My experience at a Disney Value Resort in 2006

I have stayed on site and off many times and was looking forward to trying All Star Music a couple of weeks ago. I was sneaking in a few days post-cruise on a budget. I figured with two of us, how bad could it be?

I have read a lot of complaints about the bus system, walking distances, hearing toilets flush etc. I never paid them much mind because I usually like walking walking around the resort I am staying at. I consider it part of the experience. I'm walking miles and miles each day, what's a little more? It was very difficult to sleep past 7am at the resort. I thought it was the sound of showers running but it could have toilets for all I know. We heard a baby crying the last night. It sounded like it was in our room. Those walls are thin!

We checked in after the cruise at 10am. I foolishly did not wear theme park clothing. Our room was not ready and we hit the parks in our dark colored attire. When we got to the spot for the bus, I noticed there was very little shaded area and a huge line for Epcot out in the sun. We waited exactly twenty minutes for the Epcot bus. We saw three Blizzard Beach busses and several of the other parks pass. This would become a theme for the three days. If you opted to stand in the shade, you were chancing there not being enough room for you.

We stood at Guest Relations at Epcot trying to get our one-day ticket off our room key for later use. They explained to me the room key would hold the ticket forever. A supervisor was called over. I explained I wanted a ticket which told me exactly what is was because figuring out how many days left on a ticket is impossible unless you are in a Disney park. It really took some convincing and explaining purchasing the one day pass was a requirement for the package I purchased.

Every time. I mean every time we took the bus back to our resort we stood up. I don't mind standing if it means others can sit but you know where I am going with this: young people sitting while older folks struggled to stand, very young toddlers who couldn't stand still were without seats and some idiot had a cooler taking up a seat space. I asked the man to pick the cooler up so someone can sit and he said it was too big to hold. I commented it was a shame he brought such a large cooler and I'd be happy to keep it near my feet or Victoria could sit on it, making it safer for her.

He moved the cooler. I was aggravated no one else had said anything.

It was a long walk back to our Broadway section building each time. The morning we brought our luggage for check out, it was a long LONG walk. It didn't make any sense to go all the way up front for a luggage cart, which you will be charged for it you do not return it in thirty minutes.

Magical Express told us our pick up for our 7:50pm flight would be at 4:55pm. Luggage assistance suggested being there 20 minutes prior to departure. We enjoyed lunch at the food court before getting our luggage at 4:30pm. The bus arrived at 5:10pm. There were two seats left. Two! How did they manage to pack them in to the seat? I had to ask people to move their items so Victoria and I could sit. Victoria sat by herself several rows back. The driver rattled off something to me in Spanish. "Ok!" I said. :arrow:

The ride back to the airport was ok. Finding Nemo was on the television and then an informational Disney commercial inviting you back. I realized I hadn't seen outside of Disney property the entire stay and what a great marketing ploy for Disney to keep the dollars on site.

We got to Terminal B and I heard the driver say Southwest. I got off the bus and said, "Southwest" and he shook his head like I was a crazy woman and said 'No, Northwest!' so I said "OK!" and got back on the bus. Despite the fact there are signs and verbal reminders from the driver he accepts tips, I was shocked to see families with twice the amount of luggage as us tip him. C'mon people, tip the man!

We had the best assistance with our luggage to check in at Southwest. He offered to do all the paperwork for me. He really earned his tip.

All in all, value resorts can be a good deal depending on your situation. If you have enough time to spare, Magical Express can be convenient, but moreso if you fly within a participating airline. I did not notice any difference in room space or set up from a moderate interior. Then again, it's been two years since I had stayed on site.

I would not stay at a value and rely on bus transportation again. I'd either rent a car or stay at a moderate where there are several bus stops throughout the resort. Parking in the lot near your building is much more convenient than being dropped at the front of the hotel and walking.

We enjoyed our stay, I just wanted to share my experience with Values and the bus system.