Downgrading from Deluxe to Value

Cdn Friends of Pooh · May 3, 2015

We have been going to WDW for some time now (since 2003) and when we first started our trips, we stayed at POP Century. Fast forward a couple years to when we received one of the PIN codes and we took the plunge and stayed at the Polynesian. We fell in love with the Poly so much that we spent the last few trips staying at the Poly using the various discounts available.

Sadly we haven't been able to return to WDW since May 2013 but are looking at returning for a visit in the next year and a half or so. As prices have increased over the years, we will not be able to stay at the Poly (even with a discount) so would be looking at returning to POP Century. Our last stay at POP was in October 2009 and we are worried we have been spoiled by our stays at the Poly. Can someone reassure me that POP Century is as good as we remember it?

720L · May 3, 2015

You're at Disney it'll be great no matter where you stay! The biggest difference to me between values and mods/deluxe is the size of the beds. I know there are other huge differences but this is the one that matters to me the most. If I was given a choice of more days at Disney by staying at a Value resort I'd take it. I love all the resorts.

Alabama Minnie · May 3, 2015

I will have to say that after staying at POR for one night this trip that I really didn't notice a lot of difference than staying at one of the values. The room was still not that big and we were even in a room that all the bath area was together. Even the values have the sink area separate. There didn't seem to be all that much more area in the bedroom either. BUT, you still can't expect not to compare the values/mods to the POLY. It will really spoil you. Have you priced WL as an option or maybe doing a split stay and save on part of the trip?

Disneylover99 · May 3, 2015

I think the fact that you started out at Values makes it easier then you think to go back. I would imagine it would be harder to only have Deluxe experience and then have to head to a value for the first time.

We have a BC/Pop split stay scheduled for the summer. I'm truly looking forward to both resorts for different reasons.

Cdn Friends of Pooh · May 3, 2015

Alabama Minnie said:
I will have to say that after staying at POR for one night this trip that I really didn't notice a lot of difference than staying at one of the values. The room was still not that big and we were even in a room that all the bath area was together. Even the values have the sink area separate. There didn't seem to be all that much more area in the bedroom either. BUT, you still can't expect not to compare the values/mods to the POLY. It will really spoil you. Have you priced WL as an option or maybe doing a split stay and save on part of the trip?

WL is still a bit of a stretch money wise for us - we could stay at POP for our dates for the price of one night at WL

BlueStarryHat · May 3, 2015

I used to, for the first three times I went to WDW, stay exclusively at the Poly. I loved it to bits. In 1998 I went on a trip that had already been planned before I came onboard and they were staying at the All-Star Music. I had my nose firmly in the air about it, but was pleasantly surprised and more than a little impressed once I got there. I enjoyed the bright and whimsical decoration and really felt like I was staying "in the magic." And when I realized that I'd spent so much money at the Poly all those times for features and amenities that I was only blowing by on my way to the parks, I was a bit chagrined. Now, would I go back to the Poly? Only if someone else was paying for it-I enjoyed and continue to enjoy the value resorts much more. The trade-offs (like the bus stops being in Outer Jabip when tired at the end of the night) are worth it to me.

POOHsie · May 3, 2015

One difference at Pop since your last visit in 2009 is the addition of AoA across the Generations Bridge. That increases your choices for resort meals and gift shop "finds." I loved AoA food court b/c they serve with real plates and silverware. Their menu selections are different from any food court in WDW, too. The addition of AoA also gives you another bus route to/from the parks. It's all been a good thing for your return to Pop Century.

kastoney · May 3, 2015

I've made the trek from value's to deluxe's too. I used to question why anyone would ever spend so much more money on a deluxe and now I'm part of the problem ; ) That said, I would have no issue going back to a value. For me it is about being on Disney property and partaking in all the magic that has to offer. Whether that be at Pop or Poly, I would just be happy to be in the world. Especially if you spend most of your times in the park, who cares where you rest your head at night?

Willows909 · May 3, 2015

We did the same thing. Stayed at Pop and then took advantage of a great deal and WL became our new favorite. (Loved the pool) But we will be going back to Pop this September and not to sound like an alcoholic, I gotta say Petals Bar makes the best drinks ever! So make sure you take advantage of sitting by the pool having a great drink! Lol And tables and lounge chairs are more plentiful at Pop for sure.

Sue M · May 3, 2015

Why not stay moderate? An in between solution between value & deluxe.
I love POR, the grounds are so beautiful and peaceful. And it has some extras like boat to did, horse & carriage rides, and a great evening entertainer.
I do notice a big difference in rooms between value & moderate. Queen beds for one. Room door almost hits bed going into room. And much nicer grounds. The mods have beautiful landscaping. And quiet pools.

georgina · May 3, 2015

Willows909 said:
We did the same thing. Stayed at Pop and then took advantage of a great deal and WL became our new favorite. (Loved the pool) But we will be going back to Pop this September and not to sound like an alcoholic, I gotta say Petals Bar makes the best drinks ever! So make sure you take advantage of sitting by the pool having a great drink! Lol And tables and lounge chairs are more plentiful at Pop for sure.

I'm looking forward to having a drink there in Sept myself! I have never stayed at a value, have stayed mods several times and BC twice, but am sure I will love it!

ols386 · May 3, 2015

I stayed at POP back in 2004, and then again this past December.

It was nicer this visit than it was 11 years ago.

The rooms have been refurbished! They are so nice, comfortable, and very clean. They also use the white linens (rather than the bed spreads).

I was totally impressed.

Sinderelly · May 3, 2015

This should make you feel better...
We did a split stay 4 nights at Pop and 3 nights at BC in a concierge room. DH and I both preferred Pop. We love the theming and booked a preferred room at Pop. The bus service was better. Lots more food choices in the food court.

BC had a farther walk to get anywhere, not impressed by the quick service food choices. The concierge lounge was full of rude demanding people. The walk to Epcot is really quite a hike. The bus service wasn't as good either.

I would choose Pop over BC any day.

Mywishes3 · May 3, 2015

Sinderelly said:
This should make you feel better...
We did a split stay 4 nights at Pop and 3 nights at BC in a concierge room. DH and I both preferred Pop. We love the theming and booked a preferred room at Pop. The bus service was better. Lots more food choices in the food court.

BC had a farther walk to get anywhere, not impressed by the quick service food choices. The concierge lounge was full of rude demanding people. The walk to Epcot is really quite a hike. The bus service wasn't as good either.

I would choose Pop over BC any day.

I agree. When we stayed at POR one year we kept seeing the bus lines at Pop go down, more busses line up to take the Pop guests, we've enjoyed our stays at Pop

Cdn Friends of Pooh · May 3, 2015

Sinderelly said:
This should make you feel better...
We did a split stay 4 nights at Pop and 3 nights at BC in a concierge room. DH and I both preferred Pop. We love the theming and booked a preferred room at Pop. The bus service was better. Lots more food choices in the food court.

BC had a farther walk to get anywhere, not impressed by the quick service food choices. The concierge lounge was full of rude demanding people. The walk to Epcot is really quite a hike. The bus service wasn't as good either.

I would choose Pop over BC any day.

Truthfully I preferred POP food court over the Poly's Captain Cooks anyday, however, hearing that they've changed their menus makes me a little uneasy

kastoney said:
I've made the trek from value's to deluxe's too. I used to question why anyone would ever spend so much more money on a deluxe and now I'm part of the problem ; ) That said, I would have no issue going back to a value. For me it is about being on Disney property and partaking in all the magic that has to offer. Whether that be at Pop or Poly, I would just be happy to be in the world. Especially if you spend most of your times in the park, who cares where you rest your head at night?

That was our thought too - "who in their right mind would spend that much money" ... well us :rolleyes2

we were hooked. We found we did spend more time in the room than at POP, however, we will most likely be renting a car so going back to the room at POP won't be an issue.

Willows909 said:
We did the same thing. Stayed at Pop and then took advantage of a great deal and WL became our new favorite. (Loved the pool) But we will be going back to Pop this September and not to sound like an alcoholic, I gotta say Petals Bar makes the best drinks ever! So make sure you take advantage of sitting by the pool having a great drink! Lol And tables and lounge chairs are more plentiful at Pop for sure.

Yes, we did love Petals!!! :drinking:

Sue M said:
Why not stay moderate? An in between solution between value & deluxe.
I love POR, the grounds are so beautiful and peaceful. And it has some extras like boat to did, horse & carriage rides, and a great evening entertainer.
I do notice a big difference in rooms between value & moderate. Queen beds for one. Room door almost hits bed going into room. And much nicer grounds. The mods have beautiful landscaping. And quiet pools.

Not financially feasible at this point :guilty:

Mywishes3 · May 3, 2015

One year at Pop we stayed in a back room, our view was the sign welcoming you to WDW, the walk to the busses was not that far. One year we stayed at the 50's section, it was actually a further walk to the busses!

It is what you make it, you're in Disney!

Hi Pluto · May 3, 2015

I grew up as a Disney Child, and we always stayed at Deluxe resorts. Always. Fast forward to when my DH and I were all grown up and wanted to take our own son, our budget was not the same. We stayed at ASmu, which was my first drop from deluxe to value. I was so happy to be at disney, and be able to bring my son to his first disney trip that I really didn't miss much. The values are still nicer than most non-disney hotels after all. Focus on the fun of being in Disney and not on the fact that you aren't staying deluxe. You'll be fine.

~Cari~

LisaCM614 · May 4, 2015

This deluxe family loved their stay at AoA when we were travelling with another family already staying at AoA. We decided on that trip that as soon as the kids are old enough to stay in their own room - we'll take 2 rooms at Pop instead of a single room at a Deluxe if it is less expensive. But given the fact we have 3 kids - we'll be staying deluxe for another few more years. You'll love Pop again.

Sue M · May 4, 2015

Cdn Friends of Pooh said:
Truthfully I preferred POP food court over the Poly's Captain Cooks anyday, however, hearing that they've changed their menus makes me a little uneasy

That was our thought too - "who in their right mind would spend that much money" ... well us we were hooked. We found we did spend more time in the room than at POP, however, we will most likely be renting a car so going back to the room at POP won't be an issue.

Yes, we did love Petals!!!

Not financially feasible at this point

Well, it's still WDW, and we've stayed at Pop a couple of times for our first night. Coming in late, not wanting to pay $$$ for first night. We loved our location last time. It was at the end of a building next to lake trail. Quiet location. And I enjoyed taking my morning coffee to a bench looking out on lake.
For some reason there was no shampoo, but a quick phone call to housekeeping solved it. They were over in minutes with several bottles, lol.
Thankfully CAD$ is starting to go up a little. But with the low CAD I won't be buying much suvies August trip.

Princess Disney Mom · May 4, 2015

Cdn Friends of Pooh said:
We have been going to WDW for some time now (since 2003) and when we first started our trips, we stayed at POP Century. Fast forward a couple years to when we received one of the PIN codes and we took the plunge and stayed at the Polynesian. We fell in love with the Poly so much that we spent the last few trips staying at the Poly using the various discounts available.

Sadly we haven't been able to return to WDW since May 2013 but are looking at returning for a visit in the next year and a half or so. As prices have increased over the years, we will not be able to stay at the Poly (even with a discount) so would be looking at returning to POP Century. Our last stay at POP was in October 2009 and we are worried we have been spoiled by our stays at the Poly. Can someone reassure me that POP Century is as good as we remember it?

You will have a fantastic time. POP is so much fun, the pool is fun, the lobby is fun. You can see some of the fireworks from one area. The rooms are small, so what, it's not like you are moving in. It's Disney, you will have a great time.

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