1st time in a value...Should I be scared?

[DKampy]

I have stayed in most on site disney hotels. The only ones I have not visited yet is The Animal Kingdom Lodge, The Contemporary or any of the Value's. Our funds are limited this year, but my wife is determined to go. I'm sure it will be a cultured shock when compared to the other hotels. But will it really be all that horrible.

Also I was wondering of the value's which one should I try.

 

[Epcot82Guy]

There is a definite drop. That's just a fact since you get what you pay for. Having said that, they certainly are not bad. The themeing is more fun, and the places tend to feel more kinetic. So, it is more about bed comfort, food options immediately outside your room, walking distance (for some), etc. They are better than the comparable off-property sites IMHO.

I personally would choose Pop over the All Stars. Although, if you have a family, I have heard good reviews for the All Star suites. If you are going to get two rooms, I would suggest this.

Another great option that I have found is to split your stay. If you are going for 5 days, stay 3 at Pop, then upgrade to Port Orleans or even one of the DVC or Deluxe resorts. It cuts costs and you really appreciate the nicer places. Just a thought! :wave:

 

[coltow]

I'll admit I was nervous too about our trip to AS. I had heard bad things about the AS being dirty and very noisy. It wasn't. The rooms were clean and it was really only noisy at the pool and food court, as with any other hotel. The rooms are definately smaller and the beds are only fulls, not queens, so can be squishy.

We were not supposed to stay there in 2004, grandfather lives about 20 miles away, but a hurricane knocked out power for days and we couldn't stay there. My mom called WDW the day before we left and explained and they were very helpful, especially seeing as we were bringing my then 8 month old for his first trip. We spent alot of time at the resort because we were originally planning to hang at "Gramps" house and just go to MK on our last day. We spent every afternoon at the pool and it was great. We spent the evenings visiting other resorts and DTD. We found AS to be fun and made the best of our situation.

We had even booked our next trip in 2006 to stay at a value, for the cost. This time we tried Pop and it worked out fine for us too. Again it was the beds that gave us a little trouble due to their size. I ended up sleeping with DS in 1 bed and gave the other bed to DH.

 

[ryguy]

I agree with the previous posts. Basically you get what you pay for, its a standard hotel room. I have never had a problem with the room being dirty. Always take that rumour with a grain of salt because there are some real neat freaks that will never be happy with the cleaniness of a room. The rooms are a little noisy, so if your a light sleeper bring some ear plugs or request a room far away from the pool. Another aspect is that these hotels attract large groups, ie cheerleaders, school trips, etc.. So be prepared to see hoards of kids running around with not a lot of supervision. Running up and down the halls and leaving the door lock cocked so they don't need a key is par for the course. If you go in knowing these things you will be less shocked or annoyed when they do occur. Pop is newer, so most people like a newer room and is centrally located. The all-stars are out on the western side of the property. They are all basically the same. Hope that helps. :wave:

 

[garyhoov]

We stay at the values all the time. They're a little noisy and not real elegant, but I always thought that fit Disney World better anyway. And we've never had a problem with cleanliness. I'm assuming the sheets all get washed in the same place for all the resorts.

Have fun!

 

[Polyman]

Be Scared - Be VERY Scared!

 

[Buried20KLeague]

I'll never be staying at a value again, personally. We had one trip where we tried a few different resorts in the same vacation, all star movies being one of them.

We got there late one night, probably midnight or so... And as we were walking to our room, there were 3 guys in suits (a convention, maybe?) that were literally standing on the side of the pool, relieving themselves into it. They were quite proud of themselves.

Of course the next morning we came outside to TONS of people swimming in the pool. Little did they know.

But I'm quite sure that was an anomoly... That's not something that routinely happens, and it could happen at Grand Floridian, too. I guess just since we saw it, it's a mental thing for me with the value resorts.

 

[DKampy]

I am leaning towards pop right now. It is my understanding from the reviews I have read it was improved over the All Stars...which makes sense due to the newness of it...learn from their mistakes.

I expect the noise levels to be a tad bit higher, just cause I expect there to be quite a large number of kids running around. It seems it would be the more affordable hotel for familes.

Af far as cleanliness...I expect it to be fairly clean being that it is on Disney property. I think those that complain about that are probably looking for the smallest detail to complain about.

 

[miles1]

I'll never be staying at a value again, personally. We had one trip where we tried a few different resorts in the same vacation, all star movies being one of them.

We got there late one night, probably midnight or so... And as we were walking to our room, there were 3 guys in suits (a convention, maybe?) that were literally standing on the side of the pool, relieving themselves into it. They were quite proud of themselves.

Of course the next morning we came outside to TONS of people swimming in the pool. Little did they know.

But I'm quite sure that was an anomoly... That's not something that routinely happens, and it could happen at Grand Floridian, too. I guess just since we saw it, it's a mental thing for me with the value resorts.

Ew. I really hope you reported this to someone?

 

[palmage]

If you're comfortable in a Motel 6 or Super 8, then you'll be just fine.
Values are $29.00 motels wrapped up in $89.00 clothes.

I've only visited one once when some friends of ours were staying there and it was nothing special, noisy as all get out.

I personally would never stay at a value, but lots of people love them.

That's just one mans opinion, I could be wrong.

 

[TTFN-Tiggger]

I was nervous the first time I tried a value as well. I stayed at Pop and for the price it was nice. Plus, other than to sleep I am not at the resort anyway on most of my trips. I spend them in the parks or DTD.

 

[bhg469]

Ew. I really hope you reported this to someone?

\

I agree but what are they going to do? They won't drain the pool and who knows how many hundeds of kids did the same thing the day before. This thread just made me never want to swim in a public pool ever again.

 

[palmage]

We got there late one night, probably midnight or so... And as we were walking to our room, there were 3 guys in suits (a convention, maybe?) that were literally standing on the side of the pool, relieving themselves into it. They were quite proud of themselves.

You're worried about 3 guy's peeing in the pool???
When there's a 1,000 six year olds doing the same thing............

 

[Pippa]

We stayed at Pop November 06 having previously stayed at POFQ, POR, CBR and BW. We had issues with a blocked toilet and were moved rooms very quickly, but we won't be returning to a Value. It was the little things that added up to a big thing such as....

1 sink instead of 2
no ceiling fan
no tea/coffee making facilities
no chest of drawers
and we found the food court wasn't as nice as the moderates

maybe we have just been spoilt in the past!!

 

[macsmom]

I stayed at the Pop this October with 2 friends. The place was clean, the atmosphere was wonderful, and the place wasn't all that noisy even with kids and the music. We could see the pool from our room, but no loud happenings even though it was being used each day. The music they play outside never was too loud for us and the walk to the Main Hall wasn't too bad, either. We almost never had to wait long for a bus, and never did have to wait for a second one because one got full before we got on. I already have my next trip booked and it is going to be at Pop, too!

Have a good time!

danna

 

[frankd1962]

I've stayed off property once and on property once.

Off Property was on International Drive in 1992 at if I remember right it was a Comfort Hotel. The kids were young and the room was small. We were on the third floor overlooking the pool. So needless to say it was noisy there. We went in mid-August

On property, we stayed at the All Star Movies. The room was almost the same in size but something about the Dinsey decorations inside made it feel a whole lot different. We were in the Love Bug building in the back first floor. So we were close to the parking lot for All Star Music but it was so quiet. Hardly hear from anyone near us. The only noise we ever heard was the putt-putt of the pizza delivery cart. The food court ,to me, was nice and what I would expect from a food court. The gift shop was a bit crowded but on a whole I was happy. And we stay in mid May

This trip I'm taking later this year will be at the Pop Century. Why? Save money, not staying there for the view and other stuff that you get with the higher price hotels and just to be somewhere else then the places I stayed with the ex.

Now pippa pointed out this:
1 sink instead of 2: We had one bathroom at home when married so was use to waiting and working around each other in the bathroom.
no ceiling fan: A/C was good for me but never did get that hot while we were there in May
no tea/coffee making facilities: We bought the refillable cups and just waited for the Food Court to open. Went in and got my coffee each morning. Never can make a good cup at home anyhow.
no chest of drawers: We thought the drawers that they provide were good enough.

So all I can say is to each their own. Some will tell you that the Values are bad and others will say they're good. All I say is think about price and what you'll be doing in the rooms.

 

[Buried20KLeague]

Ew. I really hope you reported this to someone?

That was actually the more disheartening part... I called when we got to the room, and first they asked if they were still out there. I told them they weren't... Then they basically said that the chlorine would take care of it, and there was little they could do.

 

[Buried20KLeague]

You're worried about 3 guy's peeing in the pool???
When there's a 1,000 six year olds doing the same thing............

I trust what comes out of a 6 year old a lot more than I trust what comes out of 3 people that are completely drunk and obviously live their lives in such a fashion that relieving themselves in a public pool at Disney is acceptable. Yep.

I've NO idea where those three guys' bizness has been.

 

[yazmin182]

If you're comfortable in a Motel 6 or Super 8, then you'll be just fine.
Values are $29.00 motels wrapped up in $89.00 clothes.quote]

I don't think this is necassarily true. I wouldn't compare a Motel 6 to Pop Century. With all the theming, the fun pools and large disney statues, it is waaay better.

There is nothing to worry about and I would def. go with Pop. It's really clean as everyone already said, and yes it's a bit smaller but it's comfortable.

Think positive and enjoy your time there!

 

[bhg469]

I've NO idea where those three guys' bizness has been.

3 grown men in disneyworld alone? My guess is their bizness was in each other or no one at all since hooking up on a business trip in disney isn't exactly a target rich environment.