Are the resort hotels really all that much better than the value resorts?

[AriesAriel]

We used David's rentals for DVC points and are staying at BWV for around $200 a night. So DVC is a way to stay at a deluxe resort but not outrageously expensive like the rack rate shows!!

I can't wait to stay at BWV. I love that we will be able to walk to/from Epcot & HS.

Back when I went 20 years ago the boyfriend & I took an entire day just touring the different resorts. That was the day I remember most!

FYI - if cost was not a factor - Wilderness Lodge was by far the coolest imo!

But I do remember the Boardwalk and can't wait to stay there!

 

[Disneyland1084]

We used David's rentals for DVC points and are staying at BWV for around $200 a night. So DVC is a way to stay at a deluxe resort but not outrageously expensive like the rack rate shows!!

I can't wait to stay at BWV. I love that we will be able to walk to/from Epcot & HS.

Back when I went 20 years ago the boyfriend & I took an entire day just touring the different resorts. That was the day I remember most!

FYI - if cost was not a factor - Wilderness Lodge was by far the coolest imo!

But I do remember the Boardwalk and can't wait to stay there!

I'm happy for you that you're getting a good rate. I've heard a lot of good things about the Wilderness Lodge. I've also been told it's a lot like the Grand Californian hotel at Disneyland. I've stayed at the Grand Californian a few times and LOVED it. I'm sure I'd love the Wilderness Lodge, but I'm thinking when I do get to go to Disneyworld, I want to experience a hotel that's not like the ones at Disneyland.

 

[biim85]

I think the reason you cant book packages at Dolphin and Swan is because they arent Disney owned. They're owned by Westin. I could be wrong as to that being why though. I've stayed here twice, once for a convention, the other time for Disney vacationing because I had enough Westin rewards points for a few free nights. It's a decent hotel, but personally I do consider the walk a little more than "quick." I also feel like if you're really looking for the Disney "magic," this hotel is lacking a bit in that respect when it comes to children.

 

[BritKansas]

We have stayed in all 3 & our go to resort is Riverside. With that said however, we generally stay in the moderate hotels because they are cheaper than the deluxe, but more magical (to us) than the value. A couple years ago we stayed 1 night at All-Stars after being at Riverside & the first thing my husband said was how are these owned by the same company? (In All-Stars defense there were a bunch of high-schoolers there, being not so courteous & it really killed any chance of us ever staying at a value again.) Now every time we go we stay moderate (this upcoming trip we are staying at Coronado Springs). One thing that we like about the moderates over the values is that at the moderate resorts there are several bus stops while at the values there is only 1.

 

[scoobydooby]

Disclaimer. I have never stayed at a value resort because I just don't fancy them. I have stayed at deluxe and moderates though and unless money is no object or you can get a great deal I think the moderate hotels are great. My favourite is POR. Next trip we are staying at a one bed DVC for cash for two weeks but that's because with two teens now we just can't cope with one hotel room for so long. The biggest pull of the deluxe hotels is superior themeing, more choice of table service restaurants and mostly location, location, location. Their quick service food options are inferior if that is important to you. The rooms at the deluxe hotels are a bit bigger and plusher than the moderates and have a closet but nothing in just the room that justifies the price hike from a moderate. The moderate hotels all have a slide at their main pool, the values don't. The moderate rooms all have queen sized beds. The values don't. The moderate hotels all have one TS restaurant. The values don't. It depends what matters to you I guess.

 

[pigletgirl]

Disclaimer. I have never stayed at a value resort because I just don't fancy them. I have stayed at deluxe and moderates though and unless money is no object or you can get a great deal I think the moderate hotels are great. My favourite is POR. Next trip we are staying at a one bed DVC for cash for two weeks but that's because with two teens now we just can't cope with one hotel room for so long. The biggest pull of the deluxe hotels is superior themeing, more choice of table service restaurants and mostly location, location, location. Their quick service food options are inferior if that is important to you. The rooms at the deluxe hotels are a bit bigger and plusher than the moderates and have a closet but nothing in just the room that justifies the price hike from a moderate. The moderate hotels all have a slide at their main pool, the values don't. The moderate rooms all have queen sized beds. The values don't. The moderate hotels all have one TS restaurant. The values don't. It depends what matters to you I guess.

I think what it comes down to is, what is your touring style? Is the room a big deal for you? Also, what about location?

We'll be staying in the Beach Club for the first time this fall and I'm most excited about the convenience to Epcot.

But there is no shame in staying in a value resort. We love Pop and I would have no trouble staying there again.

 

[hollybearsmom]

we did offsite twice because we drove and thought we could save a little. we did but we missed magic hours, convenience of getting back to room, hassle of parking and paying for it, no dining plan , etc.

then we paid for pop and we like to go-go-go while at the parks so its just a place to shower and sleep for us. plenty of room for four. even with my teen taking almost the whole bathroom counter! loved the magic of being immersed in Disney all the time.

then we went for reunion on someone elses nickel and stayed in Contemporary. wow! love the monorail. closeness to MK. upgrades and more space.

it will be hard for us to go back to pop after that. but if i want a trip next year then thats what we get. we will make it work for us just so we can go. but dream trip puts us back in a deluxe anytime!

 

[AtlantaDisneyDreamer]

There is no question that there is a big difference in quality between the values and the moderates (room size, bed size, quality of furnishings, noise level, resort atmosphere, resort amenities, etc.). We definitely feel that the quality we get with the moderates is well worth the small increase in price. Also note that discounts for moderates are higher, so often when you compare price, you can get a moderate for only $30-60 more per night. Definitely worth it. We have stayed at AoA and we had a great time. Kids do love values, and so do many adults. We just think that the greater value for dollar is at the moderates.

 

[Tattylou]

We stayed at POP last time and we are booked for AoA next time. I have also stayed at the moderates. While my kids are small I am totally fine with the values, we don't need a ton of space and the kids enjoy the vibe, especially at AoA. I might bump up to the moderate level when they get a little older b/c I do enjoy the lush landscaping, hot tubs, etc. I've never stayed at a deluxe, but it's on my bucket list for someday!

 

[Monykalyn]

Keep in mind that sometimes booking through a site like cheaptickets or Orbitz you can stack a discount code with whatever discount Disney may be offering (got 50% off Deluxe resort for our upcoming trip and 35% off moderate, plus went through Ebates portal for cash back) to make an upgrade affordable. Yes it is "easier" to book direct through Disney but it is NOT that much work to do it yourself (and did the same with tickets-bought through cheaptickets going through Ebates portal->$100 cash back just from tickets). Means no option to purchase or receive dining plan but also means we are free to eat how we want without the dictates of the dining plan.

 

[maryandtyson]

You can get good deals at Deluxe resorts, so don't be too put off by the cost. Wilderness and AKL are the least costly in that category. We are booked at Beach for 7 nights this fall for $2200. Well worth it considering the pool, large rooms, and being able to walk to 2 parks.

I think you can have a great experience at any resort. It's important to understand what matters most to you.

 

[helenm29]

The first time my husband and I went was our Honeymoon...we stayed at a hotel just on property. Then we had my son and stayed at the Grand Floridian! BEAUTIFUL place to stay but not really for kids...also, a bit expensive! third time we stayed at Dixie Landing (now PORW) it was certainly less expensive and a lot more fun for the kids at that young age. Next we split a stay between Poly and AK..both great places to stay but really on the expensive side..which is all fine because we planned it that way! my kids were in their teens and we saved for 2 years to go. This time it's just my husband and I so we're staying POFQ...no need to hurry around, go to kid type fool places..just time to relax. So, we've been to all three types of resort and loved everyone of them but my point is it all depends on how you want to do things. Whatever you chose, you can't go wrong! just plan accordingly and make a budget for your resort stay. Have fun!

 

[YawningDodo]

When my brother stayed POFQ for the first time after only ever having stayed value when on-site, the first comment he made about it was "Wow, I feel like I'm actually still in Disney World." I think that about sums up the difference between moderates and values for me, too. The value resorts are perfectly fine for what they are: they're clean, they have food and transportation, and they get you the basic on-site perks. To me, though, the theming of the values falls far short of the rest of the WDW experience. It's just a generic motel with character-themed carpets in the rooms and giant plastic wingdings on the outsides of the buildings. Don't get me wrong, I'll always savor the memory of staying on-site for the first time at All-Star Music and the glorious freedom for the first time in my then-teenaged life to order pizza to the hotel room at all hours of the night, but if I have my druthers I would always prefer to stay at a moderate nowadays.

When you step into a resort like POFQ, it feels like you're still in one of the Disney parks. The theming is so complete, the layout so well designed, that it's like walking into Africa in Animal Kingdom -- you're not just staying at a hotel, you're staying in a make-believe New Orleans. It doesn't feel like the same company could possibly have built both the All Stars and something like the PO resorts.

I've never stayed at a deluxe before, but we ended up getting a deep discount on a room at the Dolphin for our upcoming September trip and went for it. Tbqh I'm not sure what to expect; on one level I'd almost rather stay at a moderate with a strong theme for the fun of it, but on another level I'm curious to see what constitutes "deluxe." Being within walking distance of Epcot and DHS is going to be fantastic, though, I already know that.

 

[peg110]

For us, the "Accommodations" are mostly a place to rest. We spend most of the time either in the parks (Disney or otherwise), DTD, exploring the area, etc.. Last time we took a trip to the new American Girl Doll store in Orlando because our youngest loves them (I hate the price of them!). Even on our down days, it's less about the room and more about the pool or shops.

I haven't stayed in the "Value Resorts" yet (staying at Pop Century in Nov 2015), but I have stayed off site a couple of times. Our latest choice is Fort Wilderness Campground. We love it there. We "Bring" our accommodations and the Fort has enough amenities to make it awesome. Plus I love the great outdoors. We have a 27' camper, but I'd be just as happy with a tent. The DW, however needs more "Creature Comforts" that we get with the camper.

I have yet to "Experience" a Moderate resort, but somehow I don't think most people would be disappointed. Disney is pretty good at making sure your stay meets expectations. There are always exceptions of course.

 

[LizardQueen8]

All these opinions are so great! I've been going back and forth over staying at a moderate for my upcoming solo trip versus staying at a value to save some money. I think you have all convinced me that my instinct to stay at a moderate is the right choice for me .

 

[Minnie-Mickey]

I'm reading about all the different hotels around Disneyworld. I keep thinking someday when I do go, that I just have to stay at the Contemporary Resort or Grand Floridian. I'm thinking mainly of the convenience of location to Magic Kingdom. But I started thinking, how much better are they than the value resorts? Yes, they're gorgeous and probably have more shops and restaurants. But what makes the resort hotels so much better than the value ones (if at all) and vice versa? For those that stayed at both, did you enjoy your trip more when staying at a resort hotel or not? ETA-Any positives about the moderate hotels would be appreciated too. Thanks.

We have stayed at all values, old key west, wilderness lodge, bay lake towers, pop. These are the ones on the top of my head. The differences can be small. better towels, pool towels vs room towels, quieter in the larger resorts, the busses you would think would be quicker at the expensive but actually values is best. So many people they always run. We like the value food court better. Wl and the others had very limited options due to sit down places and some have kitchens. When it comes down to it my favs are WL, On my way!, then music. Least pop, staying in July again. It is so very loud imho but the price is right and then bay lake towers. It's nice but can be desserted at times.

 

[Minnie-Mickey]

I would add beach club to the meh group. Price, location and what you need for a food court should play in to your decision. Boy, we do go a lot listing it out. Now just did and myself. Fyi bunk beds can be small. DSL does not fit. They upgraded us do to height. Never crossed my mind

 

[alc571]

We are moderate people, only because we see a value in moving up from Value to Moderate. We don't see a value in moving from Moderate to Deluxe. I will pay a little more for a relaxing setting (values are too "motel 6" like for us), for queen beds, for two sinks and larger bath area, for nicer pools (hot tub, waterslide), and more transportation options (we love the boat to DTD at POR). We have stayed Deluxe once (AKL), and didn't see the value. Yes, the rooms were nice and so was the resort, but I don't think the pool was that much better, we don't do the dining plan so we didn't eat anywhere but the food court, and it was a long hike to our car each day (we don't do buses). The interior corridors were nice - mostly because we were there in January and it was freezing and raining the entire time.

Just my two cents...

 

[Dis703]

I've stayed at all three levels now and yes I think the mods and deluxes are definitely nicer than the values. Bigger rooms, bigger comfier beds, better locations (particularly for the deluxes) better transportation options, more laid back feel to the resorts, sit down dining options, for most deluxes the indoor corridors are nice to have, nicer pools, covered waiting areas for the buses with benches....

Values work for me when I need a cheap room for a shorter trip with a smaller number of people. Like when I took ODS for 5 days just the two of us. But I don't enjoy the resort the way I have at mods and deluxes.

 

[danielleburns]

I think it depends on how much your in your room for us the values are great we are gone until about 10 at night at the parks come back grab some sleep ,wake up the next morning have a swim, breakfast ,and shower then leave again. I Guess the fireworks room at the grand is nice but we would rather watch the fireworks in the parks .We stayed at the Grand once and it was nice but we didn't want to rush back just to watch fireworks from our room.So for us the values work just fine but if you plan to spend a lot of time in your room maybe you might want something nicer .