#56 - BoardWalk

Category: Resort/Hotel
Category Rank: 6

Park: "Rest of the World"
Park Rank: 12

Our next item is the first resort on our list, as well as the first to be listed as the "rest of the world" park--meaning that it lies outside of the 4 parks and Downtown Disney.  Granted, we haven't fully explored the rest of the world very well, though we have visited most of the deluxe and moderate resorts.  So, this list is missing some others that families have considered classics, including mini-golf or anything connected with the ESPN Wild World of Sports.  Our list also omits the two water parks since we haven't been to them, as well as DisneyQuest, which we just saw for the first time in October (if I ever re-do this list, DisneyQuest might find its way on it).  Essentially, the only things in this category are some resorts and restaurants, as well as some nostalgic modes of transportation.

The first item for debate is whether we should include anything outside the parks as well.  Again, the idea is not to identify the things that are most memorable, where one's favorite resorts often appear.  We tend to like Pop Century for our stays (yeah, we're cheap, and in good company), but while we have built many memories over the years, it is just meh on the nostalgia scale.

However, the first time we visited other resorts, we were blown away.  Each one has its own theme that makes it an all-encompassing experience.  It is more than a place to stay; it includes natural elements, architectural elements, all the theming that goes into it, music, sounds, activities, you name it.  It creates the whole ambience, which is the word I am using to describe a location.  While resorts are a much smaller scale than the parks in general, there is still something very special and unique with them that sets WDW aside from other parks.  You can't simply take one and levitate it to another park without it losing its nostalgia.

That brings us to the BoardWalk (yes, I am capitalizing it correctly).  The BoardWalk is both a resort (with an inn and villas) as well as a shopping area akin to Atlantic City's Boardwalk.  It lies in between Epcot--very close to the secret France/UK entrance into the world--and Hollywood Studios.

Kristen and I visited the BoardWalk for the first time on our last trip, and happened to plan our timing perfectly, as it was around sunset into nighttime, where the BoardWalk comes alive with street performers.  The smells of the confectionary and the soap stores are very entrancing.  We unfortunately were not there very long, as we were heading back to Downtown Disney, but it has become a must-do location for our next trip.

The thing that I was struck with at the resort was that sense of being relaxed.  Looking back at our discussion of "themes" that WDW uses, the World tries very hard to relax you with theming from an older time, be it the Old South or the small midwestern town.  It is as though they hearken you back to a time and place where life moved more slowly, and you can relax and enjoy life for what it is.  You can definitely see this in the Magic Kingdom, but many of the resorts (Port Orleans, Grand Floridian) do this as well.

Some might ask, then, why is it so low on this list?  Simply put, other resorts have been there longer for us.  Our exposure to this resort is so new that it finds itself pretty low on the list.

Speaking of ambience, we get our first park ambience at #55, taking us back to Epcot.  This is one location in the World known for its music and its non-Disney pop-culture references that Hailey and Zach love.

#44 - Animal Kingdom Lodge

Category: Resorts
Category Rank: 5

Park: "Rest of the World"
Park Rank: 10

We discussed earlier why the resorts of WDW are an integral part of the magical experience, including the ones that you don't stay at.  Actually, it most often isn't the ones you are staying at, unless you can afford the deluxe resorts.  We can't.  But we do like visiting our favorite resorts every time we visit.

Sometimes it is hard to remember that Disney's hotels are actually resorts much the same way you might have experienced regional resorts, where they have their own schedule of events and activities for guests.  It isn't just a pool; its outdoor movies on their beach front, luaus, bicycle rides around the integrated waterways, children's activities, and more.  With so much else to do in the World, time spent at the resort can seem like a waste, until you try it.

I think the best concept for a resort is the Animal Kingdom Lodge.  We'll create a resort that sits adjacent to the wide lands of Animal Kingdom and allow animals to graze on the surrounding perimeter, affording guests breathtaking views from their balcony.  Going back to those running themes that Disney employs, this lodge reinforces that "living in harmony with nature" theme that Animal Kingdom and places in Epcot promote.  (And, if you are here to say, "in actuality, these practices are very cruel to animals and plants, etc", I'd say don't rain on my nostalgic parade).

We have never stayed at Animal Kingdom Lodge, but we visit it every time.  We enjoy the majestic interior of the main area at Jambo House, overlooking the Boma restaurant.  Though the restaurant is not quite high enough to have a place on the list by itself, it is one of the top restaurants in the World and one that you should experience at least once (we are still strategizing to get our kids there, though).  The other African restaurants at the lodge have high reviews as well.

The outside area is, of course, what it is known for.  There are better times than others to be there, as animals tend to be more active around sunset and sunrise.  But, there is a wide variety of animals, so there will always be some animals to see on one of their three savannas.

Though we felt much like a wedding crasher coming into these resorts we weren't staying at, we have since overcome our guilt and enjoy partaking in some of the activities.  In the evening, they have a campfire out in the outside area, where you can have a Smores while watching the giraffes roam around.  It provides one of the most beautiful and relaxing scenes within the whole World.

Animal Kingdom Lodge is probably my favorite or 2nd favorite resort in all Disney World (it has much in common with another favorite of mine, the Wilderness Lodge).  For this list, however, its relative newness and the nostalgic charm that the other resorts provide push them up higher.

We move back to the interactives/memorabilia category, for what I think will be the most "controversial" item on this list.  In fact, I would bet that only a person or two out of a thousand might put this item on their list.  You will instantly argue that it isn't interactive, and it isn't great memorabilia.  I will counter that, much like the Park Maps, this item is an under-appreciated item that you get now with each stay with the meal plan.

#31 - Wilderness Lodge

Category: Resorts
Category Rank: 4

Park: "Rest of the World"
Park Rank: 7

We end our first half of entries, and our third "ten", with another resort.  And, I have to say, this is one of my personal favorite.  We head to the wild outdoors with the Wilderness Lodge.

On our first trip to WDW, we were a bit naive, not really sure of many things that we were getting into (including the hits to our bank accounts).  One of the biggest things for us was just how a big part of the world experience the resorts were.

Our first stay was at Port Orleans Riverside, which I have well-hinted is still to appear on this list, and we were very amazed at what we saw.  The websites had said that the moderate resorts were on par with a Holiday Inn, but the amount of theming and amenities went well beyond anything I had ever seen from a Holiday Inn (perhaps I have been going to the wrong ones).

We hadn't really planned on visiting other resorts during that trip.  However, we had scheduled a meal at the Whispering Canyons Restaurant during our stay, so we had to stop at the Wilderness Lodge where the restaurant resides.

We were blown away.

Again, it was mentioned that deluxe resorts were something like Doubletree or Marriott, which can have a high level of glitz.  But we were not prepared for the theming.

Wilderness Lodge essentially utilizes the great outdoors as its theme, as the interior to the main lodge is as outdoorsy as it gets.  Its expansive interior is decorated in log cabin decor, but the logs look like redwoods with the size.  There is a small brook running through the lobby, in addition.  And, there are several 50-foot totem poles and an 80 foot fireplace.

The exterior is themed dramatically as well.  A boulder-lined heated pool looks like a real secluded lake from the American Northwest.  There is an active geyser on the property, as well as docks for ferry access to Magic Kingdom.

Though you will hear it again here, it is worth pointing out that the deluxe resorts were set up to mirror certain areas of Magic Kingdom.  Tomorrowland was paired with the Contemptorary resort, Adventureland with the Polynesian, and Main Street with the Grand Floridian (not sure about Fantasyland).  Frontierland pairs up with Wilderness Lodge, both in terms of the semi-rustic feel (which is honestly a perfect fit for me... I'm all about the faux rustic, not so much about the authentic rustic), as well as the majesty of the great forests of America.  Kristen too loves the look and feel of the resort; it is very much a reminder for her of the cabin she and her family visited growing up (her mother has decorated many rooms in her house with a northwoodsy cabin theme).

So... why is it ranked so low?  Yes, it is higher up than Animal Kingdom Lodge, which is very similar in its beauty and majesty.  But it ranks behind 3 other resorts on this list, and unlike AKL, the Wilderness Lodge has a longer history, both for WDW as a whole, and for the Abbey family.

Putting Port Orleans Riverside aside for a second (since much of its nostalgia comes from it being our first resort we stayed at), one thing that Wilderness Lodge has going against it is that it is a bit off the beaten path.  The 3 resorts on the Monorail route all have a stronger connection to WDW history and a greater proximity.  They are visible from the front door of Magic Kingdom, and there is something a bit more timeless about those items, as though they (like MK) must have existed since the beginning of time.  Each of course has its own unique qualities that scream Disney! more so than Wilderness Lodge, which I think screams Awesome! better.  We'll see how well I explain that in the posts coming up.

That the halfway point.  Now things are going to heat up.  I think we have a couple more in this squishy area of either "highly-meaningful-to-us-but-not-to-others" or "vice-versa" area that we are in, before we start hitting those that are both.  Our next one is our second queue, a truly neat one that makes the 75 (!) minute wait for this Hollywood Studios ride somewhat bearable (though I'll still take the fast pass).

#19 - Grand Floridian Resort

Category: Resorts
Category Rank: 3

Park: "Rest of the World"
Park Rank: 5

We return to the resorts category, which we earlier discussed as a key part to the nostalgic Disney experience.  Our next item is the Grand Floridian.

The Grand Floridian Resort is very appropriately named; you are struck with how "grand" it is.  There are huge, plush buildings and sprawling grounds.  The rich architecture is set to the Victorian times, and the whole decor has the aura of a southern-style plantation manor.  You can't help feeling underdressed as you walk through the main atrium, with its fancy chandeliers and gigantic ballroom staircase.  And the upper-scale boutiques (our favorite is the artisan soap store) also scream regality.

It is a bit odd that, according to Disney promotional materials, this resort is supposed to line up with Main Street within Magic Kingdom.  It is easier to see with others (Wilderness Lodge = Frontierland, Polynesian = Adventureland, and Contemporary = Tomorrowland).  There is some things that are similar, as the architecture and accoutrements do highlight the sense of a laid-back charm.  But, while there is something quaint about Main Street, there isn't anything quaint about the Grand Floridian.

Our family likes this resort, if for nothing else than just a quick look at its beauty and grandeur.  We enjoy eating at the 1900 Park Fare Restaurant (which barely misses this list), but that is probably the most un-Grand Floridian restaurant out of all them.  And, no, we've never eaten at Victoria & Albert's or Narcoosee's or Citricos.  Yes, they are all super-awesome we are sure, but that isn't our cup of tea.

This is just the mansion inside the mansion

It is probably better for me to say, "our family likes this resort, but this is one that makes the list for the nostalgia it brings the public at large more so than our family".  It is one of the first resorts, and its proximity to the 7 Seas Lagoon makes it very important with the World.  Plus it is on the monorail, which adds to the flair.  Holding the best restaurants in the world at it doesn't hurt.  And, having the wedding area right on its grounds also is pretty darn neat as well.

That said, I mentioned earlier this one is hard to rank.  It is pretty high on the list, but given the list I gave in the last paragraph, it should be higher.  It loses some by being just "pretty good" in our book, as I tend to like the Wilderness and Animal Kingdom Lodges better.  It also loses out to the next resort on our list, which is more symbolic of WDW than the Grand Floridian.  I think some people love it for its luxuriousness, while some others will feel uncomfortable with it.  Some will love it for its laid-back charm, while others will have gotten enough of that with Main Street.  Therefore, we are putting it at #19 as a best guess, but it could actually be higher or lower quite a bit.

Number 18 has us going back to Epcot for a park ambience.  It is our favorite land in the park, and (I'm spitballing here) many other people's favorite land as well.  It is quite a mixture of old tradition from the country and modern times flair, with authentic architecture and music to boot.  And, it provides the best shopping experience in all of Epcot.

Wedding Chapel #1

Wedding Chapel #2

#14 - Contemporary Resort

Category: Resorts
Category Rank: 2

Park: "Rest of the World"
Park Rank: 4

We continue with another iconic item.  The Contemporary Resort is Disney World's most famous resort, and perhaps one of the most famous resorts on Earth.

The resort is an A-frame style hotel, located within a stone's throw of the entrance to Magic Kingdom.  You pass it every time on your way into the park.  It was completed in 1971, and is one of the few resorts to be inspired by Walt Disney himself (and finished by his brother Roy).

It was meant to be futuristic in its decor, its design, and its functionality.  The hotel itself has a distinctive modern architecture to it, looking like a space port of some sort.  The decor inside also mirrors that futuristic style, though since it was designed in the early 70s, it has the vintage look of "the future" from a Jetsons-esque point of view.  Plus, it is known for its modular rooms, which were designed to be taken out by a crane and replaced with an identical one, while the room underwent repairs or modifications.  This isn't actually done, though, as the design of replacing entire rooms was more difficult than it was thought to be.

The inside atrium is very majestic, and includes several distinct features.  For starters, there is the famous "Mary Blair mural", which spans 90 feet.  Mary designed the It's a Small World ride, and the design is similar.  Also inside are several future-themed shops as well as Chef Mickey.  You can see all of these from any of the balconies inside, looking down into them.  There is also the world-famous California Grill, up on the top level of the hotel, which provides an unbelievable view of not only Magic Kingdom, but the entire WDW.  This is a hot ticket place to go eat during the nightly fireworks (or at least we've heard that, seeing as we haven't been in the restaurant before).

The most famous part of the hotel is the monorail which travels right through the resort.  Like, inside it.  The station for the Monorail is on the inside, and you can see the train move its way through the temporary barrier to come inside.  It is a bit haunting to have a train that big travel through a big echo-y structure and not make much noise at all.  The iconic scene of the Monorail traveling into the building is, by itself, enough to put the resort on this list, as it is one of the most trademark-Disney World items there is (and, the Monorail will be coming on our list pretty soon).

The resort has undergone some improvements over time.  They added the Bay Lake Tower for Disney Vacation Club members, and they have updated a few of the furnishings when you walk in (I still feel like the carpet is an original 1971 design).  The place is connected via waterway to Magic Kingdom and to Wilderness Lodge as well, plus it literally is within walking distance of MK.

It is not a surprise that Contemporary Resort makes it way on to the list; my guess is that it will appear on most people's lists near the top.  We visit the resort on every trip, just like the Grand Floridian, as we love just a quick stop inside for memory's sake.  From our past discussions, we know that it is only #2 on the list because of the resort that holds the distinction of being our very first home base.

Our next item is also iconic.  It represents the first Disney thing you see when you arrive in WDW (or close to the first, depending if you stop at the EarPort).