going from deluxe RESORT to value?

[LuluLovesDisney]

Hi there!
Apparently the deal about values is that people who usually stay at Deluxes or Moderates are disappointed. Let me know what you think about this.
As a child we stayed 1983 offsite and every other year either Caribbean Beach or Dixie Landings. Since then, I was a CM so I always stayed with a friend (definitely less than value is sleeping on someone's couch!) but now it's been a few years and I am going back with my boyfriend of 3 years (will be fiance after some family issues clear up)
Anyway we're doing the Land and Sea package Dec. 26-Jan 2 coming in on the 25th at 2 am (that is a whole other issue BTW) and we are staying at the Poly and then on the ship in a Cat. 7 with Navigator's Verandah. I figured out we can afford the time to stay 2 more days, but adding 2 nights at the Poly would cost 1,060 more! Our trip is already waaay over budget! We thought about staying at a value for those last 2 days. We did stay at the Pop for one night (2 am to 6 am- just a Disney quickie last year while visiting family in Sarasota) and found it ok- though we were so close to sleep I don't know if we're fair judges- also we didn't swim or eat there or anything. I swear we were asleep before we even hit the pillow!
Anyway, what would you do? Do you think we should go back to the Pop, try another value resort or would we be disappointed? THANKS!
P.S. Thank you for reading. I know I am like a Disney bus- I will get to the point, but sometimes, during the long ride, you find yourself wondering . . . Thanks!
Aloha!
Lulu

 

[tinkerbell of winter]

I would be happy just to have two extra days at Disney, I wouldn't care where i'm staying! It's just me but i'd be perfectly happy staying at POP Century, matter of fact i'm staying there for two days in april at the end of our trip. I wouldn't worry about having to stay at a value resort for two nights, there are people that would never get to take the vacation you are, navigator's verandah cat 7 on the DCL and staying at the polynesian. Heck i'd be happy to have the lowest category indoor stateroom just to be able to take a cruise. Where you stay won't determine how much fun you have, only you can do that! I'm sure you will manage.

 

[DAWGPOUNDAJ]

Hey there! I can sort of relate to your hesitancy at the moment! Growing up we always stayed at the Carribean or Polynesian, and we tried out the other moderates at the time as well as the GF. So when my husband and I decided to go to Disney after our high school graduation (obviously he was not my husband at the time lol) we could only afford the All Stars (no POP yet), and let me tell you, IM ADDICTED TO THEM! On our last 3 trips we stayed at the All Stars and on our last 2 we could have afforded to stay at the Poly had we wanted to. The things I have heard from people who have not liked the All Stars seem to be these:

Too Noisy
The walk from the back rooms to the cafeteria is too far
The rooms are too small
The room service is less than great
A food court only and no restaurants

Now to be honest, heres my take on this. Im really active though so maybe its just me, but the example I like to use is my 81 year old grandmother. She came with us to the All Stars recently and we stayed in the VERY back building as far as you can get from the food court (its a straight shot from the food court to the back), and she didn't mind the walk at all. And mind you shes had 2 hip replacements! So when people say its a far walk I am curious about what they would consider not far. However, thats an opinion only.

Too Noisy. It depends on what you think is noisy. If you stay right by the cafeteria of course it will be louder than the back. We've always stayed in the far back to avoid any noise problems and never had trouble, even when a group of cheerleaders was in the same building as us!

The food courts at the All Stars are the best! Honestly their selection was better than the food courts at any of the moderates, even (dare I say it!?) the Caribbean's food court cannot rival the All Stars!

The room service has always been 100% fine. In fact it was a heck of a lot better than the service we had at the GF! (Horrible HORRIBLE stay there! I'm scarred for life now against that resort!) And the rooms are normal sized. I've been to a lot of different hotels and I hardly ever notice the room size. All Im there in the room for is the bed to sleep in!

That being said I think youll have a great time. If you thought the POP was only newest looking of the 3.

 

[newholidayx2]

the only way for us to stay at WDW 14nights this Aug was to book the first 5 at Pop (unless a code comes out & we can switch to WL)
nights 6-8 are at WL and nights 9-14 are at the Beach Club Villas

We wont be at the Pop except to sleep - honest - thats when I scheduled Typhoon Lagoon, touring AKL and Disney Quest besides the 4 parks 1/2days
by the time we get to WL & BCV we'll need to rest!

 

[Leota]

I don't like the value resorts primarily due to the noise factor. BUT, if that were the only way I could go or the only way to extend a vacation (esp one as fabulous as you are starting out with!) I would go for it. I would just go into it realizing that it is a place to sleep (or at least try to - bring earplugs!) and not expect to spend any time relaxing there or any amenities. If you go into it taking the values for what their worth, you'll have no problems at all.