MHO About Value Resorts

[Tishke]

I am glad that you posted that Jennibug. Not meaning any disrespect to people who stay in Mods or Deluxes, but when I come onto the boards and read the posts, quite a large number are from people staying in Mods and Deluxes/DVC's. This year we are staying at ASSP. I've seen a few good things about the resorts, but more posts that made me think twice about our decision.

Last year we stayed at the I-Drive Best Western. It took 15 minutes to get to the park everyday, but it was just a place to sleep after the parks. Since we were on a budget, it was perfect. This year I was lucky enough to get a postcard pincode for the Value resorts. It was the same price that we payed for off property last year. We were thrilled as we were considering not going back this year, but DS just loved it sooo much last year! So, we booked ASSP for the theming as DS is a sports nut. I'm still unsure of the giant sports icons, but am willing to give it a chance.

I figure if the worst I have to worry about is a loud toilet or shower, I'm good. I can hear the shower running in my own house, why would I think it would be any different at a hotel?! I've stayed on property every trip I have been minus last years. As a child we always stayed at CR with a castle view. It was great, but I don't really have any special memories of the hotel, just of spending time with my family in the parks. Now that I am married and doing things on my own, I realize Disney costs a lot more than I ever thought it did, and just getting to go (espescially 2 years in a row) is luxury in itself. I think the Value resorts are going to be what you make of them, and I intend to make this the best vacation yet!

 

[jarestel]

I don't expect any bows, just a tip of the cap and a friendly smile. Having stayed in a good many deluxes, I can tell you even that's not a given at the $$$ resorts. Values are a good "value". That's why they are there. I like the fact that Disney decided to build hotels for people who don't want to spend hundreds of $$$ a night for accomodations. It's all about choice, so that can't be bad, can it?

 

[HappyLawyer]

i like everything, when we go to disney we go for usually 3 to 4 weeks, this tiem we do the cruise so i was deciding where to stay pre cruise, i am going to do valuse,we will hardly be in ght eroom and the price difference between the value and moderate for 3 nights is about 158.00, this is money i can spend on my kid, i have other money yes but I FEEL IT IS WASTEFUL-this is how i feel, i think people are entitled to what they want, after cruise i check in to country club for the next two weeks, i don't mind value because i have no expectations except to make my vacation enjoyable for my family, you make the most out of what you have, and growing up i did not have much so i can make anything, fun, i never put down any choice because i normally stay offsite when i visit, no matter what or where you chose have fun in Florida

 

[HANDYMOM]

I actually think I said that quite nicely - I conveyed that there was no need to insult someone whose choices are different. "As a Veteran" I don't owe anyone anything as far as setting the tone. I am just a poster, like you or anyone else - not a webmaster or a moderator. I think "As a Veteran" I did well to remind folks that they don't need to make assumptions nor insult another persons choices. The OP came of with a bit of Reverse Prejudice & I was pointing out that that isn't necessary..... "As a Veteran" I believe it is friendliest NOT to make rude comments against people based on what level of resort they choose to stay at.
Have a Magical Day!

The original poster didn't say anything rude. Your sarcasm is obvious and noted.....not very nice.

 

[goofy4tink]

Not to be a 'bubble burster' here, but...the noisiest stay we have had to date was at the Polynesian!! Quietest? AllStarMusic! And Music was with those 'awful, noisy, misbehaving cheerleaders' (she says with tongue way in cheek!!). We heard toilets flushing at BWVs. Didn't hear anything else, but then again, we were practically at MGM what with where our villa was located.

I have a friend that stayed at the Polynesian and loved it. When our families visited together we stayed at POR. I think the other family wasn't terribly impressed. They have very deluxe tastes evidently! But, we love it there and at ASMusic and at BWV!!! It's nice to have a resort for every taste and every budget. I just don't get all the negativism about other people's choices. I don't think we are 'resort snobs' when we stay at a DVC resort. We used to stay only at value or moderate resorts. What works for one family may not work for another. Remember, when reading these posts, it seems that people tend to post about a not so great stay. I think it's probably about 5 to 1. For every post telling us how wonderful POR is, there will be at least 5 that tell us how awful it is there. You just have to make a judgement call for yourself. What works for you...not for someone else.

 

[adisneymama]

I think the Value resorts are going to be what you make of them, and I intend to make this the best vacation yet!

Well said! We have stayed at both CBR and at Pop. We love Pop! I can not wait to go back.

We are a single income family of 3 and we are happy to be anywhere on Disney property. CBR was nice, but we experienced better service at Pop. Your vacation truely is what you make of it, you can have a bad experience at a Mod or a deluxe. I agree with the OP. If you are on a budget and just happy to be at Disney then don't worry about booking a value. Go with an open mind and have a blast! I too wish there were more people posting about their good experiences.

It's funny, any time we have a complaint we can't wait to tell the world. Let something good happen and no one hears about it. It's sad isn't it?

 

[CamColt]

Ive stayed in all 3 levels and while of course I love the Deluxe resorts(for their location, transportation options, balconys/patios...) I very much enjoy the values too. In fact I prefer the values to the moderate Ive stayed at (ASSP & ASMO vs POR) for the reasons the OP gave. POR seemed really big and spread out (Id still get lost even after 2 trips there), and the bus service at the values seemed better to me. The price is just a bonus!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

We've enjoyed everywhere we've stayed at WDW!

 

[Disneynutbsv]

As someone that has never stayed on property (but will, yay!), we will be staying at All Star Movies. Not because of the price (its a factor, not a major one), but its for the look in my daughter's eyes when she looked at the pictures of a huge Sorceror's Hat, A huge Buzz or Woody. Whatever noise is there...let it come as long as she is excited and feels the magic. I just can't wait for her to see it up close! We looked at the moderates, but she got excited over these larger than life characters
So, I'm anxious to check out this value resort. We normally stay off property, but in really nice timeshare places. We can't wait

 

[nluvwithmickey]

I have to agree about the Disney magic being present 24/7 at value resorts. Staying at a value resort, you can NOT forget you are at WDW because everything is so 100% Disney. And that is why I like the values so much.

I have only been to a moderate (CBR) and I have to say it was gorgeous. Somehow, I had to tell myself that I actually was IN wdw and not in the Carribean. That is why the values are what I look for when we go to WDW.

For the energy ( these resorts are sooo alive ) they can't be beat. I hope I get the opportunity to stay at value many,many more times in the future.

 

[branv]

My husband and I visited WDW in April 2004, stayed at POFQ (right after it opened post-reno). I had heard wonderful things about this resort, that it was heads above value: quieter, prettier, etc.

I thought POFQ had a nice setting, lovely outdoors. But I never went outdoors except to walk to the food court or to the busses. No children, so never use the pool. I found the rooms to be Fairfield Inn quality. Clean, functional, a place to sleep. But I never quite got what the hooplah was about...I heard kids and people running up and down the stairs and overhead all night and lots of toilet noise...so much for paying more for all that "quiet". The CM's were just your average check-in/check-out service...the food court was HEINOUS. Food Service personnel standing behind the counter chatting it up while big lines formed, AWFUL food *blech!* Those poor people at POR always having to squeeze in to the busses since us at POFQ got on first..

I'm not dissing POFQ, it is an attractive, functional resort. If someone loves to sit gazing out the windows, take long walks, sit at the pool...then it's probably lovely for them. I'm just saying that had I not paid such a low price due to code...I personally don't see paying that much extra for POFQ over a value resort for what I get in return. The thing about Disney is that you pay alot more money for what you'd pay a lot LESS for in the outside world. If that works for someone, then I'm glad For us, it just seems a better overall value to stick with the values, given what we really USE the resort for especially (location, rest, EMH). I love top notch resorts, and will pay top-dollar for them on many occasions. However, I don't feel that Disney resorts are a great value for what you get...so we try to spend our money in other places

Side note: we also took a side trip to tour Polynesian, where I had originally wanted to stay. I was pretty disappointed...things seemed very dated, not very clean. Obviously there's about a jillion people who would disagree with me

 

[Nik's Mom]

We've stayed at 3 deluxe and one moderate, but would definitely consider a value resort. I have one question to you value vets. How is the bus service. We had never used the bus service until our last stay at AKL and fell in love with the bus service. So, which value has good bus service?

 

[Tinkerbelle32]

We also love staying at the values. Our children are still very young (3,5). They too, love the giant themed icons.(we like ASMU) This year we are staying at POR because I had a pin code for $79 a night. We thought why not. We are always up to trying different things. I do agree about hotel snobs. One previous thread said that people in deluxes have more feelings, better manners, etc. I posted back and simply asked if they truly believed this. He responded that he didn't care what I thought or what I felt. To me, this is a true hotel snob!!! I've stayed in all types of hotels all over the world. I also think, the vacation is what you make of it. Just my two cents! Tinkerbelle

 

[EsmeraldaX]

I agree with you sort of.

There are differences between the Values, Mods and Deluxes and I think it really depends on what kind of trip you are planning.

If I was going with the intent of spending quite a bit of time at my hotel, it would be Deluxe all the way. If I planned to just use the hotel to sleep, it would be a value or a mod. I'd be more likely to go with a mod in the summer because I like the pools better.

I have stayed at 3 of the deluxes, 2 of the mods and one of the values. Every experience was great in it's own way. I agree, if you go to a value expecting the anemities of a deluxe, you are going to be sorely disapointed.

But some things I have not noticed any difference in at all, regardless of where you stay and the three that most stand out are :
1.crowds
2.bus service
3.noise

I stayed at Pop in Dec. Busses were there literally everytime we stepped outside. Our room was silent aside from the occasional sound of plumbing (something I hear in every hotel I stay at, as that is just sort of what happened with multiple rooms using the same system). The pool was usually empty.

Last week I stayed at AKL. Busses were kind of slow and we took cabs on more than one occasion. We could hear the screaming child in the room above us for 2 of the nights. The pool was sometimes full to capacity.

I don't blame that on AKL. Nor do I really blame the good stuff on Pop. I blame it all on circumstance.

We went at a slow time of year with less crowds when we went to Pop. It was cooler and less people were swimming. The busses were not dealing with as many people and ran more smoothly. We were fortunate to be in rooms near sane and quiet people.

We went during a crowded time last week. Unfortunate luck put us in the room below the child of the damned who screamed his bloody head off every morning and evening. The busses were slower because there were more people loading/unloading. The weather was scorching and the pools were busy.

We had just as much fun on both trips. We learn to deal with circumstances that arise and enjoy ourselves no matter what.

Will I lie and say I liked Pop better than AKL? No. But it's more to do with the theming of AKL and the fact that I really like the restaurants there than anything else. I'd happily stay at Pop again, esp. if money is an issue.

I don't really think any of the onsite resorts are bad. You can run into problems anywhere, and most of the things people complain about have nothing to do with the actual resort but with circumstantial issues that should be brought up with CMs.

 

[Nik's Mom]

One previous thread said that people in deluxes have more feelings, better manners, etc. I posted back and simply asked if they truly believed this. He responded that he didn't care what I thought or what I felt. To me, this is a true hotel snob!!! I've stayed in all types of hotels all over the world. I also think, the vacation is what you make of it. Just my two cents! Tinkerbelle

Some people are just plain mean! I agree with you totally! I've stayed at a few deluxes and believe me, I saw rude behavior there. There are rude people everywhere!

 

[palmtreegirl]

I agree with you sort of.

There are differences between the Values, Mods and Deluxes and I think it really depends on what kind of trip you are planning.

If I was going with the intent of spending quite a bit of time at my hotel, it would be Deluxe all the way. If I planned to just use the hotel to sleep, it would be a value or a mod. I'd be more likely to go with a mod in the summer because I like the pools better.

I have stayed at 3 of the deluxes, 2 of the mods and one of the values. Every experience was great in it's own way. I agree, if you go to a value expecting the anemities of a deluxe, you are going to be sorely disapointed.

But some things I have not noticed any difference in at all, regardless of where you stay and the three that most stand out are :
1.crowds
2.bus service
3.noise

I stayed at Pop in Dec. Busses were there literally everytime we stepped outside. Our room was silent aside from the occasional sound of plumbing (something I hear in every hotel I stay at, as that is just sort of what happened with multiple rooms using the same system). The pool was usually empty.

Last week I stayed at AKL. Busses were kind of slow and we took cabs on more than one occasion. We could hear the screaming child in the room above us for 2 of the nights. The pool was sometimes full to capacity.

I don't blame that on AKL. Nor do I really blame the good stuff on Pop. I blame it all on circumstance.

We went at a slow time of year with less crowds when we went to Pop. It was cooler and less people were swimming. The busses were not dealing with as many people and ran more smoothly. We were fortunate to be in rooms near sane and quiet people.

We went during a crowded time last week. Unfortunate luck put us in the room below the child of the damned who screamed his bloody head off every morning and evening. The busses were slower because there were more people loading/unloading. The weather was scorching and the pools were busy.

We had just as much fun on both trips. We learn to deal with circumstances that arise and enjoy ourselves no matter what.

Will I lie and say I liked Pop better than AKL? No. But it's more to do with the theming of AKL and the fact that I really like the restaurants there than anything else. I'd happily stay at Pop again, esp. if money is an issue.

I don't really think any of the onsite resorts are bad. You can run into problems anywhere, and most of the things people complain about have nothing to do with the actual resort but with circumstantial issues that should be brought up with CMs.

Well put!!!

 

[slk537]

"...One previous thread said that people in deluxes have more feelings, better manners, etc. I posted back and simply asked if they truly believed this. He responded that he didn't care what I thought or what I felt...."

YIKES!

Anyone else notice the irony in someone saying Deluxe resort guests have more feelings and manners, yet he doesn't care about anyone else's feelings? Sheesh! Nice manners...wonder where he stays??

On the main topic...we are also DVCers and own in Interval Intnl as well. This next trip, my BF and her husband will be staying a week at the Westgate Lakes in a 2brm courtesy of our Interval...but they are spending the first night at Pop, because her DH loves all things 1950's, 60's, and 70's. And because we had our own epiphany about on property vs. off when we lucked into a week at OKW and discovered there really IS a difference in the 24/7 experience, I am almost thinking she will opt to spend the whole vacation at Pop. And you know what? I think that's great. The theming is just unbelieveable and after checking out the slide show on allears, I have to say that it is our first choice for a late night arrival or if we run out of points. Definitely. And we're going to take DS over to ASMo on our next trip to see the huge Buzz...he will love it!

I so agree with the posters who say it all depends on the trip you want. We aren't commandos. We come down twice a year and don't feel the need to go from morning until night. So for us, the resort is part of the whole vacation experience. But for those who want to sleep somewhere? Well I think the values look like they give you way more than that.

Plus Twinkie Tiramisu just intrigues me...

 

[skiwee1]

I aplogize for making you feel insulted, I didn't mean to do that. I wasn't trying to be rude. If you choose to spend the money to stay at a more expensive hotel, that's up to you and I am happy that you can afford that. However, not everyone can afford it and I'm just trying to point out that you get just as much of the Disney Magic at the Value resorts.

Everytime I read a trip report, I see more bad points than good. I've even read some of these reports and thought, "Maybe we shouldn't stay at POP maybe we should stay at a more expensive hotel. This person said they can hear the toilet flush." Then I sit back and think I heard the toilets and showers at POR also.

I guess those of us who have been there many many times are becoming old and jaded about the whole experience. I personally would like to see more positive posts.

Once again I truly apologize if I insulted anymore or started a riot.

Well I've been to WDW many, many times too and I'm not jaded. I LOVE everything about WDW and am also a resort snob. I have every right to be disappointed in something that may not have gone right at my chosen resort and it doesn't make me feel that they world to bow to me. At the WL I hated the transportation. I just made sure not to go there anymore. I do believe there IS more magic in the deluxes then you will ever find in the values. If I thought otherwise then I would save myself thousands of $$$ a year and stay at Pop. I do believe there are those that expect too much and it doesn't matter if they are staying at a value or deluxe. They have high expectations because it is WDW. They also have every right to complain whether you see it as whining or not. I like to hear everyones opinions whether I agree with them or not.

 

[m&m's mom]

Well, this thread could have been written by me.....before our trip last week.
We have stayed in Deluxes, Moderates, and Values.
I have not been able to justify the extra $200+ per night the last few trips so we have stayed at ASMu several times.
The main gripe I had in the past was the long walk to the bus stop so I tried to be smart and paid extra to stay in the "Preferred" building. Well, we were so far away I barely felt the advantage. Luck of the draw in the room you get.
We have just had our last trip to a Value.
There were a LOT of tour groups staying there. They took over every single Guest services personnel and there was no one to charge our credit card after we hit the $500.00 limit. They told me to wait in the check-in line that was a good 40 deep. That was irritating. The deluxes and moderates have a higher charge limit. I was finally able to ask a manager about the groups and she said it was turning out to be a year round "issue" w/ the groups. The last thing I want to be around on vacation is 3000 other kids acting as stupid as I did at that age.
The food court was completely taken over by tour groups. My DD's favorite thing to do was take their food to the back of the food court and watch cartoons while they eat. Not this time - taken over by groups having a buffet. Never seen that one before. It was so crowded it was impossible to get breakfast until after 9:30.
Now I am sure I will make someone mad over this but... the fellow vacationers seemed to be a different group than the deluxes. I am not a snob but I saw a not-so-nice crowd this time. Smoking everywhere, loud obnoxious etc.

 

[Dislifer]

Now you have me curious...why don't you like CBR?????

I love the values! I love the ASMo and POP! I have stayed at the moderates and WL. I love them all...except CBR.
The values are far from Motel 6. Just coz it has an outside corrider, doesn't mean that the service and ammenities are Motel 6. I don't think Motel 6 has a Micky soap/shampoo and they do not have a Mickey wake up call. Motel 6 do not offer free continuing transportation to all the Disney parks. Motel 6 certainly do not have Mickey waffles! Or how about that Tie Dye Cheesecake! Motel 6 does not have those Disney's cute souvinier refillable mugs!

Motel 6 do not have any Hippy Dippy Pool or Fantasia Pool and they don't have Goofy's POP Jets. They certainly do not have an "Andy's Room" court or Mr/Mrs Potato Head or how about Mowgli/Baloo! And Lady/Tramp court!
Motel 6 do not have those "Popcorn" lights on the wall or those Disney bedspreads.

If you have an open mind and not compare the value from the moderate or deluxe, I can almost assure you that you will enjoy your stay at the value resorts. It is a fun resort! It is very colorful! It has the 24/7 "Disney in your Face." And yes, it has the Disney service....the Disney quality.

And just coz someone posted something negative or someone post that they would never go back to the value resort, that is their experience. Why not experience it for yourself. They may not find "magic" there... but maybe you will. And remember... "magic" is what you make of it. "Magic" is everywhere if you have an open mind and an open heart.

Half of the folks here may say it is LOUD...and some would say...it's QUIET. Some will say the bus stinks and some would say it's one of the BETTER transportation. Everyone's experience are different. Someone will get upset coz they didn't get their towel animals and it ruined they trip. I love POP, but someone next door to me may think it's Motel 6. So I say... try it and see... you might be surprise..(in a positive way of course!)