Comparing Resort Types

[ducklite]

Please feel free to PM me or reply here and I'll update this chart with any other things you can all think of. Remember, no personal feelings, keep it objective!

(You might need to scroll down to read the list.)

<table><tr valign="top"> <br />
<td width="33%"><b>Value</b></td>
<td width="33%"><b>Moderate</b></td>
<td width="33%"><b>Deluxe </b><font size="-1">(Suites are not included in this list)</font></td>
<br />
</tr>
<tr valign="top">
<td width="33%"> </td>
<td width="33%"> </td>
<td width="33%"> </td>
</tr>
<tr valign="top">
<td width="33%">Sleep four plus a child under three in a crib. No rollaways available. </td>
<td width="33%">Sleep four plus a child under three in a crib. CSR can add a rollaway, some rooms in POR can add a trundle for a child. Must be booked in advance at additional cost.</td>
<td width="33%">Most sleep five plus a child under three in a crib. Some only sleep four. No rollaways available.</td>
</tr>
<br />
<tr valign="top"> <br />
<td width="33%">Rates $49-$129+tax per night</td>
<td width="33%">Rates $89-$159+tax per night</td>
<br />
<td width="33%">Rates $129-$600+ per night plus tax</td>
<br />
</tr>
<br />
<tr valign="top"> <br />
<td width="33%">Rooms are 260 square feet (about 13 feet wide by 20 feet deep,
inc. bathroom)</td>
<td width="33%>coming soon</td>
<br />
<td width="33%">coming soon</td>
<br />
</tr>
<br />
<tr valign="top"> <br />
<td width="33%">No closet, you hang your clothes on a bar by the single sink. No place to store luggage out of sight.</td>
<td width="33%">No closet, you hang your clothes on a bar by the double sink. No place to store luggage out of sight.</td>
<br />
<td width="33%">A full sized closet with plenty of hangers. The dressing area has a double sink and is well lit.</td>
<br />
</tr>
<br />
<tr valign="top"> <br />
<td width="33%">Two Double beds (There are select rooms with one king bed, they are handicapped accesible)</td>
<td width="33%">Two Double beds (There are a few rooms with King beds, some are handicapped accesible)</td>
<br />
<td width="33%">Queens beds, and most rooms also have a full sized day bed that comfortably sleeps an adult. At some resorts one queen is replaced by a set of bunk beds. Some kings area available. A few rooms have double beds, or a King sico bed.</td>
<br />
</tr>
<br />
<tr valign="top"> <br />
<td width="33%">No balcony or patio. No interior corridors.</td>
<td width="33%">No balcony or patio. No interior corridors.</td>
<br />
<td width="33%">Most rooms have a balcony or patio with chairs. Some balconies are standing room only, some rooms at the GF, PR, and CR have no balcony.</td>
<br />
</tr>
<br />
<tr valign="top"> <br />
<td width="33%">Smallish, crowded pools theming matches resort. No pool slides. Bring towels from room.</td>
<td width="33%">Several themed pools scattered through resort. Jacuzzis in at least one pool area. Many pools have slides. Towels vary by resort/season.</td>
<br />
<td width="33%">Most have a large main themed pool, and secondary quiet pools. Most have jacuzzi's. Towels available poolside.</td>
<br />
</tr>
<br />
<tr valign="top"> <br />
<td width="33%">Food court, which can be very crowded. The food is generally pretty good, and moderately priced.</td>
<td width="33%">Food court and at least one sit down restaurant with limited
hours. </td>
<br />
<td width="33%">Minimum one quick food area (not always cafeteria/food court
style however), generally one buffet style restaurant (often with a character
meal), always minimum one full service upscale reastaurant.</td>
<br />
</tr>
<br />
<tr valign="top"> <br />
<td width="33%">Lack of privacy. Because the rooms have all exterior entrances,
you can't leave your drapes open or everyone who walks by can see into the
room. </td>
<td width="33%">Lack of privacy. Because the rooms have all exterior entrances,
you can't leave your drapes open or everyone who walks by can see into the
room.</td>
<br />
<td width="33%">Interior Corridors, most rooms have large french or sliding
glass doors leading to private balcony or patio. All have windows or door
that opens for fresh air.</td>
<br />
</tr>
<br />
<tr valign="top"> <br />
<td width="33%">Can be very noisy. Poor soundproofing between rooms. Transient noise
from exterior walkways and metal stairways can be very loud.</td>
<td width="33%">Generally moderate noise level between rooms. Ambient noise
from exterior corridors is present, can at times be loud.</td>
<br />
<td width="33%">Generally very quiet. Carpeting absorbs most cound from interior
hallways. Pool view rooms can be noisy during peak pool use times. </td>
<br />
</tr>
<br />
<tr valign="top"> <br />
<td width="33%">Bold, loud decor. Laminate furnishings.</td>
<td width="33%">Subtle theming throughout resort, nicely appointed rooms,
attractive public areas and landscping.</td>
<br />
<td width="33%">Beautifully themed decor throughout resort. Very attractive
to magnificent public areas and landscaping. Real wood furnishings. Tastefully
decorated rooms.</td>
<br />
</tr>
<br />
<tr valign="top"> <br />
<td width="33%">Rooms are dark inside.</td>
<td width="33%">Rooms at some moderates can be dark.</td>
<br />
<td width="33%">Rooms are generally very bright and airy, AKL tends to be darker than others.</td>
<br />
</tr>
<br />
<tr valign="top"> <br />
<td width="33%">Small lobby area, often crowded and noisy.</td>
<td width="33%">Smallish lobby area, can get congested during peak check-in/out
periods..</td>
<br />
<td width="33%">Very attractive public lobby area wth comfortable seating.
Can get congested at times.</td>
<br />
</tr>
<br />
<tr valign="top"> <br />
<td width="33%">Recreation consists of swimming and an arcade.</td>
<td width="33%">Recreation consists of swimming, bike rentals, boat rentals,
play areas, fishing and an arcade. (Not all recreational amenities offered
at all resorts.)</td>
<br />
<td width="33%">A variety of recreational choices, including swimming, boating,
vollyball/badmitten, croquet, a beach, mini-golf, ladybug release, garden
tours, bike rentals, childrens programs, board games, arcades, themed amenities
particular to each resort. (Not all recreational amenities offered at all
resorts.)</td>
<br />
</tr>
<br />
<tr valign="top"> <br />
<td width="33%">Bus to all WDW locations (bus service is generally good, but can be exceptionally crowded.)</td>
<td width="33%">Bus to all WDW locations. Seasonally a boat ride is available to DTD from some moderates.</td>
<br />
<td width="33%">Walk, boat, bus, monorail. Each resort is different.</td>
<br />
</tr>
<br />
<tr valign="top"> <br />
<td width="33%">Minimal in room amenities, soap and shampoo is in dispensers. Iron and board, hairdryers available from housekeeping on first come basis.
(Coffee makers NOT available!)</td>
<td width="33%">Soap and shampoo is in dispensers in some rooms at some resorts. Hairdryers in room. Iron and board, coffee makers available from housekeeping on first come basis. CBR offers extra pillow and blanket in room.</td>
<br />
<td width="33%">Mini bar, hair dryer, iron/board, extra pillow and blanket in all rooms. Most rooms also have a ceiling fan. Coffeemakers available from housekeeping.</td>
<br />
</tr>
<br />
<tr valign="top"> <br />
<td width="33%">No lounge open in the evening</td>
<td width="33%">Lobby lounge open in the evening, pool lounge open seasonally.</td>
<br />
<td width="33%">At least one lounge on site, plus pool lounge. </td>
<br />
</tr>
<br />
<tr valign="top"> <br />
<td width="33%">During various times of the year many large school/youth groups visit, which creates noisy, crowded conditions</td>
<td width="33%">Some tour groups.</td>
<br />
<td width="33%">Few groups, few unescorted groups of teens.</td>
<br />
</tr>
<br />
<tr valign="top"> <br />
<td width="33%">No <font color="#000000">concierge</font>, no business office,
minimal guest services. No salon or health club.</td>
<td width="33%">No <font color="#000000">concierge, </font> minimal guest
services. CSR offers health club and business office services.</td>
<br />
<td width="33%"><font color="#000000">Concierge</font>, business office, various
guest services including secretarial, translation, internet access and more.
Salon, spa, health club. (these vary by resort)</td>
<br />
</tr>
<br />
<br />
<tr valign="top"> <br />
<td width="33%">No dedicated jogging paths, however you can jog on the walkways around the resort.</td>
<td width="33%">Most offer excellent jogging paths.</td>
<br />
<td width="33%">Several choices of jogging paths at most resorts. AKL does
not have an appropriate jogging area..</td>
<br />
</tr>
<br />
<tr valign="top"> <br />
<td width="33%">No personal bell services, luggage delivery is done on scheduled
basis. </td>
<td width="33%">Bell services are available. During peak times there can be a delay.</td>
<br />
<td width="33%">Your luggage is immediately delivered to your room once you are checked in.</td>
<br />
</tr>
<br />
<tr valign="top"> <br />
<td width="33%">Room service consists of pizza delivery.</td>
<td width="33%">Room service consists of pizza delivery.</td>
<br />
<td width="33%">Full room service menu, including hospitality trays and bar
set ups. Some offer 24 hour room service.</td>
<br />
</tr>
<br />
<tr valign="top"> <br />
<td width="33%">Roomside parking avaiable in some buildings</td>
<td width="33%">Roomside parking available at some buildings</td>
<br />
<td width="33%">Generally roomside parking not available.</td>
<br />
</tr>
<br />
<tr valign="top"> <br />
<td width="33%">No on-site group childcare/kids club, in room sitting can be arranged</td>
<td width="33%">No on-site group childcare/kids club, in room sitting can be arranged</td>
<br />
<td width="33%">All deluxe resorts offer on-site group childcare/kids clubs, additionally in room sitting can be arranged</td>
<br />
</tr>
<tr valign="top"> <br />
<td width="33%">Coin operated washers and dryers on site in building adjacent to pool. Valet laundry and drycleaning available for additional cost.</td>
<td width="33%">Coin operated washers and dryers on site in building adjacent to pool. Valet laundry and drycleaning available for additional cost.</td>
<br />
<td width="33%">Coin operated washers and dryers on site, locations vary by resort. Valet laundry and drycleaning available for additional cost.</td>
<br />
</tr>
</table>

Anne

 

[pollyanna]

Is this an "Official" list or just your opinion?
It makes the "Value Resorts" sound just a step above the YMCA.

 

[ducklite]

Originally posted by pollyanna
Is this an "Official" list or just your opinion?
It makes the "Value Resorts" sound just a step above the YMCA.

It's certainly not WDW's official list, but I think it's pretty accurate. If you think there is anything that should be added or changed, please feel free to let me know.

Anne

 

[CamColt]

Wow! Did you do all that work? Good job!

Being objective, I would have to disagree with the comment about the value pools lacking theming. I thought they were full of theming. For example, picture a kid who is a major hockey fan, walking into the Duck Pond. Hes in heaven! Goofy is in net, the pool is a rink, there are locker rooms, and everything. That is soooo themed. Not to mention you are surrounded by giant hockey sticks and masks. Im an adult(and a hockey fan) and I thought that was the coolest pool.

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

We had the Mickey soap and shampoo at moderate resorts.

Are you going to add "Home Away from Home"????

 

[ducklite]

Originally posted by CamColt
Wow! Did you do all that work? Good job!

Being objective, I would have to disagree with the comment about the value pools lacking theming. I thought they were full of theming. For example, picture a kid who is a major hockey fan, walking into the Duck Pond. Hes in heaven! Goofy is in net, the pool is a rink, there are locker rooms, and everything. That is soooo themed. Not to mention you are surrounded by giant hockey sticks and masks. Im an adult(and a hockey fan) and I thought that was the coolest pool.

OK, done deal--what do you think now?

Anne

 

[ducklite]

Originally posted by TigrLvsPooh
We had the Mickey soap and shampoo at moderate resorts.

Are you going to add "Home Away from Home"????

I fixed taht as well. I might add home-aways, if there's any demand for it.

I still have to add some stuff on what I've already put out there!

Anne

 

[CamColt]

You worded that very well.

 

[nwdisgal]

Anne - Good topic and post! I have some thoughts: I can't speak about the other mod's decor, but CBR has pretty bright, cheery decor vs. dark. Also, do any of the mod's still have dispensers? Again, I can only speak to CBR which had packages and small containers of soap, shampoo, etc. For the deluxes, AKL has the dark, exotic furnishings, vs. the light and airy. And I have a question, if coffee pots are standard in the mod's, why aren't they in the deluxe category? They should be - with the coffee included (footnote to start petition to Disney)! The other important thing is that all the resorts have self laundry services - not sure about valet? And... CBR had extra pillows, and blankets in room. Since the refurb, they've added a nice sit down bench with a blanket storage area and that is where the extra pillow and blanket were at.

 

[Disneylvr]

I agree with nwdisgal. We just returned from CBR two weeks ago and the room was anything but dark. We love the new palm leaf print carpets and light colors of the recently rehabbed rooms. But even before the rehab I would of never considered the rooms dark. I have also stayed at both PO resorts and yes the rooms are darker than CBR but not as dark as the Wilderness Lodge, Polynesian and Animal Kingdom Lodge rooms.

As for noise..... The noisiest room I have ever had was the Contemporary and 2nd the Wilderness Lodge which are both deluxe resorts. The quietest rooms I have experienced were on the 2nd floor at Movies (1st floor you could hear everything the upstairs people did) and at the Caribbean Beach. Maybe I just got lucky at the value and moderate resorts and unlucky at the deluxes???

 

[nwdisgal]

Come to think of it, the theming and decor, repeat themselves at almost every level. For example - P0R has some rustic decor in the Aligator section and similiarly, WL has more rustic decor. There are similiarites between GF and the Mansions decor in PO. Also, I see overlap between some of the DVC decor (i.e OKW ) and CBR (colors, landscaping, etc.). Also, I think you could draw some comparisons between theming at AKL with the Poly ( interior of rooms, exterior and interior architecture) and CSR (exterior, arid landscaping). The Values tend to look more modern and whimsical - like the Contemporary. I would say that there is something for everyone - decor wise in the mod and deluxe categories.

 

[ducklite]

Originally posted by nwdisgal
Anne - Good topic and post! I have some thoughts: I can't speak about the other mod's decor, but CBR has pretty bright, cheery decor vs. dark. Also, do any of the mod's still have dispensers? Again, I can only speak to CBR which had packages and small containers of soap, shampoo, etc. For the deluxes, AKL has the dark, exotic furnishings, vs. the light and airy. And I have a question, if coffee pots are standard in the mod's, why aren't they in the deluxe category? They should be - with the coffee included (footnote to start petition to Disney)! The other important thing is that all the resorts have self laundry services - not sure about valet? And... CBR had extra pillows, and blankets in room. Since the refurb, they've added a nice sit down bench with a blanket storage area and that is where the extra pillow and blanket were at.

I've reworded a bit about the darkness, and added your other suggestions. Thanks! Coffee makers aren't standard in the mods or the deluxes for the most part either. They are available from housekeeping at both.

Anne

 

[ducklite]

Originally posted by Disneylvr
I agree with nwdisgal. We just returned from CBR two weeks ago and the room was anything but dark. We love the new palm leaf print carpets and light colors of the recently rehabbed rooms. But even before the rehab I would of never considered the rooms dark. I have also stayed at both PO resorts and yes the rooms are darker than CBR but not as dark as the Wilderness Lodge, Polynesian and Animal Kingdom Lodge rooms.

As for noise..... The noisiest room I have ever had was the Contemporary and 2nd the Wilderness Lodge which are both deluxe resorts. The quietest rooms I have experienced were on the 2nd floor at Movies (1st floor you could hear everything the upstairs people did) and at the Caribbean Beach. Maybe I just got lucky at the value and moderate resorts and unlucky at the deluxes???

A bit about the noise. I based my comments on "normal" noise, not if you had banshee neighbors from H***. So for example mom and dad with two kids walking down the hallway with a stroller in the BC would be quiet, v. rolling along the concrete at the AS makes much more noise. So it was based on things like if you could hear toilets flushing, doors opening and closing, that type of thing. I think we've all had hotel problems with noisy neighbors--I had to call the front desk about a "marital problem" next door at a Four Seasons at 4:00am once. But that's not what I was really trying to get at.

So based on your comment about hearing the upstairs people on the first floor at Movies, unless it was the bigfoot family (I get the impression taht wasn't the case) the comment about the values being noisy is valid. One thing I remember about them is how much noise it made when kids ran up and down the metal stairwells at the ends of the buildings.

Anne

 

[ducklite]

Originally posted by nwdisgal
Come to think of it, the theming and decor, repeat themselves at almost every level. For example - P0R has some rustic decor in the Aligator section and similiarly, WL has more rustic decor. There are similiarites between GF and the Mansions decor in PO. Also, I see overlap between some of the DVC decor (i.e OKW ) and CBR (colors, landscaping, etc.). Also, I think you could draw some comparisons between theming at AKL with the Poly ( interior of rooms, exterior and interior architecture) and CSR (exterior, arid landscaping). The Values tend to look more modern and whimsical - like the Contemporary. I would say that there is something for everyone - decor wise in the mod and deluxe categories.

I certainly agree with your comments. I'm not really getting into actual decor and themes, this is supposed to be a farily broad comparision to assist people in deciding what would work for them

Anne

 

[Limmer]

Wow, what a lot of effort. I just want to add that when we checked into POR we dropped our luggage at Bell services and went to check in. Once checked in (aprox 10 mins) we went to Bell services area and they immediately drove us to our room with our luggage. On a very cool little golf cart I might add. Watching the little lizards scramble out of the way was fun.

 

[susy]

Anne,
Good work!!
You must have had a very bad experience at the All Stars!!

You mentioned them being"crowded" and noisy as far as the buses, lobby, pools and we didn't experience any of that. We were on the first floor in Toy Story and had a wonderful time. Didn't hear any noise except the noise in our own room.Crowded would depend on "when" you visit the resort and isn't true all of the time. We did have Mickey soap by the sink and we did get towel animals there (excellent mousekeeping). The values are good for what they are. We paid $49 and I wouldn't pay much more than that. I would never stay in value hotel (if I could help it) outside of Disney (even overnight -on the road). I actually booked ASMu for Labor Day weekend when we could have stayed deluxe. I think the reason I liked the AS so much is that they get such bad reviews on this board that I was expecting much worse. All that said, I would certainly never pay $100 or close to it for the AS.

 

[ducklite]

Originally posted by susy
Anne,
Good work!!
You must have had a very bad experience at the All Stars!!

You mentioned them being"crowded" and noisy as far as the buses, lobby, pools and we didn't experience any of that. We were on the first floor in Toy Story and had a wonderful time. Didn't hear any noise except the noise in our own room.Crowded would depend on "when" you visit the resort and isn't true all of the time. We did have Mickey soap by the sink and we did get towel animals there (excellent mousekeeping). The values are good for what they are. We paid $49 and I wouldn't pay much more than that. I would never stay in value hotel (if I could help it) outside of Disney (even overnight -on the road). I actually booked ASMu for Labor Day weekend when we could have stayed deluxe. I think the reason I liked the AS so much is that they get such bad reviews on this board that I was expecting much worse. All that said, I would certainly never pay $100 or close to it for the AS.

I stayed there three times. They were a value motel like what you would find in a Red Roof Inn, Comfort Inn, Holiday Inn Express, etc . My experiences ranged from ok (it's a decent place to sleep and shower) to poor (dirty and poor guest service). When they hit poor IMHO I gave up and started staying elsewhere. I think my poor experience was isolated, and they are a value oriented resort which generally provides an adequate experience with Disney theming, but without a lot of the bells and whistles of the other resorts. I agree, I would never stay there or suggest anyone stay there without a discount, rooms there are not worth rack.

The soap by the sink is the traditional Mickey, but I've heard they went to the shower dispensers in the tub. I stayed there in early December and in late January/early February, and they were full each time, although those are slow seasons at WDW. There were cheerleaders and such there on each visit, which made it incredibly noisy and crowded. That aside, I still find them noisy just in hearing the toilets always flushing and people going up and down the stairs. I had one quiet room in the back of the resort, but could still hear the toilets flushing and people walking around outside my room.

Anne

 

[ducklite]

Originally posted by Limmer
Wow, what a lot of effort. I just want to add that when we checked into POR we dropped our luggage at Bell services and went to check in. Once checked in (aprox 10 mins) we went to Bell services area and they immediately drove us to our room with our luggage. On a very cool little golf cart I might add. Watching the little lizards scramble out of the way was fun.

Thanks! This has changed since the last time I stayed at a moderate. I've updated the chart. Someone sent me a similar comment in a PM, but told me that they were given the choice of going to their room immediately and having luggage delivered later, or waiting for bell services as it was extremely busy with many checking in and out that day.

Anne

 

[Limmer]

We were the only ones in line for Bell services which is probably why it was so fast. We did not even have to wait in line to check in. Went straight up to the counter. I hope for the same thing in Sept but I won't get my hopes up.