[megaphonemo]

Okay, we have our vacation at a Value resort booked for the offseason in Sept... Just got an e-mail from Disney today offering a free upgrade to either the Saratoga Springs Deluxe Villa hotel or the Old Key West Deluxe Villa hotel... It would be a studio room in either one....... As much as I'd like to stay in a place with a 4 story woody from toy story, the room could be MUCH nicer (and the clientelle too!!! KWIM?)

Should we do it?? Has anyone stayed in these places? Are the pools there good for a 4 year old and a 1.5 year old (Saratoga has a zero entry pool - which is great for the little one......) How are the restaurants? We have the dining plan too....

Opinions on these places are very much appreciated - Posted or you can PM me!! Help me decide....

Mega

[feelingreyt]

When we went to Disney in March, we stayed at the Coronado Springs Resort. It was a Moderate Resort. We really liked it.
My sister went at the same time and stayed in a Value Resort. Our rooms were very similar. The Decor was different, but the space was the exact same, and honestly not that much nicer. The Resort itself, however, was much more upscale.
The Value resorts cater more towards the children, I believe. My kids said next time we go, they want to stay at the more "fun" hotel, LOL!
The truth of the matter, for us atleast, is we were at the hotel VERY little.
One BIG perk at staying at our Moderate Hotel was we didn't have to share a shuttle with another hotel. I believe all the Value Hotels share shuttles, which could make your travel time longer between the hotel and parks.
All in all, we most likely will do the Value Resort next time, being as it's more kid friendly. Unless of course we were offered a FREE upgrade, we might would reconsider, LOL!

[megaphonemo]

That is what I am thinking too - about the shuttles. At one point we thought about renting a car, so we did not have to wait for buses, and then my sister filled me in that you sometimes have to wait for a boat to take you to your car.... So we decided against the car....

I was also thinking about the "fun' factor.... Like I said, seeing a 4 story Buzz or Woody, or swimming in a pool shaped like a guitar has its perks to a 4 year old.... But the zero entry pool might win out for me.... That is awesome for the little one....

I am concerned - and would have to make sure when we make the change (if we do) - about the studio room being the cruddiest room at the nice resort - and having long walks to get everywhere... I'd have to make sure we are close to the pools and front... (like we are now in the value resort)....

Thanks for the info.....

[feelingreyt]

I honestly believe you are making a wise choice by NOT renting a car. We parked our car when we arrived and it never moved until we left! It was great.

I love the idea of the no entry pool! That is definately a positive!

I made sure when we made our reservation that we were close to a pool(there were more than 1), to the shuttle stop(there are several on the resort we stayed in) and close to the restaurants. With 3 kids, we needed everything to be as convient as possible.

Oh, one more thing....Are you getting the dining plan? We found out that the plan saves money!

[PersianMama]

The Pop Century (Value Resort) has its own buses, but the All-Stars share (they are technically one giant resort, not three). Just putting that out there for anyone planning a trip

My kids love the value resorts (we've stayed in Music, Movies, and the Pop Century). We have grown out of them as of our next trip (September) because our youngest is three, which makes us officially a family of five to Disney. We are staying at the Port Orleans Riverside and are all excited about seeing a new resort.

[megaphonemo]

We got the dining plan as part of our deal - it does pay to go in the off season!!

Yeah, we figured the car would be a waste of money in the long run. My sister also found a place that will deliver groceries to your room for a small fee - but it will be worth it for a case of water ($5 for a case as opposed to $2 a bottle in the park), milk for before bed, and diapers!!) I can share that info via Pm if anyone wants.....

I mentioned the whole thing to DH, and we are gonna do it.... Now just have to choose which one...

Mega

[DebCsMom]

We've been to Disney MANY MANY times! 8 times last year alone! Our daughter works there! Whether youo want the upgrade is totally a decision on how much time you think you will be spending at the resort. The value resorts are VERY nice! The pools are great, the food court is awesome and the convience to and from the parks is amazing! If you plan on spending most of your stay at the parks, then stay with the value resort. If you plan on spliting your time between parks and the resort, take the free upgrade. It really won't make a difference in what your room looks like, much. All the resorts have nice pools. The value resorts tend to be more family orientated.

HAVE FUN!

[megaphonemo]

Okay, just called to make the change, and there are no rooms available to upgrade too!! Not complaining about not getting my free upgrade too much, but I got the e-mail less than 24 hours ago.... Bummer...

Oh well, I know we will have a great time regardless!! (I also like the food court idea...)

Mega

[cborsa7]

We just came back from Disney yesterday.
We stayed at The Holiday Inn Orange Lake Resort. I can't tell you how happy I was we changed our Disney room to this resort instead. They have a full water park (included) and 7 pools, most have zero entry and separate pools with fountains for infants. We have a almost 2 yr old and an 11 yr old and they loved it! The resort rooms are condo's with a full kitchen and washer & dryer, huge patio. We rented a 2 bedroom, 2 bath for 100.00 a night. The resort is huge, miles long and includes full shuttle service to all parks and all pools (you can't walk to them all) and resort amenities. They also have a car rental (Hertz) on location. Grocery delivery is available, they also have their own market on the grounds. I packed a fold up cooler and took it everywhere we went (Disney, etc.,) to save on drinks and snacks. Have fun!!

[aclee]

Originally Posted by cborsa7

We just came back from Disney yesterday.
We stayed at The Holiday Inn Orange Lake Resort. I can't tell you how happy I was we changed our Disney room to this resort instead. They have a full water park (included) and 7 pools, most have zero entry and separate pools with fountains for infants. We have a almost 2 yr old and an 11 yr old and they loved it! The resort rooms are condo's with a full kitchen and washer & dryer, huge patio. We rented a 2 bedroom, 2 bath for 100.00 a night. The resort is huge, miles long and includes full shuttle service to all parks and all pools (you can't walk to them all) and resort amenities. They also have a car rental (Hertz) on location. Grocery delivery is available, they also have their own market on the grounds. I packed a fold up cooler and took it everywhere we went (Disney, etc.,) to save on drinks and snacks. Have fun!!

Wow really? How did you get such a great deal? I want to go to Disney, I just figured that airfare on top of hotel would be so expensive...

[oceanica]

yeah cborsa, that is pretty inexpensive.
I was just looking at this because we are going to go over for the weekend (it's a couple hours from where I live). We looked at disney hotels and found polynesian village, something like 359 per night, and then the contemporary resort which was 280. We were going to opt for that one because it's walking distance to the park. But 100 dollars, wow!
I am very picky about rooms.. dh and I have stayed in our fair share of super 8s and days inn that were fairly swiney in our day, and we just won't do it any more. The room has to be very clean and newer and, well the place has to feel clean. We always end up paying over 100 dollars even if it's in a non-touristy place.
So please assure me it's nice, and I'll be very happy to sign up!
(BTW I bet mommieoftwocuties would know about this... any advice?)

[cborsa7]

I booked the hotel right from their website about 2 weeks in advance. Our car rental we did through priceline. We flew Southwest which had really low fares as well. There are some great deals out there right now for Disney.

[cborsa7]

yeah cborsa, that is pretty inexpensive.
I was just looking at this because we are going to go over for the weekend (it's a couple hours from where I live). We looked at disney hotels and found polynesian village, something like 359 per night, and then the contemporary resort which was 280. We were going to opt for that one because it's walking distance to the park. But 100 dollars, wow!
I am very picky about rooms.. dh and I have stayed in our fair share of super 8s and days inn that were fairly swiney in our day, and we just won't do it any more. The room has to be very clean and newer and, well the place has to feel clean. We always end up paying over 100 dollars even if it's in a non-touristy place.
So please assure me it's nice, and I'll be very happy to sign up!
(BTW I bet mommieoftwocuties would know about this... any advice?)

I do Disney every year, it's my favorite! I've actually stayed at both of those Disney hotels. Personally I wouldn't stay at the Polynesian hotel or the Contemporary again, I don't think it is worth the price and they are old. Take a look at the newer properties if you need to be Disney. I think you are paying to be close and for the Disney name. I need space with the kids when I travel, Clean, clean as you mentioned and great pools. I found this resort (it's a timeshare by the way) because I needed a zero entry pool, so I could have a good time to. I won't stay at another resort the next time we go, it was that nice. No comparision- 2 bedroom condo or small Disney room. I always rent a car because I enjoy the freedom to see the area and not be stuck to Disney. There is so much to do in Kissimmee. Have a good trip when you go where ever you stay!!