Pop Century

[MrPromey]

Originally posted by DigitalDisney
Why can't Disney build a value resort with the theming level of at least CBR, CS, or DXL. It wouldn't need as nice of a pool, bus transportation could be lower priority, and other deluxe / moderate amenities could be scaled back. But a resort like this could easy be at near full occupancy year-round.

AS / PC are a lot of fun for the kids. I always see them running around the various large objects scattered throughout the resorts. But for the older people, I don't think there's much appeal there. They could really go for a Disney-level experience on a value budget.

It all comes down to social economics and the divide in our country that disney highly recognizes... If you want luxury, stay in a moderate or deluxe resort. If you don't want to spend that much money or can't afford to - welcome to the realities of your life. It sounds harsh but it's the clearest, most straight forward way I can think to put it. I'd live to
be driving around in a hundred thousand dollar sports car but since I can't afford it, I take what I can get. The moderates and deluxe resorts aren't really much more expensive to build than the economies and the economies tend to have higher operational costs since they tend to need more in the way of maintenance. It sounds elitist to say this (which I don't mean to sound because personally, I'm happy in a MOTEL on 192 since all I do is sleep when I'm there - of course, convincing my travel companions is another story but I'm getting off topic so) but I'm pretty sure that the costs of maintaining landscaping and keeping rooms in good condition is much more costly at the economy resorts. If complaints about a lumpy bed or chipping paint or bad carpets or sheets with holes in them were coming in about the economy resorts I'd be concerned but nothing anybody has said suggests a problem with the quality at all. The economy resorts deal with a higher ratio of kids and also with a certain number of people who will be less respectful to their accommodations. If the economy resorts were to be styled in a more luxurious manner (which can be done cheaply with the use of faux finishes) it would completely flush the value of the moderate and deluxe resorts. In our society, the lower you get down the economic chain, the more important price becomes and the less important your perception of "luxury" becomes. If I could stay in the Grand Floridian for the same price as an All Star, I would without a second thought - most probably would. If most people could stay in Port Orleans for the same price as the All Stars, I'm guessing many would probably jump at that, too. In fact, people who might otherwise stay some place like the Polynesian might think twice if they saw how wide the gap in price was from deluxe to economy without a remotely equal gap in terms of luxury and guest experience.... and if Disney offered a resort like Port Orleans with a price like the All Stars, they'd have a hard time filling Port Orleans at it's price as well, wouldn't they?

Realistically, the alternative to resorts like the All Stars and Pop Century isn't a swankier economy resort - it's no economy resorts at all. With that in mind I think the All Stars and Pop Century style resorts are a very good thing for both Disney and it's more economy minded guests...

 

[cymbaldiva]

Guess it is time for me to put in my 2 cents worth - My hubby and I had always stayed in the moderate resorts, but we decided we would try the All-Stars to save a few bucks - we figured "It's Disney, how bad could it be?

Well, we learned...there were holes in the walls and stains on the carpet. I really thought at least it would be well-maintained. I definately learned my lesson - if I can't scrape up the $$ for at least a moderate, I'm not going!

 

[MKCustodial]

Originally posted by MrPromey

If I could stay in the Grand Floridian for the same price as an All Star, I would without a second thought - most probably would. If most people could stay in Port Orleans for the same price as the All Stars, I'm guessing many would probably jump at that, too. In fact, people who might otherwise stay some place like the Polynesian... and if Disney offered a resort like Port Orleans with a price like the All Stars, they'd have a hard time filling Port Orleans at it's price, wouldn't they?

Funny how you mentioned that, Mr. Promey. The only resort besides All-Star Movies, and now Pop Century, that I'd really like to stay is Wilderness Lodge, because it gives a whole different atmosphere, and an interesting one. Maybe the contemporary because of its view of MK, but I really don't have that much ambition about any of the others... AKL is like WL, it has that feeling, but it doesn't appeal to me.
It's like you said, I'm only going to sleep in it, all the rooms look the same when you're sleeping. And this specially true to us internationals, who have to put together even more money for the trip.
I've stayed at All-Star Music, and found it wonderful, everything was well-kept. I'm sure there's somebody around here who's had a bad experience at a moderate or deluxe resorts. Bad experiences happen, it doesn't mean that it'll happen every single time, specially concerning Disney.