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

[FortForever]

I had only stayed in deluxe until about about 6 or 7 years ago when I got up the nerve to leave my comfort zone and try a mod.

I hated CBR, but spent quite a few years with POR (don't know why it doesn't get as much love as POFQ) as my resort of choice.

In January of this year I pushed it further with a stay at All Star Sports. I liked it more than I thought I would so went on to try ASM and Pop in February and March.

Pop is now my favorite place and we are heading there for ten days starting tomorrow. I LOVE it and don't expect to stay anywhere else in the future if I can help it.

 

[nadira36]

We've stayed at the Poly several times as well as Pop, ASMovies and most recently AOA.

Personally I'd say stay AOA if you're going value - we loved it - we did a split stay poly/AOA (in that order) last trip and loved AOA - this next trip will be AKL, but then we'll be AOA for the next several years (family suite) due to our expanding family size.

I like the Poly for location - but really, if our family were not so big, we'd probably have happily stayed value for many trips. That being said, our resort is usually just a place to sleep - the exception is last trip we spent several resort days at the poly and AOA and I can honestly say AOA won hands down as far as where we'd rather spend our time.

If you want a resort with TS, then value can't provide that - however both Pop and AOA have a great CS selection with great food. After 1 exp at Cap't Cooks (poly) we vowed never to eat there again - and even considered not staying poly at all b/c of how bad the food was - both pop and AOA had great food - I don't recall anything special about ASMo food.

The rooms at a value are smaller - but for 2 adults I don't know if it will make a huge difference. For us it was an issue b/c we had a buggy and luggage for several people - the deluxe provided the room to store the bags and keep the buggy out of the way. We like the patio/balcony in the deluxe rooms - however for the 15 min max a day we use them we can live without.

So for a persona who wakes up and leaves the room to find food and heads to the parks quickly, stays away from the room for the majority of the day, even if enjoying resort amenities, then I think it'll be just fine. But if you wake up, order room service, like to drink your coffee on the balcony, and head to the parks around lunch only to return to watch TV in the evening, then (why go to Disney ) a value would really cause a problem.

So I guess the big question is: why do you stay deluxe normally? That would really determine whether value would be okay for you or not.

 

[gibbow]

With my family I always stayed in the Contemporary and was spoiled. A few years ago I stayed at the All Star Sports. I can only assume all the All Stars are of the same general quality.

That being said, while it is a noticeable difference, how it affects you depends on what you want out of the trip. If you are looking for nicer hotel quality sleeping arrangements you will be disappointed.

The best way I can describe a value resort, is a Disney themed and fully cleaned motel room. While I missed taking the monorail right from the hotel room, the bus was not as bad as I thought it would be. The food court was great for a quick bite to eat.

I am planning on surprising my gf with a trip down to WDW this May(short notice I know) and am looking at either renting DVC points or just booking a value resort.

If you are going to be out all day, I would recommend these value resorts. A hotel a for sleeping and lets you have more money available for extra goodies throughout your trip!!

 

[magicbob]

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

Exactly... the values are still nice and lots of fun. Some might say "A bad day at WDW is better than the best day at work." Don't get me wrong, staying at a value resort doesn't make for a "bad day." Some are unwilling to compromise and stay at a value. If that's the budget I have for a given trip, I wouldn't hesitate to stay at a value again (probably AoA or ASMo again). I'd rather do that than not take the trip at all. That said, I am excited about the prospect of owning DVC at AKL!

 

[eliza61]

Hello Folks!

Disney husband and I have been blessed with the ability to stay at deluxe resorts. We need a Disney fix. We are on a budget. How bad is going from deluxe to value resort? Which Non-deluxe resort do you suggest for 2 adults?

I know and understand I sound crazy. However, I married a guy who has be "coached" into things.

Thank you!
Poly

PS...Does anyone know if the Boardwalk Bakery has reopened? Are there any new pictures?

Thank you!

did it once, never again. I'll stay off site before doing a value again.
Not going to bad mouth them, they are simply not for me.

So I'm the opposite. If the only way I could do disney was to go to a value, I'd skip and simply save up for a few months until I could go the way I wanted.

the problem for me is vacation time is too darn precious and hotels are too important. I've never been one that believed a room is simply some where for me to shower and sleep so when I go on any vacation I research the hotel extensively. Why pay the money to be miserable?

Lastly, I hate food courts. Now I generally go the last week in August so the crowds are moderate but the one time we stayed at allstars. the food courts were horrendous. loud, kids running amok and just a plain madhouse. And I'm supposed to enjoy a meal here?

I would like to try a moderate though. never tried one

 

[AliceIn]

We stayed at the AoA last year and had an absolutely wonderful time. The Family Suites are fantastic for a family of 5. We enjoyed the pool and food court, and we thought the resort was beautiful. I wouldn't hesitate to stay there again.

This time we are staying CL at the BC. We wanted to spend a little more time relaxing this time around, and the convenience of having breakfast, snacks, and drinks right on our floor sealed the deal. I think I'm going to miss the second bathroom and private sleeping area for my husband and I -- the AoA spoiled us that way. The 5 of us will definitely be a lot more cramped at the BC, but I'm looking forward to leisurely strolls to Epcot and the Boardwalk.

Our vacation after this? Who knows? I'm open to having a wonderful Disney vacation at any level.

 

[amccu18007]

I personally, am not into the decor at the values but that is just me. We usually do the deluxe's and if we had to stay anywhere else, I would go to Port Orleans (either side) or CSR. Both are my budget hotels for Disney. Now my DH who is 6'4" would have only liked to have stayed at deluxes in the past. I am glad that the mods have upgraded to queens Now we can take my parents with us this trip!

 

[DisneyDmbNut]

did it once, never again. I'll stay off site before doing a value again.
Not going to bad mouth them, they are simply not for me.

So I'm the opposite. If the only way I could do disney was to go to a value, I'd skip and simply save up for a few months until I could go the way I wanted.

the problem for me is vacation time is too darn precious and hotels are too important. I've never been one that believed a room is simply some where for me to shower and sleep so when I go on any vacation I research the hotel extensively. Why pay the money to be miserable?

Lastly, I hate food courts. Now I generally go the last week in August so the crowds are moderate but the one time we stayed at allstars. the food courts were horrendous. loud, kids running amok and just a plain madhouse. And I'm supposed to enjoy a meal here?

I would like to try a moderate though. never tried one

i so agree with you. I would rather wait then spend any significant time in a value. We have stayed at POR and CSR and were very happy with the rooms and grounds but I really like being inside and walking through the resort (especially if it is raining) and having everything close to my room.

We did stay once off property at Gaylord because I got a priceline deal for $79 but as nice as it was, it didn't have the Magic of Disney!

 

[toodycat]

I don't know what the values are like, but I haven't booked one so far because the complaints I always read are "crowded" and "noisy." DS has a tremendous sensitivity to loud noises and found WL too loud and can't sit through "Fantasmic" without earplugs. My fear is that a value might be even tougher on DS than WL. However, I do want to stay at every WDW resort, so I will have to investigate the value situation without him some time.

 

[bear_mom]

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.

I agree. We have stayed at all different levels of resorts (and hotels when not going to Disney) and while we might appreciate a nicer room/resort, it doesn't make or break our vacation. We manage to have a good time no matter what our resort is like. I'm just happy to be on vacation.......

Emily

 

[oneprincessjo]

Hello Folks!

Disney husband and I have been blessed with the ability to stay at deluxe resorts. We need a Disney fix. We are on a budget. How bad is going from deluxe to value resort? Which Non-deluxe resort do you suggest for 2 adults?

I know and understand I sound crazy. However, I married a guy who has be "coached" into things.

Thank you!
Poly

PS...Does anyone know if the Boardwalk Bakery has reopened? Are there any new pictures?

Thank you!

We too have only stayed in deluxe resorts, we have a trip planned and booked for January of 2014 but nothing planned for 2013 and my husband and I were toying with the idea of staying in one of the value resorts this year due to budget restrictions. After going back and forth we decided to nix it. We are too chicken to try anything else since we can't do deluxe this year. Also we drive from Pennsylvania each time and didn't want to have to do that big drive 4 months apart, we especially didn't want to do the big drive and up disappointed in the room. If we could do deluxe we would probably do it in a heart beat, but in reality I only have to wait 9 more months till I am there again anyway so I will stop rambling now... Lol