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

[StrwLady]

My last stay at the Pop was mid August the Pop was full to capacity. Our room was in the 70's bldg facing the lake 2 rooms from the end of the breezeway. I had no problem with noise. I can see experiencing noise if you are in an inside facing room or facing a pool. I was amazed at the number of noisy inconsiderate people in the pool at 3am. (we did a lot of extra magic hours ) or ones walking back to their rooms after 10pm or 11pm. I would imagine on down times this probably is much less of a problem. Even when school groups are there seeing most of the kids will have a strict curfew.

As for as cleanliness of the resort, I can honestly say I felt the grounds were just as clean as any deluxe. And my most recent value stays have been in the summer when they were quite full if not full to capacity. In August we did late nights every night because of the heat. Most every night when we came back they where outside pressure washing the walkways.

 

[f7prez]

We tend to stay in the higher end hotels. However the prices Disney charges for their Deluxe resorts is over the top. I guess they have to offset the cost for the "free" shuttle service from the airport. I would at least stay in a MOD. CSR and POR are our two favorites. I think you would be disappointed in a Value resort. My guess is that you would prefer this:

Over this:

and this:

over this:

 

[Mouseaholic!!!]

Hi -

If you enjoy the atmosphere of a Delux hotel when you travel....you will enjoy the Delux hotels at WDW.

I don't think it's really about bed size or what size your bathroom is. When you submerge yourself in the theme of a delux Disney resort you will completely understand.

My husband and I LOVE Riverside....have had fabulous stays at Caribbean Beach. We have both stayed at Value Resorts but our favorite is an EPCOT resort during the Christmas season (World showcase in the evening) and WL any other time of year.

Walk into the WL and the theming will take you completely away from the frenetic pace of WDW.....to someplace beautiful. You will never have that feeling at a Value.

We enjoy our resorts and no longer spend morning to midnight in a park - perhaps that is a factor as well. We both enjoy our WDW holidays MORE now because we no longer feel we have to run-run-run. We now savor the work the imagineers did for us.....smell a rose, visit a flower garden, afternoon at the pool or laugh at minature golf. You will enjoy your quiet time far more at a delux

Please don't get me wrong.....for some of us, that's all we can afford .... or care to spend for a Disney holiday. If you have the $$$, a move to a Delux resort is worth it.

Again, I travel extensively for work and I appreciate what a delux hotel offers. If you fall into that category.....you will be much happier at a delux vs. a value.

my 2 cents

 

[teach22180]

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.

I would say that you've forgotten the double sink and curtain you can pull to hide the sink from the rest of the room. That was what we missed from a MOD to ASMo. Other than that, I noticed no differences.

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

ASMo was perfectly clean for a week in August. I agree with PP's who say it is good to have a room not facing the pools! And, our door didn't hit our bed? I've never stayed in a deluxe, but wanted to visit WL and eat in their food court! I couldn't believe they don't really have one, so we didn't get over to see the place! We needed food, and I thought we could "kill two birds" by visiting and eating. Ah well, something for next year...

 

[marivaid]

I would say that you've forgotten the double sink and curtain you can pull to hide the sink from the rest of the room. That was what we missed from a MOD to ASMo.

I heard they have that at ASMU now in the new refurbed rooms
It's a nice plus, especially if you have kids.

And, our door didn't hit our bed?

Yeah, I'm not sure where that one came from either. We had a room with 2 beds at POP, and room with a king at ASMO, and the door never hit any of the beds.

 

[Rescue Ranger]

I've only stayed at value once and that was for one night which was fine, but probably wont do it again unless it was for just a night or two maybe and you dont plan on staying at the resort much. Its great for kids though. The pools are fun and they have lots of fun things to look at and walk through, but they are nicer to visit than stay at.

You should be more than fine with some Moderate resorts, we LOVE Port Orleans, both sides are fantastic and I think you'd love it. I love Grand Floridian, Animal Kingdom is one of my favs to stay at lots of times, but I'll also prefer to stay at Port Orleans lots of times. Just because something has the deluxe label, doesnt mean its "better", many times its just that they offer more and/or are bigger. The moderate and Deluxe resorts you can kinda group together depending on what you're looking for. I'd say go for Caribbean Beach, Swan/Dolphin or Port Orleans River Side and if you really want to do deluxe and still save, go Animal Kingdom. Though I recommend most, if you wanna save and still have an excellent hotel, Port Orleans from my experience.

 

[figaromeetsmarie]

Here is a Picture of the Pop's Room

 

[figaromeetsmarie]

Here is a Picture of the Boardwalk's Room

 

[ElizabethB]

We recently stayed two nights at AS Sports followed by six nights at GF RPC. Now there's a comparison for you. Of course, the difference was very marked. GF RPC was very luxurious and great fun and even though I agree with some posters that WDW Deluxe never really equals say Four Seasons, well GF RPC was pretty impressive.

Having said that, we didn't think AS Sports was bad at all. We were busy at the parks those days until about midnight both nights and the place was clean and comfortable for sleeping. The resort was definitely a good value. We didn't like some things -- you can hear the toilets flushing in other rooms which was annoying and we though a curtain between the sink/dressing area (like the moderates have) would be helpful. (Actually, we felt a curtain or door in the dressing area at GF would be helpful, too!) We also thought the food court at ASSp was a bit of an insane mess (but we weren't impressed with Gasparilla Grill at GF either!).

What we did like -- the price(!), the theming (quite cute we thought), the convenient parking. We had a rental car and we liked that we could park near the room and hop easily into our car to go to the parks or other resorts. We didn't use the buses (we never do -- hate 'em).

So, what's the upshot of all of this? Well, GR RPC is wonderful if you feel like splurging. If you feel like a park-focused trip, we saw nothing wrong with AS Sports. The room didn't really feel any smaller than CSR frankly.

A couple of things you might consider if you choose a value -- spring for a preferred room with king size bed -- I think the rooms don't have a tub just a walk on shower, but the king bed would be worth it. Or -- you could consider an ASMu family suite -- separate sitting area, kitchenette and queen bed -- that would be a good way to ease into a value stay to see what you think.

Good luck with your decision!

 

[keith-atl]

DIS'ers'

My DW (Pikaboo27) believes you know all that is disney resorts and WDW. So now i need your help! I am a deluxe resort kind of guy (Read this as, "when i travel stay at the Marriott Marquis NYC, Michigan Mile Marriott, Four Seasons in Half Moon Bay, Sonoma Valley Mission Inn By Fairmont in Napa Valley, and for our very DISNEYmoon in Oct. 2005, the CR").

This all being said, DW and I decided to give each other a trip to WDW as each other's holiday gift using my bonus at work and some of our savings! You read my DW's pre-trip report by clicking here.

Now we are looking at the almost obscene cost diff. between Value and Deluxe and thinking about all the cool things we could do with 900 bucks, like: V&A Chef's Table, Golf, Premium Dining, or just buying more stuff!

So, my question is, WHAT TO DO? Will I be even close to happy, or will the Value resorts make me miserable? Something to keep in mind, we are renting a car (I have to drive to Miami after this Vacation), and we have considered a Mod, but 400 savings isn't worth it, but depending on what you all say here, 900 might be.

Oh tremendous DIS'ers' can you help me? What to do.. What to do.....

This is such a tough call. I travel a lot and stay at a bunch of nicer hotels as well.

The thing is when I travel I spend a lot more time in my Hotel room than I do at Disney, I just mainly sleep. So personally Pop Century is fine for me for the most part, mainly cause its newer. If you have any doubts at all about staying at a value then you might as well pony up the extra 900 and stay at a deluxe. Last thing you want is to be on vacation and not happy at your resort.

Keith

 

[Happydinks]

Don't know if you've considered this - or what the price points are that you are looking at for rooms (we're DVC members) - but would it be more economical to "rent" some points from a DVC'er to stay in one of the Vacation Clubs - as opposed to staying and paying for a deluxe resort? You can rent points for anywhere from 8-11 per point - and depending on what time of year you are going - a nice studio in one of the Villas may only take a max of 181 points for a week in the premier season - down to a low of 80 points for a week in the Adventure Season. Like I said - not sure of the prices for rooms you're looking at and when you're going - but this may be another alternative for you!

 

[ScottNBecky]

As a DVC member and a veteran of AKL, I can say that I recommend Pop Century to sayone. My parents (65+) liken Pop to Vegas. They said it always seems like there is activity. But in the same breath, they had a room that faced the lake and it was so quiet. So really it was like 2 resorts in one. We love Pop Century

 

[sdlipton]

WOW!

My DW was right. DIS'ers do know ALL! The response has been overwhelming and it gives us ALOT to think about. Please keep posting.

To the DIS'er who suggested renting DVC points, we are going towards the END of January for six nights. The problem is we only have a month between when we will have the money to pay for the points and when we leave. Can you rent points like this? I want to do the right thing!

 

[kandb]

Deluxe kind of guy, if you can afford to be a deluxe kind of guy, I would stay that way.

 

[Happydinks]

Just sent you a PM - hope the info is helpful.

 

[DreaminDisney]

If your used to staying at deluxe resorts why go from that to value. Why not try a moderate 1st if you're looking to save money.

 

[minnie61650]

I heard they have that at ASMU now in the new refurbed rooms
It's a nice plus, especially if you have kids..........

Yes, All Star Music has newly refurbished rooms and they are first value resort with a privacy curtain seperating the sleeping area from the vanity.

Here is a photo of the privacy curtain I took :

http://s11.photobucket.com/albums/a175/minnie61650/?action=view&current=9-24-2006-18.jpg


Have fun at Disney!

 

[minnie61650]

.......What we did like -- the price(!), the theming (quite cute we thought), the convenient parking. We had a rental car and we liked that we could park near the room and hop easily into our car to go to the parks or other resorts. We didn't use the buses (we never do -- hate 'em).

So, what's the upshot of all of this? Well, GR RPC is wonderful if you feel like splurging. If you feel like a park-focused trip, we saw nothing wrong with AS Sports. The room didn't really feel any smaller than CSR frankly.

A couple of things you might consider if you choose a value -- spring for a preferred room with king size bed -- I think the rooms don't have a tub just a walk on shower, but the king bed would be worth it. Or -- you could consider an ASMu family suite -- separate sitting area, kitchenette and queen bed -- that would be a good way to ease into a value stay to see what you think.
Good luck with your decision!

I love the Family Suites at All Star Music.

Here is some info on the Family Suites:

*** They are 520 square feet.

*** The Family suites are located in the Jazz and Calypso buildings at All Star Music.(these are the closet buildings to the food court and the bus stop.

*** They cost less than a standard room at AKL or WL.

***1-6 adults may stay in a suite for the same set price.
(There is an additional fee of $10 per night for a 3rd or 4th additional adult in a standard value room.)

*** They have a QUEEN size bed (the other values and even the mods do not have a queen bed.

***The fridge is included (if you booked 2 connecting value rooms you would need to pay $10 extra for a night for a fridge if you wanted one.

*** They come with a microwave and coffeepot (If you booked 2 connecting value rooms you would not even be be able to rent a microwave and coffeepot.

***They have 2 TV's (if you book POR or a Deluxe room which sleeps 5 you will have 1 TV)

***They have 2 bathrooms (if you book POR or a Deluxe room which sleeps 5 you will have 1 Bathroom.)



For more info and photos please see the FAQ thread and feel free to PM me with any questions.

Here is the FAQ thread:*Note you can also find it on the resort sticky


http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1072409

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DH and I stayed in a Family Suite at All Star Music ( a value resort) last Sept. (2006)

We really enjoyed the Queen size bed, the kitchenette with the microwave, having a sofa and cushioned chair to sit on and relax after a day at the parks before retiring for the evening.

I thought the pullouts very comfortable.

They are designed so the back cushion and seat cushion of the pullout support the pullout. There is no metal bar to hurt the sleepers back.

Info thread--Pullouts in Family Suites at ASMU with photos of how the pullout is supported.

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?p=18100990#post18100990

Here is the layout of the Family Suites:

Here is my review of the Suites:

www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=17640774&postcount=7

For more photos and info please see this info thread:

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1392879

Have fun at Disney wherever you choose to stay!

 

[MEK]

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

I totally agree with this. I am not spoiled by the deluxes because the best I've stayed at is SSR. Yes, there is quite a bit of difference between SSR and a value, but if you go with the right expectations, a value can be fun to try. There is nowhere else in the world where you can get that type of theming. What originally looked tacky to me in pictures, looked so cool up close. The values are eye candy.

When comparing values, I liked ASMU better than POP. I liked the smaller, more intimate feel. I also liked that the pools were less crowded. I explored every area of the All stars and I think the Broadway section near the piano pool at ASMU is the best for an adult vacation at the values. The rooms at POP facing the lake are also good choices for an adult vacation.

If you approach your vacation with the attitude that "I'm going to try something new and what's the worse that can happen?", you might be pleasantly surpirsed.

Do take into consideration the time of year you are going. If you stay value, try to avoid a time when sports teams, ect are staying there. That would not be fun.

Have fun - whatever you decide.

 

[sdlipton]

Don't know if you've considered this - or what the price points are that you are looking at for rooms (we're DVC members) - but would it be more economical to "rent" some points from a DVC'er to stay in one of the Vacation Clubs - as opposed to staying and paying for a deluxe resort? You can rent points for anywhere from 8-11 per point - and depending on what time of year you are going - a nice studio in one of the Villas may only take a max of 181 points for a week in the premier season - down to a low of 80 points for a week in the Adventure Season. Like I said - not sure of the prices for rooms you're looking at and when you're going - but this may be another alternative for you!

Wow.. Thanks for the Tip Happydinks! The DW and I are now considering renting points to stay at BWV during our trip instead of POP.. and get this, depending on how much we pay for the points, it might almost be cheaper! Thats INSANE!

Has anyone done this? Can someone give me some positive thoughts about this, cause the idea of trusting someone i don't know with that much money, no matter how many references you check is a bit disconcerning.