For those who finally stayed deluxe, was it worth it?!

[tessieg]

We are planning a trip down while they are doing buy 4, get3 free. We have stayed at all of the values and moderates, and my dh wants to finally stay deluxe while they are running this deal. I am the budgeter in the family and would love to upgrade too and finally experience deluxe but worry I will get there, and not think it is worth the extra money we'll pay. It is a big difference!
For those who took the plunge, was it worth it? We do have three kids(2, 6,10) so would enjoy the space and think the monorail is a HUGE bonus.
Opinions please!
Thanks!

 

[airhead]

To me,the location is what is worth it!

 

[kaffinito]

Staying deluxe wasn't worth it to me at AKL, but it sure was at Poly! I also like the deluxe villa resorts - SSR and BLT are worth it to me too. The extra room and the washer and dryer in a 1 bedroom unit are a huge plus, and the hot tub in the Master bath doesn't hurt either.

I think it depends on which deluxe you stay at, KWIM? If you splurge for a deluxe, then why not splurge for a higher level deluxe like CR, Poly, BC/YC, BWI, or GF. You do have a higher price tag but also get a higher level of service.

 

[KatMark]

It's a matter of personal opinion/preference, etc. We've stayed at the CR and the Poly, the All Star Sports and the Coronado (CSR). Our home away from home is the CSR. We enjoyed the CR, but loved the Poly. However, we do not think the Poly is worth the money they charge. We don't particularly care about location as we always have a rental car and we drive to the parks and our ADR's at other resorts. We also have found the monorail "overrated" as far as transaportation. When we used to take a bus, we found them to be as quick as the monorail--and at times the monorail was not quick and we'd still have to fold up the stroller or wait for the next monorail. Also, the last several visits we've been stuck on the monorail for 10 or more minutes and we waited 15 minutes to get one from the Poly back to the MK in September.

Guess I'm not much help...it really does come down to personal preference.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

My family and I choose to stay at the Deluxe Resorts because of their close locations to the parks, more transportation options such as the Monorail, walkways to the parks, bell service available to help with our luggage, a lot of dining options and knowing their rooms are already bigger then the Value and Moderate Resorts.

 

[Kathy Z]

I guess I'm spoiled because my WDW vacations began in 1975 when a Magic Kingdom view at the Poly was only $68/night! We fell in love with the theme and location and have mostly stuck with the Poly. When we did the 4/3 deal in May we chose the less expensive garden view (almost all of them at the Poly have great views.)

 

[Pinkpony]

We're just back from staying deluxe, after staying at a value and a moderate in the past. Even though we did not think too highly of our moderate stay last year, I must say that the WL was not any better room-wise than our stay at a moderate. In fact, it needed a good scrubbing and some new carpet. We did like having everything under one roof, but other than that, the moderate, to us, was just as nice.

 

[ppony]

"Worth" is a personal opinion. To each it is different. To US, it's so worth it that we bought DVC because deluxe is the way we LOVE to stay. Where and how we stay is all part of the Disney experience to us.

 

[Calgary DISHeads]

To us it is worth it because we now spend a fair amount of time at the resort, enjoying the amenities etc. Our first trips were spent opening and closing the parks, and the values are perfect for that. I (not so much everyone else, DH would have left never POP if it was up to him) really like the all the extras that come with the steep increase in price (including location).

 

[Karlzmom]

I think across the board the amenties and location make a deluxe "worth it"...that having been said, I do believe that you should put some thought into the experience you want. The deluxe resorts are the best themes, IMO...so really think about what you like...

For what its worth, I don't think you can go wrong with the YC/BC/BW area..lovely resorts and great location.

 

[Tigger2252]

I have stayed at the ASM, CS, CBR and POFQ. This trip we splurged and stayed at AKL Club Level. I loved staying here more than I can say. We had a savannah view room and saw animals every day and night from the balcony.

It was fun to have access to the concierge lounge and to have the extra things that you get at the deluxe resort. There were more fun activities at the hotel (ceramics, jewelry making, etc.) than we had ever seen before.

We don't care much about location and honestly couldn't care less if I ever ride the monorail. We chose AKL because of the theming.

 

[ppony]

I have stayed at the ASM, CS, CBR and POFQ. This trip we splurged and stayed at AKL Club Level. I loved staying here more than I can say. We had a savannah view room and saw animals every day and night from the balcony.

It was fun to have access to the concierge lounge and to have the extra things that you get at the deluxe resort. There were more fun activities at the hotel (ceramics, jewelry making, etc.) than we had ever seen before.

We don't care much about location and honestly couldn't care less if I ever ride the monorail. We chose AKL because of the theming.

We've stayed at all but CSR for the mods and all but the Epcot deluxe resorts (because we don't care for their theming and Epcot is our least favorite park) and the AKL was just above and beyond for us.
That said too, w/ the exception of this trip a few weeks ago where I wanted to be on the monorail w/ a higher needs toddler and knowing the monorail was going to be key for me (and it was a Godsend), location is relative to us. We're in FL. It's a heck of a lot closer than MN where we live, so what's an extra few minutes to get anywhere. Doesn't matter to us especially since we do everywhere on property as we might be close to our favorite park on one day, but across the property another. No biggie at least when you rent a car like we do.

 

[lyeag]

YES. Granted, I do like to be spoiled on vacation, but relaxing on the balcony overlooking Bay Lake was wonderful. It is just breath taking IMHO.

 

[RMulieri]

We never used to stay Deluxe..But once we did we can not ever go back. In fact now we book DVC since we like the ample space they provide.We love the amenities and the location of the deluxes particularly the Epcot resorts since staying at them means walking distance to Epcot and Dhs

 

[TJA]

*sigh* yes......we'd pay the extra cost over and over. With our young kids, we appreciate easily getting back and forth to the parks, especially with our double jogger. It's very easy and relaxing to load the jogger up in the morning and know that we won't have to unload or fold it up for buses or cars. We love walking to parks from our resort, taking a boat, and taking the monorail. VERY easy with kids, and we are completely spoiled by it. It's nice being able to take an afternoon break to swim or nap, and then being able to choose a park at night that we can get to easily. If we stay at an Epcot resort, then we plan lots of nice dinners in the Epcot countries because we can walk there each night. If we stay at a monorail resort, then we plan lots of nice dinners at the other monorail resorts and also at MK. It completely changes our trips when we can get around easily.

 

[DisneyMomx7]

We've only stayed at deluxe resorts (we travel with our three youngest) but we LOVE the deluxes.


Location - location - location and transportation- transportation-transportation! We love taking the ferry or the monorail and not depending solely on the buses. We really love being able to walk to EPCOT from BC/YC.

The rooms are larger with more drawer space, we like the indoor entrances, the balconies and patio and room service. We really like the themed pools, and there are towels at all the pools, even the quiet ones. We also like having table service restaurants right at the resort if we feel like spending a night in.

 

[Micca]

Worth it as long as 1) you're not over-extending yourself financially to afford it, and 2) You're not comprising other aspects of your trip to make it happen (i.e., we had to skip Epcot and DHS because we could only afford two nights at the hotel)

 

[prince edward island]

My family and I have stayed at the Poly several times, Boardwalk Club Level in 2006 and just recently at the Coronado Springs (October 31- November 8, 2009). I hate to say it but CSR offers as much if not more than the BWI or Poly . It was every bit as clean, quiet and in some ways almost as luxurious at the BWI. I did miss the Club Level lounge a bit and CSR was planning to offer one but for some reason Disney decided not to at this time (Hopefully they will reconsider and offer it next year!!!!!!) Try the CRS save some money and enjoy the Happiest Place on Earth for an extra day or two or three!!!! You will not be disappointed.

 

[TJA]

I did already post above, but I wanted to add that we have stayed at moderates too and we still strongly prefer the deluxes MAINLY because we have young kids and a double jogger. To us, there is no comparison between taking a bus or car everywhere (having to unload and fold jogger, wake the kids up) versus just rolling the jogger on the monorail and/or walking to parks. Just a thought to keep in mind as OP stated there are 3 kids, one at age 2.

 

[amzking]

We have stayed at WL, BC, and YC after staying at both values and mods. I love them. I love WL where everything is under one roof, so you see the theming every time you go downstairs to get to the restaurant or bus stop. The theming is beautiful, and there is a boat to MK. I love walking to Epcot in five minutes from BC and YC, though I think the theming is a little lacking compared to WL. I haven't walked to DHS from there yet, but I could! Stormalong Bay is amazing. I have not stayed at the monorail resorts yet, and am not sure if I ever will since DH is not too keen on the theming of those resorts and the monorail is not a huge deal since we drive anyway.

I have one issue with both the Poly and GF - and that is that they are in several different buildings and you have to walk outside to get to dining and shopping. Call me spoiled - I love having everything under one roof like WL and BC/YC. I know the buildings are close together at the Poly and GF, like POFQ, but it still dosen't seem right to spend premium money for a resort where you have to travel between buildings and may therefore rarely see the incredible lobby.