Do you find a certain stigma attached to booking a Value Resort?

[CampbellzSoup]

Just wondering if anyone feels a certain way when booking a Value resort? I just get the overall general impression they're looked down on...am I wrong? I have been hovering over maybe just doing a value resort due to me not enjoying the amenities a Deluxe/Moderate offer due to being in the parks as long as I can.

What is your impressions? For those who have stayed Moderate/Deluxe would you book Value again?

 

[Jennasis]

No Stigma that I've ever felt or noticed.

 

[mylittlebuttercup]

No stigma in my opinion. I have stayed at two deluxes, one moderate, and three values, and had a decent experience at all of them. I would book any level again in a heartbeat. It really depends on what I want for a particular trip--to save money, to be closer to parks, etc. My goals differ for each trip, and therefore so do my resort choices.

 

[Granny]

If a Value Resort works best for you, then I'd go for it. Anyone looking down on anyone else for any reason is not worth worrying about. I wouldn't say it is a general, widespread impression. They are Value resorts, and that means a certain level of amenities and accommodations that don't work for some people. But that's still no reason to demean the Value resorts or the people who stay there. I think you'll find that most people don't care where other people stay and are happy for them if they are able to enjoy a trip to WDW no matter how they do it.

If the Value Resort fits your budget and your park touring needs, then I'd say go for it. You can't let the "general impression" of a few anonymous internet posters make you feel badly about any decision you make.

 

[Disneylover99]

I've stayed deluxe and moderate and I've never felt a stigma booking a value. In fact I prefer Pop (a value) over every other resort I've stayed at.

 

[buzznina]

We have stayed all levels and never even thought about it or felt it. I believe the only stigma comes from reading a handful of posts from people who think that way.

 

[JustKryssi]

We used to stay at deluxes exclusively and noticed that we were spending on a room and amenities we almost never used. We now stay mostly at Pop (LOVE this resort) and use the money we save to do multiple trips. Even when we have a rare pool day, we enjoy the value resort atmosphere and have never felt a stigma.

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

Booked at the Floridian in November.

Looking at a night or two before that stay, at a value.

No stigma at all.

 

[Princent]

I love the value resorts. The reason they are a great value is because you're getting the same level of Disney service at an amazing cost. No stigma attached whatsoever.

 

[CampbellzSoup]

Well my expectations have just been shattered lol you guys are the greatest

 

[minnie mum]

What "stigma"? Outside the resort, who knows which resort you're staying at? And who cares? People certainly have their own preferences as to which resorts suit them best ( you will never see me staying at a value- I need my queen bed), but I doubt that anyone looks down on those guests who choose to stay there. And for the few who may look down their noses? Are they really worthy of consideration? I think not.

 

[bumbershoot]

The only person to worry about is how you feel about it.

No one else knows where you stay. If they see you at the resort, well, they are there, too.

We have dvc, but sometimes we run out of points and I have no problem going no value of it suits my needs. I quite liked Sports. I also like moderates like POR. The suite at Music was nice. I love the pools at values, they feel like pools for swimming, not just playing.

We stay at all sorts of places when we travel. I can easily go from pop to portofino over at universal without an issue. It's all in your attitude about where you stay. No one else cares.

 

[ChimCher-ee]

The only point you might actually feel any stigma is on the phone when you're booking, and that has never happened to me. All the CMs have been delighted (and delightful) when helping me arrange my vacations (4 trips and counting, all at values so far).

So, unless you bring it up in chance conversations with someone staying moderate or deluxe, there's no way for anyone to even know where you're staying. Not that it matters - - I've loved every minute of my visits and am just this summer branching out to a moderate (while harboring secret longings to give Pop a try instead!).

 

[Bethislucy]

I've never felt anything the CM's have always been awesome and the other guest, well they are staying there too. As far as the people back home, I'm luckier than a lot of them and get to go when they don't so nothing their either. I love the fun of the value resorts the larger than life icons and bright colors it just makes me feel like I'm a kid again which is nice on vacation. I don't do much at the resort other than sleep and maybe 1 time a visit get in the pool so I don't need all the extra's at the other resorts. Plus it saves me a little money staying there that I get to spend on a longer stay or other items I like. I've never stayed at a moderate or deluxe resort at WDW but I have been to Disney's Hilton Head resort and I got the same service there I do anywhere on Disney property.

 

[TigerlilyAJ]

Maybe "stigma" is not the right word. Maybe it's just feeling like you're staying at a place that others don't feel is good enough for them makes the experience feel a little "less than," even if no one means to throw shade or look down on anyone or any place.
For example, I was all in the middle of the Free Dining insanity last month, following more than 500 pages. Then the deal finally dropped, and there were many people who could not get their first choice, which seemed to be every Moderate except my choice, FW. Meanwhile, all the way here in May, if you want not just FD but the DDP without paying for the upgrade that you would if you stayed at a Value, you can book a Cabin at Ft Wilderness* as I did. So apparently I'm staying at the "least desired" Moderate at WDW.
At least, it's the "bottom of the barrel" on these boards. Which brings me to my second point: You must always remind yourself every time you come to these boards that DISers are not the norm. They are not the norm of the general public (they are wealthier *on average* and clearly more Disney obsessed--or else we wouldn't be here!), and they are not even the norm for WDW tourists, in that they plan more (FPs, ADRs, touring plans, etc.) and are more likely to stay at a WDW resort. When you're at the parks, there are tens of thousands of people there. A goodly number of them are not at any Disney resort, cannot speak as to which Disney transportation works best for getting from Point A to B, just read the brochure they picked up from their AAA office, and are content to eat wherever the line is shortest. We here are just a subgroup of WDW visitors.
ITA with the people noting that no one really cares where others stay (or even know!) and that the Values are a terrific way of enjoying Disney service at a reasonable price if your party is small. You're going to WDW and being immersed in the experience by staying at a Disney resort, enjoying EMH and the transportation system, and booking FP+ earlier! Enjoy!

*Just so there is no misunderstanding, yes, I know, the Cabins at FW doesn't work for a lot of people for reasons. That's why it's so nice that many people have so many choices at WDW. As a party of six, we don't have that many, and as we wanted to upgrade from QS to the DDP on our FD booking, it meant that the Cabins cost the same as the Value family suites.

 

[Mousemommy1]

I guess I'm wondering why you care? Book what works for you.

We stayed at AoA and the GF on our last trip and both were fantastic in their own ways. We booked what worked for us and I could care less what everyone else thought.

 

[anna0513]

We have stayed in every type of resort there. We stay at POP a lot more than the rest. It is our boys favorite resort. Plus, my husband always says that he would rather spend the money in the parks rather than on a fancier resort which we would barely see other than to sleep anyway.

 

[loves to dive]

Unless they are on a bus with you, most people don't even know where you are staying, if they are on a bus with you they are going to the same place so obviously they don't care. I tend to stay in the deluxe resorts with one or two days at a moderate for the first two nights to save money. Can I afford a deluxe the whole trip, yes, but that doesn't mean I'm going to pay it. I've stayed at two value resorts and found they just weren't for me. That doesn't mean I look down on anyone staying there, just means I didn't like certain things about the resorts. They were too in your face and busy for me, which for some is exactly what they want. Had they been an option when we first started going, you bet we would have stayed there. I was a single mother, not making a lot of money with a young son. He would have loved it and it certainly would have suited my wallet a whole lot better than the MK resorts I had to stay at if I wanted to stay on site.

 

[DisneyArie]

Not at all. The people staying at the value resorts are the ones that get to save all the $$ and spend it on extra activities like MNSSHP, for example. I would have booked a value if the beds were queen sized. It would have definitely saved us sooooooooooo much money. I priced it out if I extended my vacation by two days staying at Pop in a preferred room, add another 2 days of park hopper tickets, and upgrade the dining plan to regular under the FD promo, the total cost of our trip would be about $2900. We are paying a little over $2700 for CBR (shorter stay & less days at the park). I am STILL debating on if I should switch or not. I'm just uncertain about the double beds for my family.

 

[Huff]

Some people place a stigma on values. Most of those have not stayed at a value or are the type that can only accept a Deluxe. So many times I see posts where people think the Disney values are on par with a Motel 6 when in fact the values are FAR from being anything close to a Motel 6. I find the values are often superior to most 2 1/2 star or 3 star hotels around the country. Simply put, the values are not cheap low end motels.

In my own travels I've stayed at everything from Motel 6 to 4-5 star Hyatt's, Hiltons etc. Sometimes a Disney value I find is better suited to my own enjoyment. Just depends on my mood. I can be happy at value, moderate or deluxe on any given day.