I have stayed at just about every level of Disney accomodations. When I was younger we always brought my grandparents camper trailer down to Orlando and stayed at Ft. Wilderness. I don’t specifically remember much from those trips, but I do have a fond memory type of thing. Those trips are the reason I love the “world” now.
My return trips to Disney started in 1992 when my high school band participated in the Magic Music Days. We stayed at Carribean Beach Resort. At that time Disney had just begun to go into the more “value” market of hotels. I enjoyed my trip but hey… what do you really know about hotels at 17?
For my first trip as an adult, Jim and I stayed at the All Star Sports. To tell you the truth we loved the hotel at the time. However our first trip consisted of non-stop park hopping. We were barely at the room for anything. Also at that time there was no way we could afford anything other than counter service meals, so the All Stars fit us perfectly. I can remember that somehow we ended up at the Beach Club (I was trying to get us from EPCOT to the Studios without having to go back to the front entrance of EPCOT) and we made a comment about how #1 we would probably never be able to afford to stay there and #2 why would ANYONE spend that much money on a hotel when you were never there?
For our trip in 1999 we again stayed at the All Stars. Jim was attending classes and we only spent 2 days onsite.
In 2000 we moved up a level and stayed at Dixie Landings (now Port Orleans-Riverside). We were amazed at what a difference 1 level made. We no longer had to wait in HUGE lines at the end of the night to get on the bus. They actually had bell services that were at the front entrance to assist you. There were not as many children as well. We stayed on the Mansion side and realized that for just a few more $$$ each night we got a much more enjoyable time.
In 2001, we began our venture in bringing people with us to Disney. This year we took Jim’s paternal grandmother (the one who lives with us) and his mom. We had 1 room booked at Carribean Beach. We arrived later in the evening and were surprised to see a wait to check in. When I finally got to the counter they explained that they were overbooked and we were being upgraded to a Deluxe hotel. Ironically I choose the Beach Club. I can tell you it was love at first sight when we arrived there. They have fresh flowers in the lobby, the entrance to the rooms are indoors, and we discovered the ease of walking to Epcot. The pool at the Beach Club is amazing and it just felt so nice to be staying there. In retrospect I don’t think we would have done very well with 4 adults in 1 room at Carribean Beach; it was crowded in the room at the Beach Club.
We took a spur of the moment trip in July 2002 and stayed at the All Stars. We were only there for 2 nights and for the quickness of the planning (We deceided 1 week before the go) and the time (4th of July weekend) we were lucky to get at room at all. This has turned out to be the last time we have stayed at a value.
In 2002 we made our largest group trip to date. We traveled with my parents, my paternal grandparents, and my great aunt. Jim and I arrived a day before everyone else and I surprised him with a room at the Contemperary. We had a Tower room with a Magic Kingdom view. It was increadible. Although we only were there for 1 night we really enjoyed the convenience of catching the monorail to get either to the MK or the TTC. Since we had connecting reservations, Disney moved our luggage to our next accomodations. We had a 2 bedroom villa at Old Key West. The accomodations were perfect for the size of our party. Jim and I had the Master bedroom which had a king bed, my grandparents and aunt shared the other bedroom which had 2 double beds, and my parents slept on the fold out bed. We had a washer and dryer, full size stove, fridge, and microwave. My grandfather had difficulty climbing stairs so we had requested a bottom level room. We had a patio which was on the lake and had ducks which visited us every morning. Since we were at Disney on the 1 year anniversary of 9/11 and tourism was still struggling we got an incredible deal on the rate. It was perfect room for the size of our group.
In 2003 Jim and I made several trips with our annual passes. We stayed at Carribean Beach and Port Orleans-Riverside (former Dixie Landings). I don’t know if it was because our previous two trips we had stayed at Deluxe accomodations, but we were underwhelmed by both hotels. Although we were not ready to commit to paying for a Deluxe every trip, I just don’t know if the moderates were holding the same luster as they once had.
In 2004 Jim and I celebrated out 10th anniversary a little late. We bit the bullet and reserved a room at the Boardwalk Inn. Ever since staying at the Beach Club we had wanted to stay at an EPCOT resort again. At check in we were once again surprised with an upgrade. We were given our gold room keys which gave us the most incredible concierge room. We were right on the Boardwalk above the Bakery overlooking the water. The room, the view and the amminties were unforgetable. It doesn’t matter how many times I have been back to Disney or what hotel I have stayed in, we consider that our hotel and our room. It almost made me think that concierge is worth the extra money (well, I am convinced, but I don’t think Jim is)
The only trip I was supposed to have taken in 2005 was an October trip with my sister in law. The agreement was for us to stay at a value hotel. I ended up making the reservations after Katrina and just could not bring myself to book a value. We ended up staying at Carribean Beach. I also make a trip by myself in which I stayed at Coronado Springs. It is a very nice hotel, but due to the large convention center it had more of a business feel that any other Disney resort I have stayed at.
In 2006 both trips I have stayed at Carribean Beach. My biggest complaint with CBR is the fact that the Custom House (check in/out) is located in a different location that the food/shopping. It is a very nice resort however. As far as moderates go it is about the only one I want to stay at. Since I pretty much refuse to stay at a value hotel now and can’t afford a deluxe every trip then, CBR will pretty much be my home when I am at the world.
Jim and I also agree that we really enjoy the Epcot hotels more than any other location. It is just so nice not having to wait for a bus to get to Epcot or the Studios. We spend probably 5 out of 8 nights at Epcot for dinner so being so close to Epcot is really convient for us.
A few places which are still on our list to try:
The Grand Floridian-the luxury of this hotel just seems so appealing. If and when I do stay here, it will probably be a split trip (half moderate/half deluxe) due to the cost
The Animal Kingdom Lodge-again don’t know if I will stay here for the entire time, but I have heard wonderful things about this hotel from other Disney fans
The Polynisian- I know this is also one of the original hotels, but I have heard great things about this one as well.