What type of hotel do you prefer?

[Bryan Slater]

I prefer the value resorts. The value resorts are the only resorts that make it obviously a Disney themed. Why does this matter? Well I'm traveling with my 2 year old and my 5 year old, so when we go to Disney they want Disney all the time and to them it's the coolest thing. I know some people will complain how hideous they say they are but it's great to me. Some complain about size I say it's perfect. We are usually only there to takes nap and sleep at night. Don't need anything else. I've tried other resorts and they like the value resorts the best. This is what makes my kids happy so it makes me happy! What's your choice and why?

 

[epcotisbest]

We have stayed at all levels and like them all but have gotten kinda spoiled with DVC villas the past few years. We like the deluxe amenities and especially like having a kitchen as we tend to cook in the room a lot, especially breakfast. One of our favorite things is breakfast on the balcony early in the morning.
We stay offsite often as well. The themes at values, to us, are just plain fun, especially POP and AoA. So again, we like all levels. If value works for you and makes you and the kids happy, that is great.

 

[SeanWM48]

w/ kids in mind the value seems like a logical choice. i voted wilderness; we go for the cabins every trip and i can't picture it any other way. the campground is quite the experience and you can do a day there on its own. if you were looking for a place that offers things to do, a dinner/show, golf carts, boats, etc where you are spending a day at the resort w/ no parks, the campground is money.

however as you stated in the OP if you are really just staying at the hotel for a place to sleep and some quick meals, and the rest of your time is focused on parks, wilderness is probably not worth it

 

[Bryan Slater]

w/ kids in mind the value seems like a logical choice. i voted wilderness; we go for the cabins every trip and i can't picture it any other way. the campground is quite the experience and you can do a day there on its own. if you were looking for a place that offers things to do, a dinner/show, golf carts, boats, etc where you are spending a day at the resort w/ no parks, the campground is money.

however as you stated in the OP if you are really just staying at the hotel for a place to sleep and some quick meals, and the rest of your time is focused on parks, wilderness is probably not worth it

We actually were looking at the cabins and are thinking about them the next trip for the same reason you stated. I do like all the activities they have for the young ones. All great points thank you

 

[SeanWM48]

We actually were looking at the cabins and are thinking about them the next trip for the same reason you stated. I do like all the activities they have for the young ones. All great points thank you

oh absolutely. kids will dig it for sure. even just buzzing around on the golf cart is a blast. 2 pools, buffet at trails end, boat transportation to kingdom.

i should work there with how much i sell people on this place. check my trip report in my sig if you are interested, we were last there in November '14. very fun w/ the Christmas theme

 

[epcotisbest]

We actually were looking at the cabins and are thinking about them the next trip for the same reason you stated. I do like all the activities they have for the young ones. All great points thank you

We have stayed at Fort Wilderness a couple of times, but not in the cabins. We don't have kids and still loved it. The problem there is there is so much to see and do, so many activities, great pool etc...it is easy to spend lots of time at Fort Wilderness and not at the parks. Now, I don't consider that a bad thing at all.

 

[Tinkerfan4ever]

Oh this is a really good question. We are DVC members and we really enjoy our stays there. BUT... I really like the decor at the values and sometimes I miss that. (I don't think I would give up the space, kitchen or washer/dryer in room at DVC). I know a lot of people don't care for the larger than life decor at the value but those are some of my favorite pictures of my vacations.

 

[Schneewittchen]

I'm an RV'er, so Fort Wilderness is our only option. But I love it anyway. The westward expansion theming takes me back to my childhood: watching Fess Parker movies and playing cowboys and indians in the backyard.

Generally, I like themed resorts, but I'm not fond of things that are too cartoon-ish. A sanitized version of a real place or era is preferable. I think Wilderness Lodge and the Poly are just lovely - and one day, I'll talk DH into staying at one of them.

 

[sxeensweet]

Spoiled to Deluxe accommodations so much so we eventually joined DVC in 2013.

 

[LAKid53]

Deluxe nob, here. DVC villas, specifically.

 

["El Gran Magnifico"]

IMHO..it depends on the rate. It's not fair to categorize based on the criteria in the poll (V/M/D) I prefer a resort that gives value for the money spent. Give me POFQ at $175 or under a night. DWL at $280 or under a night. Monorail/Epcot resort at $350 or under, Dolphin/Swan $200.....you get the concept. It's usually the value that determines where I'll stay. And if there is no value...I don't have a problem staying "off property". Hilton Bonnet Creek, Hilton LBV (which are still technically "on property"), Hilton Orlando, Grand Hyatt, Sheraton Vistana, Hilton Grand Vacations, Gaylord Palms.

There is no Disney property worth more than $350 a night. That is just my opinion.

 

[Bryan Slater]

IMHO..it depends on the rate. It's not fair to categorize based on the criteria in the poll (V/M/D) I prefer a resort that gives value for the money spent. Give me POFQ at $175 or under a night. DWL at $280 or under a night. Monorail/Epcot resort at $350 or under, Dolphin/Swan $200.....you get the concept. It's usually the value that determines where I'll stay. And if there is no value...I don't have a problem staying "off property". Hilton Bonnet Creek, Hilton LBV (which are still technically "on property"), Hilton Orlando, Grand Hyatt, Sheraton Vistana, Hilton Grand Vacations, Gaylord Palms.

There is no Disney property worth more than $350 a night. That is just my opinion.

Love your response and great information also

 

[Disney4family]

We started our love of WDW at All-Star Sports. We tried the Caribbean Beach once. Although the rooms were a bit nicer at a moderate resort, we prefer the value resorts due to the size of the moderate resort complex. We stayed at The Contemporary once and loved the proximity to the Magic Kingdom. We're now BLT people. We still have fond memories of and feelings towards our days at the All-Stars.

 

[DisneyJunkie]

Have to go Deluxe.....all the way. They're the best themed, have the best locations (generally), and feel the least like those cheap Motel 6's (like the Value resorts). I made the mistake of going Deluxe from the beginning, then later trying out a moderate to save some $, and the difference in quality is VERY noticeable.

 

[DManRightHere]

I prefer moderate. They feel more my style, homey, not too grand, and not too roudy. We like good buses and convenient good food! We basically only stay at moderates if we receive a pin code.

 

[zurgandfriend]

Deluxe and in the Magic Kingdom resort area.

 

[Matt_Black]

I'd like to stay at a moderate or deluxe, but as my next trip may well be solo, my eye keeps going towards the value resorts.

 

[DarthVader]

Its difficult to vote right now for me, as I had not stayed at a deluxe resort. I will be going to the Contemporary this April. Now with that said, I'm leaning towards the value resort that I prefer, my reasons are as follows:
The cost. I can get what seems to be around a 100 dollars a night for a value resort. The deluxe resorts are coming in around 550 a night. So for my typical length of stay, I'm paying around 1,000 for the value resort or 5,500 for a deluxe.

Food court, my kids love the counter service places, so I'm not seeing any advantage between Value/Moderate/Deluxe.

Rooms, the moderate and deluxe are in fact larger and more spacious, but we seem to show up and just collapse in the rooms. We're not spending a lot of time there.

With that said, my kids and I are looking forward to the contemporary, the idea that we can take the monorail to MK and EP, is great. We can also walk to MK if we feel so moved, and seeing the fireworks from the resort is a plus as well.

I don't regret my choice for staying at the contemporary, but it has taken me 2 years to save up enough money for this trip, where as prior trips were a heck of lot more economical.

 

[parkhopper1213]

I prefer the value resorts. The value resorts are the only resorts that make it obviously a Disney themed. Why does this matter? Well I'm traveling with my 2 year old and my 5 year old, so when we go to Disney they want Disney all the time and to them it's the coolest thing. I know some people will complain how hideous they say they are but it's great to me. Some complain about size I say it's perfect. We are usually only there to takes nap and sleep at night. Don't need anything else. I've tried other resorts and they like the value resorts the best. This is what makes my kids happy so it makes me happy! What's your choice and why?

We have stayed at the All Star Sports 15 times, the Old Key West 1 time and off site 2 times. Off site hotels cost us less, but it was harder to get to and from the parks. Its great to be able to stay on property, get the Magical Express and transportation to the parks. The people we run into at the value properties are great and we have been pleased with the food service at the All Star Sports. The price difference between the value and moderate properties is huge. (like $500 for a week's stay) That difference pays for our meals in the park and a few t-shirts.

 

[DisneyFans4Life]

If I'm basing my response strictly on theming, it could be any number of hotels. AKL is themed very well...it may not be Disney, but it is still themed extremely well. If I want a hotel that is Disney themed, no question I'm going to AoA (actually checking in to our Little Mermaid room tomorrow).

If I'm basing my response on price...then most like either a moderate or value...depending on the special going on at the time.