Adults trip - stay at Value?

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Joined: 08/20/2010
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Adults trip - stay at Value?

Hi All,

For the past 4 years my boyfriend and I have taken a short (between 4-5) night trip to the world for the Food and Wine Festival. We've stayed at either the Swan or Dolphin each time. We love that resort for it's proximity to EPCOT, the fun nightlife at it's various bars, and the Boardwalk. Definitely great for adults.

We are moving this summer and between new furniture, deposits and movers, money is tight. And fall prices and the S&D are high right now. I am considering staying at a Value. I am hesitant for a few reasons... not as nice, kind of far away, no real restaurant or nightlife, screaming kids (no offense!). Reasons I am considering: We would save about $350 on the reservation, no $14 ($74 total) resort fee, and free transportation from the airport ($110 in taxi RT). That all adds up!

Are there any adults who have stayed at a Value with no kids? I would appreciate your thoughts on your stay. Are there certain Values you would suggest for us?

I appreciate any and all feedback!

Allison

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JoAnn C's picture
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Joined: 05/20/2011
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My friends and I stay at Pop Century. It's a fun resort with a great pool bar (Petals). The Everything Pop food court has a good variety, plus you can walk to Art of Animation and check out their food court as well.

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The Cookie Crumbler's picture
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I've stayed at All Star Music twice, once as an adult with my friend. That was a perfectly fine experience. Sure, it wasn't nearly as nice as staying at one of the moderate or deluxe resorts would have been, but when you're on a smaller budget you work with what you have. There were a lot of families, but it wasn't like the children were overrunning the place.

I have to admit, I love the look of the value resorts, digging the old school motel look with the room entrances on the exterior. Reminds me of the Jersey Shore motels we used to stay at when I was younger, though much better quality of course.

My spouse and I are also hoping to stay at Pop this winter and are really excited about it! It doesn't share a bus with other resorts, like the All Stars do, which is a big selling point.

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Spook's picture
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Joined: 04/27/2012
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My Fiance and I always stay at the Value resorts. Pretty much the only time we are in the room is to sleep so paying more for a moderate resort just doesn't make sense for us. Also, our "night life" activities are just being in the parks for fireworks or shopping at DTD. We don't really do the bar scene.
I really do enjoy the Value resorts though. The themes make it seem more Disney to me (although some people might see it as more kiddie). I've never had a problem with screaming kids either. I'm sure it's louder if you're close to the pool though.
I'd recommend staying at a Value if you're looking to save money. Pop century would prob be better since it has its own bus. I've stayed there twice and loved it both times biggrin

dontthrowsand's picture
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Joined: 05/28/2012
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There will be 4 of us staying at Art of Animation this summer, none of us even have kids. POP was my other choice for value.

What sold me on a Value resort other than savings was:
Neither AoA or Pop share busses with other resorts
They are spread out so crowds wont be quite as condensed
We are going to be in the parks late or around the other resorts so the "lack of night life" isn't a concern, if anything it means it will be quieter for us if we do decide to call it a night early.
AoA is new. Why not stay in a hotel when it is only a few months old as opposed to 10+ years old.

macdamron's picture
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Joined: 04/27/2011
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We stayed at POP for our honeymoon, and we really didn't notice kids. Honestly, I think you would see them no matter where you stay. But we would definitely stay there again sans kids!

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DisneyDee27's picture
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We usually stay in values mostly the Pop to save money and because it's fun. I've not noticed any more noise than when we stayed at the PORFQ...the food courts are fine and the drinks are still top notch. I like the fun icons of the values and honestly I like saving the money and spending more days at Disney or on trinkets for me/family. The rooms are clean, mousekeeping makes great towel animals and at night it's fairly quiet.
I look forward to splurging on a deluxe one day but for me the values add to the magic.
Dee

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WyckedPhoenix's picture
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Andy and I stayed at POP in October for our anniversary (and only trip there) and we really loved it. We were in the 90's building overlooking the computer pool. We didn't have any issue with noise, we really liked Everything POP, great for quick snacks/sodas/gifts, the bus system was awesome for us. We liked it so much we are thinking of staying there again when we get to go back.

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emmaanne's picture
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My husband and I stayed at POP this past spring when we went. Didn't really think twice about it. There were a ton of families of course, but it wasn't crazy crowded with screaming kids or anything at all. I think you will be fine =)

oh, the ONLY thing I would complain about is that we had 2 double beds.. so make sure you request a king room!

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Mase's picture
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emmaanne wrote:
My husband and I stayed at POP this past spring when we went. Didn't really think twice about it. There were a ton of families of course, but it wasn't crazy crowded with screaming kids or anything at all. I think you will be fine =)

oh, the ONLY thing I would complain about is that we had 2 double beds.. so make sure you request a king room!

idk... they may have done that on purpose.............. laugh

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ChipnDaleFan's picture
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I think staying at AoA or Pop should be fine. I just stayed at the Dolphin and it was overrun with kids and the pool was packed and totally crowded. (And not the kids that we brought- many young kids). You don't wind up spending too much time in the rooms anyway!

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My husband and I always stay in Value resorts when it's just the two of us (and we go down for our anniversary during the Food & Wine Festival, too!). We're not in the room enough to justify the expense. Our room is for sleeping, showering, and wardrobe changes.
We'd rather spend our money in the parks and DTD. awesome

All Star Sports is first on the bus route and it really doesn't take that long to get a bus anywhere. I think the longest we ever waited was about 20 minutes. ...and we ended up just grabbing some snacks from the food court and relaxing until the bus got there.

I think it's definitely worth it to save the money.

As for the lack of "night life" and "restaurants"- that just gives you more of a reason to head to other resorts and check out their restaurants. And the bus ride home is a great way to unwind, people watch, and relive the day together.

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emmaanne wrote:

oh, the ONLY thing I would complain about is that we had 2 double beds.. so make sure you request a king room!

This happened on our first anniversary when my husband and I went. I called the front desk and said "Ummm, is there any chance we can get a room with a king bed... it's our first anniversary so we still like eachother and want to share a bed."
...they had us in a new room within 5 minutes (and they moved all of our luggage for us). Only downside was that it was a handicap accessible room so there was no tub- just a shower. Not that we would have had a romantic night in the tiny tub or anything...

Melissa W's picture
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Joined: 10/28/2011
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My husband and I always stayed at value resorts before we had our son. Since we were almost never at the resort (at the parks from open to close) it was just a place to sleep. I say do it!

Skunk's picture
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Stay @ POP if saving money is the goal. With all of the money you'll be saving, you can still enjoy everything at the Boardwalk and Swan/Dolphin, and afford the $10-$15 cab ride back to POP at the end of the night, skipping the long bus ride via DTD. That said, I would pay extra for the convenience of walking back to the room from Epcot, afternoon or evening, if you are planning on spending most of your time at F&W. Whichever you choose, have fun!