help to convince me to stay in a value!!!!

[petrymom]

I don't want to sound sassy here, but I really have been spoiled the last two times we went to WDW. 1st time - POR (loved it) and 2nd time - AKL (loved it EVEN MORE but will probably not be able to afford again.

Well, DK's have a spring break this year about the time that I am finishing with my classes for College. DH has been set that he was getting a motorcycle before our next trip to Disney, but the other day he told me to go online and check pricing for spring break (after much begging from the kids, and me- I think he got sick of hearing us whine)

Long story short, I want to keep it nice and cheap so he will approve the trip and thought we could save money by staying at the value resorts.

Please help to convince me that I am not making a mistake and that we will have a great time at the values too... We really don't spend much time at the hotel because we are a sort of hyperactive family and go the whole time we are at the world.

Thanks for your help and guidance.

 

[DisneyBride'03]

You will have a terrifc time at a value!! Just dont go in expecting luxury etc...I had a great time at POP....do some research on the values.
You will have a great time with your family...you will save money, and still have a nice time!

 

[mdsouth]

We really don't spend much time at the hotel because we are a sort of hyperactive family and go the whole time we are at the world. Thanks for your help and guidance.

You said it yourself, if your family is on the go then you really do not need anything more than the value. We stayed at a mod before, but found out that we really did not take advantage of the extras, so it was basically wasted money.

A second point is that, by going with the value on this trip, you will show your DH that you can have a great time on less money, so there may be a greater chance that you can go back more often!

 

[RJD]

We have stayed at a value once (Sports) and were very happy with it. As a matter of fact, we're staying there again in August. We're a family of 4 and are also on the go all the time. We get as much park time in as possible. So as long as you know what to expect (basic hotel room--not alot of extras), I think the values are great. You get all the Disney perks for a lot less $$.

 

[Crazy4Disney43611]

I couldn't stay at a value. Call me a snob if you like, but there is no way. I'm not saying there is a thing wrong with them, different strokes for different folks. We (Me, DW & DS) are going back in under a month and in order for us all to sllep at night need at least two separate rooms. (I snore like a freight train and DW has gotten used to it while DS has not) So in order to save some $$$ we rented a condo for $120 a night for our stay that is within 5 minutes of AKL and on a clear night you can see fireworks from the balcony. If you're interested I can pass along the info for the rental. Either way have a magical time!

 

[rotlex]

We stayed at a value, All Star Movies, for the first time this past April. We loved it! Our DD actually enjoyed the Fanatsia pool so much she doesn't want to even stay anywhere else next time, LOL.

Seriously though. I guess it depends on what you are used too. For us, the hotel\room is nothing more than a place to store our stuff while we enjoy the parks. That said, the values, to me at least, are still VERY nice, VERY Disney, and a phenomenal value for your dollar. We had absolutely no complaints during our stay, and frankly, will probably try POP next year just to see what that's like.

On a side note, we are visiting again in August, and staying at CBR. I'm sure we will love it, but to be honest, unless it's REALLY something special, I'm going to have a hard time dropping an extra $500 or so just for a room! (At least the free dining will make it worth the little extra)

 

[emer95]

We're staying at a Value for the first time this August. I'm a wee bit nervous about it, but reading the POP thread put my mind at ease. It'll be our first time on-site, so I'm all excited about experiencing this magic people keep talking about !
I'll let you know how it goes.

 

[Aye Sea Turtles]

We really don't spend much time at the hotel because we are a sort of hyperactive family and go the whole time we are at the world.

If that's the case, it sounds like you wouldn't be able to take advantage of enjoying a mod or a lux anyhow. Basically you just need the room to crash in, right? Go value and have a great time!

 

[Mrs. D]

I couldn't stay at a value. Call me a snob if you like, but there is no way. I'm not saying there is a thing wrong with them, different strokes for different folks. We (Me, DW & DS) are going back in under a month and in order for us all to sllep at night need at least two separate rooms. (I snore like a freight train and DW has gotten used to it while DS has not) So in order to save some $$$ we rented a condo for $120 a night for our stay that is within 5 minutes of AKL and on a clear night you can see fireworks from the balcony. If you're interested I can pass along the info for the rental. Either way have a magical time!

Why would you be a snob if your choosing to stay offsite for $120 a night...you couldn't get 2 rooms at a value for that...I might think you were being a snob if you said you and your family of 4 just had to have 2 rooms at a moderate or a deluxe....but if I had to choose a value vs offsite, I'd choose the value...like you said different strokes

 

[antmaril]

We're staying at a Value for the first time this August. I'm a wee bit nervous about it, but reading the POP thread put my mind at ease. It'll be our first time on-site, so I'm all excited about experiencing this magic people keep talking about !
I'll let you know how it goes.

This is how I feel exactly. We are staying at POP (our first Value experience) next month and I'm a tad nervous about it too. I am admittedly a hotel snob, but I need two rooms for this trip and it's the second trip this year (BWI in January), so I'm trying to economize. Most of the reviews of POP are very positive, so I'm hoping for the best.

I have tried unsuccessfully to change to a moderate and I made my final payment this morning. So, Pop it is.

 

[lynn46356]

We've stayed at POR, POFQ and BC twice. This past February we took the plunge and stayed at POP. It was great!!!!!! I've booked another trip there for next February and can't wait. Our two stays at the BC were great don't get me wrong. We loved the pool especially our boys. POR and POFQ were nice too. That being said, POP met all our needs. The food court and buses were great. The money we saved staying at Pop we went ahead and got the dining plan. That was awesome too. We aren't in our rooms other than sleeping so it really made no sense to us to pay extra money for a mod or deluxe. Hope this helps. I know I read and read these boards trying to make my decision last year. It can drive a person crazy. I'd rather be able to go to disney more by staying at a value than not go at all. Have fun.

Lynn

 

[mrsmom]

I stay at POR alot and my favorite resort stay is AKL. This past April my dd and i was just going so ,we wanted to do it cheaply ,so we picked Pop century for a week. I have stayed at other values when my kids we small and hated them. But i loved pop the food court was great and the cm we wonderful. I would stay there again if i was wanting to stay on a good budget. So go enjoy ,after all it's Disney you will have a magical time.
Kim

 

[spiceycat]

I couldn't stay at a value. Call me a snob if you like, but there is no way. I'm not saying there is a thing wrong with them, different strokes for different folks. We (Me, DW & DS) are going back in under a month and in order for us all to sllep at night need at least two separate rooms. (I snore like a freight train and DW has gotten used to it while DS has not) So in order to save some $$$ we rented a condo for $120 a night for our stay that is within 5 minutes of AKL and on a clear night you can see fireworks from the balcony. If you're interested I can pass along the info for the rental. Either way have a magical time!

I stay offsite too and love it. I found a condo for a week for $228 for the entire week. It is a 1-bedroom.

that say if you stay offsite you need a rental car. Don't be fooled into their shuttle. Offsite shuttles are not a good deal. You will save time and money (ticket prices) by simply renting a car. If you are not driving down yourself in your own car.

 

[spiceycat]

OP - hey I know what you are saying.

my mother flat out refused to stay in a value. I told her I was saying at Pop - if she didn't want to go that was her right. I always pay for everything.

well she went and to her amazement (not mind) she loved the place.

you don't know until you try it. Pop appeals to a bunch of people who wouldn't like the other value resorts. So go for it!!!

Pop has some of the best CM's and the management is pretty wonderful. Wish OKW had as great.

 

[petrymom]

Thanks - with every post I am feeling better and better about doing this!!!!!

 

[NUguyinCrew]

I know people's experiences can be spread all over the place on value resorts and Im probably on one end of the spectrum completely. I say DONT DO IT!! Spend the money for POR or the like. We stayed at POP last year and hated it. There were a bunch of things that bugged us enough to vow to never stay at another value resort which I wont go into detail on because I'll probably get flamed on here by the people that love POP. To each his/her own but that resort will not be in our future again.

 

[blue_eyes5212]

I love the values!!! We are a childless couple who always stay at the values because we just need a place to sleep and shower!! Some people call themselves "deluxe snobs".....well, I'm going to call myself an "on-site snob"!!
To me, the resort experience is as important as all the rest and I don't feel like I would truly be "doing Disney" if I was staying off site!!

Yes, the values are "bare-bones". But we don't spend tons of time at the resort anyway! My goal is to stay at every Disney resort eventually, but as a young married couple with some debt, the values are great for us. I just don't feel like paying the extra money for amenities I won't use. If I want to eat at a full-service restaurant....I will get on Disney transportation and go eat at one.

As a previous poster said.....to each their own and I love my value resorts!!!!!

 

[Minnie&Nana]

Guess I'll throw in my POP experiences as well!

We had always stayed at Poly or CR, but when CBR opened decided to give it a try - although I did miss the deluxe service, I absolutely loved CBR and stayed there 5 times in a row...then Swan/Dophin opened and we got fanastic rates there...then BC/YC opened etc., etc.

The first time on a girls only long weekend (2 adults) stayed at POP in Feb 2004 I was dreading it. At check-in I asked the CM to wait to check us in because I wanted to call CRO to see about changing to CBR because I hated the outside of the building and lobby - well, the CM asked me to give POP a chance. She said at least try it and if I was not happy to come see her and she would be sure to get us switched to CBR. The resort was open just 3 mos and everything was new and clean - our room was in 50's building 2 on the back side - but the walk over as we passed Lady and Tramp I had to admit it was fun and we were smiling ear to ear. The place definitely grew on us and really enjoyed the 4 night stay.

Loved the Juke Box and the elevator being sort of hidden behind it - we opened the door to the room with very low expectations and were wonderfully surprised! It still had that new smell It was small, but not tiny, it was very tastefully decorated and although our daytime view was not much, the nighttime view included IllumiNations and was spectacular!

Have now stayed at POP 5 times, and there is so much to enjoy about the resort - the lake is wonderful, the icons fun, the food court is great! CM's terrific.

Unfortunately, after the last stay (Feb/March 2007) decided not be to return until it is refurbished - the rooms in building 3 to be in serious need of a good cleaning and painting - and it was the 3rd stay in that building.

Last Feb/March visit, first room they gave us smelled so bad we wondered if someone had been sick on the carpet and it had not been properly cleaned. We reported this, a manager came up, showed us the room next door (which we took), agreed the other room was awful and said it would be cleaned and the carpet cleaned (the first room). Never happened that we could tell!! The room was disgusting and we felt terrible for the young couple who checked into that room the next day.

Building 2 rooms facing the pool were excellent in 2005, but none was available last time (Feb this yr).

Maybe it was just us, but last Feb/March the resort was dirty, loud, kids screaming, adults screaming at the children, food court dirty (never before this trip)...just do not want to stay there again until it gets back to the way it was - maybe Disney cut back on staff or maybe it was the time of year, but will not be back anytime soon.

We've never had problems with noise in POP rooms - do not hear other guests or toilets flushing as some DISers. We do request a top floor with a nice view, which has always worked out great.

It really is a delightful place at times, but the last couple of visits were just not the same. Maybe DISers who have been this summer have had a better experience.

Perhaps at check in you could ask for a recently refurbished room? Perhaps each building is painted and cleaned and it was just past due for building 3...

Having said all of this, if it was the only way I could go, I would stay at POP again! Hope it all works out GREAT for your family!!

 

[MEK]

I.

Please help to convince me that I am not making a mistake and that we will have a great time at the values too... We really don't spend much time at the hotel because we are a sort of hyperactive family and go the whole time we are at the world.

Thanks for your help and guidance.

You calmed your own fear with this statement. If you don't spend much time in the hotel, a value will be fine. So many people tend to view values as "worse or lower than" a mod or a deluxe. A value is just a different experience. To me it's not and worse or better. It's just one aspect of the trip. My kids loved POP after staying at 2 mod resorts. They liked all the activity and they referred to it as "a big party".

Give it a try - what's the worst that can happen. If you find out you don't like it, don't go back.

 

[Lovinlifesooomuch30]

We have stayed all levels....LOVED them all !!!!!!!