Deluxe vs. Moderate

[melissafox18]

What are the big differences in deluxe vs. moderate resorts? The pricing is SO different, are you really paying for the convenience of where most deluxe resorts are located? Right now I have YC booked for our adults only vaca in April, but I feel like the sticker shock is really getting to me. Pricing out any of the mods (with a king bed nonetheless) is over $1000 different over our 4 day stay.

Whyyyyy do I keep doing this to myself?! I was all set and excited and my mind wanders!

 

[figment_jii]

There are some differences between the moderates and deluxes, but the location does play a huge role in the pricing. Deluxe resorts are located closest to the parks. So you are paying a lot of proximity. There are other differences as well, such as the decor/decorations and interior versus exterior doors.

My preference is to stay at one of the Epcot area resorts because it's so easy to get to Epcot and DHS. However, if you aren't big into either of those parks and/or you don't spend a lot of time in your room, it would be less expensive to stay at a moderate.

 

[wdwjeffc37]

There are a few differences between the Moderate and Deluxe resorts. I think the biggest is proximity to the parks. Then there are marginally better furnishings and interior hallways. I don't feel that location justifies the huge price difference as we like to visit all of the parks. The moderates suit us just fine and we have more money for longer stays. But, to each their own.

 

[GrandCalifornian]

Location is the biggest factor for us, which leads to more transportation options. Interior hallways are great, especially in bad weather. There's also just the overall niceness of the resort. All Disney resorts are clean and well staffed, but staying at a nicer resort feels more luxurious.

Even among "Deluxe" resorts the pricing can vary a lot. We stay at WL because it has many of the deluxe advantages at a considerable lower rate than some other Deluxe resorts. Others prefer to pay more for more amenities, larger rooms, and locations even closer to parks.

 

[Mousemommy1]

For us, we really value interior hallways. It's more hotel, than motel if that makes sense. The rooms, in our experience, are better appointed in the deluxes.

And yes, you are paying for location (with the exception of AKL). We stayed at YC in April and loved that resort!! The location is AMAZING and makes the price tag worth it to us! Though, I should add that we have not stayed at any Disney resorts without a discount. We have been lucky enough to use the 40% off military discount so we have always felt that we were paying a decent price.

 

[SmallWorld71]

What are your plans for your stay?
If you are spending a fair amount of time at your resort or the resort area, then I would say stick with YC. You will have Stormalong Bay, the Boardwalk entertainment etc...
If you plan to spend all you time in the parks, then I would switch to a moderate and use the $ elsewhere. The price difference is not worth it (IMO) if you are not going to be there to enjoy the amenities.

 

[Dizzytime]

We stay at deluxe resorts because of location. Other differences are nice too, but put a value where the Epcot resorts are and we're there every time.

 

[Shaden]

The most important thing you are paying for is location location location at deluxe resorts, and really, that's about it.

There are some other differences for sure, interior vs exterior hallways and different theming for the most part. But those are very much choices of preference. There are some who prefer exterior hallways, ourselves included, and some who prefer interior. Likewise the theming/décor, ambience etc of the resorts are not "better" per se. in Deluxe resorts, simply different. We would prefer the theming of CSR or POR over GF any day. Although the lobby of GF is quite impressive, the rooms and grounds just don't do it for us. Its really all about taste and preference when it comes to that stuff.

The "Value" is another difficult question to answer, ....

I have read people talk about how the Monorail resorts are the best because of ... the monorail. And yet, there are entire threads on these boards dedicated to how terrible the monorail is, how unreliable, slow, broken, etc.

There are also threads on these boards dedicated to how TERRIBLE the bus service from "X" resort is ... but we have never had any real problems with the busses.

For us, the transit just isn't an issue, if you are at a monorail resort, you still have to deal with monorail issues, and still have to take busses (we do all the parks equally). If you are at a "walk in" resort ie: CR, GF, BC, YC, BWI, you are still going to have to take transit to the other parks.

Taking a bus 20-40 mins a day, is more then worth it to save hundreds, or thousands of dollars, especially when even staying deluxe is still going to involve SOME travel time.

Do what works for you, but if staying Mod would mean a longer stay, or another stay, or being able to do something else with the saved money, I'd say stay Mod, I think you vacation experience will be the same, but you will have more cash

 

[MagicallyDelicious]

Interior hallways and private balconies are huge for us. I'd pay extra for a private balcony, alone.

With that said, if I could get both at POR, it would be one of my number one choice.

 

[mickeynut1]

What are the big differences in deluxe vs. moderate resorts? The pricing is SO different, are you really paying for the convenience of where most deluxe resorts are located? Right now I have YC booked for our adults only vaca in April, but I feel like the sticker shock is really getting to me. Pricing out any of the mods (with a king bed nonetheless) is over $1000 different over our 4 day stay.

Whyyyyy do I keep doing this to myself?! I was all set and excited and my mind wanders!

For us, it's not just location. We think the deluxes are worth the extra cost for larger rooms, balconies, and alternate transportation (although we did love AKL and thought the buses were great ).

 

[buzznina]

The most important thing you are paying for is location location location at deluxe resorts, and really, that's about it.

There are some other differences for sure, interior vs exterior hallways and different theming for the most part. But those are very much choices of preference. There are some who prefer exterior hallways, ourselves included, and some who prefer interior. Likewise the theming/décor, ambience etc of the resorts are not "better" per se. in Deluxe resorts, simply different. We would prefer the theming of CSR or POR over GF any day. Although the lobby of GF is quite impressive, the rooms and grounds just don't do it for us. Its really all about taste and preference when it comes to that stuff.

The "Value" is another difficult question to answer, ....

I have read people talk about how the Monorail resorts are the best because of ... the monorail. And yet, there are entire threads on these boards dedicated to how terrible the monorail is, how unreliable, slow, broken, etc.

There are also threads on these boards dedicated to how TERRIBLE the bus service from "X" resort is ... but we have never had any real problems with the busses.

For us, the transit just isn't an issue, if you are at a monorail resort, you still have to deal with monorail issues, and still have to take busses (we do all the parks equally). If you are at a "walk in" resort ie: CR, GF, BC, YC, BWI, you are still going to have to take transit to the other parks.

Taking a bus 20-40 mins a day, is more then worth it to save hundreds, or thousands of dollars, especially when even staying deluxe is still going to involve SOME travel time.

Do what works for you, but if staying Mod would mean a longer stay, or another stay, or being able to do something else with the saved money, I'd say stay Mod, I think you vacation experience will be the same, but you will have more cash

Ditto
Everyone has theiir own preferences, but for us, no way would we pay $250 more per night just to save some time to only 2 resorts. I think the EPCOT resort buses are the worst when going to MK and AK, since they usually share with 4 resorts. Hallways and balconies are not a big factor for us. That extra $1000 would pay for 3 of our APs

 

[Hopefully]

Ditto
Everyone has theiir own preferences, but for us, no way would we pay $250 more per night just to save some time to only 2 resorts. I think the EPCOT resort buses are the worst when going to MK and AK, since they usually share with 4 resorts. Hallways and balconies are not a big factor for us. That extra $1000 would pay for 3 of our APs

I respectfully disagree.
The Epcot Resort area resorts do not always share buses with all 4 resorts. That is simply not correct. We own at BCV and stay there frequently, and it has been years since we shared with all resorts. In the morning and evenings it is usually just YC/BC that share a bus to MK and AK. I think the one route likely to have all 4 resorts is the DTD route and we don't take the buses there, we take a cab.
Interior hallways, but especially balconies are huge for us. As DVC owners we go often, and spend less time per day at the parks, since we will be back soon. So we use the resort amenities more.
Even if I wasn't a DVC owner I would pay for deluxe resorts, as they offer the amenities and feel we like.
The nice thing about Disney is that it offers something for everyone. There is no "right or wrong". It is what works for each guest that is important and others should not judge others based on their own personal preference.
Just my Thoughts.

 

[Mousemommy1]

I respectfully disagree.
The Epcot Resort area resorts do not always share buses with all 4 resorts. That is simply not correct. We own at BCV and stay there frequently, and it has been years since we shared with all resorts. In the morning and evenings it is usually just YC/BC that share a bus to MK and AK. I think the one route likely to have all 4 resorts is the DTD route and we don't take the buses there, we take a cab.
Interior hallways, but especially balconies are huge for us. As DVC owners we go often, and spend less time per day at the parks, since we will be back soon. So we use the resort amenities more.
Even if I wasn't a DVC owner I would pay for deluxe resorts, as they offer the amenities and feel we like.
The nice thing about Disney is that it offers something for everyone. There is no "right or wrong". It is what works for each guest that is important and others should not judge others based on their own personal preference.
Just my Thoughts.

Agreed. When we stayed at YC in April, we never shared with all four resorts. To MK, we only shared with BC. To AK, we did also share with the others, but it really wasn't a huge deal. It was actually still quicker than the numerous internal stops at CBR.

 

[nkereina]

Deluxe resorts also usually have more than one TS restaurant. Mods have one TS restaurant (except POFQ) but they are not much to write home about. Most deluxes have some popular TS locations like Ohana at Poly or Chef Mickey's at CR.

They also have balconies/patios which are great if you like a view and are willing to pay more for it. View rooms are offered at mods but you have no private outdoor space to enjoy it from.

The biggest deluxe draw, IMO, is the location. All deluxe resorts except AKL offer alternate transportation other than buses to at least one park. There's obviously the monorail resorts, WL offers a boat to MK, and the Epcot area resorts offer the boats between Epcot and DHS and they are also walking distance to both as well. You pay for convenience and this alternate transportation which is worth it to some - and not to others.

 

[buzznina]

Hopefully, I did not say always, I said usually. I think sometimes would have been a better word, so I stand corrected But, I can only go by my experience and my sisters, since she likes the EPCOT resorts. Last year the day we met her at her resort and took the bus to AK, we stopped at all the resorts, I still do not agree with having the Dolphin and Swan on that route. My sister had 2 other days that they also shared, so three out of 6 days. A few years ago it was even more during her trip. Maybe it has a lot to do with the time of day you are riding the bus also. Plus for the amount of $$ more than a Mod, I would expect zero sharing.

 

[Neener16]

I just got back Sunday from WDW, stayed at CBR. I have stayed at the BC and Boardwalk Villas within the past few years. I was traveling with just my daughter this year, and was perfectly satisfied with CBR. It was lovely, quieter than the 2 deluxe resorts I have stayed in. We were on the QS dining plan, and I was even satisfied with the 2 meals we had at the resort.That said, if I had the money this year I would have stayed at either the YC or BC. I loved being able to walk to EPCOT, and HS. I liked the restaurant selection, I liked walking downstairs and getting a cocktail instead of hoofing it over to the outside bar at the CBR. I liked walking home from Illuminations instead of taking a bus. I should say I found the walls quite thin at the BC, which I found disturbing for the price we paid. But as others have said, it's all about location.