Are value resorts decent for older couple.

[aylarosie]

My husband and I travel to Disney in March for my Birthday week (march 20).This year we stayed at POR it was fun ,but we never made it into the pools or hot tubs,and we only went to downtown once on the boat. Last time we stayed at Poly and that just seemed over the top price wise. Iam pre planning for next year and am thinking about trying a value resort and splurging on the dining plan -deluxe. Any thoughts -pro or con ?Otherwise a moderate will be the choice.My husband does use a scooter and we just went to each park once ,but I plan to make dining reservations at some of the other resorts. I would like the option of a decent pool and food court,any thoughts on wich one is better ?I am turning 60 but really like the flower show and having parks to visit. Thanks Nan

 

[MADnNOLA]

I think you all would like the Values. I have stayed at Pop and ASMu and like both equally well. The theming is not as subdued as in the Moderates (aside from theme rooms at POR, etc), but it makes it more fun as you more aware you are at Disney!

The main pools are large and were filled with many kids on my visits. But the smaller, quiet pools were just that. Quiet. The values do not have hot tubs, but that is not something I normal would use.

The food courts can be a bit crazy at times, but then again, I guess all resort food courts can be.

I am a solo traveler and like my quiet when I am in my room. I have been placed on the top floor away from the elevators each time (luck of the draw!), and had NO noise issues what so ever. With your husband using a scooter, you may want a ground floor room. Just request one not facing the pools for no noise issues.

This upcoming trip, I am staying at CSR mainly because it is a 9night/10 day trip, and I plan on taking advantage of the spa. But I would not hesitate to use a value for any trip!

 

[Magalex]

I would suggest POP Maybe in one of the preferred buildings

 

[Missytara]

I would definitely try out POP if I ever went value. I hear that next to my fav POR, they have the best food court.

I would like to stay in the 60's, which is the era I grew up in.

At my age, I would ask to be placed in a quieter area, preferably like away from the pool, where it could get noisy. Many families that stay at values spend a lot of time at the pools in the evening.

 

[ExpatDisneyLover]

I think it might depend on the bed situation (ok let's face it - in my middle age mattress comfort becomes more of a priority). I thought the beds at the mods were more comfy than the values, plus the mods have queens rather than doubles. But you can get a King at either.

That said, I would definitely stay at a value - POP is my choice for an upcoming trip and I am not so young. Sometimes I thought the pool was fairly crowded at POP with young kids but I was able to swim some laps anyway and enjoyed it. Another thought I would describe the food court as bustling especially in the morning - but I would just take my breakfast out to a poolside table to enjoy. If a clean room and Disney transport is all you need in a resort - the values are a great choice with a great Disney vibe to match!

Have you thought about AKL? It is a deluxe at a much cheaper price than the Poly - you'd have a great ambiance with deluxe amenities.

 

[Shell54]

Pop looks like so much fun! If we ever stayed at a value it would be Pop. I'm afraid of lots more walking and distances between things which keeps us at the Poly or AKL..more compact.

 

[goofy4tink]

I'm your age...I love Pop!! It's so much fun to walk around and look at the stuff from the past. The walk around the resort is great...nice sidewalk with little signs along the way from various era's!!!
I never found the beds to be uncomfortable....I've stayed at most of the resorts, and they're all pretty much the same. I have actually had better mattresses at Pop than at one or two of my BWV stays!! Go figure.
As far as the pools go, they're fun. Not deep and hugely themed like other pools at moderates and deluxes, but they get the job done.
But, I also really like AoA. The pools there are a hoot!!! I'm looking forward to my two nights there next month.
I think you have a great idea to spend more on dining and less on resort stays. That's what I like to do as well. When I'm not staying DVC on my points, you'll find me at a value resort...almost every time!!

 

[TDC Nala]

Sure they are decent, especially if you aren't going to mostly just be there to sleep, shower and get a bus to the parks. Pop Century is my favorite too. i'd think a moderate would be a better choice for older guests who want to spend some time at the resort.

I've been placed in accessible rooms at Pop Century before. You may need one if you're going to keep the scooter in the room. All the ones I've been in had king beds.

 

[latexscooter]

I think you'll love Pop. The food court is high on your priority list and the value food courts are terrific. The walk down memory lane with each decade alone is fun. Since you're not planning on using the pools and stuff I think this might be a good fit for you. The only reason I haven't stayed value for the past couple years is when we go the pools are overcrowded in June and that's important for us.

 

[aylarosie]

Thanks for the info,I tried to get a price but they aren't booking for 2014 yet.I will look into AKLas well.It seems like POP is the favorite so far.I like to try new resorts for something differant.

 

[winterman]

DH and I stayed at POP 4 times in 6 years (2005 - 2011) prior to his death last year. We loved POP and the price was definitely a factor. He was never one to spend more money than he needed to. (Now that he's gone I am very grateful for that.) We never made requests other than ground floor but were always placed in a quiet area. Twice, we faced the lake. In 2009 we did a split stay at ASMu and POFQ. When we were leaving to go home, I said to him, "next time let's just go back to POP." We felt that POFQ wasn't worth the extra money and our room at ASMu was too far away from the main building.

We never felt uncomfortable at POP. There were always other older guests there. (I am 63.) We used some of the money we saved on the room to eat at a lot of table service restaurants.

That said, I have to admit that on my first solo trip I stayed at POR and will stay there again in July because I really like the boat to DTD and I don't think I have too many more trips in me.

 

[VAfamily1998]

Just a thought, since you mentioned that you will want to book dining reservations at other resorts, is that you will want to think about how you will get to some of those resorts.

The buses won't go direct from your hotel to another hotel, so you may end up doing a lot of transferring from your hotel to a park, and then taking a bus from the park to the resort you have the dining reservation at. You may not want to book breakfast too early in the morning, etc.

 

[DisneyRunner2009]

In November the entire family stayed at ASSp with my parents. They are in their 70's. They really enjoyed sitting by the pool. We didn't do many parks. I've seen seniors at ASMu , as well. I would probably splurge on a preferred location. Also, with a stay at the All Star resorts, you would have three counter service food options. Each resort has different items on the menu. ASSp is the first bus stop, if the resorts share buses. And ASSp is undergoing refurbishment at this time. New beds, paint, carpeting etc.

 

[MinnieLovesMickey12]

I would choose a mod over a value just because the beds in the values are rock hard and are very crappy beds when you are going to be there for more than one night.

We have stayed at the All Star Music twice in a family suite and they have a very good food court. But the beds sucked.

 

[gillenkl]

Just a thought, since you mentioned that you will want to book dining reservations at other resorts, is that you will want to think about how you will get to some of those resorts.

The buses won't go direct from your hotel to another hotel, so you may end up doing a lot of transferring from your hotel to a park, and then taking a bus from the park to the resort you have the dining reservation at. You may not want to book breakfast too early in the morning, etc.

Totally agree. I don't know how convenient it would be to have a deluxe meal plan if you're staying at a value.

 

[Princess Disney Mom]

The busses will be a pain to get your dining locations. It could take over one hour to get to your location. The values do not have TS. Can you rent a car? Otherwise I would think a monorail or Epcot resort would be best.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[aylarosie]

All good points ,as my husband needs a scooter for long walks we took a cab from POR TO GRF for dinner last March. My thoughts on using the better dining (well not better more) plan were that you could still use the QS BUT be able to do some signiture resteraunts or dinner shows-buffets. I wonder how expensive cabs are to the other resorts?

 

[goofy4tink]

I would choose a mod over a value just because the beds in the values are rock hard and are very crappy beds when you are going to be there for more than one night.

We have stayed at the All Star Music twice in a family suite and they have a very good food court. But the beds sucked.

I have had many stays at value resorts....have yet to have a less than fine bed!!! In fact, I've had worse beds at BWV!!! Not always, but it has happened!!! I have no issue with the beds at Pop. Other than they are doubles.

 

[goofy4tink]

All good points ,as my husband needs a scooter for long walks we took a cab from POR TO GRF for dinner last March. My thoughts on using the better dining (well not better more) plan were that you could still use the QS BUT be able to do some signiture resteraunts or dinner shows-buffets. I wonder how expensive cabs are to the other resorts?

I usually try to plan my dining on where I'll be that day. If I'm staying at, say, Pop, and I'll be heading to MK that day? I don't make an ADR at Flying Fish at BW!! I'll make an ADR for say, California Grill or 'Ohana. That way, I can do there directly. I can freshen up a bit first.
The nice thing about Pop is that it's fairly close to the Epcot resorts, which offer some very good dining options. I think it's under $10 to get to YC/BC from Pop...not bad. Its a short ride. Then you have a lot of choices.

 

[bookgirl]

My husband and I travel to Disney in March for my Birthday week (march 20).This year we stayed at POR it was fun ,but we never made it into the pools or hot tubs,and we only went to downtown once on the boat. Last time we stayed at Poly and that just seemed over the top price wise. Iam pre planning for next year and am thinking about trying a value resort and splurging on the dining plan -deluxe. Any thoughts -pro or con ?Otherwise a moderate will be the choice.My husband does use a scooter and we just went to each park once ,but I plan to make dining reservations at some of the other resorts. I would like the option of a decent pool and food court,any thoughts on wich one is better ?I am turning 60 but really like the flower show and having parks to visit. Thanks Nan

Music is the least 'kid' themed, but it is the only allstar with family suites. I tend to use it for value stays because I dislike the in your face iconology of the other resorts. I've been happy with both my stays there. If you're willing to stay in the back areas they seem to be the least noisy.