Deluxe vs Moderate

[Reese D]

We will be staying at POFQ this May. This is our first stay at a Moderate. We've always stayed at a Deluxe (GF, Poly, CR, and WL). We chose POFQ because it seems much smaller than the other moderates. The main reason we've always stayed in a Deluxe over a moderate is that I really dislike motel-style rooms. But, for the sake of a few extra nights, we decided to try POFQ this time.

What are some other differences? Anything else I should consider?

 

[elaw]

... Anything else I should consider?

Would you consider doing a split stay? We usually start our trip at a moderate and switch to deluxe ... it's the best of both worlds IMO

 

[grimley1968]

Of the moderates, I agree that POFQ is a lot smaller than the others. It's also really nice with a very nice pool, boat ride to DtD, and only one bus stop.

Differences between mods and deluxes:

- Deluxe rooms have indoor hallways. Mods have outdoor hallways. Yes, it's somewhat more "motelish", but most motels don't have rooms or resort grounds as nice as moderates.
- Deluxe rooms have balconies or patios (because the interior hallways allow this). Mod rooms have only the one door to the exterior "hallway". This is one of my biggest peeves in re moderates, but it's not worth hundreds of dollars to avoid IMHO.
- Deluxe rooms (and resorts overall) tend to have a little more immersive theming than moderates, though the mods are no slouches in this regard.
- Deluxe rooms are usually bigger. Mod rooms often have an angular cut in the exterior wall to make room for housekeeping carts in the pathways, etc. Deluxe rooms are generally more square.
- Deluxe resorts tend to have more sit-down dining options than moderates. If you don't normally eat sit-down meals at the resort, this may mean nothing to you. We like to eat a few sit-down meals at the resort, so it's something of a big deal for us. But you can always travel to other resorts to eat if you like.

We are normally deluxe resort goers, but stayed at POFQ once. We enjoyed the vacation. We didn't spend much time in the room, so the smaller size didn't make any difference then. The pool was very nice. We'll probably stay there again someday, unless better discounts start getting offered for deluxes soon.

 

[Dis703]

Our last stay 2 years ago was our very first stay on site and we chose POFQ. Personally, I wouldn't choose to stay there again. It was way too close to a motel in quality for me to justify $200 a night. But we did have free dining so I look at it as that was what I was paying for along with the other perks not the actual room. The room we were in was just run down and not as clean as I would have liked. Stained grout in the bathroom floor, a stain in the tub, that sort of thing. And the buses weren't great.

We are doing a split stay this time doing 2 days at POR since they recently refurbished and then switching to the BC. I thought I was going to be into the POFQ theming, but I really wasn't. POR appeals to me more except our family size is stuck in the Alligator Bayou section when I would much prefer the mansions.

 

[KrazeeK120]

I've stayed in value, mod, and deluxe. The deluxe resorts definitely feel more upscale, but the values and mods are very nicely appointed, too, and still have the "Disney" feel.

You can see which resorts I've stayed at in my sig. Noise doesn't bother me as I sleep like a log, but the Contemporary is, by far, the noisiest resort I've stayed at. That open atrium echos beyond belief and they start singing at Chef Mickey's pretty early in the morning. That would be bothersome for some people, and doesn't happen at the mods or values.

I stayed at POFQ on my honeymoon and absolutely adored it. I like trying different things, so I haven't been back, but I wouldn't hesitate to stay there again. It's a beautiful resort and doesn't have the huge, sprawling feel of the other mods and values.

I think you will like POFQ! Have fun on your trip.

 

[jennabcassell]

I have to say I have stayed at POFQ and it was not my favorite. I have made the rounds and stayed at all levels with deluxe being my favorite, of course. Except deluxe isn't always in the budget. Caribbean beach is my fav mod. Stay preferred that way you are not really far out there as it is a big spread out place. The pool area is awesome as well as the decor of the rooms. I find the room court yards to be quite and not even as loud as CR!! Coronado Springs has the best beds I have ever slept it!!! Better than the deluxes!!! My only problem is that it doesn't feel as "Disney" to me. The theming is southwest, very well done, I just think it feels more like a regular hotel and not at Disney. This could be because they have the convention center attached to it (which has never impacted my stay there). Keep checking the prices on WL and AKL, they tend to be the cheapest of the deluxe resorts. If not I'd go with CB or CS over POFQ/POR any day!!

 

[Robbi]

The good thing about the exterior corridors is they're not as noisy as the enclosed deluxe hallways. We've been awakened at every single deluxe by families at the crack of dawn. People must not realize how the halls amplify their voices. We have never had this problem at a mod.
OP, CSR is the mod closest to a deluxe.

 

[ABtwinmommy]

Our last stay 2 years ago was our very first stay on site and we chose POFQ. Personally, I wouldn't choose to stay there again. It was way too close to a motel in quality for me to justify $200 a night. But we did have free dining so I look at it as that was what I was paying for along with the other perks not the actual room. The room we were in was just run down and not as clean as I would have liked. Stained grout in the bathroom floor, a stain in the tub, that sort of thing. And the buses weren't great.

We are doing a split stay this time doing 2 days at POR since they recently refurbished and then switching to the BC. I thought I was going to be into the POFQ theming, but I really wasn't. POR appeals to me more except our family size is stuck in the Alligator Bayou section when I would much prefer the mansions.

Did you stay in a refurbished room? POFQ had a refurbishment in 2011 I believe.

We stayed there last year and enjoyed it very much. Although I do have some deluxes on my list of resorts to try, this trip we are returning to POFQ because we really did love it, and simply cannot justify the extra cost of deluxe at this time.

I did not mind the outdoor corridors because the grounds were lovely. And I loved how close everything was. The food court is just ok to me, though DH likes it, but with the boat to DTD and walk/boat to POR there are many food options so that doesn't bother me. I thought the buses were fine but don't really have anything to compare it to as it was my first on-property stay in a very long time.

We cannot wait to be back there a week from today!! I hope you enjoy it too... It will be different for you I am sure, as you are accustomed to deluxe resorts, but I hope you have a woderful trip none the less!

 

[LuvLDM]

I really like the moderate resorts! I do stay deluxe when it's in the budget but when I need to keep costs down I'm really content to stay moderate.

POFQ is lovely, very quaint. The only thing I don't care for is the pool, it's cute but geared for younger children. Do you have children, how old and do they plan on swimming?
FQ doesn't have a full service restaurant, just a food court.
The exterior corridors at the moderates have never really bothered me & I"ve never really had any issues with noise.
Good luck with your decision!
Also, have you checked out http://allears.net ? A lot of resort photo's and planning info!

 

[Masonmj84]

To me, the the top three advantages of deluxe over moderate are: location, location, location.

Not only are you typically closer to the parks but also typically closer to a greater collection of better restaurants. So even at AKL, the deluxe with the overall worst location as far as the parks go, it's still a better location than any moderate if you like eating table service meals (as we do) because it has three great restaurants on-site.

If not for the location advantage, we would never pick deluxe over moderate becuse, as far as we're concerned, the other advantages mentioned by PPs (somewhat larger rooms, interior hallways, somewhat more immersive theming, etc.) don't begin to justify the hefty price premium over moderate.

And even though we strongly value resort location, we won't pay deluxe rack rates, even in off-seasons. So, for us, the decision to stay deluxe versus moderate ultimately comes down to discounts.

To quantify things, for us, the location advantage of the average deluxe resort is worth about $100 a night extra over moderate (with the Monorail and Epcot resorts being a little more, the WL being a little less than these, and the AKL being a little less than the WL). All the other advantages are collectively not worth more than $25-$50 a night, depending on the resort.

So if we can get a Monorail or Epcot resort for no more than $150 a night more than what it would cost for us to stay moderate, we usually go for it. Same holds true if we can get the WL or AKL for no more than $80-$100 an night more. For this to happen, we need some decent discounts.

 

[JustCallMeMommy]

Since the motel-like room is the biggest concern, you might enjoy a special room like the Port Orleans Riverside Royal Room. I know it sounds like something for kids, but the grownups on our trip loved it just as much. It just adds a special touches to the moderate room, and the buildings and grounds they are in are pretty. The Royal Rooms are also pretty close to the bus stop/main building, so the size of the resort becomes less of a factor.

 

[skriegerjr]

We will be staying at POFQ this May. This is our first stay at a Moderate. We've always stayed at a Deluxe (GF, Poly, CR, and WL). We chose POFQ because it seems much smaller than the other moderates. The main reason we've always stayed in a Deluxe over a moderate is that I really dislike motel-style rooms. But, for the sake of a few extra nights, we decided to try POFQ this time.

What are some other differences? Anything else I should consider?

Building 5 facing the grass courtyard. Best location, hands down. Close to pool, short walk to bus stop. The grass area is where they show the movies at night. The small, compact size overall of the resort, plus the New Orleans theming (we honeymooned in New Orleans) and the awesome pool all won us over, it's our home resort!

Sent from my rooted Samsung Galaxy SIII using the DISBoards app