Why I struggle choosing a resort

[SecondStarTilMorning]

Sometimes these boards are very helpful. Sometimes they make it harder to decide where to stay! These aren't my opinions, but opinions I read about these resorts all the time.

Grand Floridian- Stuffy, rooms need refurbished, over-priced, construction

Polynesian- Old, falling apart, rooms need refurbished, uncomfortable beds, crowded

Contemporary- Sterile theme, not worth it without theme park view, too many conventions, poor customer service

Bay Lake Tower- studios on the small side, shares amenities with contemporary, theme is boring

Animal Kingdom Lodge- Very remote, dark, long bus rides, only worth it for savannah views

Kidani/Jambo- see AKL

Wilderness Lodge- Too woodsy, rooms a little small and need refurbished

Saratoga Springs- worst theme of all resorts, too far from everything,

Old Key West- A bit remote. Long walks to rooms. Ugly bedspreads. Lack of entertainment and dining options

Beach Club- Far from magic kingdom, bus shared with too many other resorts, rooms just ok

Yacht Club- Too many rooms with less than stellar views, bus issues, hard to watch your children at storm along bay

Boardwalk Inn- Lack of counter service options, long hallways, scary clown pool, noisy at night

All-Stars- Share bus, small rooms, loud children everywhere, motel style lay-out

Pop Century- long walks to rooms, rooms lacking, noisy

Art of Animation- Pricey for the suites, theme too cartoonish for adults, no hot tubs, mixed reviews on counter service, bus service issues, vegetation needs to mature

Coronado Springs- Too many conventions, not centrally located, rooms lack interesting "Disney" theme, very spread out, theme isn't as appealing as other resorts

Caribbean Beach- way too spread out, rooms sometimes not clean, huge cheerleading groups

Port Orleans Riverside- Very large resort. Theme and location a little "plain". Lacks Disney excitement. Rooms small for a families. Pools just ok

Port Orleans French Quarter- Creepy decorations all over the place. Long walk to amenities at the riverside.

Shades of Green- Lack of an interesting theme, military only

Fort Wilderness- Unless camping is exciting for you, this has little appeal, and is secluded and is not what most people want from a Disney vacation.

Off-site- It's not in disney and therefore could never be as magical, wonderful, or provide an escape from the real world like a Disney resort. No extra magic hours, magical express, package delivery, 180+10 ADRs, key to the world card for charging to room

 

[bethymouse]

I hear ya!
But, one of those must appeal to you!?

 

[PUSH]

I've never seen half of these complaints. I think a lot of them are people who have stayed there once and had a bad experience or they were expecting too much.

I can only speak for POR, but the theme is amazing. It really makes you feel like you're staying in the south on a plantation. The rooms are nicely sized. They have queen beds, too. I like all of the pools there. Yes the resort is large, but I've never gotten lost.

I don't understand what you mean by "Lacks Disney excitement." It feels very Disney to me. Sure there's not statues of characters everywhere, but I wouldn't want that.

 

[ImagineerDude]

Ok this is kind of depressing and I've had nothing but excellent service at the Contemporary

 

[ShookieJones]

I think you can make this same list and have twice as many positives for each of the resorts.

 

[Skibum1970]

I've never seen half of these complaints. I think a lot of them are people who have stayed there once and had a bad experience or they were expecting too much.

I can only speak for POR, but the theme is amazing. It really makes you feel like you're staying in the south on a plantation. The rooms are nicely sized. They have queen beds, too. I like all of the pools there. Yes the resort is large, but I've never gotten lost.

I don't understand what you mean by "Lacks Disney excitement." It feels very Disney to me. Sure there's not statues of characters everywhere, but I wouldn't want that.

WL is perfect and Contemporary is, uh, well, contemporary. You can talk to 1,000 different people and you'll get a thousand different responses. Only way to do this is stay at each one and draw your own conclusions. I love POR. It isn't too large and the rooms are great. I loved the Contemporary and its furnishings were exactly as advertised. I don't care as much for Polynesian but that is simply taste. Others were argue, and rightfully so, that Poly is better than my favorite WL. Most of the comments that you have cited are simply opinions based upon perspectives. I won't stay at the Values because my opinion is that they're too noisy. That is just my opinion.

However, I have never had a bad experience at a Disney resort at all. We stayed at a Best Western in Orlando that had horrible mold problems as evidenced by my wife's severe allergic reaction (asthma and other fun stuff). No such problems any of the times that we've stayed onsite.

 

[Cindee75]

I can only speak to the one resort I have stayed at. SSR is far from some things but right next to Downtown Disney. It is a beautiful resort and I loved being next to the Paddock area pool. Sitting on the balcony with coffee in the morning while my little ones slept is a great memory. I will say that we have chosen POR for our next trip because of all the great things people say about it. I think you can find good and bad in all it is all relative to your situation and what is important to you. I choose based on price (budget, budget, budget), accommodations for a family of 5, and take all reviews with a grain of salt. Good luck - at some point you'll make a choice - and enjoy your time - it is Disney after all.

 

[Master Yoda]

It seems as though you are focusing on the negative. Most of those opinions are rather exaggerated and need to be taken with a big old pile of salt. Every resort has its pros and cons. Even the 4 Seasons Bora Bora gets negative reviews. If there was a perfect resort with no down side Disney would make them all like that.

 

[dopeylover]

It seems to me your mind is already made up to stay offsite, which is great! I have never, but I hear there are some really great, affordable choices. Good luck, and hopefully you'll find something to enjoy about the resorts the more research you do in the future. I have rarely, if ever, heard many of the complaints you listed, to be honest.

 

[Mr Morrow]

You could go through any resort in the world and find 3 negatives to say about any of them.

Are there no postives for you about any of the resorts at Disney?

Could you create one in your mind that is perfect for you, with an 'interesting theme' and in the perfect location. I would love to hear about it.

How long are you even planning on staying at your resort during your stay?

 

[ParentsOf4]

It's diffcult to pick an onsite WDW resort because all of them are pretty awesome!

 

[SecondStarTilMorning]

Just in response to what has been said-

I noted in my original post that these aren't my opinions, but these are things I read about the resorts on the boards all the time. I personally am really trying to talk myself into staying at the grand floridian or poly- and yet I see so many negatives when those resorts come up (especially the floridian).

Every single place I've walked into in WDW I feel is picture perfect and beyond amazing. Can't wait to go next month!

 

[Mr Morrow]

I love the Grand Floridian and am often confused by some of the criticism it gets on here!

 

[Ariel484]

Just in response to what has been said-

I noted in my original post that these aren't my opinions, but these are things I read about the resorts on the boards all the time. I personally am really trying to talk myself into staying at the grand floridian or poly- and yet I see so many negatives when those resorts come up (especially the floridian).

Every single place I've walked into in WDW I feel is picture perfect and beyond amazing. Can't wait to go next month!

I just had an amazing stay at the Grand Floridian in January. Worth every penny. Check out the link in my signature for pictures/info.

I feel like people that find negative things to say are the very vocal minority - they are more likely to post opinions when they are complaining. You'll find negatives about everything single thing at Disney - every resort, restaurant, store, attraction, land, what have you. This is when you need to tune out the boards and decide what you think will work for YOU. It's your vacation, and you know what is best for you.

 

[Stu bailey]

The point?

 

[Ariel484]

I love the Grand Floridian and am often confused by some of the criticism it gets on here!

I often wonder if people that say this stuff have ever even been in the resort, or if they just read it in a book and assume that's how it is. The CMs are so welcoming and nice...we felt totally comfortable there.

 

[luv]

Some of the things people say over and over are just things they think because they heard them over and over...and not necessarily true.

The GF is not stuffy. The people who stay there are just like the people at the Poly. The people who work there are no different than the ones at CBR. I'd argue that the decor at Yacht Club is "stuffier", but I don't want to argue that, lol.

AKL is not far away from everything. It's two minutes from CSR and you never hear anyone complain about how far away CSR is.

Just figure out your budget, look at pics of rooms, pick the room you like most in your price range and go with it.

If you want to go offsite, you'll get a much nicer room (for less money!) than you would on the Disney property. Some people really like to stay on WDW property and i get that! I was that person. Nothing wrong with staying on disney property and there are some perks to it. Once I finally ventured off the Disney property, though, I never felt the desire to go back. FWIW.

Good luck with your choice.

 

[epcotisbest]

We use Tripadvisor for what seem to be fairly accurate reports. With each one there are always reports that seem way off and especially negative compared to the rest of the reviews.

 

[HouCuseChickie]

The reality- people are going to have all kinds of different experiences...and there are always going to be a few people who have had a negative experience (in some cases, more than a few). Their issues are often legit, but it's up to you to decide what works for you. The issues you've noted also aren't issues for all and in some cases, people who have had issues have differing issue from what you've noted. Sooooo, sometimes you just have to try it for yourself and form your own opinion.

 

[DfromATX]

We loved the scary clown pool at the Boardwalk. It was the best pool we've seen so far. Saratoga was our first trip. It was a little far, but very nice. I agree Pop was very noisy; that's something I even mentioned in my Trip Advisor review. Not bad, but our least favorite so far. Next POR & can't wait!! Overall, no complaints anywhere.