I'm trying to convince myself to stay in a moderate instead of deluxe

[cyb]

I've always stayed in a deluxe resort when going to the parks because of ease of access to the parks, there are rooms available at The Caribbean Beach open standard view at almost $200 less a night convince me to change resorts, I've stayed at CBR before and didn't really like it as it's huge and the rooms were not so nice.

 

[cyb]

I probably should give you all some more info about myself, I have anxiety and feel the least anxious knowing I can just walk back to the room but I hate spending money unnecessarily and I have a season pass for the first time

 

[ErinsMommy]

I think only you can decide if you'll be happy going to such a large resort with bus access only to the parks vs. either a walk, monorail or boat to the parks. For us we do one week long family vacation once a year (with a few weekend getaways here and there) so we tend to splurge on the week long one and love every bit of it.

 

[pattyw]

Maybe go with Port Orleans French Qtr? It's very compact in size and the rooms are very nice. There's only one bus stop as well.

 

[a742246]

Maybe rent points from someone who is a DVC member, or from "David's".

 

[buzznina]

Just based on your post, it sounds like you will not be to happy at anywhere other then either the MK or Epcot resorts. Being close to a park seems to be important to you. I would look into renting points to save $$.
We have stayed at all 3 levels and have picked the Mods for most of our stays, because they give us everything we need without breaking the bank. We will still "splurge" on a deluxe every once in awhile, but the extra transportation options and saving 10-15 minutes here and there is nice but for our family it's not a big deal and the $$ we save pays for all of our APs. And the biggest thing is, we still have great vacations and have not noticed that staying deluxe has made our vacations that much better.

 

[Average Joes]

Renting DVC for a split stay perhaps? You can rent an Epcot area resort for 1/2 and 1/2 around MK. That way you can walk/boat back to 3 of the parks. Boardwalk is close to moderate rack rate. A bit more for MK area. There is somewhat of a discount on 4+ day tickets currently. So savings with renting + tickets.

 

[Parker Clan]

We actually really liked CBR, stayed there five years in a row. They renovated the rooms and they're clean and nice (although we always thought they were) we like the small pools at each house. But we also drive so we don't have to worry about walking long distances to the food court etc. I have anxiety as well and that place never gave me any anxiety. However, last summer we stayed at the GF for the first time and I won't ever stay anywhere else lol
We booked again this summer at the GF bc we had the best time and just adore that resort

 

[Diana or Di]

Do you have young children? For my family it's been easier to do moderates when it's only adults and/or older children since they can handle the waiting and the walking. I prefer deluxe with small children because it's easier to get out when you need to get out, and for some children another fun "ride". If you have a particular preference though, and it seems like you do, you may find you're more critical of the moderates because you don't really want to be there.

That said, if you haven't done it, do it once, negative opinions and all, and you'll still be happy you saved the money and then either be pleasantly surprised or you'll know that it's just not for you and can book deluxes guilt-free from now on.

 

[stazmatic]

Maybe look for a way to get some "bonus money" Sell extra stuff or something so you can spend the extra money without feeling guilty. Now that we have stayed at deluxes I really don't want to go back to moderate or values. Also, check with magical vacation travel and see if they can get you a better rate. In late summer they offer deluxe rates that are cheaper then moderates.

 

[doubtingthomas6]

If you have a place you really like and money isnt an issue, just stick with deluxe. Especially if you've already stayed at CRB and didn't like it.

 

[cyb]

Do you have young children? For my family it's been easier to do moderates when it's only adults and/or older children since they can handle the waiting and the walking. I prefer deluxe with small children because it's easier to get out when you need to get out, and for some children another fun "ride". If you have a particular preference though, and it seems like you do, you may find you're more critical of the moderates because you don't really want to be there.

That said, if you haven't done it, do it once, negative opinions and all, and you'll still be happy you saved the money and then either be pleasantly surprised or you'll know that it's just not for you and can book deluxes guilt-free from now on.

I have no children, I usually go to Epcot to the festivals, Inaugural Art Festival, Flower&Garden and Food & Wine

 

[cyb]

Renting DVC for a split stay perhaps? You can rent an Epcot area resort for 1/2 and 1/2 around MK. That way you can walk/boat back to 3 of the parks. Boardwalk is close to moderate rack rate. A bit more for MK area. There is somewhat of a discount on 4+ day tickets currently. So savings with renting + tickets.

How do you rent points? I've never done that before

 

[Hopefully]

How do you rent points? I've never done that before

You can rent points either through a Broker like www.dvcbyrequest.com or through a private owner on the DVC forums here on the DIS.
But you need to know that you will sign a legally binding contract and in most cases the reservation can not be modified or cancelled. So if you needed to cancel you would loose all, or most, of your money.
DVC is a timeshare, not a hotel. You would not have daily mousekeeping, clean towels, toiletry replacement etc, unless you paid extra. There is lots of great information about renting points on the DVC boards here on the DIS. I suggest that you take some time to review the info before you make a decision.
You have identified that you have anxiety. Would this type of contract cause you added stress? It is not worth that.
If you can afford the $200/night, I would go with the Deluxe you have booked.
Good Luck

 

[Average Joes]

How do you rent points? I've never done that before

There are a couple that are cited on this board. David's Vacation Club is one not sure of the other. Used them twice. You can go on his website and at least get an idea on price. A couple issues though:
1) you typically have to rent about 10 months out to have more success at the more popular places and dates. No cost to try to rent.
2) assume you cannot cancel once booked. Although they may be able to rent it out again.

 

[loves to dive]

I, too, tend to go for the festivals and stay at the Epcot resorts. Since I've been going at least twice a year, sometimes 3 times I've learned how to be creative with where I stay. I almost always do split stays unless I can find something at Swan/Dolphin for the same price as a split stay. I do a moderate for the first day or two, where I knock out AK and MK since even if you are staying at an Epcot resort you are most likely going to take a bus to those two parks (I'm not a fan of the monorail and unless you are already in FW in Epcot, it tends to be easier to bus to MK rather then walk through the park and take the monorail to TTC and then switch to the MK one). I then move over to an Epcot resort for the rest of the trip since we tend to spend most of the time at Epcot and HS. I also check Orbitz if WDW is running discounts Orbitz will have the same discounts plus if they are running a discount of 15% you can stack it. Warning, most of the time with Orbitz you are going to pay a $25 cancellation fee. I have rented points but I'm not a fan of not being able to cancel and unless you know 7 to 9 months in advance you are going, it's pretty hard to find anything. I also check Swan/Dolphin. Sometimes they can be less but you have to be careful with their resort fees and parking fees (I drive down).

 

[robinb]

$200 per night would pay for a LOT of food and wine! It would also pay for a cab/uber ride if you don't feel like taking the bus. I second the person who suggested POFQ. It's a smaller more intimate resort.

 

[BigredNole]

It comes down to how much you value your money. If you are a Deluxe only type of person, you are going to hate a Moderate.

 

[DevonsDisneyMom]

Honestly its a personal choice, and if it were be I would NOT make the switch to CBR. If it was POR/POFQ or CSR I say go for it. But CBR is my least favorite moderate resort.

 

[cwis]

Deluxe resorts rooms are the only with corridors inside the building.

For us, having our window facing a corridor, that we probably cannot open, would be a deal breaker. We're stuck to Deluxe for this reason.

Have you considered the Dolphin & Swan? Deluxe in amenities, close to EPCOT and DHS.