Are deluxe hotels worth the price over moderate?

[Phatoomch]

Yes, I think deluxes are definitely worth their price, it doesn't mean I want to spend that much on accommodation though. We are park fiends, a resort is somewhere welcoming to sleep.

 

[tinacaplan]

Since I started the thread, I feel I should answer.

I am afraid either a) it won't then I wasted that money or b) we love it and never want mod again!!!! Lmao

Well, we think its absolutely worth it and I know I'll feel a little pain when/if we go back to a mod!

 

[Luvamouse]

Yes, if they are monorail resorts. I think that the convenience to Epcot would be good for the Epcot area Deluxes, but I just don't care for their themes at a still hefty price. With no monorail... Also, I really prefer having an inside corridor for my door to open into. Just a personal preference. OK, I'm a chicken.

I think it has to do with what makes the deluxe (or mod for that reason) special to you.

 

[Fluff724]

I think transportation plays into this question too. We drive to WDW so we have a car and don't rely on the Disney busses. If we had to take the Disney transpiration all the time I am guessing my husband (and probably me too) would save to stay on the monorail. Convenience on vacation is huge for us.

OP - I have similar feelings to you. I am always afraid I will regret the extra money spent.

 

[AJA]

OP, we feel much the same way about "not spending more than necessary just for a few extras". As I said earlier the one thing we really appreciate with most of the deluxe resorts is the location. We still love POFQ and would stay in a moderate in a heart beat if we needed to tighten the vacation budget.

What about trying the Wilderness Lodge? You have a great location, the boat to MK or to the Contemporary for the monorail there. And it's not quite as much as a monorail or Epcot area Disney resort.

And there's the Swan or Dolphin for the Epcot area. You can walk to DHS and Epcot or take the boat.

The prices for the Swan/Dolphin/Wilderness Lodge isn't that much more than a moderate.

 

[Missytara]

Despite the fact that you explained why you asked the question, it is still subjective.

Ultimately, only you can decide what it is worth to you, especially if you say you already afford it.

 

[tinkbyday]

OP, we feel much the same way about "not spending more than necessary just for a few extras". As I said earlier the one thing we really appreciate with most of the deluxe resorts is the location. We still love POFQ and would stay in a moderate in a heart beat if we needed to tighten the vacation budget.

What about trying the Wilderness Lodge? You have a great location, the boat to MK or to the Contemporary for the monorail there. And it's not quite as much as a monorail or Epcot area Disney resort.

And there's the Swan or Dolphin for the Epcot area. You can walk to DHS and Epcot or take the boat.

The prices for the Swan/Dolphin/Wilderness Lodge isn't that much more than a moderate.

I'm not so sure about this anymore - I looked at pricing for Thanksgiving week and WL is pretty up there!

 

[autismgoesdisney]

OP, we feel much the same way about "not spending more than necessary just for a few extras". As I said earlier the one thing we really appreciate with most of the deluxe resorts is the location. We still love POFQ and would stay in a moderate in a heart beat if we needed to tighten the vacation budget.

What about trying the Wilderness Lodge? You have a great location, the boat to MK or to the Contemporary for the monorail there. And it's not quite as much as a monorail or Epcot area Disney resort.

And there's the Swan or Dolphin for the Epcot area. You can walk to DHS and Epcot or take the boat.

The prices for the Swan/Dolphin/Wilderness Lodge isn't that much more than a moderate.

We can't do WL at a reasonable price because we are a family of five.

As for Swan and Dolphin, we'd have to check out the prices and see if its worth it, but we drive down so we'd have to pay the parking fees, plus the extra money to have a fifth person in the room, then no free dining.....not sure financially if it would make sense for us, but we'll look into it.

I've decided I'm giving a deluxe a shot in 2013. Its our 10 year anniversary and what the hey...

 

[skriegerjr]

The only problem with this logic is the room is only a small portion of the total cost. For me with 4 people's airfare, park tickets and meals for a week I am spending close to $4,000 for a week without factoring in hotel cost. Going for 2 seperate weeks at a moderate is still significantly more money than 1 week at a deluxe. If I went multiple times a year I would probably stay at the moderates or values too, but I am more of a once every other year visitor so I like to have the convenient locations and extra amenities.

You see it as a problem with my logic? Interesting, considering I wasn't JUST pricing out the room. I priced out an entire MYW package, including ROOM, Park Tix & Food, and the cost to stay at Poly for that package, is TWICE what I pay to stay at POFQ...so, by extension, I could stay at POFQ twice, for the same price as staying at POLY once.

When I factor in the cost to drive, hotels there and back, spending $, etc...and those costs are pretty much fixed, yes, I would agree with you, I would spend slightly MORE when factoring in my travel costs there & back twice, however, I still get to go, TWICE! Don't know about you, but, that makes way more sense to me, then paying double, and only getting to go once. So, what's the problem with my logic again?

 

[twinboysmom]

Disboards is too sensitive. When I say better people to go deluxe I don't mean anyone who goes to moderate or value is low quality. I'm talking about all the rude foreigners, the people who bring cases of beer into the rooms, and another feature that I don't need to say but is obvious.

Had to chime in to say that I am proud to be one of those people who brings in cases (yes multiple) of beer into my deluxe hotels! And sorry, I read all your posts. You meant exactly what you typed. Btw, rude foreigners stay at all levels as do rude Americans.

OP, personally, it depends on you and your family. We own DVC and go many times per year (with our beer). We stay all levels and I can say we enjoy each stay whether it be value or deluxe. I would say more about WDW deluxe hotels if I felt they were truly deluxe. I think your plan to try deluxe in 2013 is a good one. Have fun.

 

[OnSpaceshipEarth]

Is it worth to stay at a Deluxe resort? Sure.. if I have a deluxe budget. But if not, then I am fine with staying at my favorite resort POFQ and my favorite value resort ASMovies!!

Fantasia...loved your phrase "if I have a deluxe budget".

 

[OnSpaceshipEarth]

I'm sorry.. is this thread still about whether the deluxe is worth the price over the moderate? Or is this thread about bringing beers and foreigners?? Did the topic change? Or should the title change to foreigners and bringing alcohol?

Fantasia...*this* post was even more hilarious!!!

 

[OnSpaceshipEarth]

The best answer to the OP's question from *my* personal experience is...once you stay at a Deluxe, you only want to return to a Deluxe for future visits. I wouldn't *mind* staying at a moderate(or even all-star) because they all offer that special Disney experience and atmosphere that you can only get from staying on-site. But I definitely *prefer* to only stay at Deluxes from now on.

 

[danceintherain]

I voted "Other" because it's not that cut and dry for us, and also the difference between the cost of a Moderate vs. a Deluxe varies from resort to resort and from season to season. When you throw inconsistent discounts in there, it becomes even more complicated.

We've done both Deluxe (AKL) and Moderate (CBR) and paid around the same amount nightly for both stays. We scored at 40% off discount for AKL during Value season, but only managed a 30% at CBR during Regular season (or maybe it was Value 2?).
At some point, I'd like to stay at all the Disney resorts, but it may be a while before we can manage some of the higher tiered Deluxes and even then maybe only for a short trip (or a split stay). If I had to struggle to stay at a Deluxe, then I would not do it. I know that I can have perfectly lovely trips whilst staying at Moderates.

For our next trip, we will likely decide between the Wilderness Lodge and Port Orleans, but ultimately we'll end up wherever we can get the best deal within our budget for that particular trip.

 

[sydneysmom]

I voted yes because of location. I've stayed at POR and CSR and the GF. I didn't care for CSR at all, but I LOVED POR. The only drawback was having to take the bus everywhere.

The other thing I didn't love was having no private balcony. I felt totally exposed if you didn't shut your curtain, because anyone walking by might just stop and look in your room. It was kind of an odd feeling and I felt too "shut in". But I did love the grounds and that you could take the bus to DTD.

We chose the GF for our first family trip for a few reasons.
1. we wanted to stay on the monorail because our DD was going to be using a stroller, and it seemed easier for traveling
2. we wanted to be able to get back and forth easier if she was going to take a nap mid day.
3. my DH knew I always wanted to stay there, so he wanted us to have our "dream vacation" for our first trip.
4. I loved having a balcony where I could sit outside mid-day and read while my DH and DD napped. it was pure peace.
5. loved having a character meal and a signature right at our resort. We took advantage of both.
6. We both loved that the GF was smaller, quieter and more compact a resort.
7. Did I mention how awesome the monorail is?

Our next trip, June 2013, we probably won't stay at the GF unless we get a great pin code.... but I think we will stay at either the CR (for the monorail) or WL (for the boat to MK and/or CR to get the monorail). My DH has become monorail spoiled....

 

[autismgoesdisney]

I think transportation plays into this question too. We drive to WDW so we have a car and don't rely on the Disney busses. If we had to take the Disney transpiration all the time I am guessing my husband (and probably me too) would save to stay on the monorail. Convenience on vacation is huge for us.

OP - I have similar feelings to you. I am always afraid I will regret the extra money spent.

That brings up a good point. We also drive to WDW. Despite driving, I made my family continue to take the bus from POR because I wanted that pure Disney experience once again. However on our last day, we drove to Epcot and OMG what was I thinking all week?! Silly me.

So if we were at CR, we would loVe to walk to Mk but would probably drive elsewhere.

I think when all is said I would love to stay at poly. If I'm doing deluxe, why not shoot for the stars (moon and mars lol)

 

[OnSpaceshipEarth]

autismgoesdisney...I noticed that you stayed at the POly in 1981. What was it like back then? Is it much improved from what it was, or has it remained essentially unchanged?

 

[robinbutterfly]

That brings up a good point. We also drive to WDW. Despite driving, I made my family continue to take the bus from POR because I wanted that pure Disney experience once again. However on our last day, we drove to Epcot and OMG what was I thinking all week?! Silly me.

So if we were at CR, we would loVe to walk to Mk but would probably drive elsewhere.

I think when all is said I would love to stay at poly. If I'm doing deluxe, why not shoot for the stars (moon and mars lol)

We drive down but don't even think about our car all week! We don't use it until we are leaving WDW. I love using the WDW transportation! That being said, is it really better to use your own car?

 

[autismgoesdisney]

autismgoesdisney...I noticed that you stayed at the POly in 1981. What was it like back then? Is it much improved from what it was, or has it remained essentially unchanged?

I was just turning 4 when we went lOl so I barely remember. I remember our room being big and nice and it overlooked the beach and luau party. I remember a slide by the pool and I have pictures of Goofy going down the slide. I remember breakfast with the characters and Goofy coming into breakfast with a huge stack of plates and tripping and dropping them all.

Lol that's my memories of staying there

 

[autismgoesdisney]

We drive down but don't even think about our car all week! We don't use it until we are leaving WDW. I love using the WDW transportation! That being said, is it really better to use your own car?

Our last trip was our first drive down. I insisted on using Disney transportation, much to my husbands dismay. On the last day, we checked out of Por and drove to Epcot. It was then that we realized that it really is silly to not drive!