Value Resort vs Moderate Resort!! HELP!!

[bubba73]

I have stayed at Pop and I visited POR. We liked what we saw at POR. It was very nice but it was also very large. The CM even got lost taken us around. She was really nice during the whole visit. Pop Century was awesome. We had a fantastic time. It was really neat being able to step outside and watch the fireworks from Illuminations. I wish I was going back. I guess I am saying I would recommend the value, preferably the Pop. At least you are not sharing the bus with 2 other resorts.

 

[Parkerpooh]

You'll love POP! The classic years aren't even built yet so there's only 2800 or so rooms. I'll never stay moderate again. not worth the extra $ and I didn't even notice a difference in room size! I stayed at POR but it didn't really wow me. We're only in our room to sleep and shower so all that extra stuff was of no use to us and the food court at Pop was way bigger and better selections. JMHO though, to each his own.

 

[MinnieSummer]

I am trying to make a decision so I would love to hear your reasonings on the moderates, including why to avoid the AllStars "like the plague"

OKAY you asked for it. First I am a firm believer in the three strikes your out rule. I gave All Stars three chances. The first time I stayed there the room was filthy. I put my daughter on the floor while I was unpacking and she banged her hands on the carpet and dirt came billowing (NOT AN EXAGERATION) up. I called down to the desk to ask if someone could come and vacume the carpet and they said it had already been done. I spent the rest of the trip trying to keep my just learning to walk baby off the floor. The second trip I requested a non-smoking room at the time I made the reservation and again at check-in (we had stood in line for over a half hour to check-in) and when we got to our room it was a smoking room and smelled awful. I called the desk and they said they would change rooms for us but we would have to go back to the lobby. I asked if they could send someone to help with all of our stuff and they said it would be at least a two hour wait. We gathered all of our stuff (considering we had a baby in tow and were there for five days it was considerable) and returned to the lobby. I went straight to the desk and was told I had to stand in line -- another half hour -- only to be told there were no non-smoking rooms available and I would have to change to another AS. Fine, whatever, just get me in a room it had already been about two hours. We had to load everything in our car and drive to the other hotel, go to the desk for the new keys (no line this time) and carry everything to the new room. There was a cheerleading event going on and we sat and listened to them practicing in the grass outside our room until three in the morning. The night manager went out and asked them to be quieter but it didn't work. The third time, we checked in to another filthy room I just went back down to the desk and demanded that they switch me to POP. That was a great experience when compared to the AS's. Since then we have stayed at POP twice and had absolutely no problems. Love the food court and gift shop there. My only complaint is the rooms are toooo small and have no ceiling fan. The walls are also very thin. But when we can't stay moderate or deluxe this is the only option or we don't go.

As to the moderates in general: The rooms are larger and always seem to be cleaner. The CM's actually seem to care about the guests. The pools are much better in that they have slides and never seem to be as crowded. The food courts are better and with the exception of POFQ they all have sit down restaurants. Specifically we love CSR for it's atmosphere, pool, food court (even with the automatic 10% gratuity) (I'll go into that further if you want), close proximity to all parks, great bus transportation, friendlines of front desk CM's and the cleaning CM's. Our next choice is POFQ, POR Magnolia bend section. Don't like CB but would do it in a pinch.

 

[skbasnett]

We are just going to ease ourselves into it staying at the ASMo when we head down. Also because of the age of our son, we just dont feel that he will 1. remember or 2. appreciate the hotel. We just need a place to sleep and shower!

 

[Buzz2001]

All Stars Buses ------ CSR buses-------Pop buses
20 min MK ----------- 15 min MK -------25 min MK
10 min Epcot ---------15 min Epcot-----20 min Epcot
10 min MGM -------- 15 min MGM------15 min MGM
10 min AK ----------- 10 Min AK--------15 min AK
15 min DTD ---------- 25 min DTD ------ 20 min DTD

How can CSR times be longer when Allstars is past CSR.

CSR to:
MGM - 5 mins (1 mile away)
Epcot - 5 mins (3 miles away)
AK - 5 mins (4 miles away)
MK - 7 mins (5 miles away)
DtD - 20 mins

Check the map

http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/miles.htm

 

[MinnieSummer]

I agree, the bus ride to any park from CSR is shorter. Even though it looks like it is farther away, because you don't have to get back on the main highway, the rides are actually shorter. At the end of a long day at theparks, a short bus ride is a God send.

What I have concluded from reading on this board and others is that people really don't like CSR because it is a convention resort and therefore can't possibly be kid friendly or Disneyesque. In reality, I find CSR to be the most kid-friendly (two arcades, the best pool and playground, the best food selection) and Disneyesque of all the mods. Go figure.

 

[pjathome]

I have come to realize that Disney has made a major mistake by labelling their resorts, "value", "moderate" and "deluxe". I too was worried about staying at a value recently but at POP we had a great time and would absolutely stay again. My point here is that whenever you stay in a hotel other than at Disney, how do you decide where to stay? I generally look at a hotel and decide if I feel like paying 200$ per night or 69$. I've said it before, a hotel is a hotel and you aren't going to find better than those at Disney. If we are going to do all the parks, I would spend less money on my accomodations, but lets say its a second honeymoon with just my hubby we might be hanging around the hotel more and want to enjoy certain ammenties. My advice is to look at the different hotel choices, determine what you want from your hotel and pick. For me personally i can't see spending over $2000.00 just to sleep for a week, but thats just me. Pop is a great resort, food court was good, bussing was good, it had a great gift shop and my daughter (10) loved the hippy dippy pool and all the themeing. We also love CBR a few years ago but we didn't do any parks that trip so the waterslide at the pool was a must. No matter what you choose, you'll have a great time, try not to stress over your sleeping arrangements!!!!

 

[minnie61650]

How can CSR times be longer when Allstars is past CSR.

CSR to:
MGM - 5 mins (1 mile away)
Epcot - 5 mins (3 miles away)
AK - 5 mins (4 miles away)
MK - 7 mins (5 miles away)
DtD - 20 mins

Check the map

http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/miles.htm

I don't know why it is longer I went by the times quoted in PassPorterfor a direct bus.
You quoted the driving times for a direct car ride.
If the times are wrong please notify them at http://www.passporter.com
Linda
Only 66 more days

 

[Buzz2001]

I don't know why it is longer I went by the times quoted in PassPorter.
If the times are wrong please notify them at http://www.passporter.com
Linda
Only 66 more days

or use accurate sources

 

[Buzz2001]

What I have concluded from reading on this board and others is that people really don't like CSR because it is a convention resort and therefore can't possibly be kid friendly or Disneyesque. In reality, I find CSR to be the most kid-friendly (two arcades, the best pool and playground, the best food selection) and Disneyesque of all the mods. Go figure.

Well said. CSR is the only resort that gets a bad rap for being a convention resort when GF, Cont, BW, Y & B Club are also convention resorts.

 

[minnie61650]

or use accurate sources

I have timed the rides from the All Stars and my times coinside with those posted in the PassPorted.
Next year I guess I will try CSR if you can guarantee me that the bus ride to MGM is only 5 minutes. I consided CSR but chose All Stars because of the shorter BUS rides.
Minnie
Just 66 more days

 

[Lilolvr]

CSR is much closer than AS via bus escpecially when AS are sharing buses. During our stay we shared buses 50% of the time with ASM and ASMo. Some people had to stand. CSR we never had to stand for a bus. I wasn't crazy about AS but give me CSR anyday of the week.

 

[Buzz2001]

I have timed the rides from the All Stars and my times coinside with those posted in the PassPorted.
Next year I guess I will try CSR if you can guarantee me that the bus ride to MGM is only 5 minutes. I consided CSR but chose All Stars because of the shorter BUS rides.
Minnie
Just 66 more days

Never doubted you AS times, just your CSR times. I can guarantee you CSR is not 15 mins from MGM or Epcot.

 

[minnie61650]

CSR is much closer than AS via bus escpecially when AS are sharing buses. During our stay we shared buses 50% of the time with ASM and ASMo. Some people had to stand. CSR we never had to stand for a bus. I wasn't crazy about AS but give me CSR anyday of the week.

Ok you convinced to try CSR next year.
Thanks for the info on the the buses.
I hated staying at the CBR because even though we were the first stop we had 6 more stops to go.
CSR has 4 stops and I was very leary of that because with All Stars it is usually just our stop. Once in while when it wasn't crowded we shared with one more stop.
Linda
Only 66 more days

 

[dolphin01]

CSR is definitely closer to MGM and Epcot or it seems closer on the bus.

 

[MinnieSummer]

CSR fans unite!!! There are so many great things about this resort and for it to get a bad rep just because it is a convention resort is very sad. I actually think because it is a convention resort the busses are less full and you vry rarely have to stand (actually I never have although I have heard from others that did). Also, most people think it is farther because when you look at the Disney map it looks kind of out there but, with the back roads that the busses now take, the times traveled is way less. Also, the Passporter is a great guide but -- it's not perfect. I've found other things that I disagree with -- but I find things in all the guide books that I disagree with. And finally, yes CSR is spread out but they now have internal busses to take you around.

 

[Buzz2001]

I finally found what I was looking for. It is not easily located on The DIS. CSR is closer to MGM and MK and AS are closer to Epcot and AK. The link is below.


ALL STARS:
Magic Kingdom: 7 miles
Epcot: 4 miles
Disney MGM Studios: 2 miles
Animal Kingdom: 3 miles

CORONADO SPRINGS:
Magic Kingdom: 4 miles
Epcot: 6 miles
Disney MGM Studios: 1 mile
Animal Kingdom: 4 miles

http://www.wdwinfo.com/recreation/distancetoparks.htm

Next time I go in April, I'll make sure to time the buses so I can add it to my website. 6 miles to Epcot seems off to me.