Inspired by how do folks afford the Poly

[stemikger]

Hi everyone,

This was inspired by Kentear's post on how people can afford the Poly and other deluxe resorts.

I am not sure if I am in the minority, but I really enjoy saving money and I really enjoy Pop Century which is a value resort. I don't feel like I am sacraficing at all.

Also, many people who replied to that thread said they would rather not go if they could not stay at a deluxe.

My question to you all is:

Would you rather stay home and not go if it meant you had to do value?

Also, for all the deluxe people, do you feel like you are sacraficing a lot if you had to do value.

When we go (which has been the last 4 years in a row) we stay for 11 days. Staying a a value enables us to do this comfortably without breaking the bank.

 

[diseverestfan]

Hi everyone,

This was inspired by Kentear's post on how people can afford the Poly and other deluxe resorts.

I am not sure if I am in the minority, but I really enjoy saving money and I really enjoy Pop Century which is a value resort. I don't feel like I am sacraficing at all.

Also, many people who replied to that thread said they would rather not go if they could not stay at a deluxe.

My question to you all is:

Would you rather stay home and not go if it meant you had to do value?

Also, for all the deluxe people, do you feel like you are sacraficing a lot if you had to do value.

When we go (which has been the last 4 years in a row) we stay for 11 days. Staying a a value enables us to do this comfortably without breaking the bank.

Interesting question. I have stayed at values, moderates, and the Poly, and there are times I ask myself the same thing. To me, it comes down to what my family and I want from that particular vacation. In the past, we have gone primarily in December and January. Since the weather was nice and cool, we spent the majority of our time in the parks. For those trips, we stayed at either POP or ASMO since we weren't at the resort much at all. Next year, we plan on going in September, and we will be going back to the resort every day at lunchtime to rest and to swim. Since we will be at the resort for so much time, we are going to splurge and stay at either the Poly or the Contemporary. The main reason is simple, location. We can be in the MK and be back in our room within minutes, allowing for more time to rest and swim. However, for us, that comes with a price. At the values, we've stayed for 10 days on some trips. Next year, we will be there for 7. To me, this is a fair tradeoff to be able to relax and enjoy the amenities of a deluxe resort.
Having been there quite a few times, we also no longer feel that we need to "do it all" on any given trip. But we do love the values, and I'd stay there in a hearbeat vs. no disney at all.

 

[disfan07]

I liek this post!!

My answer is....i would definitley not stay home if i had to do a value....
last december, a value resort was our only option if we wanted ot go b/c it was all we could afford adn yes, we were alittel worried bc/ we had done pretty much all moderate resorts before but guess what....we LOVED it....it turned out to be our favorite vacation ever...my dad keeps saying he wants to go back to the sports resort and I am goin gback to it in august with my friend....personally, i htink a lot of ppl judge the value resorts wihtout even trying them
Would i love to stay at the poly...yes....will i be able to anytime soon...no....am i happy with going to disney and staying at the values....yes, veyr happy

 

[Mom2gymnasts]

We have stayed in many hotels on and off site. Two years ago we stayed at ASMo on a spur of the moment trip. We thought it was great. The kids loved the themed pools, cool rooms, & they had a variety of choices for meals in the food court.

For our trip this summer we are staying in WL. It is the one hotel where I have always wanted to stay. We could save so much money if we stayed value & let's face it, my DDs are 9 & 7, we are pretty much going to be in the room to sleep & that's about it.

Since this will probably be the last long trip that we take to Disney for a while I wasn't going to be content staying anywhere other than WL. Also, this is an anniversary trip so it has to be somewhere great!!

 

[SnowWitch]

A big part of our vacation is resort time. We opted for a last minute trip this past April and decided to save money and stay at PORS. We had stayed there 12+ yrs ago and remembered it fondly. The resort itself is lovely but we found alot of the resort activities ie watercraft and bike rentals closed at 5pm. And this was during spring break. We are used to renting surrey bikes on the BW at 10pm. We also felt we lost alot of time riding and waiting for buses. Our teens missed the community hall at the BWV's and we just missed our deluxe accomodations. We tend to stay 7-14 nights regardless of where we are staying and really enjoy the resort. So my answer would be no I wouldn't I would wait and save if thats what it meant to stay deluxe.

The only exception would be for a commando trip for parks only and I don't see doing that with my group. I will say after staying at a mod I really do miss the food court option at the deluxes. I have read the values food courts are even better.

 

[littlbugmom]

As a matter of fact, we're mulling over this very subject for our next trip. We've only been to Disney once, in '05. We stayed 4 days at OKW in a one bedroom villa. We decided on the way home from that trip that we'd always stay a week from now on...4 days was rushed.

Our next trip is Thanksgiving week and again, we're booked in an OKW villa. But I'm worried that we're spending too much just to have that large room.

I can't imagine spending a week in a room with 2 beds and a bathroom, though! That's my problem. I have an 8yr old and a 4yr old. We want to relax this year and not feel like we have to be in the parks every single second but does that mean we need the equivalent of an apt?

We're telling ourselves that Disney is going to be an every other year thing for us.....large vacation with all the bells and whistles one year and a smaller trip the next year. Doing it this way, we can afford the villa rooms.

But my mind is seriously mulling it over. If we stayed in a moderate or value, we could afford to take the same trip and not worry about what we're spending in the parks, for gifts, toys, character meals.

Basically, I'm looking for a villa vacation at a moderate rate!


Kim

 

[TJA]

We mainly stay at deluxes -- last month we split a stay with a moderate (POR) and absolutely loved it there! We have twins, age 5, and in the past we felt it almost "necessary" to stay at a resort where we had easy transport to the parks. You will see by my sig that we stayed at AKL first (our twins were 7 months old) and you wouldn't believe how long it took us to get on and off a bus! Maybe a bit of "first-time parents" plus "first-time parents at WDW with babies." Anyway, next trip (twins were 13 months old), we stayed at CR and were floored at how EASY the trip was compared to AKL. We simply walked to MK so we could leave all our baby supplies and babies right in our stroller all the time. So....to answer your question about would we have stayed at a value back then....probably not. First-time parents with babies -- we just felt more comfortable at a monorail resort or an Epcot resort. However, now that the twins are getting older, would we stay at a value? Yes. So for us, it was all about convenience when our twins were babies and we had a mammoth double stroller back then too.

 

[minnie61650]

Hi everyone,

This was inspired by Kentear's post on how people can afford the Poly and other deluxe resorts.

I am not sure if I am in the minority, but I really enjoy saving money and I really enjoy Pop Century which is a value resort. I don't feel like I am sacraficing at all.

If you are in the minority then I am right there with you.
I really enjoy staying at All Star Music which is also a value resort.
We are very fortunate and could afford a Disney Deluxe without sacrificing but I am the type of person that wants to get my money's worth. When I stay at a Disney value resort I feel I am getting more than money's worth.

I have visited WDW more than a dozen and a half times with the 1st time in Oct. 1971. It was brand new. I've stayed at FW, Disney Inn, a few the of Hotels on hotel Blvd., CBR and the towers at the Contemporary. I got to see the MK from my balcony at the Contemporary and I'm happy I got to experience it once. The CR was very pricey and even though I enjoyed the view I found that I was so busy enjoying " all things Disney" (going to the parks, shopping, dining out, exploring) that I spent very little time at the resort. Therefore,I decided that I was not getting my money's worth when I stayed at a deluxe resort at Disney.

I feel Disney's value resorts are a total bargain.
You get so many perks (Disney themeing, Disney transportation, and EMH)
Any of Disney's resort guests (even those staying at a value or mod) are allowed to shop, dine, use the transportation or spa facilities at any of the Disney Resorts. (Of course pool hopping is not allowed.)


Disney does charge a premium price for their Deluxe resorts.
Deluxe guests are paying for location and amenities not for stellar customer service.
Many guests are disappointed because they think the GF is a 5 star hotel.
They expect the service of a 5 star and are disappointed when their expectations are not met.
It is in no way near a 5 star hotel even though it costs as much as many 5 star hotels.
The GF is rated 4 diamonds by AAA but most sites rate it as 3 and a half.
The Poly and CR are usually considered 3 star hotels.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[minnie61650]

........
Our next trip is Thanksgiving week and again, we're booked in an OKW villa. But I'm worried that we're spending too much just to have that large room.

I can't imagine spending a week in a room with 2 beds and a bathroom, though! That's my problem. I have an 8yr old and a 4yr old. We want to relax this year and not feel like we have to be in the parks every single second but does that mean we need the equivalent of an apt?.........

Kim

You might want to concider staying in a Family Suite at All Star Music.

The Family Suites start at $184 a night duing value season.
Most of the Disney resorts (excluding DVC) charge extra for more than 2 adults in a room.
The Family Suites do not charge extra for extra adults.
1-6 adults can stay in the Family Suites for the same et price.
The Family Suites have discounts available also so if you keep your eyes open you just may snag a great deal.

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

Family Suite info:

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:

They:

-Sleep up to 6 (plus one child under age 3 in a Pak-n-Play crib)
-Studio amenities and separate sleeping areas giving more privacy than a standard room.
-Queen bed, full-size pullout sofa, convertible ottoman & chair sleepers (4 separate sleepers)
-Private master bedroom and family room have 27” flat CRT TV and high speed Internet access.
-Kitchenette with microwave, small refrigerator (4.3 cu. ft) and coffee pot
-Two-full bathrooms


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!

 

[simonkodousek]

Would you rather stay home and not go if it meant you had to do value?

Absolutely not! I do not think that Disney's "deluxe" resorts are truly deluxe. You are basically paying for the name and location. And unless you are staying in a concierge or club level room, there really is not a huge difference in room and resort quality.

Also, for all the deluxe people, do you feel like you are sacraficing a lot if you had to do value.

No, I would be sacrificing a lot by staying in a value vs. deluxe resort. I bet people are looking at my signature wondering "hey wait, why does this guy feel comfortable spending $400+ per night for a hotel room at a deluxe when he says he would not be sacrificing a lot by staying in a value or moderate resort?" My answer is vacation quality. Since we are only able to go to WDW every other year, I feel that a deluxe resort is worth the extra $$ not for Disney's so-called "deluxe amenities", but for ease of location, room size, dining options, and overall theme.

Just my $0.02.

 

[kimgof]

Our first trip we stayed at the ASSports. We loved it! My boys were 9 and 4 and my DD was 18 months. We were able to stay there because she was in a pack and play. Since then, we will stay at the POR. We love it there too. I am considering maybe after this trip to try the ASM suite because it has 2 bathrooms. I would just rather spend the money on the trip itself- length of stay, park tickets, etc. The room is just for sleeping and a small amount of time. The resorts , IMO, are all wonderful with great pools and activities. I don't know if I will ever do a deluxe.....maybe when me and DH retire and go for ourselves and want a treat.

 

[ksjayhawkfan]

Hi everyone,


My question to you all is:

Would you rather stay home and not go if it meant you had to do value?

Also, for all the deluxe people, do you feel like you are sacraficing a lot if you had to do value.

I wouldnt rather stay home, but with a family our size we would stay home if we didnt do deluxe. My DH doenst like the values, he likes nothing about them. And in order to keep him happy, we do deluxe or moderate. With child number 4 on the way, we have outgrown the mods, since we dont want to risk being split up we go deluxe. We dont take a trip every year. We dont take 2 week long trips. And even if we did stay value, we still dont have time to stay longer than we do, which is 4 nights and thats going every 2 years or so.

As far as sacrificing if we had to do it value, the answer is yes to that as well. It really doesnt matter to us that the Disney deluxe isnt truely deluxe. Its not about the room for us. Its about the convenience. With 4 kids we want to be as close to the MK as possible. And we want to take the bus as little as possible. Could we rent a car? Yes, but that it not how we vacation.

When the kids get older we will more than likely go with the 2 rooms at a Mod. When strollers and being split up arent such a factor.

 

[RMulieri]

No.i would still go.I only do deluxes because my Dh won't go unless we do a deluxe( he WOULD stay home).Any of my solo trips or trips with friends I do value.I like the values.No biggie to me ,I am happy just to be able to go.

 

[madalex]

Since we are only able to go to WDW every other year, I feel that a deluxe resort is worth the extra $$ not for Disney's so-called "deluxe amenities", but for ease of location, room size, dining options, and overall theme.

Sorry, but this quote doesn't make sense to me. What are the "deluxe amenities" if not "location, room size, dining options and overall theme"?

 

[simonkodousek]

Sorry, but this quote doesn't make sense to me. What are the "deluxe amenities" if not "location, room size, dining options and overall theme"?

Disney considers deluxe amenities to be pools with hot tubs, table service restaurants, in-room refrigerators and coffee makers, room service, and rooms with a hallway seperating them. In my opinion, these things should be standard and definitely not considered deluxe.

 

[Googelibear]

As a matter of fact, we're mulling over this very subject for our next trip. We've only been to Disney once, in '05. We stayed 4 days at OKW in a one bedroom villa. We decided on the way home from that trip that we'd always stay a week from now on...4 days was rushed.

Our next trip is Thanksgiving week and again, we're booked in an OKW villa. But I'm worried that we're spending too much just to have that large room.

I can't imagine spending a week in a room with 2 beds and a bathroom, though! That's my problem. I have an 8yr old and a 4yr old. We want to relax this year and not feel like we have to be in the parks every single second but does that mean we need the equivalent of an apt?

We're telling ourselves that Disney is going to be an every other year thing for us.....large vacation with all the bells and whistles one year and a smaller trip the next year. Doing it this way, we can afford the villa rooms.

But my mind is seriously mulling it over. If we stayed in a moderate or value, we could afford to take the same trip and not worry about what we're spending in the parks, for gifts, toys, character meals.

Basically, I'm looking for a villa vacation at a moderate rate!


Kim

That's just the crux of it all, you're not just paying for a larger room, you are paying for atmosphere.
For us it would be important to stay in a more upscale resort, even if it meant skipping a year and saving.
We have been to WDW often enough to really make it a relaxing vacation without going nuts trying to cover it all.
I have however stayed off site for a laughable $25.00 at Howard Johnson's on several commando trips and that has not bothered me

Renting points can get you a "villa cacation at a moderate rate. You should look into that

 

[miceli20]

if you really want the comfort of a deluxe why not just buy into the vacation club. for what you will spen fro about 3 trips at a deluxe hotel trip you can buy the dvc and enjoy deluxe accommodations everytime. Best way to utilize is to go durning free dining with dvc all you pay for is your tickets and transportation.

 

[MsStinkerBelle]

Hi everyone,

My question to you all is:

Would you rather stay home and not go if it meant you had to do value?

For us, if it was a choice between not going or doing value we would definitely do value! More often than not (read: before I got a real job after college) I always did Disney on the cheap. Shared rooms with 3 roomates, split expenses, lived on PB&J and Pop Tarts and Casey's hotdogs, you get the idea. In order to squeeze in an extra trip we'd other wise not go on, we do value. Pop is our favorite!

Also, for all the deluxe people, do you feel like you are sacraficing a lot if you had to do value.

Deluxe is definitely different, I won't lie about that. When I stay at a Value, I don't have access to room service or bell services, comfy beds that don't kill my back or sit-down restaurants and on-site child care. What I do have is a very nice clean room, basic amenities, and money left over to spend in the parks. We often split our stay between a value and a deluxe instead of doing just a moderate the whole time as we hit the parks hard the first few days and relax at the deluxe towards the end of our trip.

 

[Lovetherodent]

While I'd happily go back to a mod, I think we'd go somewhere else (i.e. not Disney) rather than return to a value. Dh is not the Disney fan that I am. He would have a miserable trip if we returned to that cramped, noisy, dark room every afternoon and evening. If he's miserable, so are the rest of us.

We never vacation longer than a week (a little too much togetherness for us--in ANY sized hotel room), and after 4-5 days, dh and dd1 are Disney-ed out. So, staying value so we can stay longer isn't something the whole family would want to do.

Do I feel like a value is a sacrifice? No. It's just something half my family doesn't like.

 

[madalex]

Disney considers deluxe amenities to be pools with hot tubs, table service restaurants, in-room refrigerators and coffee makers, room service, and rooms with a hallway seperating them. In my opinion, these things should be standard and definitely not considered deluxe.

I see what you meant now, but please help me out: when you say "Disney considers" these things to be deluxe, what is that based on? Is there some Disney literature that says that? (I'm just asking, because I honestly do not know.)

As to your point that the items you identified should be "standard", how does that compare to what other hotel operators do? (Again, not trying to pick a fight; I'm just asking.)