Vote of the week: Would you stay at a hotel on its opening day?

April 27, 2012, 11:30 AM · Disney's been showing off its soon-to-open Art of Animation Resort at Walt Disney World, posting several new publicity photos to its Facebook page, and hosting tours for the press.

Art of Animation Resort

The first wing of this new "value" resort (the bottom tier of Disney World's on-site hotels) will open May 31, with additional wings to follow throughout the summer. But that raises an interesting question, at least, I think it's interesting.

Would you stay at a hotel on the day it opened?

The upside? It's a brand new hotel. Tons of corporate suits will be there, paying attention to every detail, ready to swoop in and make things right. You know everything is clean, new and fresh. Germaphobes can rest assured that no one's ever slept on that bed before.

The downside? It's a brand new hotel. Tons of corporate suits are there, getting in the workers' way, and keeping them from doing their jobs. Everything is new and untested. Who knows if all the stuff in your room and the facilities will actually work?

And, oh yeah, new carpet smell. All over the place.

So it's your call. Perhaps some of you have made reservations for Art of Animation's opening days this summer. Or have stayed at a newly-opened hotel in the past. I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments.


Thanks again for reading Theme Park Insider, and stay tuned for our report on the opening of SeaWorld Orlando's Turtle Trek, coming later today.

Replies (13)

April 27, 2012 at 11:36 AM · I voted no, but it's just from the experience my wife and I had when we stayed at the Hard Rock Hotel during it's opening week. It was beyond total nightmare to the point the hotel manager comped us for a three night weekend to make up for it.

I don't know if I would be nearly as nervous staying at a Disney resort because they have so many that opening week probably means nothing to them.

Either way I would wait a month or two before I booked at a new resort.

April 27, 2012 at 11:40 AM · Sure... Zero chance of bedbugs
April 27, 2012 at 11:43 AM · Well, usually it's not really the opening day. Disney typically uses cast members (execs) as test guests prior to letting the public make reservations. I was a test guest for the Coronado Springs resort, and everything went smoothly except for some minor restaurant problems. So I wouldn't hesitate to stay at a Disney resort on opening day... But I can't imagine what would make me stay at one of these bottom end Disney motels unless it came in a package that made it close to free.
April 27, 2012 at 11:45 AM · Well, usually it's not really the opening day. Disney typically uses cast members (execs) as test guests prior to letting the public make reservations. I was a test guest for the Coronado Springs resort, and everything went smoothly except for some minor restaurant problems. So I wouldn't hesitate to stay at a Disney resort on opening day... But I can't imagine what would make me stay at one of these bottom end Disney motels unless it came in a package that made it close to free.
April 27, 2012 at 11:48 AM · You have to wait at least a month for them to get the bugs out. But after that, the real bugs come in. What a dilemma.
April 27, 2012 at 11:50 AM · Unless I get comped with some nice benefits or get a preview discount, I won't go. The new hotel has lots of breaking in. There's no way they can get it right by the first week. It takes months before they can properly train the staff and work out the issues. But I do agree there is new carpet. I hate it when carpet is so dirty that it makes my foot dark.
April 27, 2012 at 1:26 PM · I voted no. I'd rather be at a hotel that's tested and is on its "A" game rather than ironing out the wrinkles.
April 27, 2012 at 1:48 PM · I voted no, because it would be CROWDED.
April 27, 2012 at 2:35 PM · I've stayed at a hotel in Sanibel Island within weeks of opening, and the only problem with it was that the elevators were broken during my entire stay.
April 27, 2012 at 4:51 PM · I guess I don't mind being a test dummy. As a cast member I got the opportunity to stay at the Yacht and Beach Club before the official opening. Two night stay with a surprise emergency evacuation. I later stayed at the resort on-my-own-dime and honestly, not much difference between the two stays other than the test evac.
April 28, 2012 at 8:45 AM · I would! Going in I would expect it not to be perfect, but I can live with it since most hotels I stay in are cheap cheap and get it wrong anyway.

That aside, I love crowds and the energy that comes with them. There would be a special air if excitement about that would make it fun. And being the first of anything is always fun.

April 29, 2012 at 9:28 PM · Can somebody tell me where on the grounds this is?
April 30, 2012 at 12:25 AM · Sure, why not?

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