Deluxe vs. Value

[Amirah95]

So, you only pay to stay at deluxe resort for monorail access? DH says to go with the 2x a year at a deluxe please because you're going to miss that monorail and a better bed after a long day of touring WDW. We stayed at ASMu once for two nights and DH transferred us out to a deluxe because he wanted a better bed. After that deluxe stay we have not even talked about a value again.

 

[jcjen519]

We have been to WDW 9 times all deluxe, My kids are tweens now and actually prefer Universal. I would love to go back to WDW during food and wine, but only deluxe and only at a deep discount. There are too many interesting places in the world to visit that cost less than WDW. I love cruising that's kind of my passion at the moment.

We've still got a little one but we've got needs too! haha! we travel a lot ...domestic and international. A lot of it thanks to my husband's job.

I'm a fan of disney cruising but haven't enjoyed carnival (2006) or royal Caribbean (2008). I will hit gold in December and I see a lot more cruising in our future...we've been averaging one a year for a bit. I understand why you're enjoying that currently and I'd be happy to increase our cruising frequency. I'm trying to figure out what cruise should be next. we've done western Caribbean, eastern and bahamas.

thinking about Hawaiian cruise and an island stay combo but have spent zero time looking into it so don't know how feasible (where it comes/goes from/to)

enjoy your upcoming trips!

 

[NashBridges]

But almost got stuck at ASMu this summer with friends, but thanks to the food court remodel, we switched. We have stayed at deluxe, AKL, Nd while we loved it, it wasn't worth the price we paid for it. Next trip, we chose POR and fell in love.

I don't think I could do 3 stays in a value. Just for the double beds alone, I'd have to really psych myself up to stay once.

 

[Millie12591]

I'm another one who would vote for going three times a year but then staying a Mod resort.
I think it will be too big a difference for you to stay at value compared to the deluxe.
The value's are nice and fun, but a bit on the hectic side for me. If that's what you are going for is high energy the whole time then I recommend the values.

But if a bit more relaxed then I suggest the mods. You get the beauty, the relaxing atmosphere, the bigger room, the better over all feel of a vacation there than at a value. Not to mention not near the crowded feeling there unless you go to the food courts in the mornings.

Deluxe (to me) is a waste unless you spend a lot of time at the resort, but even then I think I'd rather stay at Mod. and use the money I'd spend on the deluxe rooms on extra special things I wouldn't get to do otherwise. Tours, spas', signature dining, rent a car to make up for not having the monorail to use. To be honest the car would come in handier than the monorail, you'd never have to wait on a bus for anything.

 

[Missymouse18]

3 times a year at a Value for sure. We are die-hard Pop guests. We enjoy the theming, the pools, love the food court, and enjoy walking across the lake to AoA to eat & shop.
Our purpose in going to WDW is the parks. Would I like to someday stay at a Deluxe? You betcha. DH and I are planning to stay at Poly next year on our anniversary and staying at the Contemporary is on my bucket list. But for now, while I am spry enough to do the parks like a crazylady, I'm gonna stick with the Values.
Would I stay off property? Absolutely not. Tried it once and that was once too many for me. WDW is all about total immersion for me, so staying offsite is out of the question.
With all of that said, my best advice is this: Everyone has different ideas on comfort. If you enjoy this visit at a Value, then go 3 times a year. If you dislike it, go back to your normal way of doing things. whatever you decide, have fun and enjoy your daughter's special time.

 

[hookedonears]

I know this is probably a no brainer since but here is my question.

We have always stayed at deluxe resorts (Poly and GF). We normally go twice a year (one 10 day trip and one 4-5 day trip). Due to the construction at Poly we decided to stay elsewhere in October. Since this trip is to celebrate DD birthday we let her pick the resort. She picked AoA due to the character themed areas. Based on the cost savings I figured if we start staying in value resorts we can go 3 times a year instead of 2. We don't spend a lot of time in the room however we have gotten spoiled to the monorail to MK and Epcot.

If you could go twice a year at deluxe resorts or 3 times a year at value which would you choose?

Absolutely NO question. twice a year. We love Disney and would love to be able to afford to go 3 times per year, but we wont go back until we can afford to stay where we want to stay. That may mean that we wont go back for 1, 2 or 3 years. We've done this before. We normally stay at Deluxe resorts, primarily the Poly. We stayed at a moderate once, the Carribean Beach. Never again. Unfortunately, Disney's Deluxe resorts spoiled us. So much to the point that we wont go back until we can afford to stay where we want to stay. I've got a feeling that this is going to be a once and done thing for you.

 

[CarouselOfProgress4]

Definitely 3 times a year at value. There's nothing wrong with value and your children will enjoy value more than any other resort type. Like everyone has said it comes down to how much time you spend at the resorts.

 

[lam0037]

You are going to get a lot of debate about value vs. deluxe because it is something everyone's fairly divided on

Would you daughter be upset if you didn't stay at AoA after she already picked it? If it's going to negatively affect her mood/birthday I would say just stay there. You can decide if value is good for your family or not.

If you don't like the value, maybe you could do 2 trips with a longer trip at deluxe or three trips with a value, deluxe, moderate.

Or maybe even split your stay between value am moderate if you really don't want value but don't want to disappoint your daughter

 

[Amirah95]

Seriously???? Why would you go off property and totally lose the magic....& driving too, this is one of the blessings with staying on property.....Not having to drive to n fro.

Values aren't that bad.....Its Disney, remember that & values do scream Happiness for sure. They just don't offer what mods & deluxes offer.....

But Off property vs. value is a totally different question, & I'm sure if polled , on here, the vast majority would disagree with you....... To each (his or her) own I know, but I know for sure I'll never stay off property ever again...Toooo much Disney Magic would be Lost...

Totally lose what magic??

I am a CM out of NJ and my main responsibility is making magical moments for others on a regular basis through the art of Walt Disney. If magic can be made in Joisey then it can indeed be made off-site around WDW. For those who will never ever be able to afford the type of accomodations they want and have to stay off-site they can make magical moments through the art of Walt Disney. It's possible!!!! (referenced from Cinderella the movie)

Before there was a WDW and resorts and the like all we had was the magic.

 

[Altoqueenkelly]

I always go Value because of the cost (for us). However, I would pick a Deluxe if we could afford it financially... but I would probably still only go once a year (we currently go once every-other-year) and vacation elsewhere as well. Many places around the world I want to visit!!!

 

[mirage0306]

I would absolutely choose twice a year at a deluxe.

 

[Aurora0427]

Definitely 3 times a year at value. There's nothing wrong with value and your children will enjoy value more than any other resort type. Like everyone has said it comes down to how much time you spend at the resorts.

I don't think you can say, 100% across the board, that someone's children will enjoy a value resort more than any other type of resort. And quite frankly, for it to be a magical vacation, mom and dad need to enjoy it too. Will the gaudy theme at AoA enthrall a six year old? Sure. But there's just more to a magical vacation than that, and the deluxe resorts have a ton of amazing experiences and amenities for kids that go above and beyond gaudy theming.

I agree with the PP who said you'll get a ton of debate about value vs. Deluxe. That's a decision only you can make. All I can tell you is when we went down to Port Orleans after staying at the GF and YC, it was a major disappointment, and POFQ is a moderate. I can't imagine going from deluxe to value, if a deluxe is all you're accustomed. I like the idea of a split stay- start off at AoA and then go to your deluxe of choice.

 

[LovesTimone]

AoA has the family suite, which I really enjoyed staying in this past January. It was nice with the interior hallways, and more than enough room for 3 to spread out. The theming is amazing, pools are done super cute, you feel as if you are in the movie.

I would stay, but only in a family suite, when walking around the little mermaid area, we peeked into a room, and it was very small.

You might want to think about checking out the Moderate, we have stayed in all of them, each was great and we like to stay there which allows us to do more trips, and other fun stuff.

I will agree staying in the monorail resorts is really nice, but lately they have priced themselves right out of our budget. I mean we could make it work out, but maybe only once every 2 years, as we like to travel and checkout other destinations.

So its really up to you, but I would check out all possibility.

 

[ArwenMarie]

2x a year at the type of hotel we like, which is always changing! Versus more at a resort which wouldn't be our first choice,