Deluxe to Mod - what did you miss?

[Wood Nymph]

I missed having a balcony and the privacy to have the drapes open. People walk past your room when you don't have interior hallways. I missed not being able to sit outside the room and enjoy the view.

 

[Sue M]

The one thing I miss when staying at a moderate is the balcony and inside hallways. And the hall closet, lol.

our fav Moderate is POR and POFQ. Beautiful landscaping and love walking along the river path. POR has a TS and if you’re at pofq its only a short walk. But for dinners we may eat at our own resort TS once.
After I’m dressed I leave my curtains open to get light. And just have the shears closed If they have them.

I’ve found the POR resorts very centrally located. Quite close to EPcot and DHS and not to far from MK.
I also take afternoon breaks and don’t find it any harder to do so at a moderate.

Our next stay we’re staying at CBR for Skyliner.

Although we love the deluxe resorts with the crazy increases in room rates I just can’t justify staying. The rooms to me aren’t worth over $350/night.

 

[Kaadk]

We've stayed at all three levels, and keep coming back to the POFQ. A large part of it is probably where you've stayed first that sets your expectations for the subsequent stays. Our first stay was POFQ, then Pop, then YC, then back to POFQ, and next one is POFQ again. When we went to Pop, I noticed several little things that I didn't care for, like having double beds instead of queen sized beds, no shade at the bus stop, etc... Then, when we were planning the next trip, a deal came up for YC. It was free dining, and YC was under construction at the time, so factored all together the YC price was within range of what we would have paid for a Moderate and upgrading their free dining to comparable. The deluxe was nice, and Stormalong Bay was great, but there was a couple of things that didn't meet our expectations.
1) There wasn't a food court on site, we only had the option of breakfast sandwiches from the store. It wasn't until near the end of our trip that we learned the food at BC had better options.
2) You had to leave the pool to get to the water slide. At least with the one at POFQ, I can keep an eye on the kids as I send them to go down the slide. At YC, we had to walk them over.
3) The walk to our room at YC was the longest out of any of our stays. But part of that is due to the compact size of POFQ. I haven't stayed at the other moderates, but they seem to be most spread out of all the resorts categories, except POFQ.

Still, given the chance, I'd go back to a Deluxe, but only if it was a deal like we got with our stay at YC and was relatively price comparable.

 

[Sue M]

We've stayed at all three levels, and keep coming back to the POFQ. A large part of it is probably where you've stayed first that sets your expectations for the subsequent stays. Our first stay was POFQ, then Pop, then YC, then back to POFQ, and next one is POFQ again. When we went to Pop, I noticed several little things that I didn't care for, like having double beds instead of queen sized beds, no shade at the bus stop, etc... Then, when we were planning the next trip, a deal came up for YC. It was free dining, and YC was under construction at the time, so factored all together the YC price was within range of what we would have paid for a Moderate and upgrading their free dining to comparable. The deluxe was nice, and Stormalong Bay was great, but there was a couple of things that didn't meet our expectations.
1) There wasn't a food court on site, we only had the option of breakfast sandwiches from the store. It wasn't until near the end of our trip that we learned the food at BC had better options.
2) You had to leave the pool to get to the water slide. At least with the one at POFQ, I can keep an eye on the kids as I send them to go down the slide. At YC, we had to walk them over.
3) The walk to our room at YC was the longest out of any of our stays. But part of that is due to the compact size of POFQ. I haven't stayed at the other moderates, but they seem to be most spread out of all the resorts categories, except POFQ.

Still, given the chance, I'd go back to a Deluxe, but only if it was a deal like we got with our stay at YC and was relatively price comparable.

YC has done some remodeling and now has a quick service counter, although not extensive it’s nice.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

I miss just walking into a park and the awesome pool complexes. I also miss the easy access to tons of dining choices within walking distance.

We are also midday break people and it makes it soooo much easier.

 

[Hi Pluto]

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!

If you had 50 snack credits left then I would say the dining plan is not for you. We did the math and found that our eating style did not fit the dining plan. I put all the money on gift cards and used that instead. We ate like crazy, but how we wanted to, and ended up coming home with almost $300 on the card for next time.

To answer your question about the deluxe to mod, we loved CSR and were so happy we chose it over Christmas. Next, we'll go back to BC most likely since it's our favorite, but definitely enjoyed our stay. We did the skyliner loop for fun and stopped at CBR and really enjoyed the bar and feel of the resort. Might be a fun choice too.

 

[Kaadk]

If you had 50 snack credits left then I would say the dining plan is not for you. We did the math and found that our eating style did not fit the dining plan. I put all the money on gift cards and used that instead. We ate like crazy, but how we wanted to, and ended up coming home with almost $300 on the card for next time.

To answer your question about the deluxe to mod, we loved CSR and were so happy we chose it over Christmas. Next, we'll go back to BC most likely since it's our favorite, but definitely enjoyed our stay. We did the skyliner loop for fun and stopped at CBR and really enjoyed the bar and feel of the resort. Might be a fun choice too.

If you pay out of pocket for the dining plan, then yes, I agree you can usually eat cheaper. We've managed to align all 5 of our trips so far with a free dining plan offer, and with those, the dining plan offer typically works out as the cheaper overall, vs other discounts available at the time. As such, we do the dining plan. And like most people, we often have a ton of snack credits left at the end of the trip. I'll just hit the store the last night, and blow the rest on things that will transport and keep, like the trail mix.

 

[rangerxenos]

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...

You have one of those too, huh? "I don't know why you're affected by jetlag, it's only 2 or 3 hours..." I want to hit him sometimes, LOL! I can't imagine the jetlag coming from the UK!

 

[rangerxenos]

We love the deluxe but at the end of the day coronado is a deluxe resort at a much lower price. The rooms at Coronado were more impressive than most deluxe rooms.

My favorite Mod, and unfortunately it's not been available for my travel dates for the last few years. Trying Port Orleans French Quarter next month, it'll be my first Mod trip in a few years, I'm hoping that I don't hate moving back from Deluxe to Moderate. I'm actually still checking AKL (my preferred Deluxe) every day hoping that prices might drop some before our trip.

 

[rangerxenos]

The one thing I miss when staying at a moderate is the balcony and inside hallways. And the hall closet, lol.

our fav Moderate is POR and POFQ. Beautiful landscaping and love walking along the river path. POR has a TS and if you’re at pofq its only a short walk. But for dinners we may eat at our own resort TS once.
After I’m dressed I leave my curtains open to get light. And just have the shears closed If they have them.

I’ve found the POR resorts very centrally located. Quite close to EPcot and DHS and not to far from MK.
I also take afternoon breaks and don’t find it any harder to do so at a moderate.

Our next stay we’re staying at CBR for Skyliner.

Although we love the deluxe resorts with the crazy increases in room rates I just can’t justify staying. The rooms to me aren’t worth over $350/night.

That's about where I am with the Disney deluxe resorts. For what most are charging now, I can actually stay at one of the high end hotels (Waldorf Astoria, Four Seasons) for a little bit more and get a much nicer hotel.

I'm going to see how my stay next month at POFQ goes, but if I don't care for it, I may go back to staying off property for the first time in years next trip.

 

[eeyoreandtink]

That's about where I am with the Disney deluxe resorts. For what most are charging now, I can actually stay at one of the high end hotels (Waldorf Astoria, Four Seasons) for a little bit more and get a much nicer hotel.

I'm going to see how my stay next month at POFQ goes, but if I don't care for it, I may go back to staying off property for the first time in years next trip.

Have you ever considered a points rental? For our upcoming trip, our studio at AKV was a little less than a moderate for the same dates. There are definitely some limitations and drawbacks to it, but its the only way we stay deluxe. I just cannot bring myself to pay what they are asking for a deluxe room.

 

[Kaadk]

My favorite Mod, and unfortunately it's not been available for my travel dates for the last few years. Trying Port Orleans French Quarter next month, it'll be my first Mod trip in a few years, I'm hoping that I don't hate moving back from Deluxe to Moderate. I'm actually still checking AKL (my preferred Deluxe) every day hoping that prices might drop some before our trip.

That's about where I am with the Disney deluxe resorts. For what most are charging now, I can actually stay at one of the high end hotels (Waldorf Astoria, Four Seasons) for a little bit more and get a much nicer hotel.

I'm going to see how my stay next month at POFQ goes, but if I don't care for it, I may go back to staying off property for the first time in years next trip.

To help set some expectations, POFQ is a bit different than the other moderates, so you'll need to keep that in mind when weighing your decision. It's compact size, lack of a TS restaurant, centralized bus stop makes it more like a Moderate/Value hybrid than the other moderates. It's probably our favourite on-site hotel (3 out of 5 stays have/will be there) mostly because I like the compact size, but it's not fair to compare all moderates based on POFQ.

 

[rangerxenos]

Have you ever considered a points rental? For our upcoming trip, our studio at AKV was a little less than a moderate for the same dates. There are definitely some limitations and drawbacks to it, but its the only way we stay deluxe. I just cannot bring myself to pay what they are asking for a deluxe room.

I have, but I haven't been able to find dates that worked for me in the past. I also don't like the fact that you're limited if for some reason you have to cancel.

 

[rangerxenos]

To help set some expectations, POFQ is a bit different than the other moderates, so you'll need to keep that in mind when weighing your decision. It's compact size, lack of a TS restaurant, centralized bus stop makes it more like a Moderate/Value hybrid than the other moderates. It's probably our favourite on-site hotel (3 out of 5 stays have/will be there) mostly because I like the compact size, but it's not fair to compare all moderates based on POFQ.

I honestly don't care about the lack of TS, I think the only resort I've ever stayed at and at at the restaurant there was AKL (and I love their restaurants, so even if I'm not staying there I end up going there at least once a trip). We generally don't eat at the resorts much as we're at the parks most of the time.

I've heard really good things about POFQ, so I am hoping I like it. I actually switched from AoA to POFQ this trip when it opened up with an AP discount for my dates. I did not like POR at all when I stayed there a few years back, don't know why, just not a fan. I've stayed at CSR a couple of times and really liked it.

 

[Kaadk]

I honestly don't care about the lack of TS, I think the only resort I've ever stayed at and at at the restaurant there was AKL (and I love their restaurants, so even if I'm not staying there I end up going there at least once a trip). We generally don't eat at the resorts much as we're at the parks most of the time.

I've heard really good things about POFQ, so I am hoping I like it. I actually switched from AoA to POFQ this trip when it opened up with an AP discount for my dates. I did not like POR at all when I stayed there a few years back, don't know why, just not a fan. I've stayed at CSR a couple of times and really liked it.

Ah, I think I've seen you mention the switch before, just didn't realize that was you. Yeah, AoA is one I don't really get. It's a 'value' resort, but often times I see rates there that are in the same range as some of the deluxes. Our stay at the YC was cheaper than staying at AoA the year we did that trip.

 

[eeyoreandtink]

I honestly don't care about the lack of TS, I think the only resort I've ever stayed at and at at the restaurant there was AKL (and I love their restaurants, so even if I'm not staying there I end up going there at least once a trip). We generally don't eat at the resorts much as we're at the parks most of the time.

I've heard really good things about POFQ, so I am hoping I like it. I actually switched from AoA to POFQ this trip when it opened up with an AP discount for my dates. I did not like POR at all when I stayed there a few years back, don't know why, just not a fan. I've stayed at CSR a couple of times and really liked it.

I have stayed at AKL, POFQ, and CSR. We liked all 3. I loved the size of POFQ, and it was fairly peaceful.

 

[mkb3]

I started going every year starting in 2017. First trip was Deluxe (Contemporary), second was Mod (Port Orleans Riverside) and third was Value (Pop Preferred room). Honestly I enjoyed Pop preferred than any other resort, but we do spend a lot of times in the parks. I love Pop as we had the gondolas take user directly to HS and EP, Bus wasn't bad to AK and the money we saved we did a Minnie Van for coming back from MK. Having a preferred room allowed me quick access to the pool and dining options. The only thing that disappoints me about Pop is the after the park dining options. The food court was average, but this isn't a problem for other meals as it was a quick gondola ride to other resorts and epcot.

 

[Heather07438]

When Free Food still included regular DDP with Table Service at the Mods, they were a fantastic value. We also used to find much better discount offer for moderates.

We enjoyed the Mods but between increased prices and parking fees, we can rent DVC for near the same price. I would actually love to try CBR since the remodel but for that cost we could be at an EP or MK resort. It's nuts!

 

[Sue M]

That's about where I am with the Disney deluxe resorts. For what most are charging now, I can actually stay at one of the high end hotels (Waldorf Astoria, Four Seasons) for a little bit more and get a much nicer hotel.

I'm going to see how my stay next month at POFQ goes, but if I don't care for it, I may go back to staying off property for the first time in years next trip.

We love POFQ. We requested building 4, and had a corner room opposite food court building. So was close to everything, food, bus stop and pool. Not much foot traffic going by our room as we were at the end.
The table service is in Riverside, a pleasant 10 min walk along the river. We love taking the boat to Disney Springs, and going to see Bob Jackson’s show at Rivers Roost in Riverside.
I don’t understand the comment about it being a Mod/value cross. IMO it’s nothing like a value. The Deluxe have 1 bus stop too. And the TS is a 10 min walk. It can take that long to walk to the TS from some room locations at a deluxe depending on your room location.

 

[Sue M]

When Free Food still included regular DDP with Table Service at the Mods, they were a fantastic value. We also used to find much better discount offer for moderates.

We enjoyed the Mods but between increased prices and parking fees, we can rent DVC for near the same price. I would actually love to try CBR since the remodel but for that cost we could be at an EP or MK resort. It's nuts!

Do you rent DVC thru an owner or somewhere like David’s DVC?