Can a Deluxe Girl Go Value?

[mbaker1277]

We are in the process of planning a 8 day trip for January 2006. It will my 7yr. old daughter, my husband, and myself. For the last 5 or 6 years we have done only deluxe resorts, with the exception of a really bad 3 night stay at POR.
We usually split our stay between 2 resorts, and we already know that one will be the Yacht Club.
My question is, have any of you stayed recently at a Value resort when you are used to a deluxe, and if so how has it been? We can get 3 nights at a value for the price of 1 night in a deluxe. I know some will suggest a moderate, but honestly I don't see that much difference between a value and a moderate, except the price. So do you think a deluxe girl can go value?

 

[grimley1968]

I don't see why not. You might want to make the Deluxe resort the last part of your stay, if you're going to split between a deluxe and a value, just so you get the resort extras at the end of your trip, when you might be getting weary of the parks.

 

[dizplanner]

Everyone is different, so what worked for my family may not work for yours. However given that, I've done both deluxes and values. We've stayed at WL, BWI, Poly and Pop Century. Our last trip was at Pop. We have a family of four and I got two rooms at the Pop.

Pros of Pop:
Buses seemed to be more frequent.
Food court, easy to get breakfast or realtively inexpensive dinner
Two bathrooms and both kids had their own bed

Cons:
Buses were more crowded, often standing room only
No hot tub or slide at pool
Double beds

Decor was better at deluxes and they had sit down restaurants, although that didn't matter too much to me as I will eat where I want, regardless of where I stay

We don't tend to use all the deluxe aminities, so some of the other missing things were not too important to us

We enjoyed our stay at the Pop Century. While deluxes are nicer and I do prefer them, as you said, they are often almost 3 times the cost and that is sometimes hard to justify.

We ended up buying DVC (via resale). Our first stay will be next March, so I'll see if that is the way to go.

 

[lovewdwdvc]

Our last stay was spolt between POP and SSR. I love SSR but we could have been happy at POP. Especially our 7 year old. The theming is refreshing and very fun.

The older kids like the adventure that comes with the deluxes and DVC but out 7 year old just has fun.

Sure you can do it and have lost of fun too.

 

[hightown]

For me, I'll admit it's hard going value. I don't dislike POP and at times my budget demands it. However I do miss things like:
Coffee maker in room
Balcony
Valet or a parking area convient to the building or main entrance
Sit down Restaurant choices
Interior corridors
Bell Services
Full Room service-we don't use on all delux trips but it's been a nice treat on a couple of occasions.

The buses do run frequently but the crowds! We were there in June trying to get to MGM. 3 buses came at about the same time and packed us in like sardiines.

But the pool is nice for kids and the food court is fast and efficient.

Of everywhere we've stayed, YC is our all time favorite. It's just great there. However our next trip is going to be back to the French Quarter. At least can get my morning coffee and it's smaller.

For short trips, I'll probably do it again but most of the time I'm there, I'm wishing to be somewhere else.

 

[Seahunt]

Yes, sure you CAN do it - but for some reason to me (at Disney especially) the resort is a very important part of my vacation, and if you're the same way you really have to consider if you will have regrets.

Now in my case, my husband and our friends that travel with us sometimes could care less and would be perfectly happy anywhere, but I'm the problem person in the budgeting!

Of course, you'll have a fantastic time no matter what - just make sure you have that "looking forward to it" feeling whatever one you book!

 

[NotTooGoofy]

Part of the decision might be based on how long you think you'll be staying in your room. Value resort rooms are significantly smaller than deluxe rooms so if you bring a lot luggage or buy a lot of souvenirs, it may seem like you've run out of floor space. So this might become a nuissance if you're in the room much.

I stayed at POP last March and my room was facing the bowling pin pool. With no indoor corridors, this resulted in having to listen to crowd noise late into the evening. So if you stay in a value resort, you may want a room that doesn't face a high traffic area.

Finally, if you are used to having a large bed to sleep in with your DH, sleeping in a double bed may cause some difficult sleeping. The queen size bed in a deluxe room is really nice.

This is not to say value resorts are worth it - they are, but you just have to manage expectations and the comments in this thread's post do a good job of that.

Good luck!

 

[AlexandNessa]

Being totally honest and being a deluxe girl myself, I would say no. Would you consider renting points from a DVC member to stay at the BCV or BWV or WLV instead of a Value resort? You could probably get a studio for $10-12 a point, if your plans are firm, and it would only cost you 12 points a night Sunday through Thursday in January, and that covers a BCV, WLV, or BWV preferred view studio. If you want just a standard view studio at the BWV, then it's only 9 points per night. You may find a fellow DISer able to help you right on the boards. Just a thought and JMHO.

 

[rcraw45425]

As a deluxer that just did a moderate for the first (and last according to DH) time, unh-uh. We were very disappointed with POFQ, felt extremely isolated from the magic, CM's were almost rude, resort allowed to become dirty, trash left on sidewalks and in front of rooms for days. Never again he says.

 

[paladin]

My husband and I always stay deluxe. He, in fact, would rather stay home than stay anywhere other than the Epcot area (he is not the Disney nut in the family, so convenience and enjoying the resort are a big part of the vacation to him - he can take or leave WDW). I on the other hand have stayed in the values (all of the All Stars, but not POP) in order to be able to afford additional solo trips. I did enjoy them, especially knowing I was getting addtional trips). (My thought on the moderates is that if I have to take a bus everywhere, then I might as well stay at a Value - purely a transportation issue, as I have heard that the moderates are very nice).

 

[Tinkaroo]

The main thing for me is the size difference in the rooms. Particularly coming from (or going to) the YC, you will see a big difference. We stayed one night at Pop in April (before staying a week at AKL), and I literally almost had to stand on the bed so my DH could wheel our 2 rolling suitcases into the room. And we're just 2 adults! I don't know how families do it in these rooms, but I guess getting 2 would help.

I've also only stayed at the Swan and AKL thus far, so particularly with the AKL, I'm not talking about the largest rooms on property. I thought the Pop rooms were small by even Hampton Inn / Fairfield Inn standards.

I would stay at a Value if it was the only way I could afford to be on-site, but I definitely don't want to go any lower than the moderates if I don't have to. We loved CBR, and will likely be trying out POFQ at the tail-end of our Dec. trip (if I don't upgrade us to BWI ).

 

[minnie61650]

I prefer the All Stars.
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.
They are the preferred buildings and cost about $12 extra per night.
The Calypso pool at ASMU has Donald Duck.

Here is the map of All Movies.
http://www.wdwinfo.com/resortmaps/allstarmovie.JPG
The Fantasia Buildings are the perred buildings.
The All Star Movie Fantasia pool has Mickey.
The buses are wonderful.
Bus rides are shorter from ALL Stars than POP according to PassPorter.com

bus ride times :
All Stars Buses ---------Pop buses---------WL buses------Contemorary buses
20 min MK ----------- 25 min MK -----------8 min (boat)MK-----20 min (monorail)
10 min Epcot --------20 min Epcot--------10 min Epcot-------15 min (monorail)
10 min MGM -------- 15 min MGM--------15 min MGM--------20 min
10 min AK ------------15 min AK-----------15 min AK------------20 min
15 min DTD --------- - 20 min DTD---------25 min DTD---------35 min



It takes about 20 min.to get to MK but, Epcot,MGM,and AK are only 10 min.away which is one the of the resons I the All Star Resorts --they can't be beat. 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 theaming is pure Disney.
My last 4 visits have been at The All Stars and this fall when we take dd,dsil, and our grandson age 3 we are staying 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. I can hardly wait.
Linda
Just 62 more days
_

 

[Daryl]

I am a deluxe guy, but I have discovered that kids LOVE the value resorts. I once split a stay between the All Star Music and the YC. My friends DD actually Cried when we had to leave the All Star. They can't get enough of the pools at the all stars and they seem to love the oversized icons and food courts. They could care less about the amenities we love at the deluxe resorts. I agree with Grimley. Maybe start at the Pop Century then move to a deluxe. You'll save a lot and still have time at the resort you really like. Just be sure to prep your child for the switch. The bottom line is no matter what you'll be on property at WDW and you can't beat that.

 

[KYCruiseCrazy]

just remember this if you are a person who thinks the room is for sleeping and showering the value is for you. if you are the type who likes to spend $300 plus a nite for a room the deluxe is for you. just think about that $77 or $299 a nite.

 

[robinb]

I will happily stay in a Value resort for a short stay of 3-4 days. Any more that and I miss the amenities of the moderates and deluxe resorts.

FWIW, Here are my opinions on the advantages/disadvantages of each level:

Advantage of Value over Moderates and Deluxes
* Price.
* Food Courts for quick meals.
* Pop Century has its own bus.
* All Stars resorts share busses, but there is usually very little wait on either end.

Disadvantage of Values
* Small rooms.
* Double or King sized beds only.
* Large groups can sometimes be rowdy.
* No pool slide or hot tub.
* external corridors.
* Pizza delivery only.

Advantage of Moderate over Values
* Nicer feature pools with slides and hot tubs.
* Bigger rooms.
* Sit-down restaurants (all but POFQ).
* Real bars in main area plus pool bar, not just pool bar (except POP).
* Nicer food court, it's not just one big room.
* No giant icons.

Disadvantages of Moderates
* Double or King sized beds only.
* Can be spread out and most need an internal bus system.
* External corridors.
* Pizza delivery only.

Advantage of Deluxe over Moderates and Values
* Bigger rooms yet. Many can sleep 5 people.
* Queen or King sized beds.
* Large variety of sit-down restaurants.
* Nicer feature pools, many with zero entry.
* Internal corridors.
* All have sliding glass doors and most have balconies or patios.
* Most have special proximity to parks: monorail/boat to MK, walk/boat to
Epcot/MGM.
* Room service.
* Valet parking.

Disadvantage of Deluxes
* Epcot deluxes do not have snack shops for a quick meal, except the Beach Club Marketplace.
* Price.
* Busses are often shared, especially the Epcot resorts. The ride can take a long time.
* Self parking can be difficult, especially at the monorail hotels.

 

[Luigi's Girl]

So do you think a deluxe girl can go value?

Not this girl!
I hope that doesn't sound snobby but since you asked I had to tell you the truth!

 

[LuluLovesDisney]

Wow!
Robin, that list was very comprehensive!

IMHO, I think you are doing the best thing: spend 2 or 3 nights there to see if you like it, if not, don't try it again!

Personal experience- I always stayed Mod when I went w family- 1 stay at Dixie Landings, 4 stays at CBR. I love CBR and I think it's a great resort. I spent one night in Pop, in all fairness, I was in the room for about 4 hours (we got to our room after midnight, took a swim, got back to the room around 1:30 and woke up at 6 am to get to EMH at Epcot. ) but I thought it was nice- not Deluxe, but I wasn't expecting that. Had a king size bed, so that wasn't an issue, buses were great, didn't eat at the food court, pool was cute and fun- I don't slide anyway, but did miss the hot tub. One problem was the noise from the plumbing- twice I was woken up by it! The other disappointment was lack of Mickey toiletries- soap, shampoo, etc. I just missed them. Other than that I liked it! I will be staying there for 2 nights in Jan! I had a Land and Sea Cruise- 3 nights at the Poly, 4 nights at sea and I wanted to add a little extra time and found a very cheap flight that left 2 days later, so I budgeted and added Pop! This time, I'll be able to give a more fully formed opinion.

I agree that if you have a longer stay, splitting resorts is a good idea. Do value first when you have tons of energy for the parks. Then enjoy the amenities at the Deluxe when you will be at the resort to enjoy them.

 

[robinb]

Wow!
Robin, that list was very comprehensive!

Thanks! I'm always looking for additions to it. I have refined it over the past year as this kind of question comes up a lot.

FWIW, I really enjoyed our stay at Pop last year. We hunkered down there while Charley went over us!

 

[mbaker1277]

Thanks for all of your help! It has been at least 9 years since we have stayed in a value resort. We were actually the first ones to ever stay in the room at the All Star Music. Of course back then we did not have a child, and were used to staying off-property, so it was a treat for us. But, we had a very long walk to the common areas and bus stop, and I was pregnant at the time, and that did not go over too well.
We really love our deluxe resorts, but I always want to try something new, and POP or All Star Movies would be a new experience for us, along with the split stay at the Yacht Club. So I think we will do it and split our stay between the two. Then I will report back and tell you if a deluxe girl can really go value! Thanks again!

 

[antmaril]

Nope, I can't do it. I admit it. I haven't even been able to book a moderate since I started staying in deluxe resorts. It just isn't going to happen.