Once you go Deluxe....

[LilGMom]

When we started going to WDW bi-annually we stayed off property and growing up we always stayed off property. Then my DH got a conference at CSR that he had to go to and I had to accompany him and that ruined us for good. We worked our way through the moderates and then got an outstanding rate at AKL for a short weekend trip and that was it... we were done. We are slowly working our way through the deluxes and the DVC resorts. It isn't that we won't stay at a moderate but it isn't our top choice anymore and hasn't been every since our first WL stay. The WL and AKL make us feel like we are on !

 

[Brad Bishop]

Is it true for a lot of people that once you go deluxe you never go back???? I have always been of the mind frame that a hotel room is a place to sleep..especially at Disney where we spend very little time in our room. Now I wouldn't be staying in any gross, run down places. But in general, if the place is clean and decently rated, I'm not that picky. I have been very happy at POP for our previous Disney vacations. This year we upgraded to AKL when we got the 40% off code.

Well, within 30 seconds of arriving there, DH stated "we are never going back to POP" and sure enough, was happy to pay an extra $800 over what we spent this year to stay at AKL again next year (we did the bounceback offer so we got free dining).

So is this the Disney norm????

We'll see how it is for me. Hitting the Contemporary in January. I usually just travel w/ one or both of my daughters and as long as the place is clean (no bugs) I usually look for the best rate. I, too, figure that the whole point of me traveling to someplace isn't to experience the hotel but to experience my actual destination (Disney, Dollywood, etc.). Well, I have to admit to always wanting to stay at the Contemporary since I was a kid. Figured it'd be cool to do with my daughters. We'll see if it changes me. Initially I don't think it will. I could see me occassionally doing the deluxe hotel but looking at the dollars, it really does make more sense (and cents) to stay offsite. Maybe there's more to it than I'm seeing since I've never done it, though.

Regardless - I'm looking forward to it.

 

[hallie615]

I admit it, after our last trip I realized I am a deluxe snob!!!!
If you look at my siggie you can see where we started out POFQ then WL and our last trip we decided to try PORS. The day before we left, we booked a trip for next year with the bounce back program(free dining) and I asked DH where did he want to stay and he said WL. So I guess I am hooked on those deluxes.

Don't get me wrong, PORS was very nice, but I agree with another poster who said the more trips to WDW, the more you tend to relax. And this was our 5th trip so it seemed we spent more time around the hotel this time around.

 

[k_reile]

DH and I just got back from a stay at the Boardwalk Inn. We LOVED it!! The proximity to epcot and mgm was really nice. We walked to Epcot and were able to take a nice boat ride to MGM. We can also walk through Epcot to hit the monorail to take it to MK. The only times we rode a bus was to DTD and AK.
We choose this resort because were going to be doing a lot of entertainment and dining in this area and at our original resort we booked (CBR) we figured we would be on the busses alot. So the extra price was worth it to us. DH would have gone crazy if we had to ride the busses to everything.
He said next time he would like to stay at a monorail resort since the next time we would be going back is when we have kids and would be hitting limited parks. But we now know that despite the cost, the proximity was really worth it...and the hotel was extremely nice.

So to really answer your question...No we will not be able to go to a moderate or value...but we also will not be going as often as I would like either. I actually would think if we can buy resale and not have to buy as many points that DVC would work out for us. More space and would be able to go more times for the money. Just would have to work that one over DH since he is not into timeshare type properties. He would rather buy a camper and go places with it...BUT I like my WDW and want to share it with my future kids as much as I can.

 

[Safari Queen]

After a few trips staying off-property, we bought DVC and started staying in deluxe. When flights worked out better by arriving a day before our BWV reservation, we stayed at Pop. As we walked away from the desk after checking out, my husband said, "Never agan." We spend a lot more time just relaxing in the resort now that we have DVC and go 2-3 times a year. Pop just didn't make us feel like we were really on vacation.

 

[labattblue]

To me the deluxes are just not worth the money.

If I am going to WDW, it is for the parks and therefore I am not spending a lot of time at the resort.

If I am going on vacation to get some much needed R&R, there are probably a lot better choices in terms of bang for my buck than WDW deluxe resorts.

Just my 2 cents!

 

[NJPluto]

I'm a Deluxe Snob by default simply because DH is a huge deluxe snob!

I'd happily try POFQ or CSR but DH will not stay anywhere but a Deluxe. His justification is that he's not a big Park person and that it's our only vacation of the year. He also prefers table service meals, especially at breakfast. We spend quite a bit of time at the resort so atmosphere and recreational activities are important to us, as are the interior corridors and having a balcony.

DD is desperate to try ASMO so at some point I'd love to do a Mother/Daughter weekend trip with her.

 

[samnbilly]

We are deluxe snobs as well. We spend time in the afternoon at our hotel, so we enjoy staying at the deluxes. Beach Club is my kids favorite. They love SAB. I prefer GF. I think its the most beautiful resort, but we enjoy the close proximity to Epcot, so BC is great for us.

 

[One Hundred]

I've only stayed at Animal Kingdom Lodge, so I'm a little afraid to go to the other resorts. I probably shouldn't have stayed there first.

 

[jenjersnap]

I always thought as our kids got older and we needed a) two rooms and b) to spend less time napping that we'd go to the values. However, we spent one night at ASMO at the start of our trip last month and my usually frugal DH said "Never again!" I'd like to give a mod a try but I think we'll be buying DVC.

 

[danj]

My Family and I will not go back after staying in deluxe resorts.

 

[kjetjl]

Our first trip was offsite. We ate at Chef Mickey's and I was totally awed by the lobby of the Contemporary.
Then we were going to try a moderate and got a postcard for a deal at a deluxe. We stayed at the Contemporary. We loved it. We had 4 young kids but got in because 2 were under 3 years old. The monorail with four young ones and a double stroller was awesome! And the room was huge.
The next trip we stayed at POR in the Alligator Bayou bldg. I have to say I loved the grounds of this resort better than the Contemporary.
The next trip we would have gone into 2 rooms at the Values because we had 5 children. I had heard so many negative things, we chose to stay off site. It was very nice but we missed staying onsite.
We stayed in adjoining rooms at ASMu in May 2006 ( with 6 kids) and I have to say it is a nice hotel and a very good value.
We stayed at POP in Sept. and did like it better than ASMu. We have reservations for next Sept. at POP too.
Quite honestly, I would love to stay at a Deluxe again and probably would make it happen if we didn't need two rooms but the Values are nice hotels. We wouldn't be able to stay onsite if it were not for the Value hotels.
I can dream of the day we can take our grandchildren and stay at the Deluxe hotels. Although, our kids will be disappointed. They don't even remember when we stayed at the nicer hotels and were in awe of the different hotel lobbies (like their mom when she first saw the Contemporary) when we ate at the resort restaurants during the free dining promotion.

 

[DisneyMomx7]

It doesn't sound very nice but I guess we are deluxe snobs. First of all we're usually a party of 5 when we travel so that definitely limits us. In July we'll be a party of 15 and we tried to downsize to a mod, but after DH thought about it we booked WL. Now here's the scary party, I'm actually nervous that WL won't be "deluxe" enough - worried about the smaller size of the rooms.

I know lots of people would be happy to upgrade to WL so I keep telling myself that. I'll probably fall in love with WL when we get there, but right now I keep thinking "please let there be a really good code for YC again this summer"! I guess we are tooo spoiled!

 

[newholidayx2]

I just extended my 50th birthday bash for this Nov
so now its
4 nights Value, 4 nights Moderate and 5 nights DVC/Deluxe

 

[deej696]

I can admit that I am a deluxe snob in general, not just at Disney. I blame it on the fact that I used to work for a luxury hotel and got spoiled by the atmosphere. For a while, DF and I were staying at moderates because to us the room was "just a place to sleep." Well, we decided to stay at a deluxe about a year ago, and never looked back. We visit one weekend a month, so my wallet is definetely a lot lighter now!

 

[Amyg]

As far as WDW, I would even consider the values nice hotels, after all they are all Disney! I've stayed in a whole variety and it just depends on the situation so I can see your point about being just a place to sleep cause I've been in that situation. Deluxes are definitely a nice treat every once in a while.

 

[dbarker]

Not necessarily.

Our first trip we stayed off site.

Our second trip we did a split stay b/t Sports and AKL.

We have stayed at a Deluxe ever since.

However, we will be staying at Sports on the next trip. (by choice, not budget driven).

 

[Cinderella21]

We have done deluxe twice (AKL and WL) and they were awesome...Although we would love to stay there again we just can't afford it every year. But the moderates I think are just as good. They may not have all the extra amenities as the deluxe do but I think they are just as good. I can't seem to stay away from POR. I love this resort. I'll take that over anything

 

[fla4fun]

For me, a lot depends on how long the trip is. If it's a long trip, I'll go deluxe or DVC, just because I tend to spend more time at the resort on the longer trips. If it's a shorter trip, I'll stay mod or value and save the money for other things. So far, out of approximately 75 trips, I've only had two that were less than stellar, and those two were at deluxe resorts.

 

[cruiserkaren]

We started at a Deluxe and went "down" to a mod. Our next trip will more than likely be at a Value.

I know we are going the wrong way!

Dh and I both adored the Contemporary but just can't afford it now. Our next trip (hopefully May 2008) will be the first time we have to pay for our oldest dd so that factors in to where we stay. Being on the monorail was so much fun. We rode it just for fun. DD loved it.

However, I have never felt like I missed out on anything other than the proximity to MK, by staying at a mod.

We're looking at ASMu for May but I'd prefer POR. Above anything I'd prefer to go over not going at all so if that means a value than I'm all for it!