Atmosphere at Values???

[ittybittybabynurse]

Awesome pictures! I was worried about noise at POP, but this kinda makes me feel better.

What's the recomendation for a section close to the bus stops AND quietest?

 

[CheshireVal]

The grounds are o.k. (they are all right together and u can't tell one from the ot her)

What are right together? The buildings? If they were spread miles apart, wouldn't people complain? The buildings all have different themes so you can easily tell them apart.

but you won't be doing any relaxing by the pool. While they are nice and well themed, they are a zoo. And you get a well, lower budget crowd (not that there is anything wrong with that) but it is NOT, I repeat NOT at all relaxing.

I disagree. The pools are very relaxing and while they can be crowded.... have you ever tried to relax at the pool at the Poly or WL or Yacht/Beach? Nightmare!!

I don't understand what you mean by lower budget crowd, so I really don't have any response to that.

IMO try the Dolphin (probably $50-70 per night more) or go off property.
There are some GREAT deals from non Disney hotels that are just as close)
See mousesavers.com for some examples.
I would avoid these if I could in any way, considering what you are looking for.
Good Luck & have fun!

I would think you'd get an even "lower budget crowd" offsite than on.


OP, I think you will have a great time at Pop if you're looking for a budget vacation that's still Disney!

 

[RalphMouth]

I'd personally go with the Mods (POFQ to be exact)
for me I want quiet after a day in the parks-
POFQ gets that for me plus I just love the boat ride over to DTD -

I didn't hate POP Resort when we stayed there but I never felt relaxed either-

 

[Stacy's a freak]

In my opinion, the biggest difference between the Values and the MODs/Deluxes is the theming. The decor at the Values is totally "in your face" with huge Disney icons, etc. There definitely is landscaping and it's not all concrete. BUT! Keep in mind that since the value buildings are cement, a lot of noise can bounce off of the walls. However, the MODs and Deluxes seem to have some other type of outside facade on the buildings which tends to absorb more sound. So I agree that the values can be a bit more noisy. Of all the values, I prefer POP. I like that it is a bit newer and the fact that they don't share bus service with any other resort (unlike All Stars).

 

[branv]

I would never describe Pop as relaxing, and we went during a low crowd time and faced a quiet area. Based on my personal experience, I would classify it anywhere from exhuberant to chaotic. But as you can read in this thread alone, "quiet" and "relaxing" is clearly subjective.

I do, however, find POFQ very relaxing.

 

[HopperFan]

Awesome pictures! I was worried about noise at POP, but this kinda makes me feel better.

What's the recomendation for a section close to the bus stops AND quietest?

Look at my Disney resorts below.......POP (3x so far) has been our quietest and most relaxing resort. I've never seen anything chaotic even when the Daisy pool is full. I have a child who has severe anxiety and panic issues triggered mostly by human sound and crowds............he loves POP.

On the grounds we barely pass other folks and we have been in May and 2x during free dining. The computer and bowling pin pools have virtually been empty. We have never NOT found a table in food court, the food lines are fast and all food cooked to order.

In our room (and we do alot of room time because son is disabled and needs time to relax) we have never heard our neighbors talk or tv. We hear the occasional turbo toilet. Most trips we never even pass anyone on walkways but mousekeeping and rarely shared an elevator. Sometimes I would wonder where these people are ???

We find the footprint so small that even being by lake (once 70's, and twice 50's) it is less than a 5 minutes to bus from the elevator....and we walk slow because of DS. I would rather pay standard, have a quiet lake view and walk a couple extra minutes to the main hub.

In terms of the low budget crowd comment.........I can stay at deluxe.......just choose not to so we can add Discovery Cove, Universal and go more often (3 per year).........I know plenty of folks who stay deluxe and act "low budget" so..........no guarantees anywhere on your hotel mates Manners know no boundaries.

 

[RJD]

I am staying at the Pop with my daughter and I am not all to happy with the answer from geokeim you get lower budget crowds at value resorts.just because I am staying at the POP does not mean I am low Class or low value.nor low budget.I have stayed at many resorts and the value just seems smart to me when your not going to be in your room except to sleep and shower.

Thank you rebe1968--my thoughts exactly. To OP we've stayed at Sports twice and have enjoyed the stay each time. If you are looking for relaxing, Music might be more for you. We walked around Music and it looks like the landscaping is a bit nicer and in general quieter than Sports.

 

[Lovetherodent]

We stayed at ASMovies, omgosh, almost 10 years ago already? It was fine. The themes are fun to the point of being cheesy. Personally, I like that. I have great pics from ASmo.

Couple of things to consider.
1. The rooms are rather cramped. Probably not a big deal if you're getting two.
2. Not the best experience with the bus service. The All Stars are huge and with the exception of the trip back to the resort after lunch for a nap (kids were little then), the buses were packed to standing room only.
3. It was terribly noisy. Definitely face away from the pool. I'd even recommend the back of the resort to cut down on the traffic going by your door.

 

[HopperFan]

There are ducks and bunnies, in some spots views of Illuminations and Wishes, and have seen fireworks at MGM as well. I feel very safe there. I have been there with DS alone, we go to the MNSSHPs and get back at 2 am to see CMs cleaning all over. I have never felt unsafe for one minute.

 

[geokeim]

The values are fine if that's what you like and choose to afford.
IMO though, it is not the ideal place to relax by the pool.
Younger children though, seem to thrive on that atmosphere.
Lack of money does not mean lack of class.
However there were a very few people who were purposely annoying.
(and while that can happen anywhere, I found it more prevalent here)

These resorts are more crowded and louder than the others.
They are nicely themed, and fine if this is what you like.
I am just saying that for what this nice family wants, they may
wish to explore other venues.

I did not wish to offend, simply state MY OPINION.

 

[ScarletFire]

I don't care for the value resorts. I find it difficult to relax. It's too loud and there are people out and about all hours of the night. For me, the resort experience is equal to the park experience. I enjoy reading a book at the quiet pool. I can't deal with all the commotion at the value resort pools. I hate the way everyone has to walk through the main pool area to get to the food court, buses, etc. I don't like to sit in the room but I don't find any of the value resort common areas very enticing. I refuse travel to Disney if I have to stay in a value resort. I really don't like them.

The deluxes are expensive but discounted rooms are available. We also occassionally rent DVC points. I've only stayed at a couple of DVC resorts but I understand they are all on par with deluxe accomodations. Your family would probably be very comfortable in a "1-bedroom". You should investigate the DVC forums.

We've taken Disney vacations during times of stress. It's good medicine.

 

[MomAndrea]

I have a very nice family and we choose to stay at value resorts.

One thing I have learned, both in life and on this board, is that you cannot buy class.

 

[northcapemaymom]

to you with the year you had! I hope your vacation is relaxing and fun. The value resorts are just fine - it just all depends on the atmosphere that you are used to on vacation. The values can get busy, but the Disney vibe is still there. We have stayed at Pop and Music and the resorts are fun. Having 2 rooms will definitely help you not feel cramped. If you're the types that like to drink coffee (or other concoctions ) on a balcony and like a private open window to gaze out of without anyone walking by, I'd go Deluxe. Enjoy!

 

[minnie61650]

I have stayed at all levels of Disney Resorts. My favorite Disney owned resort is All Star Music.

Here are a few reasons :



1. I can book a preferred room location.
The way All Star Music is laid out it "seems" smaller than most of the other Disney resorts. If I stay in a preferred building I only see the Calypso and Jazz builings on the way to and from the main pool and the bus stop and food court. Since I stay in preferred room I know I am going to be close to the food court, bus stop, & main pool.

2. I enjoy the theming at the All Stars. All Star Music is also is the quietest of the values. Generally less people stay there and there are more seniors and couples and less young children because children enjoy the themes of the other values more.

3. The bus service at the All Star Music is very good. Since I use an ECV good bus transportation is essential.

4. The entry at the values and Mods are much more Handicap friendly.
I am able to get in and out of my All Star room unassisted. This way my husband can go and play a round of golf and know I can leave my room to relax by the pool if I choose.
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All Star Music is my favorite resort. It tends to be the quietest of all the values.


All Star Music just underwent a refurbishment of all of the rooms and was completed in June 2007.


Here is a website with photos of the newly refurbished rooms at All Star Music.

Look at the Jazz Inn section with new posted:

http://allearsnet.com/acc/g_asmu.htm




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DH and I enjoy the landscaping and peacefulness of All Star Music.
We enjoy relaxing by the pool (there are plenty of chairs and lounges), and the beautiful lighting at the resort by night.


---------------------------------


I love The All Star Resorts.

I am 56 years old and travel several times a yearfor pleasure. I often stay at 3and 4 star and sometimes a 5 star hotels and motels.
So the deluxe and mod resorts are just another hotel/motel to me.
Staying at an All Star is like being in the heart of the Magic and that is where I want to be.

All Star Music is my favorite. It is quieter because more couples stay there. I love staying at the Calypso building. It is closer to the pool, food court and bus stop.

Here is a site with a map of All Star Sports and All Star Music.
http://www.wdwinfo.com/resortmaps/allstarmap.htm
Scroll down. All Star Music is at the bottom of the page.
The Calypso buildings at All Star Music are #1 and #10 are nearest to the food court and bus stop.

The Calypso pool at ASMu has Donald Duck.

The buses are wonderful.

Bus rides are quite short from the ALL Stars according to PassPorter.com

All Star Buses-CBR buses---POPbuses--PO buses--- Contemporary
MK 20 min---- 20 min-----25 min------10 min---20 min(mono)
Epcot 10 min-- 15 min-----20 min------10 min---15 min
MGM 10 min----12 min-----15 min------15 min---20min
AK 10 min------20min-------15 min----15 min---20 min
DTD 15 min----20 min------20 min-----15 min---35 min

It only takes 10 minutes to get to Epcot, MGM and AK from All Stars.
MK is 20 min away. That's the same amount of time it takes on the monorail from the Contemporary.

A WORD ABOUT BUS SHARING

To me Bus Sharing at the All Stars is really a non issue.

In the mornings during Park opening hours each All Star usually has a dedicated bus.
During mid day it is usually just our stop and maybe one more on the way to the parks. On the way back sometimes it is all 3 but often Sports and Movies share and Music has it's own bus back. Each of the All Stars usually has it's own dedicated bus back from the MK.
That is a big plus. It seems like the Music bus stop usually has the shortest of the three All Star bus lines.

I guess some people who stay at POP see all 3 All Star names on the return sign of our bus stop when they head to the POP bus stop and think All Stars also has 3 stops on the way to the park.
(Even when we stop at another AS resort to load up it has not taken more than 5 minutes and we are on our way!)

The pools at The All Stars are very kid friendly.

When staying at the All Stars you can use any of the All Star pools.That means 3 main pools ,3 quiet pools and 3 kiddie pools to chose from.

The All Star Movie Fantasia pool has Mickey.

The Calypso pool at ASMU has Donald Duck.

And the Surfs up pool at All Star Sports has giant surf boards.

Here are a few pool photos.

All Star Sports pool.

All Star Music Donald pool.

All Star Movies Mickey Pool.

I have visited WDW more than a dozen times with the 1st time in Oct. 1971. It was brand new. I've stayed at FW, Disney Inn, a few the of Hotels on hotel Blvd., CBR and the towers at the Contemporary. I got to see the MK from my balcony at the Contemporary and I'm happy I got to experience it once. I just prefer the All Star Resorts.
The theming is pure Disney.

My last 6 visits have been at The All Stars and during the fall of 2005 when we took dd,dsil, and our grandson age 3(at the time) for 8 nights we stayed at the All Stars Music. I thought about AKL and even though we can well afford AKL I just wanted Alex to experience the Disney Magic at the All Stars on his first visit.
Where else can one find Donald Duck or Mickey Mouse at the pool?

Have fun at Disney!

 

[TifffanyD]

We've stayed at ASMo, POP, and AKL. The atmosphere at the values is fun! It's vibrant and lots of huge icon figures - better pics than some of the other hotels I think. Oh, I wanted to add that it's just me and DF - both adults. The rooms are smaller but not tiny - both times at values we have gotten King beds and handicap rooms so not sure what a standard looks like. The pools are nice and I actually preferred having "quiet" pools over the one giant pool at AKL. No hot tubs tho. The food court is CRAZY busy but it has a lot more choices than the Mara did. And the food is ready quicker. The bus service - well I think the crowds and slow buses follow me wherever I go so

I think you'll have fun at the values so long as you aren't wanting fancy spas and restaurants in your hotel.

 

[Kimberly Hill]

The values are fine if that's what you like and choose to afford.
IMO though, it is not the ideal place to relax by the pool.
Younger children though, seem to thrive on that atmosphere.
Lack of money does not mean lack of class.
However there were a very few people who were purposely annoying.
(and while that can happen anywhere, I found it more prevalent here)

These resorts are more crowded and louder than the others.
They are nicely themed, and fine if this is what you like.
I am just saying that for what this nice family wants, they may
wish to explore other venues.

I did not wish to offend, simply state MY OPINION.

I got it. While we enjoy staying at the Values (heading to Pop in 17 days), I can equate it to non-Disney cruising.

What you see/hear/experience on a 3-day cruise to the Bahamas is often very different from what you see/hear/experience on a 7+ day cruise and even that's different from what you see/hear/experience on an 11-day Panama Canal cruise.

 

[minnie61650]

The values are fine if that's what you like and choose to afford.


IMO though, it is not the ideal place to relax by the pool.
Younger children though, seem to thrive on that atmosphere.
Lack of money does not mean lack of class.
However there were a very few people who were purposely annoying.
(and while that can happen anywhere, I found it more prevalent here)

These resorts are more crowded and louder than the others.
They are nicely themed, and fine if this is what you like.
I am just saying that for what this nice family wants, they may
wish to explore other venues.

I did not wish to offend, simply state MY OPINION.

Why do some people seem to think that only those who lack money would stay at a value resort?

My hubby owns a multi million dollar company.
We pay more per year in personal income tax then most families make in a year.

Does that make our family any better than other families who visit Disney whether they stay DVC, Deluxe,mod, value or offsite?
NO!

More fortuate than some but not better.




We have stayed at all levels of Disney resorts (with the exception of DVC)and I found the atmosphere and the service to be much better at All Star Music than it was at the Contemporary Resort.

Sometimes we choose to stay at the Swan/Dolphin resorts ( which are true 4 star resorts and they have stellar customer service not to mention the most heavely beds and bedding) but when I choose to stay at a Disney owned resort I will choose an All Star any time.

JMHO

 

[iheartdisney]

The grounds at music is fun to walk...As you go from area to area, the backgroun music changes! this was my favorite "magic" when we got stuck in the country music building one trip. Our first onsite stays were at the all stars, back when I was a teen, and we loved it. Its alot of fun.

 

[samiet620]

Hi, This is my first time going to WDW so I don't know much. I do however know loss and family trials. I just wanted to extend my sympathy for the trial your family has gone through. How wonderful that you are getting together in this magical place where good memories were born. I hope that it is the first step towards healing and that the new memories will continue to bring a smile and a song to your heart. Where ever you decide to stay may your trip be a wonderful one, God Bless and have a nice trip.

 

[Disney Anna]

I've stayed at all level of resorts (DVC, Deluxe, Moderate and Value) and have enjoyed them all. I have visited each resort even tho I have not stayed in them all.

For me, all the resorts are great. The theming is really personal taste. My favorite is Wilderness Lodge. I also love the PO Riverside. Third would be Yacht Club.

For location, I think all are fine, but I think the EPCOT resorts are best.

As for noise, I think this depends most on time of year. When it's crowded, even the deluxes are noisy and overwhelming. Not fun for me. When crowds are low, it's quiet and peaceful. This is as true for deluxes as for values. The POR food court is a zoo when it's crowded. In off times, it's a delight.

For me, time of year/time of day is biggest factor. My #1 thing is to avoid crowds and this really effects my experience.