Hi!

Well we personally always stay at the Disney Value resorts - we've stayed at Pop Century twice and All Star Sports once. We have stayed at a Disney Deluxe resort once (Polynesian) but i personally dont think it is worth the money, unless, of course, you want to spend that much on your hotel
The value resorts are amazing - the cleanest we have ever stayed in. The staff are so friendly and always there to help. The year we stayed at the Polynesian, we also had 1 week in the Quality Inn on International Drive and it is the worst hotel i have ever stayed in. Light fittings falling off the wall, staff were non-existent, especially when we needed them when a fight broke out in the car park outside our room...the list is endless. The following year we stayed in another hotel in International Drive (I dont remember the name - it was near Wet N Wild) which, even though we were on the 2nd floor, there were ants walking around the room like a parade and the hotel didnt want anything to do with it. It was awful. We've never ever had problems like that in any of the Disney resorts.

The value resorts have buses to all of the parks and other Disney areas. We still prefer to hire a car because we dont enjoy standing the lines for the buses after a hard day in the park. This also means we're free to eat outside Disney property if we wish, and we can also visit the Universal Studios parks etc.

You mention washing facilities - all of the Disney resorts have washing facilities in them. The Pop Century one is a little building next to the pool. We like to throw all of our washing in the machines then go for a swim/sunbathe whilst they're washing/drying. They're easy to use and also have machines selling the washing powder/dryer sheets etc. We were lucky enough to go at the same time as an American couple who let us borrow some of their powder once, so that was nice.

When we stayed at the Pop Century hotel the first time round we were there with the whole family, including my younger neices. One of my neices was ill through the night - all we had to do was phone reception and they brought up new sheets and new duvet for the bed with no fuss. Very very nice staff.

We've since been back as a couple and i would say Pop Century is my favourite. All Star Sports is the best for buses (Of all the All Star resorts) as its the first pick up point and also the first drop off point. After the bus leaves the All Star Sports, it heads to All Star Movies. Usually by the time it gets to All Star Music its full - i always feel so sorry for the people getting on at this point! Pop Century, on the other hand, has its own bus service so never as hectic (As far as i know - i think it may share with another resort for the water parks but im not 100% sure).

We also find it handy to be on Disney for all those Disney-related questions. You know you will always get a friendly, reliable answer if you are stuck and want to know how to get somewhere or how to book a table at that all-important restaurant you like the look of!

Just a tip if you do decide to stay at one of the value resorts - request a room NOT overlooking one of the pools (but still close to the main building if possible). The first year at Pop Century we had a room overlooking the 'Bowling Pin' pool - nice at first, but at night time some parents allow their kids to stay in the pool past midnight and the noise seems to echo and seems a lot louder when you are trying to sleep (Especially with younger children trying to sleep!). The following time we stayed, we were in the 70s building, slightly round the back of the building overlooking the gorgeous, peaceful lake. We had no noise troubles here. At the All Star Sports we were overlooking the 'Touch Down' play section, again no noise like overlooking a pool.

Anyway, hope this helps - im sure you will have an amazing time at Disney no matter where you choose to stay!
GG x

I would agree with everything above,
we have been a few times to Florida and wouldn't stay anywhere other than Disney, neither of like to drive on holiday so Disney offers everything we need.
Washing in complex is simple and cheap, transport is free and air conditioned (a god send) and runs so often we never wait more than 10 mins useualy.
As for getting about off disney. it's simple either take a cab to international drive and browse many many shops etc, use the i-trolly for $1 and travel all day up and down i-drive change at certain stops for Universal studios seaworld and alike, or do what we do, we stay in disney and when we want to go anywhere other than the disney parks (which is of course free transport for guests) we call mears transport from our room to pick us up at the lobby and take us to Universal, it's $15 per person return it picks you up at your resort and takes you directly to universal and picks you up along with others at 6 7 or 8 oclock or whatever time you ask them to pick you up, everything is made so simple for you i do not see the need to hire a car unless you are planing long trips out then of course it's better, but for me Disney is more than enough and along with Universal seaworld and shopping on i-drive who needs anything else lol Have fun
Jords