Is it worth it to YOU to upgrade to Mod.?

[angierae]

Definitely worth it, to me. On our first trip to Disney, DH and I shared a room and DD shared with my MIL. We had two double beds (they couldn't give us connecting rooms where one was a king) and we ended up sleeping in separate beds for a week because we do not sleep well in double beds. If it were just DH and I, and we could get a room with a king, we'd probably stay value again.

However, since we're taking DD and her friend, we were going to need two beds, which meant we were going to need to move up to one of the mods that have queen beds. There's absolutely no way I'd spend a week sharing a double bed with DH, I'd never sleep. (I wake up the moment someone touches me when I'm asleep.)

I would wait until I could save up enough money to stay moderate rather tahn stay value.

 

[tiggger1]

the first trip we went on we stayed at a value. Never again! and that comes from my cheap husband! Honestly we would stay deluxe all the time if we could but we do like Caribbean Beach

 

[horseshowmom]

yes very much so. we did not enjoy our value resort stay at all.

Everybody is different, of course, but I wouldn't stay at one of the value resorts either. If I were staying onsite, I would stay at a moderate or above.

That said, I won't stay onsite due to the cost. I think it's overpriced. Have you considered Wyndham Bonnet Creek? You actually have to drive onsite to get to it, and it's very nice - upscale one, two, three, and four bedroom condos. Their shuttles run every 30 minutes (may vary with season - not sure). It's actually next door to the Caribbean Beach Resort. We had wonderful fireworks views from our balcony (building 5, 10th floor). I booked mine through a seller on ebay for $90 a night (total) for a 2BR/2BA.

 

[McKelly]

When we go at Spring Break and/or Christmas, or generally cooler temps, we stay value because we spend the majority of our time in the parks.

When we go in summer, and we spend more time in our room and our resort(need naps because the heat just sucks the life out of us), we stay moderate or even a deluxe if I get an awesome discount.

 

[crisi]

My husband wouldn't stay in a value either... No full beds for him. And I very much perfer the theming at the mods.

But here is the question I'd ask myself.... What would I do with $430 other than upgrading the resort. Spend it on vacation - a character meal, a nicer dinner, cirque tickets? Spent it at home, Christmas gifts for the kids, new drapes in the living room? Spend it on something needed - tires on the car? Save it for later- rainy day fund, college for the kids? Then I'd decide if $430 is worth it.

 

[englishteacha]

It's not worth it for me, because I'd rather spend the $400+ on something other than a hotel...like Mickey Bars!

 

[SaraJayne]

The cost would definitely be worth it for us. I won't sleep in a double bed if I have to share.

The queen beds, ceiling fan, fridge, larger rooms, slide/nicer pool, extra sink, privacy curtain, boat to DTD and smaller food court/more compact resort are definitely worth the upgrade. Plus, POFQ was just re-furbed last year. We stayed there last May and the new rooms are beautiful.

I've stayed all three levels and much prefer mod or above. But everyone values different things on vacation. What I listed above are things I consider which level to book at disney, since those are important for us.

 

[Maggie Lizer]

If I were going with my DH and DSon, I'd opt for the moderate. DH likes it so much more (he is not a big Disney person, so compromise on the room in exchange for actualkly getting to go to WDW is a small price I am willing ot pay).

For a budget, girl's only trip with my mom and sister, I'd go Value. We spend more time commando touring, and the money we save goes to fun experiences like the afternoon tea or dinner at a signature restaurant or to a very special souvie for each of us.

 

[Samar]

We had one heckuva steal in 2010 for staying at AKL and it is so hard not to explore that option this year but the pins aren't swaying in our favor for Deluxe as of yet.

Anyways, my only beef with the Values is that they are usually swarming with large groups for summer trips or school/organization competitions. And they're a little smaller on the room space. However, I think it's worth that lil extra for a Mod especially if you'll have some "hotel days". We were at the parks 99% of the time last trip and I was so bummed that we didn't have more AKL rest days. lol

 

[punkin]

I only stayed at a MOD once and I did not like it. I liked POP for trips where I spent most of my time at the parks. I liked deluxes (OK, AKL specifically) when I wanted to relax at the resort. The MOD was not nice enough to hang out in (IMO) but more expensive than the value if I was doing the parks commando.

We haven't stayed onsite in a few years anyway because we found we can do much better for our money offsite and we are a bit more frugal in our Disney vacations lately because we have other vacation expenses (Hawaii, Europe, etc.).

 

[2disneyboys]

I have not stayed deluxe yet - only offsite, value or mod.

My answer is "it depends" I've stayed @ POP, AsSports, AsMovies, CSR, POR, Gaylord, Windsor Hills (2 or 3 times) If the savings would mean I could go more oftern or if I was planning more than 1 trip in a years time and we could "fit" into a value, then I'm fine w/ a Value. The other hotels are nicer, but all of them are clean (in fact the only "dirty" problem I've run into was at CSR) If I'm only going once in a while, or it's a trip where we plan to spend extra time in our room, then I vote for more space which means mod, deluxe or offsite.

 

[Marionnette]

We got a pin code this year and since we were planning on going back in November anyway, we automatically booked POP with our pin. Now it looks like we're gonna get our airfare free due to points so I looked into what it would cost to upgrade to a moderate, just for fun. With our pin, it'll cost us $430 more (total cost) to upgrade to POFQ. We've only stayed at POP before and never done a moderate as we never really saw the point. But now that they have queen beds (a big plus when little kids climb in in the middle of the night!) and my daughter is old enough to really enjoy the water slide I'm seriously considering it. Would spending $430 more to upgrade to a moderate be worth it to you?? It doesn't break out trip budget due to the free airline but $430 is still $430, ya know? Just curious if anyone has ever regretted upgrading!

I'm going to preface this by admitting that I'm partial to the deluxes and DVC resorts. With that said, it's a big HELL YES! to the upgrade.

I stayed at a value once and will not do it again. Too noisy and crowded. I want my resort to be a place to relax after a hectic day at the parks. I don't need more of the same craziness and that's what I got at ASMo.

 

[Cinderella's slipper]

We got a pin code this year and since we were planning on going back in November anyway, we automatically booked POP with our pin. Now it looks like we're gonna get our airfare free due to points so I looked into what it would cost to upgrade to a moderate, just for fun. With our pin, it'll cost us $430 more (total cost) to upgrade to POFQ. We've only stayed at POP before and never done a moderate as we never really saw the point. But now that they have queen beds (a big plus when little kids climb in in the middle of the night!) and my daughter is old enough to really enjoy the water slide I'm seriously considering it. Would spending $430 more to upgrade to a moderate be worth it to you?? It doesn't break out trip budget due to the free airline but $430 is still $430, ya know? Just curious if anyone has ever regretted upgrading!

My answer is a resounding "YES". Here are some of the advantages of staying at POFQ.
1. Atmosphere, excellently themed,
2. Amenities are a short walk away from the main building. We stayed in buidlings 2 and 3 during our previous visits. After very long days of park touring our rooms were a very brief and welcome short walk from the bus stop.
3. With the exception of activities around the pool, this resort is quiet and relaxing.
4. Recent upgrades to the resort, including refridgerator, queen size beds, curtains between the vanity and the sleeping area. If you haven't already seen it, there is a great thread here including pictures of all of the recent upgrades as well as from around the resort.
5. Access to the facilities at Port Orleans Riverside, a short walk away to this sister resort.
6. While we were visiting, it was our experience, that except for return trips in the evening, POFQ does not share a bus with any other resort. On some evenings, the bus would carry passengers to both resorts Port Orleans Riverside and Port Orleans French Quarter, but always stopped at POFQ first when we rode.

Whatever you decide, Happy Planning!

 

[bookgirl]

A year ago I would have said no but since then I did a split stay BC/POFQ and really liked POFQ.

Bigger beds, fridge, coffee pot, less in your face giant colored icons more resort atmosphere.

I know POP has a great following but that would be my last choice in a Value or any resort to be honest.

I had no problem with my value stay (ASMu) and would stay there again, but if I had to choose between the two and I could afford it I'd choose POFQ over any of the Values.

 

[klacey1]

Totally worth it for us-- we LOVE POR and the pool there is terrific. We were lucky to have a refurbed Magnolia Bend room last August-- beautiful decor, lots of room, and a VERY short walk to the nearest bus stop (we were in Acadian House).

 

[bjscheel]

We did Pop and ASMo our first two times onsite. The next two trips we did CBR and POR with discount codes, so I'm not sure that the difference in price was as much as $430. That does make it tough.

We didn't have a problem with Pop or ASMo and we would sure go to a value again. However, I like having a refrigerator included at a moderate. We bring cereal and buy milk at the food court to eat breakfast in the room. I also like the covered bus stops with benches rather than queues in the sun. I like the prettiness at the moderates. The mods we stayed at didn't have queen beds at the time, but my husband would appreciate having one.

I plan on doing mods when we can, especially if there is a discount. Eating breakfast in the room saves a little...

 

[North of Mouse]

We do not ever plan to stay at the values, and no, we're not snobs We have heard so many horror stories of groups disrupting at all hours, running down the hall, talking/laughing loud, etc. This is not the case all the time I'm sure, but it would be our luck to experience this We just got a card in the mail for $86-$88 for values for our dates. It really does not apply to us, as we have been campers for ages and we will have our MH at the Fort on those days. But, even so, we would not even do it at that price. Maybe they are trying to entice us - I don't know, but it won't work. The only place they could entice me to if the price was right is POFQ. I just love that place, and we go there and walk along the waterway every trip (maybe it's because it reminds me of home - near NOLA) don't know, but I could stay there quite happily just wish the beignets were more like Cafe du Monde, but sadly they're a poor excuse.

 

[jessica52877]

No, it is not worth it for us. We have stayed at all values and all mods and I am good with any value. I prefer to save the $.

 

[Claire&TheBoys]

Yes, I'd definitely spend the extra. I've stayed in the Values 3 times: twice at Pop (once 5 nights, once 2 nights), once at All-Star Sports (3 nights). I didn't get a great night's sleep any of those three trips. I would only do Value again if it's just me and the kids (where I get my own bed). On our last Pop trip, it was just me and my husband and the double bed was tight. I just did not sleep well.

However, I generally sleep pretty well at CSR - the beds are pillow-top queens and very comfortable. The resort is much quieter than Pop (where I heard people playing Twister at 11:00 pm). I like having the fridge and I just like the feeling of the space between the buildings, as opposed to Pop, where I felt like the buildings were way too close together.

I'm not sure I'd say that I wouldn't go to WDW at all if I had to stay at a Value, but if it didn't stretch the budget too much, I'd much rather be comfortable in my sleeping and with enough space for my family than get another t-shirt.

 

[POOHsie]

We used to stay offsite along 192, then when Dixie Landings opened we stayed there. We have stayed there ever since, both POR and POFQ. We have never stayed at the Value resorts.

What I notice is the abundance of shade at POR/POFQ. The overhanging trees, the bus shelters, the shaded walking path between the resorts. Other advantages are bigger rooms, coffee pot and fridge, 2 sinks, more elaborate landscaping and decorative fountains. POR Alligator Bayou area has little creeks with quaint bridges. Then, of course, there's the mighty Sassagoula River running all along both resorts. POR has 5 quiet pools and the main pool with slide. POFQ only has a main pool with slide. But you are allowed to visit all pools and both resort food courts. There are the horse and carriage rides, the fishin' hole, watercraft to rent. The most valuable things about POR and POFQ are the live entertainment weds-sat, and the water taxi to DTD. That boat ride to DTD makes a visit there quick and easy, and gives you extra choices for meals and entertainment.

POR and POFQ are definitely worth the extra money, and I hope you give it a chance, at least once.