What is the most Disney Feeling Resort?

[ddbowdoin]

Hey all... just returned from a trip and now starting to look into planning something else. This last trip was my very first time on property. I must say... I was disappointed with the Beach Club.

1.) very well themed
2.) convenient location
3.) amazing pool

All great things.... but, to me and this is my opinion the resort lacked the Disney feel. People here have mentioned you always feel like your are surrounded by the Magic but I just didn't get that. I felt like I was back home in New England. Expensive rooms, high brow guests.... I just didn't enjoy it.

What is a hotel that just has that amazing Disney feel...

Thanks for weighing in!

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

Well its not SSR retirement home and gated community for the pursuit of a quiet life.

 

[dreamfinder]

I am... just am not looking forward to the cinderblock walls and such. I mean, Im not looking for ultra lux but its a little crappy from what I have heard.

Not crappy. It is what it is. The value resorts are value priced hotels. They are no more run-down or beat up than the moderates or deluxes. It's all a matter of when you hit in the refurb schedule. Clean rooms, unique theming, and enough services to let you stay on property and not need a car.
The groups that stay there may be a bit more annoying, but that has to do more with manners of people who are unsupervised and on vacation than anything remotely related to WDW.

Now going back to your original question about the most Disney feeling. I think it depends on what you mean by Disney feeling/ties. If you are looking for something that anyone could see and say, "That's Disney!" then All Star Movies, and the pending Art of Animation are the places to go. Or perhaps a monorail resort with a MK view. Nothing like waking up and looking out your window at Cinderellas castle. But some people think of Disney as being transported to a different place, and leaving reality behind. (Much more evident when many park attractions weren't tied to the latest Pixar release) If you view Disney in that manner, than I would have to say WL, AKL, or POFQ. All 3 have remarkable theming that really helps to transport you somewhere else. And they don't really fit the typical mold of the other resorts on property.

 

[paul436]

All-Star Movies has the larger-than-life Disney characters everywhere. Disney is the resort theme.

 

[paul436]

I would like to stay in POFQ because of Jazz Music of New Orleans!

It's a beautiful resort. You would not be disappointed.

 

[Jessnwonderland]

It may not be my fave but I think that ASmovies has the most Disney feel. Sure it's a value resort and you have to share a bus but they have the Fantasia Pool, the giant Toy Story characters, The Herbie, the dancing brooms, etc... It is Disney themed all the way down to the room decor!

 

[611williamsj]

All of the resorts at Disney have themes but most have nothing to do with Disney as a whole but all have aspects of Disney in them the Disney vacation club resorts tend to have a more relaxed laid back feel from typical American architecture expect for more modern resorts.
The only places that look like they scream Disney are the all stars resorts but I've never been
My favorite is Old Key West but that is because I like its theme and lack of overlay Disney flash but little cute items remind you of were you are

 

[Mongomil]

Like most people have said the resorts bring you to the place they are designed after. So in that aspect I would put in a vote for All-Star Movies. PoP is more pop culture. They do use disney stuff to show off that culture but it is more noticable at ASMo. Now its not a luxuary place but it is a place to put your head at night. The beds are not the most comfortable but they are beds. The other choice if you want deluxe is Contemporary with a Magic Kingdom view. Being able to look out your window and see MK every night is nice. Chef Mickey's in the center is cool and the monorail is always a good thing. Like this trip we are going for the Mid-west/Mexico feel so we went with Coronado Springs. We have never been to those areas so the themeing should bring us there. But I am like you. We don't want to stay at the Beach Club or Boardwalk because it just reminds us of home. We don't want to remember home while we are there. We want to be taken somewhere else.

 

[Lucille]

I haven't read all of the responses yet. But here's my two cents....

I've only stayed at three on-site resorts - All-Star Sports, Port Orleans Riverside, and Pop Century.

Honestly, the value resorts feel the most Disney to me. But that might be partly because I stayed at All Star Sports when I was younger.

On our last trip we stayed at Pop Century and it felt very Disney to me. Probably because we saw this every time we walked to our room...

I really liked POR a lot though because it was quiet and wilderness-y (we were in the Alligator Bayou section.) But Pop Century was great for a bargain. And we had no problems with rude people or loudness. We requested 4th floor, lake view, king bed, and got all of those requests. We were in the 60's section. It was actually just as quiet as POR. I'm hoping it wasn't a fluke though since we plan on staying there again next time.

 

[David Roberts]

Though I've never stayed there before, I think the Contemporary would have the most Disney feel to it. I do remember riding the monorail in the morning and seeing a character breakfast or meet and greet going on as the train stopped for pick up.

It's not my favorite resort but I have to agree. I think it closely represents what Walt saw as the future and closely relates to his image of EPCOT. Just my two cents.:animwink:

 

[disneygirl76]

Hey all... just returned from a trip and now starting to look into planning something else. This last trip was my very first time on property. I must say... I was disappointed with the Beach Club.

1.) very well themed
2.) convenient location
3.) amazing pool

All great things.... but, to me and this is my opinion the resort lacked the Disney feel. People here have mentioned you always feel like your are surrounded by the Magic but I just didn't get that. I felt like I was back home in New England. Expensive rooms, high brow guests.... I just didn't enjoy it.

What is a hotel that just has that amazing Disney feel...

Thanks for weighing in!

Great question! I personally think you would have had a different experience if you were on the Yacht Club side. We stayed there for Thanksgiving one year and it was spectacular!! The pool - which is shared with the Beach Club - is amazing and is one of my faves! The only complaint, is that it can get pretty crowded.

I think the biggest thing is to define what you mean by the Disney feel. Do you mean Mickey's and stuff like that? Or do you mean just all together theme and experience? If I was to pick the best experience - for pampering and just love the entire experience - I would say Grand Floridian. We love it there and it takes you back to a different time. When you strolled and drank tea. Its just lovely. I think one of the most complete themes is the Polynesian. The minute you step in - you have been sent to a different place. My husband lived in Hawaii for two summers and he said that they were spot on with the look and feel of Hawaii. If you want more of a Mickey / Movie feel - where you see all things Disney, I would have to say, try some of the All Star resorts. I have never stayed there but going off their pictures - that is what I get from those hotels.

The other ones that get top nods for all around theme and submersion into the experience - I would say Yacht Club, Wilderness Lodge, and Caribbean.

I hope you get a chance to try the staying on property experience again. It really is a great experience! :wave:

 

[wolf359]

I think the biggest thing is to define what you mean by the Disney feel. Do you mean Mickey's and stuff like that? Or do you mean just all together theme and experience?

Yeah, this is key to me as well. Is the definition of "Disney" cartoons and child-like imagery, or is it total immersion in a themed environment?

For me personally, it is the latter. While Disney is certainly well known for animation, I don't think it is defined solely by it.

Specifically talking about resorts, I think the ones that are more successful at feeling "Disney" are unique creations without a heavy reliance on the more obvious cartoon elements.

The Polynesian and the Contemporary are at the top of my list. They're so unique, and so fully envelope you in their theme they clearly say "Disney" to me without a single reference to Mickey needed.

 

[mickey2008.1]

best Disney themed POP, but best resort imo, POLY. POP has all Disney characters. Plain and simple, POP goes with all Disney. But all other resorts are based on areas, not disney, and that is what makes all places magical here.

 

[xdan0920]

The resort with the most "Disney" feel is going to be whichever resort you make the most memories at. At least that is the case for me. The most "Disney" resort to me is OKW. It is our home resort, we have stayed there the most, we were staying there when my wife and I got engaged at MK. The memories just pile up. Plus it has it's own little Disney touches all over the place.

For example: The Balcony



The values may have giant statues of Disney characters, but to me all they feel like is Howard Johnson's with big statues. No thanks.

 

[Lucille]

I think Disney does a great job with their theming. But for me, if I want to stay at a place like OKW, I'd just go on vacation to the real thing (and I have...I love the Florida Keys.) Same goes for the Caribbean. When you've done the real thing, and done it for cheaper, it's hard to spend hundreds a night on the "fake" stuff. Especially if you plan on spending your entire day in the parks.

I think Wilderness Lodge looks beautiful. And if I were planning on staying in a hotel all day/night...then I'd totally stay at a place like that. But for a theme park vacation, I find staying at a value works well for me. And because I've done it before, that's what makes it feel very Disney-like.

 

[bmarkelon]

The resort with the most "Disney" feel is going to be whichever resort you make the most memories at. At least that is the case for me. The most "Disney" resort to me is OKW. It is our home resort, we have stayed there the most, we were staying there when my wife and I got engaged at MK. The memories just pile up. Plus it has it's own little Disney touches all over the place.

For example: The Balcony



The values may have giant statues of Disney characters, but to me all they feel like is Howard Johnson's with big statues. No thanks.

Nice! OKW has a very special place in my heart. It is the first Disney resort that I stayed at almost 10 years ago and I haven't stayed off property since. It was love, I remember being blown away with that Disney stay. I love the Mickey's in that railing on the balcony.
For now with our kids being so small we will probably continue to stay at BLT for the location. But I can't wait to hit OKW again in a few years.

 

[disneygirl76]

Yeah, this is key to me as well. Is the definition of "Disney" cartoons and child-like imagery, or is it total immersion in a themed environment?

For me personally, it is the latter. While Disney is certainly well known for animation, I don't think it is defined solely by it.

Specifically talking about resorts, I think the ones that are more successful at feeling "Disney" are unique creations without a heavy reliance on the more obvious cartoon elements.

The Polynesian and the Contemporary are at the top of my list. They're so unique, and so fully envelope you in their theme they clearly say "Disney" to me without a single reference to Mickey needed.

I totally agree that it is the total immersion in the themed environment. That is an excellent way of putting it. I think that may have been the issue with Beach Club, as there are lots of places you can stay with pastel bedding and beach balls. The other resorts have a more unique and diverse theme so you can do more, therefore being more immersed in it.

 

[Disneydreamer23]

I would Say All Star Movies POP centry and Contemporary

 

[tink2044]

We like Pop Century because we are never in our room always in the parks. The Polynesian if money not a problem with the flowers and waterfalls is a favorite and it is on the monorail line. You can see the Magic Kingdom.
My son and wife just stayed at the Port Orleans and loved it. He felt like he was home since that is the area we are from. They have a great pool for the kids.

We walked through the hotel you stayed at and didn't like the feel of it.

 

[wvdisneyfamily]

Disney feeling is hard to define. It's different for each of us. The obvious argument is the Poly and Contemporary are the true Disney resorts because they are the originals. However, the WL and AKL have such unique theming they capture the Disney essence.

 

[dizzney]

I think the Disney feel is what you make it out to be, we absolutely LOVE our home DVC resorts of Boardwalk and Bay Lake Tower. There is definitely a feeling that when you are there you are home at Disney. Maybe its the DVC also, I dont know. But we've also stayed at a number of the otehr resorts too and they are feel like Disney to me, maybe its the Hidden Mickeys, the Disney tee-shirts, the name pins shaped like Mockeys or the theme parks you pass on the way, I cant put a finger on it but when we are there we live and breathe Disney