What's a resort you swore you'd never stay at, but did and ended up loving?

[Bird003]

Grand Floridian. We got it super cheap during covid. That walking path to MK is a total game changer for that resort! Staff were so nice and the grounds are very beautiful

 

[Scouter]

We stayed at POFQ and thought it was just okay. I didn’t fall in love with it.

Oh, no, that's where I'm going in November.

 

[snikki]

POFQ. Not so much that I thought I would hate it but I didn't expect to love it so much. It's such a cute resort. The food is good, the vibe is great, it's small and the bus stop is close to every building. We only stayed for 2 nights for a split stay but next trip we are staying there the entire 9 nights.

 

[maryj11]

Oh, no, that's where I'm going in November.

You may love it. I know a lot of people do.

 

[DisneyFave]

Best surprise: BWI - I thought the theming would be kitschy but it was really elegant and had a lovely vintage vibe.

Worst was BLT pool view - first I hated the water pageant noise, and second, the lighting from the pool at night was SO BRIGHT that I didn’t find it relaxing at all to sit on the balcony after kiddo fell asleep. It was like sitting under a spotlight. Made me miss the calm tiki torches at the Polynesian.

 

[HashberryOTG]

Had a 2br at OKW. Thought it would be kinna meh . Fell in love. Quiet, beautiful and liked the dining.

For an opposite we had a contemporary theme park view and absolutely hated it.
Our fav resort, YC, had openings and a wonderful cast member helped us switch. Most people love contemporary. I guess we're just weird. Lol.

 

[jimmymc]

Never saw the appeal of Caribbean Beach, and saw a ton of negative reviews online. But I stayed and it's one of if not my favorite moderates now. The pool, dining options, skyliner, location, and room theming are all great and I will definitely be back.

 

[Babyblue2]

The Contemporary when they updated their rooms.

 

[ScubaCat]

Wilderness Lodge

 

[emily nicole]

All Star Movies.
I swore off the All Stars after reading many reviews on them here. I especially did not like the idea of bus sharing and that ASM was the last pickup.
Went on a budget solo trip in late Oct 2019 and was so surprised on how adorable the theming was. The rooms were remodeled and so nice. And despite using the buses at various times of the day, I never experienced bus sharing.
I'd go back anytime. In fact had a stay booked at ASM this Dec, but changed to our favorite POFQ when it reopened.

 

[disneyguy87]

AOA. Ok, I’ll admit I’m a Deluxe/DVC snob, never thought about values. A friend wanted to book a family suite for 3 of us, didn’t sound bad. I loved it! Liked the food court, which is something I miss when staying at BWV. Then another time we did Little Mermaid 2 in a room, wasn’t as nice as family suite and farther from the food court, but was nice.

Wow glad I came across this reply! So we stay at moderates because deluxe is currently out of our price range/comfort zone. But recently my wife and I were discussing the possibility of value resorts when we have children. I felt value could be viable to save money and put toward couple vacays to WDW at a nicer resort sans our kids. After researching, AOA was the one Value resort I actually thought I might like.

 

[jimmymc]

All Star Movies.
I swore off the All Stars after reading many reviews on them here. I especially did not like the idea of bus sharing and that ASM was the last pickup.
Went on a budget solo trip in late Oct 2019 and was so surprised on how adorable the theming was. The rooms were remodeled and so nice. And despite using the buses at various times of the day, I never experienced bus sharing.
I'd go back anytime. In fact had a stay booked at ASM this Dec, but changed to our favorite POFQ when it reopened.

I love the All-Star renovated rooms! I think I do have to agree that the old rooms were not great; they reminded me of a cheap motel room with basically no theming. But with the redesign, I think it's a much more comfortable place. And I've always liked the giant theming at all 3 resorts.

 

[Blondie58]

Just curious, trying to open my mind a bit.

I think I would never want to stay at Saratoga Springs, but I watched a walk-through yesterday and it actually looks quite nice.

The grounds of CBR look amazing, but I don't think I like the rooms.

Tell me, did you think you'd hate somewhere and now you really like it?

Just visited Villas at Old Key West. Loved the property and the rooms! Looks like we may be saving to buy some points here. We currently own at GF. We have considered GF for park days and the "busy" vacation time BUT OKW lends itsself to a real r and r feel.

 

[jaiminee krikit]

Grand Floridian, but unless I win or come into a large fortune, I'll never stay there again.
Our last trip, we ended up going a day earlier than originally planned so I decided we'd stay at a monorail resort for that extra night. I went back and forth between the Contemporary, the resort I've wanted to stay at since my first WDW trip, or GF, the resort DD has always wanted to stay at. The price was comparable, but the thought of surprising DD won me over.
We've eaten there numerous times, and it always felt a little stuffy to me, but being there didn't feel like that at all. I also never realized how small it was, I thought we were going to have to walk miles to our room but it was bam, right there! I love that each building is so, just wow! The fresh flowers were such a beautiful touch (DD went and smelled them any time we walked by), the room was gorgeous, I loved having a balcony overlooking the Seven Seas Lagoon (had my fingers crossed for an obstructed MK view but didn't happen). We've always loved watching the pianist in the main building so being able to just walk right over there was just lovely. And being at the MK within 5 minutes of leaving our room, that was the icing on an already delicious cake.

 

[DisneyMomx7]

Contemporary. Thought I would hate it but ending up really liking it

 

[Chami]

WL. I live in the pacific northwest so why bother? Turns out I enjoy the price compared to other deluxes and access to the boats (I love boats) as a transportation method. Feeling at home isn't a bad thing...

Thank you for saying this! I want to try an MK area resort during our next stay. Also from the pacific northwest, I haven't been sure if I wanted to stay in a place that is just like home. I will put WL back on the contenders list.

 

[fla4fun]

I have stayed at almost all of the resorts. I went into all of the experiences thinking positive, and for the most part, the resorts delivered. I think it is important, when considering new resort choices, to take the time and write up a short list of amenities you must have to enjoy your resort. Then compare that list to the amenities of the resort you want to try. If you are someone who wants to soak in a hot tub after the parks and then relax on your balcony with a drink before bed, you may not enjoy a value resort as much as someone who doesn’t need those amenities.

I did find two resorts that I probably won’t book again, but the reasons are specific to me. I don’t like the Grand Floridian because the self parking is too far from the building. I go back and forth to my car every couple days or so, taking laundry out, or perhaps driving to a park. I need my car in a convenient location. I also wasn’t fond of AKL. I really missed being near a water feature (pond, lake, river) and I spent a lot of time on the balcony with no animals in sight. Those are examples of discovering my own must have amenities. For what a deluxe costs, I think having a good amenity match is a must. Neither of those hotels are bad, they just aren’t good choices for me.

I did like the FW cabins more than I thought I would. The first time, I was on a trip where I planned to stay at the resort more than going to the parks, so I packed my bike and off to FW I went. It felt so much more private than any other resort, and a million miles away from the hustle and bustle of the parks. I also enjoyed having my car in my own little driveway. I was in a loop near the center of the resort, so everything was very convenient. I don’t get back there nearly as much as I would like to, just because they can be a little expensive depending on the season.

 

[kylenne]

Coronado, on my last trip. I’m one of those Deluxe snobs and frankly enjoyed my stay there more than YC a few weeks prior. GDT was incredible but I fell in love with the resort as a whole and would not hesitate to go back.

 

[katyjeka]

All Star Music and Boardwalk. We ended up loving them both.

 

[Eastern]

Oh, no, that's where I'm going in November.

I love POFQ. I either stay deluxe or there. The buses are great and food/pool/parking/POR/boat to DS is convenient.