First time staying in a Value resort... what to expect?

[sbevione]

We've always stayed at the Polynesian in the past, but this year just can't swing the cost of it. We got a great deal at All Star Music, and so will be staying there. Obviously I expect it to be less nice than a deluxe resort, but realistically how much of a difference can I expect? Will my 7 year old daughter be very disappointed? I will say room size is not *that* important to me (it is just the two of us) - I am mostly concerned about the theme-ing, bed comfort, noise, the pool, and (probably the biggest) not being on the monorail. Anyone who can share their experiences with me, it would be appreciated!

 

[disney1990]

We've always stayed at the Polynesian in the past, but this year just can't swing the cost of it. We got a great deal at All Star Music, and so will be staying there. Obviously I expect it to be less nice than a deluxe resort, but realistically how much of a difference can I expect? Will my 7 year old daughter be very disappointed? I will say room size is not *that* important to me (it is just the two of us) - I am mostly concerned about the theme-ing, bed comfort, noise, the pool, and (probably the biggest) not being on the monorail. Anyone who can share their experiences with me, it would be appreciated!

I seriously doubt that, if you don't mention it, your 7 year old will think that the hotel is less desirable that where your usually stay. The hotel will have several pools, however, there will not be hot tubs or slides. There will be a food court (with refillable mugs), but not a sit down restaurant. No, you won't be on the monorail, but I am sure you have used the bus service to get to Animal Kingdom or the Studios. The only room service available will be for pizza delivery. My kids grew up at only moderates and values and still loved "just being at Disney". I'm sure your daughter too will be happy.

 

[Mousemommy1]

My only issues with the values are the double beds, but with two of you, that shouldn't be an issue.

You should expect a fun themed, clean, comfortable Disney resort! Have a great trip!!

 

[Hmaries4]

We've stayed at SoG and ASMovies with the kids and they prefer ASM (I prefer SoG lol). There's a little Disney themeing in the rooms, but what they remember the most is all the fun Disney characters and stuff outside in the courtyards, on the buildings, and around the pools. The rooms were just your very basic, nothing fancy but we're only in there to sleep & shower

 

[DisFam11]

Just keep your expectations low. We stayed at POP one night in December then switched to POFQ and once was enough. Will never do value again.

 

[Marthasor]

My DS5 has stayed with me at AoA, Poly, GF, Dolphin, BC, YC, WL and various other hotels/hotel classes both in the US and internationally. He could care less about the room or the resort! If there is a pool, an arcade and, at Disney, a way to get to the parks, the kid is over the moon! Bus, boat, monorail, taxi, walking - doesn't matter. I think you might feel the difference more than your DD. After 4 nights at AoA, I really wanted to go to a deluxe. I was used to the amenities, sit down restaurants and the ease of transportation to explore elsewhere, but he could have moved right in! I think your DD7 will enjoy it and you get to go to Disney!

 

[POOHsie]

I just finished a split stay at Pop Century/All Star Movies. I think you two will have a fine time. It's more important that you're at WDW, not so much which Disney resort you're at. Kids seemed to love the huge icons scattered around the resort. I took the time to look at All Star Music as well as All Star Movies. If you get time, stop over to Movies, especially Toy Story area. The pools were great, however, no slide.

I'm used to staying at POR and this was my first visit to Value resorts. My only comments, and they might not be important to you, are that the All Star resorts did not have espresso machines. I dearly missed this. The Food Courts were small-ish and the menus were the most limited of any I've seen. The gift shops were small and had limited selections.

Pop Century, on the other hand, had a large, expansive Food Court with lots of food choices including flat breads. They had an espresso machine. A short walk across the Generation Gap bridge was the new Art of Animation resort, which had a completely new and different Food Court that I personally loved. The Gift shop at Pop was very comprehensive. Matter of fact, an item I saw there, I later tried to find at every park and DTD, and the shops were out of stock. I had to go back to Pop to get it. Your child will love roaming around Pop and AoA, they are cool and so pretty on either side of Hourglass Lake.

If your great deal covers Pop, for a few dollars more, I would seriously choose Pop Century over All Stars. Just my opinion. Have Fun!

 

[sbevione]

I just finished a split stay at Pop Century/All Star Movies. I think you two will have a fine time. It's more important that you're at WDW, not so much which Disney resort you're at. Kids seemed to love the huge icons scattered around the resort. I took the time to look at All Star Music as well as All Star Movies. If you get time, stop over to Movies, especially Toy Story area. The pools were great, however, no slide.

I'm used to staying at POR and this was my first visit to Value resorts. My only comments, and they might not be important to you, are that the All Star resorts did not have espresso machines. I dearly missed this. The Food Courts were small-ish and the menus were the most limited of any I've seen. The gift shops were small and had limited selections.

Pop Century, on the other hand, had a large, expansive Food Court with lots of food choices including flat breads. They had an espresso machine. A short walk across the Generation Gap bridge was the new Art of Animation resort, which had a completely new and different Food Court that I personally loved. The Gift shop at Pop was very comprehensive. Matter of fact, an item I saw there, I later tried to find at every park and DTD, and the shops were out of stock. I had to go back to Pop to get it. Your child will love roaming around Pop and AoA, they are cool and so pretty on either side of Hourglass Lake.

If your great deal covers Pop, for a few dollars more, I would seriously choose Pop Century over All Stars. Just my opinion. Have Fun!

Pop was significantly more expensive that ASMusic, but ASMovies was only about $100 more... worth it to switch to Movies, or keep that cash for souvenirs?

 

[alecshawn]

We use the values alot....Expect a great time, clean rooms,great theming,big pools and all at a good price. We have had no issues at the values. We prefer all star music. I consider it to be the best value....it certainly IS the most quiet. And you wont regret a value.

 

[alecshawn]

Pop was significantly more expensive that ASMusic, but ASMovies was only about $100 more... worth it to switch to Movies, or keep that cash for souvenirs?

Consider Music.....its the best kept secret...disney has considering resorts. Alot of folks overlook it.

 

[POOHsie]

Pop was significantly more expensive that ASMusic, but ASMovies was only about $100 more... worth it to switch to Movies, or keep that cash for souvenirs?

No need to switch. ASMusic and ASMovies are very close to each other. We were in the Mighty Ducks buildings at ASMovies, and it was closer to take the ASMusic buses and go to their Food Court and Gift Shop. See how close together they are on Google Maps.

 

[toonaspie]

I say the most that ASMusic will provide is the kid-friendly appeal. The room is not as crazy themed as the outer buildings, courtyard, and pool areas. Depending on how close you want to be toward the main building (where the bus stop and food court is) you might wanna chuck out the extra money to get a preferred room so you don't have to walk as much. My family stayed in the Calypso area (the center area infront of the main building). That area is probably your best bet.

 

[DanInMN]

We have stayed in the Values a few times. Otherwise we have been off-site, and once each at POFQ and Swan. In 2 weeks we will be at POR.

I suspect a young child will love any of them, and will be just as happy at a Value as at a Deluxe.

With that said I find the Values to be too motel-like. Garish decorations, small rooms, basic landscaping, no hot-tubs or pool slides, and paper-thin walls - they are just too noisy to get a good night's sleep! I suspect that in the future we will be either at a Moderate or off-site (Bahama Bay is the price of a Value, but you get a huge condo).

 

[DisneyATlast]

I've never been to Disney and I'm just planning our first trip, but....

Kids are very influenced by our attitudes. Don't say anything like, "I'm sorry we aren't staying in a bigger place" or "We're just going to be able to stay here this time" but instead say..

"We're staying at a different hotel this time and it looks really cool!" Maybe show her some pictures online and keep it positive and she'll be excited.

That being said, I can afford the cost of a "better" resort since I'm going late in the year and will be saving a lot toward the trip since it'll be our first (and maybe only) but I'm choosing to stay at Art of Animation (i think) because of all the character decor. I think the kids will love the little mermaid/cars/lion king/etc decorations everywhere vs a bigger room.

That's just my opinion. We also won't spend much time in the room so it's basically just a place to shower and sleep. It should be PLENTY of room for 2 people.

 

[brockash]

The biggest downfall to my kids is the no slide, but honestly, we're not at Disney to go to the pool, so it's just not that big of a deal. We've been staying in a 2 bedroom at BLT the last few years, so I'm thinking the only having one tv and 1 bathroom again will be a little different too, but that wouldn't be different if just staying in a regular room. I really don't think the kids will care about the buses vs. monorail... I will lol, but I don't think they will. They think it's cool and fun to stand on the bus

 

[LindaBabe]

LOVE ASMu. No, I would NOT switch to Movies, even though I like that too. Music has lots of hidden gems - the "quiet" pool is shaped like a piano, and there's a lovely rose enclosed courtyard between the jazz buildings. There is a picnic area back in Country music. each area used to have music themed appropriately to the area - don't know if it still does - we'll stay there again in may, after a few year break. I thought the food court was good. My favorite quiet area is the back side of Jazz, conveniently located half way between the quiet pool and the food court.

 

[jasmine91]

We just got back from a split stay bc we wanted to try a value for the first time. We did 3 nights at AOA and 4 at CSR. To us, there was a huge difference! The rooms are very small and the beds are not as comfortable. The congestion of the crowds was also much worse at AOA. We changed our reservation after 2 nights to get over to CSR one night earlier. But, we have a baby and spend more time at the resort than you might. So, of all you are doing is sleeping, it shouldn't be bad! Have a great time!

 

[McKelly]

We have stayed at all levels and have had great experiences at the values. As far as noise, when we stayed at the Poly, it was by far the noisiest stay we have ever had. Loud neighbors, kids screaming down the hallway at all hours, doors constantly slamming, etc. Our last trip at the POP was very quiet. We had a 70's courtyard view on the top floor. Never heard outside noise. I think it just depends on who your neighbors are.

It's all about the attitude. If you go in expecting to have a bad time, you probably will...