Would this spoil the Magic?

[sm4987]

jiminyfan-well said!!! The only way we stay at tbe deluxes is with a code or rate. This upcoming trip is all Contemporary Club level only because it is our 10 year anniversary and we never had a honeymoon. There are times to be frugal and times to save. Every single one of my trips have been magical, no matter where we stay.

 

[kirby428]

There has to be some math formula we each use to determine how the inverse proportion of "length of stay" versus "degree of magic for which one is willing to pay" computes for our individual budgets. If I could spend 19+ days at WDW, I would live in a tent to be able to enjoy being there.

No one can fault anyone else for their compromises of quality of room so as to be able to stay longer, but nevertheless, compromises are made and the differences are significant.

During our first trip to WDW when there were only two parks, we stayed 7 days at the Contemporary Resort. To be able to enjoy Typhoon Lagoon and MGM, we unequally split the next 7 day stay between CR-5 and CBR-2. To be able to spend 9 days on our third visit to WDW so we could take in more park days and rest days and still see Universal, we booked the entire stay at POR. Within the typical time that I can manage to squeeze into a vacation, I always try to stretch my financial limit and sometimes beyond to book the best Disney room possible because I have experienced the rewards of doing so...and not doing so. Those of you who have stayed at the Polynesian Resort know what I mean. Once I find it necessary to book into the budget range for a Disney room, the Hampton Inn Main Gate becomes a very attractive alternative to reap more room for the cash, but I have not yet stayed at an All Star to test the degree of Disney Magic that would offset the temptation to get more room for the buck. I will just accept from other posts that the Disney Magic is still enough to compensate for the dinky room size and poor room design to keep folks on property. Of course, driving one's own car has much to do with my room choices.

 

[Jen D]

The main thing is to know what you're getting, decide what would be the appropriate choice cost-wise and otherwise for the trip, and live with it, and you won't be disappointed. My first stay was a deluxe, we thought we'd always go deluxe (but not go very often); but the opportunity came to take a short budget trip so we went mod (were planning Value but got an upsell, so mod was $10 more) and it was fabulous, we had a great trip. Deluxes are great and very special, but if circumstances dictate that you have to do something different, you'll have a great time; just research your chosen resort so you know what to expect.

Enjoy!

 

[hmp2z]

I think it really depends on what you look for in a hotel. After our last stay at All Star Music for one night this September, we decided that we will never again stay at a value resort. It's worth the extra money to us, to be away from all the kids/noise, have a bigger room, be in a hotel not motel (indoor corridors as opposed to outdoor ones), and have a private balcony. Those are things that we look for in a hotel. Our trips to WDW are to get away from things like reality and staying in a room with an odd smell and kids yelling as they run down the corridor are just a bit too "real" for us while we're on vacation.
If we couldn't afford the deluxes, we would probably save up and take fewer trips to WDW, until we could afford the deluxes. But that's just us - you have heard from plenty of people who feel very differently about the situation, and for some people, a resort is just a place to lay your weary head down for a few hours each night. For us, our resort is a huge part of the magic we experience, and we like to hang out in our room, sit on the balcony, wander to the concierge lounge for a snack, and just generally spend large portions of time in our resort relaxing. We go to the parks every day, but I am a big believer in naps, because we like to hit the parks early and stay out late. Anyway, I think the way that you use your resort will play a big part in whether you still experience the full amount of magic in a value resort. Other factors, like how amenable you are to children and noise, will also play a role, but that is, of course, your personal preference.
Cheers!
Heather W