear up my negative comment on the contemporary. It wasn't that big of a deal so I don't want to discourage anyone from trying the Contemporary. It's a great resort. I just meant that out of the resorts I've tried, to me and in my experience it was the least well run.

There was the silly little thing about the card key not working and waiting dripping wet. I know these things happen but we waited and waited and waited - probably an hour or more. We made a request to housekeeping and it took them a whole day and 1/2 to respond. That's all. I know they're busy but they could have simply called and left a message saying they were working on it. Other than these two little issues, we were happy with the resort. The pool is nice, the walk to Magic Kingdom, the California Grill, and the main positive point would be the absolute magic of the Contemporary. There's something about it. I'll never get over the monorail going through.

I must humby apologize to the Contemporary.

PamNC

 

[pkitty]

WE WILL NEVER TAKE THE CHANCE AND RISK HAVING A CRAPPY VACATION AGAIN !


I am the husband of PKITTY who I just saw make a reply to your question/s. We have been to DW 4 times and stayed in Disney's AMR twice and ASR once as well we stayed outside Disney. The stay outside Disney was our first trip down to Orlando and we were just glad to be there away from our Canadian winter. Anyway That stay outside of Disney was our last, It was the worst experience in a Hotel I had ever had and we paid good money to stay there too (on par with DWAR), there was the smell of mould emitting from the A/C unit and cleanliness overall quite lacking. The room was to be a non smoking room, but I suppose it was only to be that way while we stayed there; at least we got the occasional or regular smoking room instead of the chain smoking room. I have not seen a worse room in all my life and trust me I was once a sailer and have been around to know what are the is's and isn'ts of hotel rooms. We kept ourselves busy but by days end dreaded our return to that crapy room.
Our visits to DW have always been great! In fact we looked foreward to getting back to our resort, we were always impressed by the house keeping and the little things ie: placement of all our daughters stuffed toys etc. on her bed. We loved it and have never stopped talking about it. DW and their resorts are clean, safe, and always lots of fun; we will continue to visit there for many years to come or until the polar ice caps melt and puts Florida under water forever. Hope Disney has a back up plan when that happens.

P.S. I just read over what I typed and where I said the part about the sailer and hotel rooms etc. It sounds disgusting and probably in line with what you might think sailers are all about. I'm not saying they're not but just that It was a requirement for me in general to stay ashore over seas when we entered ports of call thats all.

anyways... we are off to DW in 38 days !!!!!! from always faithful. PKITTY'S HUBSTER.

 

[Jen D]

I am not qualified to answer this question-- the only WDW I had was a stay at BW Villas, and we stayed on DVC points and had not regular housekeeping-- although they went "above and beyond" on trash and towel day (we tipped) and the room was spotless on check-in, and the staff seemed great.

But I have to say, because I have been watching this stuff very closely to pick my next resort, it seems AKL consistently gets excellent notices. There are always a few naysayers, but generally the staff and service get excellent reviews, and the negatives listed are often things unrelated to staff or service (atmosphere, location, room size.)

My next trip will probably be Poly (we just have to stay on the monorail, this once) but I am dying to try AKL.

 

[Mitla96]

Thanks Eysnur! Now I'm happy.