Deluxe to Mod - what did you miss?

[Afabena]

For those of you have stayed deluxe and then stayed moderate was there anything you missed about the deluxe?

My last trip in Nov I rented points and stayed at BLT (it was a 2 bedroom so bit of a different scenario). Our next trip will prob just be 2 adults and 2 kids who will be 8 and we are trying to budget for a less expensive trip. I thought about renting points again for a studio but the point allocations have increased a bit for Nov 2021 so also looking at other options.

I like that deluxes are situated close to parks for the convenience to go back to the room and swim/nap. Also like that they have balconies to relax while the kids sleep. Am I going to really miss a balcony?

This past trip my kids were 6 (closer to 7) and I planned for all 4 parks but MK ended up being our focus. We took a pool break everyday but one. We also had the regular dining plan and not sure we would do that again. We ended up with over 50 snack credits on our last day HA!

We have a long way to go planning wise but just wondering opinions from those of you who have stayed Deluxe and next time went to a Mod?

 

[kylenne]

I stayed at POFQ for the first time last August on my first solo trip, after staying at nothing but deluxes and the Dolphin. I chose it for the small footprint, theming, etc. It’s not a bad resort by any means, it’s really quite charming, but it was definitely a let down. Mainly, the proximity to parks was something I really missed, to the point that it was a dealbreaker. But there were a lot of other little things that on their own may not have been a big deal, but added up—having to keep my curtains drawn all the time because of the room opening to the outside was something that really grated after a while. Not having an alternative to the food court on rope drop mornings. And so on. Also, as much as I tried to go in with an open mind and no preconceived notions, judging it on its own merits, I found that I could not turn off that part of my brain that kept measuring it against my deluxe stays and finding it wanting by comparison. I don’t think it helped that the resort I stayed at prior was the Poly, which I fell madly in love with.

I learned on that trip that I’m a deluxe gal through and through. No shame or judgment on those who enjoy staying at all levels, but I had to be honest with myself enough to admit that I’m not that kind of person. I was much, much happier and enjoyed myself way more on the next trip when I was at BC, despite it being a shorter trip. Believe me I wish I could enjoy myself at other levels, my wallet would be a lot happier. I am still glad I tried it though.

 

[izzylovesmickey]

No young kids anymore, but we have done the Deluxe to Mod so I'll give you my opinion. I should also admit to only staying at CSR because it's the only one that appeals to us. We prefer everything under one roof which the mods don't offer. We also really like a balcony for the little bit of extra room. For our needs a food court is not a deal breaker but if it is a factor then the mods have much better food courts. Our prefered resorts are YC/BC (although we love AKL and really enjoyed the Poly) and we love to wander into EP for the food/beverage options. I don't hate the exterior hallways but on a really rainy day it is soo nice to be able to avoid the rain and wind as we make our way to our room.

 

[izzylovesmickey]

I stayed at POFQ for the first time last August on my first solo trip, after staying at nothing but deluxes and the Dolphin. I chose it for the small footprint, theming, etc. It’s not a bad resort by any means, it’s really quite charming, but it was definitely a let down. Mainly, the proximity to parks was something I really missed, to the point that it was a dealbreaker. But there were a lot of other little things that on their own may not have been a big deal, but added up—having to keep my curtains drawn all the time because of the room opening to the outside was something that really grated after a while. Not having an alternative to the food court on rope drop mornings. And so on. Also, as much as I tried to go in with an open mind and no preconceived notions, judging it on its own merits, I found that I could not turn off that part of my brain that kept measuring it against my deluxe stays and finding it wanting by comparison. I don’t think it helped that the resort I stayed at prior was the Poly, which I fell madly in love with.

I learned on that trip that I’m a deluxe gal through and through. No shame or judgment on those who enjoy staying at all levels, but I had to be honest with myself enough to admit that I’m not that kind of person. I was much, much happier and enjoyed myself way more on the next trip when I was at BC, despite it being a shorter trip. Believe me I wish I could enjoy myself at other levels, my wallet would be a lot happier. I am still glad I tried it though.

Our first stay (after a 10+ yr gap) was BC CL WV. Biggg mistake. Now the kids (DD25 & DS23) are spoiled rotten on the Deluxes and we corrupted our DSL with his first ever stay being at a Deluxe! No shame in knowing what you prefer!

 

[DWillowBay]

I didn't miss a thing, even though there are several Deluxe level resorts that I like. I like time at the resorts, but really I'm there for the parks and DS. Why pay more to sleep? I love the moderates with CSR and POFQ being my most favorites.

 

[AngiTN]

Club level
That’s really about it
and now that I can get that at GDT, don’t have to miss it

 

[Tonberry]

Club level
That’s really about it
and now that I can get that at GDT, don’t have to miss it

Ha! Me too!
Although I do love to sit outside on a balcony or patio in the morning with my coffee. But yeah, that's it!

 

[JennP78]

I've gone back and forth without an issue although the only mod I've stayed at is POR.

I suppose the thing I missed the most was being able to get to a park without taking a bus. However, the buses were honestly fine. If I were staying at a mod again, I would just do what I could to make sure I was near one of the earlier bus stops again. I would rather ride longer on the way if I'm more likely to get a seat. Then if we're jammed in like sardines on the way back then at least I get off early. I felt so bad for the people who got on and off at the last stop.

While I do enjoy the touches of the deluxes - the balconies and the pleasant, air conditioned indoor hallways - the prices are absurd for what you get. I really won't do it unless there is some steep discount or I am able to rent DVC. I don't spend enough time in the room to pay $150 plus more per night for a balcony, don't spend enough time walking the halls....etc. etc.

The mods all appear to be charming enough in their own ways to make up for some of those expensive touches. JMHO!

 

[MomOTwins]

Here's what I missed, recognizing that not EVERY deluxe resort has these things either, but the ones we like do:

(1) The beds were MUCH comfier. Made a huge difference to my achy pushed-a-stroller-all-day back at night.
(2) Shorter walk to room with interior hallways--didn't think how much I was going to miss that until one night i was walking back to the room alone late at night and I got super lost and spooked, and it was super cold outside to boot.
(3) The little bottles of shampoo and lotion--I know I shouldn't mind, but I get a little squicked out by the dispensers, and it's nice to be able to take extra bottles home at the end of the trip--that shampoo smell always transports me back to disney.
(4) Character meals on site. It is much easier to have a character breakfast at your hotel and still make it in time for rope drop than if you have to wake up extra early to build in transportation time to another hotel for the breakfast.
(5) Transportation other than buses to at least one park (unless you're at AKL, where the savannah more than compensates for the bus transit), but that's obvious.

 

[Devil13]

Boardwalk to Coronado Tower I only miss the location. Still get club level and the money saved easily covers a few Lyfts a day.

 

[Lizgistix]

The only thing I really missed was the view from the room. Boardwalk water view rooms have amazing views, second only, in my opinion, to a theme park view from the 3 monorail resorts. Stayed at POFQ the following trip and I liked their food court, didn't mind the bus, and even though the rooms were smaller, they felt larger (more open) to me. I don't really like that hallway you have to walk through in the deluxe after you walk into your room, and with an ECV, that can be tricky because it's narrow. POFQ opens up into a wide open room after opening the door and it was so much easier for an ECV.

Also our room at Boardwalk felt like a mile long walk to the elevator, whereas with POFQ, we were in building 3 which is next to the main building. Location is everything.

 

[Welsh_Dragon]

The balcony is the deal breaker for me, just those minutes of peace and quiet with a coffee or glass of wine. The Club level option is great as well, particularly the level of service that comes with it. At FQ I felt as though I was living in a goldfish bowl or turning into a mushroom living with the curtains drawn.
I think there is very little difference between many moderates and values, but that is another thread .

 

[kylenne]

At FQ I felt as though I was living in a goldfish bowl or turning into a mushroom living with the curtains drawn.

It‘s great you put it this way because I know exactly what you mean. I really didn’t think it would bother me until I stayed there, but I sorely missed the lack of natural light and didn’t like having to choose between it and privacy. I also very much missed a balcony. Even the juliet “balconies” I had in my corner room at BC were ok enough to step out and get fresh air. I felt very cooped up in my room at POFQ, which is uncool for someone that enjoys downtime at the resort the way I do.

Another little thing: our morning routine before going to a park involves filling our insulated water bottles with ice and pouring in bottled water to get us started (we refill with the free QS water). At POFQ it was a real chore because the elevator/ice machine was in such a weird out of the way place compared to my room in building 4 and I had to double back to get to the bus stop/lobby. On my deluxe stays they tended to be in more convenient locations. It doesn’t sound like a big deal but like I said there were a lot of little things like this that bothered me there.

 

[DeluxePrincess]

I've only stayed Deluxe and we are trying Pop Century in May. I decided to just bite the bullet and go straight to Value. The Moderates don't offer me enough amenities to justify the cost between Value/Moderate. I am keeping expectations LOW.

 

[Ellie Webbs]

The balcony was the only thing I missed but coining from the uk I was waking up around 4.30 / 5am so the balcony was somewhere I could escape to and not disturb DH, who apparently doesn't believe in jetlag...

 

[Welsh_Dragon]

I've only stayed Deluxe and we are trying Pop Century in May. I decided to just bite the bullet and go straight to Value. The Moderates don't offer me enough amenities to justify the cost between Value/Moderate. I am keeping expectations LOW.

My adult daughter and I stayed at AS Music for 9/10 days in December. It was a RD, lounge, explore resorts, afternoon nap, bar and restaurant, park closing holiday and Music was fine for that. The staff were friendly, the room was kept clean. I couldn’t see any difference between the rooms at FQ and Music. Resort-wise the big difference was the queue at guest services (we did online check in but didn’t bother to pick up another set of MBs because the queue was always serpent like, and unlike deluxe resorts they don’t deliver them to your room). There were just two of us and we are both quick to shower and get ready but if my adult son had been with us, it would have been another story, as there is nowhere really to enjoyably wait and he takes forever to shower and get ready!
I agree with you about the cost justification. In July we are staying a few nights at Music for the ‘hit the parks hard’ portion of our trip then moving to YC CL for the more relaxed portion. Split stays are great for allowing this option.

 

[Afabena]

I appreciate all of these perspectives. I have stayed at the old Dixie Landings (is that POFQ now?) but that was as a kid. Of course I had no issues back then with the resort but I do remember it being a long walk to the food court and the main lobby. I also remember it being very beautiful and peaceful. My fear with mods is they can be so spread out but I guess there are some deluxes like that also.

I enjoyed spending time at the hotel but I felt like we spent so much to stay there that I was going to make sure we didn’t just sleep there. It was also very hot and I remember being in some lines thinking I can’t wait to go back to the pool.We were able to be in the pool about 30 min after leaving MK because it was all so close.

So many things to consider.

 

[Minniesgal]

Interior hallways and privacy from the hallways, room service, balcony and signature restautants and bars.

 

[Ross Kratter]

I appreciate all of these perspectives. I have stayed at the old Dixie Landings (is that POFQ now?) but that was as a kid. Of course I had no issues back then with the resort but I do remember it being a long walk to the food court and the main lobby. I also remember it being very beautiful and peaceful. My fear with mods is they can be so spread out but I guess there are some deluxes like that also.

Dixie Landings is now POR. POFQ used to simply be called Port Orleans.

 

[McKelly]

The only thing I prefer in deluxes over mods is room service. And we only get it once or twice anyway and it's always breakfast.

I actually prefer outside entryways to interior hallways. We always get LOUD neighbors slamming their doors all night long when we stay deluxe. This doesn't seem to be a big of problem for us at moderates. I don't know if the noise goes outward more or what?

And the one thing I like about values over all others, is the bus lines. They have an actual queue where you have to stand to get on the bus. I hate it when you are sitting there for 25 minutes waiting for a bus and someone just walks up and gets on in front of you.

We stay at all levels, depending on whatever our budget is at the time and who we are traveling with. We love all of our visits!