Value resorts vs high end resorts

[Rhianna.07]

Hey guys, was just wondering the differences between the value resorts and the high end resorts (Grand Floridian, Polynesian, Port Orleans) besides the price.

 

[Wood Nymph]

Hey guys, was just wondering the differences between the value resorts and the high end resorts (Grand Floridian, Polynesian, Port Orleans) besides the price.

Queen beds instead of doubles
better quality linens
coffee maker and coffee supplies in the room
at least one sit down restaurant
many of the resort rooms have balconies
interior hallways

feature pools with slides
health clubs

 

[ErinsMommy]

Also - at least in the case of the monorail resorts: easy/quicker access to MK (and Epcot in the case of the Poly since you can walk to TTC). the Epcot resorts have similar easy/quicker access to Epcot and HS).

 

[WEDWDW]

Larger rooms

Pool Slide

Hot Tub

Full Service Restaurant

Coffeemaker

Monorail and/or boat transport to some Parks at some Deluxes

 

[bcarey2k]

More dining/bar choices in general.

More 'scheduled' entertainment.

 

[Pmlocke]

That is like asking the difference between dining at McDonalds or a fine diner with table cloths and china. My wife and I travel to WDW every year and we stay at All Star Music. We love to sit in the lobby of the Grand Floridian to listen to the orchestra but we know we will never be able to justify spending that kind of money for that type of experiance. Look at it this way, we spend our day at the parks, not our hotel room. We do enjoy using the pool at ASMu in the afternoon but we are mainly not at the hotel we are at a park. Why would we spend thousands of dollars to justify nicer sheets? If you want fine linens, bring them from home. I know, I know, there is more than just nicer sheets to describe the difference between a value resort and a high end one. I work hard for my money and I refuse to spend it on glitz. I always have a clean room at ASMu. The staff is extremely nice. The pool is perfect for our needs. What more could you ask for? Again, this is my personal view and in no way should my views be accepted as the norm. You will have to decide for yourself what type of vacation you want and if you can justify the expense of that choice.

 

[Lynne M]

Value resorts are motel-style, with entrances off an outside corridor. There is a main building where check-in, food, the shop, and transportation are located. Rooms are considerably smaller than deluxes, with double beds. There are multiple pools, but no slides or hot tubs. There is a single gift shop, and each resort has a food court and pool bar. Theming is big, bright, colorful and very Disney, emphasizing the Disney cartoons and animated movies.

Deluxes vary in room size, but all are larger than the value rooms. They're like a traditional hotel, with an elaborate lobby and indoor corridors. Standard rooms have queen beds, and all but AKL and WL have a day bed in the standard room, so they sleep 5 (WL and AKL sleep 4 unless you get a suite). In terms of amenities, there are pools with slides at each resort, and most have hot tubs. Pool theming can be very elaborate. All deluxes have multiple table service restaurants and bars, and all have a quick-service dining location. Themes are more "grown-up" than the values: a Polynesian village, a wilderness lodge, a seaside resort.

In terms of transportation, all values have bus service to the theme parks, water parks, and Disney Springs. Most deluxes offer either boat or monorail service to some theme parks, bus service to others. Some deluxes are within walking distance to one or more parks.

 

[GeorgiaHoo]

For us the difference is primarily in location/convenience. We typically stay now at Yacht Club, which is a 5 minute walk from the Epcot rear entrance and about a 20 minute walk/boat ride to Hollywood Studios. You can also walk through Epcot and take the monorail to the ticket and transportation center and then to Magic Kingdom. This allows us to largely avoid Disney buses (which I hate because I hate waiting). The only park we'd need a bus for is Animal Kingdom but we typically take Uber there and then a bus back to the resort.

You also have queen beds instead of double beds, which is a HUGE plus for me.

We also tend to spend midday at the pools, so the larger pools/water slides is a plus, and the pool at Yacht Club (Storm Along Bay) is by far the best at Disney.

 

[robinb]

I would also add:

* Rooms are larger at Deluxe resorts
* There are hot tubs at Deluxe resorts while there are none at the value resorts.
* The common areas are nicer at Deluxe resorts.

 

[AngiTN]

It seems minor but for some reason a huge deal for us, pool towels. No towels at the pool at Value resorts. We have just enough in the room as it is, hate having to take them to the pool and deal with getting more.

 

[AngiTN]

That is like asking the difference between dining at McDonalds or a fine diner with table cloths and china. My wife and I travel to WDW every year and we stay at All Star Music. We love to sit in the lobby of the Grand Floridian to listen to the orchestra but we know we will never be able to justify spending that kind of money for that type of experiance. Look at it this way, we spend our day at the parks, not our hotel room. We do enjoy using the pool at ASMu in the afternoon but we are mainly not at the hotel we are at a park. Why would we spend thousands of dollars to justify nicer sheets? If you want fine linens, bring them from home. I know, I know, there is more than just nicer sheets to describe the difference between a value resort and a high end one. I work hard for my money and I refuse to spend it on glitz. I always have a clean room at ASMu. The staff is extremely nice. The pool is perfect for our needs. What more could you ask for? Again, this is my personal view and in no way should my views be accepted as the norm. You will have to decide for yourself what type of vacation you want and if you can justify the expense of that choice.

Which is exactly why Disney offers 3 levels (some can even argue they are more than 3 levels) of resorts. It's rare to find 2 groups who are after the same things on their vacation. Each family puts different levels of importance on things and Disney tries to have a resort that fits them all. Though one could say one place they fall well short is for large families.

 

[gingerfeathers]

A few things I prefer about the deluxe resorts:

• Theming - They really outdo themselves with this. I love walking through the Poly or the Wilderness Lodge. And I love the atmosphere of the Yacht Club.
• Pools - They're a lot nicer and more fun. Hot tubs included too.
• Rooms - They're bigger. Even if I don't spend a ton of time in my room, I like a nice place to crash.
• General - I like the more relaxed atmosphere deluxe resorts seem to have. It's nice to go to a bar and grab a drink and relax in a nice atmosphere.
• Transportation - I avoid Disney buses if I can. Walking, the boats and the monorails are so much better, and the boats or short walks to/from parks can be downright relaxing.

It's all personal preference though. The previous poster cares about a clean room. I like a relaxing atmosphere. We're all different, and there's nothing wrong with either.

 

[mb187143]

Hey guys, was just wondering the differences between the value resorts and the high end resorts (Grand Floridian, Polynesian, Port Orleans) besides the price.

OP, I think you've gotten some good feedback but I wanted to point out to you that Port Orleans is a Moderate resort. Middle of the road between the values and the deluxes you have in your list.

Personal preferences are a huge factor but I didn't want you to be under the impression that Port Orleans (French quarter or riverside) are considered "high end" or "deluxe". I am a huge fan of POFQ, it's my favorite moderate, but in no way did it come close to the experience of the Poly or the GF.

 

[mexi]

It seems minor but for some reason a huge deal for us, pool towels. No towels at the pool at Value resorts. We have just enough in the room as it is, hate having to take them to the pool and deal with getting more.

I think values are starting to have pool towels at the pools now. In August when I was at Sports and last month at Pop there were pool towels.

 

[WEDWDW]

I think values are starting to have pool towels at the pools now. In August when I was at Sports and last month at Pop there were pool towels.

Currently 3 Value Pools have Pool Towels:

Surfboard Bay(All-Star Sports)
Grand Slam(All-Star Sports)
Hippy Dippy(Pop Century)

 

[Smittolis]

A few things I prefer about the deluxe resorts:

• Theming - They really outdo themselves with this. I love walking through the Poly or the Wilderness Lodge. And I love the atmosphere of the Yacht Club.
• Pools - They're a lot nicer and more fun. Hot tubs included too.
• Rooms - They're bigger. Even if I don't spend a ton of time in my room, I like a nice place to crash.
• General - I like the more relaxed atmosphere deluxe resorts seem to have. It's nice to go to a bar and grab a drink and relax in a nice atmosphere.
• Transportation - I avoid Disney buses if I can. Walking, the boats and the monorails are so much better, and the boats or short walks to/from parks can be downright relaxing.

It's all personal preference though. The previous poster cares about a clean room. I like a relaxing atmosphere. We're all different, and there's nothing wrong with either.

I think this is really on point for me and my family. My personal favorite hotel is the BLT, but it isn't my wife's nor my children's, and the main reason is 'theming'.. underestimate it at your peril! lol. As a family of 5, we also enjoy the additional space in the rooms, our overall favorite being the Poly, and the biggest reason? Transportation. We too try to avoid buses with a double stroller and 3 kids, so walking to the MK from BLT or Contemporary while everyone mad dashes for the monorail, boats and buses is sooooo worth it!

But as others have said, it's not cheap and for the most part its simply 'base camp' so saving money is always good and can sometimes be better spent on the experience. So i totally get that too.

 

[lovesdumbo]

I love the deluxe resorts for the luxury but I also often stay in value rooms and always have a great trip when staying in those too.

A few things I do like about the values:
The food courts are bigger and have more options than at the deluxe resorts.
The bus lines to the parks have queues. I do not like the free for all atmosphere at the deluxe and moderate resorts.
The theming at the values is fun! I like that even the stair cases are themed at the values. Lots of fun picture opportunities at the value resorts.

 

[momtwoboys]

That is like asking the difference between dining at McDonalds or a fine diner with table cloths and china. My wife and I travel to WDW every year and we stay at All Star Music. We love to sit in the lobby of the Grand Floridian to listen to the orchestra but we know we will never be able to justify spending that kind of money for that type of experiance. Look at it this way, we spend our day at the parks, not our hotel room. We do enjoy using the pool at ASMu in the afternoon but we are mainly not at the hotel we are at a park. Why would we spend thousands of dollars to justify nicer sheets? If you want fine linens, bring them from home. I know, I know, there is more than just nicer sheets to describe the difference between a value resort and a high end one. I work hard for my money and I refuse to spend it on glitz. I always have a clean room at ASMu. The staff is extremely nice. The pool is perfect for our needs. What more could you ask for? Again, this is my personal view and in no way should my views be accepted as the norm. You will have to decide for yourself what type of vacation you want and if you can justify the expense of that choice.

and Asmu and most values have great selections in their food courts!

 

[momtwoboys]

deluxes many times share bus service to the parks they dont access by boat or monorail. Pros and cons to each level I guess! we prefer value resorts when we arent renting points for a studio from friends.

 

[CanadianAli]

Currently 3 Value Pools have Pool Towels:

Surfboard Bay(All-Star Sports)
Grand Slam(All-Star Sports)
Hippy Dippy(Pop Century)

You can add The Big Blue Pool (AOA) to that list. They had pool towels last year when we were there.