value vs. deluxe

[skater]

After reading these boards for 2 years, I've finally decided to register so I can post my experiences last Sept. My family stayed at ASM for 6 nights and then my DH and I stayed at AK for 1 night. I could not believe how much more accomodating the staff were at ASM. We were treated like royalty with all our requests granted with a smile. Imagine my surprise at AKL when we requested a very general area (on one of the higher floors) and we were given the lowest floor in a corner with a view of a fence. Admitedly, after we called, they moved us immediately. AKL is beautiful, but overall we liked the attitude and atmosphere (for kids) at ASM much better. Also the slide at AKL was closed and the pool was not open very late. We expected more from a deluxe, I guess. We are planning a stay at POP this Sept. and are anticipating the same great time! Anyone else out there have similar experiences?

 

[scrappinstevie]

We felt the same way. After staying at ASMovies we decided to splurge the next trip and stay at WL but were very disappointed spending waaaayyy more and feeling like there wasn't that much difference in the room. We actually prefer the value and moderate resorts.

 

[mpbs]

I have stayed at the ASMu in the past and thought it was OK. Stayed at CBR, and thought that was nice. Stayed at AKL, and Loved it. This Aug we will be trying BWI. So I guess this means even though the values and moderates are nice my family and I prefer the Deluxes.

 

[scrap4kenzie]

We have stayed at POR and at ASMo. Both as far as service goes were excellent. The rooms at POR were slightly larger, but the food selection at ASMo was better (although the atmosphere was more zoo-like). For a family with a small child (now 3 1/2) I personally prefer the ASMo - it feels more like Disney. If we were going without our daughter, or she were older, I would definately prefer the moderate or higher resorts, but there's something about watching her as she sees the 3 story buzz lightyear & Pongo that's so much fun! For the money, and as little time as we spent at the resort, it was worth every penny. We go in December, so we don't swim (too cool for us being from NC) so we spend our time at the hotel to sleep/nap, shower, eat (sometimes), and that's about it. It all just depends on where/how you spend your time at the parks & what you choose to spend your money on. I personally would rather spend mine on great food/restaurants & great pictures of my DD w/ the characters (as I am an obsessed scrapbooker) than a higher end resort where we spend limited time. But that's my personal feeling...

 

[Disney Fanatic]

We stayed at AKL and then decided to try ASM.

I have to say my 4 year old loved the ASM hotel for the Toy Story Theming.

What I did not like is not having my own balcony and the crowds and line ups in the food court.

The bus service definately was more of a wait and the buses seemed much more crowded than at AKL.

Other than that, for an inexpensive holiday, you can't beat the All Star Resorts.

 

[Jabba1]

I've never stayed at any of the Disney resorts, but that's about to change in a few more weeks when I check into All Star Sports. It's value of course, but I'm coming alone so I don't need oodles of room.

I plan to spend most of my time at the parks catching up on the last 30 years since my visit to WDW in 1978. I'll post my TR and let everyone know how it went. If all goes well I might just do a bit of splurging and go for a deluxe next time around.

 

[SonyaD]

I had almost the SAME experience as you did. I would stay in the value resorts anyday. AKL also gave us a crappy room the first time and we had to change twice to get a better one. Also the pool did close very early. I have read others on here that is stays open late but this was not our experience.

 

[nluvwithmickey]

As much as I would love to try staying in a mod or deluxe I just cannot make myself spend more money on a hotel than I already am.

Instead, we are planning on enjoying what the Deluxes and Mods have to offer WITHouT having to stay there. We are going to do quite a bit of resrt hopping on our upcoming stay. We will have dinner and walk around,take plenty of prictures and enjoy the services offered by the hotels we are visiting (boat rentals, bikes, carriage rides etc) This wil give us a feel of the resort without having to spend a ton of $$$.

I think they are beautiful hotels.....I just want to make sure that DH wants to take me back again, so I am going to make him relax and enjoy his vacation more this time around.

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

If I want to stay in large rooms with fancy detail and all the amenities I will stay at home. I have all that here, albeit I am the staff LOL, and have no need to spend big bucks on a fancy room that I am only going to see for a half an hour in the morning and maybe 90 minutes at night. Now, if the beds were rough at the Value and comfy at the Deluxes I 'might' change my mind but when my eyes close I cannot feel any difference. We do not use the pools that makes a big difference as well. If we bring the grandkids I would upgrade to POR just so they could use the pool. It is all in what you want. I want lengthy vacations.

Slightly Goofy

 

[skater]

We have stayed at POR and at ASMo. Both as far as service goes were excellent. The rooms at POR were slightly larger, but the food selection at ASMo was better (although the atmosphere was more zoo-like). For a family with a small child (now 3 1/2) I personally prefer the ASMo - it feels more like Disney. If we were going without our daughter, or she were older, I would definately prefer the moderate or higher resorts, but there's something about watching her as she sees the 3 story buzz lightyear & Pongo that's so much fun! For the money, and as little time as we spent at the resort, it was worth every penny. We go in December, so we don't swim (too cool for us being from NC) so we spend our time at the hotel to sleep/nap, shower, eat (sometimes), and that's about it. It all just depends on where/how you spend your time at the parks & what you choose to spend your money on. I personally would rather spend mine on great food/restaurants & great pictures of my DD w/ the characters (as I am an obsessed scrapbooker) than a higher end resort where we spend limited time. But that's my personal feeling...

I forgot to mention that my kids love ASM and cried when we considered going to POR this year. I was able to convince them with POP - like ASM it just looks more fun and disney like. I have to admit, when the kids are gone, I may change my mind!

 

[CharlesTD]

I have to agree the service at the Value resorts tends to be better than at the deluxe resorts even though we are DVC members our family still loves to stay at the Value resorts they are our favourite place on property.

 

[Jalva22]

I may be in the minority, but our experience was the opposite. We received tremendous service at AKL from the front desk staff to the bell staff, received a free upgrade from standard view to a beautiful 5th floor savannah view. This was in June 2005. The pool was also open 24 hrs, but lifeguards went off-duty at 8pm and the slide closed when they went off-duty. They were forced to close the pool a couple of times due to storms in the vicinity, but reopened them later in the evening.