Could you do this & be happy????

[PamNC]

Hello - I'm trying to talk my husband into a last minute quick trip (1/1-1/4). We usually stay at YC or BC on our "regular" longer trip. We have AP's and noticed that the moderates are $79 for that time frame. So...my question is this:

If you had been staying at Deluxe resorts since 1999....COULD YOU really and truly go to a moderate resort for a short extended weekend trip and be happy with it? We don't want to spend a ton of money for a short trip, we'd rather save it for our big trip but we've really got the bug and want to go. My husband seemed to be interested once he saw that the moderates were $79.

I'd love to hear opinions on this.

Thanks

PamNC

P.S. Hurry - I have to book by 12/29 - and that's tomorrow. We'll drive I guess - it's only 9 hours for us.

 

[stacy6552]

we stayed at OKW and them the WL. Then we took a spur of the moment trip and stayed at the ASmovies. We had a great time! Its a different kind of hotel, but I'd stay at the ASM before Id go back to the Wyndham Palace. Disney just knows how to take care of you, no matter what your budget.

 

[Pig Pen]

I would stay at Coronado again in a second.

 

[SYDNCLAIRESMOM]

We stayed at the BWV (2 BR) last Sept and plan on staying at the BCV next year and thought I was spoiled forever but I booked a side trip for March (just my DD5 and I) at ASMo and am more excited about that trip any other trip Ive made!! I consider it an adventure! Who knows-maybe Ill turn a leaf!

 

[lindamg]

We bounce around between Wilderness Lodge, Boardwalk, Grand Floridian, Caribbean, Coronado, Dolphin, and Port Orleans. We have no problem going from a deluxe to a moderate. In fact, depending on what we are doing on a particular trip, sometimes a moderate is BETTER than a deluxe. Go for it! You'll have a great time at any of the moderates. (Personal favorite of all of them is French Quarter, but you'll have to try that one another trip)

Linda

 

[MAGICinMYHEART]

PamNC,

As DVC Members we love staying at VWL, BWV, & BCV have also taken advantage of discounts to stay at AKL and WL...but for quick trips I would just book several nights at one of the AllStar Resorts and everyone was happy.
These trips were just mostly for park enjoyment, so not much resort time was scheduled I prefer the Values over the Moderates for quick trips. If I can't go Deluxe I go economy all the way to save the money.
Now with POP Century opened I am going to try a few days there. So sure you can enjoy your trip without all of the luxury's. How much use of the pools and marina's are you going to enjoy in January?
Plus with the money you'll save you can try more wonderful restaurants.

 

[joats]

I thought we could do it, but we were very disappointed. We love the WL and prefer to stay there. To save money on our last trip we stayed at Coronado Springs and were very sad. We even tried to transfer to another resort but it was during a holiday and everything was booked.

We will never make that mistake again. For us, WL magic is part of the trip - C.Springs had no magic just disappointment.

 

[tnkrbell]

Hi PamNc!
I would suggest Riverside. I prefer the Deluxes also but I think Riverside has alot to offer, Especially for the price. I would also suggest asking for Magnolia not the Bayou! Good luck!!

 

[Buckleybunch]

Yes I could. We have stay at AKL,Poly, Contemp,
and I have also stayed at CBR, ASMu, DL.

For a quick /cheap trip I would stay any where..

 

[PamNC]

for the ideas & opinions.

I think I could do it for a short trip - but not an extended one. We're leaning towards NOT doing the January 1 thing for various reasons - but we do like the idea of a spur of the moment weekend trip so I'll take this into consideration for future trips.

We've done this sort of trip only once - it was for four nights and we stayed at YC. Like I said, we have only stayed at deluxe resorts since 1999 and we're now officially spoiled. We've never paid, and wouldn't pay, rack rate at a deluxe. If all of a sudden there were no discounts ever available, I'd certainly go back to moderate.

We've never stayed at POR - I think the reason is because we live in the South so the theming doesn't appeal to us. We've stayed at CBR and Coronado and liked them both at the time.

Thanks to all. I think this is an interesting thread. (even if I did start it...)

PamNC

 

[goofy4tink]

For our first two trips, we stayed at POR. Then, last summer we stayed at the Polynesian. Then we bought DVC at BWV. My dd and I made a last minute trip two weeks ago and stayed at AllStarMusic. I was somewhat hesitant about staying there. But, I was quite pleasantly surprised. We really liked it. I don't think I'll stay at the moderates again. There just isn't enough of a difference to justify the difference in price. I don't really need the queen sized beds or day bed. And the room was really big enough for our needs. Now, if I had 2 kids and a dh going, I might change that thought!!!

 

[Lexxiefern]

We probably would for 1 or 2 nights, but not any longer. We too have become very spoiled by the deluxes.

 

[arminnie]

I've stayed at several hotels in the value, moderate and deluxe categories. I think it really depends on what you are planning to do and what your definition of a good time would be. If it includes lots of time at the resort and taking advantage of the extras that a deluxe has to offer then you might not enjoy downsizing.

If your objective is to see a lot of the parks and you mainly just want a nice room to sleep in then the moderates should be fine.

Will you want room service or access to nice restaurants at your resort - you pretty much need deluxe for that.

I've stayed at a deluxe when I really spent a lot of time at the parks and felt like I did not take advantage of being at a deluxe. In that case it was a waste of money for me. With that being said I have a trip planned for late January where I am not only going to stay deluxe but stay concierge because my objective on that trip is to be pampered.

Will it bother you not being able to walk to Epcot like at BC? Since you will have your car you can easily drive to the parks at that time of the year, but if walking around the boardwalk and over to Epcot is important to your trip then you probably would not be happy at a resort that is further away.

 

[heffalump9]

Great question, this is the same dilema I am fretting over right now. My DH and I have fallen in love with AKL and really don't want to stay anywhere else. But I have a chance at a solo trip (3 nights) in March and am considering ASMovie but I am worried about noise, crowds and lack of service. I am trying to work my budget to move to a moderate, POR is my choice since this was our first on site experience (great memories still linger). If I could get any moderate for $79 per night I would jump on it, POR had a great food court, lounge, service, pools and many choices of transportation to the parks. I hope they offer FTP for March.

 

[SeaSpray]

We've gone back and forth from CBR to the Grand Floridian, back to CBR, with no problem at all. As long as you keep in mind why you're there, just for a short weekend trip, and keep in mind how less expensive it is, I think you'll be fine!! Have a great trip. I wish I lived only 9 hours away

 

[scanne]

This is an interesting thread because we have only stayed at deluxes since our honeymoon in 2000. In about 6 weeks I'm taking a performing group to sing in Magic Music Days and we're staying at All Star Music. Now, when we stayed at WL in August 03, I was not happy with the size of the room because our one year old did not have enough room to crawl around and play. So All Star Music will either make me or break me in terms of if I ever will stay at a mod or value again. I've stayed at All Star Music in 1996 with my mom and dad and we were NOT in the room a lot, but with a little one (and another on the way) there is no WAY I could survive in a tiny room for a long trip. We'll see how this short trip goes in February...

 

[PamNC]

I'm enjoying reading this thread that I started. Hubby and I still haven't decided for sure if we're doing this thing this week or not and who knows...there may not be any rooms left. We have to make up our mind by end of day because the rate expires today.

One of our main things is getting someone to look after our farm. We have 4 horses, 2 dogs, 4 cats inside, 6 cats outside, and 2 chickens. We have different resources and friends who help but it's kind of stressful.

Should we or shouldn't we?

I wish someone would just decide for me...anyone willing? LOL

PamNC

 

[Toad]

Moderates for $79?? Is this a special deal/discount code?

 

[PamNC]

yes - it's the current discount for a standard at the moderates with an Annual Pass discount.

I think without a discount there is a code anyone can use (check mousesavers.com) and the moderates are $85.

PamNC

 

[maryliz]

OK ... I'll make the decision for you ... GO !!!!! I would go in a second if I could, and since I need to live vicariously through others, I think you should get on the phone with CRO right now, yes, stop reading this post and just do it !!!

For a short trip, I would even try and get the new Pop Century. I don't think you'll be disappointed if you're just looking for a place to sleep while you're there. I happen to love the All Stars, and even though we've gone mod/deluxe/home-away-from-home, I love the value that you get at the All Stars ... and I cannot wait to stay at Pop Century.

OK ... are you now on hold with CRO ???


Mary Liz