Pictures later, but I'm going to take a nap for now.
But, while it's fresh.
The hotel, isn't bad! Unfortunately I didn't get a renovated room (they are doing the building across from me right now though, but there are no construction noises, so...they just have floorplans and other construction related papers taped on the rooms, and when you look in the room it has obviously been stripped bare.
I'll write a more detailed review with pictures later, but I've walked the whole property, and it's larger than it appears. Everything is a bit more compact than, say, Pop Century, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. If you are hungry, the food court / shopping area (which they call the "mall") is centrally located between the two buildings, meaning nomatter where your room is, you have a fairly short walk.
The resort definitely is showing it's age, wear and tear. I'm not sure how much is going to be upgraded with the 10th anniversary (or "birthday" as they call it here) $26 Million dollar refurb going on, but it could all use some TLC.
Most things (aside from the "mall" and "lobby", which appear to have been recently renovated and/or at least restored) have a worn look to them. There are cracks and chips, faded paint, the pool area and water slides have faded in the sun from their original bright orange. The characters, positioned around the resort a la a value resort style theme at WDW, also look faded and old.
That said, the resort is not dirty, which was a nice surprise. It's not the cleanest place I've stayed, but it isn't disgusting...and, importantly, my bathroom is spotless, and everything else is on par with an older hotel. I'd actually liken it to Pop Century's rooms when I stayed there last (2012). Though, I do believe Pop got room refurbs since then, so I'm sure they are in much better shape than they were. The room isn't much worse, believe it or not, than my room at POFQ...but, that resort as well I believe recently got room renovations, so again, my 2013 impressions may no longer be the case.
I'd stay here again. It comes out to under $100 a night (more like $85), and while they do upcharge you every little chance they get (activities, etc), it's still quite affordable and the room is large (for the price) and would easily fit a family of four, whereas a family of four fitting into one room at Pop...can be rather tight.
It is great for exactly what they are targeting. Families with 1 or 2 younger children (under 13, I'd guess). The attractions will thrill them, especially the pool and slides...which, even though I mentioned they are faded, they are clean.
And, I can't stress that...I was very concerned, based on some reviews I'd read and things I'd heard that the resort is dirty.
It...isn't. At least not in my impression. The public areas, even when worn and looking older, ARE clean. The room, well, it's not the worst place I've stayed, and I have no qualms about sleeping here. Bathroom, as I said, spotless. And the master bedroom is nice.
The only area that looks pretty rough (and I checked, it will look dirty in the picture, but it isn't...it's worn and beat up...at first I thought it was dirt, but it isn't...more broken and scuffed formica)...anyhow, the only area that is rather rough is the kids "room". I don't even really want to call it a "room"...it's more like a den. And the beds aren't much more than mattresses plopped on a very low shell on the floor.
That said, with plenty of cubbies for toys and stuffed animals, a private TV just for the kids to watch (and another in the family room, and another in the master bedroom), as well as colorful paintings of characters (in my case Dora) on the walls...I can see two younger kids going absolutely bananas about it. It feels like a sleepover, and it looks like a sleepover...but, to kids, sleepovers are a BLAST.
That, combined with the master bedroom that has it's own door, allowing Mom and Dad (or Mom or Dad) to have some private space and quiet time...all of these combined, I have to give it a thumbs up.
If you are not renting a car, which I am not, that's the one area where the savings may be a lost cause for me. Taxi from the airport was $40. So, $80 round trip. They do run limited shuttles to various theme parks, I am told, but I have yet to find a times guide for when they run, and I imagine we'll end up using the Taxi quite a bit to get around during this trip.
So, these costs should be factored in. As well as parking at the theme parks (if you are renting a car).
But, for a quick getaway, or a short vacation (less than 5 - 6 days), I could see a young family truly enjoying this place.
I think my kiddo is going to absolutely adore it. I can't wait to see what she thinks! (this was HER choice, after all!)
