Deluxe resort goer needs to pick a moderate. Or will I miss deluxe too much? Help!

[jimmysmom74]

Need Help from those who have stayed at both moderate and deluxe resorts. We are planning our next trip to WDW and my parents want to come. To cut the cost of our usual resort choices-Poly (Favorite), GF, & AKL, we are thinking about a moderate resort. We have never stayed at any but deluxe. This would be more affordable for us when bringing my parents too.

1. What will I miss terribly at the moderate vs deluxe?

2. Is the bus service good?

3. How about pools? Do they compare?

4. Should I rent a car?

5. Who has better quick service?

6. Is the room a lot smaller? We have room 1: 2 adults and 6y/o room 2: 2 adults

7. Which moderate is your favorite and why?

Answer any or all questions.
Thanks in advance!
Tina

 

[cdhale]

I will first admit that I have not stayed at a moderate since becoming a "grown up", and faced the same dilemma on our upcoming trip. I have stayed at WL and Poly with my kids but wanted to save money this time. After reading and asking the same question here, we chose POFQ, which got the best reviews and apparently is the closest thing to a deluxe at a moderate price. POR was a close second.

I think the thing I will miss the most are the internal hallways and the day bed at Poly. My kids liked the Poly quiet pool better than the theme pool, so that's not really a factor, and I hear the food court is good, and for a short walk POR is better.

We leave in 38 days, so I'll let you know what I think!

 

[gilsan]

We usually stay Deluxe as well, and have stayed one time in a moderate and one time in a Value. IMO I don't think the extra cost for a moderate over a value is worth it, and would choose a value over a moderate if I couldn't do a deluxe. We always rent a car so I don't know how the buses compare.

The value we stayed at was AoA LM so maybe that made the experience better, the moderate that we stayed at was POFQ.

Another option you could look into is renting DVC points. We are doing that for our next trip that we wanted to do on the cheap. We are staying at AKL Kidani for about $100 more than AoA LM. Renting points is a little more restricting, we paid in full at time of the reservation and it was not refundable so you may want trip insurance. We rented with http://www.dvcrequest.com but have rented from members on disboards as well. Members don't always ask for full payment and maybe more flexible with refunds.

 

[MIGrandma]

The only deluxe I've stayed in was the Contemporary (tower room) several years ago.

I've stayed at Port Orleans Riverside twice and returning in September for a third stay. Love that resort, too much to even want to try a different one.

The only thing I liked about Contemporary over POR was the food court was right in the same building, no going outside and walking a bit to get to it.

I feel POR is beautiful, love the mansions, the landscaping, etc. They have one large pool, plus five other "quiet pools" here and there. Love the boat ride from there to Downtown Disney. The food court is great, and really isn't that far of a walk to get there as they have bridges every so often across the river so you can cut across. Plus it's quite a bit cheaper to stay there than at a deluxe, and we don't spend that much time in the room anyway, so why spend extra money for a deluxe?

I feel the rooms at POR are large enough, but then we don't travel with a child. It's just two adults. POR used to have two double beds in the room, but they refurbished the rooms recently and now have queen beds. There is also a table and two chairs, frig, armoir with TV, bench seat, and the bath is a split bath: tub/shower and toilet in a room by themselves, then there are double sinks just outside the room and lots of shelf space.

POR has a nice sit-down restaurant (Boatwrights), carriage rides, boats and jet skis to rent, nice lobby, etc. Love that place!

 

[jperrot1]

You won't have any character dining options on your (moderate) resort. You will loose a fitness center (unless you stay at Coronado Springs). You won't have indoor corridors. The rooms are a little smaller, but they are not small.

Comparing the deluxe you have stayed at, you will only have bus transportation (rather than monorail from the Poly for example), (except Port Orleans which has boat transportation to Downtown Disney). You won't have club level option (except if you stay at Coronado Springs).

I have stayed at moderate and deluxe resorts (we're staying at our first value in a few weeks from now), and I can tell you the moderates are very nice. If you want a boat ride option (transportation) go with Port Orleans. If you want a fitness center during your stay, Coronado Springs would be my pick. Personally, I like Coronado Springs moderate, but we haven't stayed at Caribbean Bean yet so I can't speak for that one.

 

[FancyNancy]

My moderate suggestion for you would be Port Orleans Riverside specifically in the Mansion Section in a Royal Room. They feel like a mini deluxe and they do have adjoining rooms in that section The grounds are gorgeous as well!

 

[lillykat]

Our last 4 trips two at AKL and the past two at the Poly. We were nervous about trying POR but with two little girls the royal guest rooms were a big draw for them. My parents actually booked the trip. We had connecting rooms. They too were nervous about it bc about 20 years ago we tried CBR and did not enjoy it. Well we all loved it. It was very relaxing. The food court had more options than the Poly. We ate there more then we had planned. Overall we would stay at POR definitely in the future. We had to drag the girls from the pool and the carriage ride was a nice plus. We did miss the monorail which was very easy. My parents rented a mini van which we did use but the buses were actually very good going to the MK. Coming home not as great but I think that is typical no matter where you stay. Definietely check out the rgr at POR. BTW I know many like POFQ but we drove around and my parents and the girls took a carriage ride over there and said they greatly preferred the feel of POR.

 

[Fantasia79]

I really enjoyed staying at the Coronado Springs for a moderate. Rooms were quiet and very clean. Pools a plenty, and pepper market was outstanding.


Hope that helps!

As for car, I was happy with the bus service.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[Ashleyfaz]

I have the same question. We are booked at WL, but I was thinking about extending our stay from 4 to 6 nights at POR (RR). The cost is the same (even adding an extra park ticket). I've never been to downtown disney and thought we might change it up a little for this trip. I'll be watching the responses you get

 

[PrincessDaisyDuck]

Need Help from those who have stayed at both moderate and deluxe resorts. We are planning our next trip to WDW and my parents want to come. To cut the cost of our usual resort choices-Poly (Favorite), GF, & AKL, we are thinking about a moderate resort. We have never stayed at any but deluxe. This would be more affordable for us when bringing my parents too.

1. What will I miss terribly at the moderate vs deluxe?

Interior hallways if you hate being out in the rain or sun. The tradeoff is I think the grounds of the moderates (POFQ, POR and CSR - I haven't stayed at CB yet but it looks lovely) are so beautiful it's a pleasure to be outside walking to the lobby, bus stop, etc. Perhaps the higher-caliber restaurants although you can still go there to eat of course.

2. Is the bus service good?

It can be so individual based on expectations, time of year and just luck but we had way better bus service at the moderates than the deluxes we've stayed at. The worst bus service we ever had was AKL with the best being CSR. I think it is certainly comparable if not a little better than many of the deluxes.

3. How about pools? Do they compare?

CSR has an amazing pool slide that we felt was better than those at AKL and Kidani. That is the only moderate slide I've been on though - the pools were nice I thought and again comparable I'd say.

4. Should I rent a car?

Not if you're satisfied with the bus service at the deluxes. Poly and GF share stops with the other monorail resorts whereas the moderates have internal bus stops. I think if you've been okay with the bus service on your past stays that you would be fine this time.

5. Who has better quick service?

I think for the most part moderates except I think AKL's Mara is excellent. Honestly we didn't enjoy CSR's counter service as it was a bit different but some people love it. POFQ was small but good and POR is probably our favorite moderate food court.

6. Is the room a lot smaller? We have room 1: 2 adults and 6y/o room 2: 2 adults

They are a little smaller but I think with your party sizes you would be totally fine.

7. Which moderate is your favorite and why?

POFQ is our favorite, it just has an excellent vibe about it, we loved the landscaping it was so peaceful. CSR probably had the most beautiful grounds I've ever seen though and amazing bus service, but we just weren't crazy about mousekeeping or the food there. It's a tough call but I'd slimly give it to POFQ.
Answer any or all questions.
Thanks in advance!
Tina

.

 

[Dizneefamily+4]

Need Help from those who have stayed at both moderate and deluxe resorts. We are planning our next trip to WDW and my parents want to come. To cut the cost of our usual resort choices-Poly (Favorite), GF, & AKL, we are thinking about a moderate resort. We have never stayed at any but deluxe. This would be more affordable for us when bringing my parents too.

1. What will I miss terribly at the moderate vs deluxe?
The extra space! The deluxe rooms are bigger.
2. Is the bus service good?
We think the bus service is better at the mods than the deluxes because it's "all they've got." Do we love the monorail? ABSOLUTELY! But we dread our AK and DHS days when we stay deluxe because the bus service at the monorail resort isn't that great (at least in our experience.)
3. How about pools? Do they compare?
I think the pools are just as great at the mods as they are deluxe. They all have slides, but most of the deluxes have better theming (and to me, CSR actually has a better themed pool area than some of the deluxes.)
4. Should I rent a car?
We never rent one because of my answer above.
5. Who has better quick service?
We honestly prefer the QS at the mods - more options and more seating.
6. Is the room a lot smaller? We have room 1: 2 adults and 6y/o room 2: 2 adults
Yes, the rooms are smaller, but with only 2 adults and 1 child or only 2 adults, the space is perfectly adequate. We do feel more cramped in a mod than in a deluxe, but we have 2 adults and 2 kids (8 and 12.)
7. Which moderate is your favorite and why?
We've stayed at POR, POFQ and CSR. POFQ is our fave - feels more like a deluxe in that it's small and compact with all resort amenities in close proximity to rooms. Since POFQ shares buses with POR, we like that POFQ is 1st pick up and 1st drop off. POFQ also has boat service to DTD (as does POR.) POR is our 2nd fave.Answer any or all questions.
Thanks in advance!
Tina

We vary our stays between mod and deluxe. We love both for different reasons as they each have their own merits. We feel a little more pampered at the deluxes and we LOVE having the monorail at our disposal. But we honestly really love both mods and deluxes.

 

[thisismyusername]

I think if I were in your situation, I'd look to rent points or stay at the Swan or Dolphin rather than go with a moderate, but that's just me.

 

[Wood Nymph]

I haven't stayed at a mod, but my sisters do and they love the food courts. They were especially impressed with POFQ because of the compact size and their great room location, corner room close to the main building.

Need Help from those who have stayed at both moderate and deluxe resorts. We are planning our next trip to WDW and my parents want to come. To cut the cost of our usual resort choices-Poly (Favorite), GF, & AKL, we are thinking about a moderate resort. We have never stayed at any but deluxe. This would be more affordable for us when bringing my parents too.

1. What will I miss terribly at the moderate vs deluxe?

You might miss how quick and easy it is to jump on the monorail from the Poly and GF for your trips to MK. You probably won't miss the long monorail ride to get back to the GF from MK at night. You'll probably notice that the rooms, linens, resort lobbies and grounds aren't as nice. But that doesn't mean that they aren't good enough at a mod.

You might also miss not having a balcony.

2. Is the bus service good?

The bus service at a deluxe (with the exception of AKL) is rather annoying, since they always share with other resorts. Since you have stayed at the AKL, I would think that the buses for that resort would be comparable to a mod.

3. How about pools? Do they compare?

I've heard that many of the mods have better pools.

6. Is the room a lot smaller? We have room 1: 2 adults and 6y/o room 2: 2 adults

You will notice a big difference in room size between a mod and the Poly or GF, since their rooms are huge, the biggest on the property. But you'll be fine with just two adults in a room and a 6 year old.

If I was going to try out a mod for the first time, after always staying a t a deluxe, i would choose POFQ because it is more compact and it has the bot to DTD.

 

[kpm76]

If you are splitting the cost with your parents, I would most definitely rent DVC points and stay in a 2 bedroom villa. You are guaranteed to be together while enjoying your own space. The challenge with any regular hotel room is that there's no guarantee that your rooms will be located close to each other.

We travel with my parents quite a bit and love having the space of a 2 bedroom while still enjoying private time.

 

[Eddy]

Since you like Deluxe Resorts look into renting points for your stay. You can get rooms cheaper than you would pay at Moderate Resorts

 

[JennyDrake]

I've stayed at only 3 deluxes (SSR, AKL 2x, CR). More than once at moderates (other than CSR--just once there) and multiple times at each value.

Other than the fabulous location of CR, the deluxes just aren't worth it for me--especially given what Disney charges--and yes, I've stayed at high dollar places in the Real World that both were and weren't worth the money.

I thought the rooms at AKL were the same size as the moderates, or even a bit smaller.

Here are my reviews of each moderate:

IMHO pros and cons of each moderate:
POR- beautiful resort, decent TS, piano player, plenty of quiet pools that have deep ends, boat ride to DTD, food court w/ many varied GOOD options: can be a hike to the main building and several bus stops within the resort. (Personal note: as I am from the South, I am not wowed by the theming.)

POFQ - lovely views, small so nothing is a hike, tasty food at food court, very friendly staff, boat ride to DTD: food court has very limited seating - you may find yourself without a seat during only moderately busy times; as it is both small and very popular rooms are not always available; does not always have AP or other discounts

CBR - great theming, large rooms, QUIET inside the rooms, good centralized location, plenty of quiet pools that have deep ends: large and very spread out-can be a hike to food court; check in, etc. in different building than food court; food court is average, sit down is terrible. (Note: if you plan to use the food court and refillable mugs I would definitely pay for a preferred room.)

CSR- beautiful lake, fresher food court food, surprisingly good TS, gym facilities: big and spread out, some sections are close to half mile from main building, (Note: if you plan to use the food court and refillable mugs I would definitely pay for a preferred room.)
As always, YMMV!

 

[jimmysmom74]

Wow!!! Thanks everyone for your great and insightful answers. I was worried I would come across like a snob, I assure you that is far from the case. I discussed all your great advise with DH and he agrees that the POFQ or POR sound like great options that we would enjoy. I never thought about the buses being better at the moderates, but it makes sense since they don't share service. Buses are the dreaded part of our trip in the past cause of all the stops. DS can be a little inpatient. I think he will be better at 6 y/o this year anyways.
I am going to look into DVC points, but our trip will be at thanksgiving and I know the holidays book quickly. I know, I know, why go at one of the most crowded time of the year. By DH and SIL suffer the very sudden and devastating loss of their mother last year and the holidays are just tough. We all went to DL(not my parents) last year, and truly enjoyed ourselves with a minimal amount of tears. So we are going to do it again. I missed my parents though, so DH, bless his heart, said bring them with, our treat. I am so scared to be at WDW at such a busy time of the year, but at least we are all together. So to make a long story a little less long, I am in charge of all preparation. My SIL will pick her resort after we decide what we are going to do.

Thanks again everyone!!! Any holiday advise will also be gladly accepted also.

 

[kpm76]

So sorry for your loss My plan someday is to go to WDW for Thanksgiving, get a 2 bedroom villa and cook a big turkey dinner. I know, I know, why cook on vacation, but it's Thanksgiving and I think it would be a hoot to have Thanksgiving dinner in WDW.

Anyway, we own DVC so if you want me to check availability just do you have something to work with, let me know your dates

 

[jimmysmom74]

Thanks kpm We are planning to go friday nov 22-friday nov. 29. We would love to stay at a villa, never have. Open to anywhere. I don't have an understanding of the points and costs though. Or who to rent from, and is it a safe process. Do you go through an agent, or is it a person to person transaction?
Thanks again!

 

[spiceycat]

1. What will I miss terribly at the moderate vs deluxe?

2. Is the bus service good?

3. How about pools? Do they compare?

4. Should I rent a car?

5. Who has better quick service?

6. Is the room a lot smaller? We have room 1: 2 adults and 6y/o room 2: 2 adults

7. Which moderate is your favorite and why?

the atmosphere and service.
the bus service is pretty good at mod
the pools are busy - they compare pretty good - some are even better
all mod have quick service - now POFQ does NOT have table service - POR does
the rooms are smaller - but don't know if you will notice.
my favorite is POR although POFQ is second. why POR love the atmosphere - it can be fun, there is alot to do - love to eat in the food court (quick service) - but not when it is busy.

think the thing you will notice the most is how many more people are at your resort.