First Timer - Value or Moderate?

[cara3914]

This is our first trip to Disney (actually DH as been before). Anyway I have convinced DH we should go for free dining. It will be myself, DH, DD(7) and DS(5). I haved booked a room at ASMo for 9/29-10/8 with a refrig which we will need. I am wondering if I should upgrade to a moderate resort and if so which one? I know my kids will want to swim, play at the playground etc. I am figuring it will be about > $350 to upgrade....is it worth it?

Thanks, Cara

 

[lustergirl]

I think your children will enjoy staying at the All Star resort. It is more kid-oriented and they do have great pools for kids. Some people will disagree with me but we have always stay at All Star Sports because my 2 sons really love the place. You can't go wrong for the price. The rooms are a little small but we don't spend much time in them anyways. If you plan spending alot of time at the parks or by the pool then go for the values and save yourself a little extra money.

 

[cara3914]

Thanks...this is kind of what I thought as we will not be in the rooms much. DH is definetly into saving $$.

 

[Kimberly]

There is a considerable jump up to the Moderates though, but it really is unnecessary if you don't plan on spending too much time at the resort. The moderate resorts all have bigger and better pools with slides, as well as most of them having sit down restaurants. Although there are sit down restaurants all over Disney. It really is a toss up, but you almost can't turn down price of a value. The moderate resorts are definitely "quieter" though.

 

[ktink]

If you are planning on spending some quality time at the pool then I would go to a moderate. CSR has an awesome water slide. My dd's really enjoyed it. The pool is very large. We loved staying at Pop Century though. The values tend to have more a an IN YOUR FACE type Disney theming.

 

[newcomer52]

For a ten day stay, I would go with the moderate because you will probably be spending more time at the resort than with a shorter stay.

js

 

[goofy4tink]

Our first trip was at POR. Loved it. My dd was just 6 and used a pool slide for the very first time. SO.....now, where does she ask to stay if we aren't staying DVC at BWV??? POP!!! She's now 12, almost 13, and loves it there. She loves the slide at BW and says if she can't use that one, that she doesn't really care about a slide. The lines are too long at the moderates she says. So....I would stick with the AllStars you have. The rooms are only a very little bit smaller than the moderates. The other difference is that the mods have a double sink vanity. For the differenct in price, I would stick with a value. But, that's just me. You may feel the more themed pools, slides and bigger playground issues are more important.

In fact, if you were to choose a moderate, I would go with POR. The playground is very nice, right behind the pool area. The boat to DTD is a great perk. And you can use the pool at FQ also. There are many quiet pools (about 6) at POR. The food court is good, and you have Boatwrights for table service if you feel like it. Yes, it is large and spread out, but it's a beautiful resort. My favorite moderate....of course, I haven't stayed at the others yet. Good luck in deciding. It's one of Disney's great gifts to us....having to make a resort choice. and most of us change our minds several times before arrival.

 

[tlynk]

If my kids were younger I would stay at ASMo. I've heard lots of neat things about it and younger kids love it (very Disney). However, if you want a resort with a hot tub you will have to stay at a Moderate or higher. I've stayed at CBR and I thought it was clean and colorful. However, it was a long walk to the main theme pool for us. I will be trying something new next time.

 

[justplaingoofy]

If you want a refrigerator... value resorts charge $10.80 w/ tax per night. If you are staying at a moderate they are free...

Also moderates have slides in the pools and values do not.

I've heard that values rooms are a little smaller.

So if those things are not important to you, then I'd go for the value. If they are then go for the moderate.

 

[OhioTony]

Just our opinion, but having stayed at POP last year..we will not stay at another value resort. Mod pools and amenities can make the trip a true Disney experience.

 

[Buzz2001]

CSR is a large resort that does not share services with other resorts and offers some deluxe amenities because it is a convention resort.

CSR offers babysitting/childcare services and valet service cleaning - laundry bags and price lists are found in the closet of each room. Service is available 7 days a week, call Housekeeping for pick up.

CSR also has a salon, spa, and a gym that other moderates do not offer. CSR has full menu room service and offers an internal shuttle system provided by golf carts to assist in getting to and from the main building to the villages.

It is also the only mod to offer suites.

CSR is situated around a 15 acre lake and CBR is situated around a 45 acre lake.

CSR has terrific transportation. It does not share with any other resort (like POR / POFQ) and it only has 4 bus stops within the resort (vs 8 at CBR). And since CSR is centrally located, you'll have a quick ride to all the parks.

And being a convention resort, the buses seem less crowded because guests are busy with their conventions.

CSR is the most central to the 3 parks you mentioned. See the map below.

Photo by Ducky4Disney

CSR has the best pool of the mods and probably the second best on WDW property. Best mod pool. It offers a great slide (123 ft long), an arcade, a sand volleyball court, and a playground at the main pool area.

Review from mousesavers.com!!

Coronado Springs is my Best Value choice in the Moderate category. It has several advantages compared with the other Moderate resorts. It is newer, so there has been less wear-and-tear on everything. Also, Coronado Springs is a convention hotel, so it has a few extra amenities not offered at the other Moderates, including a salon, a health club and a more upscale food court.

The theming is radically different in the three areas of Coronado Springs. You can request a specific area when booking but there is no guarantee you'll get your request.

• The Spanish-style Casitas at Coronado Springs are very peaceful, with courtyards featuring tiled fountains. Casitas Buildings 1, 3 and 2 (in that order) are the closest to the restaurants and services. Casitas Building 4 contains the salon and health club, if those are important to you.
  
• The Cabanas at Coronado Springs have a beachy Caribbean feeling. Cabanas Building 8A is very close to the feature pool, which may be a blessing (convenience) or a curse (noise, light). Cabanas Building 9B is closest to the marina and relatively convenient to the restaurants and services.
  
• The Ranchos at Coronado Springs feel quiet and secluded -- some would say isolated -- and feature desert landscaping and pueblo-style architecture. They look closest to the main pool on a map, but in actuality they are separated from the rest of the property by a swamp, so it can be a fairly long walk from these buildings to the pool, and a very long walk to the restaurants.

 

[disneyfan67]

This is our first trip to Disney (actually DH as been before). Anyway I have convinced DH we should go for free dining. It will be myself, DH, DD(7) and DS(5). I haved booked a room at ASMo for 9/29-10/8 with a refrig which we will need. I am wondering if I should upgrade to a moderate resort and if so which one? I know my kids will want to swim, play at the playground etc. I am figuring it will be about > $350 to upgrade....is it worth it?

Thanks, Cara

I would consider upgrading to the CSR resort because it has the best pool theming and slide of any moderate resort, plus the playground is awesome as well! The resort is very impressive and for the price can't be beat. Mousesavers recomends it as the best moderate to stay at and I have to agree. If I had to stay at a mod, then CSR has my vote hands down. A simply beautifull resort and here's alink to some great pictures!

http://www.allearsnet.com/acc/g_cs.htm