Help me decide/understand the difference.....

[Krisshay13]

If you’re not using DME, or dining plan, try pricing out the Dolphin. We stayed one night using Marriott points before our Yacht Club stay and really loved it! Seems to me the price is closer to the moderates for a deluxe hotel. The food options were all great, a short walk to the Boardwalk at night for Jelly Rolls. We were almost sad to leave! We met some awesome couples there as well that we enjoyed talking with.

We actually do use DME...…I love the fact I don't have to rent a car.
That is another reason I am looking at what resort we could use a boat more. That would be a nice change from the buses.

 

[Krisshay13]

A moderate has never interested me because based on pictures of the rooms they really just look like higher priced versions of the value resorts. But so many people love Riverside and FQ that maybe I’m missing something? We went from values to club level at deluxe resorts and never looked back. We spend a lot of downtime relaxing at our resort. We love having the lounge and all the amenities offered. The comfort of the rooms and especially the beds are leaps and bounds above the values. I never thought we would be able to afford a deluxe, much less club level, until I actually started looking into it. Yes it is pricey, all of Disney is these days, but not out of reach and to us totally worth it.

Honestly, I wish I could afford CL. And in fact, I know it would be hard to go back.
That's why we only cruise with a balcony...….once we moved up from a ocean view to a balcony, we couldn't go back...LOL

 

[Krisshay13]

I think that everyone has a personal reason for staying at any given resort, and how you use the resort is usually the driving factor. When you travel with the grands, knowing they love the theme of the values, and knowing that the money saved would be better used on other purchases, the value makes sense. If you use the resort to sleep but spend the rest of your time in the parks, a value makes sense. Why spend money on amenities you do not plan to use?

My family uses the resort as a part of the vacation, so the additional money spent is worth it to us. We choose a moderate or Deluxe based on what amentities we will use.

Look at your touring plans and determine i on an adult trip your touring will change. If so, perhaps book CSR. It is generally among the least expensive moderates and has the most adult vibe, IMO, ither that the Gran Destino Tower at CBR. ( I have not stayed there but the reviews seem really positive. I am not sure of the price point)

OK....I just booked the 1 night after the cruise at Coronado Springs/Tower Water View........that's all it said. Is that the Gran Destino? I'll need to do more reading up on this resort.
I'm really unfamiliar with any other hotels outside the values.
I also grabbed an ADR at Toledo.
Knowing I can cancel it all if I change my mind. But, this looked really nice and the price wasn't too bad.

I really feel before the cruise, we will be in the parks more (have not decided on that resort).........but, the day we return, we will stay at the resort (or DSprings). And our flight leaves fairly early the next morning.

 

[dmband]

Outside of AoA value is not a place I want to stay let alone in a adult only trip.
riverside is really relaxing and nice, prob the best overall mod for adult only trip.
deluxe is overkill imo unless you really want to spoil yourself atthe resort but if you plan on going to parks a good amount I would save the money there

 

[Nancyg56]

OK....I just booked the 1 night after the cruise at Coronado Springs/Tower Water View........that's all it said. Is that the Gran Destino? I'll need to do more reading up on this resort.
I'm really unfamiliar with any other hotels outside the values.
I also grabbed an ADR at Toledo.
Knowing I can cancel it all if I change my mind. But, this looked really nice and the price wasn't too bad.

I really feel before the cruise, we will be in the parks more (have not decided on that resort).........but, the day we return, we will stay at the resort (or DSprings). And our flight leaves fairly early the next morning.

Yes. I hope you enjoy the stay!!!

 

[MomOTwins]

We also do short stays of 3-4 days but we love to go back to the resort during the day; take a swim, relax, escape the crowd. I'd rather enjoy the parks only in the mornings and evenings and avoid the afternoon crush. Then after the parks in the evening I like to relax at one of the hotel bars for a bit with a night cap. But everyone has a different touring style. If you are going to be at the park from rope drop to close you won't be using the resort, and as you say, what's the point?

 

[Sue M]

So for the first 3 days I’d stay at Riverside. It’s our fav Moderate. Beautiful grounds, love strolling on the river paths. It’s much more relaxing than Pop. And has a boat to Disney Springs, carriage rides, and a fun evening entertainer at River Roost pub. The food court is very good too. And they have a TS, Boatwrghts that is decent. You can also stroll down the river walkway to French Quarter and get some begniets.
I request a room in Magnolia Terrace close to Old Man Island foot bridge.

 

[cobright]

I'm Biased. I actually prefer POR over some deluxe (AKL anyway). Compared to an AS, there is no comparison.

So what do you get for your extra $120 a night?

• A little bigger, and much nicer room. By itself, this wouldn't really justify the expense for me.
• A better pool. Again ... this doesn't do it for me.
• Absolutely incredible theming of the grounds. The resort is fun without being corny and classy without being pretentious. Walking through POR is more like walking through an attraction than going from one place to another.
• Water Taxi to Disney Springs. This is a great way to relax.

In the end, and this is going to sound horribly elitist (as only someone pushing a moderate resort can be), but the best part of staying at a moderate is that you are not surrounded by people who booked a value resort.

Hear me out. I know that sounds bad. And this is just my personal experience. But they always seem more crowded and chaotic. Populated by large groups (cheer/sport/band conventions). And full of people way more stressed than I find at the mods and dlx resorts. The staff at value resorts always seem more ... stretched thin.

To be sure, this is a highly subjective sort of decision. If you've stayed value before and liked it then maybe not rocking the boat and saving some dough is the best course.

But you're asking if it's worth it to go mod ... which means that you haven't tried it yourself ... To which I can only say that you will never know if it's worth it until you try it. Until a scheduling conflict bumped us up to POR back in 2012, we only stayed at value. I never considered paying extra for the same number of beds. Since then we do our best to go mod.

 

[Rory607]

In your situation I would do value before the cruise and POR after the cruise. You already know you are fine with a value resort and you’ll be in the parks anyway (and you have a cruise to look forward to). We have stayed at POR several times and enjoyed it. I love the feel at POR. It’s very relaxing and you would have the boat to Disney Springs.

 

[Krisshay13]

We also do short stays of 3-4 days but we love to go back to the resort during the day; take a swim, relax, escape the crowd. I'd rather enjoy the parks only in the mornings and evenings and avoid the afternoon crush. Then after the parks in the evening I like to relax at one of the hotel bars for a bit with a night cap. But everyone has a different touring style. If you are going to be at the park from rope drop to close you won't be using the resort, and as you say, what's the point?

thanks...yes, the short trips we do are normally rope drop to close. But, I think my DH would probably enjoy breaks for this trip without the kids. that's why it's been harder to plan...LOL

 

[Krisshay13]

So for the first 3 days I’d stay at Riverside. It’s our fav Moderate. Beautiful grounds, love strolling on the river paths. It’s much more relaxing than Pop. And has a boat to Disney Springs, carriage rides, and a fun evening entertainer at River Roost pub. The food court is very good too. And they have a TS, Boatwrghts that is decent. You can also stroll down the river walkway to French Quarter and get some begniets.
I request a room in Magnolia Terrace close to Old Man Island foot bridge.

I'm really leaning towards Riverside for the 1st 3 nights. I really think we would enjoy Yeehaa Bob...thanks for the advice on location!!

 

[Krisshay13]

Outside of AoA value is not a place I want to stay let alone in a adult only trip.
riverside is really relaxing and nice, prob the best overall mod for adult only trip.
deluxe is overkill imo unless you really want to spoil yourself atthe resort but if you plan on going to parks a good amount I would save the money there

thanks...yes, I'm not even looking at deluxe anymore..that would be too overkill for us...LOL We really have no issue with value, especially with the newly renovated rooms with no carpet (I hate carpet in hotels).
but, again, we are rope drop to close (nap mid-day with the grands). We normally don't eat at the resort & we crash when we get back at night & never had any issues with noise.
The more I hear from everyone, I really think I'm going to book Riverside for this trip.

 

[Krisshay13]

In your situation I would do value before the cruise and POR after the cruise. You already know you are fine with a value resort and you’ll be in the parks anyway (and you have a cruise to look forward to). We have stayed at POR several times and enjoyed it. I love the feel at POR. It’s very relaxing and you would have the boat to Disney Springs.

thanks.....I think I would really like to have the boat to DS!!

 

[Krisshay13]

I'm Biased. I actually prefer POR over some deluxe (AKL anyway). Compared to an AS, there is no comparison.

So what do you get for your extra $120 a night?

• A little bigger, and much nicer room. By itself, this wouldn't really justify the expense for me.
• A better pool. Again ... this doesn't do it for me.
• Absolutely incredible theming of the grounds. The resort is fun without being corny and classy without being pretentious. Walking through POR is more like walking through an attraction than going from one place to another.
• Water Taxi to Disney Springs. This is a great way to relax.

In the end, and this is going to sound horribly elitist (as only someone pushing a moderate resort can be), but the best part of staying at a moderate is that you are not surrounded by people who booked a value resort.

Hear me out. I know that sounds bad. And this is just my personal experience. But they always seem more crowded and chaotic. Populated by large groups (cheer/sport/band conventions). And full of people way more stressed than I find at the mods and dlx resorts. The staff at value resorts always seem more ... stretched thin.

To be sure, this is a highly subjective sort of decision. If you've stayed value before and liked it then maybe not rocking the boat and saving some dough is the best course.

But you're asking if it's worth it to go mod ... which means that you haven't tried it yourself ... To which I can only say that you will never know if it's worth it until you try it. Until a scheduling conflict bumped us up to POR back in 2012, we only stayed at value. I never considered paying extra for the same number of beds. Since then we do our best to go mod.

I completely understand what you are saying about who stays in value....and not meaning it bad. We have been staying there only for a bed to sleep in. I will say, we had cheerleaders once while there and I loved it due to the memories of when I was one (not at Disney but, cheer camp). We have never had a bad experience at a value.
BUT...you are correct, I've never stayed in a moderate. And again, family & friends are telling me to try it.
I'm 99% sure, I'm going to book POR for the days before..........but, I want to plan to not be at the park from rope drop to close so, I can enjoy the resort.
thanks for the detailed reply!!

 

[cbrown1007]

We have 2 full days before so, those will be in the parks. But, the day we get back, we will spend at the resort & DSprings.
I've decided to write some pros & cons down w/the prices & leave it up to DH.
I'm done with it....LOL I love the planning but, I swear it's easier when I have the grands to please. I know how to do that!!

Really, the most important thing is I will be back at Disney!!!
Thanks everyone!!!!

If the last day will be resort and Disney Springs, I'd do Port Orleans Riverside! Then you can enjoy the resort plus take the boat to Disney Springs!
Then do the first 3 nights at a value, since you'll be doing the parks those days!