Best Hotel on a Budget?

[Aquira]

Which Value Resort is best overall? I'm going on my own, so space isn't really an issue. I'm planning on going to Magic Kingdom for two days, so convenience in shuttles to there is a plus. Do you guys think its worth it to spring for moderate? I'm on a tight budget, so right now I'm mostly considering All Star Movie and Art of Animation.

 

[belledream]

For the most part, the All Stars are cheaper than Pop and AoA, but it also depends on what offers are available at the time you are going. Movies is sometimes excluded from offers (see Free Dining this year) or the discount isn't as deep as it is for Sports/Music (room only is 15% as opposed to 20% or something like that). Along the same lines, there might be considerable room only offers for either Pop of AoA that make it just as desirable as an All Star for the price. You'll really just have to look at the offers and price it out. But at an undiscounted, base rate, All Stars will be cheaper than the others. Between the 3, I like Movies the best for the theme, but they all really serve the same purpose and I've enjoyed my stays at all of them. Pop is nice too, but I personally wouldn't pay extra to stay in it over an All Star if I'm on a budget. I have yet to stay at AoA but it's on the list!

 

[Kate Alan]

When I travel on a budget (which is usually, lol), I stay at Pop. It is typically slightly over the cost of the All Star resorts, but my rationalization for paying the extra is that Pop does not share a bus line, while All Stars shares between Movies, Music, and Sports. I don't mind paying a little extra a night if it means that I get to my destination immediately via the bus, especially since it far outweighs the expense of renting a car. However, I have also stayed at all three All Star resorts and even with the bus sharing, they aren't terrible places to stay.

If you are planning on spending most of your time in the parks, and not at your room/hotel pool, etc., I would not pay the extra for a moderate if you are on a strict budget.

 

[Aquira]

Yeah, I will probably go with a value resort. Is the bus from pop century to magic kingdom relatively quick? I'm expecting around 20 minutes. Also, do you know what order the stops are in for the All Star resorts? Thank you both for your help.

 

[belledream]

All Stars go Sports - Music - Movies. Though I must say, I've stayed at all 3 (in that order) the past 3 years and can't recall sharing buses for any destination except Downtown Disney. Maybe it's the time of year that I went? I'm not sure...

MK is pretty much the furthest park from Pop, but yes, it should really only take about 20 minutes.

 

[Scott10]

If AOA is similar to the All-Stars price wise, then I would personally go that route.....fun and beautiful grounds to explore that, for our family, added tremendously to our vacation.

 

[Aquira]

Scott, its only a bit more. I think the difference is 20 dollars for the time I'm going. Do you think it would be worth it? I will only be there 2 days and really don't think ill have much time to explore the grounds.

Belle, thanks for the information. Do you mind me asking what time you went? Also, thats just my luck. The order they are in is definitely least to most interesting in my opinion.

 

[belledream]

Sports & Music, I went in May. Movies was Sept-Oct. If you do happen to stay at an All Star and have to share buses, they all have their pros and cons. One way or the other, you'll get seats, or you'll spend less time sitting on a bus.

 

[Aquira]

I also plan on going in May,so hopefully the bus situation will be similar. I am kind of a stickler for time, so the buses being as quick as they should be is a big priority to me. I like to plan things out and keep to a schedule so I can do as much as I can for my dollars.

 

[belledream]

Completely understandable! I'm like that too. Keep in mind that was almost 3 years ago, so things may have changed since then. But whatever you choose should be fun! Disney values give me the most DISNEY vibes!

 

[Aquira]

That's good to know! I definitely want to get a real disney feel. I'm already so excited, haha. If I'm going in early May when do you think I should book by? I can't really book it right now as I may have to change the date. (I don't know if I could book this early anyway )

 

[belledream]

2015 dates are ready for booking. Also, if you book a trip now, you can make date changes early on with no issues. I personally like to book at least 180 days out so I can get all the particular dining reservations I want. But if that's not a huge priority for you, you could wait until they release special deals for your dates. You can also apply special deals retroactively to an already-made reservation as long as your trip fits all the offer parameters. Hope that wasn't too confusing.

 

[Aquira]

Thats not confusing at all, its actually really helpful. I'm probably going to do most of my booking in December, but if I feel my budget will have room I will book sooner than that. Is it like layaway or do I pay it all down? Sorry I'm so clueless, this is the first time I think I'm finically well off enough to book a vacation.

 

[belledream]

Haha no worries. You just have to pay a $200 deposit I think. Not exactly sure how this process works as we always just pay it off immediately, but I know it's an option!

 

[Aquira]

Thank you so much for all your help! Such fast responses too. I feel like I've learned a lot, haha.

 

[belledream]

You're welcome! (slow day at work ) Happy planning!

 

[slappy magoo]

I'd go Pop or AoA.

 

[cw1982]

DH and I stayed at Pop in June and were perfectly happy. I don't think anyone has mentioned this yet (if they have, I'm sorry... my brain is mush right now and I'm about to get to bed after a long day at work), but Pop and AoA each have their own separate bus routes, so staying at Pop or AoA usually means you get the best bang for your buck in terms of values when one considers transportation. Pop may be a bit further from the MK, but the fact that you're not sharing a bus with two other hotels is definitely something to consider, as it means fewer stops and a more direct route. Same thing wtih AoA. I would go with one of those two.

 

[Aquira]

Thanks for the input. I honestly do not want to share a bus at all, especially if I'm at the last stop. I had that nightmare when I stayed at the Holiday Inn near Downtown disney. The hotel was wonderful but the buses were so much trouble, its the main reason I want to stay in a Disney owned property. looking at the hotels, I like the look of AoA and adore Ariel. However, Pop is a bit cheaper and I've heard the mermaid rooms are kind of out of the way.

 

[cw1982]

Thanks for the input. I honestly do not want to share a bus at all, especially if I'm at the last stop. I had that nightmare when I stayed at the Holiday Inn near Downtown disney. The hotel was wonderful but the buses were so much trouble, its the main reason I want to stay in a Disney owned property. looking at the hotels, I like the look of AoA and adore Ariel. However, Pop is a bit cheaper and I've heard the mermaid rooms are kind of out of the way.

Yeah I would go with Pop if it was me. You can always walk over to AoA if you're wanting to experience some of its environment without increasing your room price