difference(s) between value and moderate?

[mhingher]

I know the obvious differences are price and size, but are there any other significant differences, i.e. is the transportation faster? Better restaurants? We can't afford a moderate right now, esp since we got a $79/night rate at the All Star Movies. I will definitely be going back to WDW several more times, so I'm just curious... Thanks!

Melissa

 

[c&m]

I'm not an expert...but have done some research for our spring break trip. What I learned is that the value resorts do not have pool slides, while the moderates do. There are also boat/bike rentals at the moderates, and I don't think the values have that. This is a huge factor for us since our DDs love waterplay...don't know if that is a determining factor for you tho.

 

[ILoveWDW2003]

Moderates also have a sit-down restaurant and a food court, values just have a food court.

 

[G00fyDad]

The major difference is "feel". The value resorts feel like just that, value. The moderates are have a more elegant feel to them. The deluxes are simply awsome looking. 5 star all the way. The value resorts seem to have a "Days INN" or "Motel 6" feel about them. The moderates seem more like Marriots and such.

 

[JerseyJanice]

You get a larger room by square footage in a moderate room. Bedding and furniture layout is the same, though.

You get a water slide and hot tub at the moderates. Only a themed pool in the values.

The theming at the moderates is more attractive, especially to the adult eye. The values are "fun" themed, but let's face it--giant dalmatians and Big Wheels appeal far more to a kid's visual senses than an adult's.

 

[simzac]

The major difference is "feel". The value resorts feel like just that, value. The moderates are have a more elegant feel to them. The deluxes are simply awsome looking. 5 star all the way. The value resorts seem to have a "Days INN" or "Motel 6" feel about them. The moderates seem more like Marriots and such.

I totally agree with this statement. I certainly will never stay in a value resort again.

 

[Topper]

1) Larger room
2) 2 sinks in room
3) Pool slide and hot tub
4) Recreational Options (bikes, boating, etc)
5) Refrigerator in room
6) More "adult-style" theming (as opposed to cartoon theming)
7) Food court AND full-service restaurant
8) Coffeemaker in room

 

[mhingher]

Thanks for the input. Hopefully next time we go to WDW we'll be in a better financial situation and we can stay in a moderate. Staying at a value this time was the only way we could afford to stay in the park.

Melissa

 

[hercamore]

Park transportation is NOT necessariloy better at a mod resort.

My DD thinks Pop has the best transpo of any resort she has stayed in. She's also stayed at at CBR, AKL, POR, OKW.

herc.

 

[floridagirrl2]

If you get a coupon code during Value Season, I believe you can stay at a Moderate for the price you are paying for a Value. I realize this is not possible for everyone due to kids school schedules, etc., but going during slow seasons is a great way to save $$ on a hotel. BTW, DH and I are two 50ish adults, no kids, and we think the Value resorts are really cute and a fantastic deal for the price.

 

[bigbabyblues]

We stayed at ASMovies last fall, after staying at CBR on our first trip. I wasn't sure of what we'd find, from some of the posts I'd read, I was expecting something awful, but it was what our budget allowed, so we went with it. I'd warned DH about what I'd read, and all he said was it couldn't be as bad as the hotel his company puts him up in when he travels to France, so it was fine with him.

We arrived, and we were pleasantly surprised. The rooms weren't huge, but they certainly weren't closet sized as I had read. They are about the same size as a Comfort Inn, or similar hotel. The grounds were really pretty, with trees, etc. Yes, the icons are huge and bright, but I liked that. I didn't find it gaudy, just different than we would have had at a moderate resort. The pools were fine. We used the main pool, I think it went from 3 feet deep to maybe 5 feet? Something like that. There wasn't a slide, but the sorcerer Mickey fountain spraying water was fun to stand under. The food court was fine, it was clean for the most part, other than tables that hadn't been wiped down yet, but that wasn't often. We didn't have any problems with the transportation. Yes, we had to wait for the busses to come, but we only waited more than 10 minutes one time, that was for the Epcot bus in the morning. The busses were crowded at park closing, but that's going to happen no matter which resort you stay in. If you want, you can step aside and let others go in front of you onto the bus and wait for the next one, then you know you get a seat.

We walked around ASMusic as well, and it was nice too. Not fancy, but certainly fine for what we wanted--a clean place to sleep, with fun theming, a pool to swim in, and somewhere to eat breakfast quickly.

DH and I are taking a trip without the kids this fall, and I asked if he wanted to stay at a value resort (Pop this time) or CBR again, or another moderate,and he said the values were fine with him, so Pop it is.

You will enjoy your trip, and you can always stay at a moderate another time if you want to.

Steph

 

[Taja]

I've stayed at a value, moderate and deluxe resort.

Started with YC concierge (FTP in August, 2003 made it affordable), which was wonderful. A friend and I were emerging from a difficult few years with out families and needed time for ourselves. I've stayed at far more elegant hotels with better rates (not WDW), but this suited our needs at the time. Proximity to EPCOT and Disney-MGM wasn't shabby, either!

Disadvantage was sharing buses with S&D and BC. Even when the buses weren't crammed to the gills, the trip was longer due to the extra stops.

Then stayed at CSR, water view room in December, 2003. It was the only room type available on an AP rate when I finally booked early in November. CSR vanity has only one sink, FYI. All of the other moderates have two.

Overall, loved the resort despite the size. Not fond of the food available, but I'm a picky eater. Hammocks on the beach, watercraft and bicycle rentals, terrific pool and children's play area. Gorgeous sunrise and sunset views! Great bus transportation. Four bus stops, but the buses are not shared with other resorts.

Disadvantage is size of the resort. It covers a lot of territory!

December, 2004, did a budget trip and stayed at Pop Century on an AP discount during value season. Very neat, clean and compact rooms. Certainly adequate for my solo traveler needs! Room smaller than moderate, food court had a reasonable range of foods, although it didn't appeal to my finicky tastes! Don't let that deter you, though--I really am a horrendously picky eater! I actually used my rental car quite a bit this trip, as I was with a large group and it was easier to arrive at meets on time! The times I used the bus, it was fine. Buses were horrendously crowded after closing down MVMCP (I waited until well after the crowds left the second night I attended), but that's true of the buses for the deluxe and moderate resorts, as well. BTW, the soundproofing between rooms at PC is very good. I've heard complaints from people who have stayed at the All Star resorts about noise from adjacent rooms.

It's really a matter of what meets your budget and space needs when you visit WDW.