Value Resort

[icu222much]

I'm planning to visit DisneyWorld for four days at the beginning of December. We (my gf and I) are planning to stay at their most affordable Value Resorts (All-Star Music, Movies, and Sports) and I have a few questions:

1) Do we still get the same Disney quality service when compared to a higher tier resort?
2) Is there still a magical 'Disney' experience when staying in these Value Resorts (I know that this will be a biased response).
3) Is there central Value Resort to be staying at? We plan to visit one park each day, and want to minimize transportation time.
4) Is there any benefit from staying in the Value Resorts other then:
- Able to take Disney shuttle to/from park
- First access to FastPass
- Dining reservations

 

[DisneyJoe]

Pop Century is the most centrally located, Art of Animation also

 

[VaderTron]

I'm planning to visit DisneyWorld for four days at the beginning of December. We (my gf and I) are planning to stay at their most affordable Value Resorts (All-Star Music, Movies, and Sports) and I have a few questions:

1) Do we still get the same Disney quality service when compared to a higher tier resort?
2) Is there still a magical 'Disney' experience when staying in these Value Resorts (I know that this will be a biased response).
3) Is there central Value Resort to be staying at? We plan to visit one park each day, and want to minimize transportation time.
4) Is there any benefit from staying in the Value Resorts other then:
- Able to take Disney shuttle to/from park
- First access to FastPass
- Dining reservations

1) No

2) Sort of. Temper your expectations and you will be happy with the experience.

3) Mentioned by previous poster, however the difference in travel time is minimal. Travel between resorts and parks takes time. Disney suggests planning for 60-90 minutes to get from place to place.

4) There are off-site hotels that have shuttles to/from Disney parks. Some Disney Springs hotels also get 60-day fastpass window. There is no benefit to staying at Value resorts in regard to dining as they do not have table service restaurants. You can reserve dining at any resort no matter where you are staying.

 

[Dad 2 M & M]

I'm planning to visit DisneyWorld for four days at the beginning of December. We (my gf and I) are planning to stay at their most affordable Value Resorts (All-Star Music, Movies, and Sports) and I have a few questions:

1) Do we still get the same Disney quality service when compared to a higher tier resort?
2) Is there still a magical 'Disney' experience when staying in these Value Resorts (I know that this will be a biased response).
3) Is there central Value Resort to be staying at? We plan to visit one park each day, and want to minimize transportation time.
4) Is there any benefit from staying in the Value Resorts other then:
- Able to take Disney shuttle to/from park
- First access to FastPass
- Dining reservations

A couple of observations/suggestions:

1) - The quality of service is less than the Mods or Deluxes, but it is up to the Disney standard, and is a value for price paid.
2) Yes, it is still magical. The theme is corny to some, but Magical to our family
3) AoA/Pop are the more centrally located, as they are close to DHS and Epcot. All-Stars are close to Animal Kingdom
4) - Don't let anyone tell you the All-Stars' shared busing is a reason not to stay there. Pop/AoA actually has shared busing as well, and they have been sharing more of late than the All-Stars. The shared busing happens most frequently during the day, or late at night after EMEs.
- Your window of opportunity to access Fastpass is closing if you are going the first part of December....may have already closed
- Dining is 190 days from check-in......

 

[drizgirl]

- Dining is 190 days from check-in......

Actually dining is 180 days from check-in, but you can book for up to 10 days of your trip.

 

[Dad 2 M & M]

Actually dining is 180 days from check-in, but you can book for up to 10 days of your trip.

Right....I whiff that every time I mention it.........up to 190 days if your staying on property

In any event, the dude is WAY past his window....

 

[Rob562]

Also, depending on your specific dates, you may not find any availability at the All-Stars. We're going the second week of December and have a reservation at one of the Disney Springs hotels. Happened to check our dates at the Disney hotels yesterday and the only properties that had availability for all 7 nights were Fort Wilderness campsites and the Grand Floridian.

-Rob

 

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

1 and 2 are subjective.
Some people say yes its good quality and a good overall magical experience and some will say its not.
Personally after staying in each resort level I can honestly say I like the value resorts the best.

3. All 3 All Star resorts are located right next to each other. Music is in the middle and personally I would NOT recommend music. I like Movies for the theme plus I believe all rooms are now refurbed and I'd recommend Sports because when the resorts do share a bus Sports is first to be picked up which gives you the best chance to get a seat.
AOA and POP are much more centrally located to EPCOT and HS with a pretty direct route to MK.

4. All Disney resorts have those benefits. mods and deluxe have some added benefits but those usually come as an upcharge like the potential for a theme park view room and being closer to a particular park etc.

 

[Dad 2 M & M]

1 and 2 are subjective.
Some people say yes its good quality and a good overall magical experience and some will say its not.
Personally after staying in each resort level I can honestly say I like the value resorts the best.

3. All 3 All Star resorts are located right next to each other. Music is in the middle and personally I would NOT recommend music. I like Movies for the theme plus I believe all rooms are now refurbed and I'd recommend Sports because when the resorts do share a bus Sports is first to be picked up which gives you the best chance to get a seat.
AOA and POP are much more centrally located to EPCOT and HS with a pretty direct route to MK.

4. All Disney resorts have those benefits. mods and deluxe have some added benefits but those usually come as an upcharge like the potential for a theme park view room and being closer to a particular park etc.

Sports is no longer "always" the first stop when sharing buses......

Another thought on Music - You could ride either the Sports or Music bus back and a short walk back to Music.....pick the 1st bus that shops up to the Park

 

[YankeeMouse]

We've been to all categories, hundreds of times over the years. Have been treated the best at Caribbean Beach Resort, the worst at POFQ. In my opinion, the front desk cast members can get you off to a good start and make your stay seem magical or just another day to them. Stayed away from POFQ as a result of 2 bad experiences actually, but took a chance and returned recently and it was fine. Have been given upgrades at CBR and AKL over the years, nowhere else. If budget is important to you, Pop Century has been wonderful at the front desk, cast member we got even gave us many any time fastpass experiences which was amazing, made the trip that much more relaxed; although the food court is kind of noisy and overrun with families, doesn't bother us, I kind of like the chaos, but if you have someone with you to whom that is important, keep that in mind.

 

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

We've been to all categories, hundreds of times over the years. Have been treated the best at Caribbean Beach Resort, the worst at POFQ. In my opinion, the front desk cast members can get you off to a good start and make your stay seem magical or just another day to them. Stayed away from POFQ as a result of 2 bad experiences actually, but took a chance and returned recently and it was fine. Have been given upgrades at CBR and AKL over the years, nowhere else. If budget is important to you, Pop Century has been wonderful at the front desk, cast member we got even gave us many any time fastpass experiences which was amazing, made the trip that much more relaxed; although the food court is kind of noisy and overrun with families, doesn't bother us, I kind of like the chaos, but if you have someone with you to whom that is important, keep that in mind.

I definitely agree about the front desk CM's. I've had some great ones and some meh this is just a job to me ones and now I always do online check in and hope I get my room number so I don't have to go to the front desk so I can make sure I stay on my high of just arriving at the most magical place on earth instead of possibly having to wait in line and possibly getting a meh CM.

 

[Dad 2 M & M]

I definitely agree about the front desk CM's. I've had some great ones and some meh this is just a job to me ones and now I always do online check in and hope I get my room number so I don't have to go to the front desk so I can make sure I stay on my high of just arriving at the most magical place on earth instead of possibly having to wait in line and possibly getting a meh CM.

It is nice not to have to go to the front desk! Sadly, if you go enough, it is very unlikely to receive the "your room is ready" text or email. The last few times we've been we've received the dreaded "check with the resort desk".....

 

[Vacationeer]

1) You're still in the Disney bubble and for that there's the expectation of providing you a pleasant stay and happy mood atmosphere.

2) Yes, there is still magic, but there's a bit more magic in Moderate, and a bit more in Deluxe. But the money could be wasted if a trip is centered mostly in park hours. There's a common progression for WDW returning guests. They begin at Values because most of their attention is the parks and their resort is to sleep. At this point a value fits perfect to stay in the bubble. After doing everything in the parks, guests have time to begin exploring other things WDW has to offer like resort grounds, theming, restuarants. Then paying an extra $100+/nite make sense to stay Mod. After that they consider experiencing even more of what a resort can offer, like a savannah view or monorail access or immense theming.

Basically, people plan each trip a bit better as the extra expense of upgrading becomes worth it to them. In your case I think it's perfect to start to at a value. Being only 2 people you don't need much room and will likely spend 95% outside your room at the parks. Once you upgrade there's no going back, lol. Leaving yourself room to improve is part of the magic IMHO. And why waste the money on a better resort if this trip won't really use it? Save it for next time It's a progression.

3) Pop and AoA are central but also consider they cost more than "All-Stars", the difference can vary widely depending what week you go. I think they can be worth the extra cost if you plan to spend time at the resort in the pool, eating and especially using the Skyliner.

Have fun! WDW to me is a progression of experience, each returning trip focuses on new aspects. Most people start out focusing on the parks and expand from there.

 

[Vacationeer]

Another popular option is a split stay, like stay 2 at All-Star and 2 at Port Orleans Riverside (which is not too expensive and has very romantic and quiet grounds to explore and enjoy) or whatever other resort strikes your fancy. Put the better resort at the trip's end because it's more fun to feel the upgrade than downgrade

 

[Editor516]

If you’re flying and staying at a value resort, you will still have access to Disney’s Magical Express. You don’t have to pay for parking at the hotel if you use DME to and from the airport. They also deliver your checked bags (from the plane) to your resort room. That and the on-property transportation are huge pluses for me, regardless of the level of Disney hotel.

When friends ask what Disney hotel should they stay at, I ask, “How much time are you going to spend at the hotel?” If you’re a Disney Parks ranger and you’re just using the hotel as a place to sleep and shower, value resorts are just fine. If you spend a considerable amount of time at your hotel, think about staying at a moderate or deluxe.

But a value resort is a fine place to stay. In my experience, the service is more than adequate. Some cast members will absolutely go out of their ways to make you happy. The theming - regardless of what you think about the design - creates a magical atmosphere.

Personally, I prefer Pop Century, but there’s nothing wrong with an All-Star resort. You’ll be at Disney World, and is that ever a really bad thing?

 

[wdwfan22]

I'm planning to visit DisneyWorld for four days at the beginning of December. We (my gf and I) are planning to stay at their most affordable Value Resorts (All-Star Music, Movies, and Sports) and I have a few questions:

1) Do we still get the same Disney quality service when compared to a higher tier resort?
2) Is there still a magical 'Disney' experience when staying in these Value Resorts (I know that this will be a biased response).
3) Is there central Value Resort to be staying at? We plan to visit one park each day, and want to minimize transportation time.
4) Is there any benefit from staying in the Value Resorts other then:
- Able to take Disney shuttle to/from park
- First access to FastPass
- Dining reservations

1.) No
2.) It's a Disney Resort so you'll have a Disney experience. The resort all comes down to what you are looking for in a resort. If you are just going to sleep there, then i would say yes a value resort is fine. If you plan on having a day at the resort then no i would not suggest staying at any Disney Value Resort. I don't even recommend the moderates anymore. However I am the traveler who has been so many times that we spend time at the resorts so it's always Deluxe for us.
3.) Pop Century
4.) The main benefit is being on the grounds and surrounded in the Disney bubble.

 

[YankeeMouse]

I definitely agree about the front desk CM's. I've had some great ones and some meh this is just a job to me ones and now I always do online check in and hope I get my room number so I don't have to go to the front desk so I can make sure I stay on my high of just arriving at the most magical place on earth instead of possibly having to wait in line and possibly getting a meh CM.

The advantage to going to the front desk is that occasionally we want to get into the room right away and we have asked what room is available right now and they will switch us. Can't tell you the room number but they will show you the section on a map.

 

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

The advantage to going to the front desk is that occasionally we want to get into the room right away and we have asked what room is available right now and they will switch us. Can't tell you the room number but they will show you the section on a map.

I've been lucky that all but one trip since direct to room I have received my room number upon arrival.
It was my last trip that I didn't but I was also staying CL so I just hung out in the lounge until it was ready.

 

[SaltyD]

I'm planning to visit DisneyWorld for four days at the beginning of December. We (my gf and I) are planning to stay at their most affordable Value Resorts (All-Star Music, Movies, and Sports) and I have a few questions:

1) Do we still get the same Disney quality service when compared to a higher tier resort?
2) Is there still a magical 'Disney' experience when staying in these Value Resorts (I know that this will be a biased response).
3) Is there central Value Resort to be staying at? We plan to visit one park each day, and want to minimize transportation time.
4) Is there any benefit from staying in the Value Resorts other then:
- Able to take Disney shuttle to/from park
- First access to FastPass
- Dining reservations

1) Yes. Same Disney quality although the rooms will be smaller.
2) Yes again, still magical at the value resorts.
3) Your transportation will be by Disney bus but if you plan on doing one park per day, you can plan on spending the whole day in that park and not have to worry about going back and forth to the resort.
4) Are you comparing Disney Value resort vs off-property? If yes, staying at a Disney Value also gives you the Magical Express from/to Orlando Int'l Airport, Magic Bands, extra magic hours in the parks, priority entrance if crowds get too big and they close the parks.

It's Disney - it's all good and magical!