Confession Time

[cadawson]

Well, I was going to chime in that moderate is what we can afford this trip, thus our POR reservation. But, I just checked dates again, and I was able to change to YC for just $90 more per night for our stay with an AP discount... It'll be a surprise to my hubby and kids! So excited!

 

[Mortlives]

Here I thought I was setting myself up for a public shaming, and instead I found my people.

Further confession, then: I won't do villas because i don't even want to see a kitchen when I am on vacation.

 

[fla4fun]

I mean, I love CBR, but GF? Puhlease...

When you compare CBR and GF, it's like comparing steak and green beans - they are nothing alike.

I stayed deluxe for years, because there wasn't anything else. Stayed at CBR when it first opened, and have since stayed at almost every resort they have. I have great vacations at value resorts, moderate resorts, deluxe resorts and DVC resorts. But I select the resort based on what I want out of the trip. There is a big difference in my resort needs for a 10 day trip vs. a weekend trip for a specific event.

Personally, GF is one of my least favorite deluxe resorts. I drive, and I sometimes arrive or depart when it is dark outside. I hate where the self parking is located and don't feel safe going back and forth to my car at GF. AKL is another deluxe I'm not especially fond of. Nothing really wrong with it - I just prefer to have some sort of water feature (lake, pond, "river", etc.) at my resort. I really missed that the two times I tried AKL.

However, everyone has amenities that make or break their vacation. So if you love balconies and interior hallways, you aren't going to be as happy at a moderate or value.

 

[larryz]

It's OK ... there are more of us than you know...

 

[Puffy2]

Love the deluxes. I tried Riverside (one of the royal rooms) and although it was cute, it was the least favorite of all my stays at disney. Won't be doing another moderate. I can't even explain why except that it just didn't feel the same. And I actually paid more per night for that room than I'm paying for Beach Club this coming Sept.

 

[WillAustin]

It's OK ... there are more of us than you know...

Definitely.

 

[tcherjen]

Hmmm.... I might be a snob... We are doing our first deluxe stay in 3 weeks.
Although what turns me off on longer stays is the lack of room at the deluxe. We usually book a suite at AOA for the longer trips.
DH wants to stay at the cabins again and I may cave on our Spring break trip next year.

 

[FTM22]

Many years ago for our honeymoon we stayed at the Royal Plaza (deluxe back when it was part of the Disney village I think they called it). Then on our 5th anniversary we had a deal through the phone company's reward points and I wanted the Yacht Club/Beach Club. They insisted on booking us at the Caribbean Beach (I have no idea why I put up with that, other than being quite young). Well, my husband (who at that time traveled for a living and stayed in Marriotts, Hiltons, and the like on the company bill) was terribly disappointed and compared CBR to a Holiday Inn. I was not mature enough at that time to know if you are truly unhappy (not just whining), Disney will help you find a solution. It didn't occur to him either. SO we stayed and coped. We stayed at Fort Wilderness with an RV once and then it was Wilderness Lodge every year we went back except last year with the construction we did AKL. We've never gone back to a moderate and I don't believe we would be happy if we did.

This said, I TOTALLY get people who love the values and moderates, even the off-site options! This is just our experience - as the saying goes, your mileage may vary.

 

[Tigger's ally]

I don't cook in the Villa's kitchen, but it does a good job of keeping the cases of Yuengling cold!

 

[Jadyreen1282]

I don't cook in the Villa's kitchen, but it does a good job of keeping the cases of Yuengling cold!

That's what I'm talking about... I'm still all for POR.

 

[Goofy'slady]

Perhaps I would be if I didn't have an issue with coming up off all that money for just a room that in some cases isn't any better than a local Hilton in my own city. I do love some of the deluxe resorts - I've been guilty walking around their properties when dining or doing other activities there wondering what it would be like to stay there. However, I have to admit it though part of my wanting to stay there isn't so much about the property itself although lovely, it's about the perceived status that comes with those resort stays. We like to go to Disney yearly or at least every other year so our mod of choice CSR suits us just fine. Space enough for me and my two kids, beautiful grounds, great main pool and several quiet pools, TS dining and fairly decent QS, and the bus service is great.

Next year both of my girls will celebrate milestones with the older one graduating from high school so a long trip to Disney is out. I'm taking her to London for two weeks. However, I am planning to take my youngest daughter to Disney for four nights since she is graduating elementary school and for the first time I will consider going deluxe. I'm thinking WL because I've visited and dined at the property several times and I really like it - not to mention I think it's one of the more affordable deluxe resorts so I should be able to swing it for a short trip. With that in mind that visit may sway me to the side of staying on deluxe properties from there out but if the price isn't right I have no problem whatsoever in returning to CSR.


Edit - Just for fun I checked to see how much it would be to upgrade to WL for our upcoming Aug trip and even with the 30% off discount it's still be an additional 125 dollars each night. At this stage in the planning process that is something me and my one income can't swing. I don't want to bite off more than I can chew simply to say we're staying deluxe. My kids really like CSR - to them the resort is great and it has nothing to do with status or price points they just like it. 9 nights at CSR with plenty of money in our budget is just right for us for now.

 

[wizneather78]

Let me just say this....Contemporary Resort Tower Theme Park View Room......nothing compares in my book. It was the most magical vacation we've had. The room was huge, bed was SO COMFY, service was top notch, having the monorail right in your resort....amazing!!! We are staying at AOA for our upcoming December trip. We were a bit hesitant, but DD is OBSESSED with all things Little Mermaid and Lion King, so we thought we'd let this be more about her and have a memorable experience. Heck, they're only 4 years old once!! I hear great things about AOA, so we are curious to try it out!

 

[Networth]

I see no issue here. We only stay on the Monorail. Heck if the Four Seasons was on the monorail we would be all over that. Enjoy your vacations OP. I think if anything you have joined the group of people that see their resort as more than just a bed and a shower while on vacation.

 

[Tigger's ally]

Perhaps I would be if I didn't have an issue with coming up off all that money for just a room that in some cases isn't any better than a local Hilton in my own city. I do love some of the deluxe resorts - I've been guilty walking around their properties when dining or doing other activities there wondering what it would be like to stay there. However, I have to admit it though part of my wanting to stay there isn't so much about the property itself although lovely, it's about the perceived status that comes with those resort stays. We like to go to Disney yearly or at least every other year so our mod of choice CSR suits us just fine. Space enough for me and my two kids, beautiful grounds, great main pool and several quiet pools, TS dining and fairly decent QS, and the bus service is great.

Next year both of my girls will celebrate milestones with the older one graduating from high school so a long trip to Disney is out. I'm taking her to London for two weeks. However, I am planning to take my youngest daughter to Disney for four nights since she is graduating elementary school and for the first time I will consider going deluxe. I'm thinking WL because I've visited and dined at the property several times and I really like it - not to mention I think it's one of the more affordable deluxe resorts so I should be able to swing it for a short trip. With that in mind that visit may sway me to the side of staying on deluxe properties from there out but if the price isn't right I have no problem whatsoever in returning to CSR.


Edit - Just for fun I checked to see how much it would be to upgrade to WL for our upcoming Aug trip and even with the 30% off discount it's still be an additional 125 dollars each night. At this stage in the planning process that is something me and my one income can't swing. I don't want to bite off more than I can chew simply to say we're staying deluxe. My kids really like CSR - to them the resort is great and it has nothing to do with status or price points they just like it. 9 nights at CSR with plenty of money in our budget is just right for us for now.

I understand you situation. One thing you might consider, especially for the short trip is to rent points at WLV. I have found that renting points essentially gets a Deluxe resort down to a mod price. You still get all the perks of staying at the Lodge and the added perk of a microwave in the room. Price it out and see what it goes for.