Is it just me or are people insane when it comes to value resorts?

[CheshireVal]

I think the word "value" has taken on quite a negative connotation among certain people.

To me, value is always a good thing. I've stayed at every level of resort on Disney property, and each has its own merits. Really, though, you can't go wrong no matter where you stay at WDW.

 

[NMAmy]

We stayed at AsMo for our first family trip in 2000. DD was 8 and had a blast--she loved the theming and we had a blast watching her enjoy it. We had no problems with the food court or the buses--we were perfectly content. My only problem was that it took an hour to check in--the line was just huge.

We now stay at the Dolphin when we go--mainly for location and because the whole family loves it there--now that dd is older, she prefers a little luxury to Mickey Mouse theming. But if money were a big consideration, I'd stay at AsMo again in a heartbeat.

 

[PrincessCandaceMarie]

I've stayed everywhere from the GF to the All Stars and everywhere in between; and all I can say or add to this thread is that I'm just glad to be at WDW!! No matter which resort I"m at, all I want is the magic of Disney!

 

[taylorl25]

I just got back today from a 2 week stay at ASMU and I really enjoyed it. There were a few problems, they had no record of us having the dining plan at check in and that took a day to sort out, but they upgraded us to a preferred room which I thought was a nice gesture. We also had problems with the hot water for 2 days but other than that had a really pleasant stay.

Bus service was good, I think maximum wait was 20 minutes at park closing which I thought was pretty good. Food court got crowded around 9 in the morning but we always ate earlier than that, so never had long waits. Room was nice, clean and good location. It faced the pool but we never experienced any real noise. I think my only complaint is the toilets are so loud, but if people let little details like that ruin their holiday then they're not going to be happy anywhere!

 

[MinnieSummer]

I too have stayed at all levels of resort at WDW. I will never stay at the AS's again. I will stay at POP. My decision has nothing to do with the bus service but with the filthy room I was given not on one but on two occasions. The third chance I gave the AS's was just plain bad from check-in to check-out the next day. Three chances and they failed all three so I'll never go back. And I really don't expect to get a silk purse but I do expect to be able to put my toddler on the floor and not have billows of dirt appear. I do expect the toilet to have been flushed, and I do expect the bedspread to not still have a wet spill on it. I wouldn't accept that from any hotel any where.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Sometimes it just becomes a case of logistics. When everyone is trying to leave a venue at the same time it creates a situation that can not be accomodated in a timely fashion. Try going to a Nascar race many times you have 2 choices plan to tailgate after the event or wait in a 3 - 5 hour line to get out of the parking lot. When many thousands of people are trying to board a bus and each bus holds 50-60 people max. it is unfortunately going to take a while longer than we all would like. We almost always stay at an EPCOT resort but almost always drive to MK even though we stil have to deal with getting through the TTC. (I realize that not everyone has a car at their disposal and has no option other the Disney transportation.)



John

I agree, John! I left a concert recently before the encore (which I REALLY wanted to see/hear) because I knew what a madhouse it would be getting out of the parking lot. It took me an hour and fifteen minutes to get home. The radio station I listen to was STILL taking calls from concert-goers trying to get out of the lot!

 

[lark]

This is a really good thread.

In my mind, this is all about expectations. If your expectations are higher than any resort can deliver -- whether it's a value resort or the GF concierge -- you're going to be disappointed.

I think the value resorts are aptly named -- considering the prices of the offsite options, value resorts are, relatively speaking, an incredible value, particularly if you track codes or other discount options. If you take into account things like early entry, getting the run of disney, the transportation, etc., it's a no brainer.

But they are what they are. I think the sow's ear/silk example above is too harsh, but it is the right point. The happiest value guests, IMO, are those who understand exactly what they are getting and also understand that it's a very fine value.

 

[Alicnwondrln]

So, I admit I was a bit snarky when I answered the last post about pop bus service versus getting a mod hotel because of being scared by reviews.

What is going on here? Why are people who want to pay budget prices for a value resort getting so up in arms about perceived problems with waiting for a bus during rush hours, bugs in florida, busy food courts, or loud guests walking by their rooms?

It seems to me that most of us go to Disney to spend time in the parks. Not in the room, which is why paying less money for a room isn't such a big deal.

I don't understand why so many posts lately have been about being scared, or nervous, or anxious about getting a room at a value resort This is Disney, people, NOT a Motel 6 or run of the mill howard johnsons hotel. Staying at the value resorts has ruined travel for us anywhere else, because we expect cleanliness standards and good service that outside hotels don't provide on a consistent basis.

Disney provides bus service direct to the parks, with no walking from the parking lots, no matter which hotel you stay in. Oh, no there are a lot of people in line when the parks close? Well, stand on the bus or step aside and wait for the next bus which will be there in a few minutes so you can sit down. I have never seen a wait of an hour for a bus. It may feel like an hour when you are tired, but it isn't. And if you just can't wait in the line for a bus any longer get a taxi and pay the 10 dollars and like it!

There is no need to be afraid, nervous, or scared of anything at Disney hotels! You are letting your fears upset your vacation and if you go into it with fear or anxiety about perfection you will not enjoy yourself.

Sheesh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ok... flame suit on

Alicia

no flaming here
thanks for admiting you were being snarky
LOL
you made some points and this post does to
i am nervous
i havent taken the baby yet and i want things to not get out of control and i actually said i wasnt sure if we should go
but DH wants to and so we are going but i know if things go bad or bad to him some how it will be my fault and so i guess thats why i am so nervous
i have never stayed value or mod so i am outta my comfort zone my DS 6 wants to stay at pop so we are gonna try it
after your "snarky" post i decided what will happen will happen and i jsut RELAX and try to enjoy myself and feel good and thankful that we can afford go and pay cash and not charge anything
its an extra for us upgrading is an option as we can afford it and i want everything to great
i need to chill

 

[MinnieSummer]

I don't think you'll have a problem at POP. We stayed there over Labor Day and had a blast. We drove up Sunday morning, checked in and had lunch. Then we just hung out by the pool which my DD6 loved. We went to MK and Boardwalk then MGM later in the day. I've stayed at POP four times now and never had a problem like the ones I've had with AS. Of course, I've never stayed for more than 1 night.

 

[JJsmama]

Actually we stayed at the AS Movies a couple years ago. DH and I didn't like it much (mostly the isolation and no sit down restaurant.) Since then we stayed at WL and are booked in at the Poly in a couple months.

However, the hotel the kids always ask to stay is in the AS Movies. That was their favorite. So, it can't be too bad.

 

[Sammie]

I am not sure I would classify the obsessive planning I see on these forums as Insane, but I do feel some of it is definitely too much, too much planning, too much worry, too much knowledge can be a dangerous thing sometimes.

I also know that everyone has to book what they are comfortable with. Sometimes that comes with a price. While I think the Value resorts are a great bargain for the price, they do not offer what we want in a vacation. My family would not be happy there, and therefore we are willing to pay the price to stay elsewhere.

Transportation is something I personally do not find that different from value to even deluxe. Sure the deluxe offers more options, but even then it can be slow or crowded. As to walking to the bus stop for the values, if that extra steps bothers anyone, I would recommend a different vacation than Disney World. That extra steps is miniscule to the total walking you will do.

 

[k5thbeatle]

... In my mind, this is all about expectations. If your expectations are higher than any resort can deliver -- whether it's a value resort or the GF concierge -- you're going to be disappointed...
QUOTE]

BINGO! And yes it does go both ways but usually, not always...but usually, it's a case of buying low and expecting high. Too high. At least that has been my experience in dealing with the public in customer service for the last 30 years!

 

[Dina]

Just for the record, I have waited over an hour for a bus (I looked at my watch, and it was definitely over an hour-- it didn't just feel like it), it wasn't even at Pop though, it was from Epcot to Caribbean Beach, and once from BWI to DTD during Marathon weekend in January, and one other time from Caribbean Beach to MGM during Star WArs weekend. I'm glad the OP hasn't had to do that, but it doesn't mean that it doesn't happen. It didn't bother me enough to call a cab-- I figure these things happen (and I don't really let things bother me on vacation), but it does in fact happen. If you like to watch the night shows, and go at busier times of the year, there's a good chance its going to happen, and I believe it can happen at any resort-- not just the values.

 

[Mickeyistheman]

I have to agree this is a great thread!!

I don't understand why they are nervous. I have stayed at every kind of onsite property and I ran into the longest wait time during Jersey Week last year (Nov.) getting back to Pop, but again you have to look at how many people where there.

I also agree that too much planning leads to certain expectations and if they are not met than the whole trip is ruined. Sometimes you have to just wing it and let the magic happen. You can't plan everything.

 

[marj70]

We'll be happy at POP as long as there are no young children. At least not the kind that might run or make noise. After all, Disney is just no place for children. The values should be reserved for us older folks with no children, or for the quiet, romantic getaway.
JUST KIDDING!! (I'm really the middle aged mother of "that child" everyone talks about)

 

[Alicnwondrln]

We'll be happy at POP as long as there are no young children. At least not the kind that might run or make noise. After all, Disney is just no place for children. The values should be reserved for us older folks with no children, or for the quiet, romantic getaway.
JUST KIDDING!! (I'm really the middle aged mother of "that child" everyone talks about)

LOL

 

[samsmom05]

Usually I am a go with the flow kind of gal. On our last (and only) trip to the world we stayed at WL and loved it. There was one morning where we needed the bus (CRT breakfast at 9:00). We were at the stop at 8:00 and the bus did not arrive until 8:47. There was an attendant at the stop that morning. If at any time he had told us they were having problems with the MK buses we would have gone to the boats or used a cab. He just kept saying any minute now. It wasn't until a bus arrived and the driver asked if the boats were not running that the attendant said that a driver called in sick that day. It figured that the only time I needed the transportation to be running well, it didn't.

 

[jarestel]

If one does a search for bad room reports, there won't be a single Disney resort that hasn't come up short in some person's eyes for one reason or another. The amount of money spent for a room guarantees nothing when it comes to transportation wait times, noisey neighbors, or housekeeping issues. But if it makes people feel that it does, great!

Values exist for "value" vacations when someone would rather spend $600/week vs $3000/week. I have noticed that there are many posters who will attempt to discourage people from staying at values, in favor of mods and deluxes. So there's no doubt that a certain level of elite-ism does exist in some form here. Interestingly enough, whenever there are no codes or discounts, it's always the mod/delux crowd who feel cheated. The value vacationers hardly seem to mind at all.

 

[disneyfan67]

This thread is interesting and raises some good points. I've stayed at Deluxes 3 times in the last 4 years and while it was nice, it wasn't too friendly on the family budget. I like going to Disney every year but with the rates they charge for my favorite resort "The Poly", I just can't do that every year and don't want to wait 2 years or more to try and save up and then plan a trip to WDW. My wife and I are thinking of booking a moderate for our Spring/Summer 2006 trip and we hope all goes well.

As for the values if all you're going to do is be a theme park commando and stay in one of the parks from opening to closing, then value is for you. But if you're a Disney regular and are a frequent guest, then you won't be in the commando mode and you will want to relax as well. Disney has some of the neatest resorts ever built and each one is unique in it's on way. I've toured almost all of the Disney resorts and for my family the value resorts just doesn't say to me "Hey Eddie, this is a place you can relax and unwind". I know a lot of people are saying, "Relax at Disney, is he crazy?" But I do find that I can have fun and just kick back at Disney and that's why I don't go any place else. It's the perfect family vacation spot for me.

I just love WDW and during the afternoon my family and I like going back to a resort and taking a well deserved pool/nap break then head back at night to MK to see the parade and the fireworks. I don't care for the bus service too much but I will do it when needed. Nothing says you're at Disney like riding the monorail back to the Poly or the CR. It's all up to everyones taste and how much pain they are willing to endure by spending $350 + a night for a room!LOL!! I sometimes think Disney has lost touch with reality when it comes to the pricing of some of their resorts. I joined AAA and checked the prices of the Poly and it was the same rate I was paying through Disney for the past 3 years!

I'm going to try a moderate on my next vaction but if I fly in the night before like I usally do, then I'll try and stay at Pop or Movies for one night. I'll see if my family thinks this is a resort we can handle for a week but I think the rooms are too small for us to be comfortable. I have to be honest though, I don't know if you can go value once you stayed Deluxe, but we will see. Good thread and very interesting topic.

 

[eclectics]

You get what you pay for. With that said, I'll say the bus service at the Poly was no better than POFQ. Disney Transportation is Disney Transportation. You might have more options at a deluxe but it's not "better" than the mods or values. Just because I stayed at the Poly didn't mean I didn't have to stand quite a few times on the monorail. I paid extra for the resort, not the transportation. I've never stayed at a value but I think they probably are a great bargain. I'm not a "commando" type person that just uses the room to sleep. I like to take my time around the resort so I would rather pay for the "ambience" of the mods and the "ambience and amenities" of the deluxes. I would never stick my nose in the air about a value resort and would not have a problem staying at one if I ever chose to. But you have to go in expecting what you're going to get. Research and ask questions!