Episode 4 - Value Resorts and more

So here comes episode 4 which sees the ladies embark on a couple of discussions; the first being all about Disney's Value Resorts and the second covers the new Disability Access Service Card with special guest Kathy Kelly from Special Mouse Podcast

So what Value is there to Value Resorts?

Basically Disney have a recipe for what a value hotel looks like, e.g. a pound or vanilla sponge and for each hotel add a flavour such as chocolate chip for movies, or lemon poppyseed for Pop. So each resort has the same basics but with some slight differences. Standard rooms have the basic facilities of the usual items plus: a tiny table/2 chairs, TV, drawers, hanging space, wall safe, iron and ironboard & hairdryer. You will also find a food court, choice of pools and larger than life themeing. Standard rooms are approximately 260 sq foot though at Art of Animation is 277 sq foot. Art of Animation and Pop both have their one bus stop; whereas the All Star Resorts share a bus between the three, which can be disadvantageous.

Jeremiah Good from Window to the Magic, contacted us with his thoughts about value resorts;

Downsides to the Value resorts are

1. You get what you pay for, don’t be expecting a spa!

2. No room service other than pizza, but that’s not just the values that offer that.

3. It is a value resort and as such it attracts a lot of $ conscious guests and families

4. The placement of the hotels, Pop and Art of Animation are pretty close to the parks so they are not too bad, but All Star Resorts are put down in the south point of the property which, unless you're going to Animal Kingdom, is quite a distance from the other parks.

5. Large groups tend to use the values whether cheerleaders or bands, if they are on property they are at a value because that is, as it states, the best value for them.

Upsides to the Value resorts are

1. Themeing is great in all the values, they have the most "fun" theming with the large icons and fun pools.

2. Food Courts (I know this can be a downside also) offer a variety of food offerings to the point where even the pickiest kid can find something.

3. Most visitors go to WDW to go to the parks, while it would be great to be able to spend hundreds a night to see the Castle across the Seven Seas Lagoon, I would rather save the money and be able to see the Castle in person while playing every day. I have always said that if you are on a Disney Vacation you need a bed and a shower because most of the time is in the park so why not book a value?

4. You may be paying for the value resorts, but no matter what you are still at Disney so you have a CM just a phone call away.

5. Disney, even value, is better that off property hotels!

Have a listen and see what you think!

Kathy Kelly from Special Mouse Podcast then joins the girls as they talk about the recent changes to the Disability Access Service offered by Disney and whether the new system is working as well as previous systems.

Check out the Disney Parks Blog for more information about the Disability Access Service Card.

You can follow both Kathy & Jeremiah on Twitter @KathyKellyRN and @jeremiahgood