Deluxe Kind of Guy ----> Considering Value!

[rotlex]

Just another opinion from someone who has stayed the gamut recently. After trying them all over the years, our family, myself, wife and 5 year old daughter, are going value again next year. Why? We use the room to sleep, and nothing else. I realize this is totally dependant on the person, but, when we add up the difference in cost as you have, I'd MUCH rather spend the extra bucks on food, fun or just "stuff". The values are just that. A GREAT value, nicely themed, Disney Resort. We love em'. (Actually, our daughter prefers them to anywhere we stay due to the themes alone)!

 

[Baby Yeti]

Now I am getting worried about staying at a value next month after staying at Deluxes. I mean, I think I know what to expect going in, but after staying at WL so many times and then SSR, I am afraid it will be hard to handle. Is there really THAT much of a difference in the rooms? I've seen the pictures, and it looks a lot like the moderates. We are staying at a value because we are going with other family members who don't think it's worth the money to stay at deluxe, so I said, "OK, we'll do the value." Now I am afraid I'm going to have a meltdown when I get there having never stayed value before.

I guess I will have to look forward to our January trip at AKL, which I have always wanted to stay at.

Any post-deluxe-value-stayers have any advice?

 

[marivaid]

Is there really THAT much of a difference in the rooms?

IMO,no there isn't. (Which is why I have a hard time booking a moderate - to me, either we want to go cheap and then Value is the way, or we want to go all out and book a Deluxe.)

Things you get a moderate that you don't get in a value
- Slightly larger rooms
- Nicer pool with slide
- Hot Tub
- Fridge & coffeemaker in room at no extra charge
- TS restaurant on site

For transportation, just because you pay more doesn't mean buses get better. I'd pick the bus service at ASMO or POP over BWI any day.

 

[rotlex]

IMO,no there isn't. (Which is why I have a hard time booking a moderate - to me, either we want to go cheap and then Value is the way, or we want to go all out and book a Deluxe.)

Things you get a moderate that you don't get in a value
- Slightly larger rooms
- Nicer pool with slide
- Hot Tub
- Fridge & coffeemaker in room at no extra charge
- TS restaurant on site

For transportation, just because you pay more doesn't mean buses get better. I'd pick the bus service at ASMO or POP over BWI any day.

Total agreement here - especially with the BUS situation, LOL. We stayed at CBR just a few weeks ago, and while it had "it's own bus", I found the service less than desirable at best. Long waits, plus the "8 stops at the resort alone" made it quite a hassle. I'd take POP over it any day as well regarding transportation.

Frankly, we are the same with value vs moderate now. For the nearly twice the cost of a value, a moderate, is just not worth it to us. If we ARE going to go with anything other than a value, it will definitely be at a deluxe!

 

[minnie61650]

Now I am getting worried about staying at a value next month after staying at Deluxes. I mean, I think I know what to expect going in, but after staying at WL so many times and then SSR, I am afraid it will be hard to handle. Is there really THAT much of a difference in the rooms? I've seen the pictures, and it looks a lot like the moderates. We are staying at a value because we are going with other family members who don't think it's worth the money to stay at deluxe, so I said, "OK, we'll do the value." Now I am afraid I'm going to have a meltdown when I get there having never stayed value before.

I guess I will have to look forward to our January trip at AKL, which I have always wanted to stay at.

Any post-deluxe-value-stayers have any advice?

IMHO there is not much difference in the value rooms VS. the moderate rooms.
I have stayed at all levels of the Disney resorts.
I travel several times a year for pleasure and often stay at 4 star and some 5 star resorts.
When I am at Disney I am busy enjoying the parks, dining out, shopping and exploring. Quite often I will go back to my value resort for an afternoon swim but otherwise I am not spending much time at my home resort so I do not even miss the extra admenties that a mod or deluxe offer.
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There is not much room size difference between a mod and a value.

Here is the layout of a mod.
The bathroom is about the same size as the All Stars but you will have 2 sinks instead of one.

POR room lay out

here is the All Star room layout'

All Star room layout

The mod has 54 square feet more than the value.
That means if both the mod and the value room were 27 feet long than the mod would be 2 feet wider. That means two extra feet between the foot of the bed and TV. There is just enough room for a double sink (or at CSR a single sink with a larger counter top) instead of a single.

Also the mod resorts have bulker furniture so sometimes the mod room seems even smaller than a value room!

To me there is not a lot of room size difference.

Have fun at WDW!

 

[rlyrehc]

We have stayed at deluxes, 1 mod and just this past April, my daughter and I decided that we would stay at a value. (I couldn't justify the cost without the whole family.) We were totally not impressed with the room but we were happy that we made the choice because soon after we left the park we were "home." The guest services desk was able to make ressies for us and check old passes for remaining days. (One had 5 days-EUREKA!!) Our main reason for being happy with our choice was that we were able to utilize the extra magic hours in the evening. We were able to enjoy every single ride in the magic kingdom (our favorite park.) We entered at 9 after our late evening flight and finished at 1. That being said, we had many a laugh making fun of our room. You can get MUCH more for your money staying at one of the close hotels offsite or even a home-away-from-home (both of which we've also done). If you have the option of extra evening magic hours it's a no brainer for us: take the BASIC room and bathroom in exchange for the chance to do the evening hours and sleep in late the next morning. If not, spend the same amount of money and stay off-site and get much more luxurious accomodations. If I had to stay on-site I would opt for the mod and use the $400 for the extra things I want to do. Either way: HAVE FUN!!!!!

 

[minnie61650]

Most of the "extra "space at AKL and WL is the bathroom area.
And that really isn't bigger just laid out different with an extra door.
The extra room ,the extra square footage is actually the entry hallway!
Here is the room layout of POR:

POR room lay out

Here is the room layout of AKL:

AKL room layout

Have fun wherever you choose to stay!

 

[jel0511]

Personally the hotels you're saying are deluxe hotels, aren't really deluxe IMO. Just like all Disney hotels aren't true deluxe hotels. I can't wait until the Four Seasons opens its doors, it will really raise the bar for Disney. IMO, all the deluxe hotels at WDW are equal to a REALLY nice Hilton or Marriott, and not in the league of a Four Seasons or resort Ritz Carlton(yes there is a difference between their resorts and business hotels). I usually stay deluxe or DVC when staying at WDW, and have stayed value. Values are GREAT when it's only two adults or one adult and two kids, anything more than that, it's too crowded for me. I stayed at ASMo with my DH and my DD and swore I'd never stay with that many people again. I went with just my kids (just myself and 2 kids) and it was fine. So with just you and your wife, I'd say you'll be fine.

 

[outlander]

What a great thread! Everyone has given such thoughtful and helpful answers. I find myself asking the same questions, so it's good to see it all answered here. Thanks for starting this topic!

 

[doodle]

We've stayed at both deluxes and values. My advice is to either stay deluxe or do a split stay. Disney moves your luggage for you and that way you get a taste of both types and you will know better what suits you for future trips because if you are at all like all of us.......you will return to Disney!!!!

As far as which value to chose, I prefer AS to POP. We found the noise level at POP to be very bad - we heard everything and it really about ruined the trip for me. I know there are POP fans and if may have just been a fluke but we have never had that problem at AS resorts.

Hope you have a wonderful trip!!!

 

[Dopey420]

We usually stay deluxe but last time we split between SSR and Pop Century. Never again saying at a value.

Here's an example of what you deal with at the values:

Someone dropped a chili dog on the stairwell at Pop Century on Friday. When I checked out Sunday, it was still there.

Conversely, at SSR it rained one day. 5 minutes after it quit raining, there was a cast member sweeping the rainwater off the stairwells.

more cigarette smokers at the values.
louder kids at the values
rooms are so small that before the door opens all the way, the door hits the bed

 

[outlander]

rooms are so small that before the door opens all the way, the door hits the bed

See...I'm not sure I could handle that! I know we don't spend a lot of time in our rooms but I really don't like to feel cramped, even when I'm asleep. There are six in our family (two adults, four children) so, we have to get TWO rooms during our stay. Even spread out over two rooms, I don't feel like there is enough space! Though, I really, really like the layout at AKL because we can have two people taking showers while the rest are getting ready at the separate double sinks! Sinks not IN the shower area is a great idea.

 

[Studios94]

I just got back yesterday from a week long stay at POP. I am a DVC'er and have stayed in DVC villas (usually VWL) for the last several vacations to WDW. I have also stayed in several non-DVC deluxe hotels at WDW. For my non-WDW travels, I have spent my fair share of time at Ritz Carlton resorts.

Considering that my family and I spent a week at the VWL in May, I didn't plan on returning this year until I heard about the free dining deal. We decided to save $$ on the room and use the savings to pay for V&A, etc.

I was apprehensive about staying at POP but my husband and I both enjoyed our stay. We have a 14 month old baby and she loved the kiddie pool and pop jet area. The rooms were adequate---nothing fancy but they were very clean. I knew not to expect deluxe amenities so I wasn't disappointed.

If you want to relax at your resort, hang out in the hot tub, etc., the values aren't for you. If you plan to spend a nominal amount of time at your resort because you're at the parks/golfing/enjoying spa treatments, then you may want to consider POP.

 

[themilesfamily]

To the OP, I read your DW's itinerary and it sounds like you'll be spending a lot of time away from the hotel -- but I still vote for sticking with the deluxe.

We've ALWAYS stayed at the value resorts, but for our next trip I've put my foot down and told my DH we're upgrading for at least part of our stay. On our last visit, there was one day I couldn't make it to the parks -- feet were killing me, blisters etc. -- and I stayed behind while DH and DD went without me. Sitting in that tiny, dark value room all day long was incredibly depressing. It was pouring rain, so the pool wasn't an option. My only other choice would have been to go sit in the food court. It would have been nice to have had a restaurant to go to or even a cool lobby to plop down in and people watch.

My vote is for deluxe:

1) Balconies
2) More dining options than a food court
3) More recreation options
4) More transportation options to the parks -- monorails, launches, walk to park, etc.

 

[nurse.darcy]

Okay so on this last trip we stayed at Asmu. . .it was clean and fine with my son but when we went exploring hotels we decided that for the money we would rather stay at the Swan/Dolphin and forego the values. Pricewise they offer a great discount and are deluxes all the way. My son LOVES the atmosphere at WL but since I can save nearly 100 at the Swan/Dolphin over the WL, its just the better choice for me. Oh and we don't buy the dining plan because we don't eat like that. I saved money NOT buying the dining.

 

[TnTWalter]

I wrote a really long post explaining my experiences, etc. but really it's simple....

It's all about the attitude you bring to the trip.

If you stay value so that you can spend that money on things you wouldn't do otherwise and that's your goal this trip, then the value is the right choice. If you go expecting a deluxe experience, then you should stay deluxe and enjoy the resort.

We have traveled all over and stay at all levels of hotels, from a Super 8 idea to a Ritz Carlton, and we've enjoyed most of them. It's all about what type of vacation experience you're planning.

Trish

 

[njchris]

I'm taking a different view here.

I've stayed as far up as the Animal Kingdom lodge. I love that place. It is soo relaxing. I went from 2 trips ago a stay at the AKL, to my last trip at All Star Movies.

I still had a blast. I was worried I wouldn't. But I let myself enjoy the moment... I enjoyed the huge displays around the resort. My room was fine. And the door did NOT hit the bed when I opened it.

The only thing I did opt for was a room NOT facing the inside. (meaning facing out in the direction of the parking lots). It was quiet and I had ZERO problems.

Considering $900 could get you a lot during the day when you are out and about, i would pick that. Unless you are going to spend full days most of the time at the resort, I'd use the money for other things.

 

[StrwLady]

Now I am getting worried about staying at a value next month after staying at Deluxes. I mean, I think I know what to expect going in, but after staying at WL so many times and then SSR, I am afraid it will be hard to handle. Is there really THAT much of a difference in the rooms?

Knowing what a deluxe room offers here are some differenced I see in a value. Slightly smaller room, full size beds, plastic cups and plastic ice bucket, one sink and smaller dressing/bathroom area, slightly smaller less plush towels, an open closet and no in room coffee/coffee maker. There may be more differences but thats all I can think of for now.

I will say during my first stay at a value after many consecutive deluxe trips, after a few nights in the room I missed the little touches of a deluxe. Did it make me miserable? No. My last 2 trips to a value I was perfectly happy.


I will say what I love about the values is the food courts. Thats a big plus to me if you eat counter service at the hotel often. There are just so many more choices. I think the Pop has the best food court followed by the Movies. The Music and Sports food courts are pretty much the same.

 

[lustergirl]

We usually stay deluxe but last time we split between SSR and Pop Century. Never again saying at a value.

Here's an example of what you deal with at the values:

Someone dropped a chili dog on the stairwell at Pop Century on Friday. When I checked out Sunday, it was still there.

Conversely, at SSR it rained one day. 5 minutes after it quit raining, there was a cast member sweeping the rainwater off the stairwells.

more cigarette smokers at the values.
louder kids at the values
rooms are so small that before the door opens all the way, the door hits the bed

Mmmm......... very interesting and I have some questions:

Did you take a poll to see if there were actually more smokers at the values?
Did you take a poll to see if there were actually more louder kids at the values?

I think you are making a generalization here that is borderline offensive to some people who stay at one of the value resorts. Loud kids and smoking people can happen at any one of the resorts, not just the values.

 

[minnie61650]

........rooms are so small that before the door opens all the way, the door hits the bed

The bed is very close to door at Pop.
There is more room between the door and the bed at the All Star resorts.

Both Pop and the All Star rooms are 260 square feet.

The beds at the All Stars are movable.

the beds at Pop at bolted to the floor.

The far bed at an All Star is closer to wall. And the near bed is not as close to the doorway as it is at Pop

The far bed at Pop is pulled away from the wall more. The near bed is closer to door.

http://allearsnet.com/acc/asmv59.jpg

http://allearsnet.com/acc/popcent56.jpg

For most people that would not make a difference but since I need an ECV
the bed being so near the door at Pop makes it more difficult for me to back my EVC in.