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

[Huff]

When we are at WDW our room is used only to sleep. We're at the parks, dining or Disney Springs from sun up to sun down daily. The values work perfect for us and we find to be very nice with plenty of amenities. Any stigma might be based on the term 'Value' rather that what the resort itself.

 

[MonaMN]

We've not stayed at a value, but not because of any stigma... only that I can't imagine sharing a full sized bed with either my husband or daughter for an entire week without not getting any sleep.

Perhaps the other factor is the stories of groups of teenagers that are sometimes present at values - I'd rather not share with lots of noisy teenagers if I can help it.

As much as I am tempted by the deluxes, I haven't been able to convince myself that it's worth all the extra money... so we've stuck to moderates. If I ever take a trip on my own or just me and DD - so I could have my own bed - I'd totally try a value.

 

[TheLittles]

I don't think there is a stigma but I will say that having never stayed at a Value, I have been afraid to take that leap. I have stayed at Poly, AKL, YC, CSR, FW Cabins, POR, and POFQ and I have loved them all. I guess I am afraid in the same sense that when I go to my favorite restaurant I order the same thing every time because if I try something new and I don't like it, I will be sad that I didnt get what I usually order. If that makes sense. One day I want to stay at AoA though.

 

[tinkerbella16]

I have to agree with everyone else. I don't feel there's a stigma, it is just personal preference. We've stayed at all of the values and moderates, and enjoy them all. For us though, once we stayed at POR with queen beds, we have booked there ever since.. but it is because we prefer the bigger beds. We are doing our first deluxe stay this year, and yeah it is only a place to sleep, but it is much more than that too. I paid less than the price of a moderate for a deluxe, so that was a deal breaker, plus the added space in the rooms and the pool was also a reason why we chose where we did. There is nothing wrong with the value resorts, but we do feel it is more quiet/relaxing at the moderates. It all comes down to what each family prefers - we take midday breaks each day, so we spend time at the resort we are staying at too. So there are things that factor into where we stay. It has nothing to do with looking down on the values, we actually love Pop Century but we have grown out of the rooms there a bit - the beds are the main issue for us.

 

[IndyRnRfan]

Yes, we'd book a value again. We can stay longer if we book a value over mod. Just depends on our trip itinerary and if we want more relaxed stay or 14-18 hr park days.

As for the stigma, I'd couldn't care less if someone thinks differently of me or my family because we are at a value. I guess you could say the same thing for those staying in a deluxe.

 

[Brancaneve]

My overall impression is.....this is a hotel ON DISNEY PROPERTY! You just can't go wrong with that one!

 

[vratiana]

My overall impression is.....this is a hotel ON DISNEY PROPERTY! You just can't go wrong with that one!

Absolutely agree!
I have always been budget minded but I absolutely refuse to stay at cheap motel chains outside of WDW. I have bad hotel anxiety (bugs, etc) and I just don't enjoy myself in a cheap place.
At WDW I know that my room at a value will be just as clean and updated as a moderate or deluxe. And I know that if there is ever a problem with the room, that Disney will make it right. I just feel completely and utterly comfortable knowing that I am on property. Also, my husband and I have a queen bed at home and there are times we wish it were a king to have more space. But for some weird reason we hardly even notice that Pop's beds are only full size. Maybe we are too tired from the parks to care but I think it's part of the Disney Magic. We also love the convenience of the food court at Pop.

 

[rosiebean]

Honestly, if you pay more and don't use the extras you are paying for - you are wasting your money.
Given that Disney resorts are already overpriced, that is a lot of waste.

Every trip is different and every one should book what works for them for that trip.
Once in the park we are all even so it only matters for the time you spend at your resort.

This, this, this.

My personal view is that I stay in the hotel that best fits my needs for that specific vacation, period.

So when my family is traveling to see in-laws and stop late at night just to sleep (in the middle of a 10 plus hour drive), we aren't looking for the Four Seasons...we just want a clean room with beds that are comfy enough for a halfway decent bit of sleep. Breakfast isn't necessary, because there's always a McD's or even donuts and coffee at gas stations to get us by. In other words, these trips require just enough comfort and food to get us to our destination. No way we'd overpay for a deluxe hotel or stop for a sit down meal, that would be a waste of money.

Now, when we go to Disney, my family (my immediate family as in DH, DS1 and DS2 and I...and my siblings, parents) like to spend downtime at our resorts. We like the convenience of a food court for an occasional breakfast, snack, late night meal. We like having a sit down option on site as well for a convenient, filling dinner before heading out to an event (MNSSHP, for example). We like hanging out at pools. We enjoy walking the grounds and enjoying the landscaping, shopping, and people watching. We sleep in, take afternoon breaks, and often stay out late. Which basically boils down to this: we are not park commandos! At all .

So values hold little value for my extended family simply because of how we vacation while at Disney. I've visited values (meeting up with friends staying there during my vacations) and knew immediately that they would not fit my family's style. Too concrete, no sit down options, rooms too small to spread out during a relaxing late afternoon cocktail hour with my siblings... You get the idea.

On the flip side, if I *were* a park commando, I'd get frustrated at paying for anything more than a mod if I was only there to sleep, grab a quick breakfast, and walk to the bus stop for a full day to night of park going. And if I were doing that at a deluxe? Insanity.

Personally, I love the convenience of some deluxes for mid-day down time (have stayed at BCV, YC, and Poly and loved the easy access to our hotel from the parks close to those hotels). I also liked the extra large rooms and my kids LOVED the pools with slides, esp SAB at BCV/YC. I did not like the lack of food court options at YC and BCV, I must say. My absolute favorite place on property is POR...a mod which has the best (IMO) off all things: beautiful grounds, large food court, sit down dining, cool pool with slide, boat ride to disney springs, very good bus service when I've stayed there, relaxing vibe, great CMs...and at a very good value point given the hotel price vs amenities and my expectations. No stigma, just the best value I find given my personal travel style at the World.

 

[CampbellzSoup]

This, this, this.

My personal view is that I stay in the hotel that best fits my needs for that specific vacation, period.

So when my family is traveling to see in-laws and stop late at night just to sleep (in the middle of a 10 plus hour drive), we aren't looking for the Four Seasons...we just want a clean room with beds that are comfy enough for a halfway decent bit of sleep. Breakfast isn't necessary, because there's always a McD's or even donuts and coffee at gas stations to get us by. In other words, these trips require just enough comfort and food to get us to our destination. No way we'd overpay for a deluxe hotel or stop for a sit down meal, that would be a waste of money.

Now, when we go to Disney, my family (my immediate family as in DH, DS1 and DS2 and I...and my siblings, parents) like to spend downtime at our resorts. We like the convenience of a food court for an occasional breakfast, snack, late night meal. We like having a sit down option on site as well for a convenient, filling dinner before heading out to an event (MNSSHP, for example). We like hanging out at pools. We enjoy walking the grounds and enjoying the landscaping, shopping, and people watching. We sleep in, take afternoon breaks, and often stay out late. Which basically boils down to this: we are not park commandos! At all .

So values hold little value for my extended family simply because of how we vacation while at Disney. I've visited values (meeting up with friends staying there during my vacations) and knew immediately that they would not fit my family's style. Too concrete, no sit down options, rooms too small to spread out during a relaxing late afternoon cocktail hour with my siblings... You get the idea.

On the flip side, if I *were* a park commando, I'd get frustrated at paying for anything more than a mod if I was only there to sleep, grab a quick breakfast, and walk to the bus stop for a full day to night of park going. And if I were doing that at a deluxe? Insanity.

Personally, I love the convenience of some deluxes for mid-day down time (have stayed at BCV, YC, and Poly and loved the easy access to our hotel from the parks close to those hotels). I also liked the extra large rooms and my kids LOVED the pools with slides, esp SAB at BCV/YC. I did not like the lack of food court options at YC and BCV, I must say. My absolute favorite place on property is POR...a mod which has the best (IMO) off all things: beautiful grounds, large food court, sit down dining, cool pool with slide, boat ride to disney springs, very good bus service when I've stayed there, relaxing vibe, great CMs...and at a very good value point given the hotel price vs amenities and my expectations. No stigma, just the best value I find given my personal travel style at the World.

This reply gave me chills so good lol

 

[ravenclawtrekkie]

I've literally lived in a Motel 6, so I don't feel any particular negativity towards spending a vacation at a WDW Value resort.

 

[Sue M]

I've stayed at all levels at Wdw. Because we enjoy a lot of resort time, and aren't commando touring from park open to close, we prefer the mods or deluxe. But we've added days on and when we do it's usually at Pop. It's whatever suits our needs.

 

[Misha72683]

I actually feel more embarrassment ovef staying in a deluxe, because to me it's a waste of money (I have been out-voted though) and it feels so un-frugal and makes me self-concious. The reality is that it's my own perception though, no one else cares.

 

[ellie05]

I don't think there is a stigma. We have done values, moderates and deluxe. If we can help it we rather not stay at a value because of the sound proofing. We live in a quiet place so I am not use to noises when I am sleeping. Every time I have stayed at a value I am woken up a door slamming and people talking I truly appreciate my sleep specially on vacation.

We don't really mind the double beds. We have a king size at home but we also have 3 50 lbs dogs that sleep with us. Since there are 2 of us room size is not an issue. What I really like about deluxes is the balcony. Sitting down and having a drink and relaxing and also not worrying about the people going walking by your window.

 

[moremouse]

I'm just a big kid, so my opinion may be skewed. I LOVE PC and AoA! I like the big, in your face, characters and theming. We have repeatedly stayed in a Little Mermaid room because I just LOVE it!

I will say that I was VERY disappointed the last time we stayed at an All-Star. Years ago we stayed at all of them. A couple years ago we stayed at Movies for one night, and WOW. It was not pleasant or fun. I'll stick with PC or AoA.

I think you stay where you want to stay and have fun. No one knows where you're staying while you're out enjoying your day. I don't think anyone cares.

After all, those on the buses back to the resort with you, are staying at (and probably loving) the same resort you're at, right?

I will say that I've stayed at moderates, and will be staying at a deluxe this year and I'm worried that NOT having that fun, Disney in your face experience makes me nervous.

 

[Regan117]

Honestly, Yes I think there is. You really want to get people going or look down on you ....stay off site!

I am not a fan of values as I find them stressful for a vacation. Would rather stay off site, but that is just a personal decision. Yet I think people have opinions and look at you no matter what you book. People can make assumptions when you say you are staying at the Grand Floridian. It can also be reverse stigma by people who book values to have a certain opinion of those who stay in mods or deluxes. (that they are in debt or frivolous with their money, are snooty etc.) It is just the way people are in the society we live in. Does it make it right? Nope not at all but it is what it is. Just go where you want and stay where you want, don't concern yourselves of what others are thinking.

ETA: Of course this could bring up the whole do you feel a stigma when you tell people you are going to Disney World ....What again... Must be nice.... An amusement park for vacation?...ugh I could never.... on and on. lol

I've been a victim of the reverse so I definitely agree with this. We only stay deluxe and I've gotten comments on how we spend our money (we don't have ANY debt, btw, we are not frivolous or snooty).

Excuse me? Not only are my finances not your business, but you don't know what my priorities are when I vacation! We spend a good deal of time at the resorts so the deluxe are all that we book. But we don't look down on anyone else for booking values or mods.

 

[Gaurhoth]

People judge others (we all do it consciously or not). Who cares if someone doesn't like your choice in resorts. Do what makes YOU have the best vacation possible. For some that means saving tons of money ... for some having a great vacation means SPENDING a lot of money (whether it's necessary or not).

Be true to your own desires - and have a great vacation.

G

 

[AJA]

No stigma.

The full size bed is kinda a deal breaker for us now and we hated only having one bus stop at AOA (huge resort for only one bus stop area!) but we didn't feel there was any stigma at all.

 

[Luvstotravel]

There's only a "stigma" if you care what others think. If you don't care, you wouldn't even know there is a stigma.

 

[Jules76126]

I can understand why the OP asked if anyone had ever felt a stigma, As many pps said a lot of people do judge other people for things that really don't matter. I think it is similar to some people prefer to vacation to WDW every year while others couldn't imagine spending the money.

I have stayed at both Deluxe (YC, BCV, and BWI) and some moderates (POFQ and CB). We do have DVC so I have also stayed at Saratoga and OKW. The only resort I hated was Saratoga. It was just too big for my taste. I do prefer to stay at a deluxe - staying at BCV in November. However, I am not a commando type visitor. I like getting up in the morning, having coffee on the balcony, heading to the parks and then taking a mid-day break before heading back out for dinner. I really enjoy the theme at BCV as it reminds me of home (New England area) and I love the pool. For me, there is nothing better than spending an afternoon by the pool with a cocktail in hand. We also love the flexiblity of being able to walk over to Epcot (our favorite park) and even watching the fireworks on the bridge between BC and BWI.

However, I would have no problem staying in a mod or value. As someone who participated in the college program twice, Disney CMs treat all guests equal. There is no reason to look down on someone for where they stay. I am helping my BFF plan her honeymoon and I recommended a variety of hotels and many were not deluxe. She ended up renting DVC points from someone so she is staying at the Poly (but got a great deal). I think we should all feel lucky that we get to spend a wonderful time in Disney!

 

[I Love Pluto]

I love the values! Never felt looked down upon! It's smart when you save $$$!!! Very smart!!