Has anyone ever been disappointed w/Deluxe resort after staying at value resorts?

[jl3614]

I say to each his own, and individual circumstances can cause the same person to answer this question differently with subsequent trips.

We went to AKL this spring, had previously (recent visits)stayed at POFQ, ASMU, and ASMO. AKL was nicer, and I had no second thoughts about the additional cost. But I truly believe this was because of the great discount I got for this trip. If I was paying rack rate, I definitely would have been dissapointed. The price we paid was only about $90/night above what a Value would cost - and to top it off we got a complimentary upgrade from standard view to savanna view.

I have stayed at AKL, Poly, YC - and have visited BC, WL, and CR. I am absolutley sure at rack rate I would be dissapointed in all these when compared to a Value resort. I am not wealthy enough that I can justify $200 - $300/night difference between Deluxe and Value.

 

[Holly]

Well, I definitely was not disappointed with AKL. However, I thought that ASM was just as good in many ways. It is a different experience, but not necessarily a better one.

 

[dzneelvr]

This is a very timely thread for my family. We're vets of the All Stars having stayed at each one as they were first built, settling on the ASmo for the past several trips. DS and DD now want to go to the Poly, so we're going to book that for a few nights next summer. I have a little problem with spending the $$ because we are a family that does NOT spend alot of time at the resort, and we go for 10-11 days because we get a good deal at the Values. However, it will be a nice change for us and I appreciate all the truthful comments, both pro and con. I have a friend who moved to Celebration a couple years ago and will work with him to get the "right" Poly area for our needs.

 

[Carrieberry]

Yes. We stayed at The Poly (concierge) on our first trip and it was ok but we did not feel it was worth the money. Then I found the boards and it was a whole new "World"! Our next trip we stayed at ASMo for 2 nights and then DxL (now POR) for 3 nights because we were nervous about the value resorts. WE LOVED ASMO AND POR! For our next trip we did all 8 nights at POFQ and loved it too. Then stayed at AKL and did not really care for it, it gave us the same feeling as the Poly. Just not our type of place. We then decided to rent DVC points and stay at BCV. Well that became our favorite resort by far just because we loved the themeing, light beachy colors and access to Epcot and The Studios. This last trip we did 2 nights at POFQ and loved it as usual, then moved to OKW into a 1 bedroom. That was HEAVEN! Still the only way we have been able to afford staying in the deluxes was either a great code (AKL) or Renting DVC points (made BCV $156 a night).I would be dissapointed if I paid rack rate or even dicounted rate at one of the pricer deluxes like CR or GF. We are going back in Feb and ding all 6 nights at either Pop or ASMo. We know we will love it there!

 

[tinkerbellmagic]

Well, after staying at the Poly 4 times during value season (also stayed at POR and Yacht Club in the 1990s), we booked one night at POP. So now I'm just a little disappointed that I spent all that money at Poly, when POP was more than sufficient. My main reason for booking Poly was wanting a monorail resort while traveling alone with my 4 yo DGS. I love Poly, but not so much for it's lush gardens or Polynesian theming. To be honest, I book there for transportation only. For that perk, it did not disappoint. It was awesome. Now that DGS is 6, I doubt I will ever book Poly again ($). We are probably looking at POP and mods from here on out, though I'd love to try BC some day - again, for location.

I've never had the opportunity to stay in a deluxe resort but my family was lucky enough to get a room at the Poly for a low discount rate a few years ago. They loved the monorail access and the beautiful lobby but after staying at only mods they were very disappointed in the lack of food court and the fact their was only one bus stop. They tell me the transportation was very inconvenient and they missed the atmosphere of the moderates.

Hi, I don't understand some of this. Captain Cooks is the food court at Poly. It's not very big, but we've always been pleased with it. I do agree another bus stop would be nice. As far as transportation being very inconvenient at Poly, I am so surprised they said that. The Polynesian, to me, is THEE most convenient resort as far as transportation, in all of WDW. You can walk to the TNT to access Epcot and MGM and monorail or boat to MK. Not sure how they could find this inconvenient in any way. As I said, transportation is the main reason we book Poly. Maybe your family was not aware of the other transportation conveniences at Poly, but any monorail resort is a gem.. thus the high price tag.

Tink

 

[Castillo Mom]

Well, being that we've only gone to WDW once, I can only comment on our experience at a deluxe resort, the Beach Club. We absolutely loved it! The location can't be beat as well as the alternative transportation options and we were able to walk to Epcot and the surrounding resorts. We plan on returning for our next trip.

 

[Suzanne74]

I am interested in this thread as well but more so for the opposite reason. We have stayed at deluxes and are now looking at staying at the POP since my parents are coming with us and 2 value rooms ajoined will SO much cheaper.

Having said that, I do agree with Carrieberry in that the Poly concierge just didn't do it for me and even with an AP rate I was a little taken back with the total cost once taxes etc.. was added. Don't get me wrong. We were in the prime longhouse and was even upgraded from garden to lagoon but I am very frugal and like seeing every dollar spent to the fullest. Even with the great pool, fabulous location and the whole ohana feeling, I still came away thinking we overspent as mousekeeping was poor and the room is in dire need of rehab. $300+ a night, even in NYC gets you top of the line rooms. I just expected more from WDW.

I have like another poster commented on, rented a 1 bdrm at OKW and that was by far my favorite. It was a grea deal Sun-Fri and we paid less then a moderate and had laundry and a full kitchen and a jacuzzi. Very nice and very worth it. I would NEVER pay disney rack rates for that room but if you have that room at OKW and a rental car right outside your door, there is nowhere in WDW that you can't get to inside 12min besides MK. We took the bus for that only.

I have also stayed at CR for a really good discounted rate and enjoyed the proximity there. Looking back on it, I think I got more bang for my buck there then Poly. Oh well to each is there own.

I am looking forward to POP and my huge savings this trip!!!

As far as transportation being very inconvenient at Poly, I am so surprised they said that. The Polynesian, to me, is THEE most convenient resort as far as transportation, in all of WDW. You can walk to the TNT to access Epcot and MGM and monorail or boat to MK. Not sure how they could find this inconvenient in any way.

I have to agree with the fact that transportation to MK and Epcot was nice - I think the problem that poster was trying to say was the buses and I agree with her. We got to the bus stop at 9am and didn't put our passes into AK until 10:05am. NOT GOOD!! Not only did we wait forever for that bus but it was packed with Contemporary guests and also was making a stop to Blizzard Beach. Same with MGM - it took us 40min from time at bus stop to putting tickets in. Time wasted if you ask me and for the money you spend at a deluxe, there is no reason we should be sharing a bus with another huge deluxe resort.

 

[emilymad]

Three years ago we stayed at ASMo and loved it. Last year for our honeymoon we decided to rent points for the BCV. We wanted to try something nicer so we splurged. We picked BCV for the pool. We loved the pool but most of the time we missed the ASMo. We hated not having a food court and the buses were horrible. We shared with the Yacht Club and Swan and Dolphin. The All Stars have less bus sharing and were much easier to manage. Our next trip in September is going to be at POP. I doubt we would stay at a deluxe again. It wasn't really worth the money for us. It is just my husband and myself. If we had kids I am sure the room size would make a difference. We can't wait to try POP!!

 

[Happy Gal]

We've only stayed at the CBR, but this time we're looking for a deluxe. I would think with the extra money that we're paying Disney would put the top of the line workers there.