Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom Someone mentioned this comment in another thread on this board. I know this really should bother me, but it does. I'll explain why in a minute. So here is a question, are the Wilderness Lodge and Animal Kingdom Lodges "world class" resorts? In my opinion, no. I think they are both destination resorts and not world class resorts. Oh don't get me wrong. I think they are both incredible themed resorts, with a few amenities thrown in. But there is no way you could confuse the Wilderness Lodge or the Animal Kingdom Lodge with a true world class resort. Here are the reasons why. 1) Room size. The size of a standard room at either the WL or AKL is smaller than the typical standard room size of any hotel in Downtown Disney let alone that of a world class resort. This past summer I stayed at a Country Inn and Suites in Albany, NY. My hotel room was easily twice the size of the typical standard room in either the WL or AKL. 2) Bathrooms. World class resorts don't have bathrooms that are tiled. They have bathrooms in marble. Again, the bathroom in my standard size room at the hotel in Albany, NY was easily twice the size of any bathroom "area" in any standard room in either the WL or AKL. 3) Amenities. World Class Resorts are going to have large banquet facilites. Also, the WL and AKL tout themselves as having spas. The hotel I stayed at in Albany, NY easily had a larger workout area than at the WL spa. In the hotel I stayed at in Quebec City this past July, their spa took up the entire basement. It was huge! But that hotel wasn't a world class hotel either. 4) Here is the biggie, staff. The big difference between a hotel and a world class hotel is the ratio of staff to guest staying in the hotel. Although both the WL and AKL have lots of staff. There is no way you could confuse them with the sheer number of staff in a true world class resort. Examples, The Desert Springs Marriott in Desert Springs, California ( next to Palm Springs ) is the largest employeer in Desert Springs. <a href="http://www.desertspringsresort.com/" target="_blank">http://www.desertspringsresort .com/</a> I was told they employ 2,400 people. They are just a resort, spa and golf course. They don't operate any amusement park unless you take into consideration the fact that you travel to your hotel restaurant by boat. The Marriott Desert Springs is a world class resort. Here are some other "world class resorts" <a href="http://elconresort.com/?s_kwcid=el" target="_blank">http://elconresort.com/?s_kwci d=el</a>%20conquistador|222266787 <a href="http://www.atlantis.com/specials/package.html" target="_blank">http://www.atlantis.com/specia ls/package.html</a> <a href="http://www.grand-hotel.org/newsite/html/e/ca01.htm" target="_blank">http://www.grand-hotel.org/new site/html/e/ca01.htm</a> <a href="http://www.burj-al-arab.com/" target="_blank">http://www.burj-al-arab.com/</a> There are a lot of destination resorts out there. The Old Faithful Lodge is a destination Hotel. But its not world class hotel.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Interesting. I would certainly consider AKL to be a world class resort if you factor in WDW as well. I've stayed at Atlantis and the Burj-al-Arab. Both are great. Also stayed at the Del Coronado in San Diego, the Ritz London and Paris, and the Waldorf Astoria. But AKl is the only place I know of outside of Africa that has Savannah's outside your window (and I don't need shots either). Mix in the parks, golf courses, water sports, motor sports and access to SPA facilities across WDW, then it's one of the best resorts anywhere. I would and have scrimped and saved $6500 to go to AKL for 11 days as my key destination. The other 2 resorts I have been to, I would not. So it depends on what you are looking for.
Originally Posted By sherrytodd I do agree with you as far as room size and luxeries go. But I think that the incredible themeing of the AKL and the dining make up for the lack of luxeries. There are definately resorts that are more plush out there, but AKL is a one of a kind experience.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip The Disney Resorts are wonderful resorts and there are no resorts anywhere that I'd rather be at. But none of Disney's resorts are World Class when it comes to amenities, level of service and room size. Not even the Grand Floridian. If you want to see a Florida World Class resort, check out the Palm Beach Four Seasons Resort. <a href="http://www.fourseasons.com/palmbeach/" target="_blank">http://www.fourseasons.com/pal mbeach/</a>
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Funny, other than room size and some of the plushness of furnishing, AKL still seems like a better resort. I would not travel 3000 miles and spend $6500 to go to the Four Seasons Palm Beach. But I am for AKL.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo And AKL including passes and dining is cheaper. But what do I know. Currently my favorite resort hotel in the whole world is the Grand Californian at Disneyland.
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom I think everyone can agree that the WL and AKL each offer unique accomidations that you would otherwise have to travel the ends of the earth to find. However, I'm sticking to my opinion. I also want to add employee attitude. It was refreshing to see how engaging the staff were at the hotel I stayed at in Quebec City. As apposed to the behaviors of the cast members at the WL that I would describe as avoidant ( with the possible exception of the wait staff in Whispering Canyon Cafe ). People save and spend large sums of money to stay at the Old Faithful Lodge in Yellowstone National Park or the Ahwahnee Lodge in Yosemite. They are each in a unique setting. But they are not world class hotels. Just being on WDW property doesn't automatically make a hotel a "world class hotel" status. You could use the same arguement for the Value resorts. Even the value resorts have full access to all the golf course, water craft, parks and recreation as any other Disney resort ( and non-Disney resort ) on property. The Value resorts are not five star hotels or world class either.
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom Dave, I'm not argueing with you here. The AKL and WL ARE destination resorts. There is no questions about that. But they are not at the same calibur of a five star or a "world class hotel".
Originally Posted By RoadTrip <<Funny, other than room size and some of the plushness of furnishing, AKL still seems like a better resort. I would not travel 3000 miles and spend $6500 to go to the Four Seasons Palm Beach. But I am for AKL>> I also said I would rather be at a Disney resort. When you consider the entire package (4 World Class Theme Parks nearby) the Disney Resorts, even the All Stars, are great. They just aren't World Class resorts by the usual measures. Take away the theme parks and no one would pay the rates Disney charges for what you get.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo See, now again I would consider Ahwahnee Lodge and Old Faithful Lodge to be world class too. The big difference however is all of these WL, AKL, AL, OFL etc. have a lot of foot traffic and day visitors that can greatly dilute the experience. Also, I think people are also hung up that there hs to be a beach or a golf course for somewhere to be considered a resort. For me, not so.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Ok, where would you guys consider the Venitian or Bellagio in Vegas? Are they world class resorts? They have oppulance?
Originally Posted By vbdad55 A difference between a world class resort and a destination resort. I stay Four Seasons when I can ( if available)(my favorite maybe being the one in Prague) - Have stayed at the Plaza numerous times, and the Ritz-Carlton in Chicago ( also a 4 seasons hotel) - and if we are talking about amenities / service / quality of food available / concierge service / quality of furnishings etc. then there really is no comparison. Adding WDW next door as a qualifier for service is not fair as we are only judging the hotel itself, not the surroundings.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo I will concede that the service and oppulance is not there however (unless you go Presidential Suite, then it is on par IMHO).
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo But vbdad, I don't think you can disaggregate the two. There are sister resorts in the world that share maybe a golf course, or water park facilities. Does that make them a lesser resort?
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom Dave time for a change of plans. Go cheap on this vacation and save up for a AKL DVC!
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Believe you me Tom, I have been trying to talk Mrs Baloo into it. She says we have to prioritise buying a bigger house and a new car. She's right, but OMG I am so tempted to but 200 points ownership when we come to WDW!
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom Let me explain where I am coming from. I truely believe that most Americans wouldn't know what a five star hotel was if it fell from the sky and landed on them. Do you like the Wizard of Oz reference <smile>? Vegas definately has some world class hotels, no questions about that.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo True Tom, but I can't help but also feel it's relative to personal taste as well. Yes, people who go on that Whispering Canyon is one of the finest meals they've ever had are really missing out. And I've stayed at some great places over the years, but I really do prefer the Disney/Vegas experience to these 5, and in the case of Dubai 7 star resorts - though they are fun too!
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom <<Believe you me Tom, I have been trying to talk Mrs Baloo into it. She says we have to prioritise buying a bigger house and a new car. She's right, but OMG I am so tempted to but 200 points ownership when we come to WDW!>> Blasphemy! Disney always comes first! <smile>
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo And I still think Disney has some of the finest restaurants in the world: Napa Rose (DL) California Grill (Paris) Victoria and Albert's (WDW) Ca Grill (WDW) So what do I know? But I also like The Ivy Spagos And Gordon Ramsey's restaurants
