Somebody PLEASE sell me on a Value Resort

[mom2aredhead]

I am not a "snob" and do not want anyone to be offended by this, so please don't take it the wrong way - I am just trying to get some real opinions from people that have been to the Values Resorts. *Disclaimer over*

We've barely been home a month and I want to go back. Our recent trip was magical. We stayed at AKL, 7 days, free upgrade to Savannah room w/bunk beds, we rented a car, and although we did not do DDP, we went to lots of character meals and did not skimp on anything at all.

I want to go back in December, go to MVMCP, see the Christmas decorations, Osbourne lights, etc.

Here's the thing. I'm losing my job in Nov (no worries though, I hated my job, I get a generous severance and am in school right now getting my teaching certification) and my husband, who is the conservative one in the group is very adamant about not planning another vacation until I have a new job. Which, if I get a teaching job, will relegate our vacations to peak crowd times.

I'm thinking if I get him to look at the numbers and we could put aside a little bit of my severence money, I MAY be able to convince him. We have 4 days left on old tickets for us, so I would need a 4 day ticket for my son (not very expesnive - he'll only be 4 by then), and MVMCP tickets. Airfare would be about $500 for the 3 of us. We could skip the rental car and use DME.

The only thing is that we would have to stay at a value, because I KNOW there's no way I can convince him to spend for deluxe again. $500 for the room vs. $1300 is a HUGE difference.

So I guess my question is this.
Will I be disappointed at a value? I'd like to think not since I'll be at WDW. Please convince me this is true. My son really enjoyed the pool at AKL, we liked having the 'fridge in the room, and we really enjoyed the atmosphere of the resort. Will Pop or ASMu be a letdown?

 

[goofy4tink]

See, here's the thing. I own DVC at BW. No place is better in my opinion. But, sometimes I just want to make a quickie trip down, just for a few days or because I got a great airfare. I have an AP so park passes are never an issue for me. But, I don't like to use up my points if my family isn't going with me. So, I head over to POP. I love POP!!! Love everything about it. Sure, there are no table service restuarants or hot tubs. The pool doesn't have a slide nor is it zero entry. There are no animals outside the room. BUT...it's bright, lively, clean. The rooms are a bit smaller, but I had all three of us in one room for 4 nights and it wasn't an issue. We were in the parks all day anyway. I loved the food court. I tend to eat at off peak hours so I seldom ran into any crowds. The CMs are wonderful there. Is it luxurious? No, but it's a Disney resort!! Heck...I would sleep in a broom closet if that was the only way I could get to WDW for a few days!!!

I say give it a shot. After all...you're not buying it to live in forever. You'll just be there for a few nights. Even if you find it just isn't your cup of tea, at least you gave it the old college try. Nothing ventured, nothing gained!!!

 

[smep013]

I for one, have never stayed at a Deluxe, just Moderate and Value.
I would prefer not to stay at a Value again, but that being said, we have had fantastic times at both locations.

I think if you really want to go to Disney, you go, no matter where it means you have to stay.

You have your fun in the parks anyway, right?

 

[Cory's Gal]

We stayed at POP in January and loved it! My DS just turned two and loved the lively atmosphere as your 4 year old probably would. The main pool is lots of fun as was the bowling pin pool. The food court was great with lots of selections. Bus service was wonderful and all the cast members were friendly and helpful. Outside of our room every morning were some ducks my son loved to watch! We would go back, so I also say give it a try! It really has the "Disney" feel to it!!!

 

[jstbcuz]

We've stayed at both. THe first time we went we stayed at Pop. I decided the girls and I needed another trip 3 months later, so we stayed at POP again. I love the themeing, food court, the fact that they dont share busses etc. However, it is a long walk to the bus stop when returning from the parks. ***I think values are furthest from the entrance*** It's just very big and can have some NOISY groups of kids, but anywhere can.

However, then I went to AKL and fell in LOVE!!!! We did spend more time at the resort this time (I was preg and wasnt feeling all that well). I love the themeing, the pool, the spa, and the grounds. However, with 2 kids, I missed the food court. The Mara is good, just not as many choices. Transportation was great, and didnt have to wait on busses long at all. And if memory serves me right, we didnt have to stand once.

Now, here we are trying to plan a Budget trip for next summer and I know that POP is probably where we should go, but I want to experience somewhere new. DD, 14 just wants to go back to AKL. If you're looking for a more relaxed place to stay, I say go with AKL. If you are just there for a place to sleep and you will be in the parks all day, go with POP.

It's always easier to tell someone else what to do than to figure it out for yourself. Have a great time no matter where you choose.

 

[rosiep]

How about a DTD hotel? I've stayed at the Grosvenor two years ago and this coming October we'll be at the Royal Plaza. They both provide shuttle service, and they have room service (a must for me, my only indulgence). Granted, it doesn't have all the Disney Magic but they're great places for very reasonable prices.

(PS..I have stayed at the CBR and at PPH in DL..both very nice but not a must for me)

 

[luna99]

Airfare would be about $500 for the 3 of us.

wow, what airline is that?

as for the value resorts.. I think they're great... then again, I've only stayed at value or moderate resorts though.

last may my fiance and I went to ASMu and stayed for 3 nights... we had a great time. The food court was a little crowded but nothing we couldn't handle and the food was pretty good considering it's from a food court. I believe we had pizza and sandwiches. We also ate there for breakfast.

The room was a perfect size for just the two of us... I'm not one of those people who needs a HUGE room, at least not right now while it's just he and I.

The rooms were clean and the beds were decently comfortable. We didn't swim in the pool but they looked like a lot of fun.. and they have laundry facilities as well. I think they deliver pizza to the rooms but they don't have an actual ROOM SERVICE. You may want to request a room close to the lobby/bus stops though because some of the rooms can have a LONG walk.

good luck!

 

[Perditamarie]

I would still be happy staying at POP if we didn't own DVC. Pop is fun w/the great icons (my son still remembers Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head! many trips ago) and Twister games. The kiddie pool is a ton of fun and the splashground too. The food court is excellent and so is the bus service. We never bother with a rental car and really relax by letting Disney do all the driving! We went last Christmas and it was so great, we are going this year --there is so much to see and do (don't forget the Candlelight Processional and Santas around the world at Epcot). We were dazzled by the Osbourne Lights! Maybe you can slash airfare by going Southwest from RI or Manchester, NH -- will help convince DH! Happy hopeful planning!

 

[spiceycat]

I have stayed in all the WDW resorts - except CSR, AKL (soon to stay in AKV), POFQ & GF (no wish to stay here).

I happen to love Pop. It is fun!!!
If you go to Pop - take some time to explore it. Read the signs, see the Icons -

Pop has one bus that goes directly to the park.

the only problem is breakfast - this resort is BIG. everyone wants to eat then go to the parks. the food court opens at 6:30am - pastry, baked goods, but the bacon, eggs, etc does not open until 7 am.

that is the time when you may ask yourself why I picked this resort.

 

[IlovemythreeC's]

I must admit I am someone who likes the finer things of life, but I LOVE the values. There is absolutely nothing wrong with them. I love the energy of these resorts. We go and visit the deluxe resorts for dining and they are truly amazing. I am sure that one year we will end up splurging. Yet, each year we get a quote for a deluxe and a value and we always end up choosing the value and spending the extra money elsewhere.

Please take the second trip- I think you will be pleasantly surprised

 

[spiceycat]

here are some pictures of Pop
http://www.wdwinfo.com/photopost/showgallery.php/cat/537

 

[jeepgirl30]

I've stayed at Deluxe, Mod and Value. I stayed most recently at the All Star Movies with DD6 and myself. I had promised DH we'd do a super budget trip. DD is a huge princess freak but finances were not great for a whole family trip so we did a mommy/daughter budget trip.

I was concerned about the value. DD LOVED the hotel. She thought the icons were so cool and loved the pool. Funny thing is the main pool was closed and she still thought the pool ruled!

I was not as thrilled. I travel for work and have been staying at some very upscale resorts. The hotel was very clean and CMs were all very pleasant. But the room was tiny! We are both pretty little and at times I felt a bit cramped. The bus service returning from the parks at night were a bit slow and over crowded but a small thing really.

We are going all of us next year and will hopefully stay at a deluxe. I mostly want the monorail resorts for the location. However, if it came between going or not, I'd stay at a value again without hesitation. We were hardly in the room anyway. Or if I was going with just DD or now DS4.

I think for your child it will be a great time!

 

[mom2aredhead]

I would prefer not to stay at a Value again, but that being said, we have had fantastic times at both locations.

Was there a specific reason? Kids? Crowds? Layout? Just curious.

How about a DTD hotel? I've stayed at the Grosvenor two years ago and this coming October we'll be at the Royal Plaza.

I thought about that, but I really didn't want to give up the EMH - the parks aren't open really late so I wanted any extra time I could get.

wow, what airline is that?

Believe it or not, Continental. Usually Jet Blue is cheaper, but I found $158 + taxes round trip on Continental. Times aren't great, but they're not horrendous either.

Maybe you can slash airfare by going Southwest from RI or Manchester, NH -- will help convince DH! Happy hopeful planning!

We're in NYC - With the prices of gas, I'm not sure that the 4 hour drive to RI and parking would be worth it. Good idea if we lived a little further north though.

Like someone said - nothing ventured, nothing gained. It's only 6 nights out of my life, right?

 

[tnkr mom]

In March we stayed at the AKL, and there's nothing like it. Consider that a great experience. Every trip we try to make different and that keeps it magical too. This past August I took the 3 kids and me (hubby unable to go work constraints) and we stayed at AS Sports (the boys choice) and I must admit it was not bad. We are not in the room much the pools were more crowded but I really did enjoy the convenience of the food court. And I know what you mean about the value vs deluxe levels my DH wont stay at a value, he works in Center City and doesn;t want to be in one on vacation (meaning no balconies, exterior hallways, etc) I would do it, your son will love the themeing at the values its larger than life to them. My kids say Sports was one of their best trips yet. Figure that one out ...cost us 3 X more to stay at AKL. Since he's and you are not in school yet try right after t-giving they usually have good rates, its not crowded yet with holiday visitors. Like the other poster I'd sleep in a broom closet. Good Luck and hope it works out for you!!!!!!!

I am not a "snob" and do not want anyone to be offended by this, so please don't take it the wrong way - I am just trying to get some real opinions from people that have been to the Values Resorts. *Disclaimer over*

We've barely been home a month and I want to go back. Our recent trip was magical. We stayed at AKL, 7 days, free upgrade to Savannah room w/bunk beds, we rented a car, and although we did not do DDP, we went to lots of character meals and did not skimp on anything at all.

I want to go back in December, go to MVMCP, see the Christmas decorations, Osbourne lights, etc.

Here's the thing. I'm losing my job in Nov (no worries though, I hated my job, I get a generous severance and am in school right now getting my teaching certification) and my husband, who is the conservative one in the group is very adamant about not planning another vacation until I have a new job. Which, if I get a teaching job, will relegate our vacations to peak crowd times.

I'm thinking if I get him to look at the numbers and we could put aside a little bit of my severence money, I MAY be able to convince him. We have 4 days left on old tickets for us, so I would need a 4 day ticket for my son (not very expesnive - he'll only be 4 by then), and MVMCP tickets. Airfare would be about $500 for the 3 of us. We could skip the rental car and use DME.

The only thing is that we would have to stay at a value, because I KNOW there's no way I can convince him to spend for deluxe again. $500 for the room vs. $1300 is a HUGE difference.

So I guess my question is this.
Will I be disappointed at a value? I'd like to think not since I'll be at WDW. Please convince me this is true. My son really enjoyed the pool at AKL, we liked having the 'fridge in the room, and we really enjoyed the atmosphere of the resort. Will Pop or ASMu be a letdown?

 

[We_Love_Disney]

Our first trip was similar to yours in that we spared no expense. We stayed at CBR for 2 full weeks, and I must say it was one of the happiest times of my entire life! This is a moderate resort, but none the less it was in my opinion wonderful. The rooms were clean and large enough, the food court was ample and not so crowded as to feel claustrophbic, and the pools were clean and fun.

Our last trip, I felt I needed to go the value route. We stayed at Pop. The price was right. The food court is crowded at meal times. The pool, hmmm, well the pool was the biggest let down, it was crowded and LOUD! So if you go there, I strongly suggest requesting a room not on top of the pool. The room is MUCH smaller than CBR, what ever the sq foot difference is, it made a big difference.

As someone earlier said, if you want to go to Disney, it really doesn't matter where you sleep. The parks are the fun part. I agree with that statement 99%. When you want to relax, its the resort where you do it. That being said, I would stay at CBR in a heartbeat, Pop, I would have to think about it. Okay, I thought, I would stay at Pop, it wasn't CBR, but it was Disney and that is afterall what you want.

So go, book it, stay there, have a magical wonderful time. Heck, take me! DD and I would LOVE to go back.

 

[mom2aredhead]

Please take the second trip- I think you will be pleasantly surprised

if it came between going or not, I'd stay at a value again without hesitation. We were hardly in the room anyway.
I think for your child it will be a great time!

You guys are right. If it's stay there or stay home, I'm sure we'll enjoy it.

 

[wdwpixie]

I don't have personal experience with the Values, but we have friends who travel extensively for the husband's business. They've done safaris in Africa, been all over Europe, live in a beautiful home and drive luxury vehicles.

Their favorite place to stay when they go to Disney? A Value resort!!

We're trying to get a trip together for December and are considering Pop. You truly do spend so little time in the room, that if it's the difference between a trip to WDW and not, I'll "suffer", lol!! We've always stayed at either WL or POR. I'm actually a little excited about trying a Value!!

And if you're going in December, chances are the weather may be a little cool for the pool....although we went one year for Christmas and it was 80+ degrees 5 out of the 6 days we were there!!

 

[mom2aredhead]

As someone earlier said, if you want to go to Disney, it really doesn't matter where you sleep. The parks are the fun part. I agree with that statement 99%. When you want to relax, its the resort where you do it. That being said, I would stay at CBR in a heartbeat, Pop, I would have to think about it. Okay, I thought, I would stay at Pop, it wasn't CBR, but it was Disney and that is afterall what you want.

So go, book it, stay there, have a magical wonderful time. Heck, take me! DD and I would LOVE to go back.

CBR. Hadn't even thought about that. Hadn't thought about Mod at all to tell you the truth. Maybe that would be like a "happy medium" for me. And maybe if the right discount code came out....
Something else to consider. Thanks.

 

[robinb]

First of all, I just want to say that I *LOVE* Animal Kingdom Lodge. We love it so much that we just plunked down $10,000 on 100 DVC Animal Kingdom Villas points so we can vacation there every other year!

That being said, I also LOVE Pop Century. It's bright, it's clean, the people are friendly, the food court has good food and the pools are fun. Like someone else said, there are no hot tubs and no slides but you won't miss that on a 4-day trip. You also probably won't miss the fridge either.

FWIW, I also like All Star Sports as I am a big baseball and football fan.

 

[HUFF590]

We also are DVC , SSR is our home, but we do four day cruises once a year and always stay at POP for 3 days, not to save points but we just love it, its a fun resort.