No more points (and too late for availability) so thinking of a value resort!!!!

[mimmiepnp]

There is a very good chance that we will be able to go to WDW Thanksgiving week. I have no more points for this year and none to borrow for next as that vacation(s) is planned.

We usually go at Thanksgiving time on points but held off because DS graduated from college and we thought that he would have a job but at this point nothing yet so he is doing temp agency jobs until he can find a more permanent job (Unfortunately a sign of the times for many of our college graduates or those who have lost jobs).

So at this late date we are planning to go (and if DS does get a job he will ask for this time as non paid time off as a condition with his hire) and we want to do this as inexpensively as possible and thinking of staying at POP Century.

We have never stayed at a value resort usually we stayed at a deluxe or POFQ (which we love) prior to buying DVC.
We will only be in the room to sleep since we are usually commando style for our November trips.

Have any DVC'ers ever stayed at a value resort after purchasing DVC??
Can you tell me your experiences?

My philosophy is that no matter what, we will be at disney and thats all that counts but I would love to hear your responses!

Thanks

Mimmiepnp

 

[Chuck S]

When we drive down we often arrive a day early and stay at POP. Of the value resorts, POP is my favorite. Their food court is excellent. And the rooms are comfortable.

There will be more walking at the values, unless you pay extra for a preferred room, but we personally prefer the more distant areas. Take the time to wander around the lake and read all the timeline signs.

It may also take longer to check-in at a value, simply because there are so many rooms & more guests.

The bus service is good at POP, but not as good as DVC resorts.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Pop is the one I would pick. The beds are double, or I did have a HA with a king one time, not by request, but I was alone and it wasn't a long stay.

However, like Chuck S, I DO like the choices in the food court! Have been tempted to go there for the Parmesean chicken even when we're not staying there. The TiW's discount was available there, don't know if it still is, but that was helpful.

Bobbi

 

[rutgers1]

We are out of points and are going down next week. We are going to stay in the Swan/Dolphin. When we stayed at the Boardwalk last summer, we walked by the Swan/Dolphin and found it to be very nice - nicer than I had expected. If you go to their website, they have a bunch of different discounts available. If I recall, one is a "buy one day, get one day free" type thing. I got a teacher discount, and I think I am paying $139/night for a room that - from what I have read - compares favorably to any Disney deluxe.

After staying in the DVC resorts, I don't think I would be interested in a value resort. I would definitely stay in a moderate again, as we LOVE Port Orleans Riverside. I am actually hoping that we love the Swan/Dolphin, as it seems like a great deal for a nice hotel that is right near Epcot.

 

[bobbiwoz]

We are out of points and are going down next week. We are going to stay in the Swan/Dolphin. When we stayed at the Boardwalk last summer, we walked by the Swan/Dolphin and found it to be very nice - nicer than I had expected. If you go to their website, they have a bunch of different discounts available. If I recall, one is a "buy one day, get one day free" type thing. I got a teacher discount, and I think I am paying $139/night for a room that - from what I have read - compares favorably to any Disney deluxe.

After staying in the DVC resorts, I don't think I would be interested in a value resort. I would definitely stay in a moderate again, as we LOVE Port Orleans Riverside. I am actually hoping that we love the Swan/Dolphin, as it seems like a great deal for a nice hotel that is right near Epcot.

We often stayed at the S/D with Teacher rates before Disney instituted Magic Express (S/D do not qualify), and now they've added a parking fee for the car you may have to rent!

 

[La2kw]

We usually stay at a hotel offsite at a much better price than the values if we need to stretch our points. We love the Bonnet Creek Hilton and the Hilton Grand Vacation Club on International Drive.

 

[Alexander]

My boys (11 and 4) love All Star Sports. I just cannot stand the theming at Pop. It is so gaudy! We can usually handle a 3-4 night stay at the values, but then we're done. What we miss truly are decent swimming facilities. There are sooooo many people in the value resort pools. Swimming is HUGE for my family while on vacation.

We too are out of points, but couldn't let the summer pass without a WDW trip. We are actually going to try out Wyndham Bonnet Creek. We scored a 2 bedroom villa for 7 nights for $600. The values would have been under $400, so it was a no brainer to cough up the extra $200 bucks for awesome swimming facilities and a room that would hold at least 3-4 of of the All Star rooms.

 

[mimmiepnp]

We thought of off site but do not plan on renting a car; we like convenienceof ME and disney busses to parks

 

[Alexander]

We thought of off site but do not plan on renting a car; we like convenienceof ME and disney busses to parks

Off property doesn't really work without a car. Have you compared the price of the moderates? They really are a huge step up from the values and sometimes not a whole lot more money. Oh--have you considered renting points--wait did you mention availability--never mind!

 

[javamom]

We did the same thing last Oct. We booked Pop, as it's our favorite (and only) value to stay at. You have the right attitude. A night at Disney, is better than a night not, so enjoy!! You'll appreciate your 1brs a lot more after staying in a standard hotel room again ;-)

 

[jerseygal]

Love the Marriott World Center Drive if I had to stay off site!
Would much prefer that to a Value Resort...Value Resorts, too small, too roudy, too many kids running up and down, too many cheerleading/sports large groups!

A few years ago, got great bed and breakfast rates at the Marriott!
Breakfast buffet there is REALLY AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
LOVE IT!

If I couldn't stay at a DVC property, I'd prefer looking offsite to a quality resort property!

Check out the reviews on Trip Advisor for any property you're investigating!
I once did research for a friend and quite frankly found all of the Value Resorts to be negative....same "threads"...too small, too loud, too many large groups!

Good Luck! Trip Advisor is a great source...I feel quite frank too! These travelers have "nothing to loose" to write honestly about a certain resort!

 

[jimmytammy]

We stay sometimes one or two nights over a weekend to save those pts at the beginning of our trips, and have done so many times during the Fri./Sat. right after Thanksgiving.

We have stayed at POP once, but prefer All Stars, specifically Sports. The buses tend to pick up and drop off here 1st. The proximity to the main area, buses, food court, etc. seems a bit closer in to rooms that of Music(cant speak on Movies, never stayed there)

If you do stay at Sports, Touchdown bldgs. are really close to the front area. Surf bldgs. are as well.

One other plus of Sports over POP, food court area doesnt seem as crowded, less rooms makes for less people. POPs foodcourt has more choices, but Sports is ample to our tastes.

Either way, go with a positive thought, no it isnt DVC, but yes, you are in WDW!!

 

[Chuck S]

One other plus of Sports over POP, food court area doesnt seem as crowded, less rooms makes for less people. POPs foodcourt has more choices, but Sports is ample to our tastes.

Either way, go with a positive thought, no it isnt DVC, but yes, you are in WDW!!

Apparently you have never been to All Stars when one of the larger groups was booked in, like cheerleaders or Pop Warner. It was awful, waited 30 minutes in line in the tiny food court...we will never do All Stars again, either Pop Century or Offsite.

 

[Mineu]

I posted a similar question-and someone suggested the Swan & Dolphin-I was able to book a great AAA rate-they also have stay one night get the other 50% off-you'd have to pay for shuttle service-but at least you are at a deluxe property...

 

[Steamboat Girlie]

I posted a similar question-and someone suggested the Swan & Dolphin-I was able to book a great AAA rate-they also have stay one night get the other 50% off-you'd have to pay for shuttle service-but at least you are at a deluxe property...

If I remember, the Swan/Dolphin have the use of the WDW transportation, not ME express, but the bus service to the parks. We stayed at the Swan a while back and I was really impressed. I think I would opt to stay there over a value. With the nurses discount I think it was $129 a night, like a said it was a while ago, '02 I think. The location can't be beat. We walked to Epcot and the studios. And the restaurants are awesome, Bluezoo being one of my favorites. The heavenly beds were wonderful. I would love to stay there again if we were traveling without the kiddos. Very deluxe!

 

[Kuzco]

I stayed at POP this past April for a quick trip when I didn't have any points available. Although it reminded me how spoiled DVC has made me, it was a great trip and a trip to a WDW Value Resort was still better than staying home and working.