Deluxe or Moderate?

[cebunzey]

This will be our families first trip to Disney. We have three kids all under 10 and we got a price from Beach Club and Caribbean beach club for August 17-23. There is about an $800 difference between the two. Is there an advantage to either place? I am using the late summer discount code, 30-35% off "rake rates" is there a free dining code out there as well? Which resort?

 

[TandLMommy28]

I would say go Moderate your first time. If it's not enough, next time go Deluxe. But if you LOVE it, you'll never know any different and you'll save $800 every time you go! I have heard if you go deluxe you'll never go back. So why not start out at Mod and see if you need more than what a Mod can offer.

 

[Cindy's Mom]

Or do what we're doing and do CSR. I understand its like a deluxe at moderate prices.

Never been there, but the pics and reviews are fantastic.

 

[addiln]

I would save the $800 and stay at cbr. we stayed there and had a great time. the nemo theming is really good and the pirate themed main pool is great. also with the money you save on the resort you can put toward somethng else.

 

[chipscamping buddy]

Beach is a better resort overall. They have a great pool and ice cream shop. The location is fantastic, with Epcot being a short walk away and HS just an easy boat ride, not to mention Boardwalk across the way. You will have to take the bus (or drive) for MK and AK.

CB is still fun, and the rooms are all about the same size. Overall amenities are still good, but you will be taking ground transportation everywhere and the buses can be crowded.

I really would not stay at CB, just because it offers very little to me that I can't get at a value resort and save even more. For me, $800 more would be a lot to stay at Beach, but I am cheap However, living in FL, I am spoiled and can go every weekend if I have the mind to. If this is a once every five (+) years kind of trip, Beach is the way to go. Just remember to actually enjoy the resort and don't go park happy.

 

[KatMark]

In order to stay at either resort, one of your children will have to be under the age of 3.

We've not stayed at either. We have visited both. We love everything about the BC and hope to stay there in 2012 or 2013 (this year we are trying AKL for a few nights before going to the CSR). We are not fans of the CBR, but the theme just doesn't appeal to us as much with the beach theme/colors. I know that the BC also has a "beach theme" but it is done much better in our opinion.

We have stayed deluxe (CR and Poly) in the past; truthfully, we prefer the moderates for the cost.

You will find the beds at the BC to be queen and only doubles at the CBR.

 

[jerseymom473]

BC can handle 5 with the daybed. It is a nice resort, mostly for location.

 

[TandLMommy28]

Just remember to actually enjoy the resort and don't go park happy.

This is an important thing to consider. I think the deluxe hotels are sooo nice you could stay there all week and not get bored without going to the parks. If you are there to enjoy your resort, go Deluxe. But if you are in the park from sun up to sun down, save yourself the money.

 

[pdchris]

This is an important thing to consider. I think the deluxe hotels are sooo nice you could stay there all week and not get bored without going to the parks. If you are there to enjoy your resort, go Deluxe. But if you are in the park from sun up to sun down, save yourself the money.

I agree with most of what you said. However, my DS and I stayed at WL the last week of Nov. I had pin code which gave me a fantastic rate (deluxe at a mod rate). But, if I would have had to pay rack rate, I don't think I would have got my money's worth. I didn't see much that would have justified the extra $.

 

[Havana]

While I don't think Disney Deluxe hotels are really all that "deluxe" they are wonderful in their own way. I have to vouch for the fact that once you stay deluxe it's very hard to go back to a moderate. Maybe try the moderate first to see how you like it. I was happy with values for years, until I stayed at WL. We bought DVC so we could always stay deluxe from now on.

 

[Pink Mouse Ears]

For me, deluxe is important since I have two little ones who nap. I like having the balcony to hang out on instead of being stuck in a dark room. I especially like the villas because they have a kitchen or kitchenette for washing sippy cups, storing milk and snacks, etc.

As PP has mentioned, if you have 5 in a room, one must be under 3 to stay at CBR...and even then it will be a bit crowded. The only mod for 5 is POR. You can do a trundle bed there (or at BC.)

 

[mickeyluv'r]

At WDW, you always get something for your money - so to speak. Whther that difference is worth $800, or whther you wish to spend $800 more is entirely up to you.

Both are nice resorts. Both have excellent pools. BC has a lsighlty better swimming area, but CBR's was recently made over completely, and it's really one of the best on property. The water slide perhaps is not as dramatic as BC, but at BC, if youwant to use the lazy river you have to pay for a float. (so few folks do). Also, for a lazy river, it is very deep. The CBR has the only 'cool water' tub (like a hot tub but cool water) I kow that sounds confusing. It has jets like a hot tub, but cool water is preffered by some folks. The CBR pool also has like a mini water park/pirate boat thing. It's pretty neat.

One of the bigger differences is the location. BC rooms will be bigger, and the resort has more elabotate decor - like fresh flowers inteh lobby. CBR is more spread out - so you spend more time walking between buildings. It also has exterior corridors. Those aer great inspring, but can be less nice if it's pouring rain.

CBR has by far a better food court. BC has better table service dining.

BC is very close to both Epcot and HS. You walk or take a free boat to get to either. It is not especially close to MK or AK - those you go by bus, which often stops at the next door YC resort. At CBR all Disney transportation is by bus. The bus makes - I think - five stops around the resort. So a bus stop will be fairly close to your room - but it takes a while to make all those stops. You also lose a fair amount of time walking between the food court and your room. It can be as long as a 10-15min walk! That's not to say BC is compact, it also takes some time to walk around BC - but it's not as far apart as CBBR CBR, and CSR have a LAKE in the middle of their campus.

At BC - you can - however- walk around the lagoon to the Bwk, YC, Swan and Dolphin resorts ( Actually you should also look at those. They are not owned by Disney, but are RIGHT in WDW. Sometimes you can get them for moderate room prices, you just can't get DDP or ME.) That area has some QS options, but has a healthy number of Table service restaurants which are excellent. You are also very close to the BACK entrance of Epcot - so the World Showcase restaraurants are within walking distance (It's a little ways to MExico and Canada and Noway - about 20-25min). Also, if you are going to go to Epcot for several dinners, you may want to get park hopper passes to take advantage of them. But it's nice when your resort is SO close to teh park. CAtching a bus to a resort at park closing can take an hour or longer to get allthe way back to yoru room. BC puts you within 15min of walking to TWO of the four parks.

IF you pick BC, and you are going to do the diing plan, I do suggest you make erservations at some fo the many fine places over that way. ESPN, and the brewpub areTS, but they don't tkae resoervatiosn (only walk up ) which can mena a wait, but also gives you some freedom.

If you think you'll mostly be doing QS dining this trip, then CBR may be the way to go. The food court has numerous choices.

 

[cebunzey]

Thanks for all the information....I may look into the Colorado Springs or Port Orleans as none of my children are under 3. The ages for my kids are 5, 8, and 9, and I like the idea of saving the $800 and go with a Moderate at Value price due to the late summer codes off "rack rates". Any opinions on those two choices? How would I inquire about the free dining pin that many of you on here are speaking of?

 

[Pink Mouse Ears]

Thanks for all the information....I may look into the Colorado Springs or Port Orleans as none of my children are under 3. The ages for my kids are 5, 8, and 9, and I like the idea of saving the $800 and go with a Moderate at Value price due to the late summer codes off "rack rates". Any opinions on those two choices? How would I inquire about the free dining pin that many of you on here are speaking of?

For a mod, you can ONLY do Port Orleans Riverside with 5 people.

You can call Disney to see if you have a PIN attached to your name. It is random as to who gets PIN codes.

 

[Tony NY]

I say go for the BC it not every day you can get a good deal on the BC

 

[ecl]

I had the same dilemma for our December trip. I would say in my regular travels I am definitely a "deluxe" travel person, but I chose POR for the price and boat to DTD. I loved it and will go back again...especially given that POFQ and POR are getting refurbished with queen beds.

 

[RivaLJ]

Did you think about one of the vacation club properties? you can get a 1 or 2 bedroom villa at 45% off with the current promotion. It may be more comfortable for you with your family of 5.

 

[cebunzey]

OK - I have not a made a decision, but it is between Beach club and Port Orleans, as they have the capacity for the 5 of us. Now....do you get the hopper tickets with the room and make it package or buy the tickets separate? Also, with 2 adults and three kids under 10, is it economical to purchase the dining option? I am looking into the 1 table service dining plan...any comments?

 

[3pletprincesses]

I would keep the $800 and take moderate. We spent so little time in our room that it would have been a waste to pay more for something I would barely enjoy.

I love POR. I love the fact that they have soo many quiet pools and the vaste amount of space

 

[TandLMommy28]

OK - I have not a made a decision, but it is between Beach club and Port Orleans, as they have the capacity for the 5 of us. Now....do you get the hopper tickets with the room and make it package or buy the tickets separate? Also, with 2 adults and three kids under 10, is it economical to purchase the dining option? I am looking into the 1 table service dining plan...any comments?

My opinion on dining plan is this: it might not save you much money BUT it takes away the sticker shock. You have prepaid for your meals so you don't have that moment of "a burger and fries cost WHAT?" because it doesn't matter, you just hand them your KTTW card and happily eat your meal, blissfully unaware of the actual price of that meal. For that reason, I'm all for it. I'd rather pay ahead and not think about it when I'm there.