Are Value Resorts so bad when Deluxe feels so right??

[cheer25mom]

We are renting points this trip for our first deluxe, AKV. We usually stay Moderate, but did AoA for a buget trip in Nov. I won't do it again if I can help it. It was too cramped and we just didn't relax the way we do at a moderate. The food court was CRAZY and everything just seemesd like hustle and bustle constantly. Plus It was a half mile from our room to the main buiding. Frankly, I am scared that this trip will spoil us and we will want to stary deluxe all the time!!

 

[shyjade]

Definately a different experience!

Unfortunately due to economic changes we've had to switch from being Poly-lovers to Value-stayers. I do miss the Poly...I truly felt like I was on a tropical vacation when we stayed there. The Poly felt like a resort. Although the Values are nice for what they are- they are just glorified motels. Plus, the beds were so much more comfy (at AKL, too).

Fortunately for us, we spend most of our time at Disney in the parks or sleeping. If we swim, it's never more than once during our trip. So downgrading to a Value isn't a huge issue for us. But make no mistake, it definately has a very different feel to it, IMO.

My budget only allows for Values now and that's okay. A stay at a Value is much better than no Disney at all!

 

[SRiley1985]

Before last year, I would have said a stay in a value is better than staying at home! Now...not so much. All Star Music was crazy, dirty, the room was tiny and musty, the pool was crowded and the bus waits were terrible. My daughter and I made it 2 nights before we asked to be moved to POFQ. The front desk people didn't even care that my room was dirty and we were miserable. The cast member that moved us acted like I was bothering him by making him look for us a new room. It's pretty bad when your 7 year old daughter is like "never again."

I can tolerate it for a night before switching to our DVC resort, but there is no way I would stay there for a whole vacation. I would make my trip shorter and stay in a mod.

 

[DisneyDmbNut]

I spoiled my DD by always staying in Deluxe. Mostly because, when she was small it was just her and I going and I felt "safer" with interior doors and halls of the deluxe.

We went for one night last year and stayed at *** because it was so last minute, I couldn't see paying $200 for literally sleeping.

When we got to our "preferred" room, she looked around and said "mom, this is the Walmart of Disney hotels!!!"...lol

but, for a Disney fix, walmart-disney works just fine! LOL

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

Hi. We booked ASM but then (DVC members at SSR but ran out of points this year ) switched to renting somebody elses points to stay at standard view studio at AKV. It worked out the same price as ASM. Going in 17 days! Why go value when you can have a studio at AKV for the same deal!

 

[pinkvol7]

We have only stayed value and in June we are staying at AKV-Kadani. I'm worried now that we won't be able to make ourselves stay value again!! : )

 

[buzznina]

As you can see, you will get all different opinions when it comes to the resort categories. Luckily our family can have a great time at any of the resorts, the resort type does not make or break our vacation. And we do spend time at the resort and not just use it to sleep and shower, we enjoy the different styles of resorts. All I can say is that if you are going to go there and compare everything to a deluxe, then you will be disappointed. You also have to remember that you are not paying $300 more per night.

 

[cosmolette]

We have not stayed at a deluxe resort because we know we would get too spoiled and want to stay there each trip. My first trio I stayed at port orleans moderate resort I loved it! Its small so everything is close by! Our second trip we stayed at the music value resort. It was ok but there was not a coffee pot in the room & our room was in the very back of the resort and I hated walking up every morning to get my coffee so I wont stay at another value resort. Our last trip we stayed at Caribbean moderate resort and I loved that one as well but it is a much bigger resort and we had to walk far to get to the cafeteria and main pool.
Our next trip in sept we will be staying at the river side moderate resort I am sure we will like that one as well.

 

[moret1sm]

I'll admit, I can't go back. We built our way up so to say, and I can bounce between Deluxe & Moderate, but not value. We are getting in a day early and I considered art of animation cuz I thought my young kids would get a riot out of it, but I clicked through all the photos and it just wasn't something that would be right for our family anymore (we don't really need a suite, and we REALLY like good food)

 

[moepanz]

I myself have never stayed in a Disney deluxe but I can share 2 different perspectives with you.

1. My best friend owns at Bonnet Creek (which I hear is amazing) They are a family of 5 so they stay in a huge room etc. We booked a trip at POP for our 40th b-days (no kids) and everyone told her she was going to be miserable at the POP how horrible it is etc. She did not tell me at the time but she was nervous. Turns out she LOVED it! She was so mad she had wasted all the "worry" time and she has been back there since.

2. My cousins Original DVC'ers, sworn DVC'ers no reason to stay anywhere else DVC'ers could not get their DVC ressie once and decided to book a trip to POP and they also were shocked how happy they were there.

It is like everything else in life, it is what you make it. I have never had a bad experience there and I have stayed there at least 10 times. I hope this helps.

 

[homeschoolmomof4]

As you can see from my signature, we used to stay at either WL or CR. When the economy took a downturn and our family business took a hit, we decided to stay at Pop Century. I had read that, of the Value resorts, it was the best. I was really worried that it was going to be like a Motel 6. After our first trip to Pop, I was absolutely kicking myself for having spent so much money on Deluxe resorts!! Pop was fantastic! My kids loved it and even I, a Deluxe snob at that point, loved it. It's such a fun place. And the food court was WAAAAAY better than WL or CR with many more options. Don't be afraid to give Pop a shot. You might be pleasantly surprised.

 

[magicbob]

We enjoyed All-Star Movies, but to be honest, would probably only go back to POR or CBR (mods) these days if we were not staying at a deluxe. We fell in love with AKL and defintely plan to go back there but are also eager to stay at the Yacht/Beach Club and Boardwalk at least once. But I don't consider myself a deluxe "snob." We really liked ASMo. We just like the theming and overall experience at those other resorts even more!

 

[ElizabethB]

We have stayed GF club level main building and All Star Sports and about everything in between.

The value resorts are what they are -- motels with themes. But, they are fine for what they are. Our rooms have been clean and there is a decent food selection at the food courts. The pools are okay. No slide but okay nonetheless. If one wants to focus on doing the parks, I think the values are fine. We enjoyed our ASSp stay and we enjoyed staying at Pop. There are king-bedded rooms, which make the room seem a bit larger.

If you want a more romantic, resort oriented stay, I would consider Coronado Springs Resort. Also, a motel with a theme -- but a little more adult theme and some added amenities -- on site restaurant, pool with a slide, fitness center. We stayed in the Casitas section, which is very pretty. I also thought the Ranchos section would be romantic for a couple's stay -- rather Palm Spring-ish.

But, if it's a value or no vacation, I would not hesitate in booking a value!

 

[DisneyDmbNut]

We have only stayed value and in June we are staying at AKV-Kadani. I'm worried now that we won't be able to make ourselves stay value again!! : )

yes..it is a problem!!

 

[thisismyusername]

How about considering Swan or Dolphin? You can often find rates that are cheaper than the mods (but probably not as cheap as the values). I just don't think I could do a value. It doesn't have anything to do with price or comfort--it's simply the decor of the values: I find the theming to be so tacky that I'd rather stay offsite.

 

[lovesdumbo]

I have stayed club level at Poly, CR, AKL & BWI a total of 12 times plus other deluxe stays. I do really enjoy my deluxe stays. I have also stayed value 10 times. I find the deluxe resorts nice and the value resorts fun. The rooms are not big but the aren't as tiny as folks make them out to be. I have always had good service at the value resorts and have always had very good bus service from the values.

 

[WDWChloe]

We visit often, and usually stay at either Pop or a deluxe (usually WL). My only biggest complaint from staying at Value compared to Deluxe are the towels. They are small, thin and rough. If you have enough room in your suitcase, i recommend bringing your own fluffy ones from home, and leave the housekeeper a note so she doesnt take them on accident.

Other than that, the beds are still comfortable, you're still immersed in your Disney experience - just in a brighter way
We just stayed at AoA for the first time 2 weeks ago and loved it!

The theming is cute, the pools are nice. Of course, it is the newest resort, obviously it will be the favored value based on the newness



Have fun!!

 

[disney-akj]

I think it depends on how you vacation. When we go to WDW, we are never at our resort because we are always in the parks so a deluxe would be a waste of money for our family. When we want a nice relaxing vacation with a "deluxe" resort, we don't go to Disney World. We go to the beach somewhere because we actually spend time at the resort. We have come to love DCL as well when we want a restful vacation. So for our family the value would work out fine, because it fits our vacation needs while at WDW (bed and shower is all we need). Good luck

 

[PJHuntleyCO]

We have stayed at Value, Moderate & Deluxe. While Deluxe is our favorite, when on a budget and wanting a Disney visit and if we want to stay on property, then Pop is definately our choice. If you are wanting a really nice time share rental - try Red Week and the Wyndham Bonnet Creek. It is amazing and equal to a DVC, but not the price. Best of luck on your decision.

 

[wdwlver]

I've done value when our flight got in late just to sleep before checking into deluxe but after last time we've switched our arrival night to POR. Just. Cannot. Do. Double. Beds.