value vs moderate? Any thoughts?

kellera

Earning My Ears
Joined
Oct 16, 2006
Messages
27
I am traveling to DW for the first time with my hubby and 3 girls. I want them to have the whole "DW" experience, and need help with resort choices. I have an 11 year old, who really is a big kid. She LOVES anything disney. I also have a 4 (5 in Nov) year old and a 3 month old.

Which resort choice would be best for us?

THanks!
Amy :dance3:
 
With 4 people and a crib, I would go with the extra space that a mod offers. Also, with the little ones, you might find that you are spending a little more time in the resort and would appreciate the extra space. The other things that convinced me to go with a mod (I have since switched to WL!) instead of a value were the large size of the values (more walking for little kids) and the more secluded feeling of the mods (buildings not so close together in the mods means less/quieter traffic outside your door). I hope that helps!
 
I spent a week at the Pop in Sept. and I can't see how you'd work a crib into the room unless they'd be willing to remove the table and chair set from your room. If you put it to the right of the TV you would have very little room between that and one of the beds on your way to the bathroom. If you put it in between the beds then you'd have 5 people lined up and two people would have slats in their face!

The Pop is geared towards kids, I think your 11 yr old would have a lot of fun there if you could get the crib in the right spot.

I would ask for room dimensions for mod and value, figure out how much you are paying per extra square foot you get with a mod and make your decision from that. :)
 
I've not stayed onsite yetmyslef, but I do want to add that I have read that they don't actaully put a full sized crib in the room. They are pack and plays.
 

kellera said:
I am traveling to DW for the first time with my hubby and 3 girls. I want them to have the whole "DW" experience, and need help with resort choices. I have an 11 year old, who really is a big kid. She LOVES anything disney. I also have a 4 (5 in Nov) year old and a 3 month old.

Which resort choice would be best for us?

THanks!
Amy :dance3:


Room size Comparison:

Pop Century/All Stars-260 Square Feet
CS, POR/POFQ-314 SF
Caribbean Beach-340 SF
Wilderness Lodge-344 SF
AKL-344 SF
Yacht/Beach-381 SF
Boardwalk-385 SF
Polynesian-409 SF
Contemporary-436 SF
Grand Floridian-about 400-440SF
Ft Wilderness Cabins-504 SF
Family suites at All Star Music -520 SF
__________________

POFQ is not as spread out as the other mods or the values.


POR CBR and CSR are very spread out.

The Values are laid out closer together.

The mods have pool slides, a hot tub and a sit down restaurant (POFQ doses not have a sit down restaurant but shares with POR.

There is not much room size difference between a mod and a value.

Here is the layout of a mod.
The bathroom is about the same size as the All Stars but you will have 2 sinks instead of one.

portorleansriv.gif

POR room lay out

here is the All Star room layout'

All_Star_Sports_Room_View.gif

All Star room layout

The mod has 54 square feet more than the value.
That means if both the mod and the value room were 27 feet long than the mod would be 2 feet wider. Just enough room for a double sink instead of a single.

There is not a lot of room size difference.

The theming at the values are a lot of fun and so bright.
Little ones just love them.

Here are some photos from allearsnet.com

All Star Movies:


asmv20.jpg


All Star Movies Mickey Pool.


asmv22toystory.jpg


asmv21fantasia.jpg


asmv38101dalamations.jpg


Did you know if you count all of the Dalmatians (the icons plus the puppies on the buildings) you will come up with 101 Dalmatians?
Now how cool is that?

That is one of my favorite WDW trivia facts. I love the way Disney pays attention to details!


Here are some photos from Pop:

popcent95.jpg


popcent84.jpg


popcent39.jpg


popcent94.jpg


Have fun wherever you choose to stay! :wizard:
 
The difference between a moderate and a value are huge in my opinion. The difference between a moderate and the low end deluxe resorts (AKL & WL) are not as great. We had to stay at a value in February because that is where my daughters high school band was staying. She at 17 even noted how disappointing a value resort was over most of the moderates (we really dislike CBR and would probably stay at a value over it). The value resorts are loud and I'm not just talking about the noise level, they are LOUD in their appearance. Everyone always mentions that you don't spend enough time at the resorts to be that concerned about them but I have always felt that you should be comfortable and relaxed at your resort after a hectic fun filled day at the parks. The moderates provide that far more then the values. If you cna afford to stay at a moderate do so, you will be less likely to be disappointed with your decision. We also found the service provided by the CM's to be superior to that of the values too.
 
I would be willing to bet your kids will be happy no matter where you stay. One thing to consider is that, unless your budget is unlimited, there are many other things you could do with your kids around WDW with the money you'd save staying Value. Like renting Mouseboats around Bay Lake and the Seven Seas Lagoon; or letting the kids do a Pirate Adventure; adding some extra character meals, etc - things like that. Or you could decide to do another trip in the near future as opposed to the distant with the extra $$.

Personally, I like all the different resorts. We've never had an un-Magical trip, even though accomodations vary greatly sometimes. Generally, our budget and plans during the trip itself dictate where we stay. We've had three great stays at Pop, and will definitely be staying there again. And FWIW, the longest walk we've had at Pop to the main building was shorter than our walk to the main building at Coronado Springs last week from the Ranchos area. ;) Many of the Disney resorts are very spread out.
 
I "argue" with a friend over this on a regular basis.
I am a believer in going value or deluxe. I just don't feel like the mods offer enough of an upgrade.

Pros for the mods:
Rooms are a little bigger (not enough in my mind, except CBR)
A sit down restaurant BUT not the upper end ones you'd want ADRs for
Pool slides for the kids
Hot Tub for you
Much nicer visually on the out side than the values (will your kids care?) I do agree the values are a bit tacky in decoration and while I'd never like them in a non-WDW form, at WDW, to me they do scream DISNEY! If you will be taking a lot of breaks at the resort, you may like the mod better if this matters to you. (This is the reason my friend like POFQ)
Fridge standard in each room

Pros for the values:
Not as spread out
One bus stop. People will call me crazy but I'd rather walk further to one central bus stop and be on my way - not having to make other stops within the resort. Spring for the extra $10/day for a preferred room - closer).
You will have more money to spend on other things (oh and OT advice, give the older girls a set amount per day - you'll save in the end)
Because the rooms are cheaper you may consider getting two connecting rooms - the girls will love having their "own" room and you'll have two bathrooms and two tvs and a quiet room for baby.
I like POP - it is the newest. All-Star Sports needs a rehab BADLY!

There is also the possibility of the Family Suites at All-Star Movies. Separate bedroom for mom and dad, pull outs for the kids, fridge and microwave but only one bath. I'd do two connecting preferred rooms at POP with a fridge rental.

Oh - I request a fourth floor room facing away from the pool and away from the elevator and have not had any noise problems.

Whatever you do the girls will have a great time - and the way I see it, go for a value on your first visit so you only ever move up!
Don't forget to make those ADRs!!!
 
This is really great info!

Does anyone know how much more a family suite is?
 
jenseib said:
This is really great info!

Does anyone know how much more a family suite is?

2006 pricing will be:

$169 plus tax - Value Season (Aug 27 - Oct 4; Nov 26 - Dec 19)
$209 plus tax - Regular Season (Apr 23 - Aug 26; Oct 5 - Nov 25)
$239 plus tax - Peak Season (Mar 6* - Apr 22)
$259 plus tax Holiday Season (Dec 20 - 31)
(* once available)

Check here for the 2007 rates:

http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/disney-rates-2007.htm#VALUE


For comparison, the price of a Family Suite is $9-11 more then 2 Standard Rooms, or $13-15 less the 2 Preferred Rooms, depending on season.

Currently, none of the discount promotional offers will include these suites, (ie, no passholder, FL Resident, AAA, etc) however this may change in the future once all suites are ready, based on occupancy trends.

For more info please see the FAQ thread:
Feel free to post a comment.
Any Questions?
Feel free to PM me.

FAQ thread:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1072409
 
WOW!!!! That is a TON of information, LOL!!! I have to say that I am MORE confused than I was to begin with, LOL... I have a "hold" at POR...so I assume I could change if needed. I DO have a bunch of ADR's (Le Cellier, Ohana, Coral Reef, Crystal Palace). I guess I just don't know what to expect. I have to say, though, that the colorfulness and playfulness of the value resorts are quite appealing. I know my 5 year old would love it. Not to mention that my mom has now volunteered to keep the baby with her, so room size would then become a moot point (I don't know how I feel about leaving her tho).

I think I will just have to figure out what I save and make a decision before it is gone!!

Amy :dance3:
 
krissyh said:
I.....
...........
There is also the possibility of the Family Suites at All-Star Movies. Separate bedroom for mom and dad, pull outs for the kids, fridge and microwave but only one bath.
QUOTE]
I just noticed you think the Suites only have one bath . They have two bath rooms.
==========================

Here is my review:

Dh and I stayed at new Family Suites at All Star Music September 21,2006.


We stayed in 0416 which is on the ground floor. Room 0418 which was next door was not a Suites so the Suites are not all grouped together.
The living area was the best. There was a small table with 2 blue modern looking chairs by the window area.

The chairs had a small amount of cushioning and curved backs and seemed more conformable (to me) than the old straight back chairs they had in the old All Star Music rooms. The table top was wood grain and there were silhouettes of Mickey all abound the edge in a darker wood color.

9-26-2006-02.jpg


The living room area is very roomy when the furniture is the closed position.

When you first enter the room you get a feeling that you can take time to relax and spread out in these rooms. The cramped feeling is not there. there is a sofa, chair and ottoman which fold out into beds. There are two small end tables and soft foot stool for the sofa.

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The TV was a 27 inch flat screen and the cabinet had three drawers under the TV area. There were two shelves next to the TV and a cabinet door which opened to reveal 2 more shelves.

9-26-2006-36.jpg


I opened up the chair bed and it was very comfortable to lay down on. The back of the chair actually rests on the floor supporting the chair bed when it is folded out into the bed. It was pretty amazing the way they designed the pull out furniture!
The frame of the bed is metal so when I went to get of the chair bed I did feel the metal bars at the edge of the bed.

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I tried to get the ottoman into the master bedroom area but I am sorry to say the ottoman is just too wide and will not fit through the door jam.

The sink and closet areas in the suites also have privacy curtains.
The sink areas have 2 shelf cubbies under them for storage and a Kleenex tissue area under them. There are wall mounted hair dryers with the built in amber night lights on the walls by the sinks.

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Each dressing area has a privacy curtain, closet area, iron, ironing board and wall safe. The wall safes are the standard size which will hold a wallet a cell phone a small DVD player, a personal CD player, or a few CDs but it is not large enough for a lap top or anything that is more than a couple of inches wide.

9-26-2006-32.jpg


Remember the Suites have 2 bathrooms, 2 dressing areas with privacy curtains, 2 safes, 2 hairdryers, 2 closets, 2 TVs, 2 separate sleeping, areas and 2 TVs.

Here is the layout of the Suite:

ASMusic_FamSuite_layout.jpg


The kitchenette has a lot storage area also.
There was an ice bucket with 6 plastic cups on the countor and a coffeepot with 6 of the throw away foam hot cups.
There were 6 paper plates, 6 paper bowls, Paper towels and a silverware tray on an upper shelf.
The silverware container had 6 sets of plastic ware and a can opener in it.

13.jpg



The kitchenette has a nice size microwave, and the fridge is the larger under the counter dorm fridge. The fridge has small freezer on the top which was big enough to freeze my 3 small ice pacs for my meds. The area for the freezer is not very high. You might be able to put a couple of small water bottles in it to freeze them but a larger water bottle would not be able to fit in the freezer area.

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The Master room was nice size and it was nice to have a desk area with a mirror over it so it also sure as a make up area if one chose to it as such.
The TV cabinet had 3 nice size storage drawers. The easy chair next to the bed was nice addition. I enjoyed being able to sit there instead of using a table chair or bed to sit.

The queen size bed was conformable. The AC at newly refurbished has been updated to Cental air style instead of the old under the window style. It worked fine while we were there. Our room was very quiet.

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The Master area had enough room for a twin size aero bed if you placed the bed with one end by the window and had it running between the desk and the foot of bed. (You would need to move the desk chair out of the way. )The aero bed would block the access of the Queen size bed from the far side, however. The bed was a Queen.

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There were only a few things in our Suite that were different from those pictured on the DIS resorts homepage.

1) The headboard was smaller than the one pictured here taken from the DIS resorts homepage.

2) The tile on the kitchen floor and bathroom floor was tan and navy blue instead of the tan and white in the pictured room.

3) Ironing boards and iron were in each closet area.

Mousekeeping was great.

Mousekeeping left plenty of towels and we were pleasantly surprised by a pair of love bird towel animals when we returned to our room on evening midway through our stay!

The Calypso pool was never crowded even though the Fantasia pool at Movies was closed during the time we stayed Music.

We never waited more than 5-10 minutes for bus and only shared buses on the way back from some of the parks. Music always had its own bus back from MK.

Any questions? Just ask and I will try to answer them. :wizard:
 
Linda, thank you for taking the time to take and post those pictures of the family suites. They look great! :thumbsup2

Just wanted to say that last week on our first night at CSR we were upgraded to a 2 bedroom suite and it was very much like that minus the kitchenette (altho there was a fridge and two coffeemakers, one on each bathroom sink) and the two beds were a Murphy bed in one room and a king size bed in the other. I believe the regular price for that room was over $400/night - and lol, you still don't get a microwave. :rotfl: Also, the walk from that particular room (in Casitas) to the Dig Site pool was over 1/2 mile!
 
The studios at Old Key West are 376 sq. ft., have two queen beds, a kitchenette, and free laundry facilities. You could stay there for a week in January for around $800 (all inclusive) by renting points from a DVC member. Oh, and the best thing about this resort: it's the first bus stop at just about every theme park (which can be a blessing at the end of the day!).
 














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