Has anyone ever gone from Deluxe to Moderate and LIKED it?

[ptrbryant]

Just curious! Each trip, we've stayed at WL and LOVED it. But, it would be nice to have a less expensive alternative that would still feel nice and not just a "place to sleep". I like the theming of the CRB and I would have to work on not being bothered by the exterior corridors. Otherwise, photos make it look really attractive. My DH hates alot of noise, so the Value resorts are pretty much out.
Thanks!
Karla B.

 

[princess lovers mom]

we have stayed at both BC and POR frequently enough to compare.....if you are going to be in the parks most of the time does it really matter? I agree with the noise at Value...POR is quite, attractive, easy to "use", many nice extras like the pool and boat to Downtown...

we find it easy to go back and forth

 

[Disney Dee]

I have stayed at Swan, Beach Club and POR and afew values. I would never complain about staying at POR, in fact its a nice change, and it was quietier then then BC (though I guess it depends on where your room is at any resort). I like to try different things, though so far, Swan is my fav!

 

[camliner]

If you are trying to save money and want to go with a Moderate or Value resort... you just have to remember it ISN'T a Deluxe resort. No matter how nice the Moderate resort is, they didn't catagorize it as Deluxe for a reason (ease of transport, theming, restaurants...)

On a positive note, I have stayed in all three levels of resorts and never had a bad time at WDW! As long as you are open and don't expect too much then you will be fine.

 

[picantel]

We cut our WL trip last week short and switched over to the POFQ to save money and loved it. FQ is the most relaxing resort we have ever stayed at.

 

[Tink]

We have stayed at the Polynesian and POFQ. Those are the two resorts we ususally book. I love POFQ. It is small, has a great pool, and I love the ease of the food court. It is also nice to have the boat to Downtown. At the Polynesian, they have Captain Cook's, but that can't compare to a food coourt.

The one big thing that the Polynesian has that POFQ doesn't is the monorial. yes, it is very easy just to hop right on and be in MK or walk to TTC for the Epcot line.

Our family vacations at WDW every year and I like to upgrade every few trips, but I can stay at POFQ for half the price and be very happy. Since my kids are little, I work less than part time and every bit counts. Our trip this December is at POFQ. I was able to use a pin that I received and even with the water view it is half the price of the Polynesian (yes, I checked )

Next year is our 10th wedding anniversary so we are doing the 7day Land/Cruise and staying at the Polynesian.

I guess I just set my mind to where I am staying and have a great time.

 

[jl3614]

We have stayed at Deluxe, Moderate, and Value resorts. We have enjoyed some aspects of each vacation. You do need to change your expectations a little - but if you go knowing what to expected, you will not be disappointed, and may be pleasantly surprised.

We liked POR better than CBR or POFQ (haven't tried CSR). It was more relaxing. POFQ is nice if you have small kids, because of the short walks.

You may want to check out Swan or Dolphin - they probably price wise will fall between Deluxe and Moderate and are convenient to Epcot. They would give you your interior hallways.

As long as you are prepared and know what to expect, you will probably have a great time no matter which resort you choose.

Have fun.

 

[Simba's Mom]

We haven't stayed at both in the same trip. However, we also had stayed at WL and loved it. Then, one trip, money was a little tight so we "settled" (we thought) for POR. It seemed pretty nice. Next trip, though, we went back to the WL. Once we got there, we agreed that it wasn't worth the extra money, and every trip after that was happily spent at POR or POFQ.

 

[wld]

Not sure my opinion counts but...
We had always stayed at moderates but upgraded to our dream (?)resort WL for our anniversary. Happy to get back to the moderates. Didn't care much for WL for several reasons and I like the outdoor corridors, makes it feel like its just my resort. So I didn't really start at a deluxe, but once there had no problems going back. In fact 2 days into the trip I wished I was at the moderate.
Stayed at the Swan too and loved it!

 

[ciera321]

We alternate deluxe and moderates. In the summer when the parks are open late and we barely see our room, we usually go with a moderate. I just can't justify the cost of a deluxe room when we are barely in it. When it comes to going to the world on off months when the parks close early, we spend the extra $$ and enjoy our time at the deluxe resorts. Works for us!!

 

[pampam]

If you are trying to save money and want to go with a Moderate or Value resort... you just have to remember it ISN'T a Deluxe resort. No matter how nice the Moderate resort is, they didn't catagorize it as Deluxe for a reason (ease of transport, theming, restaurants...)


I agree completely

 

[bsusanmb]

We have stayed at BCV, WL, WLV, POR, POFQ, CBR, PC, ASM and SOG. By far, our favorite is POR and POFQ. The noise level at the Wilderness Lodge is overpowering, nice place to visit, awful place to rest or sleep. Beach Club Villas pretty, but we found it a little "snooty". WLV we liked, but the grounds of the POR are simply beautiful - Disney has won national awards for the landscape. We recently stayed one night at CBR - it was awful. The room smelled of mildew, and was dirty. I believe they stuck us out in the boon docks knowing that they didn't have the help to clean the room after we left. It was really unpleasant.
I like the food court at the POR - during the off season you can relax in the dining area.

 

[donaldbuzz&minnie]

We have been coming to WDW for many years, but until last year we always stayed offsite. Last year was going to be "our year of Disney". The plan was for us to go 4 times in one year on an annual pass, get sick of it, and that would be that for several more years. Of course the joke was on us, and we ended up buying into DVC, thanks to "saving" so much by buying annual passes. We got so sick of Disney that now we're planning on going at least twice a year until we're old and die!

Anyway, last year we stayed at the GF, WL, the GF again, and then at CBR. I too was very worried that we were going to feel really let down by the move to a moderate, but I was very pleasantly surprised. You do have to realize that the deluxe resorts have features the moderates don't, but we LOVED CBR. We actually felt more relaxed there and "on vacation" than we did at the deluxe properties. Although someday I would like to stay at both the GF and the WL again, when I daydream about being at WDW, I miss CBR the most. We can't wait to go back there, and to someday try POR. Our plan is to save DVC points by staying Sun-Thurs, and then book a Disney resort for a night or two at the beginning or end of each trip.

So I wouldn't worry too much about being disappointed. The moderates have the exterior corridors (which I actually liked much better than the WL long, dark interior ones), but Disney themes the heck out of their resorts and it's all magic. My guess is that you'll be very happy with your choice.

Have a great vacation!

 

[Micca]

We have stayed at all of the monorail resorts, AKL, WL, and BWI.
We also have stayed at CSR and like it a lot The amenities at the resorts aren't that important to us. It's mostly the theming and quality of the rooms that are priorities. We did not enjoy our All Star Sports room so much.

 

[Nolcrest]

I guess it really depends on what you like. We are able to stay at either Deluxe or Moderate and my husband always chooses to stay moderate. We prefer outdoor corridors and I love the food court option of the moderates. The deluxes feel more congested to us.

 

[ptrbryant]

Wow! Thanks so much for all the truly helpful opinions! My problem with outside corridors is simply that my only experience with them has been at kind of dumpy motels that we've ended up at (unintentionally) on long car trips. I'm thinking that perhaps one of the more cost effective things I could do is to try to rent a studio at VWL for 5 weeknights, and stay at POR (perhaps) on the weekend nights prior to VWL.

Thank you very much for the advice!
Karla B.

 

[jajuan]

I have posted this before...but this is the perfect thread to post again. Eleven years ago my in-laws paid for my first trip to Disney (their whole family went for their 25th wedding anniversary). Anyway...they paid for a budget room (Dixie Landing's now POR). I am not a snob, but I am very funny about hotels and I was very concerned. We got there and it was so beautiful. The grounds are truly breathtaking. The rooms are nothing to write home about, but all I do is sleep in there. 7 trips later, we still stay at POR. I have checked out most of the hotels on Disney property and there isn't one that I would choose over POR (even though we can afford it now). Every time we think about trying a deluxe, we can't do it. I would be so dissappointed if I went and wished I was back at POR. I think AKL and WL are too dark. If I did stay there, it would be during the winter. They have a very cozy feel...but when I come to Florida, I want to feel like I am in a warm weather place. The biggest complaint I hear about POR is the size of the resort (very large) and the long walks to lobby area. That is honestly what I like best about the resort along with the outdoor activities and the boat to DTD. And yes...I do have children ranging from 2-11. We all enjoy our time at the resort. Enough babbling...I just don't think you will be disappointed staying there at all.

 

[susy]

We went from AKL to CSR (two trips, but close together). Now we loved AKL, but CSR was like, "WOW! Look how great this place is!" It is really beautiful. Servcie was wonderful. They do have limited room service, but also a great food court and sit-down restaurant. I really started rethinking our resort choices last night. Deluxes are heaven, but the mods offer lots of nice ameniities for half the price.

 

[rlduvall]

I agree with all the above posters about POR being incredible for a Moderate. I love that resort and I have become quite the hotel snob in my older age, lol. I have stayed at POFQ, POR and AKL and enjoyed them all. This year my friend and I are going without the families. I tried to steer her to POR, but she insists on AKL. I love AKL, don't get me wrong, but for the price difference, it's very hard for me to justify. POR's landscaping is just incredible and now that the rooms are getting updated, it will be perfect. (the rooms were getting a little "used") I must admit, though, I cannot bring myself to stay at one of the Values. Maybe when I bring my 5 year old.

 

[tink2]

We had reservations at POFQ last year, but since it closed for rehab got upgraded to AKL for just $15 more a night. Anyway, we had a savannah view and liked the AKL well enough. That trip my whole family went: my DH and 2 kids, my parents, my brother and his wife and 2 kids, and my single brother. Anyway, we all agree that for the money- we liked POR and POFQ much better. AKL was nice enough, but I would never pay rack rate. POR and POFQ are both beautiful resorts and very relaxing. We are very park-oriented and just can't justify spending the money on a deluxe. I'm glad we got to experience AKL so we don't feel badly that we aren't staying in a deluxe.
I don't think you can go wrong with either POR or POFQ. We love both but prefer POFQ b/c we have small children and the walks are so short to everything! But the mansions at POR are incredible!