Help: Moderate vs Deluxe Resorts

[after16years]

Our plan is to stay at two mod resorts (CBR and CSR) in mid-June '06. But now we (especially myself) want to ask:

1. Does Disney make any big (not small) differences between moderate and deluxe resorts?

2. And does Disney treat deluxe resorts guests better than moderate resorts guests (not to mention the amenities at the resorts)?

Because this is going to be our first trip to WDW after 16 years (June-July 1990). And I want to make our first vacation onsite magical! TIA, Steven.

 

[Buzz2001]

Deluxes have queen beds, interior hallways, concierge and some have monorail access.

When I stayed at the Cont, I can tell you that the service was no better than what I received at CSR.

 

[TAKitty]

For us it depends on what you like in a resort. My Dh hated CBR because of the long walks to everything. He prefers a "hotel" feel. He really likes AKL and YC. I don't think the service is better at deluxes, but you may encounter it more. At AKL and YC we had to walk through the lobby to get to our room. You saw more CMs etc.

 

[salmoneous]

The big difference are location and interior vs exteriors hallways.

In terms of service, "sucking up to guests" etc. they are the same in my book. If your concern is being "treated special," you don't need to go deluxe.

 

[twinklebug]

Our plan is to stay at two mod resorts (CBR and CSR) in mid-June '06. But now we (especially myself) want to ask:

1. Does Disney make any big (not small) differences between moderate and deluxe resorts?

2. And does Disney treat deluxe resorts guests better than moderate resorts guests (not to mention the amenities at the resorts)?

Because this is going to be our first trip to WDW after 16 years (June-July 1990). And I want to make our first vacation onsite magical! TIA, Steven.

I'll agree with what everyone else has said about service being the pretty much the same between mods and deluxe, but as you want to make the trip magical, I would suggest you stay the 1st part in a mod and then move over to a deluxe for the last 2 nights of your stay just to see what it's like to be close to the parks (walking distance, fireworks in the sky at night, boat service, perhaps even monorail service). Slight warning here... although the service is pretty much the same, once you "go deluxe" it will be painful to step down to a mod again

 

[after16years]

Okay, since service is pretty much the same, we'll definitely keep our mind to stay at mods (and it's difficult to change our reservation from mods to deluxe). But one thing I want to ask (I'm curious ): Don't you feel very hot (you know, this is Florida) when you walk on a pavement just to reach your room at a mod resort? Thanks, Steven.

 

[goofy4tink]

For the most part, especially if you're talking about the moderates here, the pathways are pretty shaded. At least at POR they are...can't speak to the others. For the money I'm saving, I can be hot for a little while longer.
As for all that other 'stuff'..I've had better service at POP than at the Polynesian. I have liked my stays at POR almost as much as my stays at BWV. I have always been treated the same. Some resorts just seemed to have better customer service at the front desks at different periods of time.
If you want a resort with more adult theming, health clubs, better restaurant choices, and easier access to one or more of the parks, then go deluxe. You can fit 5 in a deluxe room, whereas at a moderate you're stuck with 4, unless you get POR-AB. Queen beds and a day bed at the deluxes, 2 doubles at the moderates.
It's all about personal preferances and expectations.

 

[ADisneygirl]

Although the mods are nice, I can see noticable differences between mods and deluxes. Deluxes had queen size beds, sometimes a daybed too. Mods have full size beds. Deluxes have bigger rooms, balconies, interior hallways, valet parking, more restaurant choices, room service, and usually better locations closer to the parks.

As far as heat goes, yes you will feel hotter treking over to the food court in the sun rather than going down your air conditioned hallway and onto an elevator.

Having stayed at both mods and deluxes, I have not noticed any difference in how the staff treats the guests though.

 

[Tam1067]

We've stayed in both mod and deluxe resorts and really had no problem at all with the mods. I've encouraged some friends of ours who are planning their first onsite vacation to stay in a mod when they go next year. And it's interesting, but for a centralized location, CSR is really good, better than most of the deluxes if you want to look at plain old distance between the four theme parks.

You'll love it! Disney magic is there whether you're deluxe or mod.