Who has gone from deluxe to value....

[spiceycat]

Pop is a different set up than the ALL stars

the 3 all stars were built at different times.

Pop was built as one resort.

if they ever opened up the rest of Pop - there will be one more bus stops - but this is all.

one more thing I liked about Pop - the buses - yes the buses - when a bus pulled up and the driver realized that not everyone could fit on his bus - another would appear generally before this bus was away. It was very nice!!!

the Pop buses give very good service. Now don't expect to have a bus waiting for you (although we did twice) - especially if it is just your party - you might have to wait.

can you believe I forgot how much smaller the rooms were

sorry about that!

If you go with the right attitude you should be fine.

remember this is not a deluxe - so don't expect deluxe service!!!!

 

[disneydreamer98]

We have went from staying at a Deluxe to a Value mainly because of our Son being a huge fan of Toy Story. But to be completely honest...once we stayed there, I really cannot see ourselves going back to Deluxe. For the amount of time that we spend in our room (which is basically to sleep and shower) I just cannot justify the HUGE difference in price. I would much rather stay 2 weeks at a Value Resort for the same price I can stay at a Deluxe for a mere 3 or 4 days! It's completely a personal preference...if you like being waited on and having extra immenities, then by all means...do not choose a Value Resort. If you are at the World to mainly enjoy the parks and spend little time in your room and at your resort then definitely go the route of the Value Resorts!

 

[geetey]

My family has stayed at YC, OKW,BW, WL, ALK as far as deluxes go. We also had one stay at All Star Movies - Yuck. That being said, I was very nervous about my stay at POP but loved it!! What a FUN resort!

I agree - the food court at POP is great! Much better than the tiny places offered at the deluxes. The transportation was fine. It seems regardless of where you stay, there may be sharing but the POP buses were very good while I was there.

We are planning another trip. DS wants POP. DD wants YC but only because of the slide.

I would say the thing I missed most of the deluxes was the double sink. Yes, I noticed the cups are plastic, the door opens to the outside (not an interior hallway), the beds are doubles, but it didn't matter enough.

Have fun on your trip!

 

[ptrbryant]

Could you tell us what made ASMovies a yuck and Pop great? My DS really wants to stay at ASMo...I think because of the Fantasia pool and giant icons. We've always stayed at WL, and I'm leery...but, I was thinking of staying at ASMo for like 1 or 2 nts. on our next trip, then on to WL. No???

Karla B.

 

[missypie]

I've thought that the value resorts look very fun but the one thing that would keep me from staying at one would be the lack of balcony. As I've gotten older, I've started to feel really uncomfortable if I don't have a balcony or deck...maybe it's because I travel with three kids...who knows, but I'd probably have to stay off site before I'd give up a balcony...just mentioning that in case you feel the same way.

 

[berly1657]

We (the 4 of us) have stayed at all levels of Disney resorts - and you know what - they are all great! We go to WDW to hit the parks and have fun with our kids. We do go in the pools and love the pools too. But I feel for the amount of time that we spend in our room/hotel why pay so much money for a bed to sleep in? We use our DVC points for studios and save our points for a cruise every 3 years!

We just went on a vacation and stayed at a resort in Jamaica. The resort was clean and met our needs - but didn't have the Disney touch, lush gardens, fresh flowers etc - we are spoiled by Disney! And it doesn't matter what level you stay in at Dis - you won't get that Disney feeling any place else for the money you spend. - the food courts, transportation, tv channels - my kids could just stay in the room and watch tv for all they care...

 

[Pea-n-Me]

We just stayed at Pop Century after three deluxe resort stays and two cruises. It was wonderful and we'll definitely stay there again.

 

[Bobb G]

Here's my $0.02 worth...We will be at WDW July 4 -13th or so and will be staying at POP. We did consider a moderate resort, but the price difference ($500+) made it easy to decide.

That additional $500 will enable us to have a few nice meals, but a few more toys, or whatever. You're at WDW for the parks. If my plan is to spend more time at the hotel, WDW is not my destination. I'll go to the gulf coast or ocean and spend the extra money for the hotel, since my plan is too spend my time there.

Save your money and stay at a value resort. Afterall, most people just need a place to sleep and clean up. IMHO.

 

[tar heel]

We stayed at All Stars in 2003. My kids, who are older, were really disappointed by the pools b/c they like the slides. I personally missed having a hot tub. All of us prefer a better location. My dh thought there was less attention to detail as far as trash, getting rid of puddles of muddy water, etc. -- I have no idea if that is really true. Small room/sink wasn't really an issue for us b/c we had two rooms for five people. I'm not sure if we will stay at a value again, but we've been perfectly happy at the moderates on three four different trips.

 

[geetey]

Could you tell us what made ASMovies a yuck and Pop great? My DS really wants to stay at ASMo...I think because of the Fantasia pool and giant icons. We've always stayed at WL, and I'm leery...but, I was thinking of staying at ASMo for like 1 or 2 nts. on our next trip, then on to WL. No???

Karla B.

Hi Karla!
We were in a building that overlooked the Fantasia Pool in ASMovies when we stayed there. There were a couple of things that made ASM 'yuck' for us. One thing is the 'dresser'. This is what the ASMo looked like...

Not a big deal, I realize, except that the fronts wouldn't stay attached to the drawer. What a pain! The room safe didn't work - and wasn't fixed by the time we checked out. We didn't have hot water in our sink (tub was okay) the first day/night because the knob wouldn't work. The ASMo beds weren't as comfortable - possibly because the POP is newer. The POP food court was far better, IMO. It seems much 'brighter' to me and definitely cleaner.

Those are a few of the reasons I would select POP over ASMo. Just an FYI, Sorceror Mickey is one of my FAVs!! I was thrilled with the location (since we didn't get Buzz and Woody) but even Mickey couldn't save ASMo for us. The whole family votes never again.

I hope that helps.

 

[Bethany]

I've thought that the value resorts look very fun but the one thing that would keep me from staying at one would be the lack of balcony. As I've gotten older, I've started to feel really uncomfortable if I don't have a balcony or deck...maybe it's because I travel with three kids...who knows, but I'd probably have to stay off site before I'd give up a balcony...just mentioning that in case you feel the same way.

There's no balcony? If the doors open to the outside and you're on an upper level, what are you stepping onto? Maybe I'm confused and you're talking about a private balcony? Sorry, just a little confused on this one.

 

[geetey]

Bethany,
At the deluxes, there are interior hallways and each room has a private balcony to step out onto. At the values and moderates, the rooms has exterior entrances, along covered walkways, with no private balcony.

 

[cmonroe]

Some POP photos you might enjoy!

http://www.fricknfrack.net/pop/pop1.html

http://haysllc.com/Disneyworld/Resorts/PopCentury/index_files/frame.htm

With all of the information that you've provided, I feel as confident as ever about staying at a value. Thanks to everyone for your time and research!

 

[anb163]

It sounds like you hit the same problem we did. We also lived a lot better than we should have and it caused us a lot of problems. We even had to skip disney for almost four years!!!! We just could not afford it. Now we can again but we stay at values which is different from deluxes but we still love it. They are big enough for our family of three and still have the disney magic. I love the pools and the food courts are nice. They have hugh icons which make for great family pictures. It is 10x better than staying outside of disney, which we did the first year we started back and lets just say hope we always stay in the parks.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Some POP photos you might enjoy!

http://www.fricknfrack.net/pop/pop1.html

http://haysllc.com/Disneyworld/Resorts/PopCentury/index_files/frame.htm

Christine, great photos! You can see our room in the first set of photos right after the surrey bike. Ground floor, Tramp building, between girl dancer's foot and the 45 record. We found it to be quiet there yet close to the main building and bowling pin and hippy dippy pools.

We never used the elevators so it was interesting to see the photos from up high. It gives you a whole different (and fun) perspective. I'll have to remember that next time since we like to stay on the ground floor.

Question about the surrey bikes? Do you know if they rent them at PC (I never saw any there)? We rented one at CSR when we had lunch there and it was a nice way to see the resort. PC would be a great place to ride around.

Thanks again for posting.

 

[PartyOf5a]

BaciBecky - GREAT photos...thanks for sharing! I noticed there were surrey bikes in the photos...I take it this means you can rent them? At a value? How awesome is that?! I also noticed that POP is on the water...can you rent any type of boat or is there boat transportation anywhere?

POP seems like a great choice for a value. Only wish they would have made some rooms that fit 5!

Craig - I think you will do just fine in a value. You have the right attitude. Just remember, it doesn't matter where you stay - when you get to the parks, it's all the same!

I've stayed at the All Stars several times and to be honest, some of my best memories are there, even though we've been staying deluxe the last several trips due to the deep discounts I'm able to get at times.

Enjoy!

 

[Minnie&Nana]

Glad you enjoyed the POP photos - I found them right here on DIS by members Tyler on the POP Resort thread and ChairborneRangr.

Always try to post them when someone is wondering about POP because I think those photos show the spirit of the resort - and ChairborneRangr has some great maps and views as well to help with choosing a location reqest

Can't be of help with the Surrey Bikes - have no idea - sorry! Try the POP thread - I'm sure someone there will know!

 

[Superman]

In the past year with the AP rates, I have stayed at the Grand Floridian, the Contemporary, CBR, and Wilderness Lodge. The monorail system at the Contemporary and GF was convenient but I'm not really sure the extra money for these resorts was worth it considering the amount of time you really spend in the rooms or on the resort grounds. The Aruba quiet pool at CBR was my favorite so far. Do yourself a favor... stay at a moderate, save the money with the rooms and spend it at the parks, restaurants are not cheap. Transportation system (buses) are great. We are looking at CSR or possibly Pop for our next trip. Good luck all!!!!

 

[marty0518]

I've only stayed at the moderates and more recently deluxes. It seems to me it really depends on what type of vacation you're looking for. If you'll be spending most of your time in the parks and money is an issue, then the value resorts are probably fine. If you plan on more of a resort type getaway and the parks aren't your first priority, then the deluxes are great. I've stayed at the Boardwalk and Beach Club within the past year and I can tell you both were great. A very complete resort experience.

Regardless, it's still Disney and the level of quality is top shelf no matter what level you stay at.

 

[Sherri]

We stayed CBR, not sure where that falls on the scale. We LOVED it though and would stay again in a heartbeat. It was our first stay on Disney property so we had nothing to compare the bus service to, but we thought it was fantastic. The pool was SO much fun, we especially enjoyed the pool bar.
Other then one day at the pool, we spent the rest of the time at the parks so we didn't pay much attention to room size. If you think about it, even if you don't spend the days at the parks, how much time will you be spending in your room anyway? With so much to in Disney (and the surrounding area),I think you made the right choice.