Are the Deluxe Resorts Really Worth the Money.

[Emiems20]

Hi all, am trying to decide what to do here. My and my DF are going to disney for the first time together the last week of September. Thought about staying at the WL or POR. Is it really worth the money to upgrade to the Deluxe Resort?? Need you help!!

 

[rgf207]

For some people it's not worth it for them. It depends on how much time you would like to spend in your hotel. The deluxe hotels are beautiful and there is so much to see and do in them. We have stayed at the AKL and loved it. There is no resort like it. To us it is worth it for the extra amenities but to some it's not. It's a matter of preference

 

[ninaeve]

If this is your first trip to WDW, chances are that you will not be in the room as much as other trips, so I would go with a moderate. I highly recommend POR. The resort is beautiful. Make sure you schedule in a couple of resort days. There is so much to do.

I would save money and stay in a deluxe for your next trip, but it all depends on what you are expecting and used to.

 

[nbodyhome]

To some people it is, to some it isn't - it's like saying should I eat at Earl of Sandwich or the California Grill (or Chef Mickeys or the California Grill). Normally, I am going to go with the less expensive option, or what I feel is a good value.

For a special occasion, I'd probably go with the splurge (or for a night or two). But on a regular trip basis, I tend to go with the cheaper option. BUT, it depends how you like to travel and how much money you have as well.

 

[ToyStory]

Trust me, I have been going back and forth with this. Had reservations at WL, mom decided she wanted to come so we moved to POR since we need to get two rooms, moved back to WL since it was our original choice. We are now staying at CSR since I couldn't justify the cost difference and we have to make an unexpected trip to Florida next month.

What made me okay with my decision besides the cost is that the boat ride would be about 15 to 20 mintues from what I have been reading and the bus ride from CSR wouldn't be any longer. Plus we are going to have a car and reading that the parking lot isn't as accessible at the WL and it would be at CSR. Also, Roaring Forks seems to have much more of a limited menu then the counter service at POR and also CSR.

POR is a nice hotel, we have stayed there before, but we decided to try something different this trip.

 

[chasgoose]

First, I don't buy the whole "I don't spend that much time in my room argument" because unless you have done Walt Disney World before, you probably won't know how much time you will spend there. Unlike Disneyland, where you can do the "park commando" style in at opening and out at closing visit because it's only a one or two day trip, Disney World is HUGE. If Iwent park commando style for my entire visit and Iplanned to go to all the parks I would be a hot mess by the end of my "vacation" and more stressed out than when I left. I think first-timers underestimate the value of the afternoon break that is one of the best aspects of staying on-property. You will probably spend more time in your room than you think so don't shortchange yourself.

As to the "worth it" question. it really depends on what worth it means to you. In my opinion, the biggest jump in terms of resort quality comes from the moderate to deluxe level (value to moderate nets you only more toned down theming, a pool with a waterslide, and slightly bigger rooms). Here is what you get in a deluxe that you don't get in a moderate.

1. Bigger rooms with 2 queen beds and oftentimes a day bed (and BIGGER BATHROOMS!)
2. Windows that don't face the hallway and usually balconies or patios and great views (usually for a slightly higher rate)
3. With the exception of the AKL, the deluxes are in better locations within the complex that usually have at least one non-bus means of getting to the parks that takes less than 15 minutes.
4. The best hotel restaurants (although counter service restaurants are usually lacking)
5. Big themed pools (although the CSR's is better than a couple Deluxe's)
6. Interior corridors instead of the motel-style set-up at the moderates.
7. Concierge/Room Service available
8. Kid's clubs
9. Turndown service upon request
10. In the renovated Deluxes rooms with flatscreen tvs

There are more but those are the most important ones from my perspective. That said, if you don't think those extra features and services are worth the price difference, then the deluxes aren't worth it. In terms of quality, the deluxes are on par with the Hilton/Marriott level, maybe a little below that. If you or your family is used to that kind of hotel, or most full-service hotels (even ones that charge half the price of Disney) then it might be worth it to stay at a deluxe resort. You simply have to accept that you are paying more than you usually would for that type of hotel. My family generally stays at that level when we travel other places (albeit for a lot less than Disney charges) and its worth it to us to pay for the deluxe level so we can have that type of hotel. It just takes a lot of the edge off the vacation and helps us relax more. If you are used to that kind of hotel I would reccomend biting the bullet and staying deluxe.

 

[trivial]

Quick advice: look into renting DVC points. We stayed at the BoardWalk Villas on DVC points for super cheap and loved it.

 

[goodferry]

That's such a hard question to answer! For us it is worth the money, but for others they feel it's not. We typically hit the parks running at opening and head back to our resort aroun noon or 1 to swim, relax, read, then head back out around dinner time for a nice meal and fireworks. We try to make it more like a vacation then a marathon. If you feel you will be in the parks from sun up to sun down, you are probably better off saving the money and staying at POR. Wilderness Lodge is breathtakingly gorgeous, pictures don't do it justice, so if you don't stay there, visit for a meal, it's amazing.

 

[Buzz2001]

If interior corridors and queen beds mean that much, then deluxe might be worth it to you. Will you be at the resort much or mostly at the parks?

 

[gabriellewatson]

Hi all, am trying to decide what to do here. My and my DF are going to disney for the first time together the last week of September. Thought about staying at the WL or POR. Is it really worth the money to upgrade to the Deluxe Resort?? Need you help!!

My husband and I stayed at POFQ last year for our honeymoon/first trip to WDW. It was great, and a lot cheaper than staying at a Deluxe. If you stay at a Moderate you might save about $500 (that can be used on souvenirs) !!!

But this year we are staying at a Deluxe because I've heard so many wonderful things about the hotel. Plus, we're going during 'hurricane season' and someone mentioned that if there is a tropical depression/storm/hurricane like there has been in the past then you don't have to venture out into the storm to get dinner, snacks or visit the lobby. You can just head down the elevator. LOL, that's why we chose WL. Last year, there was a tropical depression and it poured. LOL. We're from TX, where it never rains, and we got soaked running to the court for dinner. LOL.


But I will say, it was lots and lots of fun!!

 

[madalex]

Is it really worth the money to upgrade to the Deluxe Resort??

Yes.

 

[gottagodisney]

I have stayed at Pop and WL, as well as VWL. No opinion on mods yet.

The biggest difference I note between the two is the # people. WL is absolutely beautiful of course, but it is also very peaceful with people coming and going rather quietly. A nice respite after the parks.

Pop, while fun, was very crowded and at meal times at food court was rather chaotic. Kind of like still being at the parks if you know what I mean. It is a nicely themed Disney resort though-still feels very Disney.

We, as a family, enjoyed both places. I guess it just depends on what your style is. Enjoy lots of action all the time = value or mod? Want more relaxed, luxurious feel, without mingling with the masses= deluxes.

The rooms are rooms, someplace to sleep although the accomodations in WL are more spacious and decorative.

Good luck choosing!

 

[MUFFYCAT]

I think the deluxes are worth the money.

 

[cobbler]

Personal preference. Personally I think they are worth it. Moderates aren't bad either. I would certainly upgrade to a deluxe over a value any day. But the moderates are really nice too.

I wouldn't stress to much over it. If you don't feel it is worth it, then save the money, go moderate and have a really nice dinner, do a carriage ride at Riverside, whatever floats your boat.

 

[goofy4tink]

I've stayed at all levels of resorts....even own DVC at BWV. But, I love them all, for different reasons. POR was my first WDW resort (DxL back then). We don't use the hot tubs at all. I hate sitting there, with a bunch of strangers or kids, so we just pass 'em by. We don't tend to use the more formal table service restaurants at the resorts. Once in awhile we do, but they aren't the reason we choose a resort.
After staying at the Polynesian, my dh suggested buying DVC but only at BWV. Yeah, right...twist my arm honey!!! I did make him stay at POP last May...that won't happen again. He didn't mind POR too much, actually liked it. But no values for him. He stays at BW or nowhere it would seem.
We do like to spend more time at the resort now that we have been to WDW many times. We find a nice pool area is a good thing to have. My dd no longer thinks the slides at the moderates are fun, so if it's going to be hot, we are sure to stay at a resort with a good slide..usually BW.
The larger rooms are nice if you have more than 3 people in your group. If the weather gets yucky, it's nice to have some room to move around in.
I guess it all depends on what you want from a vacation. We don't use all those 'deluxe' amenities, so staying at a moderate or a value isn't a big deal for us...except for dh. But he doesn't go nearly as often as I do..so that's okay.

 

[jazzytea]

we have stayed many times and for us the deluxe are worth the money. If only staying a couple of days I would go for moderate for the savings. The only deluxe not worth the money I am sorry to say is Grand Floridian. Our favorite deluxe is Beach Club - they have an awesome pool for the kids and great location to Epcot (short walk) and MGM (boat ride) If you dont mind riding the bus to everything French Quarter is our fav moderate.

 

[brightspark]

Congrats on your first trip to Disney together!! Is this your first trip or have you been separately before?
In deciding hotels I would question what you are used to staying in. If you are used to 4* hotels and will be disappointed with anything less, then go with a deluxe. However if you usually go for a 'cheep' holiday stick with a lower budget hotel and enjoy the spending money. Nothing worse than getting out there and having to count everything you spend, and worry about it all, because you over spent on the hotel.

Dh and I (34) have, over the last few years stayed at AllStar Music, Carribbean Beach and Animal Kingdom Lodge (so one from each bracket). I enjoyed them all. I enjoyed the animals at AKL, but not being used to very posh hotels, found it almost a bit much. I wasn't any more happy there than at the CBR.

We are now DVC members, and would also recommend trying to rent some points and staying at a DVC property, which are a bit up from the moderate hotels.

If you haven't been to WDW then you'll find any of the resorts fantastic, they all have great theming and character. Also you just don't spend much time in the room!

Hope this helps

 

[mainstreetmickey]

I'm lucky because up to now all of my trips to Disney have been on someone elses dime. Business twice, family paid for our Honeymoon as our wedding gift...all at Deluxe's.

In September we're going and picking up all the cost for the first time. We debated hard about going with a Value or Moderate during the first days of planning. In the end we decided on Deluxe based solely on the fact that we'll be doing most of our time in the MK and due to the ages of our sons we need to break up the day with rest at the resort. Because of that we chose to stay in a Monorail resort.

I have plenty of friends who have done both Mod and Value and their experiences have been great. In fact, when our kids get older and can take a little more rigorous schedule we'll most definitely go the Mod and Value routes so we can go more often.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[ZephyrHawk]

Well, probably not.

I'm a well seasoned traveler. I've been in every type of hotel room you can think of at one time or another, and by and large, I don't care what they look like. As long as they're clean and have a bed, I'm happy. I mean, the point of a vacation is to spend as little time in your room as possible. The deluxes are very nice hotels, but so are the moderates. The values...well, they're better than your average hotel. No place you could stay on property is bad.

That being said, I'm going deluxe or bust this time myself. I vividly remember every Disney hotel I've ever stayed at because of the themeing. The themeing is what sets Disney hotels apart. The question is, what kind of themeing will make your stay? If you've never been before, you very well may not know. My suggestion would be to save money this time and spend a little time checking out the various resorts to see whether it would be worth it for you in the future.

One final thing, I think a deluxe is 100% worth it if you have young kids. At least the MK ones. The monorail access is worth a bundle when you have little ones to consider.

 

[SFLTIGGER]

If you can afford it, WL all the way IMHO. What a wonderful resort. We purchased DVC last year and made our first stay at VWL last fall. WL lodge is such an amazingly themed resort, we litterally felt like we were in a Northwest national park.

Disney usually does a great job of themeing there resorts, but we felt they really hit a home run with WL. Also, no monorail, but boat to MK was great (p.s. - it also stops at the Contemporary, so you can easily get there for Chef Mickey's or Concourse steakhouse or even to catch the Monorail.)

Also since it is your first time as a family be sure to ask to ride up front on the Monorail (great view and what fun for the kids).