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View Full Version : Room Quality... From Values to Deluxes



Dallas_Lady
10-09-2001, 11:52 AM
Okay, I want to start a nice little discussion here http://www.intercot.com/boards/smile.gif What do you guys think about room quality at the various resorts? Not just how cool the rest of the resort looks, but what do you think of the ROOMS of the resorts you have stayed at??

So let's here it... size, cleanliness, ambiance, room sevice, views, maid service, furniture, decor, whatever you can think of! Compare to popular hotel chains if that helps.

I have never stayed onsite before. Not to say I wouldn't in the future (I would love to stay at the Swan and Dolphin one day), but for now we are planning to stay at a Downtown Disney hotel on our next trip (Best Western Lake Buena Vista).

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1st trip- July 1997 (Offsite)
Honeymoon- May 2002 (LBV)

[This message has been edited by Dallas_Lady (edited October 09, 2001).]

[This message has been edited by Dallas_Lady (edited October 09, 2001).]

PolyGirl40
10-09-2001, 01:14 PM
I can only compare a Moderate with a Deluxe. We've never stayed at the Value Resorts. We only stay at the Deluxe Resorts now (Polynesian). You get spoiled! That is *my* portion of the vacation.

Room size
Bed Size
Bathroom Size
Full Closet
Larger sitting area w additional furnishings
Daybed/Couch
More storage areas
Balcony
Great Pools
Interior Hallway
In-room dining
Less guests via occupancy totals
Transportation
Monorail!

............to name a few. http://www.intercot.com/boards/smile.gif



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Carol, aka PolyGirl40
INTERCOT (http://www.intercot.com/default.asp) Staff Member
[email protected]

~ "Our Disney memories are part of who we are." ~
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* ~*~

Planning a trip to Central Florida? Let Ibex Towncar (http://www.ibextowncar.com/) meet you at the airport!

Click Here (http://www.kingdommagictravel.com/) for a Disney Vacation Quote.

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Visit the INTERCOT Store (http://www.intercot.com/store/default.asp).


* We Shall Overcome *

threedogs
10-09-2001, 01:18 PM
QUOTE: "What do you think of the ROOMS?? Honestly, that is what you ar paying for. Anyone could go and hang out at the resort to enjoy the themeing"

First of all, I respectfully disagree. You are paying for the ENTIRE expereince, the Disney Magic. From the minute you wake up to Mickey's voice until you return to your room to find that the maids have left a "surprise" on your pillow.

The rooms are nice. But I've stated in better, for about the same $$, HOWEVER, IMHO there is no hotel experience anywhere on the planet that compares to a Disney Resort. At the end of the day you leave the park and actually look forward to going back to your resort.

That aside, The rooms at Wilderness Lodge are comparable to a nice upper-scale Holiday Inn, much nicer thaan a Hampton Inn or Fairfield Inn. There are 2 queen beds,or 1 king or 1 queen and bunk beds. The bathrooms have separate vanity area with two sinks. There is a balcony with a couple of chairs. The wallpaper, bedspreads, furniture and lamps all have a rustic theme.

In my expereince the room was very clean and the service was top-notch. The first night
we were ajacent to a room FULL of screaming kids, and we called the front desk. They immediately moved us to a much quieter room on the 7th floor.

I've stayed both off-site and on-site. In my opinion, staying on-site makes the expereince so much more magical. I will never stay off site again. We are going back later this month. I'm staaying on-site despite all the remarkable deals at Downtown Disney hotels. They don't interest me at all.

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mattjs
10-09-2001, 01:39 PM
It's a personal thing. And because of that you can certainly argue that a room is a room is a room. But to me it'll never be just a room. It's the atmosphere that makes the stay. There's just nothing like waking up to the music at WL or floatin around at Stormalong Bay. You just can't put a price on being surrounded by the Disney atmosphere 24/7. To me that makes all the difference in the vacation and it's worth every penny.

I'm sure some would disagree. It's all a matter of preferrences.

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Finiamh
10-09-2001, 02:14 PM
I've been fortunate enouhg to be able to stay in Deluxe resorts on my trips. Next year we are going with a bigger group so we are going to stay at the French Quarter(moderate). From what Ive heard it is fabulous. And who cares where you stay on site... You are just a few hundred yards from either Cinderellas castle, EPCOT ball, even the Tree of life.. the magic is still all around you....

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-- Thanks for noticing me
Eeyore

I believe it was Dopey who once said: " "

Dallas_Lady
10-09-2001, 02:16 PM
I'm not saying that resort themimg doesn't matter, I think it is very important. But I would love to hear about the actual rooms that various people have stayed in. I read a lot of resort reviews that only talk about the theme of the resort and never mention anything about what the room was like, or even if the theme could be seen in the room as well.

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1st trip- July 1997 (Offsite)
2nd Trip- May 2002 (LBV)

[This message has been edited by Dallas_Lady (edited October 09, 2001).]

Spindrift
10-09-2001, 02:52 PM
I've only stayed at the Poly, so I don't have a broad experience.

The room at the Poly was similar in size to many other rooms that I've stayed in at other hotels around the country. The beds were comfortable, the room clean, the water pressure was good (a pet peeve of mine, I hate low water pressure in the shower). There was carpet on the floor, a picture screwed into the wall, a TV, a daybed, table, chairs, phone, bathroom. Pretty much what you'd expect.

If you take away the theming, then a room is a room is a room. But a room is real estate, so it's location, location, location.

At the Poly, I'm not paying for just a room, but for everything else as well. If I just wanted a room, I'd stay at one of much cheaper places off-site. In fact, next trip we have a very early flight home, so we'll be staying at a place out by the airport on the last night.




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Feb 2002, Polynesian/Wilderness Lodge
Feb 2001, Polynesian
Feb 1999, Off-site
Feb 1997, Off-site
Aug 1986, Off-site
Mar 1985, Off-site
Apr 1974, Off-site
Apr 1973, Off-site

Womble
10-09-2001, 03:44 PM
I have stayed at moderate and value resorts. I would say the services in the rooms are the same. Quick and reliable.
The difference is in the size. The moderate is larger. I don’t know by how much but it is noticeable.

WOMBLE

Disneyland 91-92
Offsite 93-96-97-98-00
Caribbean Beach 94-95-98
All-star Sports 96
Dixie Landings 99
http://www.intercot.com/boards/supergrin.gif All-star Movies Nov. 2001 http://www.intercot.com/boards/supergrin.gif http://www.intercot.com/boards/supergrin.gif Offsite 2002 http://www.intercot.com/boards/supergrin.gif

Claytonia
10-09-2001, 03:57 PM
My on-site experience is limited to my June 1999 stay at Dixie Landings (as it was called then)...we found the room to be clean and comfortable, but nothing incredibly fancy. From what I've seen, there is more actual theming evident in the rooms themselves in the Alligator Bayou section. We really enjoyed our overall experience at Dixie Landings, and we already have ressies there for our May 2002 trip! http://www.intercot.com/boards/smile.gif We have yet to decide which section of the resort to request, but I think that Magnolia Bend's Parterre Place made my little sister (whose name really is Scarlett) feel like a true belle, so I'm betting we'll be in the "ritzy section" again. http://www.intercot.com/boards/wink2.gif

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"Can you stand on your head?" - The Cheshire Cat

Next WDW Trip - May 2002, Port Orleans-Riverside

Mysttree
10-09-2001, 04:47 PM
I personally have only stayed in the value resorts. Not that I wouldn't love to stay in some of the other resorts but for us it's simple economics. I would rather stay an extra day or two and pay less for my room at night, although I insist on staying on property.
That being said, the AS resorts are all pretty similar, they are all fairly small I'd say probably "normal" size for super 8 or a red roof inn. Extremely clean, but no ritz. However they are themed with either sports or Disney movie bedspreads, art-work, wall paper...I've heard AS Sports rooms compared to a little boy's room. Even the light fixtures have stuff like football ornaments over the lights.
It really is just a basic room, we always get 2 beds, but only one sink, no real extras except for themeing and remaining in the Disney "magic".
Which for us is fine, we just sleep there anyway! We just want to feel that we are 'keeping the mood' so to speak of WDW.

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Magical Disney Memories, '79, '83, 95,96,97,98, Feb & Sept. 2000, 2001-Nov.

LottaLubes
10-09-2001, 05:01 PM
Our family used to stay off site until we were introduced to the All Stars. We are a family of 5 so we need two connecting rooms. We've stayed in Sports twice and Movies twice. I would also say the rooms of the All Stars are in the Days Inn type category with some Disney theming.

The All Star rooms have been ample for us....the connecting door between the rooms have been great, especially for napping children.

That being said, the kids are older now and don't necessarily need a quiet space for a nap. With the great AP discount rates for the Fall, we will be trying the Polynesian for the first time. We are going more for convenience and theming on this trip. I'm sure we will miss the extra bathroom though. http://www.intercot.com/boards/sarcblink.gif

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We go on... to the joy and through the tears
We go on... to discover new frontiers
Moving on... with the courage of the years
We go on... moving forward now as one
We go on... with a spirit born to run
Moving on... with each rising sun to a new day...

LottaLubes
10-09-2001, 05:04 PM
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Spindrift:
In fact, next trip we have a very early flight home, so we'll be staying at a place out by the airport on the last night.

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Can I ask where you decided to stay the night before departure? We are thinking about doing that as well before heading back to BDL. With the extra security measures we will have to be at the aiport much earlier than expected. Thanks.



------------------
We go on... to the joy and through the tears
We go on... to discover new frontiers
Moving on... with the courage of the years
We go on... moving forward now as one
We go on... with a spirit born to run
Moving on... with each rising sun to a new day...

lovethemouse/hatetherat
10-09-2001, 05:15 PM
Everyone has very different priorities and economic situations when considering a WDW vacation. For some, the value or moderates suit them fine. I have stayed at PO-FQ, PO-RS, and CS of the moderates. I think one of the biggest minuses concerning these resorts is the ratio of staff to guests. When you stay at a deluxe there are more CMs to take care of you. The rooms are also smaller, and in my experience, I have been disappointed in the housekeeping and maintainence of the moderates. I am speaking entirely out of my viewpoint. Many others find the moderates to be a dream come true.

I am with PolyGirl, and prefer the deluxe expereince (though I have yet to visit her favorite resort, but will next year). I have stayed at the BC, AKL, and WL. The rooms are generally bigger, and service seems better. For us, the room is a major part of our vacation, and we like to relax in it. I like a large, well appointed room, with good housekeeping and maintainence. I like to be able to get full room service on a whim, and conceirge, if desired.

Our favorite hotel, outside of the "world", is the Chicago Hilton and Towers. We always stay there at conceirge tower level. I like being able to bypass hotel check in/out lines, have personal service, nightly turn down, TWO full bathrooms and an impeccable room with a great view of Grant Park, Navy Pier and Lake Michigan. The few times I have ever been disappointed, they have always made up with it, even once by offering a free room for my next trip. Could anyone say the same for Disney? I think not. I pay near the same rate there as for a WDW deluxe. They are close to the same standard, but at WDW you are paying for the real estate and there is a much higher volume, so I do expect lower standards to some extent.

That being said, I will never stay at the Downtown Disney Hilton. Even though I could add a good chunk of HHonors points to my cache on our next 10 night stay, I will always bypass this option for the magic of WDW. I can always find fault with something at WDW if I choose to, but only once have I ever had a really bad room at WDW.

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Jozette :)

PolyGirl40
10-09-2001, 06:31 PM
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Dallas_Lady:
or even if the theme could be seen in the room as well.

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Yes.

The theme is carried out in the rooms. For instance the carpeting, lighting, furnishing and general decor of the Polynesian is all done in tropical wallpapers, bamboo, marble etc.

Room Picture 1 (http://wsphotofews.excite.com/022/79/fD/j2/ot27808.jpg)
Room Picture 2 (http://wsphotofews.excite.com/018/Ia/KD/9J/kL84650.jpg)


I agree. You are not *just* paying for a room. As far as room size goes. The average Value resort room is 260 sq. ft.. A Polynesian room is 409 sq. ft..

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Carol, aka PolyGirl40
INTERCOT (http://www.intercot.com/default.asp) Staff Member
[email protected]

~ "Our Disney memories are part of who we are." ~
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* ~*~

Planning a trip to Central Florida? Let Ibex Towncar (http://www.ibextowncar.com/) meet you at the airport!

Click Here (http://www.kingdommagictravel.com/) for a Disney Vacation Quote.

WebDisney (http://www.webdisney.com/): "The Definitive Guide to Disney on the Internet"

Visit the INTERCOT Store (http://www.intercot.com/store/default.asp).


* We Shall Overcome *

Spindrift
10-10-2001, 09:33 AM
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by LottaLubes:
Can I ask where you decided to stay the night before departure? We are thinking about doing that as well before heading back to BDL. With the extra security measures we will have to be at the aiport much earlier than expected. Thanks.

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I picked the La Quinta Orlando Airport West. Never been there before, but it's cheap, ($38) and for one night I figured how bad could it be.

BTW: I got that rate on Orbitz.com.



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Feb 2002, Polynesian/Wilderness Lodge
Feb 2001, Polynesian
Feb 1999, Off-site
Feb 1997, Off-site
Aug 1986, Off-site
Mar 1985, Off-site
Apr 1974, Off-site
Apr 1973, Off-site

mpgirl
10-10-2001, 05:22 PM
I have stayed at the CBR and the room was okay. The themeing was good in the hotel was good. The room was very much more like a "motel". I was actually a little disappointed in the quality of the room but I also paid very close to the posted room rate which made me expect a little nicer of a room. The whole layout of the CBR is very "motel" feeling including a little noisy with folks walking by your room. All said, I stayed "off site" on my last visit and will NEVER again (never say never...but I would prefer on site!) As others have said it is the "location" you are buying and the "Disney" touches after you leave the parks are really cool. The notes on your pillow are really nice to come back to! I am staying at the Swan in November. I hope it is nice!

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mpgirl
LUV WDW!!!!