Are the values really that awful?

[katibosch]

When I first started planning we were going to stay offsite, but everything in our price range had really bad reviews on expedia and everywhere. Dirty room, bugs, broken plumbing... Yuck! Then I decided to take advantage of a room deal I saw on Disney's website, which made the value affordable for us. I was very excited about being able to stay on property. We are currently booked at ASMu.

But now on these boards I mostly hear how bad the values are, how small, how cramped, how crummy... and how much nicer the moderates are.

We are not very picky when it comes to hotels -- tend to stay at Super 8 or maybe Days Inn type things.

ETA: We are definitely staying at ASMu and saving our money for more important things like souvenirs! Haha!

 

[DJSMOM]

I have stayed at 2 different values in the past. ASMo and POP. I had no real complaints about either. Our room was clean, the resorts were themed awesomely, the food courts were crowded at times but you can plan around that. If you usually stay at Days Inn, these are comparable.

We have been lucky enough to go more often so we have started to stay deluxe because we spend more time doing non-park things.

I don't think you will be disappointed with a value.

 

[BigTuna07]

When I first started planning we were going to stay offsite, but everything in our price range had really bad reviews on expedia and everywhere. Dirty room, bugs, broken plumbing... Yuck! Then I decided to take advantage of a room deal I saw on Disney's website, which made the value affordable for us. I was very excited about being able to stay on property. We are currently booked at ASMu.

But now on these boards I mostly hear how bad the values are, how small, how cramped, how crummy... and how much nicer the moderates are.

We are not very picky when it comes to hotels -- tend to stay at Super 8 or maybe Days Inn type things.

A couple of the moderates would be $300-$400 more for the entire trip. Is it worth it? Seems to me like it would be!

We just got back from the ASMu and I thought it was fine. We have 3 kids (DD 5, DD 3, and DS 6 months.) They enjoyed the pool, outdoor movie, and everything else. The transportation was excellent. I don't think we waited more than 15 min for a bus ever. (That is both to the parks and back from the parks) For me personally, I would keep the extra cash and spend it on souvenirs or food or whatever.

The rooms aren't huge but we were honestly in them for sleeping and getting ready in the morning so it didn't matter to us. I would be happy to see if I can answer any questions about the resort.

 

[jana616]

We aren't too picky when it comes to lodging either, and we have only stayed at POP at WDW, but we found it to be great. The accommodations are comparable to a chain motel, but you get the Disney quality in terms of cleanliness, theming, and details. This trip we are trying All Star Sports, mostly because my 7 year old is a sports nut and I know he will love the theme. This will also be the last trip my 3rd child doesn't count as a "person" so after that we will move to moderates, but I would never hesitate to stay at a Value here. Plus, now that there are fridges coming and possibly wi-fi, they are making the Values even nicer. I wouldn't worry!

 

[Mrs. Buzz Lightyear]

We have never been disappointed anywhere in Disney property. We have stayed at both values and moderates. I prefer the values because we're never in our room besides sleeping we're out enjoying the parks. We have 4 people in our family and have plenty of room including the luggage. Enjoy your trip your going to have a blast!!!!!!

 

[momof4disneykids]

I think you will be perfectly happy at ASMu. We have stayed at values several times and enjoyed it each time. Our children have always loved the huge Disney characters and bright atmosphere. The rooms aren't large but with just the three of you there will be plenty of room. Don't rethink your decision too much. You will have a wonderful time I am sure. As our family has grown we have also stayed at moderates and are going with a deluxe for the first time this summer, but after our youngest turns 3 I foresee many more trips in either 2 rooms at a value or a value family suite. I know I will be perfectly content there again. Enjoy your trip.

 

[Reddy]

if you are just looking for a spot to lay your head & shower - they are awsome
most have 2 full size beds - will that work for your family??

I love ASMo - planning on going back to it on our next trip

if you are planning on hanging around the hotel (besides walking around to get pictures) then the Mod might be worth it

if DAys Inn works for you then Value is great

 

[DisneyFamily123]

Stayed a All Star Sports, Movies, and Pop Century. Been perfectly happy at all 3. Sure the room is small and it only has 2 double beds. But for a larger party, you can get several rooms for the price of a moderate/deluxe. How much time will you actually spend at the resort? Or in the room? We hardly spend any time there. The theming is super for kids with the giant sized icons. Our rooms were all perfectly clean. The resorts are clean. Service was just as good as when we stayed moderate and deluxe.

Pools are great.. no slides but still nice. If you are doing waterparks at Disney, who needs a slide at the pool? Use the money you saved by staying value to add on the water parks fun and more option! Or other experiences to enhance your vacation!

Food -- just quick service and the quality isn't great. But again, we are usually out at the parks a lot and that's where we eat. Breakfast was very good at all 3 value resorts. The early bird (me) would get breakfast and bring it back to our room for everyone to eat while getting ready. Chocolate Chip Pancakes and Mickey Waffles. At Pop Century, I thought they had the best food of all 3.

The biggest advantage of our stay at Caribbean Beach Resort was the fantastic themed pool. The room was bigger but the beds were the same size (full-double). Now if you stay at Port Orleans Riverside -- that's a moderate with mostly queen beds. Our stay at the Polynesian was great but I'd only stay there with a big discount.. the biggest plus there was the ultimate convenience to Magic Kingdom and all the restaurants at the other resorts (Grand Floridian, Contemporary). And it was nice to sit on the beach or in the pool and see the MK Castle all lit up at night.

Our next stay is planned for Kidani Village -- it works for us because we can get a bigger room for our larger party with home conveniences (kitchen, laundry) and we plan on spending a lot of time at the resort.

 

[cleophus12]

We have stayed all over WDW at all price levels. We prefer Pop over the All Stars, but have never had a problem with any of them. For the price (and considering that price includes the onsite Disney Magic) they simply cannot be beat. People can always find something to complain about. Have you looked at some of the Deluxe boards? Even they have their share of complaints. Just go and plan to have a good time. Don't expect to be disappointed and you won't be. Have a great time.

 

[msteddom]

I think the disappointment you hear expressed is from people who have stayed at many WDW resorts. After a while ou find one that just works for you. After finding your favorite, it makes the "flaws"in the other resorts stand out that much more.

I have stayed at Pop and All Star Music and found them both to be clean and comfortable. I have also heard from many on these boards who feel that one of the values is their perfect resort. So I think you and your family will have a wonderful time!

Melissa

 

[4HppyCamprs]

I am a negative reviewer of ASMu and honestly it was not room itself that was the problem. It was comparable to any motel like motel 6 or says inn. Mods are more like a Marriott or Best Western. We did not like the atmosphere of the resort nor the attitude of the CM's. From checkin to maids to checkout. The food court cms were bothered when we had questions. The resort had a frantic feeling like the mall on a Friday night. So plop a super 8 in the middle of a mall on a Friday night and that is what it felt like to us. It was not our type of vacation. We loved POR and POLY but will not hesitate to book either resort again.

 

[wildcatfan]

I certainly think you will be happy with the values. We have stayed at both mod and value and we loved both. However, we have spent the last 6 years at Pop. I love the themeing and the atmosphere. It has all of the Disney magic. We always travel to a couple other resorts to eat. Last year we went to Poly, Coronado, and the Boardwalk to eat. It gives us a chance to see the other resorts. I think you will be happy with the rooms. Don't sweat it, you will be surrounded by Disney magic!!

 

[Jenngoofys]

I have stayed at All Star Sports, Movies, and Music, Pop, Port Orleans, Old Key West, and Coronado Springs. To be honest the room we got at Port Orleans was in need of some help, some floor tiles were missing, the headboard had dust on it, and the bathroom sink leaked. We had to stay there, because Disney said we had to have accomodations equal to or better than the ones we had on the cruise through them ( the cruise was so much better LOL). Key West was beautiful, and Coronado Springs was too, but they were both so spread out it wasnt convenient to catch busses. The All Star hotels are wonderful, we choose them 98% of the time. Pop was rather crowded since it is alot larger then the All Star individual hotels. It made waiting for the bus absolutely insane. I recommend any of the All Star hotels but our Favorite is Movies Hope this helps you some Have a great trip.

 

[TXteacher]

Have you considered renting points from a DVC member? This will be our 5th trip to WDW and each year we have rented points from members we've found on these very boards! We've never had any issues when renting points and have enjoyed many beautiful resorts!
While I've never stayed at a value resort (have stayed at POR and enjoyed it)...for a little bit more you could rent a studio!
Either way...you're going to DISNEY WORLD!!! Happiest place on EARTH!

 

[kent285]

We're DVC members, but last October my daughter wanted to take a last minute trip and we were out of points. Stayed at ASMo and loved it! The pool was great and loved the food court. Would definitely not hesitate to stay there again.

 

[kapoof]

I haven't stayed at a value just did a ME drop off at pop. here is thing about the values....they have a huge cult following by some very devoted fan, are they for everyone....no. While they aren't for me, I wouldn't say they are bad. What makes them a deal breaker for me are a few things: no coffee maker...silly but I don't want to pack a coffee maker while on vacation, nor do I want to treck all the way to a crowded food court to wait in line for it. They are HUGE they house a lot of guests so you are on vacation with ALOT of people. Plus tour groups stay there as well as sports teams, no thanks! They seem to be more concrete, not very lush as other resorts. No real places to eat other than food courts, I don't always want meals to be a free for all. Bus lines can be long, and no covered bus stops so you have to wait In The blazing sun or the a downpour on bad weather days. now they certainly are a good price point for Disney, and I can see how kids would enjoy them. I would stay at one before I stay off site.

 

[Mousemommy1]

We have stayed at all of the values and loved each and every one of our stays. The size did not bother us, they were always extremely clean, and we never had an issue with noise. In all honesty, we had more of these issues when we "moved up" to CBR last year. We didn't have a horrible stay at CBR but nothing more special than the values. We wouldn't hesitate to go back to any one of the values but CBR won't likely be repeated unless a discount/deal is only available there.

 

[Hoosier37]

We stayed at Pop last March. I was worried about the quality, but we were amazed by Pop. It was bright, cheerful, and spotless. Our room was small but with just a little organization our family of 4 (two adults, an 11 and an 8 year old) were very comfortable and not at all crowded there. The grounds were beautiful, the staff helpful, and we loved the food court enough that we left the parks to eat at Pop several times.

My biggest complaint about Pop was the fact that the line for the Pop buses in the parks were farther away than other resorts, and my feet were sore after a day of walking

The kids loved the Hippy Dippy Pool. We loved the pool bar

Honestly, we will probably stay at Pop again next time.

 

[dburg30]

No, they arent bad at all. Just to some people they are too small. You really have no room to spread out. If you are just using it as a place to sleep and shower, I think you'll be just fine. If you are wanting to spend more time at the resort you may find it crowded. But I've stayed at values, mods and DVC and have never been disappointed with any of them!

 

[I Love Pluto]

Values are fine. The rooms are small - especially if 4 people are using the room, all getting ready at the same time each morning.

We love Values because they provide a nice clean bed, a clean bathroom, a clean room, and a TV. That's what the basic motel room provides everywhere else.

The only thing missing in the values was a refrigerator. Now - they're getting them, too!

Values are a great choice to sleep, swim, and go to the parks. The food court at Pop is outstanding.

We stay at Values & Mods - just to have variety. Both are great because we're at Disney!!!!!