Value vs. Moderate, etc.

[CaseyJr]

We've never stayed at a value resort. Except for the size of the rooms, what are the main differences that a guest would see at a value resort vs. a moderate? We're trying to plan a trip for mid-May, but our finances will be short. To make it work, DH wants to stay fewer days and stay at a moderate. I want to stay more days and stay at a value -- a no-brainer as far as I'm concerned...

(We've stayed at: CBR x2, AKL x 1, CSR x 3, POFQ x 1, BC x2 )

 

[Maddie2]

Your idea gets my vote! We stayed at All Star Movies in 2004 and we are booked for Pop Century this April. With all there is to do, we were barely in our room anyway. Sleep/shower and out the door. The real fun is what you do out and about. You can stay at a nice hotel anywhere IMO.

That being said, with some of the moderates, they do have a proximity benefit -- closer to the parks and/or fast transportation to get to them. The buses aren't all that fun, but it really wasn't bad either.

Have fun whichever option you decide on!

 

[MousekaMaddi]

if u spen lots of time in the parks go value, its great altho rooms are TINY....if u wont be in parks allllllllll dayyyyyy long GO MODERATE

 

[Amy&Dan]

Room wise the value rooms don't feel that much smaller. The bathroom area at the values is smaller, only one sink with a smallish counter. The tub/toilet area is the same. The beds are doubles just like they are at the mods. The biggest differences are in the outdoor areas. The value pools don't have slides or hot tubs. The ground are not as extensive or as lush (but they are still beautifully maintained with lots of trees and grass). And rather than the theming of a region (Mexico, Caribbean etc) the theming at the values is loud, fun and centered around stuff most kids of all ages get a big kick out of. Like a big Mickey Phone, guitar, or some other crazy thing that just screams Disney. The food courts tend to be busier since there is no full service dining. There is only one bus que, not the mulitple stops the mods (except for POFQ) have. I love the values. And to me, if it comes to staying more nights I would and do, go with the values. Check out the slideshows on allearsnet. com You can see lots of pictures of the values and see if you think it would work. I would never cut my trip short to stay at a mod because even though I love them (and have stayed at all of them) they are not different enough than the values to sway me to that extent.

And we have actually enjoyed some nice, hang around the resort days at the values. Since they are typically full of families that spend their days at the parks, they get very quiet during the day just like the mods do. My kids (10 and 12) never get bored at the value pools. They find most of the moderate pool slides kinda tame anyway and while they enjoy them when we stay at one, they don't miss them when we don't.

 

[PrincessBelle23]

I've stayed at POP and ASM and I really enjoyed both. At POP we shared the room with 2 friends, and it was a bit crowded, yet definitely managable. We were out and about so often that the only time it was an issue was when we were all waiting to get ready for ed & wanted to use the sink/bathroom at the same time! We were right around the corner from the pool, and though the walk to the buses/food court was relatively far, after walking all day in parks there was no difference. At ASM it was just me and my BF, and we ended up with a king bed. The room felt larger than when there were 2 double beds, and it was a lot easier only having 2 ppl in the room! We weren't at the main pool, but literally right next to the smaller pool (we actually had a nice view of it from our room too) Again, the walk was a bit long to the main lobby, tho not as long as at POP. We actually ended up walking to the bus stop at AS Sports bc it was closer to our room. I plan on staying there again, hopefully this summer

 

[CampbellScot]

I think the biggest difference I noticed was the noise. My cousin was on her last couple of nights at POP with a friend when my husband and I arrived at WDW for our honeymoon and unfortunately she got very sick. Her friend called us and I went over to their room...I was coming from Wilderness Lodge. I was pretty shocked at how NOISY it was there. We could hear everything that was going on in the next room, the noise from the courtyard...perhaps I was there on a rowdy day, but it was really loud.

on a slightly unrelated note, the staff at POP was fantastic. They brought extra towels, ice...one CM asked if we needed any soda or something to settle my cousin's stomach and another CM came and asked if we needed a doctor. They were great and so willing to help.

 

[CleveRocks]

Mods' rooms are 314 square feet (except CBR's are 340); Values' are 260 square feet.

Mods' rooms have free refrigerators that are a standard part of the room; in a Value you have to request a fridge and pay a daily rental fee (~$10).

Mods have lush landscaping; Values have more hardscaping.

Mods have a pool slide and Jacuzzi; Values don't have either.

Mods' bus stops are covered (keep out of the rain and hot sun); Values' bus stops are uncovered.

Mods have pizza delivery for room service; Values don't.

Mods have a table-service restaurant (except POFQ); Values don't.

ALL Mods have some type of "leisure activities" (water sports, bike rental); Values don't.

I strongly disagree with what a previous poster said about Mods being closer and more convenient to the parks. A glance at a map of WDW shows that not to be the case.

 

[bzzymom]

I guess it depends what you are planning to do on your trip. If you are people like me who are in the parks the majority of the time, the differences aren't a big deal and a value is good. If you plan to hang out and swim and relax and the resort choose a moderate. If I were in the situation where I had to give up days on vacation to stay at a moderate, I would stick with a value and stay longer.

 

[HopperFan]

I thought I would hate value after moderate and deluxe, but it has served me fine the last three trips and now I have a problem justifying the extra to move back up. We could do it, but not sure we will. My teens think the value is fine and would rather stay longer or have more spending money for activities out (like indoor skydiving our last trip). I do miss the amenities a tiny bit but we can do them at other places. My kids are fine without the slide and we have a hot tub at home. We usually resort hop for sit down meals so losing a sitdown doesn't bother me. Last two trips at POP.....

Faster checkin than we've gotten at moderates
Rooms size from moderate not that much different
None of us are a bathroom sink/mirror hog, so we do fine with one
Fridge would be nice, but have done fine without
Best housekeeping we had in awhile, much better than AKL
Pizza delivery to the room (and it comes in a cute hippie van)
Beautiful landscape along with the fun icons
Multiple pools to choose from
Indoor and Outdoor lounge (bar)
Large foodcourt with a good variety of freshly cooked food
Great bus service, and yet I could also drive anywhere in a few minutes
Rooms along lake are peaceful and quiet

 

[bytheblood]

One thing I notice about the values is that the bus lines are always ridiculously long......

If you are impatient or have small kids in tow after a long day in a park, that might be enough to make you stay elsewhere.

 

[Matthews4Disney]

One thing I notice about the values is that the bus lines are always ridiculously long......

If you are impatient or have small kids in tow after a long day in a park, that might be enough to make you stay elsewhere.

I've noticed the same thing! We are debating between Pop and POFQ IF they offer free dining again this year. Two years ago we stayed at WL for free dining and last year we were at POFQ for free dining. I LOVED POFQ, but if we stay at a value, we will probably stay 9 nights as opposed to 6 or 7 at POFQ. The lines seemed out of control for values when we were there the past two years. I do worry about that b/c we have DD4 and DS1, and they are DEFINITELY tired and not happy to wait in a line for a bus at the end of the night. We never had to wait long at all for either WL or POFQ. I wonder if the wait is really longer for values or if it just looks longer for some reason?????

 

[HopperFan]

Maybe it depends on the time of year We stayed at POP last May and September and neither time did we have bus problems. We walked up, got in the que and never had to wait for the next bus....always made it on the bus that pulled up. Our longest wait was probably at MK for about 20 minutes, but it was the park's closing time (we have had the same issues at that time at moderates and deluxe) and every resort had long lines. Two buses pulled up at once and everyone was able to get on. Buses were full, but our driver played trivia games and made our ride enjoyable and almost too short - everyone was having fun I was amazed at how much the Dads knew about Princesses !

 

[InstImpres]

One thing I notice about the values is that the bus lines are always ridiculously long......

If you are impatient or have small kids in tow after a long day in a park, that might be enough to make you stay elsewhere.

While I have to agree...almost to the point of crying when I saw the line 2 trips ago (at MK it FILLED the que and extended past the next resort que). That said, they are equipped to handle it well. They "stacked" the buses to load 2 at a time and had 2 waiting in the wings. We were bus #6 out of there but it was less than half an hour and quicker than some of the shorter lines that did not run as efficently. That said, we could have been out of there in about 15 minutes if guests all cooperated (folded strollers before being next person to board, actually moved to the back when boarding and standing on the bus, etc.) We never waited long at the resort itself.

 

[QueenOfCelts]

Bus lines for the values are always soooo long. Walls are thin and beds are short and hard as rocks. Less resort theming and the room furniture is very "assembled" looking. Of course we have only ever stay at the POP as far as values go. The POP does have two lounges although the indoor one is open sporadically so you shouldn't count on it.

As for the moderates, well we pay $40-50 more per night for them but we feel as though we get more bang for our buck at the mods. Indoor and pool lounges, better and more attractively furnished rooms and the beds are WAY more comfortable. Pools are better themed and so are the resorts themselves.

You guys are really just gonna have to decide what is more important to your family. If you don't get to go very often, why not stay longer to make sure you get everything done you want to. If you do manage to go fairly frequently, go with the moderate. Have you guys considered splitting your trip between a value and a moderate?

Good luck!

 

[CaptainJackObsessed]

I would go for a mod...only because I cannot stand value. Of course we are always going back to the room to relax...so that is a big reason. But have fun with whatever you choose!!! Everyone is different

 

[tcfdick]

Pop Century POFQ

Room Type 1K or 2 Dbl. Beds Room Type 1K or 2 Dbl. Beds

Value Season
1/1-2/14
8/5-10/3
11/25-12/19
Standard $82 Standard View, Standard Room $145
Preferred $ 94 Water View, Standard Room $160
King Bed Room $160

Regular Season
4/15-5/23
10/4-11/24
Standard $ 99 Standard View, Standard Room $165
Preferred $ 111 Water View, Standard Room $185
King Bed Room $185

Summer Season
5/24-8/4
Standard $ 109 Standard View, Standard Room $175
Preferred $ 121 Water View, Standard Room $195
King Bed Room $195

Peak Season
2/15-4/14
Standard $ 119 Standard View, Standard Room $185
Preferred $ 131 Water View, Standard Room $210
King Bed Room $210

Holiday Season
12/20 - 12/31
Standard $ 129 Standard View, Standard Room $199
Preferred $ 141 Water View, Standard Room $225
King Bed Room $225

The rack rate price varies from $63 +tax to $84 +tax per night depending on the room type and the time of the year that you visit. This is more than I would want to pay for 80 more square feet of room.

 

[cancer_survivor_06]

If you plan on being in the parks alot and not spending all of your time at the resort stay value. I have enjoyed every trip each resort has its own expierence. If you plan on spending alot of time at your resort relaxing you may want to go with a mod they are not as busy. If buses are an issue for you I didn't find that they were that bad we at the end of the day we usually just shopped for awhile or sat with a snack and waited a while for the the lines to go down but we did this at several of our resort stays. The AllStars are to me with in walking distance of each other if you would like take one of the other buses that is shorter and walk to your room from there. ASMu is having their rooms rehabed right know you might want to stay there.

 

[PeachesDoesHair]

We were at Pop in September. The day we checked in 880 other people checked in as well. We found the bus service to be great. There were very long lines at the Magic Kingdom at closing for Pop. It took around 45 minutes for us to get back both times we stayed late. Closing at Epcot, Ak, and MGM wasn't a problem at all.

 

[CaseyJr]

Thanks for everyone's replies! We'll weigh the facts & opinions carefully!

 

[MEK]

It's really not the inside of the rooms that strike you as being that much different. Yeah, they are a tad smaller and furnished with more casual furniture.

What really struck me as the main differences were:

1. The pools are Crowded. I like the quiet pools at the mods. There are no quiet pools at the values.

2. The lobby and food court always seemed so crowded in the values. I felt like there were fewer people at the mods because they were so spread out.

Other than that, I did not encounter any noise at POP. I requested a location facing the lake and it was very peaceful and quiet back there. POP has a fun atmosphere. My kids actually liked it better than the mods. It is a good alternative when funds are low.