After going delux...can you go 'VALUE'?

[pattyT]

Our first trip last year we had 10 AWESOME days at WL (dh doesn't even want to try anywhere else) I have been looking through all Debs pics and thinking maybe I don't want to either!

I was considering a split stay - 7 days at All-Star Movie (I want the kids to be surrounded by DISNEY and I think the deluxes are beautiful but more designed for adults).
Only probs I can see - NO waterslides at values
that whole transportation thing (DD will be 10 and DS 3).


I am afraid we will really miss WL though

Have any of you done thins - how was it?

 

[KCritter]

If you decide to split your stay, make sure you do the value resort first, or else it will feel like a let down.

 

[Lewski709]

I am concerned with this problem as well. My fears are room size and slides in the pool. I am afraid I will miss the slide more than the kids.

 

[MosMom]

We go often and have mixed all sorts of resorts. I never felt let down because we stayed at the movies for my daughter. We requested and received the Toy Story building and had a blast watching my daughter flip over all the fun stuff there. It is true that there are no waterslides but you could always spend time at a waterpark instead. I never feel let down when I have stayed at the movies. There are some ammenities that I miss when I stay there and the food court can be INSANE at peak times. Other than that, we had a great time.

Right now we are going to stay at the Wilderness Lodge and will have a blast I'm sure but I wouldn't hesitate staying at the Movies again. Keep in mind though, we never go during peak times and the Movies can feel crowded at peak times.

 

[darlene walker]

We leave in a few weeks for our 1st stay ay ASMU after staying at OKW the last few trips. I too was worried about staying at a value resort but more for me than my kids. No kitchen or balcony. These are important to us. But we'll have 2 rooms w/ 2 bathrooms at the ASMU which will be nice for us since we are a family of 6. We booked the FTP on the last day it was available because of the great price. We weren't even planning on a Disney vacation this year but for the price we couldn't pass it up. We can't wait.

 

[Magic2000]

We've stayed at many of the Disney hotels - deluxe, mods and value (we've only tried the Movies though). My DD LOVES the All Star Movies - last year, we stayed at the Grand Floridian and she kept asking to go visit the Movies!

We just returned from the All Star Movies about two weeks ago, and we really had a great time! Although my DD doesn't really like pool slides, she had a blast under the "fountain" of water from Mickey!

We usually stay at the deluxes when we go during the summer, because we like to spend time at the resort too. But, the All Star Movies is where we stay when we go down for a quick visit the week AFTER Thanksgiving! (except last year when we got a great deal at the GF) We've never been disappointed with any of our stays!

Enjoy your trip!!!

 

[hypatia]

one more thought, we stayed at All-stars, twice, during the week between christmas and new years, and the bus service was excellent, considering the amount of people they had to move around, we had no complaints. i posted a thread about this very issue last week and there were plenty of complaints about bus service at the deluxes!

whatever you choose, it will be magical.

we are planning on staying at POR this time, b/c the demographics of our group are such that we can afford a little more this time, but part of me knows my daughter is going to be very upset when she can't walk past the HUGE dalmation and buzz and the gang everyday...

the ASMo is awesome for little ones!

but, we also go in jan when it is too cold to use the pools anyway!

 

[dznyntnh]

I just returned from 7 wonderful days at WL and I have also stayed at GF & CR, but that doesn't diminish the affection I have for POR, nor will it stop me from staying there in the future.

For me its more about what fits my budget for that vacation. Last week I was on the FTP, so I was able to switch from POR to WL. I just made a res for May at WL for four days, if I opted to stay longer, I would move to POR.

All the hotels are great!! It's just a matter of making your trip wonderful without stressing out over bills and debt afterwards .

 

[bunnyfoo]

Actually, I'm looking forward to trying out Pop Century ... hopefully next summer The only thing I don't like about the values and the moderates are the outside corridors but other than that ... the rooms are fine and the prices are usually pretty good

 

[pattyT]

So NO matter what I chose to do there will be no debt stress or anything like that!
My DH is the cheapest man alive - except when it comes to vacas - then skies the limits!

DH thinks that we should stay put at one hotel - anyone I want-

the REAL issue for me is that the kids have the MOST magical time possible and I think that the All Star Movies looks like a GREAT place for them! DS is a BIG Buzz fan
If they had a deluxe with the Disney type theme we would be there!

DH is not excited about the split stay idea - or the no slide thing!

I noticed there are no Q&A threads about the values
mad eme wonder - Why????

 

[AspiringCindy]

Originally posted by dznyntnh
I just returned from 7 wonderful days at WL and I have also stayed at GF & CR, but that doesn't diminish the affection I have for POR, nor will it stop me from staying there in the future.

For me its more about what fits my budget for that vacation. Last week I was on the FTP, so I was able to switch from POR to WL. I just made a res for May at WL for four days, if I opted to stay longer, I would move to POR.

All the hotels are great!! It's just a matter of making your trip wonderful without stressing out over bills and debt afterwards .

_____________________________________________________
I totally agree! I know our stay is always dictated by our pockets. While we love staying at WL and the other deluxe resorts, I would not hesitate to stay at any of the AS resorts. I would be happy just to be at WDW! Maybe you should do what others have suggested...split your stay so you can make everyone in your group happy!

 

[shrpgy]

We like to stay at the cheaper hotels during the summer when you are not going to be there very much and the more expensive ones when you are going to be there during the shorter park hours. Works for us!

 

[tar heel]

I think it depends on you and your dh's expectations. Your children will probably like it. Our 9-year-old did. My teens and dh didn't, though. The icons and decor are cute, but, once you've seen them, you've seen them.

We actually missed the hot tubs as much as the slides. We had been staying at yc, so the all stars pool was a really huge step down. We were there six nights and neither of my teens went to the pool.

We would stay at a value again if the budget dictated, but if budget isn't an issue, I would never choose them. Double beds, small rooms, no slides or hottubs, thin towels -- you don't even get bottles of Mickey soap!

Which park do you spend the most time at? The Epcot resorts can't be beat for location and pool slides if you spend significant time at Epcot and MGM. Have you thought about AKL? It is just a fabulous atmosphere, and you have live animals outside.

 

[pattyT]

my friend Jen brought up the hot tub thing to me today too - and I said - OH I could just go for a swim -
now that I sit back I am remembering those WONDERFUL mornings that I got up really early (6am) grabbed a mug of coffee and had the ENTIRE pool area to myself - other than a cm cleaning up a little! IT was AWESOME! maybe I don't want to give that up

I hate to say it - but the more I debate it the more I think we should just go back to WL!

 

[joyful1nh]

IMHO -- No. We adore the WL & AKL, love the Poly, & can tolerate POR -- but we spent one awful night in the ASMu and even my husband (Mr. why don't we go camping in a tent instead of to WDW?) said "what a terrible resort."

 

[MAGICinMYHEART]

Sounds like you know where to stay (WL) and don't forget Ft. Wilderness Campground is just a short boat ride away from even more cool things for your children to do (petting Zoo, movies,campfire) It's all Disney, and great.


PIXIE DUST

 

[Sara1026]

Definitely don't short yourself and DH on the things you enjoy in a resort to try to make kids happy-- all the resorts have appeal to children and are very child-friendly.

The best news of all is that you really can't go terribly wrong with any of the hotels-- as many previous posters have pointed out, it's Disney!

 

[QJ411]

Hi everyone,

IMHO, I would never leave WL...but to be fair, I have to say we've never been to ASMU before. From the photos, it looks great, but its something about WL that I would never choose to go anywhere else!

I agree, I also LOVE the jacuzzi and sitting there in the morning when nobody's around and hear that wonderful "lodge/woods" music..its SO soothing...

Sorry, don't mean to add more confusion to your decision.

But honestly, I would choose WL and nowhere else!

Either way, ENJOY IT...afterall, it's DISNEY!!!!

 

[crystalb]

Besides the budget issue, I think main concern on the resort stay is how much you plan to be at the resort.
We stayed at WL in August and REALLY enjoyed it. But I have walked away from wonderful trips at the All Stars too. But we are generally park people. If we spent more time at a resort, I would probably not choose an AS.

 

[yecats]

I'm usually the odd woman out but I adore the WL. I've had one stay at the AS and it wasn't great. I would tell you that if you do want to stay there for the kids, keep it to a short stay (3 to 4 days tops) and then move to WL. You may also be interested in the AKL which is very similar to WL but of course it is further away.