How bad is a vaule resort ?

[pooh2001]

We are a family of 4. DH, DW, DS 18 and DD 15.
Would a value resort not be a good place for us to stay ?

We have only stayed in deluxes, but with my job cut, we may not be able to afford them.

Values have no pool slide and buses to everywhere.
Do they have good points ?

We only have AAA for a discount.
No AP's this year.
We travel during Easter break.

Suggestions please...which value and why for teens and two parents ?

 

[vickalamode]

You might want to look into a moderate, or if not you can always try the suites at the value...I know ASMu definitely has suites. Your kids I'm assuming are going to want/expect different beds given their ages. Soo yeah...

anyways, I love ASMu. I stayed there this June and it was nice. Since you're in Disney...most of the time you're not there for the RESORT...there are after all 4 theme parks...

Our room was clean when we got there, every day, the maids made the bed, took dirty towels, and one night we even made a mess with food from the food court by accident, and by the time we got back the next day, our floor was completely vaccummed and nobody could tell there was a mess. So the room service was great. One day we asked for the sheets to be changed, because we spilled soda on them by accident (well you can guess by now that we're SLOBS lol)...and they were changed. Great mousekeeping! Clean rooms, fun theme.

The pools don't have slides, but that isn't really a turn off for me. Maybe it is for you, I don't know.

The only bad thing was that they over booked, it was June. So we only had 1 king size bed in our room, it was supposed to be 2 beds. They wouldn't give us a different room which kinda bugged me, but they were like "theres only two of you, share the bed"

It didn't ruin the trip or anything, but I figured it was worth pointing out.

All in all, I would definitely stay at ASMu again. You might want to look into the suites or just a regular room at a moderate, I don't know your budget but I think with 4 adults a regular room at a value might be cramped

 

[insoin]

The rooms are small, but then again I dont care about things like that. I would think you may need connecting rooms at the values. I say this, because the family suites at ASMu may not have enough beds. I think the sofa pulls out, and one of the chairs converts to a bed. But do not quote me as I have not stayed in one. A connecting room at the values will give you a bed in one room, a queen I think, and two full beds in the other. And not knowing how much that is, it may be better to just get a mod.

With all that said I do not know much about the resorts because I have not been to WDW in ages cept for this past Sept. I would suggest going to allears DOT net (I hope I dont get in trouble for posting that site here ) and check out the resorts section. It has a lot of good information, and use aaa dot com as well, and pick the travel part of the site, and then pick the Disney section, they have nice stuff there. If you cant find the aaa info, send me a PM and I will be glad to email you more detailed steps.

 

[pearlieq]

We are a family of 4. DH, DW, DS 18 and DD 15.
Would a value resort not be a good place for us to stay ?

Honestly, if your budget is strictly capped at value resort prices, I would start seriously considering offsite in your situation.

I just think 4 adults (essentially) in one value room with 2 double size beds is going to be really tight and not too pleasant.

The pools aren't breathtaking, but they're OK. The ones at Pop are better than the AS resorts, in my opinion. The bus transportation is liveable--again Pop is better than the AS resorts. Those are things I'm willing to live with in order to stay onsite. But I just don't think the cramped quarters would be any fun for anyone.

 

[simonkodousek]

I agree with the AP. If you can't afford moderate or deluxe, you might want to consider staying offsite, especially with two teens and two adults.

Out of the four values, I would pick either ASMu or POP.

 

[deltachi8]

I love the values, however in your situation, the rooms might be a little "close for comfort."

I would seriously look at renting a condo off site. you will have much more room and probably be able to be in the same price range.

 

[ms.yt]

My son and I loved our stay at Pop! We wouldn't hesitate to stay there again!

 

[dbarker]

We love the values. (We love AKL also).

The good points (for us anyway):

Wonderful WDW theming--big, fun icons
EMH
Wonderful bus service to all of WDW
No parking costs
No need for a car
Magical Express (if you are flying in)
Large Food Courts.

I'm sure there are many, many more good points, but it is way past my bedtime and I can't think of anything else right now.

If it were me and I was restricted by budget, I would definitely stay at AS Sports. With 2 teenagers, I would either (1) have them take turns sleeping on the floor in a sleeping bag or (2) boys in 1 bed (DH & DS) and girls in the other (DW & DD).

If you opt for the sleeping bag, you could bring along an air mattress. Maybe the one that sleeps on the floor, gets some special privilege that day.

 

[disneyholic family]

We are a family of 4. DH, DW, DS 18 and DD 15.
Would a value resort not be a good place for us to stay ?

We have only stayed in deluxes, but with my job cut, we may not be able to afford them.

Values have no pool slide and buses to everywhere.
Do they have good points ?

We only have AAA for a discount.
No AP's this year.
We travel during Easter break.

Suggestions please...which value and why for teens and two parents ?

your kids are a bit big to fit together in one small room with you...
but we've done it....
rather than a moderate, maybe you could get two value rooms?

the only problem in my opinion is the room size...
we've stayed in values, moderates and deluxes and enjoyed them all...
why not present the issue to your kids....tell them that if you save money by staying in a value, you'll be able to go....or have more money to spend on other things..

the last few years we've only stayed in deluxes, but recently my kids said they didn't care if we stayed in the values, as long as it was at WDW...

as i said, the main problem i see for you in the values (and the moderates as well), is the size of the room....but it's doable....you could all fit (though personally i would have girls sleep with girls and boys with boys - which is what we do when we're in one room with 2 double beds -- that is DH with DS and DD with me...)

 

[JennyDrake]

I've never stayed in a deluxe, only values and moderates, so in some respects I can't address your question very well, but here goes:

I have also stayed in all the values more than once.

Music is my favorite because it is quieter and has more of an adult crowd as it seems to be the favorite for budget honeymooners. At first the theming didn't grab me, but once I slowed down and really looked it at, I think I like it best of all the values. For instance the New Orleans rose garden and wrought iron bench in the jazz section, the horse corral with real saddles in the country, etc.

Movies has the most colorful, charming theming, but it is so hard to get a room there as it is very popular.

Sports IMHO has the best bus schedule/service; while I certainly would stay there again, I'm just not a huge sports fan. ("Real" sports fan--I like the resort.)

Pop has the best food court with more offerings, including the grilled flatbreads. It also has an indoor lounge and an outdoor lounge. I've probably had the best front desk service (of the values) at that resort. What keeps Pop from being my favorite is just the size and hence, number of people. it seems the food court was constant, loud mayhem--not matter what time of day or night, and there was always something of a line at the bus stops (from the resort or from the parks back.)

I don't think you can go wrong with any of them; and I will happily continue to visit!

As far as some of the general negatives:

None of the pools have a true deep end. If you like to tread water or swim away from wee ones in water wings, tough.
I don't consider the rooms to be THAT small, but they only have one sink. This could be a serious issue with more than two adults jockeying for position in the mornings or late night.
Becuase they are the lower priced resorts, you should expect the resort, the food court and the gift shop to be swarming at virtually all hours with families with lots of small, often screaming, children. I have never experienced a problem with room noise, but then I ask for top floor rooms facing away from any pools.
I have not experienced appreciably better or worse bus service at any of the values, but the values bus ques are not shaded or sheltered.

 

[minnie61650]

All Star Music is my favorite Disney owned hotel.

Please see my info thread For the resons why I enjoy All Star Music so much.

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?p=18641909#post18641909

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Here is a little info if you concidering 2 rooms or a Family Suite at All Star Music:

Just an FYI


For comparison, the price of a Family Suite is $9-11 more then 2 Standard Rooms, or $13-15 less the 2 Preferred Rooms, depending on season.

Also a fridge is included in AS Suite.

Fridges cost $10 a night to rent when staying at a value . Don't forget the Queen size bed,a coffee pot and microwave are also in Family Suites.

* Note there is no extra charge for extra adults in the Faily Suites 1- 6 adults can stay in the Family Suite for the same price.
If your family stayed in 1 value room you will be charged an extra $10 a night for the 18 year old.
If your family stayed in 1 mod room you will be charged an extra $15 a night for the 18 year old.

The Family Suites have been included in the discounts later so keep your eyes open for a good discount.

----------------------------------------------------

DH and I stayed in a Family Suite at All Star Music ( a value resort) in Sept. of 2006.

We really enjoyed the Queen size bed, the kitchenette with the microwave, having a sofa and cushioned chair to sit on and relax after a day at the parks before retiring for the evening.

I thought the pullouts very comfortable.

They are designed so the back cushion and seat cushion of the pullout support the pullout. There is no metal bar to hurt the sleepers back.

Info thread--Pullouts in Family Suites at ASMU with photos of how the pullout is supported.

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?p=18100990#post18100990

Here is the layout of the Family Suites:

Here is my review of the Suites:

www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=17640774&postcount=7

For more photos and info please see this info thread:

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1392879

Have fun at Disney wherever you choose to stay!

 

[averill94]

We happen to love the values (we've only stayed in moderates)
THey really are some value! We are a family of 4 (2 kids) and the room size was not a problem- I was concenred as DH is a pig.

We really enjoyed ASMu this year- size and theming were great. Buses were awesome too. Lush foliage there too!

My family builds "break" days in to vacation as well as afternoon breaks and we still did not spend much time at the hotel. Even if we spent tons of time at the hotel I would still love a value.


With kids that age I bet they would really like POP.

Let us know what you choose!

 

[minnie61650]

Here is a good thread Are the values as bad as they say?

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1102308&page=3&pp=15&highlight=cheerleaders

Have fun at Disney!

 

[eeyoreiscool]

We enjoy staying in the value resorts when we need to and haven't had any problems with them. Our favorite is probably Pop mainly because the kids seem to like it better.

 

[suzimar57]

we've stayed in both deluxes and the values, and honestly, we're happy in either! - the Pop is really cool, with the lake you can (halfway) walk around, and you can't beat the theming!

 

[Hannathy]

I don't understand the room size bit. With kids that age I would imagine you will only be in the room to sleep and shower. Who cares if it is small it is for a week and you are at Disney! We always traveled with 4 and never got more than 1 room. Over Labor Day we had 6 people-4 Adults. 1 older teen and 1- 9 yr old in a family room that wasn't much bigger than a value room and we were fine, it was fun. Go spend your time at the parks and come back collapse into bed and have a good time. If you aren't going to be in the room hardly at all why pay so much to have prettier wallpaper/furniture.

 

[mjh8955]

I am just back from our first stay at a value resort, our favorite has always been Beach Club but the cost now is outrageous. This trip it was just me and our two teenagers, DS16 and DD13. We were at the POP for 5 nights and here are my thoughts on a value resort with teens...

We were not in the room all that much. When we got back from the parks the kids would both go to the arcade for a while. I used that quiet time to regroup, reorganize, repack, etc. I bought refilable mugs so they had the freedom of getting drinks at the food court on their own. They used a DVD player and their mp3 players while in the room, to kind of "chill" and "isolate". DD13 used the pool only once so it wasn't a big deal for us. We had our water fun at Typhoon Lagoon one day. I had a very good AAA rate of $64.50 a night. When we checked in, I had a somewhat young and inexperienced cast member helping me. I had "requested" a 1st floor room near Classic Hall and I got a very distant 4th floor room. I was very polite and persistant and ended up in the play doh building, 1st floor, on the backside with a really nice view of the lake. It might have been a preferred toom but I paid for standard. I was very glad we weren't poolside, there is too much chaos and noise both early and late. I think if you expect something along the lines of a small Hampton-size room you will be o.k. I paid about the same amount for our whole stay as one night at the Beach Club and that made me pretty happy.

 

[fla4fun]

OP,

Just because you "only have AAA" doesn't mean there won't be other discounts out there. Because of when you are traveling, you'll have to keep your eyes open, because if you blink, you might miss them. A lot depends on when your Easter break falls, since Easter is so early next year. But you might get lucky and book a mod for around the same price as a AAA rate value if something does happen. This might be one of those times to try one of the Disney travel specialists, like Dreams Unlimited. They can book a room only reservation with the AAA discount, and be on the lookout for any other discounts that may come up that would work for you. You can even give them info on which resorts you would be interested in upgrading to, if the price were right.

The values have the feel (size-wise) of a typical hotel/motel room. I stay in the values and mods on my shorter trips when I won't be spending as much time in the room as I do on the longer ones. There's plenty of Disney themeing, you have the Disney transportation system at your fingertips, you have all the on site perks everyone else has. That's something to consider before considering offsite. You will get more for your money off property, but you give up some time and some Disney magic to do so. Whether the trade off in space is worth it is something only your family can answer.

 

[spiceycat]

values and moderates have two double (full) size beds.

deluxes have either 2 queens or queen and bunk beds - plus most of them have a day bed.

that besides the room size is the big difference to me. If you and your husband not to mention the kids can stay in that little of a room - I happen to love POP.

if you can't - either wait a year - or go with offsite. You might be able to find a good deal on skyauction - so 1 or 2 bedroom - $295 +$20 + 1 = $326 (this is assuming your bid is only a $1 - hard - but not impossible) for the entire week

 

[english rose 47]

I vote for POP, for the amount of time you stay in your room size isn't that big of any issue The big question would be beds if 2 of you could be okay in a double bed then it's fine We were 5 so we had connecting rooms and 2 of them were cheaper than a deluxe by quite a bit. Connecting rooms is awesome plenty of room AND 2 bathrooms. Pop's food court is great they have 3 Big pools and while no slide they are great. I wouldn't stay anywhere else!