Many times when I hear discussion of Disney Resorts people are talking about choosing by price, and sometimes by location. The the Disney resorts have a wide variety of themes. Does the theme of a resort matter to you? Would you stay at a resort where you didn't like the theme if it had a better price? Would you pay a little more just to stay where the theme speaks to you? How much does the decor of a resort influence your chance of booking a room?
Theme vs. Price. The epic battle. I choose my resort category by price, and then within that category pick out the resort that has the theme that I'm feeling for that trip, even if it's at a slightly higher cost. For my February trip, AoA is about $50 (total) than Pop, but I REALLY like the theme, so I'm paying the extra. I think all the resort themes are great, so if I had to pick a cheaper room, I'd still like the theme. However, If price was no object, I'd always stay at the Poly b/c I'm an island girl at heart!!
I really like theme. This is why I choose not to stay at Shades of Green. It's a nice property, but not Disney at all. I prefer to pay more for the theme we enjoy being surrounded by!
If I had a choice between the All Star Sports and The Ritz in Orlando, I would choose All Star. I like staying in the bubble and like theme. 
It's more of the price then the theme for us. I always prefer to stay at Pop over the All-Stars because the first time I stayed at one of the All-Stars, I wasn't impressed because paint was chipping and stuff like that.
Theme doesn't mean anything to me. I look at price and location. The only time theme was a factor was when my DW refused to stay at whichever resort has the giant clown head at the pool. It creeped her out and didn't want to stay there.
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1987(sort of)-Fariway Villas (I was not born yet, but could hear all the sounds of WDW)
1991-Fairway Villas (My first official trip to WDW)
2000-Fort Wilderness Campsites (last family trip before siblings got married and had kids)
2004-Caribbean Beach
2008-Pop Century
2012-Contemporary Resort (Honeymoon)
2015- Caribbean Beach (daughter's first trip)
2017- Cabins at Fort Wilderness
I have to say that theme is very important to me. The theme is number one, followed by location. While I am sometimes willing to give up location, there are a few resorts with themes that I doubt I would ever book for a trip.
For us, theme has absolutely no effect on where we stay when we stay at a Disney resort. It's all about where we can get a timeshare exchange, which means it's all about price because an exchange is much less expensive than paying out of pocket for a room.
I would say the theme is important as long as the resort is in our price range. Once we decide if we are staying a value or moderate resort (maybe Deluxe someday) we then make our choice based on the theme that is appealing to us or ones we have enjoyed in the past. The extra bucks between the resorts in the same categories is not significant to us.
We stay in a Disney resort because of the theme and attention to detail. We stay in a value resort because we haven't hit the lottery yet. Guess buying a ticket might help. We've found nice hotels off property that are at least half the price of Disney but lack the quality of a fulfilled theme.
We have always stayed at Disney resort hotels, ever since our first trip back in 2000. We've stayed at value, moderate and deluxe and never been disappointed. The cost element is always there, but the theme is part of the whole emersive experience. The attention to detail, the atmosphere and the feeling you get when you enter/stay in these hotels makes everything worth it.
BoBo
"Live well, laugh loud & love much"
I have to say that theme is very important to me. The theme is number one, followed by location. While I am sometimes willing to give up location, there are a few resorts with themes that I doubt I would ever book for a trip.
Which ones would you not choose - just curious? I know you guys love the Poly.
I love the theming of the resorts but because of dvc often have to stay where I can get a room, which are all themed well since they are moderate or deluxe, but I can't always get the one we want for that trip
"You're dead if you aim only for kids. Adults are only kids grown up, anyway."
--Walt Disney--
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I love the theming of the resorts but because of dvc often have to stay where I can get a room, which are all themed well since they are moderate or deluxe, but I can't always get the one we want for that trip
I'm a little confused here senseicj, there are no moderate DVC resorts.
Disneydoc, the ones I really never consider staying in are Bay Lake Tower, Wildnerness Lodge, both Port Orleans, and Coronado Springs. This list is based on theme alone. Are there any that you just do not care for based on theme? And, on the flip side, which ones would you like to try? The ones I want to try are the Grand Flordian, Old Key West, and the Yatch Club. I will get to scratch the Grand Floridian off my list after our next trip. We are staying there the first night.
Disneydoc, the ones I really never consider staying in are Bay Lake Tower, Wildnerness Lodge, both Port Orleans, and Coronado Springs. This list is based on theme alone. Are there any that you just do not care for based on theme? And, on the flip side, which ones would you like to try? The ones I want to try are the Grand Flordian, Old Key West, and the Yatch Club. I will get to scratch the Grand Floridian off my list after our next trip. We are staying there the first night.
I am definitely drawn to some themes over others. I agree with you on Bay Lake regarding theme...not disneyfied enough for me, but you can't beat that proximity to MK or the view. Maybe I will try it just for that, for one or two nights. It burns a lot of DVC pts.
I want to try Key West, Poly (!!!, but not sure I will pay the room rates), POFQ, and actually Pop and AoA for a night or two. Not to mention GF....I purposely did NOT tour the DVC room, as I am worried that I would jump on an add on. My self imposed rule for add ons is to stick to resales...looking now for just the right contract to get a few more pts....but would LOVE to own there, and BW too.
I would also like to stay at BC. Nice pool, laid back, close to Epcot. Also have two nights at SS booked to see if I like the walk to DTD thing.
Wilderness Lodge actually does attract me. Cozy fire, warm feel. Reminds me a bit of the warm feel of AKL, my home resort. I loved my past stays in the campground, and I think it would be kinda fun in the winter months.
So much to try! 
I do hope to do the Grand Floridian DVC tour. I would love to do an add on of that. Mrhub wants to wait for the Poly though. I still think we should split it and add on at both resorts 
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For me it's a bed, theme is an added perk but does not a deciding factor. We stayed at moderates and values both. We have chosen Pop as our fav. Many because of the dedicated busses and the price. I would rather spend the extra cash on something besides a bed and a shower. Other things like food, souvenirs or extra park experiences. 
Yes, to an extent. But along with theme and price is also logistics of bus service and location (even though I drive, the buses are just so convenient and I find them super fun!). I really love the theme of All Star Movies or Music, and I would maybe stay at one if needed for budget reasons (since they're the cheapest on property), but I'd rather stay at the Pop with a theme I don't love AS much just because their bus service is better. The only rooms I'd want to stay in at AoA where I do love theme and they have a dedicated bus service is The Little Mermaid rooms, which I heard are SO far away from the lobby no matter what, and idk if I'm down with that. So there's a lot that goes into it for me.
On the higher levels, I'd probably pay a little extra to stay at say, POR or POFQ over Caribbean Beach where the theme doesn't interest me at all. I'd be more willing to pay a little extra to stay at BC/YC, BW or WL over AKL just because though AKL looks beautiful, the theme/restaurants don't really interest me, and the location does little for me (though I would still love to stay at AKL sometime!).
So yes, theme is somewhat important to me, but I think really if I had the opportunity to stay at Disney at all I'd be a happy camper. 
The only rooms I'd want to stay in at AoA where I do love theme and they have a dedicated bus service is The Little Mermaid rooms, which I heard are SO far away from the lobby no matter what, and idk if I'm down with that. So there's a lot that goes into it for me.
Yes its "far" but its only like a 3-5 minute walk to the lobby. Really not that bad. It's about the same distance from the 80s and 90s buildings at Pop. It may seem like a longer walk after you've spent all day at the parks. But it's really not that bad. I've stayed in those rooms and would stay there again.
Right now we look at price and theme combined. Where do we like that we can afford? Last trip we stayed at All Star Sports because my fiance loves sports and it was kind of a last minute trip where I really wanted to do Disney, but we hadn't had time to really save up. Now for our honeymoon, we are looking at renting DVC or going to do a Moderate resort because we will have time to save a little more, but also don't want to be spending crazy amounts of money after just having paid for our wedding. I am with many when I say staying on Disney property anywhere is better than not staying on Disney property because of the conveniences with staying on property. I have my bucket list of places to stay once we get past the wedding and all of that good stuff. So maybe for an anniversay we will really upgrade and stay at the Polynesian or Grand Floridian.
Theme vs. Price. The epic battle. I choose my resort category by price, and then within that category pick out the resort that has the theme that I'm feeling for that trip, even if it's at a slightly higher cost. For my February trip, AoA is about $50 (total) than Pop, but I REALLY like the theme, so I'm paying the extra. I think all the resort themes are great, so if I had to pick a cheaper room, I'd still like the theme. However, If price was no object, I'd always stay at the Poly b/c I'm an island girl at heart!!
Well, I made a liar out of myself today. Found the room only discounts for the winter/early spring and managed to save $220 by switching from the AoA to the Pop. Kind of bummed b/c I like AoA's theme much better, but for a couple of hundred dollars in savings will pay for a lot of nice dining.....Cash was king today.
I know Pop has a lot of fan love on this site, so that made it a little easier to make the switch!
That's a huge difference! I think it's okay if now and again budget dictates a trip.
For me, location and price are the two biggest priorities for me. Then, amenities and transportation, followed by food and theme. That applies to most hotels for me.
"All my life I wonder how it feels to pass a day, not above them but part of them.
And out there living in the sun, give me one day out there, all I ask is one to hold forever. Out there where they all live unaware, what I'd give, what I'd dare, just to live one day out there."
Well it's a good question..Price of course is important to me...Location no big deal..I'am inside the magic bubble and I'am happy...However theme is important...That's why I thought Contempory Resort looked liked a block of tenement flats in Glasgow... 
...It's the only resort that leaves me cold...Yes it's modern..Yes it's got a great location..But no..It doesn't sing Disney to me...
Well it's a good question..Price of course is important to me...Location no big deal..I'am inside the magic bubble and I'am happy...However theme is important...That's why I thought Contempory Resort looked liked a block of tenement flats in Glasgow...
I always think that is such an odd statement because it was the first of the Disney hotels and an architectural marvel when it was built. From the construction techniques used to the monorail running through the grand canyon concourse it was state of the art. They struggle to keep it modern, and that's of no fault of their own, when you always have to keep looking forward of trends in order to try and maintain your theme it's naturally going to be more difficult. For many Disney fans the mega construction of the Eisner era hotels was difficult, though it's beautiful and now the flagship standard, it marked a change from an ultimate service environment to a more flashy bring in the masses point of view.
When you look at those tenements in Glasgow - they should remind you of it, not the other way around.
King Fergus wrote:Well it's a good question..Price of course is important to me...Location no big deal..I'am inside the magic bubble and I'am happy...However theme is important...That's why I thought Contempory Resort looked liked a block of tenement flats in Glasgow...
When you look at those tenements in Glasgow - they should remind you of it, not the other way around.
You must be joking..The Glasgow flats look awful...I agree about your view of CR but it doesn't sing Disney to me...Sorry...
I think price is more important for the most part. But, we could have stayed at Shades of Green, but we didn't want to miss out on a Disney theme. We don't go often enough for us to be like, "nah, we've had enough Disney for today". Lol, but we just want any Disney theme to fully immerse us into the experience. We couldn't afford the really nice themes value + Disney = win. We like eating and shopping at Disney more than staying in a really pretty hotel. Besides, I think the value resorts are pretty great Haha, side note: my husband REALLY hates gators, so when we found out that there's a resident gator at Shades of Green, it solidified us never staying there.
I do love the themes, but it also depends greatly on the price. Also as much as I enjoy the theme the prices are a bit too high for a place I'd be sleeping in at night and storing purchases. I chose Pop for my first trip but honestly if I was earning the money I would stay at the Animal Kingdom - I'm a sucker for their interior.
Theme is important to my family. In all of the resorts they do a great job with the theme. There are a few resorts we don't really have any interest in staying at because of their theme. Wilderness Lodge isn't on our to-do list because we arent really outdoorsy people. My favorite is the Poly, I love the volcano and theme throughout the entire resort.
"This Experience Includes: Dark Places and Scary Dinosaurs" -Dinosaur AK
Yeah! Another Poly lover! 
We are far and few between here Sam. our most favorite view!
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Yeah! Another Poly lover!
Haha! I dont get why it isnt as popular as some others! I think its the best way to cross 2 vacations off with 1 stay... You get Disney World and Hawaii!
"This Experience Includes: Dark Places and Scary Dinosaurs" -Dinosaur AK
