I'd never stay in:
- The Value resorts (I'm no snob and we typically stay at no-frills budget hotels when traveling elsewhere, but the rooms are too small for a family of 4 with two nearly-teens, plus we want to avoid the noise/crowds of large groups since long afternoon naps are part of our Disney routine; not to mention, free-range kids' teams and cheerleaders scare me nearly as much as snakes and clowns!!!). We've loved the moderates where we've stayed, however, as well as Fort Wilderness Campground (in the days when my parents had a pop-up camper).
- The Grand Floridian (too high-falootin' for our personal taste)
- Old Key West (I love the Golden Girls, but I heartily dislike their decor)
- Saratoga Springs (we live in upstate NY, so a resort themed to it doesn't hold any interest)
- any on-site Disney hotel at full price! If we ever can't rent DVC points or get a great seasonal discount, we'll go to the Swan/Dolphin or off-site.
Appropos of nothing, so far our very favorite Disney hotel experiences (in terms of great theme, great dining, and consistent transportation) have been a week at Caribbean Beach Resort (pre-construction, in a preferred room with "free" standard DDP), a week with several relatives in a newly-refurbished 2-bedroom DVC villa at Wilderness Lodge on rented points (transportation there was bad but everything else excelled), and a 2-night splurge in a Polynesian Village Resort DVC studio on rented points. Hoping our upcoming stay (6 nights, AKL studio, again on rented points at $283/night even over February break) will be the best yet!