Originally Posted By davewasbaloo "Blasphemy! Disney always comes first! <smile>" I know, she knew that when we married!
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom Gosh, Dave and here I was thinking I would surprise your family during your Disney stay with a gift of flowers from the Disney Florist. I know how long it takes me to save that kind of money. I think gold bricks as a "surprise" gift are more in order.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Huh, I don't understand Tom - but thank you for the thought. We don't drink, or smoke. We don't often gamble. We drive sensible cars. But we like to do Disney in style. The other experiences are largely down to work or very special occassions. Houses in the UK are small, so a lot of the money can often be spent on experiences. Also, the resort breaks have often been work bonuses or client hospitality.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Also,we tend to take our big trips about every 3 years. Last time my wife and I dined in a nice restaurant together (privately, not work related) was probably last October at the Cal Grill in DLP to celebrate the Smedley's Wedding Anniversary (and the 20% AP discount came in very handy!!!)
Originally Posted By ChiMike As I probably alluded to on the other thread in no way would I consider any WDW or DL resort hotel a world class resort. GF comes closest (with YC second) but GF still has a LONG way to go. I think as more resorts come online you will see a new category for the lodges and potential new hyrbid resorts. The Deluxe monkier is too much of a catch all when subscribing it both to WL and GF. Maybe 10 or 15 years ago GF could have been considered more white gloves but Disney has simply hacked so many things away and the level of tact and class that some CMs now exhibit are no where near what is needed of a first-class resort staff. College kids on internships don't cut it.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 Tom hears a friendly spirit call DAK Lodge a 'world-class' resort and look ... another 25 posts. The Spirit sure is a polarizng force, ain't he? Very interesting points from all parties. Although I tend to view the issue as a semantics one. A true world-class resort would be a 5-star, 5-diamond rated place and WDW's resorts are for the most part 3-stars and a few 4. In other words, AAA rates every Courtyard by Marriott the same as most WDW deluxe resorts. From a service standpoint, no WDW resort in the year 2006 qualifies as world-class. Not when your front desk CM is earning his/her ears along with $7 an hour (if that). From a bedding standpoint, nope ... although Disney has rectified this at the Poly, Contemp and WL to some degree. Bathrooms? Nope. Plain. Tiny. And all with Ivory soap and sandpaper toilet paper. Towels? Any Hilton will offer better than the Motel 6 specials you get at WDW. BUT ... there are things that WDW resorts offer that pushes them up considerably in my book. Someone mentioned the savannahs at DAK Lodge. That is a perfect example because unless you go to Africa, you are never going to experience anything like that. The architecture/public areas of many WDW resorts is awe-inspiring ... from the lodges ... to the GF ... to the Boardwalk. That counts too. Dining? Even in its dumbed down state, just look at places like California Grill, Jiko, V&A's, Flying Fish, Boma, Artist Point, Citricos etc ... there's some very good dining options. Recreation? Every WDW deluxe resort has a wonderful themed pool area. Golf and Tennis are available. Spas ... boating etc .. Maybe destination resorts is a better term, I'll grant that. But I've stayed at five-star hotels and resorts and have been disappointed too. What angers me is that WDW could raise its deluxe resorts by paying more and having DELUXE CMs working at those resorts, they could have TRIPLE SHEETING at all deluxe and moderate resorts, they could offer a private label set of soap/shampoos/lotion, they could have 24-hour room service, they could have free wi-fi, they could have designated quiet floors etc ... many simple (and not expensive) ways to bring the product up to a higher echelon. No, even the GF won't offer the same service as the Ritz Carlton Grande Lakes or the J.W. Marriott that sits next to it ... they won't even match up with the Hyatt Grand Cypress. What's frustrating is that they could and choose not to. That's what WalMarting the product is all about.
Originally Posted By kennect To me whether you are staying deluxe or down to value level at WDW they all seem somewhat alike to me....There is virtually no variation within a hotels class at WDW regarding the rooms...The recent high end additions are virtual clones of each other as are the moderates and value resorts....I missed out on a few years of visiting the place and got to go down for eleven days just recently...I was amazed at how disenchanted I was with the overall experience...Still a major fan but I just saw things differently this go round....Then I see pics of the Hollywood Hotel at HKDL and see they can still do it if the want to...Apparently in Florida they don't want to....But also keep in mind it was my first chance to the Stitch layover on the Encounter attraction...I have no clue as to what I saw or why anyone ever approved something that horrible to happen....I was also completely mystified by the new little parade at the MK that is happening several times a day...But that is another thread subject.....
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<To me whether you are staying deluxe or down to value level at WDW they all seem somewhat alike to me....There is virtually no variation within a hotels class at WDW regarding the rooms...The recent high end additions are virtual clones of each other as are the moderates and value resorts....>> That's a very good point. The YC, BC and Boardwalk are all the same. The WL and DAK Lodge. SS and BCV. The mods. The values. Just different decor. But the basic template remains the same. But I don't see that as something inherently bad. <<I missed out on a few years of visiting the place and got to go down for eleven days just recently...I was amazed at how disenchanted I was with the overall experience>> Really? Do tell ... <<...Still a major fan but I just saw things differently this go round....Then I see pics of the Hollywood Hotel at HKDL and see they can still do it if the want to...Apparently in Florida they don't want to.>> It's they don't want to mixed with a feeling they don't have to. That WDW is just the biggest tourist attraction out there and Ma and Pa and the younguns from Anytown, USA are going to just be in awe of the giant hat, golf ball and wand and pintrading that they don't have to bother so much. Again, they aren't completely off base. <<...But also keep in mind it was my first chance to the Stitch layover on the Encounter attraction...I have no clue as to what I saw or why anyone ever approved something that horrible to happen....I was also completely mystified by the new little parade at the MK that is happening several times a day...But that is another thread subject.....>> Start that thread! ;-)
Originally Posted By ChiMike Great post kennect! I'm sure some things caused your trip to be an eye-opener. Others such as myself have subjected ourselves to our own drip-drip water torture. 1,000 small cuts so to speak. Stitch was about 50 drips ago. Always good to be reminded how bad that is. Ohh, wait, for a while there it was one of the top 7 things to see in all of Walt Disney World.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 <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?< See I think you have to separate or else you can say a fleabag hotel is world class because it is in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower. I think the hotel has to stand on it's own, and I view world class as just that, from 5 stat dining, to top quality spa facilities, to the level of service you receive from check in to check out.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 <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< I would agree that I like those restaurants also, ( I have numerous times stated that Cali Grill in WDW is my 'favorite' restaurant to eat at anywhere in the world ) - but I do not see anything on your list from WL or AKL as this discussion started, that would be the first strike. Room size wouldlikely be number 2, and unless you are staying concierge level - service would be strike 3 . Now please understand I like every one of these places very much. We stayed at the GF ( and before that Poly) on all our trips before buying DVC 12 years ago. But to say they are world class, is a stretch. They are next to the best overall resort experience for my dollar, but that doesn't alter my definition of world class for the hotels
Originally Posted By vbdad55 Someday I truly believe they will attempt to place a true 5 diamond world class resort in WDW, but when they do, hand onto your wallets....
Originally Posted By kennect Spirit, I will start that thread once I get the photo's together to back it up....
Originally Posted By trekkeruss My take: WDW is a world-class destination resort, but there are no world-class hotels in WDW. Some of the hotels have world-class features (the lobbies of GF, AKL, WL; restaurants like CA Grill and V&A; the pool at Y&B), but none have particularly notable rooms. As far as rooms go, I generally stay in budget places when I travel; a hotel is mostly just a bed for me. I have stayed at many of Disney's deluxe hotels though, and none come close to the rooms at the Venetian in Las Vegas, which I would consider world-class in regards to luxury. Especially impressive to me was the bathroom. It was HUGE and easily the nicest bathroom I have ever seen in a hotel. Normally I would never stay at a place like the Venetian, but I was able to get the room for $99 courtesy of Priceline. Here is a link to the Venetian's accomodations page. Click on "Venetian Luxury" which is their least expensive room and look at the four pictures to see how high a standard they set: <a href="http://www.venetian.com/accommodations/suiteDes.cfm#vent" target="_blank">http://www.venetian.com/accomm odations/suiteDes.cfm#vent</a>
Originally Posted By kennect Trek, While Disney might have some rooms that are that nice you won't find them at that kind of price...We all know that....Vegas is such a different animal than what Disney is...Somehow though Disney has the history and the charm to continue to attract people worldwide...I have often wondered and will never understand how WDW has become the monster that it is....Regardless of all of the agruements there is still something special there that makes people want to visit again and again...
Originally Posted By ChiMike I would say that the Portofino in earlier years blew any Disney resort out of the water. But even that was never a world class resort.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 The Venetian is definitely world-class in my book. It's my fave place to stay in Vegas and the Spirit spends a LOT of time there. The themeing is amazing and so detailed. The dining is world class. The spa is too. Now they have a theater with Phantom of the Opera. Service isn't always quite what it should be, but it isn't WDW caliber either. And those rooms ... just amazing. Stayed there twice in 2005, once in a standard suite, which is larger than my first apartment. And then in a 1,600 sq foot suite overlooking the Strip. (Spirit starts drooling on keyboard now)
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<Someday I truly believe they will attempt to place a true 5 diamond world class resort in WDW, but when they do, hand onto your wallets....>> I don't think so. Upscale hotels have struggled in O-Town. Disney would be afraid to try. Even the new Ritz has had to run $199 specials to attract people ... of course, many of them would rather pay double or more for a magical Disney room with Ivory soap and dirty carpeting but ... they are magical!
Originally Posted By vbdad55 < of course, many of them would rather pay double or more for a magical Disney room with Ivory soap and dirty carpeting but ... they are magical!< there's my point exactly, you take that R-C and put in on the grounds and voila, it's full. There is enough of a base to fill a decent size hotel at the rates they would charge...and what if...they built a world class DVC with points usage to match -- as long as not the size of SS, I think they could also fill that. ( Nothing against SS , just that many luxury DVC units I do believe may be harder to fill). I agree off the grounds a large luxury hotel in Orlando could have issues. Nothing against Orlando, but it is not the draw outside of theme parks that NY or SF or even Chicago is for that level. I stayed in a wonderful R-C in Clayton Missouri ( suburb of St Louis) a few times, yet the cost there much less than the R-C in Chicago, and no problem getting rooms either.
