Value Resorts

[Lucys dad]

Looking for some help and advice on picking a value resort. We may be looking to stay for 1 week at a value during the first week of October 2017. I stayed in the ASM back in the late 1990s with DW when we were kiddie free. Our DS and DD have been spoiled and only know Deluxe hotels and the occasional moderate.

At the risk of sounding a bit snobby, would we be in for a bit of a shock if we stayed at a value after pretty much staying deluxe the last 15 odd years. Also, taking into account the condition of the hotels or any ongoing work, what would be the best value for 1 week this October.

We loved the ASM back in the day as the whole Disney Hotel thing was new to us. Unfortunately, I’ve spoiled my kids and now have a dilemma on my hands

Appreciate any feedback

PS - DD will be 17 and DS 3

 

[Iowamomof4]

Looking for some help and advice on picking a value resort. We may be looking to stay for 1 week at a value during the first week of October 2017. I stayed in the ASM back in the late 1990s with DW when we were kiddie free. Our DS and DD have been spoiled and only know Deluxe hotels and the occasional moderate.

At the risk of sounding a bit snobby, would we be in for a bit of a shock if we stayed at a value after pretty much staying deluxe the last 15 odd years. Also, taking into account the condition of the hotels or any ongoing work, what would be the best value for 1 week this October.

We loved the ASM back in the day as the whole Disney Hotel thing was new to us. Unfortunately, I’ve spoiled my kids and now have a dilemma on my hands

Appreciate any feedback

PS - DD will be 17 and DS 3

Assuming you mean 2018 (not 2017), Pop Century and All Star Movies would be your best bet. Pop's refurbishment is nearly done and All Star Movies is in the middle of theirs with a few buildings done, others under construction, and others open in a pre-refurbished state.

 

[Sue M]

I’d pick Pop. The rooms are really nice. Lots more storage.

 

[WEDWDW]

Yes,if you go in needing a 5 Star Deluxe experience,you will be in for a shock.

But, believe it or not,the Values have their fans who do not have monetary restrictions and still pick the Values over the Mods and Luxes.

Most Guests can't comprehend that!lolx2

 

[FutureDisneyEventPlanner]

All Star Movies is getting the same refurb done as Pop already had. So I think you should pick the one that appeals more to you.

 

[StageTek]

At the risk of sounding a bit snobby, would we be in for a bit of a shock if we stayed at a value after pretty much staying deluxe the last 15 odd years. Also, taking into account the condition of the hotels or any ongoing work, what would be the best value for 1 week this October.

Yes, you will be in for a shock. Nothing wrong with the Value resorts but they are very different than the Deluxe. My suggestion would be a family suite at Art of Animation. Interior halls and more room.

 

[supitscarrie]

Stay at Pop. Nicest rooms, dedicated bus service, good food court (and a quick walk to AoA's food court which is arguably the best on property). ASMovies is going through a similar room refurbishment but at this point, booking Pop will guarantee you an updated room while booking ASMovies is still a coin flip.
I'm more of a moderates person but I really love Pop for the price - lets me and my husband stay longer and spend more on food/experiences! We're there for a week this fall as well and I'm not at all concerned about it.

 

[coast2coastmickey]

I went into my first deluxe stay in February expecting a deluxe experience and was disappointed. It was a nice hotel but is not even close to what you can get at other hotels off site or in other cities. It's all about your expectations.

I've stayed in motels before for road trips that were perfectly fine, but that's because I was expecting a motel.

If you expect a motel, and stay at a value, you won't be disappointed because they're basically slightly better versions of that. I couldn't imagine staying for a week in a motel room anywhere though, much less for vacation.

 

[buzznina]

Yes,if you go in needing a 5 Star Deluxe experience,you will be in for a shock.

But, believe it or not,the Values have their fans who do not have monetary restrictions and still pick the Values over the Mods and Luxes.

Most Guests can't comprehend that!lolx2

Yep, now that they are adding queen beds, the values are back on our list to stay at. I am soooo glad we never got the "Once you go deluxe, you cannot go back" virus. Our family has great times at all levels, but, not all people can they "need" more room, indoor hallways or balconies... to have a fun trip, where for us, those are just added benefits.

 

[Nick6300]

Your fam probably will be in for an adjustment, but the time together and just being down there is what's really important, right? We all have different preferences, but I personally value 1 extra WDW trip by opting for a Value resort over a less freq. vacation at a deluxe. There are other costs involved like travel/park tickets, but the All Stars can be in the $138/$150/$185 per night for Sports 10/2018 rack rates vs. $657/$727 for G Floridian or $479 for AKL. That's 3-5x your lodging. But then again, we're probably on the extreme end of over-ambitious, firmly in the group that prefers Park going over leisure/sleep/dining. We are staying at Sports this Aug. We prefer Pop, which is a little more at $154/165/194 for Oct, but opted for the extra night w/ the savings this time or a nice dinner or 2.

Compare rack rates for Oct.:
https://www.mousesavers.com/2018-animal-kingdom-lodge-room-rates-season-dates/
10/5-10/7 is a premium for Columbus Day. The very end of Oct is a bit cheaper.

 

[CSchex]

Pop Century has my vote too! We have stayed at the moderate hotels and value hotels. My kids always ask to go back to Pop. I think it is the "energy" of that hotel that they like. It is always busy with families, the food courts stay open late and the gift shop is awesome. In October it seems to be running about $145 a night with the current discount, that being said, the Caribbean Beach resort was about $181 a night at the same time. So if you feel like the value would be too different from what the kids are used to, Caribbean Beach would be a great alternative.

 

[chloelovesdisney]

We just stayed at POP in February and had a very nice stay. Sometimes we stay moderate or deluxe. If the budget allows for a value or offsite, that's where we stay and have a fantastic time at Disney all the same.

 

[Nick6300]

Pop Century has my vote too! We have stayed at the moderate hotels and value hotels. My kids always ask to go back to Pop. I think it is the "energy" of that hotel that they like. It is always busy with families, the food courts stay open late and the gift shop is awesome. In October it seems to be running about $145 a night with the current discount, that being said, the Caribbean Beach resort was about $181 a night at the same time. So if you feel like the value would be too different from what the kids are used to, Caribbean Beach would be a great alternative.

I like your “energy” depiction of Pop Cent. It’s definitely colorful, bright, fun. The food court is very good for a value resort. You get you own resort bus instead of the several bus stops in the am that can occur at times between the all stars (Ie weekdays to AK early). If picking between All Stars we tend to pick Sports because it’s the first bus pickup and drop off if the bus is making multiple stops between the AS.

I’ve seen as low as $145 posted months ago during the room only discount for C Beach after discount codes which are common for orbitz and stack with Disney’s discount. but for my Aug stay - oct is a bit pricer I think. Saw some similar prices for Swan/Dolphin too. You just have to do room only and buy tickets separately.

Not only are those 3 days at Columbus Day more expensive... it’s surprisingly busy at the parks for a minor holiday, we actually gave up and left after an hr or so at MK on Columbus Day it was so crowded. And we’re pretty stubborn too-sometimes visiting on Christmas. But oct overall is nice: summer heat has cooled off, pretty dry, food and wine festival, Halloween decor and party nights if you partake in them.

 

[Disneyhenry]

Well I’ve been in the same boat as you, DS got spoiled to Deluxe resorts, our last trip we stayed at POP and he was “embarrassed”. Lol he was 8, almost 9, anyway with that being said, he thought the theming at POP was dumb, I wished I would have chosen sports or even movies, the theming at those two are something he could relate to a bit more.
Just my input- have fun

 

[halfpintpeggy]

You might want to consider one of the Disney Springs hotels over a value. We love the Holiday Inn Disney Springs ourselves, but there are other good choices as well. Keep your eyes out for discounts, etc. on these hotels.

 

[Haley R]

We just stayed at Pop for the first time (our first value) in March and loved it! We went in knowing what to expect and we were in the parks almost the whole time so it wasn't a big deal to us that Pop was lacking in amenities. Our 9 yo niece absolutely loved the theme and had a lot of fun walking around the resort at night. She also really liked being able to walk over to AoA for a change of pace.

Are you doing any resort days where you'll just be at the hotel?

 

[Magical2017]

We are staying at POP this summer for a quick trip (have stayed there before). We have also stayed at mods and deluxe. You get exactly what you pay for at POP. The rooms are much smaller, so if space is an issue I would stay offsite and get a one or two bedroom suite with a kitchen. The overall service was excellent.

As far as being in for a shock, it depends. If you only stay at 5 star resorts for all other vacations, then yes, you will be in for a shock. If you have stayed at a Holiday Inn in the past, then that is similar to a value, with the theming of course. At least that his how I picture it. There is a POP thread on this board that has a lot of information about the refurbished rooms that you might find helpful. Enjoy your trip!

 

[Shanti]

At the risk of sounding a bit snobby, would we be in for a bit of a shock if we stayed at a value after pretty much staying deluxe the last 15 odd years.

At the risk of sounding a bit snobby, yes.

I recommend a stay at a nice yet affordable offsite hotel that is located within the Disney gates, instead of a WDW value resort.

 

[Lucys dad]

Assuming you mean 2018 (not 2017), Pop Century and All Star Movies would be your best bet. Pop's refurbishment is nearly done and All Star Movies is in the middle of theirs with a few buildings done, others under construction, and others open in a pre-refurbished state.

Thanks, yes 2018. Long day.

 

[loves to dive]

We used to always stay at the deluxe resorts and yes my first stay at a value was a shock. It was only for two nights at the beginning of a split stay trip and it was Pop before refurb. I swore I'd never do it again. Fast forward 4 or 5 years and I've stayed at Pop again, ASsp 3 times and every moderate at least once, CS 3 times. All during split stays and all just for a night or two for a split stay. Except CS, we stayed there our entire trip last year the week before Christmas because I didn't book until two weeks before we went and couldn't get into anything else. I'm o.k. with the values for a split stay, my adult son says they are fine even for an entire stay. My big problem with them is actually the common areas and more specifically, the fact there is no hot tub at the pool. We don't really use the food court except to eat breakfast every once in awhile, but they can get really crowded and noisy. We don't use the main pool very much but love to go to the hot tub and relax with a refreshing adult beverage. I think your kids will be fine, it might be the adults who have some shock. Have you looked into Swan/Dolphin? Those have become my go to resorts now because I love the Epcot area but don't love the price of my beloved YC. I tend to do split stays with a night or two at a value or moderate at the beginning of the trip then move over to them. We drive down and don't get there until around 2 so spending the price for a deluxe for that first night when we go directly to a park and basically just sleep in the resort the first night didn't make sense. Because we love Epcot and HS, we tend to spend most of our time there, MK is just a half day park for us so we use that first couple of days to do MK and AK since you have to take a bus there no matter where you stay, then concentrate on Epcot and HS when we move because we love being able to walk to both.