Moderates versus Deluxes-what makes you decide?

[FairyDust2008]

What makes the moderates great for some and what makes the deluxes the only way you'll go? Look forward to hearing back from you all. I'm still in the deciding mode as I wait for hubby to lock in vacation dates. THANKS FOR ALL YOUR HELP

 

[Aliceacc]

For starters, we're a family of 5. The only mod that we could use was POR, with its trundle bed.

So I looked at the monorail resorts, and found that the difference between POR and CR wasn't all that much.

 

[Buzz2001]

CSR has everything I need. Check out my CSR website below for pics and info.

 

[yaksack]

My wife and I like the deluxe hotels because of the lobby.

We have two DDs, 3 and 7. If they decide they do want to take a nap or cannot sleep thru the night, we let them run around in the lobby. We stayed once in the POFQ, which was ok, but the lack of lobby was tough, especially when it rains. We could go outside with them but the bugs are killer.

Other than that, no difference to us. Check out the price for the WL vs a moderate.

 

[septbaby]

I am rather new to staying on site; Sept 2007 was my first time. My mother had stayed on site years ago.

We enjoyed our stay at CBR and have decided to move to AKL for 2008.

My mother made the decision to go deluxe after we toured both WL and AKL. It just felt to be more of a vacation and a treat to her. She also needed a change/something different if we were to do the same vacation in back to back years.

We are really looking forward to the pool at AKL and think the hot tubs are much nicer and better placed there and at WL.

Interior corridors and lobby will be nice and if we upgrade to Deluxe Dining we may use room service.

Many have commented that the Deluxes have Queen beds vs Double at the Mods.

The kids activities and on site kid clubs; my 6yo nephew will be with us.

No sand at the playground(a least at AKL)! No sand in the room!

Theming is really interesting at these places.

Excellent TS options on site at the Deluxes; Signature or otherwise.

The mods will have better or at least more extensive CS options. Some of the Deluxes have practically nothing (Beach Club, Boardwalk, Yacht Club).

My only regret on our upcoming choice to move up to Deluxe is we may never be able to "move down" once we've experienced Disney Deluxe!

I am really looking forward to our trip.

 

[eliza61]

What makes the moderates great for some and what makes the deluxes the only way you'll go? Look forward to hearing back from you all. I'm still in the deciding mode as I wait for hubby to lock in vacation dates. THANKS FOR ALL YOUR HELP

Whenever we go on vacation (@ WDW or any place else) my family and I try to decide on all the things we would really like in a hotel and what type of vacation we're going for. If it's a long trip for 10-12 days than we may want a deluxe, if it's only for a long weekend then a moderate will work. things like that. Then we try to match the best hotel to what's available. We then look at prices and see if our choices are feasible. we have bounced back and forth. Now since my kids are teenagers, we generally stick with the dvc resorts for the room size.

 

[eliza61]

CSR has everything I need. Check out my CSR website below for pics and info.

Buzz,
Every time I check out your website I want to try CSR.

 

[alldiz]

The real deal breaker for me is the double beds....
I just CANNOT sleep with DH in a double bed.....

We wound up getting a cot last time.
Kerri

 

[ajleone]

For us it boils down to price. A deluxe is just a bit out of reach.

 

[Lilolvr]

Buzz,
Every time I check out your website I want to try CSR.

That's what hooked me! I love it now. Best bang for the buck.

 

[drewswife]

For us it depends on tiem of year and how long we are going. If it is a short trip in cooler weather when we are not apt to go back to the hotel in the middle of the day then we go with the moderates.

If we are going for a longer time (at least 6 days) and the weather is warmer we enjoy the deluxes as we are more apt to go back and enjoy the hotel for a portion of the day.

 

[rotlex]

For us, the room is simply that....a place to sleep, and store our stuff. We stayed deluxe once, the Poly, and while it was nice, it was still just a room. The fact that the room ran us nearly $1500 more for our stay, didn't help. That's a LOT of money, and frankly, better spent on other things, or not at all!

We now switch between mods and value's. We will always stay on site, but never at a deluxe again unless a good discount is received. There just isn't anything there to warrant the extra cost for us. Besides, we still visit them, and the lobby's and restaurants are what make them extra nice....don't have to actually stay there for those!

 

[Disney Fool]

I don't like being confined in small spaces. So, my preference is deluxe for the room size and the beds. But I will stay in a mod or value if it's a short trip (weekend) or just a few days, or if my money is needed elsewhere. I will stay at a deluxe also because of the resort-type. I'll stay at the Grand Floridian for pure relaxation. I'll stay at the Poly for escape. Or, the Beach Club for all that it has to offer--mostly fun! Usually these trips tend to be longer and more casual and I plan to utilize the resort to the full.

 

[Bugsmom73]

It usually boils down to budget. That being said it sometimes depends upon the ages of our kids too.

 

[solfan68]

Mods fit our budget very nicely and have plenty to do. We are also of the mindset that the resort is a place to recharge the batteries for the next day of park hopping. All of that said, I would like to give WL a try one day.

 

[TJA]

For us, it boils down to convenience. We're more relaxed and have more fun when things are easy. We have 2 young children, double stroller, etc. Nothing beats being able to walk back and forth to parks, boat to parks, or monorail to parks. We never/rarely have to unload the kids and stroller.

 

[KatMark]

For us, now, it boils down to we love the CSR and don't want to be anywhere else. We've done the deluxe when the kids were smaller and it made it more convenient--and we enjoyed it. Then as they got older, we moved to the CSR. Now, they don't go at all, and I just can't justify spending the money for a deluxe when we are hardly in the room and when we are, the CSR offers what we need (and a great pool and beautiful landscaping to go along with it). We stay onsite because of the pluses offered to onsite guests. Not real fussy that my hotel is "Disneyesque" or indoor corridors or hip or lavish. As long as I have clean rooms, working facilities and a pool, I'm happy.

 

[Markstudy]

We look at the deluxe resort as one of the rides or attractions.....a spacial event

I think the "deluxe" equals one more attraction

Where-as the "mods" equal a place to sleep at night for those who do the parks till they drop.

To me, Disney was always about the rides & resorts...but then I grew up when Disney only had 3 resorts back in the 1970's- Poly, Contemporary, Fort Wilderness

I'd rather skip every-other- trip, so I can afford to stay deluxe.... we like the "magic" feel and the cast members that make the Deluxe feel like part of the escape from the real world.

 

[fairestoneofall]

For me, it's money. I can do a lot with the money that I save in staying at a Mod versus a Deluxe.

We are splitting our stay in November. I want to experience a Deluxe, if even for only a few days. But, I will offset that cost with staying in a Mod most of the trip. My kids will be more than happy at a Moderate. Staying at CR for a few nights is more for me than anyone else.

 

[DVC Mike]

Advantages of a Deluxe over a Moderate Resort

• Larger: (344-476 sq ft vs 314 sq ft)
• Most rooms accommodate 5 guests
• Typically 2 Queen beds vs. typical 2 Double beds in Mods
• Multiple onsite TS, including Signature Dining and Character Dining
• Suites
• Club-level Concierge
• Fitness Center
• Kid’s Activities and Child Care
• Larger, elaborately themed pools (some zero entry) with Awesome Slides
• 24-hour Room Service
• Valet Parking
• Balcony
• Interior air-conditioned hallways instead of exterior
• Best locations and transportation options (walking, boating, or monorails to parks)