Help- Value vs Mod in December?? 1st trip!

[Minnie M6]

We're planning our first trip with the kids- DS 9 DD 8 (the ages they will be when we go in December). Also DH first trip. I have not been since I was a teenager (now 36). I am obsessing about everything!

I was so excited to get a great discount when I called to make reservations earlier this evening. Now I am second guessing booking at CBR. We're going in December, so paying that much more because of the pools doesn't make much sense. Will we get to use the pools at all in December? Does it make more sense to stay in a Value resort??- sounds like they are very nice too. I think we would go with ASMu if they would let us use the same discount there (40%)

Until this evening I had planned to stay at Comfort Suites Maingate East to save $ on food, but I love the idea of staying on site for our first trip. The more I read the more confused I become!

Any advice?

 

[PetesDragon]

Staying on property is worth the price alone for the buses. There's nothing worse than ending your night in the MK by being packed on a ferry just to wait in line for a tram to walk to you car.

If you're planning on spending a day at the resort than it's worth paying more for CBR, but if you're planning on getting the most out of the parks and not spending too much time at the resorts, the value resorts, in my opinion, are worth it compared to off property.

Make a rough draft of what your plans are, then weigh the pros and cons of a value vs. mod.

 

[DB&KS]

I have stayed on site at a value resort and also last May we tried staying off site but it really did feel like the "magic" was missing, almost lonely. I heard so many people say that but I really didn't believe it until I tried off site. Just an opinion but I say stay on site, get the full experience.

 

[minnie61650]

POFQ is not as spread out as the other mods or the values.


POR CBR and CSR are very spread out.

The Values are laid out closer together.

The mods have pool slides, a hot tub and a sit down restaurant (POFQ doses not have a sit down restaurant but shares with POR.

There is not much room size difference between a mod and a value.

Here is the layout of a mod.
The bathroom is about the same size as the All Stars but you will have 2 sinks instead of one.

POR room lay out

here is the All Star room layout'

All Star room layout

The mod has 54 square feet more than the value.
That means if both the mod and the value room were 27 feet long than the mod would be 2 feet wider. Just enough room for a double sink instead of a single.

To me there is not a lot of room size difference.

I have stayed at all levels of Disney Resorts.
I personally enjoy the fun atmosphere of the values.
I enjoy watching the little ones eyes light up, seeing their smiles and hearing their giggles whenthey see their favorite Disney characters larger than life at values.

Have fun at Disney wherever you choose to stay!

 

[Shmily1]

You will most likely be able to use the pools. When we were there in December, it was hot enough that I was had a light sunburn from a day in the MK. It was in the 80's.

The pools at the values are fun pools, just no slides. The designs are great. If you need the slides, then go mods (I would suggest POR for a mod). If you don't have to have the slide, go value(I would suggest POP or ASMu). We love the food courts and the over all look and feel of the values. They just "feel" more Disney-ish. ASMu was just refurbished and the beds are really good.

For the mods, CSR is great, POFQ is good, but POR was the best for us. It was most relaxing and the boat ride to DTD was a nice slow ride to see sights we haven't seen before. The rooms were great and Boatwrights had great food. You may want to look at the pool at POR. We were there two weeks ago and I could hear kids playing in it from the line for the boat ride. It looked really fun and your children are great ages for it.

No matter where you stay, you will have a great time. They all have great points and are really fun!!

 

[Princess_Belle]

If it is your first time to stay on-site, you arent going to realize that you are in a value. I loved ASMu. Yes you will be able to use the pools. but the ASMu pool is fun too. If your kids fall in love with the parks you may not be spending much time at the pools anyway. If you decide to stay at a value think of all the extra souvenirs you can buy.

 

[disney-super-mom]

If you got a great discount and were planning on spending "X" amount of dollars anyway, then I would totally go with the moderate.

Most likely it will be warm enough for the kids to use the pool and slide in December, and if it's not warm enough for swimming, you'll be wanting to warm up and soak your sore feet in the hot tubs. (Value resorts don't have hot tubs.)

(Plus CBR will have a brand new theme pool and pirate ship with slides when you're there.)

 

[septbaby]

We were at CBR with our 5 turning 6yo boy and he spent a lot of time on the water slide. I can't imagine your 8 or 9yo wouldn't love that too. We even did an MGM EMH night and made it back to the hotel to swim before bed. I don't think you need to spend a day at the resort to appreciate the pools. 20 minutes in the jacuzzi after a park day would be just dandy for me. :thumbsup No hot tub at the Values. CBR is really nice because in addition to the main themed pool there are quiet pools close to the rooms. We found ours to be used, but not over crowded (fewer than 10 each time I noticed). It was right outside our door (around the corner) yet we never heard a sound from inside our rooms. Do your own research to see comments about noise at the various resorts.

Moderates also include a refrigerator in the room. I believe you can rent them at Values or try to participate in a share; not really familar with that process here on DIS.

A Moderate will cost you at least $145 w/o a discount, so $87 with the discount. You save $58 per night.

A Value will cost you at least $92 w/o a discount or $55. You save $37.

Not sure of the length of your stay, but for $32/night you get a hot tub for you (think of all day walking in those parks), fancier pools for children and a fridge in the room.

It seems the Mods and Values have better ie. more extensive counter service restaurants/food courts too. We really liked the CBR food court and found the CMs very helpful. There is also a pool side bar with plasma TVs.

Personally, if you can afford the Moderate this trip I'd take it in a heart beat. Next time you may not have a 40% discount and you can budget for the Value if needed.

If you really want a treat and to maximize your 40% off "savings" consider staying at a Deluxe, like the Wilderness Lodge. It will definitely give that magic and is convenient to the Magic Kingdom. There is also an upgrade option for bunk beds; may give a more peaceful trip as well as a roomier feel in the room. You will also have at least a Queen sized bed at a Deluxe. The others provide Double beds.

I have not stayed at a Value, but I've noticed that many who have commented that those extra square feet make a noticable difference when upgrading to the Mod. Have fun deciding, changing your mind and deciding again.

 

[Buzz2001]

Check out my CSR website below for pics and info.

 

[Minnie M6]

I really appreciate everyone's friendliness on this board!
So glad to have found it

Still obsessing.....hope the trip is as much fun as the planning

 

[floridalaurie]

I have stayed at the CBR and ASMu. Both times were with 4 people. We stayed at ASMu in Dec and it was my 1st time at a value. We loved it!! I would stay there again in an instant. I found CBR very big and you could get a room far from the food court, pool etc. ASMu is also spread out but less so than CBR. We had to walk to the food court and pool but the walk was less than 5min. We had 2 adults and 2 children(9 and 15). Although the room is a little smaller than the moderates, we didn't feel crowded or cramped at all. The only thing I wish was different is the double beds but they are double beds at the moderates too. We will defiately stay in a value resort again. Good luck trying to decide.