Why I don't want to stay in a Value Resort!!!

[Hoodie]

OP, you'll get a lot of opinions but only you know what you want and what you'd like. AOA is hard because no one has stayed there.

For us, we've always been in the Mods (well, since they changed to the levels. Before that it was the Poly). The Values were just too busy and over the top and the Deluxes were way too overpriced for what they offered. Then a few years ago I went with some family members to a Value (I think Movies?). It was OK. It was ALWAYS busy and ALWAYS noisy. The pool was chaotic, even at midnight. It didn't feel "cheap" just not relaxing at all. After spending 10-12+ hours in the park, being hit with gigantic movie props was over the top. We ended up spending as little time as possible there...even went to other resorts just to enjoy their shops/restaurants and ambiance. I don't think I could do a Value resort again. I'd rather push my trip off a bit and pay for the Mod.

Our last trip we splurged for the Beach Club and the GF. Honestly, we didn't care for the GF. It really didn't offer much more for the price in our opinion. Now the Beach Club we loved. THAT was worth it. Still, when planning our current trip we looked at what we wanted/needed and what we were willing to pay and ended up back at the Mod level.

If you're looking for a place to sleep, then go value. If you really do want a "break", like the "resort" feeling, and plan on spending some time at your resort, I'd go Mod or Deluxe. JMO.

 

[RadioMom]

This is our first time staying at a value (Pop) and I'm looking forward to it. We're not fancy people. I have no doubt that Pop will offer some cool things to see and do in our downtime. I don't much care about the size of the room so long as it is clean, stocked and in good shape. We have always stayed at moderates before which were beautiful, but for this trip we could have stayed at a moderate for 7 days or 10 days at Pop. More time at Disney was what we wanted. Trips are what you make them to be. if you spend the whole time making comparisons and pointing out flaws (remember, its a magical place, its not magic!) of course you're going to be unhappy with your choice.

 

[crostorfer]

We spend a good part of our day at the resort, we aren't 16 hour park day people. For that reason, we don't do values. We need more room to spread out, and I love the availability of extra recreation at the deluxe and mod's. I want a slide at the pool. I want a beachfront if possible. Mostly, and some will find it silly, I love having a balcony or patio. Even when I am at home, I'm usually up at least 45 minutes before the rest of my family and I like to sit and enjoy my coffee in silence and have a chance to wake up in a relaxing setting. At WDW, this quiet time is had on my balcony/patio. It's one of the best parts of my day. We stayed at CSR our last trip, and I really, really missed that balcony and my quiet time.

 

[auprincess]

I am not sure what you mean by catching a bus to catch a bus. At all of the mods except PoFQ (which only has one bus stop), you just head to the bus stop closest to your room and get on the park bus you need. You may have a few stops within the resort before heading out to the park, but you don't catch a separate bus to then go to another stop for the park busses.

well that is good to know ~ like I said, I haven't stayed at a mod, so I probably just got a little confused when I was researching where to stay. The properties do look very nice, just big. And it really doesn't matter much now, b/c the next time we go we will have 5 people (well, we have 5 now, but the baby will be over 3) so won't be able to stay in just one room anyway (except the one with the trundle and I know my DH won't go for that); when that time comes we'll probably just get 2 rooms at a value! By then we'll be stroller free so the bus ride won't be so bad!

 

[MBELSANTI]

I will stay at Pop. I love the yo-yos, the bowling pins, Mr. & Mrs. Potato Head, the Mickey Phone, the Big Wheel, etc.

When I lose my happy feelings for these things, I'll be in a pine box. Value resorts are wonderful. We just returned from a beautiful week at Pop yesterday. I have no regrets, just happy memories.

I love Pop!!!!! It's a clean & enjoyable VALUE!!!!!

Well said!!! Although I admit that I enjoy the amenities the deluxe resorts have to offer. DS and I have stayed at a number of different resorts over the last 13 years or so...Value, Mod, Deluxe and Villas and when he found out we were staying at Swan and not Pop, he was like LOL!

I am just happy to be anyplace at Disney! To me Disney is home!!

 

[n2mm]

I actually have no problem staying at the value resorts. I've stayed at all of the resorts (except campground and Treehouse). Actually the only resorts that I don't really care for now are the moderates (and I've stayed at all of them more times than I can count). The value resorts have their own appeal and I would not hestitate to stay there. We use to stay there all of the time in the spring, but only delux in the winter. It mostly depends on the season and how much time we'll spend in the actual room. We are DVC members now (7 years) and still find ourselves sometimes bedding down at Pop Century. My DH use to be a CM and we would get a great discount (50-60%) and depending on our mood or what was available, I had no problem bouncing between a value resort or a delux resort. We went from the All/Stars one trip and 2 months later at the AKL. We enjoyed them all. I've always wondered how someone could judge something when they never tried it. We would stay 2 weeks at a value vs 6 nights at a delux in a heart beat. We can't wait to try the new AoA resort, even if just a night or two. While we have a ton of DVC points, sometimes I try to save them for a bigger, longer trip or more trips than the normal 3-4 a year. I think each resort has something to offer. You have to go with the right frame of mind.

 

[catra121]

Well...in trying to stay strictly with the question asked...I think that AoA might be a touch more lush in terms of its themeing and landscaping. At least...that's what it looked like to ME from the concept drawings of the resort that I saw somewhere along the way (I think in a trip report from a D23 event). Much like the theming of the rooms it was very much over the top and it looked different than what I saw at the other values. Most of the buildings (not the Little Mermaid ones though) have interior corridors and I think that changes the way the resort will look quite a bit. There's also the lake there between Pop and AoA and I found when I stayed at Pop that it was quite pleasant and pretty to walk along the lake.

So...if it were me and we were talking strictly about the theming and if it would be "lush" and less concretey...then I would take that gamble (again...mostly based on those concept drawing I saw). And I know the drawings are just concept art...but I think Disney does a pretty good job generally turning that into a reality.

However...it is still going to be very over the top character themed from what I understand so when you are in the Cars area it will definitely be very much the CARS are...same goes for Lion King, Nemo, and the Little Mermaid. So if it's the over the top Disney theming that doesn't appeal to you (vs. the "concreteness" of the place) then I would say don't bother and stay where you already have plans to stay.

 

[Maggie Lizer]

I prefer a mod when I am going there with my DH, but with my sis or mom, I'll save some $$$ and go value - us chicas tour commando-style and IMHO it is a waste to "splurge" on a room we are just not in all that much. But the hubby likes to spend some time around the resort, and I found the mods have enough to do and the deluxes just can't justify the pricetags for their "value added" above the mods for me, personally.

 

[padawans]

Its comments like these, that turn these type of threads into heated discussions that start to sound like class warfare. If you will only go to WDW if you can stay in a deluxe, that is fine for you. But do not assume that everyone that stays in a value only stays there because "thats all they can afford" anymore than I kid myself into thinking deluxe guests are all more well to do than those of us that stay in values or mods. There are many factors that play into resort choice and many ways people choose to spend their money and vacation.

For the record, those of us that have stayed at values know that Super 8's and values are not the same. Super 8's don't have themed pools, food courts, transportation to parks or local attractions, transportation to and from the airport, and lots of other amenities the values offer.

I wouldn't vacation at a Super 8 either, in fact in all my travels, I have stayed at exactly one. But I have logged probably a total of 50 nights at least at WDW values and they have a lot to offer. When Disney builds it, whether its a value or a deluxe, they take that lodging to a level that no other chain does.

I never implied that if you stayed in a value you could not afford deluxe. I said if "I" could not afford deluxe I would not go. Values are not for me. I think you read too much into my post or looking for trouble where it does't exist. I wasn't assumming anything about what other people do or don't do with their money. I was agreeing with how the op feels, and letting her know she is not the only one that feels like that.

 

[DannyDisneyFreak]

Someone wrote if they couldn't afford to stay in deluxe resorts they wouldn't go to WDW... I'm putting flame retardant suit now so here goes... Most of you people sound like stuck up arrogant prissy pampered snobs, I am very happy for your family that you can afford to stay where you stay, I really am that is great that you have worked hard and/or saved up for a wonderful family vacation but you come off sounding like snobs. One day my dream vacation is a Magic Kingdom view at the GF but I am happy to stay with the common peasants at the value class resorts. I'm waiting for another brat to post "let them eat cake"...

 

[MBELSANTI]

.. I know plenty of people that would probably stay in a cardboard box in the parking lot to spend a week at Disney World.

Yep, that would be me!!!!

 

[MBELSANTI]

Double post sorry!

 

[Missymouse18]

Super 8??? Not quite. When we go to Disney, it is about the 4 parks to us, not the hotel. We need a clean, comfortable place to sleep, shower, and swim and the Values provide that. The food courts are great as well. I stayed moderate once and absolutely was not impressed with what I got in return for the price difference. But in all honesty, if you are a TRUE lover of Disney, then I would say it is a little far fetched to compare Values to a Super 8, as most people know that Disney is quality in all manners of speaking.

 

[auprincess]

At first I wasn't sure what they meant by this either but what came to my mind was perhaps they were referring to the Fort Wilderness resort where there is both an internal bus system and a park bus system. Just my guess

oh, I bet that is it! I researched this trip so much that everything started running together after awhile. Good guess, lol!!

 

[RunningTish]

Here is my 2 cents. We usually stay at Mods. This time we are trying out AoA. Why? Because my almost 6 year-old DD and 2 year-old DS will LOVE it! We are the type who spend the majority of our time in the parks and very little time actually in the resort. When we stayed in the mods, we took DD to the playgrounds and the arcade, but we didn't use the pools or any of the other amenities. The playgrounds and arcade in AoA look great, so we are going to give it a try. We could have stayed in a mod for the same price as AoA, but we chose AoA just for kids' enjoyment. They will only be this age once. We have time to do the more reserved mods and deluxes when the kids are older and like I said, we spend very little time actually in the resort.

Another thing to consider is that I have read that AoA is really more like a mod than a value, not only in price but in the amenities, landscaping, etc.

 

[Missymouse18]

Yep, that would be me!!!!

COULDN'T HAVE SAID IT ANY BETTER!!!!!

 

[michsig]

I've only stayed at Moderate. I'm planning a surprise trip for January as a Christmas gift for my boyfriend, and I am thinking of possibly trying Deluxe! Depends on the price though. I'm sure Value resorts are great - it's Disney!

 

[padawans]

Someone wrote if they couldn't afford to stay in deluxe resorts they wouldn't go to WDW... I'm putting flame retardant suit now so here goes... Most of you people sound like stuck up arrogant prissy pampered snobs, I am very happy for your family that you can afford to stay where you stay, I really am that is great that you have worked hard and/or saved up for a wonderful family vacation but you come off sounding like snobs. One day my dream vacation is a Magic Kingdom view at the GF but I am happy to stay with the common peasants at the value class resorts. I'm waiting for another brat to post "let them eat cake"...

Ok people relax. Would I do is not a reflection of others. No I am not a snob and no I don't look at you as a peasant. I'm not sure how not liking value resorts makes you a snob. I have to work hard and save just like everyone else. The resorts and atmosphere are a big part of our vacation. I do the parks for my kids. There are a lot of great places in the world to vacation. If I can't do Disney the way I like to Disney then I'll go somewhere else and vacation. I'm not sure why people get their feathers ruffled over this topic.

I hope someday you do get your dream vacation.

 

[Bob NC]

Why I don't want to stay in a Value Resort!!!

I want to first say, my family has never stayed in a value resort. There's no
"pretty resort" look to them. I realize some of you love your values and I think that's great. This is just my feelings about them.

Really?

I don't like liver. Who's with me on this?

 

[crostorfer]

Someone wrote if they couldn't afford to stay in deluxe resorts they wouldn't go to WDW... I'm putting flame retardant suit now so here goes... Most of you people sound like stuck up arrogant prissy pampered snobs, I am very happy for your family that you can afford to stay where you stay, I really am that is great that you have worked hard and/or saved up for a wonderful family vacation but you come off sounding like snobs. One day my dream vacation is a Magic Kingdom view at the GF but I am happy to stay with the common peasants at the value class resorts. I'm waiting for another brat to post "let them eat cake"...

Now, why did you have to go and say that. Now this thread is going to get locked. :-(