Value Resorts

[icu222much]

I'm planning to visit DisneyWorld for four days at the beginning of December. We (my gf and I) are planning to stay at their most affordable Value Resorts (All-Star Music, Movies, and Sports) and I have a few questions:

1) Do we still get the same Disney quality service when compared to a higher tier resort?
2) Is there still a magical 'Disney' experience when staying in these Value Resorts (I know that this will be a biased response).
3) Is there central Value Resort to be staying at? We plan to visit one park each day, and want to minimize transportation time.
4) Is there any benefit from staying in the Value Resorts other then:
- Able to take Disney shuttle to/from park
- First access to FastPass
- Dining reservations

 

[shocker]

1) some will feel this is a subjective observation, but I've stayed at every level & will continue to stay at every level. I do not find a one size fits all when it comes to WDW resorts. Some feel if you don't need sit down meals at your home resort & won't stay at the resort long (pools, lounges, spa, etc) the lower the level you can go. Also very much depends on how long a stay with how many in each room & what ages. Values don't have TS or valet parking, but I've never felt a second class citizen for staying there. I know why I picked it & am comfortable with my decision. I've found no difference in staff response. What I do find a difference in are the towels & TP offered.

2) yep, biased but I feel values are MORE magical than higher levels. I feel the over the top huge icons are more 'Disney' than say The Boardwalk.

3) The 3 Values you give in your OP are next door to each other. One is no more centrally located to the parks than the other. All 3 are closest to AK & farthest from MK, you'll have to adjust transport time accordingly.

4) Free transport too & from airport, if needed. Access to EMH, if you'd actually use them. If driving own car, have to pay to park at resort but not again at the parks.

 

[Brett Wyman]

You already mentioned it, and people love to give them hard time, but nothing beats an official Disney bus to the theme parks. Even high end hotels like the Four Seasons can’t compete with the frequency and availability of the Disney resort buses.

I’m staying at the Hyatt Grand Cypress for work in a few a weeks and their bus comes very infrequently, and this is the part that kills me, and ONLY drops you off at the TTC. No thank you. I’ll be driving my rental instead.

 

[SG131]

Of those three do All Star Movies if you can swing it. Their rooms were just renovated and have a two queen beds one of which is a Murphy bed that will be a table when not in use. The other two resorts still have two full size beds in the room. Construction at music has just started so until it’s done you will be taking a chance on whether or not you would get a new room.

I find the value resorts magical. I love the decorations especially if you haven’t been to Disney in awhile. And the biggest benefit is the transportation and to me it is 100% worth it.

 

[Castlequeen5]

1. We've only stayed at All Stars and in the Fort Wilderness cabins. Our service was fine, but I can't compare to what a deluxe might be. In a few weeks, we'll be trying CBR and Pop out.

2. Yes, we love our stays and consider staying in these resorts magical.

3. The All Stars are right next to each other, so there's not much difference in travel time. Although each resort usually has its' own buses, occasionally they will share buses. For me, that gives a very slight edge to Sports since Sports is first. But generally I'll pick whatever rate is the cheapest. These resorts are close to AK. If you want something closer to other parks, then you may consider Pop or AOA. They are closer to HS and Epcot. Those are also considered value, but are more expensive than All Stars. They also have the
skyliner, which is why we're staying there on our upcoming trip.

4. You get all the perks, no matter which resort you stay in. But the biggest benefit with staying in the values is the money you save. You get the same experience in the parks, but you pay a lot less!!!

 

[PatMcDuck]

I would go for All Star Movies, of the 3 All Star resorts, based on theme and the recent renovation. But I would also look at Pop Century, if it is not too much more $$ for you. It is on the Skyliner line to Epcot and Studios, much more fun than a bus. (we rode it the first week, before the current shut down.)

If you are going this year, I would not wait an longer to book a room.

 

[Anat]

Of those three do All Star Movies if you can swing it. Their rooms were just renovated and have a two queen beds one of which is a Murphy bed that will be a table when not in use. The other two resorts still have two full size beds in the room. Construction at music has just started so until it’s done you will be taking a chance on whether or not you would get a new room.

I find the value resorts magical. I love the decorations especially if you haven’t been to Disney in awhile. And the biggest benefit is the transportation and to me it is 100% worth it.

Do you know till when the constructions at the All Star Music will continue?
I've booked there for 5 nights around Xmas.
Tried to change my booking to All Star Movies, according to your advice, but it's fully booked for those dates...

 

[kaytieeldr]

All 3 are closest to AK & farthest from MK, you

In fairness, everything is farthest from MK, except the five Bay Lake/Seven Seas Lagoon resorts.

Do you know till when the constructions at the All Star Music will continue?

If Pop and Movies are any indication - at least a year.

 

[nursejackie]

I can't answer some of your questions as we are planning to stay in a value in 2021 for the first time. In the past we rented points for deluxe villas but we have been priced out of that nowadays (increase in cost, poor exchange rate and other committments on our finances). The benefits for staying on site for us are:

1. We always go for morning EMH in every park. We travel from England so thanks to the 5 hour time difference we are often up by 5am so it's no hardship to be there for ropedrop at 7 or 8am.

2. Being able to book fastpasses 60 days in advance instead of 30. We have to go during peak times i.e. school holidays, so getting fastpasses for the most popular attractions in essential.

3. Being in the 'bubble'. One year I didn't leave the confines of WDW for 17 days!

We don't use Magical Express as we hire a car for the duration. I have read the queue for buses at Value resorts can be chaotic at peak times, but again we won't be using the transportation either. If we book when there is an early bird offer on it won't cost us more than staying off site.

There isn't any benefit to on-site guests for dining reservations, anyone can book at 180 day window regardless.

It's definitely a personal choice, and it's what makes the holiday special for you. For us we can't imagine staying off site again, but I understand other people will have contrasting views on this topic.

 

[Chrisizzle]

I always wanted to stay on property as a child (1980s). There were no value resorts back then and it was too pricy for the family.

I am doing all the RunDisney events this year and at 43 years old, I am relishing finally staying on property.

As a subjective answer to your fourth question... it’s like you never leave Disney World. I mean, no matter how close your 3rd party hotel is, you are still mentally entering and exiting... especially if you are going by the big WDW sign.

Whereas, being in a Disney themed hotel and hopping on a Disney bus makes it all a seamless experience. You are living in Disney World!!!

Over the past 3 stays in 6-months, I’ve done All Star Music, Port Orleans French Quarter, and Old Key West. So, I think that runs the different levels. Plus, I’m heading back to All Star Music next month and then Bay Lake Tower in January.

1) There are visible differences to physical quality of the hotel, and dare I say guests too. However, everyone I interacted with (guest or employee) was great.

2) I’d say the Value resorts have a cartoony, over the top style that fits if you want to experience the child-like wonder of Disney. Going to moderate or higher creates a different, adult brain appreciation of the detail and theming.

 

[kwdw]

I hope you have booked a room if you are planning the beginning of THIS December - they are pretty much full already.

1) I think the quality of the employee service is as good at the values as at the other tiers.
2) The theming at the values screams DISNEY - much more than the mods or deluxes. Hence - if you want to feel like you are at Disney the whole time - I think these are great for that. I tend to stay at the values the most. Recently - I've stayed at CSR (new tower) and treehouses at SSR. Those rooms/resorts - feel less "Disney" to me because the theming is not as "Disney-like". I still loved those stays - but when actually at the resort - they could be "anywhere."
3) All the values aren't that far apart - and I haven't felt a difference in the transportation experience between any of them. I prefer staying at resorts that have ONE bus stop - and they all do.
4) Beyond what you said - TIME. If you stay off-property - you need to plan more travel time to and from the parks. (And anyone can book ADR's so that's not a bonus for on-property.) Even "close" hotels aren't that close. If you are going to have a car - the parking rate at a value resort is lower than the daily parking rate for folks not staying on property; and being on property gives you free parking at the parks.

 

[scard192]

POP Warner takes place December 6 – 13, 2019 and the teams usually stay at the All Stars. If your trip is that week you might want to stay away from the All Stars.

 

[Marionnette]

1) Do we still get the same Disney quality service when compared to a higher tier resort?
There are some services that Value Resorts do not have that the Moderate and Deluxe Resorts do. Look at it more like the difference between a Red Roof Inn and a Hilton. However, you will find exceptional and mediocre CMs at all resort levels.
2) Is there still a magical 'Disney' experience when staying in these Value Resorts (I know that this will be a biased response).
The magic is within you, not your resort.
3) Is there central Value Resort to be staying at? We plan to visit one park each day, and want to minimize transportation time.
No centrally located Value Resort but POP and AoA are on the Skyliner path with easy access to Epcot and HS.
4) Is there any benefit from staying in the Value Resorts other then:
- Able to take Disney shuttle to/from park
All guests can use Disney Resort transportation. The only transportation that is exclusive to resort guests would be Magical Express.
- First access to FastPass
There are “good neighbor” hotels in the Disney Springs area which also qualify for FP+ at 60 days. You’re already inside 60 days for early December stays
- Dining reservations
Dining reservations can be made 180+10 days prior to your arrival if you are an onsite guest. Offsite guests must wait for exactly 180 days out for each reservation they want to make. Again, the advantage of staying onsite is immaterial at this point if you’re talking about a December 2019 visit.

 

[3disAddicts]

Looks like you're new to these boards, so welcome! These are some of the nicest and most helpful people on these boards.

We are DVC members, Polynesian Resort. We've only stayed at Pop and All Star Movies, and love both. Like other posters have mentioned, the huge Disney in your face icons just immerse you in the magic. You know you're in Disney. We usually add on a couple of nights at one of these two resorts if there is availability at the start of our vacations. This year I finally get to stay at Art of Animation for the first time. But I would be willing to try Music as well, and maybe even Sports if that's all there was to choose from. But if you can possibly snag Pop, you can walk across the bridge to Art of Animation as well and use their food court and bus system. Not sure if that's an actual advantage or not. Maybe someone who's tried it will post their experience.

Although rare, there were a few times when the All Stars shared buses, so it did make for a longer wait. Pop, however, had their own dedicated bus service.

And yes, there were youth groups staying at these resorts, but we never had a problem with noise levels or rude behavior. But from what I've read on these boards, other guests have not been so fortunate. We've had more problems with noisy guests at the DVC resorts. I'm talking screaming parents and crying kids. Go figure....

Whatever you decide, early December is a beautiful time of year to visit. So try and snag a reservation asap, and if there's no availability, keep checking back. There may be some discounts for your dates, so make sure you check for those as well.

But wherever you end up staying, just remember.... You're in Disney!!! Enjoy the magic.

 

[SG131]

Do you know till when the constructions at the All Star Music will continue?
I've booked there for 5 nights around Xmas.
Tried to change my booking to All Star Movies, according to your advice, but it's fully booked for those dates...

It just started at the end of September and they are doing a building at a time. There might be one building done and open by then that you could try to request, but I’m sure a lot of people would try to get that new building so a bit of luck would be involved.

 

[Mainsail Minnie]

Whether you will enjoy a value resort stay is really a matter of how important comfort and a bit of luxury are to you. If they are very important, do not stay at a value. Value resort rooms are small and not extremely comfortable, bathrooms are small and utilitarian, resort room doors open to the outdoors, common passageways are right outside your windows so that you can't leave blinds/curtains open without strangers able to see in, etc. The rooms are a lot like motel rooms, in other words. The deluxe resort rooms, on the other hand, definitely feel like real hotel rooms, larger, prettier and more comfortable, with a lot more amenities, better dining and much better pools.

But if you're just excited to be at Disney World and don't care much about your room, the values are fine. Their exterior grounds are creatively designed, and they tend to have solid bus service. And you get all of the Disney perks.

I always recommend looking at the pricing of the several offsite hotels on WDW property that get the 60-day FP and EMH benefits, and comparing those to the ever-increasing cost of the values, before automatically booking a value resort. You might find something within Disney World that is a lot more comfortable than a value, with the most-important perks, for a similar cost.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Value resort rooms are small

True - but not substantially smaller than some Moderate rooms. Maybe a foot narrower and two feet shorter. Or the other way around.

and not extremely comfortable

100% subjective, especi the redone rooms at Pop and ASMovies.

bathrooms are small and utilitarian

What more does one need? My apartment bathroom is small and utilitarian - that Iast being most important

resort room doors open to the outdoors, common passageways are right outside your windows so that you can't leave blinds/curtains open without strangers able to see in, etc

OP didn't ask about Moderates (I think) but moderate resorts have these identical conditions.

 

[Mainsail Minnie]

True - but not substantially smaller than some Moderate rooms. Maybe a foot narrower and two feet shorter. Or the other way around.

100% subjective, especi the redone rooms at Pop and ASMovies.

What more does one need? My apartment bathroom is small and utilitarian - that Iast being most important

OP didn't ask about Moderates (I think) but moderate resorts have these identical conditions.

Well, like I said, it depends on what the individual wants & needs to be happy on vacation. Some people want a more comfortable and attractive resort room and bathroom than what the values offer. Others don't care. The moderates have more in common with the values than with the deluxes imo- that's the reason I didn't mention them in my comparison.

All opinions, including yours, are subjective- that goes without saying. That doesn't mean our opinions don't have value. I've stayed at both types of resorts and have valid reasons for my perspective on them.

 

[mom to minnie&mickey]

We have had 6 Disney vacations, all value hotels, and one coming up in March in the newly renovated Movies. We love them. For us when we go to Disney it's all about the parks and entertainment Disney has to offer. That being said, the values give us everything we need at bargain prices compared to moderates and deluxes. Sure the room is smaller, there is no pool slide, indoor corridors or sit down restaurant but then you are only paying a fraction of the deluxe price tag and are immersed in everything Disney. Even with 4 people in the room we were perfectly fine and comfortable.

 

[WhenYouWish]

We enjoy the value resorts when we are focused on getting the most time in the parks. Pop Century is our favorite based on location and it's newer than the All Stars. Save your pennies on the deluxe hotels for trips when you are going to enjoy the resort/pool more.