Moderate vs Deluxe???

[SA53]

Hello all,

I just got off the phone booking my July Disney holiday and found out that my pin that I thought was only good for values and moderates is also good for deluxe resorts. My question is, how much more value are you getting for a deluxe vs moderate?

Right now we are doing 3 days Pop to save money, cruising and then doing 4 days Royal Rooms at POR Riverside. When I found out I could use the pin on deluxe as well the CM price out the options. The difference for the 4 days would be Wilderness Lodge +$250, Garden Wing Contemporary +$350, Poly +$450.

Is staying in any of these deluxe worth the extra money. It is only for 4 nights and I could use the money on souvenirs but it is also my parents first and only trip to Disney as they are both in their 80s so maybe the splurge is worth it.

Any help would be great. My pin ends tomorrow so please help

K in SA

 

[pepe of ohio]

I'd do a deluxe...pins are hard to come by and you never know or can expect one....I'd take advantage of it if it doesn't break your bank...

We're deluxe people all the way....now we don't squander it away by staying at the high price resorts (monorail resorts) (EPCOT resorts) but we do enjoy the amenities of the WL....cheapest of the deluxes along with the AKL....we do prefer the inside corridors.....compactness of the WL, it's remoteness, less day visitors wandering around and the ease of boating to the MK (our most visited park).....if EPCOT is your main go to park, then pay the extra and stay at an EPCOT resort (more pricey).... as for the monorail resorts, the Poly and Contemporary have the largest rooms and are on the monorail but they come at a steeper price.....

Poly has out buildings, walking outside to get to the main building and then the monorail....CR, monorail right inside, austere interior and walking distance to the MK (otherss tout this but it is a long walk, especially bad in the summer heat of of old with problems......

Choice is all yours, sterile CR, outbuilding at the Poly, compact under one roof WL...we do the WL all the time with ease and we're in our early 60's and like the convenience of the boats....bus transportation from there is fine too...

 

[Havana]

I find the WL to be a wonderful option with the little lower price point for a Deluxe. The boat to the MK is greatl! I would always try to do deluxe if possible, it really adds to the resort experience.

 

[nkereina]

In your case, I think the upgrade to either Contemporary or Poly would be worth it. Going with elderly folks, the option to take a quick monorail ride back to your resort for a break will be well worth the money. WL isn't a bad option, but sometimes it can be warm on the boat and I find the boat does not come as frequently and it's certainly not as fast as the monorail.

 

[autismgoesdisney]

For $450 I would upgrade!!!!

Our difference between mod/deluxe is well over a grand unfortunately!

 

[minnie mum]

I suppose it really depends on how mobile (or not) your folks are. Can they stand to walk to one of the outer buildings at the Poly after a long day in the parks? or one of the wings at the CR? I think that if you are considering an upgrade to deluxe, then WL, with its compact size, might just fit the bill. It certainly is a picturesque resort. It and AKL are my 2 favourites.

As for POR, it will be less expensive, but the distances from the main dining building to your room can be just as far as the distances at the Poly. Just something else to think about.

 

[KatMark]

I would upgrade to poly for that amount. I did not like Contemporary much and WL does not appeal to me atl.

 

[chocovrdmicears]

If I were going with my 80 year old parents for there first and only Disney trip, I would, without a doubt, spend the $450 for the Poly.
It has such a beautiful and relaxing tropical feel to it (a nice break from the Parks), the monorail access, wonderful food options, sandy beach to relax on...

 

[padawans]

The rooms at Wl are about the same size as a moderate. Its not much of a upgrade. If you can upgrade to a monorail resort or an epcot resort than I think it is worth it.

 

[DisneyLover75]

I would do WL or Poly. I would NOT base my decision on the monorail, however. In order to get to that monorail from MK, you have to hike up that ramp, which can be really tiring after a long day at the parks.

I would take the boat. You don't have to go up any hills.

 

[ElizabethG]

So, the concensus is: Upgrade? - YES!

I have to agree with that. Now you have to pick where. They are great and everyone has their favorite. You have to decide what appeals to you. Poly has the most transportation options, which is a plus. It also has some of my favorite restaurants (Ohana and Kona). I love the Contemporary too. I prefer its location on the monorail loop. WL would be my third choice, but I would still choose it over POR. Have a great trip.

 

[Sue M]

If you are going with POR Royal Rooms I'd request Oak Manor. Locations in Parterre Pl can be a bit further away from things.

Are you getting 2 rooms? I'd go with everyones budget. POR is a great resort, our fav moderate.

I also love WL & Poly. Love WL because it's all under one roof, so you don't have to trot outside to get to the lobby, and food. It's nice to be able to just take the elevator down to grab a drink or snack. And we love the boat from WL to MK. We were there last month, for our 3rd stay there, and the boats came frequently. And the resort is beautiful.

Love the large rooms at Poly, beautiful grounds. We like to walk. Love sitting on the beach watching Wishes. Great dining options. On monorail to MK, or boat. We like taking the monorail to MK, and taking the boat back
Walking path to TTC for Epcot monorail. For a garden view room, we loved Tokelau Longhouse.

No bad decisions, I'd just go with everyone's budget is comfortable with.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

If you do go with one of the Deluxe Resorts I would choose Contemporary Garden Wing because their rooms are among the Deluxe Resorts, Resort Monorail access and the walkway to the Magic Kingdom.

 

[akl-fan]

I would also go with a deluxe if I were going with elderly parents. If the are going to be using an ECV i would go with a monorail resort if not I would go with WL.

 

[SA53]

Ack!!! g All your great advice is making the decision sooo exciting and sooo hard!!! I think at this point I am torn between staying at the Royal Rooms since they will be nice and shiny and new vs Poly which has always been a dream of mine to stay there. I think that the GW at the Contemp will be too far a walk and a tower room is more than Poly.

Does anyone know what the walking to room difference is between Riverside mansions and Poly garden view? I would ask for a room close to the main lobby area buy looking at the maps I can't get a feel for exactly how different the walk would be.

My mom uses a walker, not all the time but if she is walking for an extended period of time she will use it. My dad has a knee brace but only uses a cane.

Just hoping for perfect in July !!!

Thank you all,

K in SA

 

[pepe of ohio]

Ack!!! g All your great advice is making the decision sooo exciting and sooo hard!!! I think at this point I am torn between staying at the Royal Rooms since they will be nice and shiny and new vs Poly which has always been a dream of mine to stay there. I think that the GW at the Contemp will be too far a walk and a tower room is more than Poly.

Does anyone know what the walking to room difference is between Riverside mansions and Poly garden view? I would ask for a room close to the main lobby area buy looking at the maps I can't get a feel for exactly how different the walk would be.

My mom uses a walker, not all the time but if she is walking for an extended period of time she will use it. My dad has a knee brace but only uses a cane.

I've got to agree with a pp, the walk up that ramp from the MK to the monorail is quite long and steep for someone with mobility issues...I don't have any health issues and don't care for the incline.....and with the breakdowns on the monorail of late, I'm not that favorable on it's use.....

Just hoping for perfect in July !!!

Thank you all,

K in SA

Same goes for the Poly, it maybe your dream resort but depending where your longhouse is located, it could be quite a distance from the main building which makes popping to the pool, Capt. Cooks and Ceremonial House quite a walk....quite a bit of walking to get anywhere at the Poly, no rooms in the CH......not familar with Riverside at all, but from visits to POFQ, the resort is more compact than the Poly but some walking is involved to get around....still sticking to my guns on the WL....rooms maybe the same sizewise as a moderate but the logistics of getting around the property are alot easier...we've stayed there over 10 trips and the boats come quick, we either get on the first or second boat...never waited long at all and for leaving the MK, it's a straight walk out the MK across to the WL boat landing and board....the decision is very hard if you've never been to those resorts to know the distances and walking involved to get around...some will say walking at the Poly to the monorail or ferry dock is close but for pldsters with mobility issues, especially returning to the Poly after a day of traversing the parks can and will be an issue.....choose wisely...

 

[Tara]

I think for $250 you'll get quite a lot of value.

• The resort is a deluxe, which means more amenities. Unfortunately, it doesn't mean a larger room if you choose WL. If you chose Poly, it would be a much larger room.
• Access to 2 full-service restaurants and quick service (though this is more limited than the QS at the moderates).
• Access to more pools.
• Ability to take advantage of water activities like boat rentals or view the Electrical Water Pageant.
• Hotel style versus motel...rooms are off of interior corridors, no walking outside to go get your morning coffee, etc.
• If either of your parents has a handicapped placard, you will be able to get free valet parking, which is a great benefit if walking a lot is an issue. (though valet parking is one of the best deals at Disney IMO and if you are dining at other deluxe resorts, its value really pays off...you pay 1x per day and that gives you valet privileges at all resorts with valet parking)
• Boat service to MK is great IME.
• Nicer public areas...huge, impressive lobby, pool bar.
  
  Poly has never appealed to me (I've stayed at every deluxe except Poly...in fact, the only resorts I haven't stayed in are ASSports, POFQ, Poly and OKW) so I probably wouldn't stay at the Poly UNLESS the larger room was a dealbreaker (and it's fairly significant in size difference IIRC). The Poly has the monorail advantage, but I've never found it to be faster than boat service unless you happen to get lucky and monorail arrives just as you get to the station. But it would get you 2 parks without having to use bus service, which might be worth it to you.

 

[SA53]

Okay, Pepe and Tara are very convincing and WL is back in the mix. My hesitation with WL is the transportation to all the other parks. Also, how long are the corridors? It looks really big In the ariel view. The theming is beautiful and I am sure they would love it coming from the Rockies in Canada. These are exactly the kind of things I love to know about a resort.

Thank you all,

K in SA

 

[NancyIL]

I spend most of my time at Epcot, and I prefer the Swan/Dolphin. An Epcot resort offers boat transportation (or you could walk) to Epcot and the Studios. The Boardwalk has a lot of dining options, as do the resorts themselves.

 

[pepe of ohio]

Okay, Pepe and Tara are very convincing and WL is back in the mix. My hesitation with WL is the transportation to all the other parks. Also, how long are the corridors? It looks really big In the ariel view. The theming is beautiful and I am sure they would love it coming from the Rockies in Canada. These are exactly the kind of things I love to know about a resort.

Thank you all,

K in SA

Weren't trying to sway, just relay the logistics.....Pool access to the TTC for EPCOT, that's a good ramp to scale for the monorail....equal to the ramp in the MK for monorail access....

Corridors may seem long but the have turns and we always seem to be close to an elevator (which you can request to be)...resort is not that big (personal observation)...we prefer the north wing...closest to the boat launch, Roaring Forks (QS).....caddycorner across the resort for the buses....and right out the back door to the pool.....Either way, walking around the resort is pleasant...you're always indoors, A/C'ed....you can travel the halls to the opposite elevator and be on the lobby level too...and there's a few pleasant nooks and crannys on the floors with fireplaces or sofa's for getting away for awhile.....

Access to the other parks is easy too (we never had any major problems with the transportation)...you can boat to the CR and use the monorail if you like to transfer at the TTC to go to EPCOT by monorail but it's down a ramp and up to transfer, bus to EPCOT, HS and AK is really easy, no different than any other resort....bus station and catch appropriate bus.....

Just saying for my dollar, on compactness of resort all indoors and price....even though the actual room is smaller....we've easily done 4 adults in a room with no problems and for each couple to a room...ample space all around....and for my pocketbook....cheaper than the Poly which makes us extend our stays longer which improves our slow, leisurely touring style..