Value Resorts Nice?

[fam4jc]

Hi. We are a 'working on the poorer side policeman's family. We have reservation for a preferred room in the new Pop Century. Anyone been there? How is it? I like NICE, but I can't afford much more than a value resort because we would like the add on silver plan also. Any suggestions or advice?
You guys are great

 

[Deb & Bill]

If you are trying to stay on a budget, adding one of the Silver, Gold, etc plans is not the best way to do it. I'd use the money you spend on the plan addition to get counter service or food court food, with a character breakfast here and there. Sometimes you really have to eat a lot to make it worth your while.

Pop Century is brand new; it just opened this week. Think new Comfort Inn, Hampton Inn, etc, but with a Disney theme. Double beds, compact room and bath. But still nice.

Get Park Hopper Plus tickets and you can still add some extras with the plusses.

 

[mark & sandra]

Having stayed at the All Star Movies a few times, as well as the moderates and deluxe hotels on site, I would say that you will not be disapointed staying at any Disney themed hotel. Although the value resorts resemble a motel style ( rooms open up to the courtyard rather than a hallway ) they are so rich and full of Disney that you'll never think that you're going second class. We found that the people that we met at the pools and around the property were less snooty than people we met at other more expensive resorts. The only other differences were that the value resorts don't have a hot tub near the pools or any where for that matter and they have a food court instead of a sit down restaurant. As an onsite guest you can drive and park at any other onsite hotel to eat or visit. Just a quick note: at the AllStars they have the preferred rooms for an extra 10.00 per night, If, and only If, you get a room on the pool side was it worth it. I wouldn't want to pay extra for a room on the other side of the hotel facing a parking lot when there might be a room in a non- preferred building thats closer to the pool and food court for 10.00 less. You can inquire at check-in and opt out of the preferred room if you'd like.

 

[MAGICinMYHEART]

fam4jc

First Welcome to the DIS.

The value resorts at WDW are great for the price and Pop Century looks way cool. Your family will love any of the Value Resorts...But I, like Deb & Bill think you could do much better without the silver plan, when we go we usually have one big meal a day then play the other meals by ear. The counter service at the parks are great and give you so much food that you would even be able to share. The nicer restaurants also have very good inexpensive childrens meals (appx 4.99) so don't rule them out. You can also save by taking snacks and drinks for the room. (I have even taken donuts,cereal and milk for quick breakfast in the mornings) You will then have more money for the extra's. Any questions just ask someone will be able to help you.

 

[SQUIGGLE]

All of above a good ideas. We have also satyed at deluxe, moderate and value and liked each in different ways. For anyone on a budget (we usually are) you can't beat the value resorts. They are basically motel rooms; but the Disney touch makes them so much more. We just got back from Pop Century and I would highly recommend it to anyone!

 

[Tiggerlover91]

Save your money and DO NOT add on the silver plan. If you're on a budget there are better ways of spending that money.
As said before, use if for counterservice meals, a character breakfast here or there, breakfast or lunch at BOMA...(had to throw that in there. It's one of my fav restaurants at Disney!! )

Use the money for a small souvee before leaving. I ALWAYS buy myself a t-shirt or some type of coffee cup before leaving Disney. It's just a tradition I can't or choose actually, not to break.

Have fun no matter what you chose, and once again welcome to the DIS!!!!!!!

 

[mikewdw]

my wife and i really love the all stars even though we have been to the moderates and deluxes. it all depends what you want out of the trip. to me the all stars are great because of the disney theming. it really adds to the whole experience to me for us to walk past a 6 foot statue of mickey on the way to the bus. i just love that and you cant get that anywhere else.
as for the silver plan it is really great if you really like to eat out.
my wife and i love to eat out all of the time at home. i guess you could say it is our hobby. so at disney we really like how it lets you pick two great restaraunts each day and have a great dining experience. we are comfortable enough to order items we wouldnt otherwise due to price. one time we spent $174 on lunch at coral sea. we had surf and turf. i never would have ordered it without the plan. but it does take away some of your time in the parks. it is only worth it if you are going to sit down places most of the time. but if so it is really great. have a great trip.
mikewdw

 

[jann1033]

check out the connections voucher thread on the budget board (think it is still the first one)...that might be a better way to save some$$ on food...you can check out the menus and see how it would work for you.

how much are you planing on being at the resort? personally we don't spend much time in the pools ( we usually go in Dec or Jan) or at our room so except for when we walk in the lobby we don't really use much of the resort building ( not worth the $$ to me) imo I would rather have more money to spend on things *other* than a room if it's one or the other...but then again I am basically cheap (personally I think the deluxe rooms,like WL and AKL are kind of overpriced for what is a themed Holiday Inn room with a nicer outside setting and lobby imho, not really 5 star luxury for 5 star prices, so I'll pocket the $$$ instead! i'm sure many would disagree but like I said I am frugal!)

 

[off2disney]

I just arrived home this afternoon from Disney and stayed at Pop Century. I checked in Monday Dec 15th (the day after they opened) and everything was a go. I had a mini refrigerator for my insulin, but I kept a pint of milk and a couple of soft drinks in there and usually ate breakfast in the room (cereal & milk with a banana). The rooms were nice (still it's like a nice motel) with two double beds. For someone on a budget, it was perfect. The difference I saved on the room I spent on eating. I would get up early, hit the parks until early afternoon, return to the room for a nap, then back out for dinner and more of the parks. The weather was too cold for the pools (for me, at least -- I did see a couple of people braving the cold to get in the pool but they didn't stay long).

When I checked in on Monday, there were very few other people checking in, but by Friday there were long lines of people checking in and the food court was filling up.

The transportation service was very good (but it seemed like the bus stops for Pop Century were always the fartherest away from the park entrances) and I had twisted my knee on the way to Disney, so that aggrevated it.

But, when I go again, I'll probably stay at Pop Century again - I did like it.