Not trying to sound like a snob but...

[jjarman]

I am trying to word this so as to not offend anyone or sound snobbish because I really am not. I really and truly just want to know. Are the "kind" of people staying at the value resorts maybe a little less polite, a little less controlling of their children, a little more rambunctious than say the people staying at a deluxe resort or even a moderate? For example, we are members of a lodge here near our house that has a nice pool. It is much less expensive to join than the country club but the people at the country club are "different" than the people at the lodge. We have our coolers of beer whereas the country club has a bar. I don't mind. I just want a nice clean pool to swim in and a nice lake to fish in but you get my drift. Hey, the country club people probably would not let us join anyway as we are more of the lodge type anyway although we are pretty quiet. THen again, I have seen some pretty spoiled brats at the country club and mummy and daddy are no where around to police the little hoodlums.

Anyway, just curious and if this offends anyone I apologize now.

 

[robinb]

I have stayed at the Polynesian, Beach Club Villas, Animal Kingdom Lodge and All Star Sports in the past 12 months. I do not think that the people are really any different between one resort and another. Parents are still parents, kids are still kids. Good and bad.

 

[mikelan6]

That's a very delicate question you asked there!

Obviously there is a price difference from one resort to another and more affluent people will go to the Deluxe resorts.

However, just because you can afford it, does it mean that you're staying at a Deluxe. Sometimes, the amenities at a Deluxe aren't required and a Moderate or a Value will suffice. If all I want to do is go to the theme parks and dont care about the pool, or the sit down restaurant, I might stay at the Value Resort.

I've stayed at all three types and have found consistency in all the resorts.

Whichever resort you choose, just relax and enjoy the Disney magic!

 

[tricia]

I would have to agree with mikelan6. All kinds of people each resort. We can afford the Deluxes, but choose the Values because to us it is just a place to sleep and I would rather invest that money for my retirement than have a larger room to sleep in for a couple of weeks. I have stayed at all three levels and it just depends on who I am with and what we are there for. So, you could find my very well behaved 6 yr old DS at any resort, but, you could also find my very rambunctions 2 yr old at the same place.

 

[Madi100]

As someone who has only stayed at the values and is returning there, I am TRYING really hard not to be offended. Just because it is a value resort doesn't mean that it is cheap. We are spending A LOT of money on our vacation. However, I don't believe that children act one way or another because they have money or don't have money. I also don't think that money makes you a good parent.

Will my 2 year act up while we are there? You bet she will. Would it matter how much I was paying for my room, NOPE. She'd act the same way at the Grand Floridian. At one time I wanted to stay at the Grand Floridian because I think it's beautiful. We visited last time we were there, and I don't think we will. To me, it's not a family resort. I'd feel very uncomfortable having my 2 year old run through the lobby yelling. On the other hand, I think she'd fit right in at the All Stars doing that. Not that I'm going to set her free and tell her to do so, but if she happened to do that, I wouldn't be embarrassed. To me, it's kinda like going to the library vs. the park. I think the atmospheres are just different. I think the Value resorts were made for families.

I THINK that understand why you are asking your questions, just came off a little different to me. You want to make sure that you are spending money on a good product.

 

[wtg2000]

a little less controlling of their children

The worst tantrums I've seen by children (and by parents) have been at the deluxe resorts. Last March at the Wilderness Lodge I saw a scene at the bus depot that I could not believe.

No offense, but I think your suggestion that the "kinds" of people who stay in cheaper places are less polite or less civilized shows your naivete to the world in general.

 

[DISNEYBIGGDOGG]

That was a pretty ignorant comment. The way your children behave on vacation has nothing to do w/ the kind of resort you stay at. In fact I have seen more adults act up at the Deluxe resorts than the kids misbehaving at the value resorts. Some people stay at the value not because they can not afford the others but because all they do at the resorts is sleep and maybe use the pool. Good luck on your vacation. If you have never been to WDW and have not been around the tons of children that are tired from touring all day then it will not matter where you stay.

 

[Desnik]

I am alittle confused by the question. Are you asking how parents and their children act at different resorts? If so, I'm sure you know that you cannot judge how a person is going to "parent" their children just by how much they spend on a hotel.

If you are asking if you see different "types" of people at different resorts, of course. I have never stayed at a value resort, only a moderate and deluxes. I have seen all kinds of people.

We really enjoyed our stay at the GF when our DD was 3yo. We felt it was very family friendly. Our DD is well behaved but is still a kid. She was playing in the lobby and a CM came over and joined her and gave her coloring pages of princesses and crayons. We will only stay at deluxes just because that's our preference because of aminities and closeness to the parks. We spend alot of time at our resort.

I don't think name calling is appropiate. I hope the OP's question was not meant to come out the way it did. Let's face it at WDW there are all kinds of people. You will run into rude, classless people, but for everyone there are 10 polite, friendly people.

 

[Sally Bradley]

I travel alot with kids' teams...dance and gymnastics. When we are on the road, we tend to pick the cheapest place with a pool. In 2000, we were in Orlando for a National Championship...and yes most of our group stayed at the Value resorts because it is cheaper than the others. Its the nature of the beast,...I think the Value resorts do tend to attract the families with kids...for the price and the theming. Our groups dont need alot of amenities...so thats the kind of place we stay.

Having spent many a night in a hotel room, with kids running up and down the halls, yelling and playing pranks, I would say yes...when you get alot of kids together in one hotel, there's going to be major disruption. On a recent trip to Detroit, the noise at our hotel was such that my family opted to go to a different hotel for 2 nights, to get some sleep. It was 3 times as expensive as the first hotel...about half as many kids, but no noise at all.

I can't quote exact figures, I'm not privy to them. But my years of experience with kids groups tells me we stay cheap...kids run the halls...lots of noise. It only makes sense.

 

[Sanchez]

Let's not get defensive. I do not think the post is naive or ignorant. While in general people are the same and kids are kids you will find some differences in the resorts. For example, during the time we stayed at AS Sports the hotel was filled with loud cheerleaders. This did not make the stay difficult, only different. Also, large tour groups for band competitions, high school trips, Brazil groups, etc are more likely to stay at value resorts. You are less likely to face a group of loud teens patrolling the lobby at GF that ASM. However, you might be one to enjoy the lively atmosphere in the hotel and singing on the bus that is more likely at ASM.

We have stayed in value, moderate and deluxe resorts. If we plan on a relaxed visit then deluxe is the way to go. If we simply want a place to sleep, value is the choice.

To answer the question, I submit that that there is a difference. I am NOT saying that one is necessarily better than the other as your choice should depend on your particular needs. If you want a quiet, relaxed stay you will be better off with moderate or deluxe. The best part about a WDW trip is that there is something for everyone.

 

[Wendi]

I don't take offense to your question, but I do agree with many of the other posters. It does NOT matter how much money or what level of resort they stay at to describe how children & Adults will act. Step back and look at it this way, some parents let the children pick the resort. So what would the average kid pick???
All Star Movies, Pop Century for younger kids and then the pre-teen to teenagers would go for the beachy or deluxe for "Image".
While Mom and Dad have the final say so, most of the time they will go with what the kids really want. The behavior thing is the Parents most of the time. Some parents don't use a "Strong" tone with the kids or just don't feel like fighting with the kids in public. I have 2 DD's and LOVE them dearly. However, my older DD is pretty darn good while I am now being paid back for something I did in life with my 2 yr. old DD. She is adorable, Sweet, Sneeky, Tricky and will get away from you in 2 seconds as well as scream at the top of her lungs because you said "NO" to her. We can be 10+ feet away from her and just tell her "NO" and she will through a fit. We have tried everything to stop her. We have left places and talked very stern with her. She is getting better, but is just at the age that all things are NOT understood. I am NOT a bad parent, I don't sit back and let them get away with anything. But in public you might look at her and me and wonder. So I will climb off my soap box on that now and get back to the point.
We have stayed at several places and while we have let the oldest DD pick, she picks the GF most of the time. Yes, spoiled.
While most people don't think the GF is Kid friendly we think quite the opposite. With the Tea Party, Pirate Cruise, Pools, Boats and Great Character Meals we LOVE it there.
To some people who go and Commando the Parks, they only need a bed and a little theming. Others, need to be able to get back to a room to rest with kids, grandparents and change to go to other appointments as well. So there are many reasons guest pick the resorts they pick. Let's also keep in mind that the some people look at the different resorts as "Levels". We look at them as "Experiences". It's all in what your family wants from the resort. If you just want a bed, theming and maybe a dip in the pool-go value. If you want a little more room, different theming and a pool-go moderate. If you want an even larger room, different theming, more ammenities and a fancier pool- go deluxe.
You pay for the differences and if you have the time, money or needs you go with what you want.
Some people are blessed with children that don't give them any troubles in public, never hardly argue but don't be quick to judge the kids that do yell and throw fits. When the parents don't try to control them, yes I have issues with that. But when you see a parent trying to control them don't be quick to throw daggers with your eyes, when some parents are trying. Save those daggers for the ones ignoring and just NOT doing anything.
Sorry, tender subject but no offense.
Wendi

 

[wtg2000]

If the original poster had asked if they were more likely to encounter large groups at the value resorts or if there were more children in general - then the post may have been better received. However, the references to "kinds" of people I believe will leave many people feeling queasy.

 

[CamColt]

Not offended, but heres my reply...
I acted the same way with my kids on my trip last August, staying at ASMO as I will in Dec staying at the Swan & Poly. We have made 2 visits to a moderate, 3 visits to a value, and an occasional visit to a deluxe. We have always been the same people at all 3 levels.
No, my kids are not perfect, and no Im not the perfect parent, but I do try my best to keep my kids from bothering other people where ever we are.

 

[Rneighh]

Wow what a question. We are a family of "haves". Hubby is an attorney and we have a very comfortable lifestyle. But to even begin to make an assumption about someones parenting skills based on where they stay on vaction is unbelievable.

We make our choices based on what meets our needs and lifestyle. We have stayed off-site, moderates, and our last trip was at AKL. We are staying AKL again but not becasue of who stays there but because we loved the resort.

How much you have or don't have does not equate to morals and character.

Renee

 

[twinmomplus2]

I agreee whole heartedly with the prior comments regarding large groups. If you have ever had the misfortune to be at a Hotel and been bombarded at midnight with hordes of screaming kids running back and forth you probably would not choose to do so again.
From personnel experience
(1) trip to ASM, at the same time a sa Brazilian tour group of teens. who were so rude I was agast. The food court was out of control They made the resort experience very unpleasant.
(2) ASP the next year 6000 cheerleaders, cherring all day and most of the evening. Not much supervison, Not as fresh as the Brazilian teens. However very daunting in terms of the sheer constant volume of them.
(3) Now I do have to be fair here and say I have also been at Guest Quarters in Cambridge MA. With a Hockey thing for young boys, And they were horrendous. Knocking on doors all night slamming things on the walls. We complained the first night to no avail, the second day no avail. On the second night My brother in law. Who was tired of spending 200 dollars to listen to this on our relax in the city weekend Strung dental floss across the hallway. 2 tacks 1 piece of dental floss. The next group of little buggers in the hall at 3am, went down like shots. Can you imagine. I know he could have hurt them, yada yada ya....... Solved the problem pretty quick we heard not another sound. wrong of course strangely satisfactory. Absolutely
No matter the level of stay what you should be asking at time of booking is. Are there any large groups staying on the property at this time?

 

[KathyTX]

As someone who's stayed at all kinds of places and loves to people watch, my observation is that there's absolutely NO correlation between "class" and the amount of money being spent.

I've seen rudeness everywhere, *including* the Polynesian and Grand Floridian.

I've received kindness and thoughtful gestures from the young, old, rich and barely scraping by.

There are well-behaved little angel children as well as uncontrolled hellions at every resort.

You'll see folks dressed in everything from Tommy Hilfiger to WalMart duds at the most expensive and most affordable hotels on the property.

The *only* difference I've seen between the crowd at the All-Stars and the GF is the amount of money they've decided to spend on their room that night!

 

[kaitlynangel]

I think an observation is subject to the viewer and his or her experiences.We all have prefernces and we tend to go to places that we feel comfortable. Therefore birds of a feather flock together and for the most part this is what you find at the resorts just like in life. I stay at the Swan or Dolphin when I go to WDW, and my friend stays at the All Star or one of the values resorts we're frineds but we have very differnt tastes in hotels (she could afford the Swan but she likes to go one three trips a year and this way she can afford it, I on the other hand like to do one really fancy trip a year, we're different no one's better than the other). One day I went to pick her up and decided to go in to lobby to meet herat the All Stars. I have to say I didn't like what I saw. It was crazy, people and their children every where, I waited on line That was not organzied forever just to get the attention of a CM behind the desk to see if he could ring my friends room. It was not a very peaceful organized atmosphere. I always stayed in Holiday Inns or La Quita when we went to Disney with our parents in 1977, we couldn't afford any better, so I have seen both sides. Theres a difference in Atmosphere and the way you get treated in a more expensive hotel then a less expensive hotel. I am very lucky (and work very hard) to be able to afford the deluxes.and I only do one trip instead of two, we'll we all make sacrifices for what we want I am sure. As for the "quality" of the Patrons of these hotels, I would like to say that there's NOT a quality issue, becasue there are rude and polite people every where. The difference is what is tolerated and expected at the different levels of accomadations. The kids running up and down the hall or like I saw the craziness in the lobby of the All Stars- that is tolerated more at a value (also the lack of service, no room service and such). Not that it's a given that at a value this is to be expected but I didn't observe this at my many stays at the Swan or Dolphin. The surroundings don't give off a casual feeling therefore people act more formal and the behaviour I saw at the All Stars was very casual, and very loud and not my idea of a peaceful place to stay. Of course at the deluxes there are the occasional running children down the hall and loud people, but for the most part the atmosphere is formal and people who like that kind of place tend to gather at this type of establishment. Those who may not like this type of atmosphere might choose to stay at a value or a moderate because they perfer that more casual. You can believe in the old sayings, "you get what you pay for" and for the most part this is true. Don't put down the guy who asked the question, becasue we all know the answer to it but when said out loud it "sounds" bad. The reason Hotels have rating like 1 star or 5 star is for the public to make a decision about what level of service and surrounding they would perfer to be around. My boss is a multi-millionare, no way in heck would he stay at a value or moderate, the Grand Floridian might not even be suitable (he's very picky and only stays a the very finest places). Not becasue he's a snob but he can afford the best and he's used to the best. What wrong with that. I could save a lot of money staying at a value but that isn't what I want to do with my money. so I wouldn't judge a person persay based on where they stay, but different levels of accomadations tolerate and lend themselves to a different clientel and we all make our choice of accomadations based on this knowledge. (other wise why would so many people on this board love to stay at the Grand Floridian if it didn't matter).

 

[wtg2000]

The Wilderness Lodge is a deluxe resort but if you've ever been in the lobby during supper time you know how insanely loud it can get from the goings-on at the Whispering Canyons - and that is prompted by the cast members. That's not misbehaving, it's just having fun but it's still LOUD.

 

[epcotfan]

Are the "kind" of people staying at the value resorts maybe a little less polite, a little less controlling of their children, a little more rambunctious than say the people staying at a deluxe resort or even a moderate?

No. I've stayed at every level of WDW resort and experienced all kinds of behavior no matter what the value of the room is. At AKL I had a man ask me to move from where I was sitting in the pool so his kid could play there even though there was plenty of room a few feet away. I had a woman dump water on my feet in the AKL elevator and say, "it's only water" I had people constantly butting in front of me when I was lined up for the bus. I kept wondering if there was something in the water that week.

 

[missypie]

Poor thing...but you knew you were walking into a minefield, didn't you?

It is dangerous to talk about "kinds" of people, but there is enough truth in there to make it interesting.

This reminds me of our experiences with our kids' activities. Our kids have been in soccer, softball, basketball, swimming, piano, dance and gymnastics through the years.

At soccer games and tournaments, basketball games, piano recitals, swim meets and gymnastics meets, we have enountered very polite people who seemed to treasure their children and say only positive things.

We had two kids playing softball several years apart and in both seasons we encountered the kind of parents who yelled negative things and first and second grade girls who swore.

Almost every year at dance recital I encounter one or more extremely rude people and one year two young men got into a fight in the lobby of the recital hall.

No one of these activites costs a lot more or less than the other. All of the kids in each of these activies come from essentially the same part of town. So, the only thing left to say is that each activity attracts different "kinds" of people.