Whats up with the Value resorts?

[kreckl]

Just curious why people think some of the differences exist between the values and mods/deluxes? Some things are obvious, but why on earth aren't there covered waiting areas for busses?
Why no pool slides? Seriously- not huge expenses there so it just seems silly and unnecessary to me...?

 

[Disneylover99]

Everything is an expense. Values are significantly cheaper then the mods (about $100 cheaper per night) and several hundred dollars cheaper per night then Deluxe.

If Disney started adding these extras, Disney would have to start charging more at the Values. Plus, Disney doesn't want to give people additional incentives to stay at the Value resorts. They make more money off of you when you book moderate or Deluxe.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

This note from Josh @ easwdw pretty much sums it up.

"Disney artificially separates its resort classes by limiting amenities at its Values that no other hotel chain on the planet would dream of getting away with. Could Disney have built water slides at Art of Animation? Absolutely. Did they? No, because they need to artificially separate the resort classes. Should there be a $15 plastic coffee maker in every single Value room on property? Absolutely. Is there? No, because Disney needs to artificially separate its resort classes. There’s much less of that at Cabana Bay, where you’ll find a water slide, water features, hot tub, kids’ water play area, sandy beach areas surrounding the resort, and more."

Disney has to create a reason to get you to spend almost twice as much at a moderate or 4+ times as much at a deluxe. Location is one way and they certainly use that to their advantage but beyond location the only way to differentiate is to adjust the amenities. "Upping their game" at the deluxes could be costly BUT on the other hand taking amenities away from the values is easier and cheaper.

 

[rwdavis2]

This note from Josh @ easwdw pretty much sums it up.

"Disney artificially separates its resort classes by limiting amenities at its Values that no other hotel chain on the planet would dream of getting away with. Could Disney have built water slides at Art of Animation? Absolutely. Did they? No, because they need to artificially separate the resort classes. Should there be a $15 plastic coffee maker in every single Value room on property? Absolutely. Is there? No, because Disney needs to artificially separate its resort classes. There’s much less of that at Cabana Bay, where you’ll find a water slide, water features, hot tub, kids’ water play area, sandy beach areas surrounding the resort, and more."

Disney has to create a reason to get you to spend almost twice as much at a moderate or 4+ times as much at a deluxe. Location is one way and they certainly use that to their advantage but beyond location the only way to differentiate is to adjust the amenities. "Upping their game" at the deluxes could be costly BUT on the other hand taking amenities away from the values is easier and cheaper.

Good post. I had not seen this on Josh's site. For comparison, the Hard Rock at Universal puts most WDW deluxes to shame for service and amenities. Not spectacular theming but it is an excellent hotel with a great staff.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

Good post. I had not seen this on Josh's site.

It was from his review on Cabana Bay (maybe last year). When I saw this post though I immediately thought of it because that phrasing he used stuck with me.

 

[rwdavis2]

It was from his review on Cabana Bay (maybe last year). When I saw this post though I immediately thought of it because that phrasing he used stuck with me.

Yep. $$ is the simplest reason Disney (or any company does something). Reminds me of the recent post with someone complaining about the free dining was forcing resort upgrades to get it. Disney is not giving away food to be nice. It's a business decision.

 

[Pixiedust34]

The ONE thing (I refuse to say upgrade, because it should be standard at all resorts) that should be added to the value resorts is covered bus queues. In the hot Florida sun, rain, etc., that shelter makes a huge difference in comfort for those in the queue.

 

[WEDWDW]

It does seem that Disney is "plussing" the Values a little lately with the addition of Fridges(which I NEVER thought I would see!) and reports that Pop Century is replacing the wall hair dryers with full size hair dryers.

Also the All-Stars have the Bus Monitor boards now ahead of some Deluxes and Moderates.

So "maybe" we are seeing the beginning of a "shift" in Disney's "Resort Separation Policy".

 

[bpadair32]

Here is the bottom line, its because they are value resorts. They do not have the same amenities as the resorts that cost more. This is not just a Disney thing. Fairfield Inn is owned by Marriott. If I stay at a Fairfield Inn, I am going to get far less service and amenities than if I stay at an actual Marriott, even though they are owned by the same company. Because I am paying more for the room. I am paying a lot more money to stay at a Deluxe resort, and therefore, I should get a lot more.

 

[WEDWDW]

Also All-Star Sports had "Poolside Bar Service" during my last trip which I had never seen them do before.

 

[georgina]

I liked the queues for the buses at Pop better than the open, free for all bus waiting areas at CSR (but agree a cover would be nicer). Personally I don't need a water slide. I agree if they had more amenities they would be charging more for them. If they had coffeemakers fewer people would buy their mugs.

 

[msb578]

The ONE thing (I refuse to say upgrade, because it should be standard at all resorts) that should be added to the value resorts is covered bus queues. In the hot Florida sun, rain, etc., that shelter makes a huge difference in comfort for those in the queue.

I know it sounds silly, but maintaining shelters does create an expense.

Really look at the price of a value room. It includes Magical Express. When you think about how much airport transportation costs for 4 people, that's quite a benefit built into the low room rate. If you stay at the Swan/Dolphin, which chooses not to build that transportation into the room rate, you can appreciate the value of it. But of course Disney wants you held captive- it's well worth it to them.

 

[NorweJenNY]

The ONE thing (I refuse to say upgrade, because it should be standard at all resorts) that should be added to the value resorts is covered bus queues. In the hot Florida sun, rain, etc., that shelter makes a huge difference in comfort for those in the queue.

I agree. There are covered bus queues at the parks, at Downtown Disney... I really think there should be covered bus queues at the values, and it's a minor expense in the grand scheme of things just to put up shelters. Even just for the safety of guests, I would think it would benefit them to have covered areas. Florida sun and Florida downpours can both be brutal.

Would it cover up the giant lettering at the resorts though? You may not be able to see the large letters of the main buildings of the value resorts just because of the placement of the bus stops. This just means it was poor planning from the start. Not sure how they'd really solve this issue... it's probably why they haven't done it yet. It would be a more monumental task just because of these aesthetic reasons.

 

[ArwenMarie]

The ONE thing (I refuse to say upgrade, because it should be standard at all resorts) that should be added to the value resorts is covered bus queues. In the hot Florida sun, rain, etc., that shelter makes a huge difference in comfort for those in the queue.

Yeah, I can see the reasoning behind the rest of the amenities, but the open bus queues in Florida is a bit much.

 

[wdw4rfam]

I liked the queues for the buses at Pop better than the open, free for all bus waiting areas at CSR (but agree a cover would be nicer). Personally I don't need a water slide. I agree if they had more amenities they would be charging more for them. If they had coffeemakers fewer people would buy their mugs.

Agree. I miss the bus "lines" at the values. If I'm the first one to the stop, I want to be first on the bus and so forth. Can't stand that at the last second some family of 12 comes up and stands right where the bus stops and jumps right on the bus when there's tons of us that have been waiting. Not a big deal if the bus arrives empty, but a bigger deal when they took the last seats

 

[kreckl]

The flip side is that I would travel more often, or add days to my trips via split stays ( value+mod/deluxe) if my 12 year old was happy at the pool. He can happily slide for a long time. Wading around? Not so much, so it truly affects our choice to stay elsewhere or shorten our trip.

 

[hogwartsdropout]

Agree. I miss the bus "lines" at the values. If I'm the first one to the stop, I want to be first on the bus and so forth. Can't stand that at the last second some family of 12 comes up and stands right where the bus stops and jumps right on the bus when there's tons of us that have been waiting. Not a big deal if the bus arrives empty, but a bigger deal when they took the last seats

Had the same experience at POR. Super annoying!

 

[Kimberle]

Covered bus stops in the summer isn't a "amenity", it's a necessity. The sun is very strong and can cause skin cancer, sunburn, and other health issues.

 

[bpadair32]

Covered bus stops in the summer isn't a "amenity", it's a necessity. The sun is very strong and can cause skin cancer, sunburn, and other health issues.

The sun is just a strong when you are in it all day walking through the parks.

 

[WEDWDW]

Now that Fridges are off list,is this the complete "Separation List"?

Pool Slide
Hot Tub
Full Service Restaurant
Covered Bus Stop
Larger Rooms
Higher Credit Limit
Coffee Maker
Water Craft(Bay Lake/Seven Seas Resorts and Crescent Lake Resorts only now)
Indoor Plumbing(But rumor is the Values will soon be getting this nice "extra".)