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

[crostorfer]

Really?

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

Nor do I. I don't care for onions either. Or watermelon. I like watermelon flavored things, but not watermelon itself. I wish I liked it, I try to like it, but I don't.

 

[elaw]

Originally Posted by 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"...

Seriously? Thats a little over the top don't you think? The whole class warfare thing's kinda a reach. I personally would never stay at a "Value" resort because I prefer the style of the moderates and deluxes. It's got nothing to do with being stuck up or snobby. I would also skip a year if I couldn't afford to do the mod or deluxe that year.

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

Thats exactly what crossed my mind when I read the post above.

 

[Gitts2008]

OP: I hope that you have not left this thread.
As you can see everyone is different with different styles. I can only tell you about my experience.
CBR: Three times so far. Hopefully a 4th this Aug.
Why I have never stayed at a Value? B/C I spend all year being frugal and want a lil' something extra by staying at CBR.
Why I like CBR? The pool, slide and splash area. The tropical relaxing feel of the resort. As I said, I have only stayed at CBR, but for me the main pool does not feel TOO BIG and has slides that I like to go down.

You asked about staying at Vaules, and AoA....I would only stay at a value if I could without being disappointed and since they do not have the slides from CBR and the tropcial music playing it, I would rather save up some more money to stay at CBR. I know CBR, I am not one for change and I spend too much time in life dealing with overwhelming stress, that CBR is MY ESCAPE from reality. $1300 is not a small amount. If you can afford the $1300 extra, stay at the MOD if not stay at the value knowing that you saved $1300 and will be happy with that savings. Best of Luck!

 

[k3chantal]

This thread is the reason to purchase a DVC membership. We would never spend money every year to stay at a deluxe but since we bought our points outright; we enjoy and treat ourselves to the higher end resorts.

This isn't about being a snob. It's important to know what is vital for your family to have an excellent vacation. A great, well appointed resort with all the amenities is something we now look for when we travel. We would not have know this was important to us; before we always stayed at a moderate or cheaper hotel.

So, for those who love the values; please don't get upset with people who love the deluxe resorts. Yes, we are lucky we can afford those experiences but I am equally glad for you that you love your experiences. I personally think anyone who gets to experience DW at all is super lucky; anyway you can get it!

 

[monami7]

We spend more time at the hotel than in the parks. For instance our upcoming trip is. 9 days. Only 4 of those are park days. This is a huge reason we own dvc. That being said we tend to stay at port Orleans just as often as Dvc.
I will not spend my vacation without a hot tub. I know that sounds aweful but to me the pool area is the make it or break it for us.

 

[RI Disney Clan]

I myself enjoy the Deluxe resorts. The AKL is the best one for the money and we've stayed their our last 5 trips. I think we're getting our upcoming trip for around $250/night which isn't overly expensive. I mean the Poly or Contemp is $400+ and the mod's are $100-175. Good in between.

If you can get over AKL's location..it's a steal.

What I like about the Deluxe resorts is that it's not overly Disney. What I mean is, it feels like you're not even at a Disney resort. Look at Grand Floridian, AKL, Contemp, Poly...there's no giant basketballs, Mickey Heads, Goofy statues etc. that are in your face.

Don't get me wrong. I love the parks and everything that goes with them. But when I come back to unwind, it's so peaceful to getaway and relax at a Deluxe compared to the rest.

Does this even make sense??

 

[pgianna]

I personally stay at the swan dolphin, that way you stay at a deluxe for the price of a mod. They have plenty of good deals going on as well, some for as low as 179 per night.

 

[KatMark]

The value resorts don't appeal to us either. We spend a lot of time in the resort and want to feel comfortable and enjoy the atmosphere. So we would look into renting points for a DVC resort or staying off site before staying in a value resort.

Pretty much our feeling. We stayed at the All-Stars once...and after three days I had my husband go to the front desk and get us out of there and to a moderate. I was miserable for those three days.

 

[OldGrizzly57]

I personally stay at the swan dolphin, that way you stay at a deluxe for the price of a mod. They have plenty of good deals going on as well, some for as low as 179 per night.

I have stayed at both the S & D and they are nice hotels. They are most certainly NOT in the same class as a deluxe resort room at Disney.

I have stayed in rooms ranging from some of the cheapest off site locations to deluxe accommodations on property over the 25+ years since we started travelling to DW. If the ONLY way to visit the world was by staying in a value resort I would probably stay there. If I have a choice though there is no way that I would stay in anything less than a moderate.

As a DVC member I don't have to worry about that decision though.

Griz

 

[bellatheball]

We're not terribly experienced Disney vets yet but, for us, it came down to making us AND the kids happy. My three kids are all under seven years old and would probably be thrilled with wherever we stay. They would probably love the theming in the value resorts. That said, we are only going on one trip this year and feel that we deserve as much fun, rest and relaxation as the kids. For that reason, we're going the deluxe route.

If there comes a time when we can go to Disney more frequently or take more than one vacation per year, we might go the moderate or value route.

 

[ExpatDisneyLover]

I stayed at Pop the first time this March. I had a great time and thought the room quality was very good for the price. I enjoyed the pool - the landscaping was lush, buses and food court convenient. I will say I thought my building felt a little "motel y" but it just added to the ambiance for me - seemed to fit with the Pop vibe. I am considering purchasing dvc - haven't stayed deluxe yet but think I would really enjoy it - I think right up my alley so to speak. I have stayed at POR and enjoyed it and would love to stay at CSR - visited there for lunch and loved it!

That said - viewing the A of A resort from across the Lake from Pop - the new buildings have interior corridors - the Mermaid buildings are like the original Pop buildings. The whole package of the resort is of course Disney.

I think A of A would be a different experience than CSR so I guess in the end you'll have to decide what you want for this trip - either way will be Disney in its' own way.

Hope you have a great time!!

 

[goofy4tink]

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"...

Yikes!!! I doubt that most here, that stay in value resorts, feel that those who prefer to stay at deluxes are prissy, arrogant pampered snobs!!! Sheesh...gross generalization!!! Sure, there are some resort snobs out there. We are friends with a couple of them...one couple stays only at the GF...anywhere else is for peons!!! Until the dh stayed at the YC for business...then he found how nice it is there as well. NOw, they tend to split their stays. Another couple liked the Polynesian and had stayed there. But when we traveled together, we had to stay at POR...and they felt like they were in the low rent district. Or the time a friend and her dd went with my dd and I for a girls birthday trip. This friend was appalled when she found that DVC stays didn't get daily housekeeping and fresh towels every day!! Kinda snobby.
But to lay into those who prefer the deluxe resorts, the way you just did??? Wow. If someone prefers not to stay at a value resort, how does that make them a snob?? They probably work very hard to stay at a deluxe resort...which gives them the kind of vacation they want/need. Oh and by the way???? Although I own DVC at both BLT and BWV, you will find me at Pop a lot of the time...I just love it there. I have to wonder what category I fit into???

I have stayed at both the S & D and they are nice hotels. They are most certainly NOT in the same class as a deluxe resort room at Disney.

I have stayed in rooms ranging from some of the cheapest off site locations to deluxe accommodations on property over the 25+ years since we started travelling to DW. If the ONLY way to visit the world was by staying in a value resort I would probably stay there. If I have a choice though there is no way that I would stay in anything less than a moderate.

As a DVC member I don't have to worry about that decision though.

Griz

Really??? I think the S/D offer rooms that are much more comfortable and deluxe than WDW 'deluxe' resorts. The beds are more comfy, the linens are much nicer and a much higher quality, and the toiletries??? Much nicer as well. You get to walk or boat to two parks. You have very nice onsite restaurants, of a much higher quality than the vast majority of WDW owned restaurants. The service is great.
I'm not sure how you qualify a deluxe WDW resort, but I have to say that the rooms at the S/D tend to be nicer than my villas at BW or BLT. If I'm not at BLT or BWV (or some other DVC resort) you can find me at either Pop or the Dolphin...love them all.

 

[bookgirl]

I"ve done all three levels.

I would stay at a Value if that's what I could afford I like my stay at ASMu. I do not like the double beds and I'm not a fan of the giant icons. However I would not equate it with a Super 8 (my mom on the other hand refers to them as Motels 6's) they are better maintained and have more personality, plus no one is parking two feet from your door. ASMu was clean, comfortable, affordable, and was on property which I prefer.

I think if you go in with the right attitude any on property resort will do, it's all in what you like.

I don't see a lot of difference physically between the rooms at POFQ and ASMu which are the two I've stayed at, but I did think the atmosphere was different. POFQ does feel more like a 'resort' to me, while ASMu has a more quirky, fun, dorm/camp like atmosphere.

I know most will also take into account the pool slides and hot tubs at MODS but I don't have kids so neither of those things matter to me and honestly the hot tub was packed at POFQ so I never used it.

Deluxes win hands down in the atmosphere/pool, I'm on vacation feel, but you as in all cases you get what you pay for.

I'm returning to a MOD, because

1. That is whats in my budget. (I'm footing the hotel costs)
2. I don't spend a lot of time pool loungeing and I don't care about a hottub
3. My mom is going and hates the Values
4. I like the atmosphere at POFQ (my mom is not sure if she's going to like it but she's willing to try)
5. There are no discounts available at BC (my first choice) during Food and Wine Festival that puts BC in my Budget and I don't want to wait till 2013 to go.

If my mom wern't going I'd still be doing POFQ. If I was going at Peak or Holiday Season it would be a toss up if I'd go to a Value. I believe in vacations but not at the price of going into debt. I might do a Value in the future and won't have a problem with it, but at least for now while I can comfortably pay Mod or Deluxe depending on season, that's where I'll go.

ETA: POP and AoA are the two last resorts on my list. I really don't like the big Icons, it's just not my cup of tea. But it's only due to the thememing that I would not go there. ASMu was slightly less in your face and I enjoyed my stay there, so I belong to the All Star camp as far as Values go.

 

[tb1972]

My family of four has stayed at all resort levels including values Pop and Asm. I must say I much preferred Pop to Asm...Pop was more fun and cleaner. Although the food court was a zoo! Too chaotic to enjoy a meal.

I think the pics of Aoa look good - I'd be inclined to give them a try even though I'm a DVC member now.

 

[DannyDisneyFreak]

Yikes!!! I doubt that most here, that stay in value resorts, feel that those who prefer to stay at deluxes are prissy, arrogant pampered snobs!!! Sheesh...gross generalization!!! Sure, there are some resort snobs out there. We are friends with a couple of them...one couple stays only at the GF...anywhere else is for peons!!! Until the dh stayed at the YC for business...then he found how nice it is there as well. NOw, they tend to split their stays. Another couple liked the Polynesian and had stayed there. But when we traveled together, we had to stay at POR...and they felt like they were in the low rent district. Or the time a friend and her dd went with my dd and I for a girls birthday trip. This friend was appalled when she found that DVC stays didn't get daily housekeeping and fresh towels every day!! Kinda snobby.
But to lay into those who prefer the deluxe resorts, the way you just did??? Wow. If someone prefers not to stay at a value resort, how does that make them a snob?? They probably work very hard to stay at a deluxe resort...which gives them the kind of vacation they want/need. Oh and by the way???? Although I own DVC at both BLT and BWV, you will find me at Pop a lot of the time...I just love it there. I have to wonder what category I fit into???

Let me clarify... my apologies for coming off harsh. I'm not referring to everyone who prefers to stay in deluxes but only those some of the posts I read, I should have quoted those specifically. Some folks do come off sounding snobby turning their nose up at value resorts and come off as saying they are "too good" for them. And lets be serious "concrete jungles"? and to compare them to a Super 8? Some folks even knock the moderates and the comments seem a bit stuffy to me. Hey, I agree if I could afford it I would pay to get more for my money but the values are really not as bad as some here are making them out to be.

 

[Millie12591]

Hmmmmmm.....I've never seen a Super 8 that I would actually stay at. that being said, we have stayed at every value resort in Disney (except for AoA obviously), and we have enjoyed each and every one of our stays! The value resorts are Disney accommodations at a smaller price. You still get the same great service, cleanliness, and hospitality you'd get anywhere on Disney property. The theming is over the top, and in your face, but it's Disney...which is where you've travelled to vacation at...so you do get the total immersion at values.



I have struggled with our decision to stay deluxe this upcoming July trip. We are doing a split stay between Poly and BC. The struggle is knowing that we could spend soooooo much less and still have that magical experience. I'm doing it to find out if deluxes are "worth it" to us. We ventured into moderate territory last year and stayed at CBR, and we're pretty underwhelmed...I'm hoping that's not the case this year.

I feel that people equate cheap rates with cheap accommodations, and that has not been my experience with the value resorts...but again, this is just my opinion.

I actually have stayed at Super 8's, not bragging just mentioning. As long as a motel is clean and decent I'm down, mainly because cost over aesthetic isn't king with me when on the road, vacation is another story.
As for the value's at Disney having that feel....I totally know what the OP is thinking/feeling. I too had that same feeling when I looked at them online before having stayed in one.
We eventually booked the POP because it was fairly new, had it's own buses and over all had the theming that appealed to us the most, not to mention the cost. I can't lie and say that looking at the Mods didn't appeal to me, but the cost at the time didn't feel right compared to the Values.

Once there and in the lobby of the POP I was beyond impressed! I was actually shocked they had put that kind of quality into a Value resort, the CM's were wonderful, helpful and everything I had come to expect when I'm in the Disney parks. Which is the only place I had ever been concerning Disney up to that point. I was sooo pleased with our choice.

The only complaints I had were the noises by the people walking outside your door and how overly crowded the food court was in the mornings. We usually had breakfast in the room or in the parks/resorts so the food court really wasn't much of an issue. The noise issues (from reading the boards) can usually be dealt with best by where you place yourself in the resort. Closer to the pool and or closer to the main building the louder it will be.

We really enjoyed our time at POP and would do it all over again if the time ever came we needed to stay at a value again. This last trip we discovered how amazing CSR is. We were going to do POP two rooms but I decided for less money we could do one room at CSR and discover what the Mods were about. Sooo glad we did! So quiet and serene, beautiful, and more room in the room. Love! Love! Love! Would I do a value again, you bet! Over a mod if given the chance, probably not, I like the quiet and the over all feel of a Mod. Except this next trip....

We will be staying at mix of resorts this next trip. AofA to see what it's all about , possibly AKV or POR, and then the remainder of the trip at CSR.

By the way....MouseMommy1, I've heard a lot of people say what you said about CBR not being what you wanted it to be. I personally don't find the appeal to that particular resort just because it's so spread out, but I do when it comes to the POR or CSR, I bet you would find the mod resorts to be what you want out of them if you stayed in either of those places, at least CSR for sure. Hope you give them a try over a delux and see if you can't be won over.

 

[Mousemommy1]

I actually have stayed at Super 8's, not bragging just mentioning. As long as a motel is clean and decent I'm down, mainly because cost over aesthetic isn't king with me when on the road, vacation is another story.
As for the value's at Disney having that feel....I totally know what the OP is thinking/feeling. I too had that same feeling when I looked at them online before having stayed in one.
We eventually booked the POP because it was fairly new, had it's own buses and over all had the theming that appealed to us the most, not to mention the cost. I can't lie and say that looking at the Mods didn't appeal to me, but the cost at the time didn't feel right compared to the Values.

Once there and in the lobby of the POP I was beyond impressed! I was actually shocked they had put that kind of quality into a Value resort, the CM's were wonderful, helpful and everything I had come to expect when I'm in the Disney parks. Which is the only place I had ever been concerning Disney up to that point. I was sooo pleased with our choice.

The only complaints I had were the noises by the people walking outside your door and how overly crowded the food court was in the mornings. We usually had breakfast in the room or in the parks/resorts so the food court really wasn't much of an issue. The noise issues (from reading the boards) can usually be dealt with best by where you place yourself in the resort. Closer to the pool and or closer to the main building the louder it will be.

We really enjoyed our time at POP and would do it all over again if the time ever came we needed to stay at a value again. This last trip we discovered how amazing CSR is. We were going to do POP two rooms but I decided for less money we could do one room at CSR and discover what the Mods were about. Sooo glad we did! So quiet and serene, beautiful, and more room in the room. Love! Love! Love! Would I do a value again, you bet! Over a mod if given the chance, probably not, I like the quiet and the over all feel of a Mod. Except this next trip....

We will be staying at mix of resorts this next trip. AofA to see what it's all about , possibly AKV or POR, and then the remainder of the trip at CSR.

By the way....MouseMommy1, I've heard a lot of people say what you said about CBR not being what you wanted it to be. I personally don't find the appeal to that particular resort just because it's so spread out, but I do when it comes to the POR or CSR, I bet you would find the mod resorts to be what you want out of them if you stayed in either of those places, at least CSR for sure. Hope you give them a try over a delux and see if you can't be won over.

I meant nothing bad about Super 8's, but I probably wouldn't stay in one simply because we don't really stay in hotels/motels unless we're at Disney!!!

And yes, I think I would like another moderate better than CBR. POFQ in particular. In fact, it's highly in the running for our April 2013 trip. We are taking DFIL for the first time and were thinking about AKL CL but we showed him some pics of POFQ and he was all . Since we're paying for two rooms, POFQ is a lot more practical, so I'm not going to argue with him!!! I also want to try out the RGRs at POR.

 

[mommyrosa2]

I want to first say, my family has never stayed in a value resort, we have stayed in only moderates and deluxes. Something about the look of the values, just makes them seem like Super 8's to me. They look like concrete jungles to me. There's no
"pretty resort" look to them. We are staying in September at CSR. We have 2 rooms since my mom is joining us. We could switch the reservation and save around $1300, if we stayed at AOA resort in 2 mermaid rooms. Part of me just wants to switch, since it's so much money but I don't know if I will like the resort. I like that "resort feeling", I get when we stay at the moderates or deluxes. Does anyone know what I mean? Is AOA going to be all concrete like the other value resorts? There are no real pictures on the website. Thanks for any suggestions/help. I realize some of you love your values and I think that's great. This is just my feelings about them.

We've also stayed at all three levels and I have to say that we really enjoyed POP for a Value resort. The theming was fun, the pools were nice, we enjoyed the pool bar, our room was clean and we had no issues with noise. We really liked the food court and wouldn't hesitate to stay there again if we were planning another budget trip. Would I compare it to a Super 8? No. I've only stayed at a Super 8 once and can tell you that there is no comparison at all. By far POP was much nicer and a much better value, JMHO. We also enjoyed our stay at CSR for a moderate and would do that again in a heart beat. Our last few stays have been at Deluxes and do we enjoy those as well? Absolutely. It also helps that we've never paid rack rate for them and have been lucky to receive some great pincodes which allows us to upgrade. But again, I wouldn't hesitate to stay at POP...I'd rather stay there, then not go to Disney and offsite is not an option for us.

 

[luvthemouse71]

What keeps me away from the values are the cheerleaders and other tour groups with tons of kids. And I like the amenities at the deluxes.

 

[karice2]

What keeps me away from the values are the cheerleaders and other tour groups with tons of kids. And I like the amenities at the deluxes.

I was thinking that too. I usually come during off season times so I have not encountered that but everytime I read about it I am like .

I don't think people who have preferences for the deluxe resorts are snobs. Some people make personal choices that fit their lifestyle. I don't knock anyone for doing what is best for them. If people didn't want to stay at Values then Disney wouldn't create them.

I don't have any children but I am sure if I did, my kids would love the theming of one of them and I might be tempted to stay to let them enjoy it. Since I don't have any kids or anyone else to consider when making my choices, I go where I feel more comfortable and that is the deluxes.

The Poly is a deluxe but I wouldn't stay there because after being in a real long house, the Disney version just doesn't work for me.

I will say it, the Poly is a value Hawaii vacation..

(please note the above comment is just a joke and since my flame suit is in the cleaners, I would appreciate it if I do not get some thrown on me.)