Is it worth the extra cost for a mod?

[AuntTonia]

I'm doing a solo trip for 4 nights and plan on spending time at the resort. I have CSR reserved. I called to price some other resorts and it would be $175.00 cheaper to stay at a value resort, I was thinking ASMU since I've stayed at PoP and ALMO before. POFQ & CBR is also available. Is it worth the extra money to stay a a Moderate resort??? I was thinking I could take the money saved and have a spa day.
Which of the Disney Resort would you recommend for a Solo traveler?

Thanks

 

[2Tiggies]

The resort you choose depends a lot on your personality.

You say you plan on spending time at the resort, so I would consider that a reason to go for a moderate. But then again, it depends what you want to do with your time. Do you want to eat at a resort TS every/most days?

Do you want it to be lively and filled with people or quietish? Space wise the rooms are really about the same and if you are on your own I would imagine that isn't a big issue to you anyhow. You need to have a good look at the amenities you would like to have.

We stayed as ASMu in April because DD loved the theming and wanted to stay there and I have to say, the rooms were relatively quiet despite that it was easter. It may have helped that we had a second floor room which reduced the sound of ground traffic. But then we are usually never there except to swim, shower and sleep. Having said that, we are booked at POFQ for our next trip. I would recommend that if you want something a little quieter. It is smaller and not quite as lively as the values, but you can stroll over to Riverside and use the amenities there if you want a bit more activity.

 

[AuntTonia]

I don't care much about eating TS at the Mod so that's not a factor. I chose CSR because I thought it would be more adult and it's just been refurbished and has a spa and lounge. But I do plan on going to Downtown Disney a few times so maybe the boat at POFQ would be nice. But still can't decide if any of those reasons make the price worth it. So for the people that have stayed at a Mod and a Value Resort was the price difference worth it?

 

[abubu919]

I don't care much about eating TS at the Mod so that's not a factor. I chose CSR because I thought it would be more adult and it's just been refurbished and has a spa and lounge. But I do plan on going to Downtown Disney a few times so maybe the boat at POFQ would be nice. But still can't decide if any of those reasons make the price worth it. So for the people that have stayed at a Mod and a Value Resort was the price difference worth it?

I think the price difference is worth it. You get a little more in the room with a fridge and stuff, but overall the atmosphere is different in the mods which I like. POFQ is by far my favorite because of the peacefulness of the resort. That is just my opinion though

 

[Missytara]

It is worth it; I have done it several times as a solo. Once at CBR, once at the Dolphin, and now at POR.

I like POR because it is spread out and you can go to places that are quieter than others. Like the quiet pool by Oak Manor rather than the main pool. Since you are solo, you will do things a lot quicker and get back earlier to the room. I have sat in the quiet pool at 3:00 pm and had it all to myself.

The water taxi to DTD is also wonderful. I love going down to dinner each night; once at Rainforest, once at Wolfgang Puck's Express and once to Raglan Road. That would fill your 4 days quite nicely!

 

[magicaldisney]

We have stayed at both value and moderates and we absolutely think the price is worth it. Don't get me wrong, we really enjoyed the values, but for what we wanted the moderates were just what we were looking for.

We love POR and POFQ, but found that CSR seemed to be quieter. It is a convention site so there are more adults roaming the grounds.

Have you considered renting points from a DVC owner for a studio at Saratoga Springs? You would be right next to DTD, and they have the spa on site.

 

[2Tiggies]

I I chose CSR because I thought it would be more adult and it's just been refurbished and has a spa and lounge. But I do plan on going to Downtown Disney a few times so maybe the boat at POFQ would be nice.

Ah, the location factor!!! That was a major reason why we chose POFQ for our next trip. Last time we spent a LOT of time (well, lots of little trips actually for dinner) to DTD and that was the ONLY drawback with ASMu.

If refurbished room are grabbing you though, you might want to think carefully about the POFQ. It hasn't been updated in a while. The thing is, nothing is perfect - you just need one that meets most of your important requirements for this visit.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

I prefer a Moderate - even for a solo trip. I rely on Disney Transport for a solo trip. Buses at POR which is where I stayed were quick and easy. Sure there were multilple stops but I never had to stand. They were also quick and easy when my family stayed at CSR and CBR too.

I think the beds are comfier and I prefer to have a hot tub at the resort so relax in at the end of the day. I also like having a fridge. I kept water, yogurt and several chocolate bars in it. It was so nice to have a quick snack late at night.

In Nov. 08, DD and I did a short trip and stayed at POP since that's what we could afford. It was ok but I would have preferred a moderate. I missed having a fridge and hot tub. The room was ok but it sure was small. I felt almost claustrophobic.

The bus stops at the Value were overcrowded. We usually had to wait for a second bus to get to a park and getting back to the resort, I mostly had to stand.

I think that the only way I'd stay value again is if there is no space available in a Moderate or if the whole family was going and we were staying at a Family suite at ASMU.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[Uncle Orville]

Wow, just last week I took a solo trip to CSR, and I have to say I LOVED it! I've never stayed at a value, but have stayed at POR, POFQ, and most of the deluxe resorts. Personally, I wouldn't stay at a value on a solo because it just isn't me. I'm there for some fun in the parks and quiet/alone time in the resort. The values just seem kind of overwhelming to me, like it would be tough to relax there. So yes, I think it is DEFINITELY worth it. And the CSR rooms are now BY FAR nicer than POR and POFQ.

With that being said, I still love both PO resorts. I don't think you can go wrong with any of the these 3. But the values, for me, are risky in terms of noise, cleanliness, and how crowded the food courts can be. Spend the extra money on the room-- you get what you pay for. Hope you have an AWESOME time!

 

[Dopey's twin Dippy]

all of our trips have been all stars. Which was great. But.........we would love to stay at CBR. and of course my DH would love to stay at the AKL. Hoping someday, we just had such good prices that we stayed at value. It sound nice if you could stay at the mod. esp if you are spending alot of time there. Go and spend the money on yourself....

 

[Halle]

I've heard that CSR has entertainment in the evening in the (?) lounge.

 

[KatMark]

For us, yes. It really depends on how much time you plan on spending at the resort. DH and I, now both in our 50s, prefer going to the parks in the morning, then back to the resort in the afternoon to relax by the pool and have a drink and then back to the parks at night. We also like having a resort that is quieter and not so "busy". We stayed at a value once and it just wasn't us (nor our kids), but this doesn't mean that it's not for anyone else--just our personal preference.

 

[AuntTonia]

Ok I'm thinking of sticking with a moderate...Now which one. I know I'll probably go to DTD a few times to Eat does anyone know how long it takes for the bus from CSR? and how long the boat takes from PO?

 

[aubriee]

I was just at CSR (Sept 26th-Oct 4th) for a solo trip and loved it. I have also stayed at POFQ several times solo and at CBR once solo, and PORS with family. Saying all that, I have also stayed at AS Sports, AS Music, and POP. I definitely think the moderates are worth it. The rooms are a little bigger, you get the coffee pot and refridgerators, the cover bus stops with benches, more lush landscaping (less concrete), ceiling fans, hot tubs, pool slides, nicer pools, TS restaurants (except POFQ). The moderates are more spread out, so feel less crowded than the values. POFQ is the smallest of any WDW resort so no room is very far from the main building or bus stop. The two PO resorts also have the boat to DTD which I love. However, POFQ and PORS could both do with a refurbishment. CSR has just been refurbished and now has queen size beds. It also has the biggest hot tub on property and a very nice main pool. It is the only moderate to have a health club/spa. For some reason CSR bus stops seem to be one of the closest to the park gates, which is good for tired tootsies at night. (At MK and DS it is the first bus stop, at Epcot it is the second, and at AK it is in the middle.)

The one thing I hate about the values is that it seems like they are always the last bus stop coming out of the parks.

I think I'll subscribe to this thread. I am in the same boat for my May trip. I was at POFQ the last two Mays, at CSR in Sept-Oct, will be at CSR again in Dec, and already have the bounceback offer booked for next Sept/Oct at CBR. Financially I know a Value makes sense for my May trip, but I really want the boat to DTD and/or the remodeled rooms and closer bus stops at CSR. However, I have not stayed at a Value in a couple of years and also want to give them another try. If I hadn't just stayed at CSR and was not going back to CSR in Dec, I'd definitely pick CSR again. However, I think I want to try something different for my May trip.

 

[AuntTonia]

Thanks Aubriee the bus stop info was very helpfull. I've stayed at Pop and their bus is always seemed to be the last bus stop out of the park, which I hated expecially one night when it rained as we were leaving.

I'm thinking of keeping my ressie at CSR but I originally was only doing 3 nights now I'm doing 4 and they don't have a room available as of yet. I may have to swith everything to another Mod or maybe just ad the xtra night at a value or a hotel by the airport.

How long is the boat trip from POFQ to DTD?