Sell me on a moderate resort!

[KMcCP]

We have only done CBR as a moderate, but this is what we like about it compared to Values:

*Better pools with a slide
*A TS restaurant in addition to CS, in case we want to use TS but not leave the resort
*Better landscaping, prettier surroundings
*Lots of places to walk and my DH appreciates jogging trails
*Recreational Rentals- bikes, boats, etc.
*Nicer rooms (though CBR is still lacking queen size beds!)
*Tends to be quieter and more relaxed in general

We still use Values relatively often.

Another great value is the Swan and Dolphin. It is almost at a moderate price (and if you are a teacher or nurse, much more so) and you get a Deluxe experience. If you love the Epcot resort area, this should be a definite consideration.

What do nurses get?

 

[shoney]

I have only stayed at a mod, POR. Our previous trips were offsite, mostly timeshares.

Hot tub...yuck! It was one big warm kiddie pool! Really, it was loaded with kids everytime we went to the pool area.

I chose POR because it was only slightly more than a value and it included the regular dining plan, instead of quick service.

Deluxes were pricing out at least $2, 000 more at the time. I didn't feel that that was worth it.

The grounds themselves were nice. Pool with slide was a plus. We really enjoyed our meal at boatwrights. having the boat to DTD was great. Bob in the lounge was fun.

We were not impressed with the room itself....refurbished mansion.

 

[Dixiemom]

Have stayed at CSR and Pop. My husband loved that CSR had the fitness center (the only mod that does)....the kids LOVED that pool and its' slide! The Pepper Market was really good, as was the Maya Grill. Just the kids and I went to Pop this past June. Good food court, although we went to AoA's one night and it was awesome (I loved the tandoori options)......they loved Pop, but they were 11 and 7 at the time and to be honest they don't care where we stay as long as we hit the waterparks LOL I did miss the queen beds but with just the 3 of us it wasn't that big of an issue.

 

[ABtwinmommy]

I have never stayed at a value as they just don't appeal to me at all. The size/bed size and theming of the mods appeal to me much more. Also several mods have onsite ts restaurants, and the Port Orleans resorts have easy access to DTD by boat, where there are many more dining options as well as shopping and entertainment. From what I have read the mods are much calmer and quieter than the values, and that is very important to me. The pools are nice and not too crowded in my experience. And last but not least, the price is right. I consider mods to be very affordable and nice resorts to stay at. While I do want to try several deluxes in the future, I think the prices are kinda crazy. So for now I am very happy at the mods.

 

[nessz79]

What do nurses get?

I'm a teacher, so I dont' personally use the nurses' rate. However, it is generally a good deal cheaper than the regular rate. It is not always offered so you have to check your dates.

For example, we went this past October for the Food and Wine festival. The regular rate was around $229 and we paid $159. That's about the price of a moderate. Not everyone likes the Swan and Dolphin (it's not Disney owned and has less of a Disney feel in some opinions), but we felt it was worth it.

 

[Masonmj84]

IMO, as far as the resorts themselves go (i.e., aside from location, which, IMO, is the biggest advantage of deluxe over moderate), the moderate resorts give you about 80% of what the deluxe resorts offer at 50% (or less) of the price. Aside from location, the only advantages of deluxe over moderate that we mainly care about are somewhat larger rooms and more and better on-site table service restaurants (for example, we're not into club level).

On the other hand, there are several perks that are available at deluxes that are also available at moderates but not available at values. These include queen beds (except CBR), hot tubs, water slides, covered bus stops, better landscaping and, to us, more subtle and attactive overall theming that provide a more relaxed and resort-like feel than the values (which, to us, feel more like oversized motels with over-the-top Disney theming).

 

[KMcCP]

I'm a teacher, so I dont' personally use the nurses' rate. However, it is generally a good deal cheaper than the regular rate. It is not always offered so you have to check your dates.

For example, we went this past October for the Food and Wine festival. The regular rate was around $229 and we paid $159. That's about the price of a moderate. Not everyone likes the Swan and Dolphin (it's not Disney owned and has less of a Disney feel in some opinions), but we felt it was worth it.

Good to know- thanks! I'll have to look into it.

 

[pokanos]

This. We have stayed at all the Deluxe resorts and my kids still talk about CSR. The grounds are quiet and beautiful and they absolutely loved the bus service which is hands down the best we ever experienced.

We're choosing CSR for our trip in Nov. and the beautiful grounds and bus service are 2 of the draws for us. We are also traveling w/my bff who is not very into everything Disney. She has only been to DL once and wasn't overly impressed. I convinced her that there will be plenty for her to enjoy besides Princesses and Goofy at WDW! I'm thinking CSR will make a good impression on her. I am really hoping to find our "home" resort. This is our 3rd mod out of 4 so crossing fingers!

 

[iman]

We either book a moderate (POR) or a deluxe like the beach club. The reason for the moderate's appeal, imo, is the rooms are slightly larger and everything just seems a little bit less "frenzied". We stayed at All star sports once, and it was fine but there were was so much 'activity' it just seemed too 'busy'.

 

[UrsulaGirl]

For girls trips with my mom and sister, it's a moderate all the way. Extra bus stops and coffee makers in the rooms are what make the difference for us. We eat a small breakfast in our room, make our own coffee, and then head out of our room to the closest bus stop and our day has begun!

 

[Disneylover99]

We have stayed value twice and moderate once POFQ.
These are the biggest perks for us at the moderate...

Ceiling fans in the room (cause it is hot in the summer)
Double sinks (no more fighting kids at tooth brushing time)
Hot Tub!!!! (I only noticed adults in it when we were there and it was never too crowded)
Queen beds
Boat to DTD
Ledge where I could sit at the back of the tub (do all mods have this?)
Quiet, tranquil, peaceful, environment (biggest perk of all at the end of the day!)

 

[MUFFYCAT]

I've only stayed deluxe and POP but many of my friends rave about Port
Orleans. I've visited it and it's definetly nice. I will stay there if I was going solo or with someone else.

 

[Robbi]

We either book a moderate (POR) or a deluxe like the beach club. The reason for the moderate's appeal, imo, is the rooms are slightly larger and everything just seems a little bit less "frenzied". We stayed at All star sports once, and it was fine but there were was so much 'activity' it just seemed too 'busy'.

I've been wondering for a while why we prefer CSR to most deluxe resorts and you nailed it-it's not as frenzied. Disney has all of these special breakfasts, lunch, and dinner meals at the deluxe resorts-except YC, BWI, and AKL. It makes the lobbies crowded and if you're at a monorail resort, the monorail becomes less appealing because there are always crowds of people from these meals waiting to ride it. In most very nice hotel rooms, the lobbies are beautiful and quiet.