We have stayed at POP several times, and ASM once.
We did stay at POR last summer for 2 nights, to try out a Moderate.
Basically DS 17 & I are up at 6am every morning, not back to our resort until late evening. DS likes to go for a swim when we get back at night.
I can't see paying for a more expensive hotel, when all we do is sleep/shower.
It was nicer for sure...decor, grounds, main building, store, food court.
A woodsy feel to the grounds. You could walk the paths and not hear a sound at times.
I could tell the difference between a value and a moderate.
The bus area was nicer (at POR you are waiting for a bus under a covered area.) We also didn't have to walk as far to get the bus from the park to the resort. The POR bus was closer to the park.
I would rather pay for a value, seeing that we don't spend much time there, but if I get a good deal like
free dining, next trip we might stay at a moderate longer.
Someday I would love to stay at AKL in a savanna room but it is so expensive to do so.