#AskIt – Does Walt Disney World Need More Value Resorts?
Howdy folks. This week I was looking over TouringPlans coverage of current and upcoming resorts and it really sunk in that nearly all the expansion in recent memory has been in the Deluxe and Disney Vacation Club category. Sure, there’s Art of Animation, which is sort of a Value Plus. But then there’s expansion at Coronado Springs (for more luxe rooms for convention and business guests), the Tower expansion at Caribbean Beach and the Riviera (a DVC property that will most likely be at Caribbean Beach), Copper Creek Cabins and Villas at Wilderness Lodge…and don’t forget the Star Wars resort. These are all great. Really. But sometimes, you want a cheaper room with the amenities of staying onsite.
Pop Century’s rooms have gotten a nice makeover. And the rumor is that some of the All Stars will be next. But you really don’t have the number options in the value resort level that you do moderate, deluxe, and deluxe villa levels.
Of course, no one is forcing you to stay onsite. And you offsite fans are a vocal if not plentiful part of our readership (no, really – we have the survey numbers to back it up – the vast majority of our readers are happily staying onsite at Walt Disney World). So if that’s your thing, you do you. But our question this week is:
Does Walt Disney World Need More Value Resorts?
- Yes (76%, 547 Votes)
- No (24%, 171 Votes)
Total Voters: 718
Loading ...We’ll have your results next week. In the meantime, if you’d like to see a new value resort, what theme should it have? Let us know in the comments.
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It’s not a more rooms per se issue, but becoming a true “value.” Look at Cabana Bay, their pool rivals Stormalong Bay yet it is cheaper than Pop Century most of the time. The current values except Pop and AoA are almost always like walking into someone else’s field trip/grad trip/sports tournament. And there needs to be a better more affordable mix of rooms at them. Again at Universal your looking at about 75-100 more a night for a suite at Cabana Bay not double or more the price that you are at Disney.
I agree that there needs to be more accommodations for larger families. So 5 or 6 to fit a room is important. Yes more value resorts are needed, Disney is getting too expensive for the average family, which was a target of Walt’s.
As to theming, I like the idea of the fab 5 getting more of the spotlight, Another thought would be to create Duckberg!
Although I will think twice about staying at a Disney resort now they charge for parking
I agree with the option for 5, even 6, guests in value resorts. We have stayed in AofA the past two visits but the price is becoming prohibitive. I looked to switch to a moderate that slept 5 this past Dec. but none of the resorts had availability. The average American family needs an option to stay on-site without breaking the bank.
Disney needs to quit cutting rooms, period! Doesn’t matter if it’s value, moderate, or deluxe. We stay half of our vacation at the Caribbean and the other half at the Wilderness. Both of these resorts have cut a big chunk from regular rooms and now are now vacation club. I think there’s probably a lot more value resort rooms than moderate now? Anyway, I would just like to see it at an even level for everyone…let’s not cater to just the ones that can afford to be in the Vacation Club members. Walt wanted all to be able to enjoy.
Cheri – how often do you visit WDW and do the split stay? We go every two years and – without trying to sound like an advert for DVC – joining in 2008 at Animal Kingdom has allowed us to stay at Deluxe resorts we could never afford otherwise at the same frequency… and we get the comfort of a living room and kitchen to boot. Absolutely not trying to make any assumptions about anyone’s financial situations, but for us, this particular timeshare arrangement has proven to be flexible and has definitely saved us money over the long run.
I’m glad for Universal’s Cabana Bay. While I’ve not stayed there, I’d hypothesize that it’s raised an eyebrow of the WDW overlords. The Pop Century renovation is pretty impressive, and hopefully that approach – connectivity, creative usage of space, clean design – will make the way the other Values.
This said, I do NOT want more 260 sq ft rooms in Disney – they need to find a way to increase that a bit for a typical American family. This feels tight even in a King Bed room, let alone the new queen-full approach that are the majority of Pop Century rooms.
A Marvel value resort would be cool
A Marvel value resort would be cool
Does WDW need more value resorts? Well, what it needs is actual VALUE resorts, and fewer “value” resorts. I’ve stayed at All Star Music and I’ve stayed at Cabana Bay, and there’s just no comparison. Cabana Bay has nicer rooms, better theming, and WAY more amenities (2 pools, slide, lazy river, bowling alley with food and drinks, an actual bar, etc.), plus it’s within walking distance of the parks along beautifully landscaped pedestrian-dedicated walkways, and COSTS LESS!!! I really have no clue where the “value” in Disney’s so-called resorts is to be found. Just because they put that name on it and charge less than other ridiculously priced resorts doesn’t make it true.
I have always thought it would be a no-brainer to have a Resort next door to the water parks! whether you have a ski chalet themed Resort next to Blizzard Beach or you have a lost on a desert island themed Resort next door to Typhoon Lagoon. Either or both of those would be amazing….. and yes the extra pull-down bed so you can sleep 5 would be terrific!
They did once – Fort Wilderness (pours out some bacteria-ridden water from Bay Lake for my homies).
I would love to see a Disney Value Resort themed to Classic Disney Films like Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Snow White, Pinnochio, Jungle Book, etc. or one themed to The Big 5, Mickey, Minnie, Hoofy, Pluto and Donald. They seem to be getting lost in all the new stuff
We are a family of six. If I would have know how impossible lodging was, I’d have skipped the last baby (just kidding!). Art of Animation is our only option – and I laugh at the people who say on-site lodging is a “great deal.” Outside of AoA, we’re looking at $600+/night. We did one night at AofA and then opted for better space and accommodations at Disney Springs.
Pixar theme would be fun.
Would agree with Rachel–Disney doesn’t need more value resorts as much as it needs better value resorts. My wife and I did a trip last December where we spent 4 nights at Pop Century and 3 at Cabana Bay, and Cabana Bay is miles better. Based on room and resort quality alone, even leaving the price aside, I think we preferred Cabana Bay to POFQ, let alone a Disney value resort! With the new parking fee, the next time we go, if there’s no Free Dining promotion, we’d probably seriously consider staying at Cabana Bay and commuting to Disney.
Things like parking fees make it an even bigger issue.
Whatever hotel comes next, a Starbucks needs to be part of it. Universal’s Cabana Bay has amazing and fun theming (Pop Century but way better), has great pools, AND Starbucks.
I agree, they need more value rooms that will sleep 5 without it being a suite that costs more than 2 standard value rooms. Also, just a note that All Star Movies has indeed started their room refurbishment, in one of the Toy Story buildings, as of last week I believe. I have no doubt that once all these current value resorts are done with refurbs, the prices will go up anyway. However, still the least expensive on property. With more and more on property perks disappearing, I think it would be wise for Disney to consider adding another value resort.
They need to have value resorts that fit a family of 5. Currently Value isn’t even an option for us!