Deluxe: worth the extra?

[angeluna]

We've been several times to DW. Started staying at ASM, then went to Caribbean Beach, and finally ended up at POFQ. We really enjoyed the smallness of FQ. CB seemed nice, but had no real draw to me. Thought about staying in a popup at Fort Wilderness, but don't relish sitting out in the humidity when not sleeping. Soooo, I have been thinking about AKL. It will be about $800 more than a moderate for us to stay there. What do you think? Worth it? We'll be going in summer, so pools are a must! Other thoughts are CS due to the pool, but I don't like the size.

 

[chocovrdmicears]

If it is within your budget, then yes, Deluxes are worth the extra.
We have tried 2 different Mods and don't love them.
We either stay at POP or a Deluxe. (We love AKL and Poly).

 

[mwatson011]

Our frist trip was to POFQ - loved it

Our next trip was to AKL - loved it too, but it cost $700 more, we did not love it $700 more. Maybe $300 more.

Our upcoming trip is to POP - to see if even the mod is worth the extra $ - this trip it would cost $980 more to stay in a mod than value.

Good luck with your decision - I think if you love Disney you can't go wrong...

Another thought...you can add waterparks to your park tix for $57 each, and get all the slides, beaches, and pools your heart desires...

 

[KatMark]

It truly comes down to a personal preference and personal opinion. We used to stay deluxe all the time -- Contemporary and Polynesian. Then we moved to a value and hated it and switched to a moderate. With the exception of one trip out of the last ten, we have stuck with our moderate (CSR) (we did the Poly for a very special occasion--our son's high school graduation, but we chose to stick with the CSR for our 25th wedding anniversary and were upgraded to a suite). With two boys in college, we just couldn't justify the cost of a deluxe with rising college tuitons; now that they are done with school, we will still stick with our moderate of choice and splurge for just a couple of nights at a deluxe prior to moving to the moderate and using the savings for extra nice meals and souvenir purchases. The "benefit" of transportation or being able to walk to a park means nothing to us as we rent a car and drive to the parks; being only the two of us, we don't necessarily need the larger room and we can drive to the resort for meals if we want to eat at one of the deluxes.

So it really comes down to what you think and if you want to spend the money, etc. And just an FYI...the CSR is a large resort like the CBR, but a tad smaller and you can now book a preferred room if you chose to.

 

[larryz]

We think so.

 

[homedad]

yes but were spoiled now by dvc and our own bedroom

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Among the Deluxe Resorts we have stayed at the Contemporary, Boardwalk Inn and Polynesian, which we think are worth the extra cost.

 

[Pakey]

Since Disney Deluxes aren't very deluxe, I don't see that much difference. If I had to think about the money or the value, then no I don't think it's worth it.

I've stayed at all deluxes and DVC resorts except one.

 

[Sue M]

We think the Deluxe are worth it. The atmosphere, landscapping, rooms, dining choices, pools, transportation options. We don't have a car in WDW.

But we're also happy in moderates too. POR is our fav. moderate. Just not a fan of the Values. We don't spend every minute in the parks, so we enjoy a relaxing place to come back to for a mid day break.

 

[scottmel]

I have stayed at several deluxes - AKL, AKV, BWI, YC, OKW and AKL is my least favorite resort....It really is a personal choice. I really do believe deluxes are worth it but I don't feel AKL is....smaller rooms, remote location, very dark themed - just not my style and I have tried it 3 different times....Personally I would not pay 700 more for AKL but I would pay that in an instant elsewhere - BWI, YC, etc.

Have you considered renting DVC points? You can stay at a deluxe for much less than the rack rate......We have rented points for AKV, OKW....LOVED OKW on rental...unbelievable bargain...

 

[mickeynut1]

For us, the deluxe resorts are worth it . We spend alot of time at the resort and like the various sit down restaurants that so many of them offer .

 

[mdftjh]

I believe the deluxe is definately worth it. We stayed at a value (All Star Music) once and never again. We tried POFQ and loved it CBR was to spread out for us. By far our favorite was WL and it along with AKL seems to be one of the lesser priced deluxes. Its definately a personal preference.

 

[soarinup]

Deluxe in the "real" world is not the same as at Disney. Some people complain the cost of Disney Deluxe is not on par with the 4 and 5 star hotels off property at the same cost. But the price of Disney Deluxe comes from location, location, location.

 

[Pink Mouse Ears]

It is worth it for us- esp the villas with a kitchen or kitchenette. We've stayed at all 3...I can't do values again and only stayed one night! The mods were ok, but I really missed having a balcony. Both of our kids are young and naooers...so in a mod, the only option is to sit in a dark room (or do ike we did and prop the door and sit under the stairwell ) I like inside hallways and being in one building. The kitchen(ette) is great for washing sippy cups, storing and making food, etc. We're staying at AKV again in Nov.- we LOVED having the animals all around.

 

[MickeyNicki]

I would not spend $800 to go to the AKL, just didnt like the business of the resort or the location.

Much rather stay at POFQ or CBR

 

[Amy&Dan]

For us they are not. Now I'll add that we have only stayed at the Poly and then several of the DVC's. We really like the moderates. Good thing because we really can't afford the deluxe's right now! We like longer trips and the next one is 14 nights and in on way shape or form would I cut that to 10 nights and stay at a deluxe. Just me.

The location thing baffles me in that WDW is a huge place so no one resort can buy you an overal superior location to all areas. I guess if we just focused on one or two areas we'd feel different.

I think if the $800 is not a stretch and will not cause you to sacrifice other parts of your vacation then go for it. This is truly something you won't know until you try it out for yourself.

I am sure dh and I will try a deluxe again someday but for now, no, they are not worth it to us.

 

[waynesgirl]

AKL, WL, CR, SSR for me as far as Deluxe goes...

Honestly, we love the moderates more than anything right now. It is the perfect pricing point for what you get. But, we are trying to stay at all the Disney properties so we had to go into the Deluxes now.

Yes, the CSR is a little large, but my DH and I loved that about the resort when we stayed. It was a nice stroll at the end of the evening and it was nice to stroll first thing in the cool mornings. Bus service is great as well-usually. Don't count it out because of the size- pay a little more for a preferred room and be closer. The property is nice, the food selection is very good, and the restaurant is really nice. CSR is really no larger than the CBR either. And the pool is absolutely amazing- very child friendly.

However, we will be staying at the BWI in April. I will let you know.

 

[Bilierka]

Maybe, but how much time are you going to stay at the resort???If parks are your priority, then 800.00 to me if not worth it.

If hotel is your priority, then maybe.....

 

[pattyw]

We thing the deluxes are wonderful but we stay at moderates usually because I like to be able to do a longer stay or come back for another trip. We think CSR is a deluxe resort!!

 

[luvthemouse71]

I've stayed at the Poly 3 times and I love it. This time we are trying WL. I would also like to try AKL, BC, the CR and maybe the GF.

We relax at the resort these days so a nice resort is important to us.