Who has gone from deluxe to value....

[cmonroe]

I've been fortunate enough to stay at the CR everytime at WDW but once.
Well, to be frank, those days are gone. In order for my family to continue to go to the best place on earth, we can only afford value resorts.

We were never "rich" but very fortunate. It's a long story. Let's just say we lived "higher on the hog" than we probably should have. We're reigning ourselves in.

The value resorts look like they can be very (if not more) fun compared to the deluxes. Aside from transportation, can any of you who've made this transition give me an idea if there is a big difference? I will always have fun at WDW no matter what, that's just the kind of person I am, I just want to know what to expect.

Thanks so much.

 

[Minnie&Nana]

Hi, Craig!

The first time I stayed at a value was last Feb at POP and I dreaded it so much that I even asked to swtich to CBR at check-in. The CM was great and convinced us to give POP a try, reminding us of the $ we would save... and if we didn't like it we could always switch. It did take some getting use to: less amenities, small plastic disposable cups in the rooms, one sink, no hairdryer (you can call housekeeping and they'll bring one right up), food court only etc.

But the room was quite nice, understated and yet with hidden Mickey's in the bedspreads and bathroom. Also, the detail in the room matched the section we were in,the 50's (which I highly recommend, now that we've stayed there twice). I have truly enjoyed both stays! It's so much fun to walk around, esp at night, and see all the icons etc.

It is an adjustment, but you sound like you are already looking for the postives!

The room will seem esp small since you are used to CR rooms. We had always stayed at CR or Poly - then we first tried CBR and those rooms are the moderate largest at 340 (about the same size as WL & AKL rooms!). That was an adjustment but then I kept staying there for a few yrs and loved it!

I have much better attitude about POP now and enjoy the view of the lake we had last time..even the TOT was in the distance as well as the top of Illuminations. It is fun and POP does have a cute poolside bar as well as an indoor lounge which is off to the side of the food court, so it a bit quieter.

I think we deluxe folks can enjoy and appreicate the POP (unfortunately, I do not feel the same about ALLStARS with the dispenser soap etc). I know I'll be back to POP and will look forward to my stay , even tho I'll miss being at a deluxe.

Good luck and have a great trip!

 

[arizonacolbys]

We started out at All Star Movies on our 1st 2 trips. We decided to try out CBR on our next trip, but they closed it for rehab & we got moved to the Polynesian/WL!! On our next trip, we stayed in a Contemporary wing room due to the rehab of SOG. So, the only way we've been able to stay at Deluxes, was by great discounts.

Our last 2 trips we stayed at POP Century - we Loved it!! I think you can go from Deluxe to Value, as long as you have the right mind-set (& it seems like you do. ) Do some research about what resorts you think your family would enjoy & book there. I personally think the Values have a lot to offer. We really enjoyed all of our meals at the food court at the POP - can't say that about the counter service at the Deluxes. It's great to be able to get some good food after a long day in the parks, especially for a reasonable price.

I think the pools are just as nice (minus the slides, that we don't use much anyways.) The general feel of a resort like the POP or All Star Movies is just very Disney to us. We love walking around these resorts at night & enjoying all the huge Disney icons. We've never had any issues with transportation at the Values - sometimes I think the bus service is even better here than at Deluxes - more demand, maybe? We do miss the monorail from time-to-time, but have never regretted a stay at WDW. If staying at a Value Resort will allow your family to go to WDW & stay on-site - I say go for it! We would always choose to stay at a Value, vs. stay at home.

 

[teachingmykids]

I'll be able to tell you in a few weeks! MIL gave us a trip 2 years ago, we stayed at WL and loved it. Last year we got a 3 BR condo for $65 a night offsite and it was really better. Next week DD and I are going for a birthday trip and staying at POP, our first value resort stay. I would have gotten the condo, (cheaper and bigger,) but we're flying so we have to stay on site. WL room was REALLY small for the 4 of us, even with the magic everywhere, we do like the offsite condo better -- we just need our space and downtime.

 

[newholidayx2]

This past Oct we had our first trip "home" to the Wilderness Lodge villas

This Aug DS & I are taking our first mother/son WDW vacation and it will be for 14nights
starting out 5 at Pop, switching to WL for 3nights and then Beach Club Villas for the last 6

DH, DS & I stayed at ASMu when DS was 4 and thought it was small.

 

[vettechick99]

I know just what you are going through. I was married to a certifiable just like yourself and we did Disney up nearly every time we went. I was lucky enough to stay deluxe most visits with a moderate here and there. Once, over New Years, all we could get was Pop Sports, so we booked it.

Now let's not fool ourselves, we all know Value is no Deluxe. It's definitely a big jump from each level and honestly, there aren't many people who would chose Value if they could afford Deluxe everytime.

But in the long run, it doesn't matter that much b/c you are at Disney. You are with your family and it sounds like you are straightening out your finances, which is great! I'm now re-married and in a situation like most everyone else where we save for trips and can't splurge $350 on Poly Concierge each night. But I'm just so happy to be there, I'll stay wherever!

Have fun!

 

[ktink]

We loved our stay at Pop last year. It was very clean. Having never stayed on site we didn't notice that the room was unusually small. We made do. My kids were disappointed at first when we told them we were changing resorts this year. We only upgraded because we don't know if we'll be able to do deluxe again. To stay onsite we would not hesitate about Pop. In fact, one of my concerns is the bus transportation at WL. After not having to share transportation with another resort at Pop how will this affect our upcoming visit?

 

[HeatherPage]

Have you ever considered renting points from DVC members? Alot of people rent for say $10-11/point. You could get a studio at Old Key West Sunday through Thursday for probably around $80/90 night in the value season. Just a suggestion...

 

[spiceycat]

I love the Pop - I have reservations now at AKL (got the postcard) - but I am still thinking about changing to the Pop.

It is a fun place - I think you will like it.

what it doesn't have is an on site restuarant - so the food court is it.
it doesn't have a hot tub (whirlpool/spa) anywhere.

it has some very nice pools - no slides.

It has a lake with some nice views. (not great ones)

It is not a deluxe or even a moderate - but it is a very nice resort.

It has wonderful landscaping, a very nice lake, the icons are just darn cute!!!

I think also it bring back some wonderful memories - I loved Lady and the Tramp - it was my first WDW movie and I love the 50's because it reminds me of that time.

appreciate the small things about this resort - do look at the area behind the check in - see how many you can name....

do the mickey hunt!

go to the lake to feed the fishes - guess what comes (or did) turtles - not fish or even birds - turtles!!! (this was not planned by the resort - the turtles came on their own)

take an early morning walk thru this place - it is very relaxing and, in my opinion, lovely.

for a value resort it is very nice!!!

I have also stayed in the All star music - it was nice - got a close room to the food court in Jazz - but it did not set off the memories that Pop Century does. the food court was not organized as well (my opinion).

take the time to explore this resort and I think you might appreciate it.

 

[micksterlee]

on our first trip we stayed at all star sports and on our next trip we stayed at akl. On our trip this year we are going to stay at pop.Since we spend so little time at the resort I can t justify spending more money on the room when we could use the extra dollars in the parks and restaurants.

 

[cmonroe]

Thank you all for your information and kind words as well. We are getting are finances in order, which feels good. Because of my daughter's love for most of the movies themed at all star movies, I was considering there. However, now I'll look into POP as well.

So it would seem that the buses, and the size of the rooms are the main differences?
We usuallly only eat at at the CR fun and play food area and made a considerable amount of ps's at the parks. So hopefully, the restaurant aspect won't be that much of a change for us.

Some of you mentioned have to request blow dryers. Another thing my wife and I freakish about is ironing. Are there irons and ironing boards?

Are their elevators at POP and All StarX (we will have a stroller)?

Any ideas on the average bus ride time to MK and Epcot?

Thanks again everyone!

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

You do what you have to do, and good for you! So many people do things that they can't afford and the debt ends up controlling their lives!

As for the switch, the 2 major downsides are the size of the rooms, especially the beds (from queen to fulls), and the transportation. I would suggest driving your own car to the parks. My inlaws stayed at a AllStar one trip and we drove over to their resort (Sports) from AKL and rode the AllStar bus into the MK. The bus ride was quite a haul, with stops in between.

Other than that, you're good to go.

 

[ktink]

At Pop it was direct to all parks the only buses that had an additional stop was Ak and BB and DD and TL . But Pop has exclusive transportation. And yes, they did have elevators as we stayed on 3rd floor with stroller.

 

[bigbabyblues]

I haven't stayed deluxe, but we stayed at ASMovies last fall, and CBR before that. Movies was really fun for our kids. We stayed in the Toy Story section, and they just loved it! We didn't have a problem with the busses at all. We only had one long-ish wait in the morning, that was when we went to Epcot, we waited about 15 minutes, maybe 20, but it was only that time; the other times a bus came within about 10 minutes after we got down there. At park closing the busses were crowded. No way around it really, when that many people are leaving the park going to the same place at the same time, it just happens. Usually at closing, each All Star had it's own bus. We took the ASMusic bus back, and walked over to Movies, and it wasn't bad at all. Maybe a 5- minute walk, through their main building, past the pool and one of the buildings. Bus ride I'd say was probably 20 minutes to pretty much all the park, I think MGM was less than that tho. We allowed an hour travel time if we had a PS at a park, and it never took that long. MK morning I allowed an hour, and I know we waited at the gate for 25-30 minutes before we could get in.

We didn't think the room was terribly small, about the same size at the Holiday Inn we stayed in a few months before in Pittsburgh. Not huge, but enough room for us (me, DH, ds age 3 and ds 15 months), and we weren't in there that much. We didn't hear any of our neighbors, except for an occasional toilet flushing, but not often.

There are 2 elevators and a flight of stairs in the center of each building. We used the elevator when we had the stroller with us, and it was a great help. The food court was fine, not fancy of course, but there were a lot of options to pick from. The taco salad was really, really good (ate that probably 4 times, lol), DH got London Broil twice and he said it was good both times, and we did get the refillable mugs.

I'm pretty sure there was an iron in the room, and I know there was an ironing board. No hairdryer, but you can ask for one.

Hope this helps, and I hope you enjoy your trip!

Steph

 

[kandmwedding]

I haven't stayed at a deluxe, but did say at POR on my honeymoon and then at POP on the next trip. I have to admit, I prefer POP!! It's just so much more Disney to me. The onlt changes that I really noticed were: no slides at the pools, no restaurant. For a deluxe you'd also notice that they are no interior hallways to rooms - all are entered for the outside. But like you said, no matter what you'll have fun!!

 

[Minnie&Nana]

As someone alreayd replied, POP does have elevators, but don't forget it has Lady and the Tramp, Mickey phone, Goofy, Jungle Book characters etc!! It really is such a fun resort!

 

[arizonacolbys]

Thank you all for your information and kind words as well. We are getting are finances in order, which feels good. Because of my daughter's love for most of the movies themed at all star movies, I was considering there. However, now I'll look into POP as well.

So it would seem that the buses, and the size of the rooms are the main differences?
We usuallly only eat at at the CR fun and play food area and made a considerable amount of ps's at the parks. So hopefully, the restaurant aspect won't be that much of a change for us.

Some of you mentioned have to request blow dryers. Another thing my wife and I freakish about is ironing. Are there irons and ironing boards?

Are their elevators at POP and All StarX (we will have a stroller)?

Any ideas on the average bus ride time to MK and Epcot?

Thanks again everyone!

I know for certain that POP had irons/ironing boards. Just used them there last month. All Stars & POP definitely have elevators (usually in the center of each building) we've stayed on the 4th floor both times at POP & it was great.

From POP, I remember the bus times pretty well (since we were just there):

MK: 12 minutes
Epcot: 5 minutes
MGM: 6 minutes
AK: < 10 minutes - sometimes stops at Blizzard Beach on the way back to the Resort

None of the POP busses share with any other resortk which is great. The All Stars sometimes share with each other (so 3 stops max.)But, they are all literally right next to each other - not a big deal time-wise.

HTH!

 

[cmonroe]

What great answers! Is POP a larger resort? Is that why it has it's own buses?

 

[Minnie&Nana]

Some POP photos you might enjoy!

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

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

 

[goofy4tink]

My dd and I stayed at Music in Dec'03. We really liked it. Yes, the room was smaller than the deluxes. As were the beds. But since she and I normally share a bed when we travel with dh, it wasn't so awful having a double to myself and she had her own as well.

We really enjoyed the food courts. That's the one thing I miss at the deluxes. Yes, they have a little food grab and go area but not big enough for us to have a decent meal. The AllStars have large food courts with some pretty decent food offerings.

The bus service was fine. At Music I think we shared mostly with Sports. The bus stopped there first and we were second. Only one time did we actually stop at Movies. The trips to the parks weren't all that bad. I wouldn't bother with a car but that's just me. Riding the bus is part of the whole Disney experience for us!!

As to the amenities....Man, I wish I could remember. I'm pretty sure we had hair dryers and you can most likely request an ironing board and iron.

We have stayed at all levels at WDW. We are going in June and staying at BCV for 7 days, then switching over to Movies for the last 2 days of our stay. Now, if a really good deal comes out, we may switch to POR but that's only as a surprise for dd...POR was her first stay in WDW and holds a very special place in her heart. We will be very happy at Movies if that's where we end up. It's all about expectations. If you don't need those queen beds and a little larger room, or a sit-down type restuarant..then save some money and stay at a value. For us, the only big issue is the lack of pool slides. But, not a deal breaker for us.