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

[Ali]

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

 

[mickeyfan2]

I have stayed at all types of resorts and love the values too. If money was no object, I would always stay on the monorail system. I am getting exactly what I expect at a value. I am not getting what I expect at a deluxe, but then I am not paying the price. If a value scares you, then by all means upgrade. No need to ruin your vacation with the resort.

 

[goofydad621]

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

Alicia

Holy Abestos underwear Batman

 

[k5thbeatle]

Simple answer:

There are some who pay for the sow's ear purse but behave like they should have the silk purse?

 

[*Fantasia*]

Holy Abestos underwear Batman

 

[TnTWalter]

planned as much up front as possible and they don't want to regret anything. Everyone wants the Magic. Granted, some posts are just a little more dramatic than usual but at that moment, that's what they're feeling.

I'm a tad concerned about long waits or having to stand with 3 little kiddos, but we'll just plan accordingly. I doubt we'll ever be at a park til closing so the long waits to go home are probably not going to affect my family, but I'd wander around and enjoy the scenery while others fought and clawed to get on the first buses.

My mother was a little concerned when I told her we actually changed our minds about POR and opted for connecting at ASMo. [They decided they wanted to go to WDW and stay in the same hallway if possible]. I said 'Mom it's Disney World'. If she had offered to pay the difference, I would have let her. ;o)

In the end, we'll be at WDW. Now that's sweet!

Trish

 

[lyncruiser]

Last time we were at the Boardwalk and in line for the boat to MGM, we chatted with several middle age women staying at one of the All Stars. All I can say is they were miserable with their choice -- and very vocal about it. Tiny rooms, lots of noise, inconvenient location, etc. So they apparently expected more for their money than they apparently got.

Their attitude discouraged me from ever trying a value resort. So much so, that we chose to pass on free dining last month (which frankly was only a real bargain if one stayed in a value resort) and use an AP discount at the Dolphin. Glad we did.

 

[Tink10]

Simple answer:

There are some who pay for the sow's ear purse but behave like they should have the silk purse?

Very Well Said!!

 

[mickeymom55]

My husband and I stayed at the POP in May for our anniversary vacation. Were there families there? Yes. Was the food court loud? Yes. Were the bus lines long? No. Does the sound of families running and laughing on their way to have a fabulous day at the parks in the morning bother us? No. For the amount of time we spend in the room - maybe 8 hours including 7 hours of sleep, the value resorts are the perfect fit for us. The rooms are fine for just 2 or even 3 people. I would rather spend the money we saved on a Segway tour, the Wishes cruise or the KTTKT - Oh yeah, that's exactly what I did!!!!!

 

[goofy4tink]

I have said this before and I'll say it again....my worst stay in a WDW resort was at the Polynesian. I had more noise in our room at night, from both our neighbors and from people running down the hall at night and banging on doors. We had the least liked (I can't say worst because it wasn't all that bad) quick food choices. We had the most poorly behaved children around us, with the most indulgent parents. We had the most chockablock crowded pool ever. The bus service from the Polynesian left a lot to be desired. But, we could walk to the TTC to catch the monorail to Epcot and take a boat or the monorail to MK.
My dd even told us that she preferred AllStarMusic to the Polynesian!!! Go figure. I say this just to point out that everyone has a different experience, and most certainly has different expectations. We traveled with another family in '01. We stayed in POR. I love it there. But, the other mom has 'deluxe' tastes. Loved the Polynesian when they stayed there. THey had a good enough time but I soon realized that they just weren't going to be superduper happy in a moderate, much less a value. So, when we travel together again...just the moms and two dds, in Oct.'06, I'll be booking a two-bedroom villa, Boardwalk view, at BWV. Different strokes for differnt folks.
What would be acceptable for me, may just not work for you. The values are incredibly fun. I love everything about them....from the theming to the pools to the food courts. They are so full of life and excitement. It's a whole different feeling from the one I have when I'm "Home' at BWV! Sure I love the deluxes, but I obviously have no issue with the values and moderates.
I can't imagine anyone being overly concerned about staying in a value or moderate resort. If you dont need a lot of room, don't need room service or table service meals, don't need pool slides, then save some money and stay at a value. Move up a notch and stay at a moderate...get a pool slide, activities, table service meals as well as a food court.

 

[maryliz]

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.

I have .... first time in 24 trips ...

My DSis and I were at POP in Aug for a week - no DH's, no kids - and the night that MK was open until 10PM (not even EMH) we actually sat in the park until 10:30 so that some of the crowd had died down a bit. We got into line for a bus at 10:35pm, and our bus didn't leave MK until 11:45 ... got back to POP after midnight, food court was closed, and I couldn't get my cup of tea before bed


We did contact Disney about how unacceptable that was to wait for a bus. I have been to WDW 24 times and stayed at all levels of resorts ... we actually love the All Stars, and this trip was the first time that I would say the bus service that night was unacceptable. I expect to wait at least 30 minutes for a bus at park closing, I don't expect to wait more than an hour, after having stayed back on a bench to avoid the mad rush to the stop. Kind of figured they'd have moved a lot of people out in that first half hour. As for the rest of our week, our waits were what I consider to be normal - 20-30 minutes for busier times, 15-20 minutes the rest of the time.

Disney did contact us and agreed that our wait was unacceptable. I've read posts since our trip where they were loading 2 busses at a time recently. Oh, and the lineup for CBR that same night was practically back at the exit of MK, so I don't think the mods are getting any "better" bus service than the values.

I do agree that people are getting way too upset over others' experiences and letting it get to them. The noisiest experiences I have had at WDW Resorts were AKL and VWL. I've stayed at All Stars many, many times and this trip at POP, and I have never had one complaint about noise from others, flushing toilets, etc. I think the values are great, and love to spend the money I save elsewhere.

My opinion is to go and stay where you want to, and where you can afford to, and just enjoy it to the fullest. Bottom line, you can get bad experiences no matter where you stay ... and what is bothersome to one person isnt' to the next.


MaryLiz

 

[JDietz40]

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

 

[BurkeTribe]

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!

... this line made an image come to mind...
http://snl.jt.org/arc/char/DaCa-Grumpy Old Man.jpg


But I tend to agree, some people complain about relatively insignificant things.

 

[LIFERBABE]

I was one of those that dang near had a stroke about our 3 night stay at POP last month. Reading these boards can do that to you sometimes.

We had already spent several weeks at WDW in June (at BCV and SSR) and our POP stay would be after the 4night cruise so I knew I should be thankful we could stay anywhere, let alone a Disney Resort with Free Dining to boot.

That said, Dh had to drag me off the ME bus when we arrived at Pop. I was so stressed out!

Yes the rooms are small, yes the beds are small, but it was clean, efficient, the staff was very friendly (a manager even walked us to our room, we looked lost) they had a limited room service menu and we barely spent any time in our room, because we were out enjoying WDW and eating all that Free Food! LOL!

Oh and the busses were quick, direct and plentiful. There was always another bus coming and we never waited more than 15 minutes and we normally rent a car, so I was very impressed.

From what I experienced at PC last month, and what I read here, I agree that people do expect to pay a little and get waaay more from their $59 or even $89 when it comes to Disney Resorts which is really not being reasonable. I thought for a short stay, it was great and alot of fun and extremely adequate. There are places that charge as much or more offsite and don't offer the level of cleanliness, continous bus service to all WDW attractions and give you onsite guest benefits and Free Magical Express to the airport.

Oh! and I really appreciated the overlapping window curtain design that blocked out all sunlight in our corner unit. Just small details like that is why I love staying in Disney Properties and that will include the values if that is what our points or budgets allow.

Signed,
No more Stressin in Texas

 

[DreaminDisney]

Ali, We're staying at a Value next year. I'd change it in a minute if more people said bus service was terrible. I did post asking how bad it really was but the replies were that it wasn't bad. I believe you get what you pay for. DS (8) picked out ASMo for us for upcoming trip. I really don't care where we stay. Last time we stayed at Polynesian Concierge. I loved it and had no issues. I don't care how inexpensive a Value resort is.... If bus service sucks, we're not staying. Simple as that. So I agree with OP that people are just looking for a magical vacation and Disboards is a great place to get questions answered without feeling "put down" for asking a simple question.

 

[jtdl]

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?

I think most people get excited/nervous/jittery after booking or while planning to book a vacation such as WDW. Not everyone can afford to travel to Florida and stay at a WDW resort yearly or several times a year - it is a very special vacation for many people. They want to get the most they can out of their hard earned dollar. There is absolutely nothing wrong with being nervous about it. Just as a bride when she gets married - she worries about whether the food will be ok or if her dress looks stunning, etc. Not everyone "wants to pay budget prices for a value resort" - for a whole lotta people, that is their only choice! I'm sure people will relax and enjoy themselves once they arrive. As for the bus issue - I HAVE waited over an hour after closing at MK to get a Pop bus back to the resort - maybe you have never been unfortunate to have to wait that long, but that doesn't mean that others haven't!

 

[CharlesTD]

I have to agree some people think the value resort is going to ruin the trip quite the contrary it is going to enhance the trip. The theme and layout and atmosphere of the value resorts is second to none on property. We are DVC members and still we stay at the value resorts we love them the All Stars are our families favourite resorts on property followed closly by Coronado Springs.

 

[JudimouseNC]

I had to weigh in on this discussion...as I am guilty of being a nervous wreck for this trip. We are taking our two grandchildren (ages 3 years and 16 months) and are staying at ASMo for the first time. A few years ago I stayed at ASMu with a friend of mine, but we had our own car and drove everywhere.

Hubby and I have stayed at moderates and deluxe resorts, our favorite being the Wilderness Lodge. In the beginning of planning this trip, I was very nervous about staying away from the WL, we had grown so acustomed to it. I have read all the posts about the horrible waits for busses at the Values, all the kids, all the noise, etc. BUT, I have also read all the GREAT reviews of the value resorts and they definately outweigh the bad. Hubby and I have to remind ourselves that this trip is for the kids and my GS is a Toy Story fantatic.

The worst wait we ever had for a bus was at the Wilderness Lodge. We waited for 20 minutes and no buss for the MGM. We gave it another 10 minutes and then my hubby called WDW Trasnportation on his cell phone. A bus was there within 5 minutes. Poor bus service can happen at any resort.

Just my 2 cents. Oh and btw, we leave in 12 days and I am over the nervous thing....I am going to WDW with my grnadkids...nothing gets any better than that!!!!

 

[*Fantasia*]

What is the bus transportation number? I need this just in case. Thanks!

 

[MHTeacher]

We stayed at a value the first time we took our DD's to WDW. I can't remember waiting an excessive amount of time for a bus at any time. It seems like it was never over 20 minutes. Maybe I was just too caught up in the magic to notice

May 2001-All Star Sports
July 2003-CSR
Nov./Dec. 2005-WL