I never want to go back to a value resort again.

[SGMCO]

So Glad you loved POR--it's our favorite MOD.

We have never stayed at a Value because DH says that
he wants to relax after a long day at the parks and the
it would be Disney overload if we stayed at a Value (with the large
Icons). Looking at pictures of the Values give DH a Headache.

What I'm worried staying at a Deluxe (AKL)
for the 1st time this next trip and I know I'm going to get hooked.
It will be our 25th Anniversary so we are plurging.

But I'm sure we will stay at POR again in the future, I don't think
we would be able to pay Deluxe prices for future trips.

 

[autumnpalm]

We have stayed at resorts in all three categories- from the Poly to the POP. And every stay has been wonderful.

We choose our resort based on the type of vacation we want to have. For example, in May we stayed at the Yacht Club and had a more relaxing vacation with lots of time at the pool, enjoying the room and the resort property. We didn't do the dining plan and we had a really flexible schedule.

For our 2011 trip, we are planning on going to the POP and touring the parks more. We will have the Deluxe Dining Plan so we will still get to experience many of the deluxe resorts! For that trip, the resort will be more a place to lay our heads at the end of the night than a real part of the trip.

Personally, the mods are my least favourite category. I would rather go all the way and go deluxe or stay at a value and have a lot of extras. But no matter where on property you put me, I will be a happy camper (unless I literally have to camp at FW.... no thanks!)

 

[ShellyLynn3630]

So Glad you loved POR--it's our favorite MOD.

We have never stayed at a Value because DH says that
he wants to relax after a long day at the parks and the
it would be Disney overload if we stayed at a Value (with the large
Icons). Looking at pictures of the Values give DH a Headache.

What I'm worried staying at a Deluxe (AKL)
for the 1st time this next trip and I know I'm going to get hooked.
It will be our 25th Anniversary so we are plurging.

But I'm sure we will stay at POR again in the future, I don't think
we would be able to pay Deluxe prices for future trips.

Ya, I bet you do get hooked on a deluxe. When we make it that far , I might look into renting out DVC points. But what I would love even more is to own DVC points.

 

[Topscot]

We are going to be booking into POR in April 2011. Which buildings are the best for being near breakfast and the bus? Are the AB rooms too rustic? I do like my comfort!

Also, we are going to be renting a car for our drive out to Cape Canaveral. Where is the closest place to rent a car?

 

[nurse.darcy]

Its always amazing to me how Disney has something for everyone. I have loved all my stays, some more than others. . .

Resorts I have stayed at and my opinions of them. . .

All Star Music - Very first trip to WDW. Loved this hotel and its theming. Didn't use the pool but the food court was great. . .no real transportation issues.

Pop - 2nd trip to WDW and I have stayed here twice. This was a DISmeet and my first all adult trip to Disney. Had a ball, enjoyed the amenities, spent time in the pool and used the food court (in my personal opinion this is the best food court on property).

POR - Mansions section - I have stayed here twice and I LOVE LOVE LOVE this hotel. I truly feel like I have taken a step back in time. Piano Bob is also a lot of fun. Just truly a fun place to stay and so relaxing. Love the pool areas (both the quiet and the main pool). Very lush and relaxing.

POFQ - Just loved my stay here. It was a great trip with lots of fun activities. The hotel and pool were very relaxing, the food court fun, transportation was not an issue.

Boardwalk - I like this hotel but do not love it. Its in a great location however, and that makes a huge difference. The room I had for my first stay was HUGE. . .

Saratoga Springs - While the room was nice and the resort is pretty it is SOOOOOO SPREAD OUT. Probably would not make a concious choice to stay here unless it was the only choice.

And now, my absolute favorite. . .

AKL - I cannot say enough good things about this stay. The hotel brings on a feeling of peace and tranquility. I never felt the need to hustle and bustle about. I enjoyed the pool, the hidden nooks and crannies, the fire place, the animals, my room. I did the least amount of park touring when I stayed here cause I never wanted to leave the hotel. It was wonderful. Transportation was never an issue. The food court had good choices, Jiko was awesome, the lounge was inviting and fun. Just a great place and will always be my first choice.

We will be trying Bay Lake Towers in February so I can give an opinion on that as well. I am not at all interested in CSR, CBR, WL, GF or the Poly. Just not my cup of tea really.

Now, the reasons that I choose to stay at a certain resort has more to do with the type of experience I want than the level of hotel. Outside of Disney I am a resort snob but at Disney it all depends on what I want from my experience. I will stay value again because it is a good place to stay when I want a fun vacation that doesn't cost me an arm and a leg. I would choose POR and POFQ any day of the week just because I love the theming. My first love will always be AKL. I just think it is a truly remarkable resort (did I mention I LOVE LOVE LOVE this place). I like to go several times a year and I love being able to have a different type of vacation each time.

The best part of Disney is they can accommodate all of us regardless of our needs, wants and budgets. That is the best thing in the world and what makes it so much fun.

 

[jazzielady]

Our first trip as a family: stayed at BWI and were upgraded to concierge. Very cool, but did not convince us to stay concierge

Chick trip with my mom 6 months after dad died: she always wanted to stay at GF, so we did. OK, but I wasn't overly impressed. Yes, it was nice, and definitely top of the line of all the resorts. Would not pay to stay there again.

Last 2 trips as a family: stayed at POFQ and will never stay anywhere else. that is our "home". Needless to say, we adore it.

So the evil pixie dust didn't work on us. Guess we just have natural immunity!

 

[LovesTimone]

This year was the first time that I had booked a Value. I will never ever make that mistake again.
I have stayed mostly Deluxe and Moderate's.

I booked for a girls only week at POP. Due to money constraints of some of the girls going. We figured 2 to a room --- no problem---
huge mistake - The room was so small that when I opened the door it hit the bed. I'm not over stepping -it simply hit the bed. Once in the room the lighting and smell was terrible. We were on the very last room (50's 4th floor) facing the Golden years which is over grown and sad looking. I don't know if the room had not been used or maybe work had not been done in this room for some time. It smelled like mold. I have claustrophobia and could not stay in that room.
It was strange that the rest of the resort looked great, while checking in we checked out the food court, shopping, the large Icon's are so fun and pool area. They all looked great so the room issue was a huge shock. It probably was just this room.,but for me I will pay the extra to stay at a moderate.

I was very grateful when they change us to a moderate at no-charge. even though I would have gladly paid to move. The CM's where great

 

[keishashadow]

my favorite disney resort is whichever one i'm staying at on any given trip

they're all gems in their own right, location...location; everything else is gravy!

AS resorts are exactly what they are billed as, value accomodations Some call them cheesy, i prefer iconic for the larger than life theming.

Typically, we visit deluxe/DVC resorts until our points run out, then i book whatever category my pocketbook will bear.

A little bit of research goes a long way, why people book a resort without doing any homework (even as to basic amenties such as square footage, restaurants, pools, etc.) & then bad-mouth their own bad choice, is bizarre.

 

[candykisses]

We have stayed at POFQ and loved it, but we also have enjoyed our stay at POP. We travel with small children so for them to enjoy the resort almost as much as the parks makes the value resort worth it for us, but we will be "moving back up" to the mods whenthey are older.

That sounds like our family when our boys were younger. They wanted to stay at the AS Movies,so we did. Now we're back to the POFQ.

We did a surprise trip for Ryan's 16th birthday to attend the Halloween party. He had been saying that he wanted to try Pop Century, so we did. We definitely will not be staying there for our regular length of stay trip.

 

[luvthemouse71]

I think it's great that WDW has varing tiers of resorts..there is something for every budget.

Me personally, I prefer the deluxes and now that I have a job that pays well, I find them perfect for my needs. I want a resort where I can relax, I don't spend all day at the parks.. I want a resort where I won't run into large tour groups(ie Pop Warner, BTGs,) of kids. I don't need or want loud cartoon colors in my face 24/7.

I agree with what others have said though..if it were a choice between a Value and not going, then I'd buck up, and stay at the value.

 

[*Seanaci*]

We're currently in the EARLY planning stages for a POTENTIAL 2 week trip to WDW in Dec 2011 (what can I say, we have weight loss goals to meet before we go again and putting it on paper will help us achieve those goals). My husband doesn't know it yet, but, I'm thinking we may try a mod for the trip...either CBR or Coronado Springs. However, if it turns out to be cheaper to stay at a value, we'll do that.

 

[Redbudlover]

I am a DVC owner at BWV, BCV and VWL and have also stayed deluxe and moderate many times. This past Christmas I got a great deal at a value to add on to my stay at BWV... I loved it! I didn't go in expecting deluxe and didn't get it. But I was very surprised to enjoy the landscaping at ASMU and the pool areas. I especially found the food court to be very clean and a wonderful option for a quick breakfast or snack. The rooms were nice, the beds comfy, and everything was just fine. I would certainly choose a DVC villa over a value, but would not hesitate to stay at ASMU again if a great deal came my way.

 

[jamstew]

I am a DVC owner at BWV, BCV and VWL and have also stayed deluxe and moderate many times. This past Christmas I got a great deal at a value to add on to my stay at BWV... I loved it! I didn't go in expecting deluxe and didn't get it. But I was very surprised to enjoy the landscaping at ASMU and the pool areas. I especially found the food court to be very clean and a wonderful option for a quick breakfast or snack. The rooms were nice, the beds comfy, and everything was just fine. I would certainly choose a DVC villa over a value, but would not hesitate to stay at ASMU again if a great deal came my way.

Yep, our $50/night rate was a pretty good incentive

 

[Daisylover]

I really like Pop Century!!! I've stayed at AKL and GFR I didn't really see why I'd spend more. I guess it's because I don't spend alot of time at the resort.