DCL Cabin vs Value Resort

[5thGenTexan]

My sister just spent a week at WDW, and I was looking at some of the photos she posted on Facebook. They stayed in a Lion King room at Art of Animation, My wife and I had the same thought, totally independent of a discussion. The cabins on DCL ships are ALOT nicer. And the towel art isn't on the same level either. They had three towels rolled up to make a Mickey head.


Perhaps I am spoiled.!!!

 

[sweetpee_1993]

I've not stayed at AoA but I can assure you the beds on the ships are waaaaaay more comfy than Pop Century's. They're much more akin to the beds we've had in the deluxe resorts. The rooms on the ships are smaller (obviously) but we feel like they're appointed to a level that is akin to WDW's deluxe resorts. That's us, tho. Others may not agree.

 

[ChuckElias]

You have to remember that the Art of Animation is technically categorized as a value resort, I think. You're definitely not in a value-priced room on the cruise!!

 

[Bolna]

You have to remember that the Art of Animation is technically categorized as a value resort, I think. You're definitely not in a value-priced room on the cruise!!

On my recent 5 night Wonder cruise we paid less per night than for an Art of Animation family suite. And we had an oceanview stateroom.

 

[EOD K9]

I haven't stayed at a value resort (ASM) since probably 2000 or 2001. While they are nice, DCL cabins were built to evoke that feeling of the old transatlantic liners. As a previous poster said, you are not in a value resort priced room.

 

[ChuckElias]

On my recent 5 night Wonder cruise we paid less per night than for an Art of Animation family suite. And we had an oceanview stateroom.

This is pretty amazing, considering the cruise includes all your food for 5 days. What did the suite at the resort cost??

 

[Bolna]

This is pretty amazing, considering the cruise includes all your food for 5 days. What did the suite at the resort cost??

Those suites at the AoA are pretty pricy - and we did not stay there, I just did the comparison. And if my math is right, five nights from Saturday to Thursday would be nearly 1800 $ including tax. To be fair, however, our original booking was for an inside cabin at 1599 $. But then a Florida resident deal (I was travelling with someone who lives in Florida, I can only recommend to find friends in that area if you want good deals for DCL ) became available and we ended up paying an incredible 1040 $ for the 5 night cruise in a 9B stateroom.

 

[wdwstateofmind]

The rooms on the ships are smaller (obviously) but we feel like they're appointed to a level that is akin to WDW's deluxe resorts. That's us, tho. Others may not agree.

Sadly, while the DCL rooms are smaller than most deluxe, they are also (at least 5D and up) much nicer than most deluxe I've stayed in...I can compare it to club level at the Contemporary which was an unbeatable location but very dated (I know it's not BLT and I hear they are quite nice but I'm using what I have knowledge with) and Grand Floridian which we found just blah as well. While they're not suites, I'm sure they aren't much better...

Overall though, comparing a DCL room to a value resort is like comparing a KIA to a BMW...there are just too many discrepancies between the two to even consider it...

 

[sweetpee_1993]

Sadly, while the DCL rooms are smaller than most deluxe, they are also (at least 5D and up) much nicer than most deluxe I've stayed in...I can compare it to club level at the Contemporary which was an unbeatable location but very dated (I know it's not BLT and I hear they are quite nice but I'm using what I have knowledge with) and Grand Floridian which we found just blah as well. While they're not suites, I'm sure they aren't much better...

Overall though, comparing a DCL room to a value resort is like comparing a KIA to a BMW...there are just too many discrepancies between the two to even consider it...

Personally, I find the DCL rooms to be much nicer kept than **ANY** WDW resort room I've ever stayed in. That would include Pop, Contemporary, POFQ, Poly, AKL (club level), WL, and YC (club level). Where some of the rooms may lack in nice-factor they gain back points for additional size. It's not that I expect cruise ship staterooms to be soooo big, but space is something that definitely can make a difference depending on how many people you have in a room. Bigger room is always an advantage with teenagers that are the size of adults. That said, I've cruised all verandah rooms. I've done the big family verandah room (cat 09) and the smaller verandah room (cat 05). I've also cruised in 1-bedroom suites 3 times. THAT will ruin you. Going from a suite down to a cat 05 was brutal.

As far as the Kia to a BMW, that's subjective. I'm no BMW fan. I'd take the Kia. LOLOLOLOL!!!!

 

[5thGenTexan]

Sadly, while the DCL rooms are smaller than most deluxe, they are also (at least 5D and up) much nicer than most deluxe I've stayed in...I can compare it to club level at the Contemporary which was an unbeatable location but very dated (I know it's not BLT and I hear they are quite nice but I'm using what I have knowledge with) and Grand Floridian which we found just blah as well. While they're not suites, I'm sure they aren't much better...

Overall though, comparing a DCL room to a value resort is like comparing a KIA to a BMW...there are just too many discrepancies between the two to even consider it...

It was just an observation, an eye opening one, but an observation nonetheless. We have never stayed on WDW property, so I had no baseline there. I was just surpised at the pics of thier room. It really looked like a an empty generic room that as an afterthought they threw some Disney themeing into. I think when its time for us to go, we will stay in a Moderate.

 

[wdwstateofmind]

It was just an observation, an eye opening one, but an observation nonetheless. We have never stayed on WDW property, so I had no baseline there. I was just surpised at the pics of thier room. It really looked like a an empty generic room that as an afterthought they threw some Disney themeing into. I think when its time for us to go, we will stay in a Moderate.

All the theming you need on the Contemporary Club Level, honestly, is right outside your windows if you're on the theme park side...they could have zero theming and no hiddens and I'd never notice based on the fact the castle is right there and can be seen from pretty much the entire floor...