Moderate preferred or deluxe standard?

[Dixiemom]

Already trying to plan for next summers trip and would love opinions regarding resorts. Deciding between a preferred room at a moderate resort or standard at deluxe. On a fairly tight budget but not considering a value (though we loved Pop) this time. Would love suggestions and opinions.

 

[patty57]

What I like best about the deluxe resorts are the locations...particularly the Epcot resorts. I like having the option to walk to two parks. If I can walk to a park, that means more to me than anything a moderate resort can offer.

 

[mickeynut1]

Already trying to plan for next summers trip and would love opinions regarding resorts. Deciding between a preferred room at a moderate resort or standard at deluxe. On a fairly tight budget but not considering a value (though we loved Pop) this time. Would love suggestions and opinions.

My choice would be a standard room at a deluxe. We have stayed at one mod and while we loved the resort and had a great time, the deluxe resorts are a better fit for the way we vacation. We spend more time at the resort than we do the parks, so the resort is a big part of our trips. We like the larger rooms, variety of TS options, and being close to at least one park (we prefer the monorail resorts/area). We have enjoyed all of our trips equally, regardless of the resort, but we do prefer the deluxe resorts for the extra amenities.

 

[OKW Lover]

I'd also pick the deluxe standard room. The room will be nicer than the moderate and the whole resort is a nicer experience.

 

[disney meema]

I'd go with a standard room at a deluxe resort : )

 

[bookgirl]

See I'm kinda the opposite. The difference between mod and deluxe is (usually) HUGE price wise so paying more for a crappy view annoys me. (Especially AKL no way would I stay standard there).

I'm not opposed standards themselves as most rooms are pretty typical on the inside, but for me I'd take a preferred mod over standard deluxe any day and save the money.

I tend to not care about view so most of my trips have been mod or value so I'm kind of biased that way, but my last Deluxe trip and my upcoming one are both with my mom and she likes deluxe better, So as a compromise I'm paying for the 'standard' room but she paid the difference to make it a room with a view. It was only about $160 so I'd say to at least look at an upgrade and then decide based on those prices.

 

[Aliceacc]

The difference between "standard view" and "garden view", at least at the Beach and Yacht Clubs, is about $10 per night. I imagine the same is true at some or all of the other deluxes.

So if the view really is part of the equation, I vote for a Garden View at a Deluxe. The combination of great locations and wonderful amenities make the Deluxes a perfect fit for my family.

Oh, and show your kids pictures of Stormalong Bay at the BC/ YC... I bet they make the decision easy for you, particularly for a summer trip.

 

[GovieMom]

For the same money, I'd rather have a view-less room at a deluxe than one at a moderate with a great view, for location alone. The rooms are a good bit larger at the deluxes, except for AKL and WL (which are probably the two closest to the moderate's price range).

 

[Babsy]

It really depends upon budget for me. I book the best that I can have on budget. So, a deluxe always wins over a mod regardless of room view. Location is key. Once budget determines category, I look at room view prices and decide what will work for us in which resort.

So, standard view deluxe would be my choice. If I were close to a mod budget, I would look at the Swan/Dolphin and Wilderness Lodge and AnimalKingdomLodge.

Good luck!

 

[andyman8]

The difference between "standard view" and "garden view", at least at the Beach and Yacht Clubs, is about $10 per night. I imagine the same is true at some or all of the other deluxes.

This is also marketing in addition actual view. Yes the views are different (parking lot versus landscaping) but because those hotels don't have too many parking views, those rooms quickly sell out forcing any guest wanting to stay at the hotel to pay for the more expensive garden view but Disney can still advertise the rate for the small group of standard rooms as the hotel's "starting rate". It's weird.

Back to the OP's question, I'd do a deluxe in a heartbeat. May I recommend WL due to its convenience to MK, great theming, and low price. I also like the suggestion of the Epcot resorts. As much as I love the other MK resorts (especially the GF), the price is a pretty big jump from a preferred room at a moderate.

 

[mousegear]

Already trying to plan for next summers trip and would love opinions regarding resorts. Deciding between a preferred room at a moderate resort or standard at deluxe. On a fairly tight budget but not considering a value (though we loved Pop) this time. Would love suggestions and opinions.

I would definitely pick standard room at deluxe over preferred room at moderate. We are spoiled and love the deluxe.

 

[vettegirl]

I would always go with a deluxe over a moderate and would not care what the view was

 

[Lisa71]

We are in a standard room at the BWI now and have stayed standard at WL and BCV...love it here and WL would be second!!! Deluxe all the way !!!

 

[Ceryssa]

If I could afford it I'd pick Deluxe every time. View isn't important to our family so that wouldn't be an issue for us, but the larger room and nicer amenities would definitely make it my choice.

 

[tinkerbella16]

I would do standard deluxe only if I could afford it also. I'm a lover of Port Orleans so of course that is what I go for. The cost to jump from value to moderate is not much more, whereas the cost to jump from mod to deluxe is huge IMO. I wish I could stay at a deluxe resort but man when I price a vacation at a deluxe on the disney site, my stomach hurts looking at the price i'd pay compared to what I'd save just staying at a moderate. We don't spend a ton of time in the room anyway.. just to sleep, shower and rest. It all comes down to personal preference.

When we go in November, my sister, BIL and I are staying at POFQ w/free dining and our parents are staying at Beach Club garden view w/free dining. My mom has been dying to stay at the BC so they are finally doing it. What it costs them to stay for 6 nights with park hoppers, I could stay at POFQ for 2 whole weeks! So that is my thinking of it.

Do what your gut tells you! They are all very nice resorts!

 

[Dixiemom]

Thanks everyone! I appreciate your input immensely. We have stayed at Pop, CSR and POR and enjoyed them all. Originally, I was thinking we would give CBR a try, especially since the beds are being upgraded to queens, but now I am not sure. I have to say that park proximity isn't that big a consideration to me as we always drive to them with the exception of MK. My daughter is having a fit to stay at AKL but truth be told, I would love to try the Contemporary. I know I have plenty of time to decide but would really like to have a resort nailed down. By the way, I would also love Beach Club, and yes, SAB is a big part of that.

 

[Angieandsteve]

Already trying to plan for next summers trip and would love opinions regarding resorts. Deciding between a preferred room at a moderate resort or standard at deluxe. On a fairly tight budget but not considering a value (though we loved Pop) this time. Would love suggestions and opinions.

We stayed at POR last summer and with the exception of the bus service we really liked it. We just stayed at Poly 2 weeks ago and even with construction, which really did not negatively impact our trip at all, we absolutely loved it. If I could think of a stronger word for love right now I would use it! I always thought people were crazy loving deluxe so much but I totally see it now. The location was absolutely incredible and such easy and quick access to the monorail cannot be beat. I cannot imagine myself doing anything but deluxe going forward and I would be shocked if we didn't pick Poly although I am interested in trying the Contemporary too. Our standard view was pretty cool to us as well. We looked out and saw the monorail. It was great. So, my vote is pick deluxe but accept that you might never want to go back to anything but deluxe if you return!

 

[DanInMN]

I just checked on late September 2014 in WL vs POR. Room-only at WL is nearly double the cost of POR. Deluxe may be nice, but it is too expensive for me.

 

[Dixiemom]

Dansdad, That's kinda what I am seeing........I do have time to try and save a little more that what I already know I will have to budget, but I still have trouble wrapping my head around paying more for a resort than for other things that money could go toward during our stay. A few years ago when money wasn't such an issue and I was married (that second income came in handy!), we booked 2 preferred rooms at CSR for very little over that one room at WL was going to be. Now, since it is just me and the kids I am almost of the "I don't care where we stay as much, as long as we are there!" kind of mindset......

 

[mort1331]

Why not stay at a deluxe for a moderate price? There are a few very good DVC rental companies out there. One is even a sponser on these boards, Daves. You can get the room, buy your tickets from UT and if you wanted the DP then you can still get.(not for free though) Its a great way.