WDW Hotels

MW1218 · Post by **MW1218** » Jan Tue 27, 2009 6:37 pm

One of my favorite things to do is to resort hop. You can really make a day of it as long as you do something unique at each place. Story pit at AKL, beach time at the poly, etc.

figmentaholic · Post by **figmentaholic** » Jan Tue 27, 2009 9:29 pm

I am a bit ashamed to admit it, but there are quite a few resorts that I have never set foot in.

I have never been to the Swan or Dolphin, Shades of Green, AK Lodge, Grand Floridian

Those are the ones I can think of off the top of my head. I know there may be others I cant think of right now.

Ones that I have visited but not stayed in would be: Polynesian, Contemporary, and I think the Yacht Club. I always get that one mixed up with the one attached to it, hehe.

Post by **Len90** » Jan Wed 28, 2009 12:13 am

MW1218 wrote:One of my favorite things to do is to resort hop. You can really make a day of it as long as you do something unique at each place. Story pit at AKL, beach time at the poly, etc.

I think I have been able to at least step foot in all the deluxe resorts... except the AKL. It is just too out of the way to take the trip there. It is great to see all the different events that go on at each resort. I know the Yacht/Beach have a movie night on the beach one day a week and the Wilderness Lodge has a campfire sing-a-long. It is really amazing to see how Disney comes up with recreation activities that keep to the theme of the resort.

MW1218 · Post by **MW1218** » Jan Wed 28, 2009 12:21 am

Yeah, I saw Nemo on the beach at the Yacht/Beach...or was it the Boardwalk? Either way, it was lovely to be outside in the beautiful weather and look across the water to the Boardwalk, and all of the people going about their night.

jenhen27 · Post by **jenhen27** » Jan Wed 28, 2009 4:17 pm

horizons1 wrote:There are lots of people on here who have probably walked around all of the resorts!

Well not all of them since you can't get to the Value Resorts without being a guest. But yeah, the deluxe and moderate are great to walk around in.

Never stayed in a resort but I've been to:

Contemporary
Grand Floridian
Polynesian
Swan (I think it was the Swan - whichever one is on the left if your back is to Epcot)
Boardwalk
Animal Kingdom Lodge

I think that's it.

Jacca5660 · Post by **Jacca5660** » Jan Wed 28, 2009 4:35 pm

I think the only resort we haven't at least walk around in is Shade of Green. Nothing wrong about it or anything, it's just never has crossed my mind to go there.

emnbensdad · Post by **emnbensdad** » Jan Wed 28, 2009 4:44 pm

Stayed at a few and we try to add a new one each year.

First was Contemporary. I was there for a convention and stayed 2 extra nights after the convention but at the convention rate!!!! I didn't realize at the time what a deal I got.

Next we stayed at AKL. We got a Savannah view room and it was awesome. Our son planted himself by the window the whole time we were in the room. Dinner at Boma with all the different choices on the buffet from Africa was great!

Next we opted for low budget and extended our days in the parks. The above stays allowed for 2 days in the parks. So, we chose Pop Century. Cramped rooms, but all we did was sleep there. We were at the WDW Resort for the theme parks not to admire the rooms. Funny thing, you can tell a big difference in the quality of the towels from Pop Century to Contemporary and AKL.

Last year, we chose another value resort and stayed at All-Star Music. We got a suite this time. Very roomy. The kids had a TV - which they watched the channel that features the Top 10 Disney things the whole time, over and over and over. Get the picture? We still talk about and do the hand motions for "Summit Plummet" as if we just turned off the TV. We had a little bit of a walk to catch the bus but the room was great.

This Summer we are headed back to the Contemporary Resort. We wanted to be a little closer to MK and be on the monorail line. Our daughter has not had a chance to ride the monorail. She's 5 so she should have a blast this year. We are staying in the Garden Wing to save a few bucks. Plus we got a AAA discount. We're saving enough to stay an extra night!!!!

I think All-Star Music has been our favorite because we had so much room to spread out. I think this year will be good being on the monorail line. We tend to spend more of our time at MK and this year we are adding Epcot.

Jacca5660 · Post by **Jacca5660** » Jan Wed 28, 2009 5:26 pm

My DW thinks I'm strange for this. Out of all the places we've stayed on property, I had the best time at All-Star Sports. Good beer, good pool, and totally sports!

It also seem that the boys had more kids to play with at the pool.

jenhen27 · Post by **jenhen27** » Jan Wed 28, 2009 5:37 pm

Not strange at all if you had a good time. One of the nicest (decent, clean, etc...) hotels I have stayed in was a Days Inn. It had recently been completely renovated on the interior although the exterior looked completely sketchy. Of course the Millenium Broadway was nice too

It's good to know that the value resorts are a great choice. Of course Disney Value resorts wouldn't be on the cheap end of real world hotels if plucked out and put on 192. They're really only cheap compared to what's on property.

Post by **Len90** » Jan Thu 29, 2009 1:03 am

jenhen27 wrote:Not strange at all if you had a good time. One of the nicest (decent, clean, etc...) hotels I have stayed in was a Days Inn. It had recently been completely renovated on the interior although the exterior looked completely sketchy. Of course the Millenium Broadway was nice too

It's good to know that the value resorts are a great choice. Of course Disney Value resorts wouldn't be on the cheap end of real world hotels if plucked out and put on 192. They're really only cheap compared to what's on property.

You make a very valid point, but you do not get the great services that come along with the Disney hotel. The transportation alone is worth the money.

DisBeamer · Post by **DisBeamer** » Jan Thu 29, 2009 4:22 am

I've walked around and looked at all of them except Shades of Green, and the ever-changing-hands Treehouses (which I hope to visit when they get rebuilt/reopen).

My favorite to wander is the Polynesian. My favorite to stay at is a toss up between the Poly and the Contemporary.

The 'why' is a mixture of proximity to the MK and the atmosphere.

jenhen27 wrote:Well not all of them since you can't get to the Value Resorts without being a guest. But yeah, the deluxe and moderate are great to walk around in.

Really? They let me in just fine. Is that a new rule?

Jacca5660 · Post by **Jacca5660** » Jan Thu 29, 2009 4:31 am

jenhen27 wrote:Not strange at all if you had a good time. One of the nicest (decent, clean, etc...) hotels I have stayed in was a Days Inn. It had recently been completely renovated on the interior although the exterior looked completely sketchy. Of course the Millenium Broadway was nice too

It's good to know that the value resorts are a great choice. Of course Disney Value resorts wouldn't be on the cheap end of real world hotels if plucked out and put on 192. They're really only cheap compared to what's on property.

We've stayed in that Day's Inn on 192. My family had a great time there. After all day in the parks we swam in the pool for a while each night. It had just or was in the process of being remodeled that last time we stayed there.

emnbensdad · Post by **emnbensdad** » Jan Thu 29, 2009 3:37 pm

I only heard of Shades of Green a couple of months ago. My impression is that it's reserved for those in the military, active and retired. True?

DisBeamer · Post by **DisBeamer** » Jan Thu 29, 2009 5:58 pm

dbalentine wrote:I only heard of Shades of Green a couple of months ago. My impression is that it's reserved for those in the military, active and retired. True?

It's leased by the US Military from Disney and, yes, you can only stay there if you're in (or have been in) the armed forces. You're allowed to go visit, though, but their security kiosk out front is a little more serious business than the usual Disney ones. Back in the day, it was the Disney Golf Resort, then the Disney Inn. You can see the entrance if you're driving around over by the Grand Floridian.

99Soulz · Post by **99Soulz** » Jan Fri 30, 2009 10:12 am

DisBeamer wrote:
dbalentine wrote:I only heard of Shades of Green a couple of months ago. My impression is that it's reserved for those in the military, active and retired. True?
It's leased by the US Military from Disney and, yes, you can only stay there if you're in (or have been in) the armed forces. You're allowed to go visit, though, but their security kiosk out front is a little more serious business than the usual Disney ones. Back in the day, it was the Disney Golf Resort, then the Disney Inn. You can see the entrance if you're driving around over by the Grand Floridian.

I'm not exactly sure what the agreement is but it's not listed as a Disney-owned property at all. You cannot book thru Disney (due to military restictions/eligibility), they don't employ any Disney CM's and are not on the transportation system. They have their own busses that only take you to the TTC and back.

Since I am not sure of the actual legal ownership, I really cannot judge or comment but if Disney does have any rights/ownership they really should incorporate ALL the amenities.

Does anyone know the deal?