your favorite value and why

[loves to dive]

I'm so glad I'm not the only one who isn't a Skyliner fan. It can feel lonely on here with almost everyone gushing about it.

Prior to it, Pop was my favorite. But I outlined my reasons for avoiding the Skyliner above. So it's All Stars - usually Sports Preferred (I just prefer the Surfs Up themeing and if I list that as my first priority I've always gotten somewhere in those buildings) or Music (I'm the odd duck who's fine with Standard...though I request Broadway for the Standard section). I've never stayed Movies - I'd probably get put in Fantasia and those figures scare me. LOL.

LOL it can feel a little like a fish swimming up stream. The height doesn't bother me I've just not found it any quicker than the buses. I guess I get why most people think it's great. They don't crowd you into them like the buses and it is unique. I've had long waits for them though, just like the buses and since there is stormy weather in Orlando at lest 8 or 9 months of the year they aren't very practical. I think if they put something on MDE when it goes down for weather so people who are in Epcot and happen to be at the front of the park don't have to walk all the way to the back of the park just to find it's down, it might help. And I just kind of like the buses. Even when they are so packed you have to stand, and I'm a 68 year old woman with bad knees and bad hips. I even like the fact that they have actual ques for the buses at the values, wish they were covered but it still beats the free for all that happens at the moderate and deluxe resorts.

 

[Dug720]

LOL it can feel a little like a fish swimming up stream. The height doesn't bother me I've just not found it any quicker than the buses. I guess I get why most people think it's great. They don't crowd you into them like the buses and it is unique. I've had long waits for them though, just like the buses and since there is stormy weather in Orlando at lest 8 or 9 months of the year they aren't very practical. I think if they put something on MDE when it goes down for weather so people who are in Epcot and happen to be at the front of the park don't have to walk all the way to the back of the park just to find it's down, it might help. And I just kind of like the buses. Even when they are so packed you have to stand, and I'm a 68 year old woman with bad knees and bad hips. I even like the fact that they have actual ques for the buses at the values, wish they were covered but it still beats the free for all that happens at the moderate and deluxe resorts.

Yep. If they even offered once an hour bus service to Studios and Epcot from them I'd consider them.

I live in NYC so standing on public transportation is nothing new to me. Once I was like the last person in the line and the driver, I guess being proactive (and not wanting to hear complaining about standing at the end of the day) said "I'll call for another bus immediately." I noticed his nametag said "New Jersey" - and there was plenty of standing room on the bus - so I smiled and said "I live in NYC?" and he laughed and said "Get on here." I've gotten to the point now that if people in front of me start slowing down when they see it's going to be standing room only I'll politely ask if people who don't mind standing can go ahead - almost always either they let me go ahead or they realize they look kind of bougie and keep going.

 

[HopperFan]

@HopperFan How does the walk to Sports standard compare to walking to Music standard (Broadway or Rock Inn)? It looks shorter, and is pretty well lit. I am traveling solo in November, currently booked at Music in a standard room, but DH is "worried" about it. [Also... gotta say, I was pixie dusted with a free upgrade to Calypso/preferred last year and I DO like being closer to the front of the resort. I'm also considering Sports preferred.]

Sports is built in more of a circular layout so that even the farthest rooms are just a short spoke walk away from main area/buses/food. It is a very well lit resort, maybe the whole sports field lights thing comes in to play. Sports is the tightest footprint of all the values.

Music is the ONLY value resort built in a literal line with the main building/food/buses being at one end and the standard rooms (Broadway, Country Fair and Rock) being the opposite end of the footprint. And maybe it is the music concert atmosphere but we found it to be very low lit, especially at the back. Also at the back is the laundry facility next to Rock and a "18 wheeler/container" parking area next to Broadway. Traveling with just me and my disabled son, after a couple times (with issues) I said no more. I was very uncomfortable walking around after dark. Have never felt that at Disney before even returning very late after parties etc. and I'm more a city kid.

I'm so glad I'm not the only one who isn't a Skyliner fan. It can feel lonely on here with almost everyone gushing about it.

Count me in on NON-Skyliner person. It kinda makes me sad because once they added it, POP my home away from home moved to a price point that is not for me. With AP I'd rather go more often. We did stay POP in May and .... I do love that resort and wish I could always stay there, but the price and the Skyliner are a negative for me.

I don't like heights but can do it if it keeps moving, and when you factor in Disney's HORRIBLE evacuation processes I don't want to be stuck up there for extended periods of time. Saw it got stuck for an hour last week or so and yeah, that is not for me.

 

[Disnsyncey]

Sports is built in more of a circular layout so that even the farthest rooms are just a short spoke walk away from main area/buses/food. It is a very well lit resort, maybe the whole sports field lights thing comes in to play. Sports is the tightest footprint of all the values.

I knew that Music was lame and in a line, but I got excited to learn about the smaller footprint of sports! Sports is my fav, so it's another point for them!

 

[Keetchino]

Haven't tried the All-Stars, and have absolutely no desire to either. They are more prone to have the tour groups in them and only have bus transportation. For me it's either Pop or AoA.

For starters, Pop/ AoA have a secondary transportation option being the Skyliner which I love. Skyliner also opens up more dining/ resort hopping options as it's a direct shot to Caribbean Beach/ Riviera. Secondly, if you stay at either Pop or AoA you get the benefits of both of the resorts pools, dining, etc. It is very possible to have a non-park day at Pop/ AoA and have PLENTY to do.

Plus side to AoA is the themed areas are very well done, especially the Cars section. I though I'd like Cars least of the themed areas but it turned into my favorite! Also, if you're into jogging, there's a very nice path that goes along Hourglass Lake. One downside to note is that for the AoA resort, the Little Mermaid rooms definitely feel like a HAUL to get back to after a long day at the parks.

 

[Dug720]

Haven't tried the All-Stars, and have absolutely no desire to either. They are more prone to have the tour groups in them and only have bus transportation. For me it's either Pop or AoA.

For starters, Pop/ AoA have a secondary transportation option being the Skyliner which I love. Skyliner also opens up more dining/ resort hopping options as it's a direct shot to Caribbean Beach/ Riviera. Secondly, if you stay at either Pop or AoA you get the benefits of both of the resorts pools, dining, etc. It is very possible to have a non-park day at Pop/ AoA and have PLENTY to do.

Plus side to AoA is the themed areas are very well done, especially the Cars section. I though I'd like Cars least of the themed areas but it turned into my favorite! Also, if you're into jogging, there's a very nice path that goes along Hourglass Lake. One downside to note is that for the AoA resort, the Little Mermaid rooms definitely feel like a HAUL to get back to after a long day at the parks.

It's not really secondary if that is the only option to 2 parks. If they offered a bus - even hourly - then it would be secondary.

Also, you do NOT get the benefit of both pools. The pool at AoA is for AoA only. The pool at Pop is for Pop only. The no pool hopping applies to those resorts as well.

 

[HopperFan]

It's not really secondary if that is the only option to 2 parks. If they offered a bus - even hourly - then it would be secondary.

Also, you do NOT get the benefit of both pools. The pool at AoA is for AoA only. The pool at Pop is for Pop only. The no pool hopping applies to those resorts as well.

YES ^ NO POOL HOPPING!!!

AoA’s pools are their best asset! Want to use you need to stay there. Honestly only reason I would pay the extra.

 

[hardcorestitch]

title says it all! help me learn about the value options and why you love them, so maybe I can pick one! sell it to me

I would pick Art of Animation if I were you. The environment is quite immersive, and they have a lot of theming around the animated Disney characters.

 

[DizneyFamof4]

LOL it can feel a little like a fish swimming up stream. The height doesn't bother me I've just not found it any quicker than the buses. I guess I get why most people think it's great. They don't crowd you into them like the buses and it is unique. I've had long waits for them though, just like the buses and since there is stormy weather in Orlando at lest 8 or 9 months of the year they aren't very practical. I think if they put something on MDE when it goes down for weather so people who are in Epcot and happen to be at the front of the park don't have to walk all the way to the back of the park just to find it's down, it might help. And I just kind of like the buses. Even when they are so packed you have to stand, and I'm a 68 year old woman with bad knees and bad hips. I even like the fact that they have actual ques for the buses at the values, wish they were covered but it still beats the free for all that happens at the moderate and deluxe resorts.

I lived in Orlando for over 18 years and this is just not even close to being accurate. Orlando stormy weather months are June thru September 4 months. Fall winter and spring, we would have months with very little rain, it averages less than 3" per month and a lot of times we were hoping for rain. Now if you said 90+ degrees for 8-9 months that would be more accurate. LOL. Our last 5 trips to POP we only had to use the bus twice and was using the skyliner roughly 30+ times. I totally understand that some people do not like it and that is fine. We have no issues with the buses and think they are great, one of the reasons our van sits in the resort parking lot normally the whole trip. But, for our family if it's between an "overcrowded bus" or a skyliner car all to ourselves, it's not even a contest, Skyliner wins all the time
ADDED: This is what is great about WDW, many resorts to choose from.

 

[Dug720]

a skyliner car all to ourselves,

What time are you going that you're allowed a private car? Whenever I've used it barring there being no one in line I've had to share with other parties.

 

[WEDWDW]

What time are you going that you're allowed a private car? Whenever I've used it barring there being no one in line I've had to share with other parties.

The ONLY time we have had to share is Park Open and Park Close.

 

[WEDWDW]

I lived in Orlando for over 18 years and this is just not even close to being accurate. Orlando stormy weather months are June thru September 4 months. Fall winter and spring, we would have months with very little rain, it averages less than 3" per month and a lot of times we were hoping for rain. Now if you said 90+ degrees for 8-9 months that would be more accurate. LOL. Our last 5 trips to POP we only had to use the bus twice and was using the skyliner roughly 30+ times. I totally understand that some people do not like it and that is fine. We have no issues with the buses and think they are great, one of the reasons our van sits in the resort parking lot normally the whole trip. But, for our family if it's between an "overcrowded bus" or a skyliner car all to ourselves, it's not even a contest, Skyliner wins all the time
ADDED: This is what is great about WDW, many resorts to choose from.

Yes,Skyliner beats Bus big time!

We watch the fireworks from near the IG and immediately head to Skyliner,board within 4-5 minutes and have a wonderful,comfortable,timely flight home.

No comparison to the old days of trudging to the Epcot Bus Depot,waiting for a bus and hoping it has room,if not,repeat process and then if fortunate to get a seat,having someone's posterior in your face on the ride home with a horde of sweaty,tired,sleepy Guests.lol

Skyliner vs. Bus

No comparison!

 

[pluto377]

POP! Love it there.

If I need to save a little money though I like AS Movies.

I love AoA too, but I've never stayed in the Mermaid rooms there, only Cars suites.

 

[DizneyFamof4]

What time are you going that you're allowed a private car? Whenever I've used it barring there being no one in line I've had to share with other parties.

We are a family of 4 and we rarely ever share.