[MaineMouse]

my gf and i are planning a trip to WDW for sometime next year, we are on a budget so were looking into the value resorts. I've been to WDW before but have always stayed at the Moderate resorts. Just wondering if anyone had any input on the value resorts or advice as to which one to stay at.

Thanks
Maine Mouse

[MerlinMatt]

Originally Posted by MaineMouse

my gf and i are planning a trip to WDW for sometime next year, we are on a budget so were looking into the value resorts. I've been to WDW before but have always stayed at the Moderate resorts. Just wondering if anyone had any input on the value resorts or advice as to which one to stay at.

I LOVE All Star Sports!

[tinkerbell]

we actually perfered Music over the other two All Stars ..but now DH really loves the Pop Century better then any of the values.

[Amneris]

Well, not speaking from personal experience but what I've heard is that generally everyone on here loves the All Stars who has stayed at them. The rooms are a bit on the small side -- so if you have a larger party it works best if you're not planning to spend much time in your rooms. My DBF has stayed at Music twice now, and he's had a great experience each time. The noise levels can be a bit high near the pools, but that's with any resort you'd stay at. The Value resorts have room service limited to pizza and only have counter service places and there is no slide at the pools (differences from the moderates). The opinion on Pop Century on this board is very divided -- there are lots of posts about people loving it and everything being up to Disney standard, but there's also been lots of discussion about things being sub-par there too.

[downsouthtigger]

Preferably I would go with movies. Only cause I love toy story and I got to stay in those rooms!
I would also say music is great too, it's quieter in my opinion to some of the other resorts. Actually movies is the resort thats usually available when I try to book a room. I don't recommend sports only because I can never keep up with the school activities schedule. There are good times, like when it's cheerleader competition time, and all those cheerleaders are out there practicing!! Then there are bad times, little league, school football, tee ball.....so just stay at sports when you know it's cheerleader competition time! lol
OK seriously the sports has that, but at times music will have band camps and such. Those are usually few and far between as most bands will stay at sports with the teams. Movies is generally going to be filled with families, but so will most of the other values.
PC is a toughy, I'll find that out in December though, from what I hear it's just ok. Still its a matter of taste, if you're used to the moderates you may be in for a little shock. Small rooms, one sink, no restaurant, less theming, and being farther away from everything.
You will just have to try it out, values can somtimes be better than the moderates, it just depends on what you do on your trip and how you make your own magic.
Oh and a great deal of it has to do with being single and hanging out with really cute cheerleaders!!!!

[phayes93]

We have stayed at all three All-Stars, but not PC (maybe soon, though). We stayed at AS Sports with my daughter's club soccer team a few years ago when they were there for a tournament at Disney's Wide World of Sports. We have liked all three, actually. They are all quite similar - just different decor themes. The food in the Food Courts is actually quite good. We've also had pizza made there and it was very good. No matter which one you pick, you'll enjoy yourselves - I guarantee. (BTW: Avoid the McDonald's located just before you get to All-Star Sports - they prices are nearly double the prices at most other MCDonald's. Guess they have to dole out some pretty heft rent to Disney to be on-site!)

[karliebug]

I've stayed at all 3 all-stars, not PC,and thought they were all great. I thought the food court at the music was a little better than the other two. Bus service to the parks was great, but sometimes the wait at night from the parks back to the hotel was slow. Rooms are clean and comfortable, food courts have good choices, and the pools are fun,too. The pools don't have waterslides like they do at the higher priced hotels, but my kids didn't seem to mind. The staff has always been great,too!

[mickaholic4077]

I have stayed at AS music many times and I have always loved it,but now I REALLY love the PC. It has alot of theming that brought back many great memories for me. I highly recommend it.

[asp8tis]

We stayed at ASM in Jan. '03 with our 2 DS's and were very happy with it. We really don't spend that much time in our hotel room, so aside from a couple of slightly longer bus rides, we didn't find the experience to be that much different from the moderates. There is still great theming and decor and wonderful Disney service at the All Stars.

[geeman]

Well, not only did I just return from a stay there (at AS Music) LAST WEEK , I had also stayed there for a week last year at this time. I enjoyed it. Of course, having stayed at the Contemporary the week before this latest stint meant that it felt like a real let-down in comparison, but I really do like the All Star Music. It's tranquil. The giant icons aren't as strange as some of the ones at the other All Stars and Pop Century. The grounds are well kept. The food center is big and has a lot to offer. And the pools are wonderful. This year I spent a lot of time in the Piano pool. Last year, the guitar shaped pool with the 3 Caballeros in it was my tranquil relief for the day.

The one suggestion I do have is to pick a location that suits you. Though I don't like Jazz music, I really enjoyed the location of the Jazz Building - it sits between the pools, and offers a quiet relief from everything around it. The Calypso Building, right by the pool, seems like it would be noisy. Conversely, if you want total peace and quiet and to feel abandonned, you could try the Broadway or Country Buildings. We had the Broadway this time, and I didn't really enjoy the location as much because we were facing the parking lot and were as far back from anything as you could be. The Country and Rock buildings seem to have the same problems. If youdo get one of those rooms, you might ask for something other than parking lot view- though, honestly, once in the room, they are all pretty much the same. I couldn't complain - got 3 days for less than 60 dollars a day this time around.

If you are going next year, any reason why you can't save a little extra and go for a moderate or above? On certain seasons, it's not really much more. Then again, my gf & I have found over the years that the deluxes suite us best, which means we spoil ourselves at vacation time. We're going back to our favorite, AKL, which is btw, a nice romantic one to stay at. And I will save up some major Mickey bucks to return to the Contemporary someday. Loved it there.

Last year, I took a walk through the various All Stars. Of them all, I preferred the look, the style, and the amenities of the Music.

[Dana]

I have stayed at both the All Star Music and Movies and like them both very much. If it's only you and you girfriend in the room, the small room won't really matter much. My daughter and I weren't crowded in when we stayed at Movies, but when my mother joined us at music, it was a little tight. I think the best part is the large icons...excellent photo opportunities.

[MaineMouse]

thanks you guys. as i said before i've always stayed at the Moderates, due to the parents shelling the $$ to go. i really wanted to stay at Riverside but in the interest of not breaking the bank we decided to go with a Value. it's reassuring to hear some positive feedback about the AllStars. everything i've read so far has put Music above the rest...that's why we are choosing it.

MaineMouse

[downsouthtigger]

originally posted by geeman
Though I don't like Jazz music, I really enjoyed the location of the Jazz Building - it sits between the pools, and offers a quiet relief from everything around it

Not that I like jazz all that great either, but it's true the Jazz in is by far one of the better buildings. Its a great distance from parking, pools, and the melody hall. Also being from Mobile AL and having the nawlins style french architecture (even though mobile was settled by the French first!), the little courtyard outside my door really made it feel closer to home.
If I ever stay at music again, which will be after PC and anymore moderates/deluxes I can squeeze into my bank account, I would stay at the Jazz Inn. Its a really cute room for the price and I know for a fact of the quality I would be getting. AT discount prices though, they are such a bargain, even if they are out of the way.