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

[addiln]

I dont there is any stigma to booking any resort. If you book a deluxe resort you are paying more to be closer to certain parks and this is fine. If book a value resort you may not be closer to a park but you are still getting the Disney experience. Depending on what your plans and your travelling party a value resort my be the best option. I know I have seen my nephew and niece love AoA. They thought it was the greatest resort they have ever stayed in. Also once you are in the parks who cares where you are sleeping.

 

[Anniefrances]

Never felt any stigma no matter what level of resort. When interacting with CMs in the parks, they have all been equally enthusiastic when we've mentioned our resort choice, whether it was deluxe or value.

I remember disliking how much money it cost to stay deluxe when my kids were little and longing for the day when they would outgrow the stroller and all the kid supplies (which for me to manage as a single parent led me to choose deluxe) and we could start riding the bus/staying value.

Now that my kids are older I ask them each year where they would like to stay. We sit down together and compare costs and they have always chosen value--because of the rates we can afford to go for 13 nights which for us feels far more luxurious than a 4-5 stay at a deluxe. It also makes me feel more relaxed about incidentals--those ice cream bars etc. add up quickly.

We are deviating from this for this summer though. I found a magical price for CSR and we are curious about what it is like there, so our view may shift after this, who knows? But either way I don't think it will make us feel stigmatized.

 

[Stacy's a freak]

I don't recall the PP but someone mentioned that when telling CMs at a deluxe that they were headed to a value, they were pitied! Awful. What kind of CM says this? Why not "oh that's a fun place" or "have a great time" even if they secretly dislike the resort or the category. Bad service

 

[Disneymom1126]

We've loved both POP and AOA. We choose to book POP now because we can spend a few extra $$ to ensure we're close to the main building/transportation...which is not the case with the Little Mermaid rooms at AOA. The only time I feel the stigma (or should I say my feet feel it) is when I'm walking past the bus pick up spots to all the other resorts at the end of the night until I finally get to POP's pick up spot at the end of the line

There are only two of us and we spend most of the time in the parks, so I can't justify the cost of the other resorts...I'd rather spend the additional money on experiences vs. the place we are sleeping. We have some friends with DVC that are renting us points for our upcoming trip so we are spending a few days at AKL, but I'm pretty confident that will be a "once in a lifetime" type of thing for us.

 

[Minnesota!]

Even if there were, I wouldn't care. If I enjoy it, why would what anyone else thought matter? Just like in life...

 

[Disneylover99]

I don't recall the PP but someone mentioned that when telling CMs at a deluxe that they were headed to a value, they were pitied! Awful. What kind of CM says this? Why not "oh that's a fun place" or "have a great time" even if they secretly dislike the resort or the category. Bad service

That was me and you're right, cm's shouldn't do this. It's one thing for a guest to comment on a value, but totally unprofessional when a cm does it. I just laughed it off cause I love Pop. But pity comments could definitely affect a first timer.

 

[hoffman1]

We have stayed at all the value and all the moderate resorts except Fort Wilderness Cabins. We are staying a deluxe for the first time in Sept.
I have not felt any stigma no matter what our resort choice was.
We love the more relaxed feel of the moderates so that is where we usually stay (CSR is our favorite). But I also love the more Disney, over the top feel of the values. When anyone asks me where to stay on their first visit, I usually recommend a value because you can't beat the wow factor.

 

[mousefan73]

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?

No Stigma.. you're not part of the poor folks who have to stay off-site.. Just kidding !!
No but seriously WDW is so expensive and many aspects are just plain overpriced.. Many even stay off-site because you can get alot better and alot cheaper deal than Disney.. Sure on-site has its benefits etc.. But paying even more for Mod and Deluxe doesnt mean anything..It just means you are willing to spend more. many value guests could afford Delux.. but dont .... And many pay for Delux because they are less traveled and have no idea what true delux is and are spending that much ( even if it's beyond their normal budget) because they are thinking they are buying something more. In their eyes it may be... for someone who is well traveled, no firework view from a balcony at WDW is worth for me 800 a night... but for some it is.

And I find the values more FUN....... FUN is that word to decribe them.. DISNEY in your face FUN

 

[emnems34]

I don't think there's a stigma to booking a value but here's what I think you're observing: Every Moderate/Deluxe resort has a fanbase that is positively gaga over it. For example there are some families that just LOVE Caribbean Beach and there's no telling them otherwise (not one of my personal favorites). Some people don't consider it a Disney trip unless they're at the Grand Floridian. Some people love Old Key West, etc. etc. And that's what's so awesome about Disney resorts: there's one that's the perfect fit for everyone! Because all of the value resorts have very similar layouts you don't see that quite as heavily (though it's definitely still there, especially for POP.). A lot of people (my husband and I included) often book value because we're only going to be there to sleep and that extra money would be better spent on more table service dining/souvenirs/ whatever else. We stay at different resorts depending on what kind of trip it's going to be.

 

[pfalcioni]

Gosh, I wish they didn't brand everyone with a big huge "V" in the middle of their forehead when they check in at a value resort because if it wasn't for that, no one would know where you're staying...

Oh wait, they don't do that anymore. So, no one knows unless you tell them. We always stay value because I'm a cheapskate and we're the kind of idiots that love to stay rope-drop to park close, so they work for us. I might switch to off-site next time if that pencils out cheaper and I feel it will make us happy. Do what makes the most sense for your family.

Of course, some folks enjoy exaggerating a little when they're in online forums "just for the fun of it", and they make up crazy stories about doing something like booking Beach Club CL for 10 days, and also the GF during the same time so they have a place close-by to change and nap during their MK days, but that's up to you.

 

[scrapquitler]

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?

Not at all. I'm at Disney in my happy place, I'm in a clean comfortable room (where I only sleep) and I don't feel like I'm being ripped off on the price. It's a win all around, with no stigma.

And I wouldn't want to be associating with people who look down on me for not staying somewhere more expensive. LOL That sounds like somethng straight out of high school.

 

[awalker1015]

I see no stigma at all. We have only stayed in moderates, but that is due to our family size of 4 and needing the larger beds and double sink. I am a new runDisney fan and hope to be traveling down more often for races and will likely stay value if the whole family doesn't go with me.

 

[nicolebridget22]

No way, no stigma, it's all Disney! So many people will never be able to go to WDW at all. Just being able to go and even stay on site...we're all lucky little rock stars! The different resorts are just made for different styles of vacationing, that's all. And the amount of money one spends on a vacation does not equate to how magical and fun the trip will be.

 

[BabiesDaddy]

i tend to keep all of my stigmas for the people staying at the campgrounds.






(I'm kidding)

 

[BabiesDaddy]

Seriously though! I think most people understand, Disney is a very expensive place. So anybody who takes their family to enjoy Disney, no matter where they stay, eat, etc., has my respect.

 

[hammie59]

I figure everyone books what they book for a different reason. "Rich" people book values just like anyone. It's all about what you want out of your trip, and for me sometimes a value hotel is just fine and I enjoy saving the money. And sometimes I want more out of my resort so I upgrade. It just depends. I did actually experience a snoody woman once on a bus from DTD to the Swan (we were going to Fantasia Gardens mini golf). For some reason she asked me where I was staying and acted so mystified when I told her POP. She went on and on about how they only stay at the Yacht Club...yada yada and "she has just never heard of a place called POP". I kind of laugh when I think about it. Get over yourself lady!

 

[akl2004]

I don't think there's a stigma to booking a value but here's what I think you're observing: Every Moderate/Deluxe resort has a fanbase that is positively gaga over it. For example there are some families that just LOVE Caribbean Beach and there's no telling them otherwise (not one of my personal favorites). Some people don't consider it a Disney trip unless they're at the Grand Floridian. Some people love Old Key West, etc. etc. And that's what's so awesome about Disney resorts: there's one that's the perfect fit for everyone! Because all of the value resorts have very similar layouts you don't see that quite as heavily (though it's definitely still there, especially for POP.). A lot of people (my husband and I included) often book value because we're only going to be there to sleep and that extra money would be better spent on more table service dining/souvenirs/ whatever else. We stay at different resorts depending on what kind of trip it's going to be.[

Exactly! And there are fan bases for certain value resorts. And that is a good thing. Personally, there are resorts in each of the categories that just do not appeal to me or to someone in my family, but as stated above, that's why its nice that we have so many choices. Ironically, the resorts that appeal the least to my group are some that many are the most avid about. It just comes down to personal tastes and preferences.

And I agree with some posters above, that you seem to read a lot of posts from off-siters telling people that it makes no sense to stay in an overpriced room on site when you can have all the room and amenities of their favorite off site place at a fraction of the cost. Again, to each their own.

I guess the day that I start to make my vacation plans based on some (in some cases) very biased comments made by anyone, from any of the fan bases, I don't know, is the day that I need to give up the vacation planning responsibilities in my family to my wife. Because at that point I will have lost touch with what I know will make my family happy.

So to op, you know your family, their likes and dislikes, and how you like to vacation. Do what feels right for them and you will never be wrong.

 

[Shanti]

I stayed at Pop once and didn't like it much, so I've mostly done deluxe since then. I certainly never felt any "stigma" staying there, though.

 

[goofy4tink]

Where are you going to run into any kind of 'stigma'? At the resort itself? Doubt it....everyone is in the same boat there. At a park? Why would anyone even know where you're staying. At home, when nosey nellies are asking you where you stay? Maybe. But, I'm pretty self confident....I don't really much care. I have friends that stay only at the GF...only!!! They say that if you can't stay there, you might as well stay home. Of course, these are the same people that tried to tell me that only those at the GF were able to ride in the front of the monorail (back when it was still possible), and that those at the GF had a direct monorail to Epcot! Okay, sure, if you say so.
I own DVC at both BWV and BLT. I go to WDW several times a year. I have debt. It is what it is. BUT......I stay at Pop, a lot!!! Love it there. Where was my worst stay? Polynesian!!! Man, there were some really rude and obnoxious guests there, the worst I've seen anywhere!! So, spending money doesn't mean you've got manners or class!!
The moderates? I love POR...it was my first WDW stay back when it was DxLs! And I try to stay there every few years. But, for me, the cost isn't reasonable for what I'm getting. Yes, it's themed better than Pop. And yes, the pools are nicer. And there is a table service restaurant. BUT, I seldom use the resort restaurants that I'm staying at. Hot tubs aren't my thing. The rooms are a bit bigger, but not that much. So, truly? It just isn't worth the additional cost over Pop.
And deluxe resorts? Don't get me started! I refuse to pay those nightly rates!!!! That's just ridiculous! For what? Nicer restaurants and more adult 'theming'? Nope. I can still eat at those restaurants if I want. A pool is a pool....a big old concrete hole filled with water. Sure the surrounding areas 'look nicer' but do I want to spend that money for nicer landscaping? Not really. A gym? Sure, people use the gym at WDW...but truly? Not all that many!

Long story short? Stay where you want. Pay what you want. If paying upwards of $400 a night floats your boat, have at it. None of my business. I have never, ever felt like a second class citizen when staying at Pop, but of course, I don't feel like an upper crust person when I'm at BWV either!!!!

 

[Aurora0427]

We've stayed at all resort levels, and stayed at our first value, AoA, last fall. We loved it. My only complaint is the beds- we had a queen because we had a suite, but it definitely wasn't as comfortable as the deluxe resort beds. We actually liked AoA better than POFQ.