MHO About Value Resorts

[disneyfan61]

We have stayed at Mod & Value. I have to say we liked Value better. There
were too many bus stops at CBR. I have to say other than that it was a beautiful place. For us I have 2 teenage boys that want to spend all their
time in the parks so the only time we are at the hotel is to sleep & shower so for us value is the way to go. Will I lie & say I do not want to stay at a deluxe some day-NOOOO. I would love to stay at the Poly with the monorail service & maybe someday DH & I will get to do that (with no kids) or AKL.
To each his own. Alot of people work really hard all year to save up for their
vacations & if they can afford the deluxes I say more power to you. For the
time we spend at the resort it just would be crazy to spend that much but I can dream...but until then I am so thrilled just to be able to go & experience
Disney whenever I can so Pop here we come!!!

 

[wide awake]

Have to be honest and admit I've never been to WDW...even though I have a vacation planned. That said, I understand what the OP meant when she said "expect to be bowed down to"...if I read one more thread with "I'm staying at Poly Concierge, they had better say Happy Birthday, Happy Anniversary, etc" I will throw up. Get over it, who cares if a complete stranger acknowlegdes your day...all it means is they read the screen when you stepped up to check in. Having looked at the rooms on the Allears site there is no way I would pay the prices for the Deluxe or the Mods...the Mods because they are double beds, the Deluxe because they are teeny rooms. We're lucky, we can stay at SOG, but think we'll stay at POP, two rooms, the theming is so cute and I want ME and the meal plan. We can do pool slides at the water parks so that is not an issue, and I would just as soon have table service in the parks, so no problem there. As for anyone being a snob...there are a zillion credit cards in the world, I would guess everyone on these boards could stay wherever they wanted, no matter their economic status. So how anyone can be a snob I don't know.

 

[mickey7861]

We've made well over 50 trips to WDW. We have stayed at all 3 levels of resort and are DVC owners. In all our trips the we've only had 2 bad stays...1 at ASSp and 1 at BCV. We won't return to either. Obviously a bad resort experience can sometimes happen regardless of the $$$ paid to me it's the way the problem is handled by the staff that determines wether or not the resort is worth a second try. We prefer our DVC accomodations, the units are larger and I don't have to pay extra for my kids (DS22, DD 20) to join us but when its just DH and me for a quick trip sometimes we save points and stay at PC or one of the mods (with great AP rates). Next trip we'll be at POFQ and we'll have just as much fun.

 

[sotoalf]

Frankly, if you're going to spend 12 or 14 hrs a day at the parks and using the room just to sleep, you're better off at a Value. Why pay money for restaurants, room service, lounges, valet service, etc if you're not going to use them?

As a Disney veteran, we spend little time at the parks. We like to spend money on food and the resort amenities. A nice-sized room, balcony, lounge, and room service mean a lot to us.

(On a side note, those who insist that the Values offer as much Disney theming as the Moderates and Deluxes doth protest too much; if anything, the Values offer TOO MUCH THEME. You're immersed in theme! Theme everywhere! Think of the pools, landscaping, and architecture of Pop Century and the All-Stars. This is not criticism; this is description. So relax! Enjoy yourselves!)

 

[skiwee1]

, they had better say Happy Birthday, Happy Anniversary, etc" I will throw up. Get over it, who cares if a complete stranger acknowlegdes your day...all it means is they read the screen when you stepped up to check in. Having looked at the rooms on the Allears site there is no way I would pay the prices for the Deluxe or the Mods...the Mods because they are double beds, the Deluxe because they are teeny rooms. We're lucky, we can stay at SOG, but think we'll stay at POP, two rooms, the theming is so cute and I want ME and the meal plan. We can do pool slides at the water parks so that is not an issue, and I would just as soon have table service in the parks, so no problem there. As for anyone being a snob...there are a zillion credit cards in the world, I would guess everyone on these boards could stay wherever they wanted, no matter their economic status. So how anyone can be a snob I don't know.

I agree about the birthday acknowledgements. I just don't get how anyone can want or even care that some stranger says Happy Birthday. Just no meaning in it to me. I'd much rather have someone I love say it then some CM that has orders too! I disagree about the deluxes having tiny rooms. Not all are the same! The Poly and the CR have the largest standard deluxe Disney rooms. WL and AKL do have tiny rooms. They are the size of CBR, which is a mod. Not worth it to me. As far as credit cards, believe it or not there are plenty that can afford a stay at a deluxe and not have to put it on a CC. I NEVER have to do that. There are many like me that can afford a deluxe and prefer to a mod or value any time. The deluxes offer much better restaurants then park food even if it is sit down. The only exception is Epcot, that has some pretty good restaurants themselves. I love having room service so a deluxe is the only way to go for me. Speaking of SOG, I have read over and over that there is just no magic at that resort. I know I wouldn't want to stay there but to each his own. That is why there are plenty of options for everyone.

 

[lajones81]

I love POP!

 

[IvyandLace]

I have enjoyed reading this thread and all the differing opinions that everyone has offered. I have to say that one of the most surprising things that I have learned through these boards (and just general WDW trip planning) is that every single trip is unique. Some people (like my mom or my younger sis) are park commando-they are up early and park hop 'til dark! They don't see the point in coming back to the hotel for a swim and a rest and prefer saving money on a Value room which allows them to come back to the World more often. Others (like my FIL and BIL) have more *expensive* tastes from extensive travel with their line of work-they would definitely enjoy a more "adult" atmosphere that a Deluxe might offer as well as the convenience of the monorail and/or boat service. DH and I *splurged* on an anniversary trip to WDW a few years ago and upgraded from our standard Value room to POFQ which we loved! It was definitely a more *romantic* feel as POFQ is a more intimate hotel; we also enjoyed the boat ride to DTD and the hot tub at night. However, though we would *love* to one day get to experience the Animal Kingdom Lodge and the Wilderness Lodge-we honestly still cannot justify the cost-this coming from "smell-the-roses-and-enjoy-the-resort" type of people! At POP last summer, we were definitely able to relax during the middle of the afternoon as most of the families are out to the parks, leaving our room nice and quiet and the 50's pool empty! As PAP holders, you can't beat a $60/night room. As a bonus, the Values don't charge extra for king rooms!!

At the start of every trip, we always say, "Hey, this time let's stay at the Animal Kingdom Lodge!", but we always come back to the values as they have everything this couple needs (and the money saved allows us more trips!)

IVY

 

[tlbwriter]

The original poster didn't say anything rude.

The original post implied that people who stay at Deluxe resorts "expect the world to bow down to you," which is indeed an unkind thing to say. Not to mention how inappropriate it is to stereotype people based on how much they choose to spend on a resort. The OP has apologized, and I do not believe she meant to insult anyone, but I don't think Leota was rude or out of line to call her on it. But then, I'm not a veteran...

 

[Taratink]

I have not tried the values yet. We stayed at the WL trip and it was nice. I expect different things from different trips. My kids are young so I was afraid to go to the values because I have heard that they are loud. I also wanted the bunk beds so I got a great code and went with the WL. As my kids get older I am sure we will move over to one of the Value resorts. I think a lot of people change things around as there needs change. If I was going to go every year I could only afford the values if it was every other year we might save for the deluxe. As long as everyone is enjoying there vacations. I know a very wealthy family who love the value resorts and stay there ever trip. When I was staying at the WL no one bowed to me. Should I ask for a refund?
Tara

 

[PamNC]

My DH and I started going to the World for our Disneymoon in 1994. We've gone ever year since, at least once. At first, all we could afford was the value category and it was just fine for us. At that point, we were commando park-tourers. Then, after 2 years, we moved up to the moderate category and what a difference! Although we enjoyed our stay at All Star (there was no POP at the time), I think that the theming is tacky and garish. The beds seem smaller than the moderate resorts' beds, and we're a childless couple. The value resorts are teaming with kids...please don't flame me for that statement...Disney and kids go together and we realize that. It just felt more "grown up" moving to the moderate category. We also liked the option of full service dining. Food courts just don't appeal to us. We're food snobs.

Well, maybe we are "hotel snobs" too - in 1999 we moved up to the deluxe category and boy are we hooked. However, we would NEVER pay rack rate...never have, never will. We started our deluxe journey with the CR and since then we've stayed at YC, BC, Poly, GF, and the Swan. Going back to the BC in just 31 days. Here's why we prefer deluxe: We don't commando tour, quite the contrary. We spend time at the pool and take advantage of the amenities of the resort. Another reason: convenience. You can't beat the convenience of the monorail, the Friendship, or the ability to walk to Epcot and MGM. It makes for a very relaxing vacation. Full-Service dining: love the dining options. We are indeed, admittedly, food snobs. We hate the buses: You don't have to deal with buses when you stay Deluxe, unless you book AKL. Then, you're stuck in the middle of nowhere. That rules that deluxe resort out for us. I'm not going on vacation and riding a bus and eating at a food court. Nope, not me. However, I think that's fine for folks who want that option and I'm glad it's available. Kids, I'm sure, love food courts. But, I'd rather have a relaxing meal with my husband.

Would I go back to a value? No. If that was the only way I could go...I simply wouldn't go. I do think I could stay at a moderate again if I had to. It's worth it to us to pay the extra $$ (again, we wouldn't pay rack rate) to stay at the deluxe resorts. On the other side of the coin, we don't expect a Happy Birthday or looking for anyone to bow down to us. We just want to enjoy a relaxing, convenient, fun vacation at a themed Disney Deluxe resort. That's more than half the fun for us...the resort.

PamNC

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I take the Value's for what they are and we do enjoy staying at them...However we are down to only 2 we will do...Movies or Pop. Music and Sports are just not Disney-ish enough for me. I love POFQ....and my dream one day is to get back into the deluxes as well. I do not like staying at Motel 6--and I don't equate the values with Motel 6 b/c in a lot of ways--they are much nicer than a Motel 6. I do value the amenities as you go up the hotel food chain--and really miss them when I stay value.

Each family should evaluate their individual resort needs and book accordingly. Those accustomed to nice hotels who stay at value to give as little money as possible will probably disappointed...just as those who spend money like water and stay at GF b/c it is the best and inevitibly find something wrong with it.

No resort is immune to the opinion of its patrons---you should evaluate your vacation for what it is and plan for what you think is best. Do to some bad experiences and un-Disney experiences we won't ever stay at Sports or Music again. Those are wonderful resorts for some guests---but we have decided that our money is best spent at other resorts.

Disclaimer--we have Seasonal passes and I guess I must be getting old or something---b/c I just don't like commando theme parking anymore. So it is either my age or the kids (4/2) ages...but commando touring is too exhausting. Maybe when the strollers and diapers are long gone we'll be ready to go commando again.

As far as the birthday greetings--the only place I expect it is for a meal which was booked specifically for that occasion. Everything else is just the icing on the cake (pun intended).

Time to go read the thread now--sounds like it was good.

 

[HANDYMOM]

oops~

 

[Crankyshank]

I hate to break it to you guys, but deluxe dwellers don't corner the market in extreme entitlement mentality. There are just as many people staying at Value and Mods that think it's all about them and getting everything for nothing.

I've stayed at all 4 levels (value, mod, deluxe, concierge). I've had good and bad experiences at all of them. I book a hotel room based on theming and also on what i can afford at the time. If I'm in the mood for pop culture, I'll stay at POP. If I'm in the mood for serenity, I'll stay at WL, etc... I don't expect to be catered to and I certainly don't expect to be bowed down. All I want is a clean room, screeching children and loud guests at a minimum, and friendly hotel staff.

 

[disneysnob]

We've always stayed at a deluxe because the value and moderate resorts don't accomodate a family of 5. I also like the queen beds and slightly larger rooms. If I'm going on a vacation, I want to relax, stretch out and enjoy myself. I know people say "we'll how long are you actually in the room?", but for the times that I am, I want to be comfortable. Everybody is entitled to their own opinion, but we've always liked to splurge on our vacations. (that's why it's called a vacation)

 

[Jen D]

I've often thought about booking the value resorts for a quick getaway trip... for me it is all about expectations... if I know what to expect for the price, I won't be disappointed. But the main thing about the values that gives me pause is room size. I agree with the above poster whose answer to the question "how much are you really in your room?" is "a lot!" We have never been commando tourers...my husband doesn't enjoy commando touring, it makes him a cranky boy, and my kids enjoy naps and rest. And right now I have a baby which means a lot of extra junk. We have a crib in the room, a stroller, etc. Our family stays in rooms that size on the road all the time but I don't know how we'd do for 5-6 days.

Everything else I can learn to live with.