help! decisions, decisions!

[happykate]

Hello all! I am in charge of planning our trip to WDW this summer. Our group will be: DH and myself, DS (3), DD (1), FIL, MIL, SIL. My FIL is paying for our rooms so I'm feeling quite a bit of self-imposed pressure to make the right choice.

We're pretty set on staying at a Disney property for the magic factor and ease of coming back to our rooms for naps, etc. That said, we're trying to keep costs at a reasonable level so I'm thinking either a value or moderate resort.

Does any advice instantly spring to mind? We've all been to Disney once before (except the kids) and we stayed off-site, so we won't really be comparing wherever we choose to anything else which is nice, I guess. Are the moderates worth the additional money over a value? I'm thinking we'll probably be spending most of our time at MK, MGM, the pool, and resting in our room. We're going to try to keep it as easy-going as possible b/c of the kids' ages...not like last time when we blew it out at the parks sun-up to sun-down!

Thanks so much for any help! I've already learned so much from reading these boards.

 

[Grumpy37]

IMO, the moderate resorts like POR are a lot nicer with better amenities (like real sit-down restarants) and larger rooms and better pools than the value resorts, for not a whole lot more money. I know my BIL/SIL were very impressed with their POR room and the resort, esp. for the money. With POFQ just being refurbished, maybe consider that as well?

Edit: Doh! HappyKate's first post and I can't manage a "Welcome to DIS"? Where have my manners gone?

Welcome to DIS! There is a great link with tons of resort info and pictures here.

 

[Micca]

Welcome to the Dis Happykate While we have stayed at several of the deluxe resorts, we have also tried one moderate (CSR), and one value resort (All St Sp). I think the money was well spent for the upgrade to moderate. In fact I think there was a bigger improvement from value to moderate than from moderate to deluxe.

 

[rngclick]

You CANNOT beat POR for the take-it-easy aspect of the trip. Something for everyong and such a beautiful resort !! Well worth the money.

 

[susy]

How about POFQ. The rooms look fantastic (as they were just renovated) and you also have the boat to DTD. I love CSR, but it's a bit spread out. POFQ is very compact, which is nice.

 

[XStAnt]

HappyKate,

Check out www.mousesavers.com for info on all kinds of discounts, including possibly a hotel discount. Right now there is a discount code available to the general public on Disney resorts for stays from April through July 3 (I think). If this applies to your time (or if a later code is released) it could make the moderates much more affordable. It could even make a deluxe like WL or AKL within your budget.

 

[happykate]

Okay...I know I'm such a perfectionist, but I am making myself crazy with all the options out there! I just want to make sure I make the perfect decision. What I really want is for someone to just tell me where to stay! Wouldn't that be nice?!!

Thanks already for everyone's advice! I really appreciate it.

 

[XStAnt]

First of all, you will make the "perfect" choice. All Disney resorts are great in their own way. There is no bad choice. (If there was you'd see lots of posts from DIS vets telling people to stay away from a particular resort.) You see threads pn these boards praising every resort.

The biggest difference between value, moderates, and deluxes are the size of the rooms. POP and All Stars are very similar in size, layout, amenities, etc. They have lots of families. the rooms are a little small, but very nice. There is a large food court, bit no sit down restaurant. There is a nice, big pool, and great bus service to the parks.

The moderates have slightly larger rooms and nicer grounds. They are a little more spread out (but not as bad as some people make it seem). This actually helps make the moderates quieter than the value resorts. They have both a sit down restaurant and a food court. They have a themed pool. It's also bus service to the parks.

As for the deluxes, they really run the gamut. WL and AKL have some of the most unique and detailed theming. Their rooms are only slightly larger than the moderates (actually the same size as CBR). The deluxes have interior corridors and tend to be a little quieter. They are located close to the parks and often offer great views of the parks. Poly, CR and GF are on the monorail line (and from CR you can walk to MK). WL has boat service to MK. BC/YC, BWI, Swan and Dolphin have boats to Epcot and MGM (or you can walk). These are near the boardwalk area with all it's activity. The deluxes usually have a nice sit down restaurant and possibly another restaurant on premises. They also usually have a snack bar type place for quick eats. They have activities on premises for kids and some have child care facilities.

As you can see, there is a lot for everyone. The first question is how much can you afford? Once you figure that out you can start choosing the level of resort you want.

If you decide on a moderate I feel they are all essentially the same in what they offer and the location (others will disagree, I'm sure). I'd just pick the resort whose theme appeals to you the most.

As for the value resorts, again they are very similar. POP is brand new, but the All Stars are in great shape. I'd pick the one whose looks you like the best.

Good luck and let us know what you decide.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

Hey, happykate!!

As you can see from my signature, we mostly stay in deluxe resorts, but we have stayed at POR (formerly Dixie Landings) and we really liked this resort. The kids had a lot of fun with the "whittled" post beds, and the whole countrified atmosphere (it kind of reminded us of Splash Mtn.) We stayed in the Alligator Bayou section, and had a blast!!

Good luck with your planning - have fun with it, staying on property is one decision out of the way, the rest is simply choosing, like picking your favorite candy from the box!!

 

[tiggersmom2]

Happykate,
Hi! I'm a WDW veteran since 1980 and I can honestly tell you one thing, my family HATES the value resorts (too small, too noisy, too crowded and the darn ac won't go below 70 degrees! ). That being said we LOOOOOVE POR , POFQ and CBR in the moderates. Our favorites will always be the deluxes, but if you are on a budget the moderates are GREAT and MAGICAL!