Not thrilled with the Beach Club at all...

[ducklite]

Originally posted by Gabrielle
I feel the same way...the deluxes aren't worth it.

That' subjective. To me, I'd rather spend the extra and get the little extra touches. Plus there's one HUGE reason I will only stay at a deluxe...

DH and I sleep in a king bed at home. We can manage in a queen, but neither of us gets any sleep in a double. The deluxes have queens, the moderates have doubles. End of story.

A few months ago I posted a long comparision between the deluxes and other resorts. I'll try and find it and post the link.

Anne

 

[susy]

Anne,
I never thought about the bed size thing before. When we are on vaca, my DH and I never sleep in the same bed. We each get a bed to ourselves. If DS is along, I still get my own bed. I know,I'm horrible!!!!!

 

[KaterBell]

Haunted Mansion Fan, did you sleepwalk again and pee in the hallway? j/k What's up with the Urine smell? Ew. I definitely would have complained to the mgr on that one..

We've talked about this before, but I do really think you got a bad first impression. Maybe you didn't put a special request in on your room, or know that you could? If I saw that same type of bed when I walked in, I would have requested something else....

Maybe when you come visit us at BCV or at the GF sometime, you can see what "is it worth it" is all about.

 

[HauntedMansionFan]

Haunted Mansion Fan, did you sleepwalk again and pee in the hallway? j/k

You caught me KaterBell... I always drink to much water before bed.

 

[disneydeb]

my family and i spent 2 nites at bc sept 23rd and 24th and i did not care for it, i would not go back to it heres why, we arrived there at 3 pm by the time we got to our room got unpacked and went for dinner we ate at yactchmans steakhouse very good but expensive 100 fopr 3 of us , i justified that because we had traveled and had not eaten all day so it was good, by the time we finished it waand went to go swimming at storm a long bay it was closed, that was the main reason for staying there after thatat the next day the kids went to parks so by the time swe got back pool was closed again, did have breakfast character one was good, but there was alot of constructions going on not very pleasant i expected more, spent rest of vacation next 4 days at contemporary resort and loved it.we had view of space mountain but i liked the room better.

 

[macs4us]

It's like that in Vegas too - and in Vegas in July at 11 PM a swim sounds great!!! I was impressed that the CSR pool was open until 11 PM or so when we were there. Disney just doesn't want to pay for staff after a certain time, and doesn't want the liability of slide use without proper staff (which bums me out, 'cause I am a Certified Lifeguard - I wanna go on the slide ).

But I am curious - what "little extras" are people talking about that the deluxes have? I guess I am missing something...I know when I stay at a Disney Deluxe, if I am not staying at the concierge level, the concierge doesn't want to help me. When I stay at the Four Seasons or another 4 or 5 Star/Diamond hotel, the concierge staff helps everyone. The rooms may be a little larger, but that depends on the deluxe, and what room you get. Personally, I have yet to sleep in a comfortable bed at Disney - they are just average. Thus far, I think the suites I have stayed in at Disneyland have been nicer than the ones at WDW, but I haven't stayed at all of the resorts at WDW. So, it is all subjective - but I am curious about what people consider "extras" that the deluxes have...

 

[susy]

I think with the heat and crowds, proximity to the parks and ease of transportation plays a HUGE role.

Well ya'll.......sense and sensibility has gotten the better of me (like it always does) and my deluxe B-day trip (Labor day weekend) will be happening at the ASMusic! We only go for a few days at a time and always drive, so transportation is no big deal .We really want this trip to be relaxing and fun and not have to worry that I'm not getting to do all I want at the resort and getting my money's worth. We also are staying an extra night . Since it's so cheap, I will pay for preferred and ask for the quiet side. This thread has actually been very good for me.

My dad is going to Vegas in a few days. His DW has a jewelry show. They got married there nine years ago and stayed at the Mirage. Thye will be there for their anniversary this time. they love it there and go all the time!

 

[Gabrielle]

Hi Anne (Ducklite),

I hear you about the king bed but I still don't think the deluxes are worth it. I travel a lot in my job and I think any Marriott is nicer than a Disney dexlue - and, about half the price.

I think moving up to a Moderate from a Value is money well spent - but, I don't feel the same about going from a Moderate to a Deluxe. 2x the price but not 2x the amenities.

With a Moderate you get a food court to make the mug worth it - close parking - and swimming in the main pool after 10 - which you can't do at SAB.

We've stayed at the Grand Floridian (2 weeks), the Poly (1 week) and the Yacht Club (1 night). I'd go again for a night or two but that's all, out of a week at DWorld.

But, to each his own!

 

[JudyVC]

First off, I love the Disney moderates and the way they're landscaped. I've stayed at Port Orleans, Dixie Landings (which are now combined into one resort but I stayed at each one) and the CBR. They are just so beautiful walking around especially at night.

And I've stayed at the Poly, the BC and now own points at the Boardwalk Villas. I love the public areas of the BC but I too was disappointed with the room. Yes, we were close to the Epcot entrance but I didn't feel the room was worth the money. I don't feel that way about the BWV but then the rooms have kitchens or a least a microwave and fridge.

That said my 12 year old neice says the BC pool is the best pool on Disney property.

Judy

 

[antmaril]

I would like to put my two cents in on this subject. We stayed at the Beach Club last June. The first room they gave us had two double beds and did not have a full balcony. I had requested a room with queen beds and a full balcony. My husband complained about this and mentioned that we were celebrating my birthday (a big one I might add) on this trip . They then upgraded us to a concierge room. Now, because we had concierge for free, we saved quite a bit of money on breakfasts, water, sodas, snacks, etc. I was very happy and grateful for that upgrade. That said, I think the rooms are really nothing special. The rooms are small and the bathrooms are tiny. They are getting a lot of $$ for those rooms and if you've traveled at all in nice hotels, they don't compare. The resort itself is lovely and we had a good time. The location can't be beat and that's what you're paying for. However, I would not stay at BC/YC again unless they offered a very good rate.

 

[Peter Pirate]

I think it's very little of the room that you're paying for at a Disney deluxe, unlike competing hotel chains. For example, the YC/BC offer the proximity to two theme parsk and a fantastic pool. If neithr of these things are important in your plans then te BC?YC rooms may tend to be a let down. The AKL offers a fantastic African environment & wonderful zoo surrounding you. If animals and African culture don't thrill you then this room will probably be a let down as well. The Poly offers a trip to Polynesia and the monorail to the MK. If you prefer AK or MGM as parks and prefer modern or traditional lodgings, then the rooms at the Poly will probably dissappoint.

I guess I'm just reiterating what's been said. A lot of this is really subjective depending upon personal tastes...But it's always good to hear both sides...Particularily if i might involve urine smells!

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

Just thought I'd throw my hat in the ring.... LOL

WDW resorts are overpriced (IMO) but we stay on-property anyway because it's close to the parks. We have 2 small children, so location is #1.

We stayed off property once, Westgate Lakes Resort, and it was a nightmare! Driving to the TTC and waiting for one of those trams!!!! Never again....

After staying in quite a few different Disney resorts we finally tried a DVC resort. We LOVED it and will probably never stay in one of the deluxe resorts again (unless dh and I go alone).

It's a learning experience. Try out different resorts, find the one you love, and stick with it. There is something for everyone.

 

[Tiffany]

Hi,

I am also going to add my 2cents

Whether a deluxe is worth it or not is very subjective. Why we have chosen deluxes since 1998 has mainly been for location and in 2001 we went with the AKL for the thrill of the animals and we do love the AK park.

Our rule of thumb is this. We do not want to pay more then $200 a night including tax for a room. Since 1998 we have been able to get discounts to achive this. I believe the location of the BWI,YC/BC and Swan/Dolphin is what you are paying for.

We will be at the Dolphin this upcoming Aug because we did not want to go with a Standard View room at the AKL and we were able to get the Dolphin for 50% off.

The bad smell in the hallway would have generated a call to housekeeping from me. You cannot count on the housekeeper noticing it because not everyone's sense of smell is the same. My husband cannot smell much of anything.

 

[hmp2z]

Hi! Another view...
My first trip to WDW was at the All Star Sports, second trip was at the GF. What a difference! I loved knowing that when I left the parks, I was coming home to a fairytale castle I think that the GF is just beautiful, and always get that feeling of "coming home" when I get there. We went on our wedding planning trip last month and stayed at the CSR. It was okay, but we actually ended up spending much more time just wandering around the GF. Our favorite restaurants are there; we love the shops; we love the lobby; we love the orchestra; we love quiet walks along the beach; we love the view of the castle and the Wedding Pavilion. Staying at a moderate after having been at the GF, I really missed the peace and quiet of sitting on our own balcony. It's probably what I enjoy most about our room at the GF, so for us, it is definitely worth the extra money to have all of these wonderful feelings while we're vacationing at WDW.
For us, it has less to do with the "prestige" and more with just being absolutely in love with the resort itself. Also, when we stayed at the AS Sports, there were kids everywhere. We saw significantly fewer at the GF, which is a plus for us. We're both the kind of people who are bothered by small children running dripping wet in bathing suits through the beautiful GF lobby - seems like sacrilege! Not that we complain; their parents are paying the room price, and I am sure not everyone has the same reverence for the GF that we do.
Anyway, the point is that we pay the money so that we can stay in the most magical place in the world, to us, so we find the price well worth it.
Cheers!
Heather P

 

[susy]

Well spoken, Heather!!! I love this thread. Choosing our resort is probably one of the biggest decisions we make regarding our vacation. We should be happy with what we pay for and I think that's really the whole point. I loved CBR, but since I didn't use the extra amenities I probably wouldn't stay at another moderate for a while. I do have my heart set on AKL (for the animals and theming). We love AS and it suits our purpose for WDW. Having our own transportation makes a big difference, though.

 

[Gabrielle]

I'm not saying you don't get some value for your money at a Deluxe - I just don't think you get it in the amount you pay. We always rent a car to get around to visit the other resorts - which, I think is half the fun - so we do everything at the Deluxes except sleep and swim. I'd rather use the extra money for meals, etc.

 

[cindala]

Maybe everyones subjective opinion on this thread is determined by where they live, and the prices they are accustomed to paying in their home area.

We live 14 miles from NYC, in Bergen County, NJ, one of the most expensive places in the country to live. With a discount, I always get the YC under $200, and in my neck of the woods, that is a bargain for the quality received. Heck, a HoJo's by us would be over $100 a nite!

In areas of the country where it is less expensive to live, the value of the deluxes and their location, may not be appreciated, because a comparable resort in that area may cost less.

 

[losthat]

Interesting thread! Just back from BWI and cannot tell you how happy I was. I found just sitting on the balcony overlooking gardens with Epcot dome and eiffel tower in view wonderful. Room must have just been refurbished...bright, warm and inviting. Theming superb! But just sitting on the balcony listening to the sounds of England and Canada, or watching the fireworks made my visit. Did visit the Y&BC and did not get the same warm feeling - it seems run down and overrun with small kids. (I love kids--and if my kids were little it would be a choice for me.) But this trip was to unwind from a stressful year of teaching and the BWI was a perfect place to do that. So, transportation to parks was a perk;but for just relaxing and dining nearby, I'll return to the BWI and hope it's staff and welcoming ways are as great as this trip. My return will be primarily to unwind, and I may not even visit any part other than Epcot. If you're going to be in the parks day and night, maybe a deluxe isn't worth the money, but for me it was a wonderful experience.

 

[hmp2z]

I completely agree that the hotel prices where you live, and where you're used to vacationing, probably play a big role in what you view as "value for the money."
We love vacationing at Nags Head, NC, for instance, and can stay in a beautiful hotel there for $35/night (we go in off season). But when we got a hotel by JFK airport in Queens, it was over $100/night for a kind of shady place.
In my opinion, the prices for deluxe hotels at WDW are high, but then again, we are so perfectly happy when we stay there that we pay the money gladly. It all depends on what you look for in a hotel and a vacation, I think. If I'm taking a leisurely, splurging vacation (which is what we do when we're at WDW), I want a hotel that matches my mood, and for all the reasons I mentioned in my last post, I would gladly pay rack rate at the GF to be able to stay there. A discount is always nice, but if none were available, I'd still pay the premium to be staying in this beautiful castle, with peaceful balconies, lovely view, orchestra, quiet beaches, wonderful restaurants, etc. etc. etc.
Cheers!
Heather P

 

[Gabrielle]

Losthat, your description sounded wonderful!

But, it makes me wonder how many people go to WDW to relax.

I think I might be getting to that point. I told my kids the next time we go, they'll be old enough to run around on their own so that I can do what I've always wanted to do - spend the whole day at Epcot doing what I want - not what everyone else wants.

Up 'till now, we've always gone at full tilt - making sure we get on all the big rides - going to our favorite restaurants. It's not what I would call a relaxing vacation - in fact, it gets exhausting. I'm looking forward to that day when my husband and I sit in rockers all day on Main Street.