Going from Delux down to Moderate?

[appleorchard]

It depends so much on which moderates and which deluxes. If I had to choose between POFQ and Saratoga Springs, for example, I'd be just as happy or happier with POFQ. Both have outside rooms (the main reason we prefer deluxes is inside corridors) and POFQ is much smaller and has the food court. On the down side, POFQ's boat is not nearly as reliable as walking on your own two feet from SSR to DTD--and the bus ride to DTD is, in my opinion, the worst route from every disney resport. POR, because it's so big, and SSR or OKW would be a wash too.

On the other hand, in my opinion, you can't compare the monorail reports--anbd we've stayed at all of them--or the Boardwalk, Beach and Yacht club to any of the mods. The deluxes that have the monorail or boat advantage to several parks can't be beat.

The good thing is that everyone has a different favorite and a different opinion about what makes the hotel the "best." I enjoyed POFQ last week--my first mod stay-and would have enjoyed it more if the boat to DTD had been more reliable and not always full by the time it came from POR. Mousekeeping was excellent and the food court made life easy, but I did miss the street life of the Boardwalk.

 

[buzznina]

We have stayed at a number of resorts Values up through Deluxes and have enjoyed all the resorts we stayed at, and we have settled into the Mods. We just do not think the $$ difference is really worth it between Mods and deluxes, especially the rail resorts. With the Mods (except CBR) getting queen beds now, it made our decision even easier. Have you thought of renting DVC points, you can really get some great deals. We will be renting on our next trip, DW would like to try CR. I was there back when there was only CR and POLY so I would like to go back also. DW does not want to do a split stay, we like unpacking and settling in our room, plus since we drive there we bring a LOT more stuff then if we had to fly

 

[DoryDorito]

We're DVC members so we've stayed in villas and the deluxe resorts a lot. Yes, the deluxe resorts are nice but when we were low on points and just because, we've stayed at CSR and we did not regret it for 1 second. It's called deluxe lite for a reason. Even the outside corridors were not a problem. It's actually less noisy that the deluxe resorts because the sound is not trapped in the interior corridors.

What you mention about the noise is one of the top reasons we just downgraded frm BCR to POR. We've stayed at all levels of resorts and from my experience, the inside corridors makes such a huge difference noise wise. We prefer rooms with outside access. I'm a light sleeper so it really impacts my stay.


We could afford the deluxe bit with kids our ages, we just aren't going to be in the room much. I cannot justify spending the extra $1,000 for a room we will hardly be in. Again, personal choice.

Jenny

 

[JJsmama]

Forensicmom,
There are big diffrences between WL and some of the other deluxe resorts. WL is barely a "deluxe". I much prefer POR-Riverside over WL due to some of the favorable aspects including those listed by Sue M. In addition, we found POR-R to be quieter than WL and liked the pools better.

There is a chance that you will feel like some of us who prefer moderates over a "lesser deluxe" like WL. I have not stayed at the Contemporary (which you mentioned) but I suspect that is is truly an upgrade from the moderates; I feel that the Poly was when we stayed there.

I totally agree! I am glad you had a great time at WL. We had a lovely week there too years ago. However, it is the only Deluxe which I have no desire to ever stay at again. It has too many negatives in my opinion to justify the cost. I did enjoy POR last year better than WL. I would choose POR or another Mod over WL in a heartbeat because it is a lot cheaper and just as good. (This does not hold true for Contemporary, Poly, Beach Club, etc. I think those resorts hold their own as Deluxes and have enough perks and superior location to justify the extra money.)
For comparison's sake, I will never stay at a Value again. You can also feel the difference from the Mods to the Values, so the Values would be a much bigger change from WL than POR, for example.

 

[browneyedgrl4282]

I would go with CSR because it feels like a deluxe resort if you ask me!

 

[disneymagicgirl]

I was worried that our family wouldn't like mods either after spending 2009 at AKL and 2010 at Poly. For 2011 we stayed at POFQ because I couldn't justify the cost difference for a deluxe. Let me tell ya.....we loved it! The pool was cute, the resort was small, we did a carriage ride, there was plenty of area for my DH to run, the food court was average, there was nighttime entertainment. I thought I'd really miss having a balcony, but didn't really. All staying there did was make me realize how much I got ripped off at Poly! I think in the future we will do a 1 bedroom DVD villa for privacy, but if the budget is tight, we will def head back to POFQ.

 

[stargazertechie]

Honestly, I'd sleep in a tent at the fort if it meant I could be at Disney.

I've stayed at two of the "modluxes" (since some people don't consider AKL and WL to be delux). I've also stayed at 2 values, 2 mods, and a couple of off-site hotels.

Each trip was magical for its own reason.


I LOVE Port Orleans French Quarter, and we were really looking forward to going back this year. Unfortunately plans changed and we're now in a deluxe (DVC) because it was cheaper.

If you're not sold on a mod, have you considered renting DVC points from an owner? It's not as flexible- since you can't cancel unless you have travel insurance or a very understanding DVC owner you're renting from... but it's so worth it.

For our honeymoon, we rented points for a value studio at AKL. We weren't guaranteed a savannah view, but some of the value studios are savannah view. We were pleasantly surprised to get one when we checked in! For the low cost of $90 a night we had a room that retails for $400+ a night, and the only thing we really gave up was daily housekeeping.

Same with this upcoming trip next week- we were looking at Pop Century for 2 nights last minute. A friend could get us a discounted rate of $230 total. For $255 we are renting a studio at SSR.

 

[padawans]

Forensicmom,
There are big diffrences between WL and some of the other deluxe resorts. WL is barely a "deluxe". I much prefer POR-Riverside over WL due to some of the favorable aspects including those listed by Sue M. In addition, we found POR-R to be quieter than WL and liked the pools better.

There is a chance that you will feel like some of us who prefer moderates over a "lesser deluxe" like WL. I have not stayed at the Contemporary (which you mentioned) but I suspect that is is truly an upgrade from the moderates; I feel that the Poly was when we stayed there.

I agree with you. I don't think going from Wl to a moderate is that much of a step down. If you were talking about some of the other deluxes than I think there would be a bigger difference.

 

[Herbie]

I personally would stay at a mod over the WL. We had a wonderful 9 day stay at CS and LOVED it. on our next trip we "upgraded" to the WL. We were underwhelmed.....Yes its a nice hotel, but it seems to me that its stuck somewhere mod and delux. I think the mod hotels give you a great resort feel for the money.

 

[tofubeast]

I think you will do fine with the transition. If you aren't too excited about theme-ing, I would recommend CSR. Not to say it isn't themed, but it is more subtle. The renovated rooms are quite classy (sliding door to bathroom area as opposed to curtain) and the decor is very nice. The resort does cater to those on conventions, but that adds to the classy appeal. Honestly, I have never really noticed the convention peeps, they are tucked away in workshops, leaving the pool area and resort buses emptier than the other mods. Also, the pool has the longest slide of the Mod hotels. I love the pool and large hot tub!

 

[skriegerjr]

I second POFQ...our family loves it, and if it had been offered for Free Dining in August, we'd be going there again. We are trying POR for the first time, but for us, comparing, say, POFQ with POLY, POLY is nearly double.

So I always try and look at it this way...would my kids get more out of going to a DLX like POLY, or out of going to POFQ twice...and let's face it, who wouldn't prefer to go twice? I know I would!