Reviews

[Tootsie]

I was just reading on The Cheat Sheet, not sure how reliable of a publication it is, number one they The Swan and Dolphin listed as a Disney Resort, I always thought it was actually owned by someone else, they also had a picture of people checking in that wasn't even a Disney resort, but they had a list of the worst resorts, the reprinted Yelp reviews, so horrible, I've been going to WDW/DL since 2008 and have stayed a number of resorts and never experienced anything bad, if there was something wrong is was remedied immediately. I understand that everyone has an opinion, but were these people just upset over something else or was it truly as bad as they described. Someone said there was blood on the carpet in one of the All-Star resorts, another said that mold and mildew came out of a shower head, I understand that some of the resorts are older than others, but at the All-Star Movies, everything was perfect, AoA was amazing, yes it's far to walk to a bus stop, but that didn't qualify a poor Yelp review, we had a hair dryer catch fire in Port Orleans, they offered to move us, I told them just bring a new hair dryer, they did within minutes. I hate that people that have never experienced Disney will read these and think that they are all true, I've never had a cast member NOT go above and beyond for our needs, is it busy, yes, do people get frustrated, yes, but I don't think it warrants possibly "made up" reviews. Has anyone have an issue that would warrant a bad review, not like, not enough towels. I love Disney and yes I have seen changes over the years, but I think they do a pretty good job of keeping up.

 

[epcotisbest]

Online reviews are quite subjective and if you are reading reviews of a particular resort and the majority are quite flattering then you get one that is an awful review, it is possible someone just has an ax to grind. Another thing is someone who is unhappy is more likely to go online and complain than someone who is happy.
We have stayed at some incredible places and read reviews that were nowhere near the experience we had.
For example, we may like a place for the very reason someone else complains about it. We enjoy Disney Saratoga Springs. We like the grounds, landscaping and how spread out the whole place is. Someone else may hate it for that same reason. Perhaps it is too big of a resort to suit them, too spread out and they consider it too much walking. They may rate it a one star on Tripadvisor when I would rate it a five star.
Another thing that puzzles me is when people review a place and it is plain from the review they are not even reviewing the right place. There are several reviews on Tripadvisor I have read of places we have been, and will be reading and the reviewer will post photos and it is not even the same place. But hey, the name was similar, so they will review it. If you don't even know the actual name of the place you are reviewing, or it's actual location, your review is not valid.
You can gain valuable insight using review sights, and I think they provide a valuable service, but I think you have to form your own judgement. And if there is a one star and a five star review right beside each other, one of them must be a bit biased for some reason.
To answer your question, I try to be fair in reviewing something on Tripadvisor or Yelp. Going to extremes, saying something is the worst place I have ever stayed, or something similar, has not happened yet. Should I stay at an unacceptable dump, I would say so, but describing something that way because something happened you did not like does not change the overall experience, and I don't get why some people proclaim something simple ruined their trip.

 

[DisneyPrincess5]

Hah, reviews make me chuckle. The comedian Sebastian Maniscalco does a great bit about how if he and his wife hate their meal at a restaurant, they just say it sucks and leave after they pay...they don't "tattle tale" on the restaurant by writing a review online. Whether you agree with this approach or not is moot, his delivery of it is hysterical.

Once I read someone's review of the Contemporary, giving it 2 out of 5 stars for...wait for it...the CM's attire. They thought the outfits were outdated and it put a damper on their vacation. Yes, I know. So while they did feel that way so it is what it is (sign) I find it unfair to rate the ENTIRE resort at a 2, listing no other grievances.

Reviews should always be taken with a grain of salt in my experience.
Everyone has a variety of experiences with the same things, and those same things do vary based on many factors. I'm a firm believer that it's up to you to do research and choose what is best for you without totally allowing the opinions of others to take rank. Yes, other's opinions, especially consistent ones, do hold valuable data for sure. But some people completely determine what they choose based on what others say. Some like to find out for themselves and life with whatever may come.

 

[wdw4life69]

Katie bug.....Paging Katiebug..... Will Katiebug please pick up a house phone.

 

[correcaminos]

The Swan and Dolphin are technically called "Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort" They can be booked through Disney and have some of the same bonuses to staying there. After many stays there, I can see why it's rated so well. It's wonderfully run, have more upscale theming/amenities and just over all a wonderful place to stay.

Technically the buildings are not owned by Disney but are built on leased Disney land. It is a true partnership which is why they are Disney hotels, but don't have all the same bonuses as completely owned/operated by Disney resorts.

That said reviews should be taken with a grain of salt. Everyone has different expectations/needs/desires for a resort stay. Like for me, I would rather stay at the Disney Springs area hotels that are not Disney owned, than stay at a value. Been there done that and no, values are not for me.

Others love them and prefer to stay there. So while my review is my opinion others will feel differently for many reasons.

 

[s&k'smom]

I see that alot with dining reviews. For example there is always a divide for Tony's at the MK, I've seen terrible reviews but for my family we dined there on our last two trips and had absolutely fantastic times.

 

[AndrewsJ]

I was just reading on The Cheat Sheet, not sure how reliable of a publication it is, number one they The Swan and Dolphin listed as a Disney Resort, I always thought it was actually owned by someone else, they also had a picture of people checking in that wasn't even a Disney resort, but they had a list of the worst resorts, the reprinted Yelp reviews, so horrible, I've been going to WDW/DL since 2008 and have stayed a number of resorts and never experienced anything bad, if there was something wrong is was remedied immediately. I understand that everyone has an opinion, but were these people just upset over something else or was it truly as bad as they described. Someone said there was blood on the carpet in one of the All-Star resorts, another said that mold and mildew came out of a shower head, I understand that some of the resorts are older than others, but at the All-Star Movies, everything was perfect, AoA was amazing, yes it's far to walk to a bus stop, but that didn't qualify a poor Yelp review, we had a hair dryer catch fire in Port Orleans, they offered to move us, I told them just bring a new hair dryer, they did within minutes. I hate that people that have never experienced Disney will read these and think that they are all true, I've never had a cast member NOT go above and beyond for our needs, is it busy, yes, do people get frustrated, yes, but I don't think it warrants possibly "made up" reviews. Has anyone have an issue that would warrant a bad review, not like, not enough towels. I love Disney and yes I have seen changes over the years, but I think they do a pretty good job of keeping up.

Bad things can occur at Disney Resorts just as at any resort. There could very well have been blood on the carpet that Mousekeeping just didn't see and it's Florida so of course there could be mold. Just because it's Disney doesn't mean it's perfect.

 

[epcotisbest]

I was just reading some tripadvisor reviews for a place in Orlando and there was mention of the beach, and some lovely oceanfront photos. Reminded me of this thread. Can't be a valid review if they don't know Orlando is not oceanfront. So the place they stayed had a similar sounding name? Wonder what else they got wrong!

 

[mdubm]

I always try to take what they say with a grain of salt. If a place has overwhelmingly bad reviews, I tend to avoid. Overwhelmingly good reviews, I give it a shot. But if people are complaining about minor issues or freak problems that the resort can't necessarily control, I move on. My favorite complaint is when people are mad it rained. "Our whole trip was ruined because we got rained on in the park and waited a while on a bus to come back to the resort. We will never be back!" *eyeroll*

 

[Lynne M]

Cheat Sheet is a clickbait site. Those are sites that use sensational headlines to get you to click on their link, and they get ad revenue from each link you hit on their site. The content isn't the point, and it's usually useless information, a rehash of an article on another site, or made up out of thin air. It's all about getting you to click on a link.

 

[LAKid53]

Katie bug.....Paging Katiebug..... Will Katiebug please pick up a house phone.

 

[LAKid53]

I would never, ever trust a review on Yelp. And I'm usually sceptical about reviews on Travel Advisor - I just go for the pictures.

That being said, I've stayed at almost every Disney resort on property. Other than a few minor issues (why do people keep stealing the Do Not Disturb card, even off your door at night?!), I've not had a bad stay. Yes, the beds in the Values aren't the greatest, but neither are the ones in a Motel 6. All my rooms have been clean and well stocked with linens and toiletries upon arrival - I've never experienced some of the cleanliness issues others have commented on. My only problems with Mousekeeping? 1. Not notifying maintenance when they couldn't get into our room to service it because the battery on the lock had died and 2. constantly replenishing the soap/shampoo/conditioner when we'd not used it (I'd put the bottles on the dresser to clear them from the tub). I finally lined up all the bottles and soaps on one of the beds to say, "hey, we don't need any more" and she still gave us new ones. My local shelter got some nice Disney toiletries upon our return home.

 

[LAKid53]

Bad things can occur at Disney Resorts just as at any resort. There could very well have been blood on the carpet that Mousekeeping just didn't see and it's Florida so of course there could be mold. Just because it's Disney doesn't mean it's perfect.

Could be mold? Mold is the state's fungi, like our state bird is that annoying mockingbird, state reptile is the gator, etc. It's everywhere and a constant battle. Warm, moist air = mold...and it's cousin mildew. The only way to effectively eradicate mold and mildew would make Disney smell like a Clorox plant....