Who else here prefers a stay at a Value Resort versus a Deluxe?

[KBLovedDisney]

Excluding the costs of a value resort versus a deluxe resort, the reason I mostly stay at a value resort is because of the theme. I don't mind the buses, and I don't mind the crowds. I absolutely love love love the theme of the value resorts. My absolute favorite are the Movies and staying in 101 Dalmatians or the Mighty Ducks.

Maybe it is because of the simplicity and slight cheesiness of it all, but when I get to that hotel first thing, it puts me back into my 12 year old self's shoes and I get super excited.

Don't get me wrong though. I have nothing against a Deluxe resort. They are cool in their own right, but I prefer an All-Star stay.

Anyone else?

 

[BoarderPhreak]

I prefer Moderate. Not quite Deluxe - not quite Value. Or the Swan/Dolphin, which is Moderate priced for Deluxe accomo.

 

[correcaminos]

I know many do, but the themes of the values have always been less than favorites of mine. I don't like over the top and that's what they are in many ways.

Granted my first stays were in the 80s and the themes were Polynesian, Contemporary, Ft. Wilderness in addition to the Disney Village villas. So I'm probably more used to that type of theme anyway.

I too, love the Swan and Dolphin, so that probably says something too about my tastes.

 

[Nemo14]

I don't mind the Values - it's the people who stay there that spoil it for me...

jk

 

[KBLovedDisney]

I know many do, but the themes of the values have always been less than favorites of mine. I don't like over the top and that's what they are in many ways.

Granted my first stays were in the 80s and the themes were Polynesian, Contemporary, Ft. Wilderness in addition to the Disney Village villas. So I'm probably more used to that type of theme anyway.

I too, love the Swan and Dolphin, so that probably says something too about my tastes.

I think my first stay was in 1989, and was immediately hooked on the Polynesian. Will always love that hotel even though I prefer the All Stars. Just wish they didn't remove the original center piece though

 

[correcaminos]

I think my first stay was in 1989, and was immediately hooked on the Polynesian. Will always love that hotel even though I prefer the All Stars. Just wish they didn't remove the original center piece though

Our first stays were Ft. Wilderness, then the Disney Marketplace (Disney Institute now SSR) and then finally Polynesian - all in the early to mid 80s. I loved the Polynesian and am glad we were able to make it one of our homes for DVC. I sometimes miss the waterfall in the resort, but I don't miss the smell at all. I get why it had to go. I kind of love the new lobby area - just feels so open and inviting now. I was sure I'd hate it though because that was such a part of our trips even before we stayed there.

 

[KBLovedDisney]

In my childhood years, we always stayed at the Polynesian. Grant it was only for a couple of days because of the pricing, but then when I got older, I picked the All Stars to try them out and was immediately hooked on them. I think my hotel preferences just changed over the years.

 

[KBLovedDisney]

Our first stays were Ft. Wilderness, then the Disney Marketplace (Disney Institute now SSR) and then finally Polynesian - all in the early to mid 80s. I loved the Polynesian and am glad we were able to make it one of our homes for DVC. I sometimes miss the waterfall in the resort, but I don't miss the smell at all. I get why it had to go. I kind of love the new lobby area - just feels so open and inviting now. I was sure I'd hate it though because that was such a part of our trips even before we stayed there.

I definitely agree. I will miss it (not the smell), but I do very much like the new openness of the lobby along with the nice light fixtures they put in there.

 

[correcaminos]

In my childhood years, we always stayed at the Polynesian. Grant it was only for a couple of days because of the pricing, but then when I got older, I picked the All Stars to try them out and was immediately hooked on them. I think my hotel preferences just changed over the years.

I get it! I don't think my tastes have changed much in that way. I still like more quiet and subdued on vacation I think. To me the Polynesian and Old Key West nailed the themes and feel so relaxing to me.

I definitely agree. I will miss it (not the smell), but I do very much like the new openness of the lobby along with the nice light fixtures they put in there.

I was surprise with how much I liked it. I still miss the water feature, but not as much as I thought I would. Now if they'd only bring back more of those specialty shops they had until the early 2000s I'd be thrilled!

 

[KBLovedDisney]

I get it! I don't think my tastes have changed much in that way. I still like more quiet and subdued on vacation I think. To me the Polynesian and Old Key West nailed the themes and feel so relaxing to me.

I've never tried Old Key West. Is it anything like the Wilderness Lodge, or does it have more of a "western" feel?

 

[Bartledvd]

The only place that feels like home to us is old key west was our first resort tried AoA hated it tried few other delux resorts but they just felt all wrong never making that mistake again OKW or stay at home for us.

 

[WondersOfLife]

Well of course. It's the only one I can afford.

 

[MightyMouse]

Our first trip was in October 2012 and I had my heart set on staying at AoA however the resort was not open yet at the time of booking. We booked at a moderate instead, however once the booking became available for AoA I immediately jumped on it and there was no looking back. I know the OP asked about preference of a Value over a Deluxe but from the fantastic experience we had and the perma-smile on my daughters face looking at all those character statues, if I could redo it over in order to stay in a Deluxe there would be no way I'd want to trade in those fantastic memories.

 

[correcaminos]

I've never tried Old Key West. Is it anything like the Wilderness Lodge, or does it have more of a "western" feel?

No it has a Florida Key West feel to it. So nice and bright feeling.

 

[BoarderPhreak]

What I really miss is the old Disney Institute Resort (which is now SSR). It didn't have any real theming per se... But did have town homes to rent! Sooooo much space and you could walk right to nearby DS and PI (at the time).

 

[Tuvalu]

What I really miss is the old Disney Institute Resort (which is now OKW). It didn't have any real theming per se... But did have town homes to rent! Sooooo much space and you could walk right to nearby DS and PI (at the time).

Disney Institute became Saratoga Springs.

 

[correcaminos]

What I really miss is the old Disney Institute Resort (which is now OKW). It didn't have any real theming per se... But did have town homes to rent! Sooooo much space and you could walk right to nearby DS and PI (at the time).

Actually the Disney Institute was turned into SSR. It was still in existence when they built OKW, but were torn down when building SSR.

As I said we stayed when it was called the Disney Village (then Marketplace after) in one of those in the early 80s. They were really nice!

 

[BoarderPhreak]

Yup, my bad - SSR!

 

[slappy magoo]

I'd be willing to give the refurbished rooms at Pop a shot since they now at least have queen beds, but my only value stay has ever been 1 night at AoA Little Mermaid room having arrived on property a day early. Room was too small for our liking, beds were WAY too small, food court was too chaotic and cacophonous. It was fun to walk around and appreciate the design of the statues, and the Big Blue was great, but we were happy to get out of there the next day. Even the bigger beds at Pop won't take away from how small the room is and lack of amenities so it would probably be a short stay when we're being park commandos. We pretty much always stay in 1BR Villas. We like having space away from the kids and the ability to pack less and do laundry without having to take an afternoon off or keep an eye on machines while we try to swim or enjoy the hotel amenities. It actually makes the rest of the trip more relaxing and enjoyable for us, but hey, we're all different.

 

[belledream]

Meee!

Though I wouldn't say I 'prefer' it because I've thoroughly enjoyed all my Disney stays at Deluxes and still look forward to planning those experiences in the years to come...but I wholeheartedly feel your sentiment on the themes.

I love stepping out of my room in the early morning and breathing in that fresh air and seeing the bright colors, humongous maracas or Buzz Lightyear. I grew up with the All Stars so I definitely have some sentimental attachment that would be hard to understand...like, I love seeing the Coke cups...I don't feel like I'm in the majority there.

But then I also love the beautiful Deluxe lobbies, roaming the hallways, just spending afternoons on the resort grounds. The theme there is quite a 180, but I don't see anything wrong with being able to love both!

What I 'prefer' most about Values are the cost. I'd take more days and nights at Disney World 9 times out of 10.