Nay on Value Resorts?

[rotlex]

Stayed at a value, All Star Movies, for the first time this past April. Would I do it again? Absolutely! We are the type that pretty much live in the parks, come back, sleep, get up and leave again, so it suited us great. We spent less then we would, far less actually, then a room would cost us at the Jersey shore, and it was very, very nice. Basic? Yes, but more than enough room, very clean etc.

Also, the time we did spend there, my daughter loved the Fantasia pool, and all of us really enjoyed the food court. We are going again in August, and staying at CBR due to the free dining, but come next April, we'll be heading either to POP or Movies again.

 

[IlovemythreeC's]

We find the values to be a whole lot of fun We have never had bad experience. My children absolutely love them. We seriously have considered upgrading next time, but my kids beg us to go back to the Movies.

 

[abolanwoski]

For me it is a proximity/transportation issue. I HATE buses and would not have a good time staying where I had to use a bus everywhere. We don't ever rent a car and so we choose to stay either at an ML or Epcot resort, so that leaves us Deluxe or SOG. We only go every 2nd or third year and SOG is cheap, so we can afford to do that. Also, my OCD makes it impossible for me to stand being in less than 200 sq ft with 2 other people and all my husbands toiletries (shh - don't tell him I said so!)

 

[LISAMWDW]

Personally, I prefer the moderates over the values and deluxes, as you can see by my WDW vacation log. The values are just too crowded and loud for me. I like to get away from the crowds and relax and that doesn't happen at the values. I like the themed pools, hot tubs, the spread out buildings and the lush landscape at the moderates. It makes me feel truly away and on vacation. Which is why the deluxes aren't my favorites, they aren't spread out, other than the Poly. BTW, I love the Poly!

Everyone has their own reasons, you'll have to stay at all types and figure out what works for you.

 

[danuel]

MY daughter 17 and i loved the ASMU.
Verry nice.

 

[mjc05]

I've never stayed in a Motel 6, so I can't comment on the similarities to one. That said, I loved my stay at All Star Music so much that I'm finding it hard to try another resort. Our vacation style is laid back and fun. We are at WDW to be big kids and not worry about the normal stresses of life. The values fit the bill for our vacation needs.

AsMu was simply fun. I've never stayed at a resort like that before, and was a little leery about staying there due to less than stellar reviews. However, the new decor is lovely in the AsMu rooms. We were in a preferred building literally steps away from the main building, with a pool view. I was concerned when I saw how close to the pool we were, but it wasn't an issue. Once the door was closed, the pool sounds were gone. Love, love love All Star Music and am getting kinda homesick typing about it.

I find the rates for the deluxes at Universal easier to justify. However, I do see a Christmas time trip to the Grand Floridian in my future.....someday. Until then, I'll be happily staying at All Star Music.

 

[Bbgrizzle]

I have never stayed at the values, but juding from the pics, I think they look tacky. Still, I'd rather stay in a value than stay off site!

 

[Lewanc]

I have never stayed at the values, but juding from the pics, I think they look tacky. Still, I'd rather stay in a value than stay off site!

We have never stayed at the Value Resorts either. Agree with you of the "tacky" look. In my opinion, if I were to stay there, I would not feel I was on vacation at Disney. As we are frequent visitors, the decor, serenity, dining offerings, and atmosphere of the resort we choose has more to do with our visit than going to the parks. Don't get me wrong, we do visit the parks, but don't spend a whole day,(annual pass holders), we may do 2 or three favorite rides and it's back to the resort.

I was told, there is alot more activity of kids running around as though they are out of control at the Values than is found at moderate and deluxe resorts, (guess that would have alot to do with no parental control), and more college age young folk book there due to the moderate pricing. Have also heard that there is a difference between the 4 value resorts in respect to noise, etc. All resort levels have offerings to suit the desires of the guests who visit them. The values are just that value, no frills, just basic, clean accommodations so everyone has the opportunity to stay on property, which is the ultimate Disney experience. Again, in my opinion, you haven't been to Disney, if you haven't stayed on property regardless of the type of accommodation you choose.

Thanks to forums like this one, people can get an insite on the experiences of guests who frequent the different resorts and can use that information to decide which resort would better suit their individual situations.

 

[Teacher03]

Ah, I get it now! So basically the value resorts are just mainly the "basics" a place to rest your head at night, somewhere to grab a quick meal, and maybe a pool or two.

Right?

The only resorts I've stayed in so far were Coronado Springs and the Swan, so I now understand the difference. Kinda sucks living near the Disney area - I don't get to do the whole hotel thing.

Yeah, it would suck to live so close to Disney !

 

[MinnieNH]

We stayed at a value resort a few years back and hated it. I don't know if it is always filled with unsupervised teenages but when we were there it was. They kept jumping in the pool and splased everyone and didn't care. They were loud until very late at night. I would not go back there again.

 

[LISAMWDW]

We stayed at a value resort a few years back and hated it. I don't know if it is always filled with unsupervised teenages but when we were there it was. They kept jumping in the pool and splased everyone and didn't care. They were loud until very late at night. I would not go back there again.

That was also my experience. We heard noise all night long, running down the walkways and someone was pounding on the door next door at 4am! The CS area was insanely loud and busy. Same fo the pool area! Never again! I"ll be happy to pay the differnce to be able to relax and enjoy the resort! Also, not alot of beauty there as in the moderates and deluxes just giant plastic icons. If I was in a position where I couldn't afford Mod or Del, I might try ASMusic, as I heard that was quieter. However, I think I'd really stay on the downtown disney strip over the values.

 

[pepe of ohio]

That was also my experience. We heard noise all night long, running down the walkways and someone was pounding on the door next door at 4am! The CS area was insanely loud and busy. Same fo the pool area! Never again! I"ll be happy to pay the differnce to be able to relax and enjoy the resort! Also, not alot of beauty there as in the moderates and deluxes just giant plastic icons. If I was in a position where I couldn't afford Mod or Del, I might try ASMusic, as I heard that was quieter. However, I think I'd really stay on the downtown disney strip over the values.

We've tried POP a couple of times due to hurricanes etc, another story, and we feel for what we invest in our vacation and the experience we want for our money, the extra spent for a deluxe is worth it. We do not stay in the parks from opening to close, this Sept. will be our 39 trip so we have seen and done most and do have AP's so popping in a park and bumming around is what we schedule for our 10-12 night stay. We really enjoy our resort more now after all the trips and the motel atmosphere of the values, crowded food courts, plain pools and huge icons doesn't scream serenity, relaxfullness or calm enjoyment. Plus having only one conveyence to get to the parks, buses, we will not rent a car or use ours if we drive to WDW, because thats why we go to WDW, transportation free everywhere on property, is not all that great, huge lines since huge families are booking the values. Seems the deluxes cater more to the older guest and having boats, monorails and buses gives us multiple choices to get around. thats just our take on the values, we rather stay close off property as stated above then do a value again, but we're fine with the WL area, atmosphere, and pricing.

 

[mom2luncate]

It really does depend on what type of vacation you're looking for. If you want more luxury and nicer pools than the values aren't for you. However, if you want a clean, nice, inexpensive room as you'll be at the parks more often, then don't waste your money on the higher priced hotels. I've stayed at ASMu, CB, POR, POFQ, CS, and BW. BW was lovely but it was a very long walk (inside) to get outside and they do not have a food court which I didn't like. My favorite is POFQ. The gardens are beautiful, it's a smaller hotel and I like taking the boat to the market place. However, our next trip this August will be on the cheap so we're staying at POP and we're very excited. We have 2 small children who will be thrilled with the larger than life decorations and they have a wonderful children's pool. We are saving a ton of money by staying there which means we can relax (mentally) knowing we didn't spend a fortune on a room we're only going to use for sleeping and bathing.

 

[Indianadisneyfan]

I have never stayed at a value but would give it a try. I spend all most all day at the parks, so I just need a place to shower and sleep. I don't really have time to use the pool since we are at the parks all day so that doesn't bother me that they don't have as nice a pool as others.

 

[lovegrumpy]

We've only done POP and the kids love it. We have only gone 2 times. We would reather have the extra money we are saving for other things. Yea it would be nice to have a queen bed but i'll make do. Plus the only thing we do is use it to sleep. The kids don't mind the pools. Yea they would want one with a slide but if they couldn't get something because we payed more they would so choose the value. We looked at the moderats but i didn't like the themeing on some and the long walks from the bus stop on others. So if we don't move next yr we'll do weekend trips and stay at deluxe resorts. We want to do AKL,Fort Wilderness,and the Poly. We have talked about doing SOG but at times pop is cheaper being we are annual pass holders. I would love to di the Grand Floriden at just with out my boys

 

[Cinderaven]

As you can tell, we prefer the Value resorts. My DW would rather spend the money on things she may want. We stayed at the Moderates also, the room is a little bigger but for the price, it's not worth it.

Maybe we will change our mind in a few years when we gt older and want a less havock setting.

 

[mollygirl13]

Dh and I have been to WDW 30+ times in the past 13 years. We have stayed at GF, Poly, Contemporary or WL. That's it-we would never stay anywhere else:
HOWEVER, October 06 we went to WDW for a wedding. We could only get ALL Star Music because we booked VERY late. We never stayed there before and thought that we would be miserable. When you only stay at Deluxe, you kinda get used to it.
Well, I have to say that we were SO surprised at how much we enjoyed ASMu!
Our room was recently refurbished and it was spectacular. We had a Preferred Room so we were steps away from the busses, lobby and food court. The busses came FASTER than at WL! I was very, very impressed. We enjoyed the food at the Food Court tremendously. The cast members there were fantastic to us. Always helpful.
Our family is totally amazed that the AllStar Music is our NEW favorite Disney Resort. It truly is. Since our 10/06 trip, we were there again January 07 and we are booked again Oct 07! DH and I probably won't stay anywhere else again. For the price, we can't beat it. And now we can fit in even MORE WDW Trips w/ the money we save on Resorts.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[Cinders Mum]

For us, it depends on what kind of holiday we plan on having.

If we are planning on more chilling out down time,then we will choose the Polynesian Resort.

If we are spending more time in the parks and at the restaurants then we will choose Music or even Movies.

There is no right or wrong answer for us, just the right one for the right trip

Val
xx

 

[tinabheart]

The real answer lies in what you're looking for to have the vacation you want.

My family stayed Value (ASSp) twice. Our two children were under the age of 6 both times, so having two double beds was fine. The theming was exciting for them, and the pools were just fine for them to cool off. The food court was large enough for us to eat with ease, and getting the kids food was relatively quick and painless. We didn't plan to use any other amenities because of their ages (bike rentals, sit-down meals, spend time in lounges). Our main focus was the parks and the pool.

We then 'moved' up to a moderate when the kids were a little older, staying at POR. We rented bikes, and the slide at the pool was something they enjoyed. We found ourselves spending a little more time at the resort and enjoyed the varied areas we could find to relax.

Our last trip we splurged on the WL, having seen it on our POR trip for a character breakfast. The amenities there were well worth it since our kids are both teens, and we ended up splitting time between the resort and parks. Having a queen-sized bed AND bunk beds made everyone comfortable at night. My husband and I could spend time at the pool with the kids and enjoy cocktails at the poolside bar. I enjoyed relaxing in the mornings in the spacious lobby, in big comfy chairs, while my family slept in peace back in our room. Indoor corridors meant not worrying about scurrying in the midst of daily summer rains to get from place to place. All in all, our stay there was far more relaxing than I would have been able to get at a Value.

We probably would not return to a Value, simply because what they offer no longer fits with the way we like to vacation.

very well said...it truly depends on where you are in life as to what resort best suits your needs! And, it's awesome that Disney truly has something for everyone!

 

[minnie61650]

Dh and I have been to WDW 30+ times in the past 13 years. We have stayed at GF, Poly, Contemporary or WL. That's it-we would never stay anywhere else:
HOWEVER, October 06 we went to WDW for a wedding. We could only get ALL Star Music because we booked VERY late. We never stayed there before and thought that we would be miserable. When you only stay at Deluxe, you kinda get used to it.
Well, I have to say that we were SO surprised at how much we enjoyed ASMu!
Our room was recently refurbished and it was spectacular. We had a Preferred Room so we were steps away from the busses, lobby and food court. The busses came FASTER than at WL! I was very, very impressed. We enjoyed the food at the Food Court tremendously. The cast members there were fantastic to us. Always helpful.
Our family is totally amazed that the AllStar Music is our NEW favorite Disney Resort. It truly is. Since our 10/06 trip, we were there again January 07 and we are booked again Oct 07! DH and I probably won't stay anywhere else again. For the price, we can't beat it. And now we can fit in even MORE WDW Trips w/ the money we save on Resorts.

Just my 2 cents.

These are some of the same reasons I have chosen All Star Music as my favorite
Disney owned resort.

I travel several times a year for pleasure and I often stay at 4 star hotels.

So Disney's deluxe and mod resorts seem like other motel/hotel.

I have stayed at all levels of Disney resorts but I found that All Star Music the CM's have always been stellar, the rooms have always been clean and the pools sparkle.
Also All Star Music tends to be the quietest of the values and the adults and couples usually out number the small children.

All Star Music is undergoing a refurbishment of all of the rooms and is slated to be completed by June 2007.

The Calypso and Jazz buildings are completed and the last I heard they are working on the Broadway Buildings.

Here is a website with photos of the newly refurbished rooms at All Star Music.

Look at the Jazz Inn section with new posted:

http://allearsnet.com/acc/g_asmu.htm




Please see my info thread for more reasons why I enjoy All Star Music so much.

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?p=18641909#post18641909

Have fun at Disney!