Will I be disappointed in a value resort, ASMO in particular.

[bethie]

I am planning a January trip with my family(4) which includes my 7yo daughter . I have stayed both moderates and deluxes, but never a value. I was thinking that my daughter would get a big kick out of the All Star Movies. I was also thinking with the money saved we could do more character dining, etc... What do you think of the values? Are they too vast, tacky, loud? I just want to hear a some thoughts on them. Thanks!!

 

[Lulu's Mom]

We have always stayed at values until this last trip, where we moved up to a Mod. I think that they are great places for kids..... themed really big and kind of gaudy. We really liked them but back then we went to Disney more for the parks than anything else, and now we do more as far as the resort. As long as you go there expecting a value resort you should not be disappointed. Our rooms were always pretty quite, the rooms are small, but rooms around the pool areas are mostly likely louder since the pool area is loud. We also never had problems with mousekeeping, transportation was great (all buses) and the food courts are large, but get really crowded since that is the only place to eat at the resort.

I am sure you'll have a great trip... if anything it will be a different expeirence and perspective on doing Disney.

 

[mickerbaby]

It all depends on what is important to you. We love the values and have stayed at the mods and deluxes as well. We have two kids 4 and 2.5. The 4 year old loves the All stars (well she doesn't know any different because she hasn't stayed anywhere else!!) But for younger kids, even a 7 yo, I think the values are perfect. There is no restaurant which is fine by us because we'd rather just eat and be done after a long day at the parks and our kids are not great in restaurants anyway (although we love the character meals and will eat at Epcot a few times since dh and I love Epcot!!)
The rooms are on the smaller side but it's never bothered us and we had two pack and plays in the room last year. But a friend of mine went last November with one pack and play and she thought the rooms were way too small, so it's all about what you expect. I think for the money you pay at the All Stars, you get a lot!!! The grounds are beautiful and the pools and playgrounds are fun. One of the biggest complaints about the All stars is the transportation to the parks but that isn't an issue for us since we always rent a car (lugging two strollers on and off the crowded buses is not fun!) Also, we have never had problems with noise and we always request ground floor rooms facing the pool closest to the food courts because of the convienence.

Next December we are staying at the WL because we are traveling with family who had previously picked that place and it took a lot of convincing to get my husband to stay anywhere else besides the All stars (and he is a "hotel snob", he travels a lot for business so he is very selective when he travels for business or prior to us having children) But since the All stars are so great for kids and convienent, I think we'll be staying there for a while!

If I were traveling without kids, it would be the Beach club for sure, I love being that close to Epcot!!

hope this helps! sorry about the spelling mistakes!!!

 

[HueyDewey&LouiesMom]

Our first trip was adults only at POR when it was Dixie Landing's. This last trip we took the kids (10,9,7 at the time) and stayed at ASMo and they loved it! I was not disappoited as I knew where we were going. Or room was in Toy Story on the back side facing the parking lot and the walk to the bus might have been 5 minutes or so. We never encountered a crowd at the food court...but we only went on the way to the bus for cocoa and once or twice for food.

The rooms (we had two) were clean and totally adaquate for the amount of time we spent in them. I agree that if you go knowing you are going to a value and look for the unique traits they have you will have a wonderful time!

 

[luvsdiznee]

I have stayed at all of the values, 3 of the moderates and 2 deluxes. I don't think the values are tacky at all. They are a different kind of experience. I think kids (and some adults) are more impressed with the big icons at the values over lush landscaping at moderates or deluxes. My kids never came home talking about how great the landscaping and theming was at a moderate or deluxe but they sure talked about the icons at the values! I don't think you will encounter it being loud or crowded in January. If it means more character dining and souveniers than I would definately stay at a value! If you decide to stay at a value you will have a great time - just appreciate what it is and do not compare it to the moderates or deluxes.

 

[ainmama2001]

We stayed at ASMO for our first onsite trip and then last year we rented points and got a 2br villa at OKW. Of course WE (adults) preferred the villa but my dd4 was LIVID that we weren't staying in the "Doggie Hotel". For the kids, I think they (values) have a lot more to offer and its so cute and out of the ordinary.

 

[theflowerladee]

My 11 yr old ds and I are sitting here and we both agree that the value resorts are fun and the big icons are great especially for kids. We have also stayed at moderate and deluxe and usually stay 2 days or so at beginning of our vaca in a value before moving over to our dvc. The biggest difference is there is alot less to do at night at the values, not that you spend much time before bed there. Have a magical time.

 

[sue1013]

I agree with the previous posters you need to keep your expectations low then you may not be disappointed. Lots on these boards love the values. I find them cheesy,gaudy, loud and hated the two times I gave them a try. Maybe I missed something since so may seem to love them.

 

[OhioTony]

We stayed at Mods in the past. We tried POP in Sept and I think we'll stick with Mods! I can't say that POP was horrible, but there was nothing that made me want to return. Most Mods have slides at the pools and hot tubs and that little something extra that lets you know you are on vacation and I just did not feel that at POP. I guess it just depends on what you want out of your resort. Good luck with your decision!

 

[Got Quattro?]

Yes.

We have stayed in Mods and Deluxe resorts......visited all the values in some way or form.

We may be spolied, but there is no way I would stay there. too far, too small, too cheasy of themeing

 

[bethie]

Thank you all! Your opinions are exactly what I wanted. Keep'em coming!!

 

[Pineapple Princess]

I tried to like ASM but alas, I just couldn't. I have been too spoiled by the mods and deluxes. We had a room right by the main pool and the music was so loud it woke me up in the morning. We also had a hard time taking naps during the day because of the noise. I would much rather pay the extra $30 a night and stay at a mod where I feel like I am in a special place, and not just a Motel8 with big statues everywhere.
Oh and it also doesn't help that the time we tried ASM it took over an HOUR to check in. They gave us a smoking room even though it stated we needed non-smoking for medical, so we had to wait another hour for it to be changed. They never even apologized for the inconvience.

 

[need_a_Disney_fix]

It all comes down to $$$. We have stayed at Dixie Landings (always Dixie to me) and most of the All Stars. To us, it matters not where we stay as long as its Disney. Sure, the mods offer more atmosphere for adults, but you will pay more for each category.

 

[eblack0409]

My DH and I stayed at the POP on our Honeymoon, and we absolutely loved it. He has stayed at Mods and Deluxe as well, and although the POP was a little louder than the others, we didn't mind it, except for the last day when a kid was screaming outside our room because they were leaving and instead of the parent picking her up and making her go, he just kept telling her to come on and stop crying....other than that...it was GREAT!

 

[bethie]

Guys, thank you so much. I just love hearing about your experiences. I am truly leaning towards a value this time for money reasons. I just wanna do a budget trip, yet splurge on the dining. I am a character breakfast addict. LOL I am thinking my 7yo daughter would get more of a kick out of ASMO than Port Orleans(sorry, always that to me). I guess the REAL deciding factor will be any discounts for that time period.

Thanks!!!!!!!!!