Deluxe then Value? Will it be culture shock?

[pgsahm2]

In 2002 we stayed at All Star Music. This was our first experience staying on Disney property and we said we'd always stay on Disney property for future trips.

In 2007 we stayed at Animal Kingdom Lodge and Disney "wowed" us yet again. The resort was gorgeous.

This year it's going to be me and my sister (no hubby or kids!) on a girls only trip. We are budgeting like crazy since this is a spur of the moment idea. That means we're staying at a value -- All Star Movies.

So, my question is : who has stayed at a Deluxe and then downgraded to a Value? Did you notice a big difference? Did you pine for the Deluxe resort again?

I was just looking at pictures of ASMo and boy does it look cheesy compared to AKL. However I don't think I'll mind tooooo much considering we are planning on being out of the room all day, except for sleep!

 

[allaboard]

We have stayed at a deluxe (AK and POLY) and then gone to a value. We did it in order to try the family suites since there are 5 of us at All Star Music. The suite was very nice. It had a good feeling like a deluxe might since there was so much room and an extra bathroom. Otherwise, outside the suite, it is definitely different. As long as you tell yourself ahead of time it's going to be different, then you might not be disappointed. The food court is noticably different - AK's is sorta quaint in a way and ASM was not quaint at all ... rather large and noisey.. ... and I felt the difference in the design/walkways. For instance, in the evenings when the kids wanted to swim, we didn't have a nice quiet time watching them since everyone has to pass by the pool on their way to their rooms. I was surprised at the crowds that had to walk right through the pool area just to go to their rooms.
It was crowded feeling to me, and I haven't felt that at the deluxes or even at the moderate we've stayed at.
There are more young people on their own at the values too, which in some cases is just fine, and in others, they might be louder than you would prefer. We did have a good time though!

 

[Kelly B Disney]

I have stayed everywhere in WDW. POP is the best bang for your buck and the newest of the all-star hotels. For adults there is a bar at the pool as well as a very nice one inside open until 12 midn. It is the nicest food court and if you are using the transportation bus service easier and best of them all.
I always request the 60's building closest to main pool and main building. I request the back of the building not facing the pool because it can be loud from the kids in the pool.
When I do the girls only trips we stay there and spend our extra money on great dinners out and spa treatments!

 

[hifidigital]

I don't think so, only becuase you know what you're getting into already. I think the shock would come in if you had no idea what you were doing, but its apparent that you're aware of the differences in the resorts.

 

[arkansas mom]

It's not as though you'll be rolling into a tacky motor lodge.
The families there are there for a Disney vacation just like you.
The rooms are comfortable and clean.
The grounds are immaculately maintained.
I feel like the atmosphere at the values are more reflective of the spirit of Disney than any of the mods or deluxes. If the MK doesn't trigger culture shock, I don't see why a value resort would.

 

[Sandi]

We've gone up and down with Moderates, Values, DVC properties and Deluxes. We've been happy with all of our choices. As someone else mentioned, you know what you're getting into and you know you're paying for something different. Don't go to a Value expecting to have the Deluxe rooms and treatment.

If you start pining for a Deluxe, go to dinner at the deluxe and enjoy it that way.

 

[disnut8]

I think therefore I am.

You think cheesy therefore it will be cheesy.

You think you will be in culture shock therefore you will be.

Honestly - what is more important? The trip with your sister or where you lay your heads at night?

I've stayed at most of the deluxes, all of the moderates and all of the values. It doesn't matter. It's not the resort. It's the company you keep.

 

[Taja]

We started at Club Lake Villas, which was suites at the Disney Convention Center way back when (1981). Then came Yacht Club club level in 2003, CSR in 2003, then PC in 2004 and thereafter.

It really depends on what is important to you. I really don't use the amenities at the moderate and deluxe resorts, for the most part, so I'm quite comfortable at a value resort. The main advantage of a deluxe resort for me is the location--proximity to the parks.

If you prefer a quieter location, ask for a room that doesn't overlook the pool area.

 

[badblackpug]

In order we have done mod, mod, value, deluxe, and we will be going back to ASMu this fall. I have enjoyed my stay in every resort. We spend so little time in the room, that it really doesn't matter.

 

[TJA]

I have never stayed at a value, but for your situation (going without kids, just you and your sister), I'd think a value would be just fine. If you're worried about it, why not try a moderate if you can catch a good deal? Maybe try Port Orleans so you can take the boat to DTD?!

 

[lynn46356]

We stayed at POR, POFQ and then twice at the BC. The BC was wonderful and at the time we had five with us. Last year we took our DS9 to WDW and stayed at Pop Century. We LOVED it. Of course, who doesn't love Stormalong Bay and being at the back door of Epcot/World Showcase, the Boardwalk and so close to MGM oops now Hollywood Studios. Well, we loved Pop and will be leaving this Friday for another visit. We are park commandos and can't justify spending all the extra $$$ to stay deluxe with just the 3 of us. Of course, I would love to splurge someday again but at the moment we just can't afford it. So Pop here we come. The buses were great, the food court was WONDERFUL and we loved the theming. Hope this helps. Have fun planning.

Lynn

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

Well, if you compare Pop to the All Stars, the All Stars are cheesy. We have stayed at both and if it means I can go to WDW, I will stay there again. I love Pop, WL, & CR. We have stayed at FW in a cabin, AS Movies, and AKL and I was not impressed with them. I have never stayed in a Moderate before (maybe someday). I will choose Pop over most other resorts, but it doesn't accommodate my family very well, but sometimes you have to be uncomfortable. We will be staying there in June for my birthday.

You are at Disney, that is all there is too it, no matter where you are, or what kind of room you are in.

Suzanne

 

[bigbabyblues]

As long as you go into it with an open mind, you'll be just fine.

 

[Tink415]

There is a difference between AKL and ASMo, but I wouldn't say I pine for a deluxe resort while staying at ASMo. The values, while not gorgeous, are colorful, fun looking, have fun pool areas with lots of palm trees, comfortable, simple rooms. I wouldn't hesitate to stay at one. IMHO all the resorts can feel crowded and hectic at times in the public areas.

 

[SAKPEG99OKW]

I agree with Tink and Kelly. My DW, DS and now DD and I have stayed all over WDW and we are DVC owners as well. When staying on points we always stay at BWV, we love the location and atomosphere. When paying cash we now always stay at POP. We love POP. It's newer, clean, the food court is great.

Now you have to understand our mentallity. We go to disney to have fun. We are up early, and come back late. We are only in our room to shower and sleep. Frankly, I would rather spend the extra $$$$ on food, fun and gifts then a bed at Poly or GF. Now, with that being said we go to WDW two to three times a year, so we do not go crazy on each trip. There are people who go once a year or once every two or three years so they go all out, I do not blame them one bit.

It's all up to you and your sister on having fun. POP is great, and AKL is great as well. Either way you will have a great time.

Scott

 

[marivaid]

I don't think it'll be a shock because you know what to expect. Smaller rooms/beds, no hot tub, not as many amenities/services.

But if I were you I'd switch to Music or POP. Music has more of an "adult" feel to it and also the rooms are brand new. Movies' rooms need a refurb. POP has a great atmosphere and the rooms are newer than Movies, but not as new as Music.

 

[HockeyMomR]

I also vote for trying a moderate. My mom and I went for a short trip last week and stayed at POR. We have always stayed Deluxe as a family. POR was just beautiful, great to walk around, nice boat to DTD for shopping. Next year mom and I are going to try POFQ, for our mom / daughter getaway. We did get a AAA rate at POR, it might not be that much more than a value.

 

[pgsahm2]

Thank you for all of the answers. Believe me when I say I really don't care where I sleep as long as I am at Disney. I really don't. I am absolutely thrilled about having the opportunity to go on an adults only trip! And knowing that I will be sleeping in a room and that's about it, makes it much easier picking a value over a deluxe. Our trip last year at AKL consisted of many hours spent exploring the Lodge. That was great fun! But this next trip will be a whirlwind of busy,busy,busy.

I am second guessing my decision to stay at Movies though. It seems like Pop would be better based on the suggestions here. I really cannot upgrade to a moderate, though I'd love to. We are taking a Disney cruise next February and this trip is very unexpected so it has to be cheap!

I'd like to hear more opinions on Pop or Movies for two adults in August. Does the month make a difference as to the better bus system for either resort? Any help is appreciated!

 

[Bill From PA]

Our first two WDW trips we stayed at AllStar Music, so it's not like we didn't know what to expect, and subsequently we stayed at both Swan and Dolphin so we were familiar with those digs, but in 2005 we did a split stay, first 3 days at Swan, 2 at AllStar Sports and the last 3 at Dolphin, and boy were we glad to get out of AllStar. No, a value is not a Motel 6, and I'd stay at one before booking a deluxe off-site, but it's hard to keep 'em on the farm once they've seen Paree.

Bill From PA

 

[minnie61650]

I have stayed at all levels of Disney Resorts.

All Star Music is my favorite Disney 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.


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I am 57 years old and travel several times a year for pleasure. I often stay at 3 and 4 star and sometimes a 5 star hotels/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 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!)
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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 7 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!