Which Resort has the Best Bang for the Buck?

[saxman]

Swan and Dolphin for me. Teacher rates, nurses rates, AAA rates, Starwood points for the "buck" side. Location, transportation, room size, pools, restaurants for the "bang" side.

 

[metzgardesign]

For us, our best bang-for-buck was Fort Wilderness cabins. moderate-ish pricing, but car parked right outside the cabin, full kitchen, lots o' room in the cabin, full deck to sit out on and enjoy, great grounds to walk around, other nice attributes.

 

[saskdw]

For us, our best bang-for-buck was Fort Wilderness cabins. moderate-ish pricing, but car parked right outside the cabin, full kitchen, lots o' room in the cabin, full deck to sit out on and enjoy, great grounds to walk around, other nice attributes.

Yeah, if we were driving and not flying in from 2500 miles away I would consider them. We have tons of lakes with cabins here in Saskatchewan, but they would be unique experience for those that don't have them close by.

 

[Tink415]

Value for my money is really important. SO...

FD and other discounts aside, at rack rate, which resort at Disney has the best value for the price you pay?

I hear you, value for my money is really important to me too. I voted other.

At rack rate, the best value for my money is, in order, lol :
winter - preferred location POR, preferred location Pop or one of the All Stars

summer spring or fall - any location CSR, preferred location CBR or POR


IMHO rack rates for the Values and Moderates are approaching the craziness of rack rate for the Deluxes

 

[metzgardesign]

yeah, if we were driving and not flying in from 2500 miles away i would consider them. We have tons of lakes with cabins here in saskatchewan, but they would be unique experience for those that don't have them close by.

ok

 

[PetePanMan]

Yes, but you're talking about what makes a resort your favorite. Amenities per dollar goes to CSR.

I think they are highlighting the "bang" part so it is relevant. I do tend to agree POR is high BFB.

 

[katybugsmom]

We have always stayed in a value resort because of the savings and we are only there to sleep. We never take a break during the day and the kids only get to swim if we get back earlier in the evening. We are a go,go,go family! We also like the giant icons in Movies and POP too!

 

[OfTheWind]

I don't think Pop is the biggest bang for your buck. It's the cheapest, being a value, but with that lower cost you also have to deal with smaller rooms, smaller beds, a packed food court and buses. Cheap doesn't always equal the best.

I think as far as deluxe resorts go, WL is without a doubt the biggest bang for your buck because it's one of the cheaper deluxes that's very close to Magic Kingdom with a ton of amenities and restaurants.

Best bang for your buck is subjective. To me, it's boardwalk since you can walk/boat to two major theme parks, are surrounded by the property's best cuisine and bars, can walk to nightlife right outside your door, have one of the best views on property and have a great pool with slide and multiple hot tubs. To me nothing beats grabbing a pizza on the boardwalk while watching the performers or fireworks.

Others will say i'm crazy and it's way too much. Again, it's all about what YOU value.

Boardwalk would be my number 1 resort if it wasn't for the buses. I've never stayed there because I've seen the infamous Swan, Dolphin, Boardwalk bus line and I can't do it especially since MK is my favorite park. But it is a great resort.

 

[Missymouse18]

For us it is Pop. We do not spend much time in the rooms at all. for the amount of time we do spend there, though, this one is my choice for many reasons: buses, dining, great pools, décor, overall great value.
Now if DH and I ever "think" we are old enough to spend more time relaxing in the rooms, needing further amenities, etc, then we will stay bigger and grander.
Staying at the Contemporary and the Grand Floridian is on my bucket list, and staying at Boardwalk is DH's dream stay. But for now. we are too commando in the parks to be concerned with room luxuries!

 

[mickeyluv'r]

I don't think Pop is the biggest bang for your buck. It's the cheapest, being a value, but with that lower cost you also have to deal with smaller rooms, smaller beds, a packed food court and buses. Cheap doesn't always equal the best.

Again, it depends a bit what is important. For us, we find Concierge level to be a great value, but when we are on a budget, Pop and AoA offer great value.

For us, a top priority is making the most of our time. In my mind, time = money. Efficiency is a major amenity.

Pop buses are efficient. (except WDW rush hour). Cars are parked close to rooms.

Similarly, I give big pluses for the food courts at both. AoA's FC is exceptional. I'm not into deep fried food. I want vegetables and healthy. AoA has fresh grilled fish (/shrimp) w/acorn squash, rice, and 2nd veggie for $12! Better food than many WDW TS!

Another advantage of AoA (and Pop) is newness. Overall, WDW has great maintenance, but the older resorts do have cracks and leaky faucets. Theming at AoA is amazing. Big + for new.

Also, room practicality is more important to me than size. A big bathroom without counter space is useless. CR has huge flat square sinks that are totally useless. (permi-puddle), no counter space, odd lighting, and an odd towel rack located on the far side of the bathroom from the shower.

I suppose another important detail is that we often do split stays and short stays. The values are tops for one nighters.

 

[Minnesota!]

I would have to disagree. (certainly no suprise there). That bang you keep banging on about is different for different people. I happen to dislike so many things about CSR that the few Deluxish amenities make no difference to me at all. There is only value in an item if it is important to the individual. Just because you value a certain set of amenities, etc, does not mean that everyone does. Your assertion that your opinion is the only correct one is ill conceived.

I agree. CSR, for us, has no bang for my bucks. I felt like I was anywhere BUT WDW. More like a business hotel in Phoenix or a retirement village somewhere. As pretty as it is, we did not feel it was worth the cost or the "deluxe-light" designation.

For us, it's AKL. I have nabbed it for just about $200/night the last 2 times we have been there. For that, we get the use of 2 great pools (Kidani, as well), 3 great sit-down restaurants, love The Mara, too. Beautiful landscaping, wonderful trails to explore and learn about the animals. Love the outdoor spots to chill in, the pool bars are top notch, as are the lounges. Plus, there is childcare on site. In addition to the activities throughout the resort on a daily basis. There is enough there that I truly get my $200 a night worth - because you can literally stay there all day - never leave - and not get bored. The activities offered are so varied. I don't think (I could be wrong, but I have not seen it at the Mods or the Values) that there are other resorts with as many planned activities. AKL makes a no-park vacation very easy - so much to keep you busy...

 

[saskdw]

I agree. CSR, for us, has no bang for my bucks. I felt like I was anywhere BUT WDW. More like a business hotel in Phoenix or a retirement village somewhere. As pretty as it is, we did not feel it was worth the cost or the "deluxe-light" designation.

For us, it's AKL. I have nabbed it for just about $200/night the last 2 times we have been there. For that, we get the use of 2 great pools (Kidani, as well), 3 great sit-down restaurants, love The Mara, too. Beautiful landscaping, wonderful trails to explore and learn about the animals. Love the outdoor spots to chill in, the pool bars are top notch, as are the lounges. Plus, there is childcare on site. In addition to the activities throughout the resort on a daily basis. There is enough there that I truly get my $200 a night worth - because you can literally stay there all day - never leave - and not get bored. The activities offered are so varied. I don't think (I could be wrong, but I have not seen it at the Mods or the Values) that there are other resorts with as many planned activities. AKL makes a no-park vacation very easy - so much to keep you busy...

The time of year we go AKL rooms start at $500 a night.

 

[Sparkly]

CBR has been a great value for a moderate resort for us. We were going to stay at a value, but by the time we added free dining it worked out cheaper to just stay at a moderate, and we got a better room too! It's also the cheapest moderate in a lot of cases and has the biggest rooms of them all.

 

[Minnesota!]

The time of year we go AKL rooms start at $500 a night.

While I think that, overall, WDW rooms are greatly overpriced, compared to real world prices, at rack rate, I still think AKL offers the best bang for your buck on resort-only vacations.

I don't think, for us, that any hotel other than Pop offers good value if you are doing the parks each day.

But, AKL...I would consider paying that rate if it was a resort only vacation.