Difference Between Resort Levels

[dishm12/08]

It's just DH and I and we stayed in POLY during our HM. We're looking to get back to WDW, but can't justify the cost of a a monorail resort. It was fine for our HM, but we can't do that every time especially when we have kids.

So other than location/transportation what are the differences? For instance, I saw in one thread that elevators aren't available at some resorts.

Thanks

Other than the cost and transportation, what are the bug differences

 

[ToddyLu]

To me the deluxe resorts have a more quiet atmosphere, outside around the pools....to me the Value pools are right off the food court and more in your face. The theming is more sutle in the Deluxe resorts. Deluxe places have more organized activities. Rooms are larger, lobbies more grand. Mods are the best of both, good theming (but not too much), nice food options and entertainment with decent sized hotel rooms.

I love Pop and if that is what I could afford to do, I would be in the 1980's- like fur' sure. I really appreciate the theming at the Values and love how it immerses you in Disney from the parking lot to your room. DH and I were just looking to slow down a bit and wanted the luxurious atmosphere so we bought in to DVC, prior to that we were Values all the way.

I also like more deluxe coverage at the bus stop--not so hot while waiting, closer to the park gate at drop off.

 

[vicki_c]

Somewhere on the Disney site - in the Resorts or Reservations area, there is a chart showing the differences.

Here's what I can think of that deluxes have that most moderates or values don't):
themed pools
table service restaurants
more transportation choices
club level
bigger rooms (also sleep more than most mods and values)
covered bus stops
fancy lobbies
room service
better (?) access to at least one theme park

 

[MMS1125]

better sit down restaurants in the Deluxe too. If you want Deluxe what about Wilderness Lodge? It's one of the cheaper ones and so beautiful

I think POR is romantic for a couple as well and much cheaper than the deluxes.

 

[mkymouse4ever]

We noticed deluxes have pool towels 24/7. At main and smaller pools.
moderates: have them at main pool and sometimes in daytime at small pools
values: might have a towel, or call someone to bring you one. Better off getting your own beach towel.

Pools, deluxe have a large pool deck and usually 1 other pool. With alot of themeing and water play area
mod usually 1 large pool themed and small quiet pools
value 1 large pool themed and smaller pools too. no slides to pools usually

deluxes have better locations. Usually near a park. Maybe more than bus transportation. MK resorts have boats, and monorail.
Epcot ones have international gateway [backdoor] to epcot and boat to dhs

deluxes usually have a few bars and food offerings where as that decreases in the other resorts.

deluxes give you bottles of soap, shampoo, conditioners, sun / solar gel, tooth brushes, shower hat. These all decrease also in other resorts.

Just figure each resort cuts down 1 level.

Not saying one is better than the other. I always try to decide, are we going to the park more or using the immendities of the resort more. If you've never been to wdw > your at the parks most of the day. If your having a longer trip and want to "take it easy" your at the resort more.
If your at wdw > it doesn't really matter.

 

[LovinPooh]

I didnt know deluxe gave you all that stuff like shampoo and conidtioner! Thats good to know....esp incase I forget a toothbrush..stranger things have happened lol. Sunscreen too??? Really?!??!
We didnt like the values cause they seemed too 'busy'. But for little kids I think those are better themed. We have older teens now (ugh) so we are trying deluxe for the 1st time. AKL. We also didnt like the values for the bus stops. We like having the covered stops too. DH hated the corraled uncovered wait lol.

 

[Little_Sister]

I prefer the Deluxe resorts, specifically the Contemporary....but I think of the Moderate Resorts...I would recommend the Coronado Springs Resort.

I like the softer more subtle room designs (they were refurbished a few years ago)....

some of the pluses....
--elevators
--amazing themed pool of a mayan temple
--bar/lounge
--pepper market and onsite restaurant
--efficient bus transportation (only 4 bus stops with adequate shelter)
--room decor is not garish, it's modern yet still themed to the resort

Like I said....I prefer the Contemporary Resort...but if I had to stay at a Moderate...I would have no problem going back to the Coronado....it's a very nice resort.

 

[dishm12/08]

I didnt know deluxe gave you all that stuff like shampoo and conidtioner! Thats good to know....esp incase I forget a toothbrush..stranger things have happened lol. Sunscreen too??? Really?!??!
We didnt like the values cause they seemed too 'busy'. But for little kids I think those are better themed. We have older teens now (ugh) so we are trying deluxe for the 1st time. AKL. We also didnt like the values for the bus stops. We like having the covered stops too. DH hated the corraled uncovered wait lol.

I won't stay at AKL because if their bus. We only had 3 ADRs that were at resorts and AKL had the worse buses. We did AK that day and therefore had reservations at both of their sit down restaurants. I would absolutely eat at them again, but to take that bus all the time would drive me crazy. Mind you our HM was in December so I can only imagine what it's like with higher crowd levels.

I hope this isn't your experience and it is a great resort.

 

[Pakey]

I usually stay Deluxe (I've stayed at all but Poly and every DVC except BLT) but I have done one vacation at a moderate (POFQ) and one at a value (Pop).

Except for location, I think the other differences are minor compared to the cost differences. My stays are POFQ and Pop were due to other people choosing them but I had great vacations at both and wouldn't be upset about having to stay at a non-deluxe since Disney deluxes are 5 star prices for 3.5 star hotels.

Things not already listed by others are balconies, ceiling fans and inside corridors.

OP, if it's just the two of you, you could look into renting points from a DVC member and staying in a studio at a price similar to what you'd pay for a moderate. I'm a DVC owner at BCV and for two people, I really love the studios because you have one bed and a sleeper sofa so you get a lot of extra room space (plus a kitchenette).

 

[mobesfamily]

I won't stay at AKL because if their bus. We only had 3 ADRs that were at resorts and AKL had the worse buses. We did AK that day and therefore had reservations at both of their sit down restaurants. I would absolutely eat at them again, but to take that bus all the time would drive me crazy. Mind you our HM was in December so I can only imagine what it's like with higher crowd levels.

I hope this isn't your experience and it is a great resort.

I'm sorry to read that was your experience. We just returned from 10 days at AKL with 4yo twins and a double stroller & had no problems at all with the buses. In fact the one evening we were returning from WL we decided to just grab the first bus that came and it was AK. The park was closing & the driver at first told us he could get us there & there would be a bus to our resort. A few minutes later he told us that he had called over & got his bus changed to an AKL route so we wouldn't have to get off at the park & change buses. Gotta LOVE when Disney customer service goes above & beyond

 

[dishm12/08]

I'm sorry to read that was your experience. We just returned from 10 days at AKL with 4yo twins and a double stroller & had no problems at all with the buses. In fact the one evening we were returning from WL we decided to just grab the first bus that came and it was AK. The park was closing & the driver at first told us he could get us there & there would be a bus to our resort. A few minutes later he told us that he had called over & got his bus changed to an AKL route so we wouldn't have to get off at the park & change buses. Gotta LOVE when Disney customer service goes above & beyond

That's awesome.

 

[dishm12/08]

Things not already listed by others are balconies, ceiling fans and inside corridors.

OP, if it's just the two of you, you could look into renting points from a DVC member and staying in a studio at a price similar to what you'd pay for a moderate. I'm a DVC owner at BCV and for two people, I really love the studios because you have one bed and a sleeper sofa so you get a lot of extra room space (plus a kitchenette).

I think the inside corridor alone means we will be a deluxe family for life, lol. So thanks for bringing this up.

Regarding renting DVC points, is there a thread on that? Joining DVC us something we'll consider once we have kids, but we never thought about renting.

 

[mobesfamily]

In response to OP :
I have only stayed/visited WDW twice, both very different trips.
The first time was just hubby & I 10 years ago. Back then you booked your room, park tix, airfare & that was it. We went with ASmo because it was the cheapest & we knew we would be just using the room to shower & sleep. I remember the food court being noisy & jammed, the pool area (near the laundry room) also being noisy. This was pre-kids so my idea of "noisy" has considerably changed. We had 2 double beds and each slept in one because we were used to a queen & hubby is a "flipper-flopper" sleeper. No biggie, we practically collapsed every night anyway.
Fast forward 10 years and twin 4yo later. When booking a hotel we took the following into consideration:
1. we would not be able to go full force 10-12 hours a day, would need breaks and wanted a calm, quieter place to return to PLUS have stuff to do at the hotel if we would be there for hours on end
2. they CANNOT sleep together in the same bed so we would have to "divide & conquer" & hubby needed a queen for that

AKL - queen beds, animals to look at, extra space with the balcony, sit down restaurant for arrival day dinner, covered bus stops, big pool w/water slide & towels & lifejackets, nice playground, quiet surroundings, nice to walk around

Every family is different and I suppose in a few years when we can stay longer in the parks our needs will change, but for us, now, AKL is our hotel of choice. We are going back in Febraury

 

[Planogirl]

Things change but this past August we stayed at POFQ. It's a small resort so it just had one pool but it's certainly themed. It also has an indoor bar and a bar by the pool, a hot tub, the boat transportation to Downtown Disney, plenty of shampoo and soap each day and it was very quiet. It's sister resort PORS has a themed pool and plenty of smaller pools, a sit-down restaurant and is an easy walk from POFQ.

If the lack of indoor corridors bothers you, you are better off at only deluxes. I really love the AKL. AKL and the WL are less expensive but expect somewhat smaller rooms and not quite as good transportation.

 

[mkymouse4ever]

I think the inside corridor alone means we will be a deluxe family for life, lol. So thanks for bringing this up.

Regarding renting DVC points, is there a thread on that? Joining DVC us something we'll consider once we have kids, but we never thought about renting.

Just in case: Saratoga Springs has outside corridors. I think it is outside at Old Key West too.

 

[mkymouse4ever]

LovinPooh, Some of that might of been cause we where consierge floor too?
I think you might only get the tooth brush there.
At the GF regular rooms they give out cotton balls, and q-tips too.

All products are h20. I take them every night and they refill them. Then we use them at home and "celebrate wdw".

I read somewhere on here that deluxes all have ceiling fans > not true contempary tower does NOT. And it gets hot in there. I always buy a cheap fan.