Disney offers a wide variety of amenities at it's on property resorts, but as mentioned in our previous thread about hot tubs, they don't always keep up with industry trends that are becoming standard in even lower budget resorts off property. What do you think that Disney could do to upgrade it's resorts (at any level) to bring them more in line with industry standards?
I think they could upgrade the dining options, particularly at the value resorts. I understand the food courts are probably the most economical option, but something that offered some fresher choices (a salad bar, maybe) would be a welcome addition. I do spend at least one day at the resort just hanging at the pool and there's only so much pizza/hot dog/burgers that you can eat. I will say the food court limitations are a major reason why I try to only stay at Moderate resorts b/c usually there's at least one "sit down" restaurant there, plus I find even in the food court, there are more options. BUT having said this, I'm sure it's not worth the investment for Disney, since there are so many dining options in the part. But that would be my suggestion!
It's difficult to compare Disney with other resorts. The draw for non-Disney resorts is basically the resort itself, so they need more amenities. Disney, on the other hand, obviously has so much to offer outside of the resort hotels themselves that it doesn't seem fair to compare them! 
Speaking personally, I can go to a non-Disney resort and use a hot tub, when I'm at Disney...I'm at Disney! Ain't nobody got time for hot tubs! 
But, I realize some do like a bit of down time, so my suggestion would be more spas that offer a wider range of services including mani/pedis, etc.
This is a tough topic because Disney does a VERY good job of adding amenities as you go up in resort level, from Value to Moderate, to Deluxe to Villas. Not only do you get more, and better food & drink options as you step up but you also get better pool and entertainment options, as well as having an easier time getting from your resort to anywhere you want to go.
Follow along on our adventure as we make the move for a great life, and move to Orlando!
https://adventuresinears.wordpress.com/
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 think they could upgrade the dining options, particularly at the value resorts. I understand the food courts are probably the most economical option, but something that offered some fresher choices (a salad bar, maybe) would be a welcome addition.
I think that is one of the things that they had in mind when they designed the food court at Art of Animation. It really goes beyond the basic burger and pizza bringing in more ethnic flavors and a broader variety of fresh choices. I wonder what it would take to upgrade the All Stars to that level.
I would like to see some moderate choices that can accomodate my family of 5.
At present, here are our choices:
- Family suites in ASM or AoA
- Hopefully adjoining rooms at a resort
- Murphy bed at POR, but my son is too big for a Murphy and the alternative is to have my 14 year old son sleep with his 13 year old sister
- A cabin at Fort Wilderness-- sorry, but that place is NOT my style at all.
- A Deluxe, but not the lesser priced WL or AKL.
So, realistically, it boils down to a Value suite or a Deluxe. So we save and save, and pray for a PIN code. (And, to be honest, we've been incredibly lucky in that regard.) And we spend some serious money on Deluxe.
But I would love for the moderates to include the same sort of daybed as the Deluxes.
August 2008 and August 2009: Polynesian. August 2012: Beach Club. We're returning to the Beach Club in July/August 2014.
Hi Alice, there are often good deals on Old Key West and Saratoga Springs Resorts. It says the one bed villas sleep five.
no ticker 
JMUDukz wrote:I think they could upgrade the dining options, particularly at the value resorts. I understand the food courts are probably the most economical option, but something that offered some fresher choices (a salad bar, maybe) would be a welcome addition.I think that is one of the things that they had in mind when they designed the food court at Art of Animation. It really goes beyond the basic burger and pizza bringing in more ethnic flavors and a broader variety of fresh choices. I wonder what it would take to upgrade the All Stars to that level.
This is the second time today (I had a bit of time on my hands at work...) that someone's mentioned the upgrades to the food court at the AoA. I'm going to have to check that out!!
I also think adding a workout facility, even a very minimal one, would be a nice "upgrade." Even your budget off-site hotels (Hampton Inn, Days Inn, etc) have a small room with some weights and a treadmill and elliptical. OR - Disney could build a nice gym somewhere and give access to guests from all hotels. I will be the first to admit I don't usually work out while on vacay (particularly at Disney), but my sister does, and she was really disappointed last year that the POFQ didn't offer any sort of exercise facility. Though the jogging trails are very nice (so I hear!).
I also think adding a workout facility, even a very minimal one, would be a nice "upgrade." Even your budget off-site hotels (Hampton Inn, Days Inn, etc) have a small room with some weights and a treadmill and elliptical. OR - Disney could build a nice gym somewhere and give access to guests from all hotels. I will be the first to admit I don't usually work out while on vacay (particularly at Disney), but my sister does, and she was really disappointed last year that the POFQ didn't offer any sort of exercise facility. Though the jogging trails are very nice (so I hear!).
I get plenty of workout in just walking around the parks all day! But I do agree that this is something simple that most hotels have these days.
Follow along on our adventure as we make the move for a great life, and move to Orlando!
https://adventuresinears.wordpress.com/
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
Thanks, MissMikki,
I've looked into DVC rental. At rack rate, they're way more expensive than a Deluxe.
I realize they can be rented more cheaply than rack rate, but not at the point where they're cheaper than just getting a Deluxe room. (Admittedly, there are far more amenities. But we really don't need the amenities. It would just be nice if there was a middle ground between Value and Deluxe accomodations.)
August 2008 and August 2009: Polynesian. August 2012: Beach Club. We're returning to the Beach Club in July/August 2014.
Overall room finishes. Moderate resorts and value, too, skate on the edge of budget, no frills finishes. Even the deluxe resorts are not "plush". For instance, we love the AKL and it is pricey. But the room interior. . . Not many steps better than a typical Holiday inn or even Hampton Inn - at more than double the cost.
Yes - I get that I am paying for the animals in the savannah, etc etc, but when CBR reminds me a bit of Motel 6, and AKL is on a par with Holiday Inn or Red Lion. . . I notice.
I also get that the destination is the parks and all things NOT at the resorts, but Disney tries to entice guests to hang at the resorts, at the pools, the restaurants. I happen to like room lounging, too, so finishes, cozy chairs, comfy arrangements are REALLY important.
It is gonna cost you, no matter. I know it and Disney really doesn't apologize for it. They could at least upgrade the overall comfort at all levels. Then the Welcome Home would really mean something.
If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world.
J. R. R. Tolkien
You guys are going to laugh, but I'd like to see softer towels. Some of them feel like you're drying yourself with sandpaper after your shower.
And keeping with the theme of "basics", they really need better pillows! If we didn't fly, I would bring my own. Also, get rid of the bedspreads, and use duvet covers or something that are washed each time. Last fall we had blood on one of ours - ewwww! Needless to say, it didn't stay on the bed!
Diana
Time marches on. Eventually you realize it's doing it across your face.
And keeping with the theme of "basics", they really need better pillows! If we didn't fly, I would bring my own. Also, get rid of the bedspreads, and use duvet covers or something that are washed each time. Last fall we had blood on one of ours - ewwww! Needless to say, it didn't stay on the bed!
Now that would be a reason to call the front desk ASAP! That is a "FIX IT NOW" moment.
My fella does a lot of lifting and would have liked to have access even to a small gym with the basics, so that would have been nice! I second the hot tubs thing - when we visited Disney when I was small I have a very vivid memory of our villa having a hot tub and my little brother pouring bubble bath into it. Ah, fun times. (Not that I would do that now... 
)
Also, get rid of the bedspreads, and use duvet covers or something that are washed each time.
The industry standard you're looking for with this is triple sheeted bedding. Several of the Disney properties have converted already and I know that all the DVC Rooms are being done over the next year. The two I know that already have triple sheeted bedding are Yacht Club and Wilderness Lodge, maybe Contemporary.
finngirl wrote:Also, get rid of the bedspreads, and use duvet covers or something that are washed each time.The industry standard you're looking for with this is triple sheeted bedding. Several of the Disney properties have converted already and I know that all the DVC Rooms are being done over the next year. The two I know that already have triple sheeted bedding are Yacht Club and Wilderness Lodge, maybe Contemporary.
Thanks Kristen. I didn't know the proper term for this. We've had it at several Marriott hotels, and really like it. I hope it filters down to all the resorts at WDW. And yes, the comforter was replaced very quickly! 
Diana
Time marches on. Eventually you realize it's doing it across your face.
I know this would only target a specific group, but if they are going to continue pushing the RunDisney program, they need to start connecting the jogging trails/paths. The longest one on property that I've come across is not even 2 miles. Running in circles stinks. So does dodging traffic. It wouldn't be hard. Most of the resorts that have longer trails are pretty close together.
I also think they should make more walkways to the parks from resorts. It's really *not* a long walk from some resorts to MK or HS or even to Epcot. It would be nice to take advantage of that.
Again, I know these are only for a "few" people. Since I know none of that would happen, I'd settle for at least a couple of treadmills at the resorts. 
I'd settle for at least a couple of treadmills at the resorts.
I think that this is a great example of one of those things that an off property hotel for $150 a night has that a Disney Value doesn't. Like hot tubs, they've become fairly standard in the industry but Disney still reserves them for the "Deluxe" category. It can feel behind the times.
These resorts all have fitness centers with treadmills: Animal Kingdom Lodge, AKL Kidani Village, Boardwalk Inn, Contemporary, Coronado Springs, Grand Floridian, Old Key West, Wilderness Lodge, Yacht/Beach Club,
Even the deluxe resorts are not "plush". For instance, we love the AKL and it is pricey. But the room interior. . . Not many steps better than a typical Holiday inn or even Hampton Inn ... AKL is on a par with Holiday Inn or Red Lion.
I only sort of agree with this. I've never had a problem with the furnishings at a Deluxe Disney resort or thought that they were lacking. The standard rooms I've stayed in at Animal Kingdom Lodge and at the Grand Floridian have been WAY above the level of Red Lion, Hampton, and Holiday Inns. I would put them on par with full service Marriott and Hilton Brands. However, Disney's "deluxe" does not equal a "luxury" brand like Ritz and Four Seasons by any means even though they are similar in price by room night.
These resorts all have fitness centers with treadmills: Animal Kingdom Lodge, AKL Kidani Village, Boardwalk Inn, Contemporary, Coronado Springs, Grand Floridian, Old Key West, Wilderness Lodge, Yacht/Beach Club,
Nowhere I'll ever afford to stay until we pull the DVC trigger.
You guys are going to laugh, but I'd like to see softer towels. Some of them feel like you're drying yourself with sandpaper after your shower.
I was thinking of something softer too. But not towels, toilet paper.
Kris1971 wrote:You guys are going to laugh, but I'd like to see softer towels. Some of them feel like you're drying yourself with sandpaper after your shower.I was thinking of something softer too. But not towels, toilet paper.
Amen to that!
I would love the ability to walk or jog between some of the resorts. We recently stayed at POR and it took us over an hour to get back from the BBQ at FW by boat and bus. The walk from the south end of FW to POR would be about 3 minutes.
I also really wanted take a look at OKW to plan for a future DVC purchase but could not find the 50 minutes it would take to get there and the 50 minutes to get back which is a long time considering they are across the street from each other.
A jogging trail from FW and DTD would be a great addition IMO and a run that is worth doing. Jogging around POR in 3 minutes is not a real workout.
Oh, and a comfy chair in the room to relax in. I've been putting in a lot of travel recently and am noticing some of those small comforts that can really make a difference in a room's coziness.
If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world.
J. R. R. Tolkien
I would like to see some moderate choices that can accomodate my family of 5.At present, here are our choices:
- Family suites in ASM or AoA
- Hopefully adjoining rooms at a resort
- Murphy bed at POR, but my son is too big for a Murphy and the alternative is to have my 14 year old son sleep with his 13 year old sister
- A cabin at Fort Wilderness-- sorry, but that place is NOT my style at all.
- A Deluxe, but not the lesser priced WL or AKL.So, realistically, it boils down to a Value suite or a Deluxe. So we save and save, and pray for a PIN code. (And, to be honest, we've been incredibly lucky in that regard.) And we spend some serious money on Deluxe.
But I would love for the moderates to include the same sort of daybed as the Deluxes.
CBR may be adding daybeds like at POR according to some photos floating around about a possible rehab of some buildings. Also CSR offers suites.
http://s1291.photobucket.com/user/florida995/media/photo6_zps6aa010eb.jpg.html
They can renovate the hotels making them all 100% Italian Marble. Also move the ocean a little closer to Orlando.
See my Disney Photography at...
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DVC owner since 2002 BCV/BWV/BLT/VGC
