Moderate vs Value

[Martindis2006]

My husband and I were planning our 3rd trip to Disneyworld. We have stayed at POF and CS. Both were great hotels but as we realized, all you do is sleep and shower in your room. By the time you get back to your room at night you are so tired you don't care what the room is like.

Is there really a difference between the moderate and value? What are the differences and is it worth the extra $$?

 

[hmillerbarilla]

I've a huge CBR fan, stayed there MANY times. I've stayed at a value once, and that's probably going to be the only time. I think the mods are worth the money since I do go back to the room to put the kids down for naps and there is more space. I can easily fit my crib & all the equipment that comes along with having 2 toddlers. also, I love that there are fridges. I can keep breakfast essentials and other things that we use daily. I know you can rent them from the values, so really, it is just if you want the atmosphere of a moderate. The one time I stayed at ASMu it was cheerleading week or something and it was a zoo. I felt so old & out of shape! Not to mention loud & well, I was surprised at how small the rooms were. I have a harder time justifying the price difference between the deluxes & mods.

 

[JenSop]

Honestly, I really noticed a difference. On our honeymoon we stayed at CBR and just LOVED it. The atmosphere was great, we never felt crowded, the rooms were a nice size, food court was great, etc, etc. For our fifth anniversary we stayed at ASMus. I said to DH, "never again." The room itself was okay, but overall the resort felt crowded, busy, lacking in atmosphere. I just didn't like it. But it prompted us to buy into DVC. We decided we wanted to up the frequency of our WDW visits, and I never wanted to stay in a value again, so DVC is our way of now being able to stay in really great resorts that we'd never be able to afford otherwise.

I guess I should also mention, that we always go back to our resort mid-day for a swim and some relaxation time / time to get ready for dinner, etc. So we're there for more than sleeping and showering. Quality of resort is important to me.

 

[CleveRocks]

Mod rooms are 314 sq. ft. (CBR is 340 sq. ft.).
Values rooms are 260 sq. ft.

Mods have a pool slide and hot tub at the main pool.
Values have no slides or hot tubs.

Mod rooms have a free fridge.
Value rooms have no fridge, but you can rent one for $10/day.

Mod rooms have ceiling fan.
Value rooms have no ceiling fan.

Mod rooms have 2 sinks (CSR has 1).
Value rooms have 1.

Mod bus stops are covered (think protection from sun and rain).
Value bus stops are uncovered.

Mods have a table-service restaurant as well as a food court (except POFQ).
Values have only a food court.

Mods offer some type of receational activity (boat/bike rental, etc.).
Values do not.

Mods have on-demand Bell Services.
Values have Luggage Assistance by appointment only.

Mods have lush landscaping.
Values have more hardscaping.

 

[michelle1]

If just my Dh and I were going I would not care about the room size, double sinks, pool slide etc but if we would probably enjoy a sit down restaurant and definitely the hot tub. For us, because we would spend some time just laying around the pool, we would stay moderate. If we really were planning to spend ALL day in the parks then we would save the extra $ for shopping, meals etc and go with a value. I guess it depends on what you plan on doing.

 

[SandraC]

We have stayed at all mods. While I really enjoyed them, they didn't have the DISNEY themes that values have. We like to rest and relax by the pools, so mods are lovely. However, the next trip we want to stay at a value for the Disney theme while my kids are still young. S

 

[averill94]

Wow this was just on my mind too as I just got back from ASMU!
We have styaed at CSR, POP and now ASMu. Last year when it was my DMs 1st time ever I was mentally prepared to have to upgrade from POP to a moderate. There was absolutely no need. It was fantastic.

THis year we chose ASMu - for a family of four the price was fantastic. ANd I have to trully say everyone was very happy there. As a matter of fact I am into lanscaping and thought it was quite lush! Lots of beautiful trees and especially hibiscus of all colors- doubles too! (POP did not have as much landscaping)

We are a BREAKING family- My DH is a pig and I thought the small room would hem me in but it did not. Even on our break days we were no there much.
If anything I thought the slide at the moderate pool would be good for the kids- but they certainly didnt miss it.

One more thing we either had super bus karma or the buses at ASMu rule! Never waited except one night leaving EPCOT with the masses.
Right now they are still doing dance party/games and movie night at the pool it is wonderful!
WHichever you choose have a magical time!

 

[brooker]

This is a slightly different comparison....but our trip a few months ago we stayed at AS Sports for 4 nights then moved on to the Royal Pacific Hotel at Universal. Honestly, if I had to choose I would pick the AS Sports over it. Our first trip we stayed at Pop and loved it. If you are used to a standard type hotel room you get most anyplace (clean, average size,etc. you won't be disappointed.

 

[f7prez]

If the only thing you do at your hotel is sleep... then why spend the extra money. Over the years we have taken a more relaxed approach to our Disney vacations. We are not at the parks from sun up until sundown. We enjoy some down time, hanging out by the pool, visiting other resorts for dinner. For us it makes a difference.

 

[AussieDisneyLover]

hey guys - speaking of Moderates i staying in POR this May and I loved it. I'm thinking of going Carribean Beach May 2008. Would you recomend CBR? Is it better/ different than POR?

 

[kd2226]

The big reason we choose a moderate over a value is the pool slide - our kids really love a good pool slide, and they do spend quite a bit of time in the pool (we alternate park days and rest/pool days).
If it wasn't for that, I could probably be persuaded to try a value. However, I would have a hard time justifying the many extra $$$ for a deluxe.

 

[wildzootv]

i guess it depends on if you are the type that just uses your room to sleep in or like to relax there and go to the pool.

I think the time of the year factors in - my sister has stayed at a value during "school band" week and said it was so much different than when it wasn't that time - kids everywhere yelling, etc......it made it tough for them to fall asleep and they didnt even want to bother with the pools cause there were kids acting a fool.

We've been and thankfully didn't hit one of those highschool weeks and enjoyed it and loved the money we saved. For us it really was just a place to crash anyways.

 

[srxman2001]

Heres my take on Mod vs. Value.

Just got back from a 7 night trip on Sept 22. First 5 nights we stayed at ASM using free ddp. Other 2 nights, we stayed at CSR.

My observations. (Red indicates my personal preference)

Checkin time
ASM - Waited in line about an hour. Room ready at checkin. (3:00PM)
CSR - Checkin (11:00 AM) was quick but rooms werent ready until 5:00 PM

Rooms
ASM - Nice basic room. Air conditioning didnt get very cold, drains didnt drain too well, Cleaning lady was fantastic (created towel figurines, put the kids dolls on the windows....)
CSR - Bigger room than ASM, fan, fridge, didnt get luggage from ASM until 7:00 PM

Pool -
ASM - Crowded, had a slight smell of sewage
CSR - Crowded, pool bar had good snacks and drinks, kids loved the slide

Grounds
ASM - Groomed but unspectacular
CSR - Beautiful place for a stroll around the lake

Transportation
ASM - terrible lines returning from parks, (especially at closing). ASM lines were always longer than any other resort line.
CSR - Never a problem with lines. A big plus in my book.

Cafeteria
ASM - Always crowded!!! Good selection
CSR - Never crowded!!! Better selection than ASM

Cost
ASM - consideratly cheaper than mod resort
CSR - consideratly more expensive than value resort
** Booked next year with throwback ddp pricing $2060 for 7 nights at CSR. ASM would have cost $1540. ***

Overall
CSR - Definitly worth the extra money. Beats ASM in every aspect other than maid service and price.

 

[stitchlover]

We stayed at All Star Movies our trip in '06 and I can honestly we have no plans to stay in a Value again. It was crowded, it was noisy, the food court was PACKED no matter when we went, the pool was also crowded all the time.
When we went to POFQ this March it was nice and quiet. We will always stay Moderate or above from here on out.

 

[providence]

We just returned from our second 10 day stay at CBR. The resort is beautiful, peaceful, and the rooms are large. However, we have booked our bounce back at POP because we feel we are missing the Disney theming which is important for our trip. There is something to be said about noisy people having a great time and reminding us it is the happiest place on earth.