Anyone PREFER the moderates (or even the All Stars)?

[Dallas_Lady]

I am planning our next trip to Disney, and our budget is a bit bigger this time, but I can't quite bring myself to choose a Deluxe. I don't know why. Maybe it's the miser in me, but, DH and I don't spend much time in the room and I can't quite bring myself to spend the extra money.

I love the food court. It's great for a convenient and (relatively) inexpensive meal. From what i understand, Deluxes don't have food courts like the All Stars/Moderates do? I like having multiple bus stops, and when DH and I were at POR we never had any problems getting a bus (never waited more tha 15 minutes).

The only Deluxe we are really interested in tryng is the WL. But, when we were there in Sept. we visited the WL and then waited for a bus to Epcot and waited 45 minutes! I remember thinking, "These people are paying twice as much as me for this??"

Am I missing something? Does anyone else prefer the "lower" Disney resorts?

 

[CamColt]

I definitely prefer the values over the moderates, cheaper or not. But If money were no object I think a deluxe would win out for me everytime(but one on the monorail or the Epcot area, not WL or AKL).

 

[clkelley]

I'm with you, I much prefer All-Stars because of its food court and the central bus stop.

The only moderate I think I would enjoy would be Port Orleans French Quarter because it has only one bus stop. The times I visited Riverside, Carribean Beach, and Coronado Springs, I did not like having to make multiple stops within the resort.

I stay at the campground at Ft. Wilderness every December, but I really miss being able to grab a bagle and a banana on my way out to the parks every morning.

 

[jeleebeene]

We are going to be staying in a deluxe for the first time in September, so I am not sure which I prefer yet.

I do know that I preferred the moderates we have stayed in over All-Stars - I thought they were less "busy" and more relaxed. The bus service was also excellent from the moderates, but I have heard mixed reviews regarding moderates versus deluxes.

I will have a better understanding once we get back on which I prefer - I LOVE POR and POFQ, so it will be tough to win me over with the deluxe, but I am giving it a try anyway!

 

[K P & J's Grandma]

We have grown to enjoy staying at the All Stars!! We have stayed at the Deluxe & Moderate Resorts also. We have made 'many' trips since 1977!! We enjoy the Wilderness Lodge & the Caribbean in those catagories. With the increases in room rates over the years we thought that we would give the All Stars a try. This is what we found - we like the selections at the food courts - really not many choices at the Deluxe Resorts, have never had any trouble with the bus system - we did wait a long time for the bus at the Polynesian a couple times - gave up & took our car instead to the park, the rooms have always been clean - smaller than the other resorts, but still comfortable enough even with the strollers & extra stuff that comes along with bringing Grandchildren . the CM's have always been friendly & helpful. That being said - I guess that if you have the extra money - maybe try staying at a Deluxe for a couple of nights. If you decided to try it - I would stay at the Deluxe at the end of the vacation - who knows, you might just fall in love with it & then be disappointed with the Value Resort. Hope that you have a 'great' vacation where ever you decide to stay ----- Remember the Magic!!!

 

[disneyjunkie]

I prefer the values. Since the whole Disney thing is still new to me, DS and I spend most of our time in the parks. When we get to the "I go to WDW to take it easy" stage, I'm sure the moderate and deluxe resorts will be of more interest to me.

Right now the room is just a place to shower and sleep. The less I spend on the room, the longer we can stay and the more I have to spend on FOOD and all the extras Disney has to offer.

 

[jsmla]

We've stayed all over the place. DD likes the campground and DH the deluxes (All of our deluxe stays have been when he was along.) but DS and I actually prefer the All Stars. I kind of like the bustle and noise. It just feels like vacation there with all the kids running around happy and excited. The transportation has always been very efficient and we're really more of the Food Court than the gourmet types. However, I do not like the All Stars when it is flooded with teens (cheerleaders, baseball players, etc.) This year its basketball players so we're staying at the Swan (Thanks, Hotwire!). Don't get me wrong, I love teens. I have two of my own. I just prefer to deal with them on an individual basis and not en masse.

 

[Planogirl]

I can't say that I "prefer" the moderates but personally I like PORS almost as well as any deluxe. I definitely prefer it or any moderate over the Allstars because I enjoy having a restaurant on the premises and I also like and use some of the other amenities.

To me there isn't that much difference between a moderate and a deluxe. Certainly the room is smaller at the moderate but it's adequate and the number of amenities is fewer but I have what I need at a moderate. The biggest difference is location but I don't mind taking some time to ride the buses. This is often the best chance to sit and rest IMO!

 

[Debi]

Hi there! This thread is more appropriate for the Resorts Board, so I am transferring it over there. Please check the Resorts Board for further replies. Thanks!

 

[Carl]

I have stayed once at the Dolphin and Boardwalk. Other than that, I've always stayed at All Stars. My limited experience seems to show the bus service is better at the All Stars.

 

[Dallas_Lady]

Originally posted by Debi
Hi there! This thread is more appropriate for the Resorts Board, so I am transferring it over there. Please check the Resorts Board for further replies. Thanks!

I'm a ditz... I didn't mean to post it on the restaurant board. Thanks for moving it.

 

[kayeandjim00]

We have stayed at the POR and at the All Stars and for this year's trip we are going back to the All Stars. You can't beat the price to be on property and considering (at least for us) how little time we spend at the resort it just isn't worth the extra money. In fact except for being smaller, our room at the All Stars was nicer and cleaner. In less I won the lottery I don't think I would pay the extra money again even to stay at a moderate over the All-Stars. We have our fingers crossed that this trip will be just as good! Use the extra $$ you will save by staying at the All Stars for eating out more and more souveniers!

 

[maryliz]

We've stayed at all "levels" of Disney resorts, and ASMu is still our favourite. Our kids are little so the food court is wonderful. Our last trip we got a good deal at CBR -- DH hated it because we were a good 15 minute walk (that's without the kids) to the food court. At Music, one of us always gets the kids put to bed while the other runs to the food court to refill our mugs. I have to say I really enjoyed the few days we spent at AKL, but in all honesty, if I want to do deluxe, I would probably split the trip. As for the mods, we loved POFQ, however it has to be a pretty good deal to justify the difference between AS and Mods. I prefer to spend the extra money on a few extra character meals. After 21 trips, we're still major "park people", and our kids are happy in ANY pool!

Mary Liz

 

[FindingNemo]

I love Coronado Springs!

I used to think I couldn't hack it in a Value resort but after staying at the All-Star's this past Christmas I have to say I really enjoyed it. For $59 a night(gotta love those FL resident rates) I thought it was a bargain. I have done Deluxe and think they are a bit over rated for the price. The only resort I will never stay at is the AKL, that place is creepy to me!


I would choose a Moderate and spend the extra cash on food and souvies!

Right now I'm toying with the idea of staying at POP this coming December just because it intrigues me. I want an 80's room!

 

[Kimickey]

We prefer the moderates. Spending a fortune on a deluxe to only spend a small amount of time in the room is a waste to our family. We would rather spend our money on the moderate and enjoy lots of food and fun! We wouldn't turn our noses up to a value resort and will try them someday!

 

[pigtail]

We love the All Stars. The only deluxe for us is the Contemporary but for budget reasons we now always stay at All Stars. They are much more fun. Always somebody in the pool. The pool bars are great. Laundry facilities are great. We are looking forward to Pop Century - more Value choices!

 

[Poohbear123]

I have stayed at Coronado, but still prefer All Star Sports! Get more bang for my buck there!

 

[kevind65]

we prefer the moderates or the values. we have stayed at the all-stars 3 different times, CBR, CSR, AKL, and just returned sunday night from 8 nights at POFQ. Our family are major park hoppers and I can't seem to justify the extra cost for a deluxe considering how little we actually hang around the resort. Just made ressies this morning for a surprise trip in June: 3 nights at CSR for $74 per night! can't beat that rate!