MHO About Value Resorts

[jennibug]

Hi All,
I've been sitting here reading resort reiviews and I can see that some people are scaring other people about the value resorts. If you have never stayed on property, if you are an everyday person who doesn't expect the world to bow down to you, if you realize ahead of time that you are staying at the "Motel 6" of Disney resorts you will love it.
I've been to WDW 15 times, DH has been 4. Our first trip together was our Disneymoon to ASMo, we loved it, the next time we went we stayed at ASMo again and loved it, the next year we stayed at ASMu to try something new, loved it also. Last year we decided it was time to move up so we stayed at POR, didn't love it so much.
The Value resorts look huge, but we never have had more than a five minute walk to anywhere. At POR however we were in a room so far out that we were exhausted by the time we got to the bus. The bus system was horrid, we waited over an hour to get to MGM!!
This year we are going to stay at POP and can't wait. The Disney magic is always there, sometimes you have to step back and realize that. We have never been made to feel like we were staying at a value resort by the staff. We didn't feel as much magic last year. Maybe it's the themeing.
Don't feel like you have to spend more money just to get the Disney magic, if you are hard working everyday person like me and DH save your money for another Disney experiece. If you have a problem with the bus system, take the money you are saving by staying at a value resort and rent a car.
Most of the gripes I see around here are people going from Mod and Deluxe to Value and expecting more. And I have to admit some of them seem petty. Remember you get what you pay for. That's just my opinion. Please don't hate me or send me mean messages, I'm just trying to let people know not to be scared.

Thanks for listening!

 

[GOOFYFREEK]

I am with you Value all the way. To me the only difference in Value and Moderate resort is the Mod usually offers a sit down dinning. Other than that they are virtually the same. Besides we are only there long enough to lay are heads on the pillows, shower and back in the parks we go.

 

[msmouse]

I am a DVC member, but have used up points so quickly that I have chosen to visits the Values. I absolutely love them. I have stayed at ASMo and recently the POP. No complaints here! I love the way they are decorated. You don't get that at the DVC resorts. Don't get me wrong. The DVC resorts are wonderful. It's the best thing we ever did. But, the values are wonderful also. I also stayed at Carribean Beach. I loved that too. Maybe I just love being at Disney, you think?????

 

[melsmom303]

amen

 

[*Fantasia*]

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!)

 

[ADisneygirl]

I think all the resorts have their pros and cons. Value resorts are not going to offer the same ammenities as a deluxe and it is silly to go to one thinking it will be the same. But they are fun, well themed and afterall, you are at Disney! I am happy to try different resorts, even though some I may call my favorites and return to time and again. Thats why there are choices out there -- everyone isn't going to like the same thing. No one should be scared to stay at a value unless they are going there from the GF and expecting the same level of ammenities.

 

[PoohGal05]

Adding my $0.02 in here (which is funny in itself because I usually stay out of these topics)

Our first trip to Disney, we decided that although we wanted to be immersed in the total Disney experience, we didn't want to want to price. I mean, we were on a budget, and as my mom nor I like driving in unfamiliar places, we decided this is what was best FOR US! When we were booking our trip, after I had done all of the internet research I could find (hadn't discovered this site yet though ), I asked my mom where she wanted to stay as far as the value resorts and she chose Movies. After all that I had read about the Value resorts, I have to admit I WAS expecting to be WAY noisy. But ya know, it wasn't! We were in the Mighty Ducks 2 building on the first floor. Once we closed the door, we never heard anything. We were so tired, we were asleep as soon as our heads hit the pillows.

When we booked our trip for this time (we're going again in July), I asked the travel agent to pull us up the difference in price between the Value resorts and the Moderates. Although it wasn't a huge difference, we decided that we would rather spend the extra money on souveniors! Since we know more what to expect as far as prices, we planned more accordingly. And I planned pretty well the first time around!

We're hopping that we have the same experience this time around as we did the first time! Pixie Dust is a wonderful thing ya know!

Angi

 

[goofy4tink]

Another DVC owner here that really likes the value resorts. We had some of the best CMs at Music. I try to stay at the AllStars at one end of my DVC trips. It's especially terrific when I can get a good AP rate. I don't even use the hot tubs at the deluxes. I don't eat at the resort restaurants every night so that isn't an issue. I have found the value resorts to be wonderful. If you realize that you aren't going to have a hot tub, pool slide or table service eating, you should be fine.

 

[Leota]

if you are an everyday person who doesn't expect the world to bow down to you,

Wasn't that just a Tad insulting to people who choose to stay in moderate or deluxe resorts?
I don't like Value resorts, but it doesn't mean I expect to be bowed to. It means that I perfer a certain level of amenities for my vacation experience & am willing to save a little more & a little longer to obtain them.

If you don't want people to be mean to you for posting something, then maybe you shouldn't post mean things first.........

 

[aubriee]

I just returned May 22nd fromm WDW. I spent two nights at POP, then rented points for BWV for five nights, then two more nights at POP. I was unsure what to expect for POP, but was very pleasantly surprised. I loved it and even though I also loved BWV, I had absolutely no problem switching back over to POP when my time at BWV was over. Pop is just so cute. (I can't believe I just said that when a month ago I was the one saying I cringed everytime I saw pictures of those 'gaudy icons'. ) Really though POP is just a very fun resort. The CMs are so friendly and the place just seems so happy and upbeat. It's also the only resort where I've gotten multiple towel animals every day. The buses also seem more frequent and plentiful at POP.

I'm taking my son and D-I-L to WDW in late Sept and am thinking about renting DVC points again, but will definitely spend the weekends at a Value. I'm also going back in mid-Dec and will probaly do the same thing.

 

[addicted_to_WDW]

There's no polite way to say this, so I'll just say it. There are hotel snobs and in particular Disney resort snobs who will look down on anything that isn't top notch. These are the people who complain that the value resorts get better bus service (when they pay so little!), don't understand how people can eat at food courts, and think that hearing a toilet flush is akin to the coming of the apocalypse.

Then there are people who want a room to sleep in and Disney service and convenience to go along with it. They don't particularly care if there's no concierge service or if their room overlooks nothing but a pathway. They aren't looking for tinkerbell to be sprinkling pixie dust on their head 24/7.

I'm in the middle. I prefer the mods. I want a little more atmosphere but a lot less price. I've stayed at all 3 levels and they all have their benefits, but for my money I'd much rather stay at a mod than a deluxe because it means I can afford many more trips to WDW. I stay at the values for short trips only because on those trips I truly do nothing other than sleep there.

Can you get the Disney experience at all 3? Absolutely, but it is unfortunate that there are those who think that you should/can only experience Disney by spending a fortune.

I also think that people expect too much for their $80 a night.

 

[disneydreamerinny]

I'm so glad there are other people who like the values.
I just want to be immersed in Disney 24/7. And boy, do you get that there.
I want Mickey and friends in my pool, and where I eat, and where I sleep.
I want to be reminded 24/7 where I am.
We only get to go every 3-4 years, so when we do, It's all Disney.
Maybe when the kids are in college and dont come with us anymore, and we have done Disney a few more times, then we will settle on a "quieter, less Disney" resort.
But right now, Values are perfect for us!

 

[lulu71]

There's no polite way to say this, so I'll just say it. There are hotel snobs and in particular Disney resort snobs who will look down on anything that isn't top notch. These are the people who complain that the value resorts get better bus service (when they pay so little!), don't understand how people can eat at food courts, and think that hearing a toilet flush is akin to the coming of the apocalypse.

Then there are people who want a room to sleep in and Disney service and convenience to go along with it. They don't particularly care if there's no concierge service or if their room overlooks nothing but a pathway. They aren't looking for tinkerbell to be sprinkling pixie dust on their head 24/7.

I'm in the middle. I prefer the mods. I want a little more atmosphere but a lot less price. I've stayed at all 3 levels and they all have their benefits, but for my money I'd much rather stay at a mod than a deluxe because it means I can afford many more trips to WDW. I stay at the values for short trips only because on those trips I truly do nothing other than sleep there.

Can you get the Disney experience at all 3? Absolutely, but it is unfortunate that there are those who think that you should/can only experience Disney by spending a fortune.

I also think that people expect too much for their $80 a night.

I don't think that was impolite at all. Different strokes for different folks. I admit, I am a hotel snob. Values aren't for me. I'm just willing to pay more for deluxe, no big deal. Doesn't mean there is anything wrong with a value.

And no...I don't expect the world to bow down to me. I agree with Leota, that rubbed me a little wrong too.

 

[HANDYMOM]

Wasn't that just a Tad insulting to people who choose to stay in moderate or deluxe resorts?
:

No need to circle the troups here. As a veteran of the DIS you should know that most people spend the bulk of their posting complaining about what they didn't get/see/do that they felt they should have. I think the OP had a good point and wasn't trying to take a shot at anyone.

If someone unfamiliar with the DIS just popped in and started reading, it's likely they might feel that most people are either spoiled, rich or both. Unfortunately, you can't really get to know the posters by isolated posts. I'm sure there would be less arguments if we could.

You as a veteran need to set the tone on issues, not stir them up. You could have easily said that as a veteran you don't agree without making it a full fledged issue.

 

[kayeandjim00]

We had a similar experience to another poster. We had always stayed at a value and upgraded to a moderate for a trip. We stayed at POR and while I loved the grounds I found the CMs much friendlier at ASSP. We have never had a problem with noise before at the values but did at POR. Additionally our room was BADLY in need of a renovation. I've thought of staying there again now that they have renovated the rooms but truthfully we just love ASSP. We've had nothing but wonderful experiences there (complete with towel animals) but for me it's not so much how big the room is as just being able to feel Disney magic 24/7. We don't utilize the bus transportation as we always rent a car so I can't speak for that. I've been tempted to try a deluxe of course and I'm sure one of these days we will. But for now I'd rather have the extra money for food and souveniers. To each their own but don't write off the values necessarily you can have a perfectly magical trip there.

 

[Leota]

No need to circle the troups here. As a veteran of the DIS you should know that most people spend the bulk of their posting complaining about what they didn't get/see/do that they felt they should have. I think the OP had a good point and wasn't trying to take a shot at anyone.

If someone unfamiliar with the DIS just popped in and started reading, it's likely they might feel that most people are either spoiled, rich or both. Unfortunately, you can't really get to know the posters by isolated posts. I'm sure there would be less arguments if we could.

You as a veteran need to set the tone on issues, not stir them up. You could have easily said that as a veteran you don't agree without making it a full fledged issue.

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!

 

[lyeag]

My family has only made it to Disney once. We had a room only code and stayed at in a wing room at CR. BUT, we are a family of 5 with a child who still needs a stroller. We opted for convience at the time as we were only able to spend 4 days. Having said that, if we were a family of 4 I don't think I would have any trouble at all staying at a Value. The kids would love it. I do think some people have really high expectations of all the resorts simply because it is Disney. I do think the rack rates at the Deluxes really are a little over the top, no matter what your view out the window is. I think there are quite a few "high maintenace" people on the boards....

 

[TheNerdyMinnie]

I've only stayed at one of the many value resorts but I must say that the POP was one of the best resorts I've stayed at on Disney grounds. On the other hand, our stay at the CBR was awful

In all honesty, I've become spoiled by the deluxe resorts, and especially by concierge, but I wouldn't hesitate about staying at POP again

 

[jennibug]

Wasn't that just a Tad insulting to people who choose to stay in moderate or deluxe resorts?

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.

 

[HANDYMOM]

I didn't find your post insulting at all. I thought it was a good point and gave me something to think about. I've only stayed at deluxe (once) and moderates (twice). I found your perspective refreshing and informative...THANKS~