Never did a "Value" Resort before/Any Good ?? Nice? Still Disney-ish?? Which One ?

[bellenbuzz]

Stayed at PO Riverside(then Dixie Landings). Then Ft Wilderness Cabins (Gorgeous).
Want to try more economical trip. How are Value All-Star Resorts???
Please provide comments & feedback ! Which one is the best ??? We're hardly ever in our room anyways, is it good for me, DH and 2 DD's ages 4 & 7 ??
Thanks for all help in assisting in making up my mind!

 

[eeyore0062]

We are staying at POP this spring.

As for whether the values are still Disney-ish... some swear they are moreso, due to the oversized icons and bright colors--- kids really love them. It will be quite a departure to what you are used to, though. Only one sink, smaller rooms, no slides at the pools, no full service restaurants, only bus transportation to anywhere you want to go. We stay according to budget, so we just get our mind wrapped around where we will be staying and enjoy what they have to offer.

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

I highly recommend Pop Century. I am very picky when it comes to resorts and we have enjoyed all three stays we've had at the Pop. It's new, clean, with good bus transportation, a nice food court, and a cute theme for kids. I actually like it better than POR.

Good Luck!

 

[travelin' tigger]

They might like the icons there the best. I've never stayed there, but heard it's a big hit with kids - also I think it's been recently refurbished.

The other would be Pop Century. I agree with TigrLvsPooh as far as it being the best value.

HTH!!!!

 

[bishop1989]

We prefered AS Movies to POP and AS Music. No real difference just in our opinion we had a better stay there. Loved the icons and feel. Definitely Disneyish.

 

[ead79]

We had a great time at Pop Century, and we also enjoyed All Star Music (though we prefer the theme at Pop). They definitely still have the "surrounded by the magic" feel to them. I just adjust my expectations according to what level of resort we'll be staying at each trip.

 

[Maude4Disney]

Our trip last April was the first time staying at a value. DH was pretty skeptical about a value resort, but once we were there the whole family loved it. We stayed at PC and can't compare it to the All Stars for you. Everyone enjoyed it so well that I'm getting out voted on where to stay for our Christmas trip. Our DS's were 10 and 3 at the time and the only thing they missed (well DS10) was the pool slide, but he still enjoyed the pools. DS3 loved the popjets that were there. We thought the food court was just as good as the ones at the moderates that we've stayed at and the bussing was excellent.

 

[sanibelover]

Depends what you are used to. We don't normally stay in the deluxes, but I think I would find the Values very hard to deal with. (we too love the Wilderness Homes) I honestly think it would negatively influence my entire vacation.

Do you think that your vacation would be impacted by the kind of room you stay in? If not, then a Value would probably be fine. If so, you should probably stick to Moderates or above........

 

[Lucky'sMom]

On our last trip, we stayed in 3 resorts ( I want to stay in all of them someday). We stayed at the Poly, Old Key West and ASMovies. Which resort was the cheapest? ASMovies. Which resort did my kids like the best? ASMovies! If you think about it from a child's perspective...the theming can't be beat. So many photo opportunities, too.

 

[Evil Queen]

Well, only being able to stay either off site or one of the Values, and only did Sports last year (Movies for upcoming Sept. trip).

My DS8 is a football fanatic (he obsesses over football, present and history). He was in heaven!!!! Even though we stayed in the Homerun bldg. we hung on the "football field" when we were at the resort and not in the pool.

There were 4 of us in a room, 3 adults and him, so that was crowed. We managed, we were only there for sleeping, showering and changing. Since two of "us" were young adults, we were able to work around all of trying for the bathroom at the same time, since we were in the rooms at all different times. I will admit we are getting 2 rooms this time, for the same folks going. 6 nights I need the extra room, mainly for luggage, coolers, etc.

 

[elsa2304]

As everyone else has already said, the value resorts are great for families and the themes are amazing. The huge icons and what not, it is a lot of fun. Plus, there are numerous pools at the AS resorts. The large food courts are really nice because you can get food for each person and it won't be too expensive and they have a lot of things kids like. For a "value" you are still getting A LOT of Disney. If anything, these hotels are geared more towards families with children and often times the kids find other kinds to hang out with giving parents a break.

 

[spiceycat]

I like pop century

however if you want an all star - movie get the best reviews.

 

[bellenbuzz]

PLEASE KEEP THE REPLIES COMING !! I love hearing all this from you experienced WDW travelers !! Your DIS Board Folks are AWESOME !!

 

[Danemom]

We have only stayed at moderate resorts but everytime we leave we say next we'll stay at a value because we are never in the room.

While looking at rates for the MYW packages we realized we could stay at a value resort WITH the dining package for the same rate as staying at a moderate resort without it!

Now the only decision is which value resort!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

We stayed at Pop Century last month and really loved it. Vacations are what you make of them.

 

[*Fantasia*]

I love ASMo and PoP! As far as which is better... OK...I guess I would have to say PoP! First of all it is the newest. I think the bus service is better. Sometimes ASMo shares the bus with the ASMu and ASsp too. I think the pool at the PoP is a little bit more funner. I love the fact that we can watch the Epcot fireworks (50s-60s 4th floor facing the lake). You can rent a surrey bike and bike along the lake, it is nice.

I guess I would go with Pop. It is great for the kids and also for adults. There's lots of memorabilia from the 50s...90s. It's nice to see what was "in" in those years.

 

[pmtaylor]

I would be curious to see how you like the dining plan. We are considering it for our trip in December.

 

[KimKamMom]

We have stayed at all of the value resorts. We have never been disappointed.
We did POP last year and are planning to go back in Nov. Just because we thought the buses were more convenient.
I once read that all the mattresses were the same at all resorts.
Have Fun!

 

[lsteadman]

my DD9 loves the theme especially Dalmations!!!

 

[EsmeraldaX]

I stayed at Pop (my first value) for the first time in Dec and I'm going back in May. I was surprised. From the way some people talk about the values, you'd swear you were staying in a dump....NOT SO! Pop was very nice.

We had a room in the back of the 50's section looking out on the lake. The pool was on the other side. We never heard any excessive noise. We heard water from other showers and toilets once in a while, but I heard that at the CR and the Poly as well.

THere are several pools at each Value, and the giant icons are sort of either you love them or you hate them. I think they're fun. Little kids love them if you are traveling with kids.

I thought that Pop was a great deal for the money. In Dec, we paid $49 a night with an AP code. This May we're paying $84 with a AAA code. No AP codes as of yet...

But even at the rack rate of $99 it's not bad to stay on site.