How hard is it going from Villas to Values?

[anbouk]

Hmmm...these DVC rooms really spoil you!!! We tried getting in a few extra days before our DVC stay at POP last year and our family HATED it!!! So much that the front desk got us out early and booked us at AKV a few extra nites (of course we had to pay) just so the family can be happy!
dvc rocks!

 

[supersuperwendy]

I couldn't do it in place of a DVC stay. If we were out of points and free dining came up..we'd jump on it for a disney fix, but there's no way I'd go value. We love POR so we'd definitely go there. Free dining is nice when you have kids over ten vs. paying for it.

Have you thought about keeping your DVC stay and skipping the DDP altogether? The DDP isn't what it used to be. I don't think I'd cram in a value resort for the DDP. nope

 

[Alexander]

When we are on vacation, one of the most important things for us is the swimming. The value resorts have according to my kids terrible pools. They are very crowded, don't provide towels, have crappy chairs and frequently have "floatys" if you know what I mean. We saw a child throw up once in the pool at All Star Sports and nothing was done to clean it. Ewwwww.....

So the only thing we truly hate about the values are the pools. Otherwise we don't mind them. One fall we booked the value resort for the free dining and kept our one bedroom at OKW. When we did the math, it worked out financially for us perfectly.

 

[BEASLYBOO]

Personally, I can't/won't stay in a studio/hotel/motel with 4 or 5 people, that's not my idea of a vacation. Even in families, I believe everyone is entitled to some privacy and comfort! Even if I'm only going to be in the room just morning and night, I don't want to be in it with 4 or 5 other people, even if they are family! Cramming 4,5,6 in a hotel room was fine during the college days and Spring break but I'm done with that!

I bought DVC to stop the commando type of Disney vacation, to enjoy the resorts and all that they offer, and to relax in a a nice setting. A value is still acceptable but one room for 5 is not acceptable and free dining is surely not enough to convince me to even consider it!

Now that's what's important to me, what's important to you?

 

[majortom1981]

I do not think the ddp is worth it. I say keep your ak res and forget the ddp.

Between bread service at sanaa bar , skipping breakfast a lot to get to park openings, and not wanting to eat everything at sit down my wife and i can actually eat for cheaper per day then what the ddp offers.

 

[cloudnut220]

my DH and I stayed one night at AS Sports last December. We arrived very late and left very early. But we also added on during that trip...mostly so we would never have to stay at a value again! My night owl husband would rather fly to WDW at 6am instead of going the night before and staying at a value!

 

[BabsBunny]

Like Supersuperwendy said, do you really need the dining plan? We have never used the dining plan. When we have a 1 or 2 bedroom, we almost always eat breakfast in our villa. If we are at the parks for lunch, splitting a counter service entree' is enough. Our upcoming trip is for five nights. It looks like we will do sit down dinners for three of those nights, and the other two will be take out (pizza or Earl of Sandwich or the new chicken restaurant at DD) relaxing at the villa. The great thing about DVC is you have beautiful resorts to enjoy and plenty of room in the villas.

 

[BWV2001]

Thanks, everybody. To answer the sentiment "Do you really need the dining plan?" I answer, "Of course not." I am not even considering purchasing it. But, I do know my family will easily spend $150/day on food, and just thinking of getting a room for around $200/day, saving my points, and eating for nearly free is tempting. I do appreciate everyone's advice, and, quite honestly (and selfishly), I almost wish free dining wouldn't be an option while we're there so it wouldn't tempt me so much!!!

I have made one decision....if the free dining is offered, I am only going to consider POR. Everyone's posts have scared me away from values .

 

[Kidanifan08]

I have made one decision....if the free dining is offered, I am only going to consider POR. Everyone's posts have scared me away from values .

The two stays that we did in moderate resorts (CBR and CSR) were far better than the one value. The resorts are a little quieter and the pools, restaurants, lobbies and bus stops are not as chaotic. It doesn't help that we stayed at ASM in October 2009 when they had near record high temps -- heat indexes in the low 100's! Miserable during the day -- miserable at night. We faced the main pool and tons of people were night swimming. We did that stay for the free dining but, at that time, we got the standard DDP. Now I think values usually get the QSDP and the mods and deluxe get the standard DDP.

If you do stay at a value, I would suggest avoiding rooms that face the pool. It is really loud late into the night. I we ever do value again, I will specifically avoid a pool view. I would probably ask to be as far away from the lobby/restaurant as possible and not facing a pool. If you do the parks commando, the values are generally an acceptable place to land at night and sleep.