A question Moderate vs. Deluxe

[Crisgw]

We are staying at the WL in Sept. It's approx 2700 for 7 nights. The moderate resorts are 600-700 less for the stay (7 nights)...My husband mentioned to me that it might be worth looking into to check out the major differences. It's not a big deal (staying at the WL) money wise but that 600-700 could buy food/tickets kwim.
Any insight?

 

[SGMCO]

Our Family has always stayed in MODs for that very Reason $$$.
I want a relaxing place to come back to after a long day in the
Parks but don't want to spend the extra $$$ for a Deluxe.
We use the Extra $$$ for Souviniers, Plane Tickets, Food, Ect.
We are able to visit the Deluxe Resorts and Eat at the TS
Restaurants, Tour the Lobby/Grounds and save our Money.
Since we've never stayed at a Deluxe we don't know what we
are Missing so it doesn't Phase us.
There is a wonderful Variaty of Mod themes and all are very
beautiful, I don't see the need to spend the Extra Money on
a Deluxe to get a Very Nice WDW Trip to Remember.
Each MOD has a Fun Themed Main Pool area with nice Slide.
There are Large Playgrounds for the little ones.
We've stayed at POR and CSR and both were Great Trips.
We will be staying at POFQ on upcoming Trip and are so looking
forward to it.

 

[KatMark]

As much as we love a deluxe (having stayed at the Poly and the Contemporary in the past), with two boys in college we just can't justify the added expense. My DH offered to splurge this year and have us stay at the AKL or the Poly for our 25th, and I just couldn't do it. We have stayed at the CSR five of our last trips and including this one in September. It has all that we need...a sit down restaurant (although we've only eaten there once), a gift shop, a Food Court, quiet pools and a main pool with snack bar/bar and a spa where I can go and get my massage. We use the extra money for a few souvenirs and then the difference ends up in the boys' pockets at school!

 

[rt2dz]

There are two reasons we stay deluxe. The minor reason is interior hallways. Love the idea of a lobby and shelter from the weather that comes with interior hallways.

The BIG reason is room service. I have yet to order room service at WDW, but I am always mindful that my kids are healthy one minute and sick as dogs ten minutes later. Just because you are at Disney doesn't mean you won't get sick. I'm not leaving a small child behind to go down to the food court for food, and what if it is me who gets sick? I would still expect DH to take the other kids out to have a good time. Last trip, 2 of my kids (despite immunization) came down with the chicken pox a few days after we got home. The whole window of when we could have picked it up, we were in Disney. Turns out the UK doesn't immunize regularly and the littler ones hadn't had the second shot for full immunization. But what if they had picked it up at home and broke out there? Or what if they came down with strep or a virus while there? It happens and I'm going to drag a sick child out while they're feeling miserable and expose all those other people. And I tend to be the type that looks ahead.

Other differences just don't factor in for us. OK, so we are a family of 5 (but not at WDW yet--the youngest is still 2), so mods aren't going to be a huge option for us, but so far...

 

[Cogswel_Cogs]

I really love WL, but I would take $600 and stay at CSR or $650 to stay at POR

 

[roselark]

I have stayed at CSR and WL. Both DH and I hated WL. I really did not see any justification for the extra cost. In fact, we were close to being miserable there. We would have been much happier at CSR.

Personally, I prefer the outside hallways. It is much more open and peaceful, and I like that. At WL, we got a LOT of noise coming from the hallways. I think the enclosed areas also make it seem so much more crowded. We were at CSR when they were at capacity and we would never have known it if we hadn't been told when we checked in. WL was near capacity when we stayed there, and it was quite obvious. I also like the counter service option at the moderates. The CS at deluxes is a joke (IMO).

Also, just an FYI, but CSR does have room service as well.

 

[rt2dz]

Also, just an FYI, but CSR does have room service as well.

You are right, CSR is the only mod to offer room service (except pizza, which wouldn't work for us, especially if ill), but DH stayed there once for a convention and swore up and down never again. So, I can't consider CSR.

FYI--I find WL nice, but is far from my favorite.

 

[goofy4tink]

If I'm not staying DVC, then it's either value (POP) or a moderate for me. I don't use room service, don't like group hot tubs, and I have no problem with a lack of interior hallways. I love POR, but I really want to give the other two moderates a try as well. If it were me, I would keep that money for something other than sleeping and head to a moderate.

 

[SleepingUgly]

I think it really depends on what you are comfortable with (duh). For us, with two small children, the convenience of being on the monorail led us to book GF for our upcoming August trip. And we'll be traveling in August as well, so we'll be taking a break from the parks each afternoon and the kids will want to swim everyday, so another vote for GS, for its convenience and zero-entry pool, respectively.

For us, because our children are still young, the resort is not just a place to sleep, but a place to relax and enjoy our surroundings. When they are older and can handle a full day in the parks, and thus we really would be using the room for only sleeping and showering, then we'll book a moderate/value, or possibly even stay off-site. However, for now, the deluxes suit us just fine.

Also, what are your expectations of a hotel when you travel outside of Disney? Are you happy staying at a Holiday Inn / Best Western, where the atmosphere / service may not be top-notch but you get exactly what you pay for, or do you lean towards a Westin or Four Seasons for the service and amenities and environment? I know the deluxe resorts at WDW are nowhere close to the Four Seasons in terms of luxury, but they are more comparable.

I say if you are going to be spending more than a couple hours of awake time each day in your room and you can afford it, go for a deluxe. If you will be in the parks from morning to night, then save your $ and go for a moderate / value.

Linda

 

[Crisgw]

We are normally Westin/Four Seasons type of people so I think we should stick with the WL.
Thanks for the advice!

 

[vicceja]

I booked value at our first trip when the boys were small and it was ok, then I booked POR and wasn't really impressed...since then I have booked Poly, AKL and now our home resort the Beach Club. We visit Disney at least 2x per year and could not even think about not booking Beach Club. We love the environment, CM are very helpful and ready to serve, interior hallways, concierge etc. Plus, we usually stay between 7 days in December and 11 days in the summer and the boys love to come back and hang out at the pool, watch movies by the beach etc.

 

[Troy08]

For me the deciding factor is time of year. Having gone in the summer for the last four trips(two at WL, two at CBR) I would definately stay deluxe if I were going back in the heat of the summer. I want the closest bus stops at the parks, lobbies to hang out in in case of torrential rain, bigger beds and better food choices. However.........I am going back this October and we chose CBR, why???? a difference of 390.00. The weather should not be a factor in late October, the parks should not be as crowded as they are in July, 390.00 will pay for one 5 day hopper and part of another. I just could not justify the extra expense for a deluxe in the fall.

 

[TinkerKel]

For us, the difference in price is worth it to stay deluxe for 2 reasons - deluxe's have 2 queen-sized beds, whereas the mods have double beds; the other thing is that the deluxe's have a balcony and the mods do not. DH and I just love a balcony! Last year we went for a weekend and stayed CSR - we really liked it, but we also really noticed the difference from our previous few deluxe trips. I say if the $ is not a big concern, go with the deluxe. Enjoy your trip!

 

[Crisgw]

Thanks everyone for their replies! I love it here

I tell you, I am honestly crazy about this decision!! I'm driving myself nuts! My DH said to stay at WL b/c of location and I totally see why (young boys, will be 3 and 5).

Has anyone been to the restaurant Artist Point (I think that is what it's called)?? How was the food? We're big foodies :lol

 

[wildirishrose]

have you thought about the dolphin or the swan they are close great pool you get room service and they offer some great discounts and i think its still considered disney property. You can get to the monorail, boat etc. We have stayed there and with the AAA discount its pretty good

 

[Tink888]

If the money really isn't a huge deal and you have allowed for time to spend at the resort, IMO stay at WL. We stayed there when my boys were 6 & 4 and loved this resort. Still do. It is just such a great resort as far as theming for boys. The pool even had a current in it! We loved the balcony and watching the electrical water pageant each night. The lobby is fantastic! LOVE, LOVE, LOVE WL. Haven't been to Artist Point but WCC was a lot of fun.

Now we have also stayed at POR and CSR and loved those as well. The theming is still great. The resorts are more spread out and there is only 1 TS restaurant unlike the deluxes. All mod pools have water slides and lots of activities at the resorts aswell. I did not feel there was ever any difference in the service of the mods compared to deluxe either. I'd even say that some of the best service I've received from CM's has been at the value resorts.

Got for it and splurge now, you won't regret it. Try out the moderates on later trips. I think you'll enjoy them as well and you can put the money you save towards another Disney trip!

 

[hoosiergirl7]

We are normally Westin/Four Seasons type of people so I think we should stick with the WL.
Thanks for the advice!

DH and I also prefer nicer hotels however we've stayed at a Mod at WDW and it's just as great IMO. We actually wanted to stay at a particular Mod this trip but their main pool is under remodel (CBR) and if I wanted to swim in a regular pool, I'd go see my parents. Our DS 4 really enjoys the pool and so we knew we had to have a theme pool for him to enjoy. We are also celebrating DH's 40th birthday this trip so we chose to stay at WL. It's a deluxe but it was in our price range. DH will only turn 40 once in his life. Our next trip we'll head back to the Mod's, ie. CBR. DS will love the pirate theme pool and might never want to stay anywhere else again. We will eventually become DVC members but we've got other priorities first.

There are a few more perks with Deluxe resorts, but sometimes you have to say the extra spending money is better than staying at a "better" hotel. You also have to say that every once in awhile there are reasons to stay at "better" hotels too!

 

[Carlyzmom]

I agree with the OP - I LOVE nice hotels BUT I usually go on Priceline and get them cheap. Last year on our Anniversary, we stayed at the OMNI in Houston for $50!!! It was awesome.
Anyway, it was my dream to stay at AKL. I really want to have coffe on my balcony while watching a giraffe!
SO, we are staying 4 nights at POP (my little ones will get a kick out of it) and 4 nights at AKL - and will save approx. $850!!! It will be fun to check out different resorts.

 

[yxe dad]

Has anyone been to the restaurant Artist Point (I think that is what it's called)?? How was the food? We're big foodies :lol

Yes it's great, but you should try and squeeze in Jiko at the AKL it's the best!

In my first few trips to WDW I thought it would be a huge waste of money to ever stay in a deluxe. That was until I got a great AP rate at the WL and have only gone back to a mod once. I really enjoy the TS restaurants alot better in the deluxes, but the CS at the deluxes tend to have less options(a trade-off I'm ok with). The queen beds and the balcony are also enjoyable. Sitting on a balcony at the WL after a long day at the parks enjoying a glass of wine while the kids sleep, it's really hard to beat. If your comfortable with the price then stay at the WL, but if not, stay at a Mod and use the savings to eat more TS meals.

Have fun planning,
from a fellow foodie!

 

[vbarry]

We stayed at the WL our first trip and I feel a Deluxe is definately worth the extra dollars especially with small children. My first reason- I LOVE MY BALCONY. My second reason- the proximty to the parks. You can get to MK by boat, head over to the Contemporary (by boat again) to go to Chef Mickey's or hop on the monorail and go over to the Poly or the GF for dinner. Watching the fireworks from the Poly beach is also an all time favorite of mine.

You are not just paying for a hotel room and a good night's sleep- you are paying for part of the experience of being at WDW. Since we have started staying deluxe at WDW, we usually do not vacation any other place. There are great resorts with excellent theming, fun pools for kids, spa services, excellent restaurants, plenty of activities to keep your littles ones busy and fireworks every night!! Fun for parents and kids!

I think if you change to a Mod you are going to second guess yourself the entire time. Stay at WL! The extra $$ is worth the convenience!

Good luck planning your trip. WDW is truly magical!