When life hands you lemons, stay Value???

[Rychelle924]

We originally had planned on AKL for our Dec 2013 trip. Well, next week our 8 yr old son is getting the first of his almost $9,000 with of orthodontic work done. So with that expense it's putting a damper on our big vacation fund. We are definitely still going but will be best to downgrade at this point. I really didn't want to stay value. will it save us a lot more doing value than downgrading to a moderate? Is it worth it really? Especially IF we get a free dining promo and need to pay the upgrade to the regular plan. What value would be best if this is in fact our best option at this point. Thanks

 

[sydneysmom]

First off, sorry to hear about your son.

Have you gone out to Disney's website and priced out both? That might be a good start... at least price out both exactly how you want to take your trip, then when you have a total, factor in the free dining / and cost to upgrade from CS. If you stay moderate, you might be paying a little more in room but you would get regular dining free. It might be a wash when you factor it that way....then the choice is easy.

But here's the thing... if you are going to stay at the parks most of the time, maybe it won't matter where you're staying. If you think you're going to be at the resort also, then I would stay mod. If you stay at POR or POFQ, you also have the added bonus of the boat to DTD... that's alot of fun to do that and it's just an added perk.

I probably haven't helped alot, but I know how you feel... we postponed our first trip because of large expenses, so I know how you feel. It's hard. But once we went, it was totally worth the wait. Good luck in your decision!!

 

[hepcat620]

Yes, the values are definitely worth it. In some ways, in fact, there are distinct benefits to staying at a value resort. Because they are larger, the bus service is usually better than a moderate or deluxe. In addition, the food courts are larger and have a better selection.

I've stayed at all levels and they are all excellent. After all, any day at Disney is good day.



Posted from DISboards.com App for Android

 

[Rychelle924]

First off, sorry to hear about your son.

Have you gone out to Disney's website and priced out both? That might be a good start... at least price out both exactly how you want to take your trip, then when you have a total, factor in the free dining / and cost to upgrade from CS. If you stay moderate, you might be paying a little more in room but you would get regular dining free. It might be a wash when you factor it that way....then the choice is easy.

But here's the thing... if you are going to stay at the parks most of the time, maybe it won't matter where you're staying. If you think you're going to be at the resort also, then I would stay mod. If you stay at POR or POFQ, you also have the added bonus of the boat to DTD... that's alot of fun to do that and it's just an added perk.

I probably haven't helped alot, but I know how you feel... we postponed our first trip because of large expenses, so I know how you feel. It's hard. But once we went, it was totally worth the wait. Good luck in your decision!!

Thank you so much!!! I really appreciate your kind words and input on the trip! I know my kids will be happy either way but I was just so excited to take them to AKL for the first time. And then life happens and now we may be at a value instead of even a mod now. I think I'm sking extra because I'm going next month with my husband and my sister and get boyfriend for my adult only birthday trip and now my husband needs ankle surgery (just found out yesterday) do he will be either A. In a wheel chair on the trip or B. if it gets worse in the next 4 weeks not coming at all because he will need the surgery before we go. I'm just having bad Disney karma right now lol

 

[Rychelle924]

Yes, the values are definitely worth it. In some ways, in fact, there are distinct benefits to staying at a value resort. Because they are larger, the bus service is usually better than a moderate or deluxe. In addition, the food courts are larger and have a better selection.

I've stayed at all levels and they are all excellent. After all, any day at Disney is good day.

Posted from DISboards.com App for Android

Thank you!!! Yes, as long as we get there it won't matter where we stay/sleep. It might just change our plans now and do more park days and less resort days

 

[matt&jakesmom]

I think we can all relate to the bills of ortho. My oldest finished his ortho treatment and now my other son is starting. We have stayed at value, mods and deluxe resorts in our past trips. We spend so much time in the parks that I question on our trip why are we paying extra to stay at a deluxe if we are not fully using the services. With that being said if you plan on spending most of your time in the parks, value is the way to go. You could even try the new Animation resort. Another thing, too, is to crunch the numbers. If the difference of staying value to mod is not a lot you may still be able to stay where you want. Personally as long as you still get to go to disney, where ever you stay will be fine because you will be there as a family and share in a lot of family memories. Good luck to your son in his ortho and good luck and happy planning for your trip.

 

[kerplop]

We moved down to Pop because of some health stuff too. It sucks, but hey at least you're going to Disney!

 

[AliceIn]

I think you'll be fine at a value! I travel a lot for work and I stay at really nice hotels and resorts most of the time. The nice amenities are cool, and I like them a lot. My kids? Not so much. They don't care about the bed, the shampoo, or how nice the bathroom is. They don't particularly care about how fancy the pool is, as long as there IS a pool they will have a blast. They don't expect as much as adults do, and they find joy in almost anything.

When my family was researching where to stay, I was drawn to the deluxes. My kids thought they looked boring and wanted to stay at AoA. Truly! I think you might be surprised at how much your kids will love the values.

Enjoy your vacation and have a wonderful time!

 

[shburks]

While staying at deluxes are fun and the locations are great, that's not to say that staying at a value can't be just as fun and magical! This year will be our fifth trip and we've stayed at values three times and deluxe twice. Loved each trip and never thought "LOVE this one because we're at Wilderness Lodge" or "HATE being at Pop Century."

If going value means you can still go to Disney and do all the other fun things you'd planned to do, then go value! Ortho is important!

You can always plan an early dinner at AKL, go over and explore, see them feed the animals, etc.

 

[shburks]

I think you'll be fine at a value! I travel a lot for work and I stay at really nice hotels and resorts most of the time. The nice amenities are cool, and I like them a lot. My kids? Not so much. They don't care about the bed, the shampoo, or how nice the bathroom is. They don't particularly care about how fancy the pool is, as long as there IS a pool they will have a blast. They don't expect as much as adults do, and they find joy in almost anything.

When my family was researching where to stay, I was drawn to the deluxes. My kids thought they looked boring and wanted to stay at AoA. Truly! I think you might be surprised at how much your kids will love the values.

Enjoy your vacation and have a wonderful time!

That's a good point! My son has stayed at Wilderness Lodge and Pop Century (each twice) and loves them both! Is there a pool? YES! Are we going to Disney World? YES! He doesn't care where we stay!

 

[mid630]

Definitely price it out. We are a family of 5 and priced out every location that could handle us all in one room. And POR came out over $1000 cheaper that AOA for our vacation in January.

 

[PrincessTaylorsMom]

We stayed at ASMu a couple of years ago when I got laid off after our vacation planning had started. It was a great vacation! My kids loved the pool and the theming. And pp's are right...any day at Disney is a good day!

 

[Rychelle924]

I think we can all relate to the bills of ortho. My oldest finished his ortho treatment and now my other son is starting. We have stayed at value, mods and deluxe resorts in our past trips. We spend so much time in the parks that I question on our trip why are we paying extra to stay at a deluxe if we are not fully using the services. With that being said if you plan on spending most of your time in the parks, value is the way to go. You could even try the new Animation resort. Another thing, too, is to crunch the numbers. If the difference of staying value to mod is not a lot you may still be able to stay where you want. Personally as long as you still get to go to disney, where ever you stay will be fine because you will be there as a family and share in a lot of family memories. Good luck to your son in his ortho and good luck and happy planning for your trip.

Thanks!! You are so right!!! And after all that both my kids and husband have been dealing with the trip in any form will be a huge treat and stress reliever. ( my 8 yr old is hearing impaired and now needs his whole face realigned, my 4 yr old wears an eye patch for vision and my husband just tore his Achilles) ack. We sooooo need this vacation!!! Haha

 

[Rychelle924]

Thank you all so much for making me feel better!!! I appreciate all of your kind words and advice!! Is there a value that you'd suggest over the others. I know AoA is new but it's more expensive right?

 

[hepcat620]

My recommendation would be the All Stars. The rooms are quiet and comfortable. The pools are excellent, especially for kids, and the food courts have good variety.


Posted from DISboards.com App for Android

 

[minnie mum]

AoA is the most expensive of the bunch, and will probably have the least availability since it is so new. Since free dining is available for booking now you can just price everything out for yourself. IIRC, others who have had similar considerations have found that the cost of a mod resort plus free DDP is only slightly more expensive than a value resort with free QSDP that has been upgraded to DDP. Check it out for yourself and see.

As for the difference of staying value vs mod- I agree somewhat that if you are in the parks all day then staying at a value can be okay. However if you will spend time at the resorts, especially in the evenings, I would definitely look harder towards the mods. The other major tipping point for me are the queen beds that are standard in all the mods except for CBR. I just hate trying to share a double bed.

 

[Rychelle924]

AoA is the most expensive of the bunch, and will probably have the least availability since it is so new. Since free dining is available for booking now you can just price everything out for yourself. IIRC, others who have had similar considerations have found that the cost of a mod resort plus free DDP is only slightly more expensive than a value resort with free QSDP that has been upgraded to DDP. Check it out for yourself and see.

As for the difference of staying value vs mod- I agree somewhat that if you are in the parks all day then staying at a value can be okay. However if you will spend time at the resorts, especially in the evenings, I would definitely look harder towards the mods. The other major tipping point for me are the queen beds that are standard in all the mods except for CBR. I just hate trying to share a double bed.

Amazing advice!! Thank you!!!!

 

[I Love Pluto]

We go about 4 times a year. We LOVE Pop.

Yes, it"s a Value, No, we don't feel cheated. We LOVE it there!

Pop is very clean, has a lake to walk by with very interesting trivia signs, and has a great food court and store. I feel very happy there.

You will love it!

 

[Rychelle924]

We go about 4 times a year. We LOVE Pop.

Yes, it"s a Value, No, we don't feel cheated. We LOVE it there!

Pop is very clean, has a lake to walk by with very interesting trivia signs, and has a great food court and store. I feel very happy there.

You will love it!

Thank you! I'm going to go check it out online! Show the kids some pictures see what everyone thinks

 

[softballmom3]

Pop is great! We've stayed there before and really liked it. We also stayed POR and while it isn't a value it is a really nice place to stay. Loved the fact we had queen beds .