Frequent reader and rare poster here with a brief trip report. We (myself, wife, and 2 boys) arrived in Orlando on Saturday February 10 for a split stay at Universal and then Disney. We started at Universal and stayed at the Hard Rock because of its close proximity to the parks and City Walk. Our boys had not been to Universal and while we all enjoyed it, we still prefer the nostalgia of the Disney Parks (the Potter areas are amazing though). Having said that, the Hard Rock blows Disney accomodations away. The resort was what we exected for the price and the ability to walk to the parks and to non-themepark restaurants was worth every penny spent.
On to the Disney leg of the trip, the parks were more crowded than usual at this time of year (we go every 2 to 3 years) but we know how to work things and did everything we wanted multiple times with minimal waiting in lines (30 minutes is the most we'll wait). However, the sour taste in our mouth has to do with the pay more for less Disney trend, particularly when it comes to food and lodging. I have nothing bad to say about the parks. Pandora is simply amazing and we can't wait for the additions to Hollywood Studios. As to lodging, we stayed at the Animal Kingdom Lodge and the safari views were amazing this time. However, given the price, the rooms are the farthest thing from being "deluxe." Our room at the lodge was more comparable to a cheap interstate inn than it was to the Hard Rock at Universal (which cost less). We understand that you are paying for the view but the rooms are beat up and the housekeeping is pathetic. In years past (we've stayed at multiple deluxe and moderate resorts) we enjoyed things such as turn-down service with chocolates bedside when we returned from the parks. That must be a thing of the past as we did not even have a tended to room every night of the stay, much less turn-down service. While the little things are not deal breakers for us, they are a must at the price point of a Disney deluxe resort.
As to the dining, Disney can get away with murder and is doing just that. We did not have any bad meals but none of the food is worth a fraction of what Disney is now charging.
Again, we had a really fun trip and the boys had yet another time of their life as the cost is not something they consider. However, our next Disney vacation will definitely be on the west coast (which we have not done yet) or on the seas (which we have done once and loved). In our opinion, the Disney company is walking on a slippery slope when it comes to charging more while providing less at Disney World. Although newcomers to the park don't recognize the cuts, the regulars do and it is starting to take away from the magic.
On to the Disney leg of the trip, the parks were more crowded than usual at this time of year (we go every 2 to 3 years) but we know how to work things and did everything we wanted multiple times with minimal waiting in lines (30 minutes is the most we'll wait). However, the sour taste in our mouth has to do with the pay more for less Disney trend, particularly when it comes to food and lodging. I have nothing bad to say about the parks. Pandora is simply amazing and we can't wait for the additions to Hollywood Studios. As to lodging, we stayed at the Animal Kingdom Lodge and the safari views were amazing this time. However, given the price, the rooms are the farthest thing from being "deluxe." Our room at the lodge was more comparable to a cheap interstate inn than it was to the Hard Rock at Universal (which cost less). We understand that you are paying for the view but the rooms are beat up and the housekeeping is pathetic. In years past (we've stayed at multiple deluxe and moderate resorts) we enjoyed things such as turn-down service with chocolates bedside when we returned from the parks. That must be a thing of the past as we did not even have a tended to room every night of the stay, much less turn-down service. While the little things are not deal breakers for us, they are a must at the price point of a Disney deluxe resort.
As to the dining, Disney can get away with murder and is doing just that. We did not have any bad meals but none of the food is worth a fraction of what Disney is now charging.
Again, we had a really fun trip and the boys had yet another time of their life as the cost is not something they consider. However, our next Disney vacation will definitely be on the west coast (which we have not done yet) or on the seas (which we have done once and loved). In our opinion, the Disney company is walking on a slippery slope when it comes to charging more while providing less at Disney World. Although newcomers to the park don't recognize the cuts, the regulars do and it is starting to take away from the magic.