Ever try a new resort and end up liking it?

[WDWParrothead]

Has anyone else ever tried a new WDW resort that is out of their comfort zone (not your "home" resort) and ended up being impressed and happy with the decision to branch out?

For a long time, we were regulars at the YC (still are!), but in the last few years we've branched out and tried AKL and BW. We were nervous both times that we would miss our home base, but ended up loving our new resort choices.

It was really fun to still be at WDW, but have a new resort experience. We still consider YC to be our home resort, but we had a blast at AKL and BW!

Any one else have this experience?

[buzznwoodysmom]

We love WL, and I guess we consider that our home. However, to me WDW would get kinda boring if we stayed at the same resort every single time.

Because of this we have tried many of the WDW resorts. We have been very happy with the different experiences at each different resort. Occasionally we have found a resort that we didn't especially care for, POR, and likely won't return there. But for the most part we have enjoyed the uniqueness of each resort.

[#1donaldfan]

Yes !! We are POR Riverside regulars, however the last two years we've done AKL and POP. We have stayed at POP on short, one night visits, moving on the AKL. I love POP and AKL, POP for the great run around the hour glass lake and AKL because of the atmosphere and feel of it. We are very fortunate to have been able to keep going year after year and the little splurges we do are fun. This year we are trying the FQ, the run along the river is pretty nice too !!

[Melanie]

Yes! For years we just didn't want to try Animal Kingdom Lodge, then we got a rate we just could not pass up. We were upgraded upon arrival (as many are) and we ended up loving it! Not sure what was keeping us away in the first place, but so glad we finally tried it.

[lawgirl]

We consider AKL to be our "home", but this past time stayed at a 2 BR at Saratoga Springs and absolutely loved it. My mom said she felt like she was cheating on the AKL, haha, because we loved it so much. They are so different, but we loved both equally. Next time will be a hard decision!

[SBETigg]

I've had it both ways, tried a new resort and didn't love it (POR, BC) and tried a new resort and surprisingly loved it (POP).

Our favorite is the Grand Floridian with the Poly close behind. I've always been a deluxe girl, so I certainly did not expect to love a value. Breaking out of my comfort zone paid off. But that trip, I was on my own. I can't convince my husband to give up his deluxe preference and give POP a try. Especially after we tried POR and BC together and felt lukewarm about them both. Maybe one day.

[sassafras]

We fought trying Saratoga Springs for years. Last August we decided why not. We spent 9 days there and fell in love with it! So much so that we're staying there again this year!

[missymouseworld]

We fought trying Saratoga Springs for years. Last August we decided why not. We spent 9 days there and fell in love with it! So much so that we're staying there again this year!

Looking at trying something new also....can you tell me what you liked about Saratoga Springs?

[sassafras]

We liked the fact that we were still in a Disney Resort with a great theme, but it was like being at Disney but not being overwhelmed with all things Disney. (If that makes sense) While the resort is very spread out, there are several pools, the bus service was never overcrowded, and it was very quiet and laid back. Very relaxing. It's close to Downtown Disney and really not that far from the parks. You can hop a boat, bus, or walk to Downtown Disney. Can also grab a boat to POR,POFQ, or OKW to enjoy restaurants there.We really enjoyed our stay there.

[Middle of the Map]

I started out staying only at Port Orleans French Quarter. I didn't think any of the "value resorts" could measure up. While the values don't offer as many perks, I was pleasantly surprised to find Pop Century was just my cup of tea. Not many people drop from Moderate to Value and like it, but I enjoy staying at Pop. Weird, huh?

[MrPeetrie]

Yes! My DW always insisted we could stay anywhere on property EXCEPT Port Orleans Riverside. She thought she'd hate it.

A few years back, we were slow to make reservations and the only moderate resort with a decent price and rooms available was POR. I booked it and didn't tell anyone where we were staying until we arrived to check in. She expected to dislike it. Turns out: it is one of our favorites.

We stayed in the Alligator Bayou and she LOVES the plush overgrowth and the "feel" of the landscape. She loves the morning walk to the Riverside Mill Food Court. (I do, too.)

Now, it's a requested resort by not only her, but also by my two children.

[Katzateer]

From the first year it opened we only stayed at Dixie Landings for years. Then we resort hopped for about 5 years to try some new resorts. POP seems to feel like home to us now. If we didn't go a couple times a year, I am sure we would enjoy Poly or some of the other nicer resorts but we honestly don't stay in the room much so POP works for us.

If I could pick a resort where money doesn't matter I think I am most impressed by the Bay Tower rooms facing the water ( not MK). Wow! The room is great and what a relaxing view from the balcony!

[AndrewJackson]

We typically stay at VWL, POR, or Ft. Wilderness.

One year, there was an incredibly great deal to rent points for SSR only. We took advantage of it, and really enjoyed it.

[LVT]

We try new resorts for a day or so at the end of the trip. I liked them all so far, but POP is still the main favorite. (comfort from familiarity).

[AgentC]

I have tried really hard to book us in different resorts as much as possible but I sure have my favorites. Sometimes it is really easy to go with what you know. We do stay onsite frequently, so it is a little easier to break free since no matter my love for it I don't want to stay at Yacht Club four times in a year. Yet, there are some resorts I've stayed away from and then wondered why. We visited BWI for the first time in 2012 after staying a lot at Yacht and Beach and we loved it.

Now I still have Saratoga Springs to try (it's another one I never seem to want to book) and all the All Stars. There has been something I liked at almost every resort. Even if it doesn't hit my top list, I'm always glad I've branched out.

[#1donaldfan]

Yes! My DW always insisted we could stay anywhere on property EXCEPT Port Orleans Riverside. She thought she'd hate it.

A few years back, we were slow to make reservations and the only moderate resort with a decent price and rooms available was POR. I booked it and didn't tell anyone where we were staying until we arrived to check in. She expected to dislike it. Turns out: it is one of our favorites.

We stayed in the Alligator Bayou and she LOVES the plush overgrowth and the "feel" of the landscape. She loves the morning walk to the Riverside Mill Food Court. (I do, too.)

Now, it's a requested resort by not only her, but also by my two children.

Riverside AB is the best I think. Some say it looks run down, old apartment looking, I disagree !! I love it there. There is no better feel than to walk along the shaded paths after a long hard day at a park.

[Gator]

After stay at POR the first time, every new resort we tried was an improvement for us - WITH THE EXCEPTION of the AllStarsMovies resort. My kids loved it, the wife and I hated it. Terrible food court, no water slide pool, and bus service that made me question ever returning to WDW. Other than that, each new resort has been a lot of fun.

[TheVBs]

It can be so hard to break out of your comfort zone. We always stayed at ASMusic. That was "home" for us. Then on a trip to see relatives in 2012 we decided to use our rewards to stay at AofA for a couple of nights and go to the xmas party. The girls and I fell in love with it. The girls were so wowed by the pool and theming and had such a great time. DH liked it, but doesn't change his comfort zones easily. So, it was a little bit of a challenge to talk him into doing AofA for our trip this spring. Then I had to push my luck and talk him into a Nemo suite. But we're really excited about going back!

[pixiesmimi]

The Poly is our home resort but last year we decided to try something different. We stayed at the Beach Club at club level and we loved it. We will definitely go back. The only problem was that our room ended up being right beside the freight elevator that banged all night long. Looks like on that level especially, the resort would do something about that. I can imagine they got a lot more complaints about it than just ours. We like to try a different resort every time but some how we always end up going back to the Poly. But I guess that is out right now with all the renovations.

[lawgirl]

Looking at trying something new also....can you tell me what you liked about Saratoga Springs?

We also tried SS for the first time in December. We absolutely loved it. We almost always stay at AKL, which is my favorite. But SS really blew me away. The landscaping was pristine. It was quiet and peaceful, so tranquil. We loved walking around. We loved being able to walk to DD. We loved the Artist Palette restaurant. We never had to wait for a bus. The 2 bedroom villa was huge and well decorated. We had a view of the water and could see DD, and it was gorgeous at night. Really, we have nothing negative to say about it at all. I love anything equestrian themed, so it was right up my alley.