I figure I'd like to add my two cents.
I'll be staying at a deluxe for the first time in December as well.
I've stayed at value and moderate so far.
Here's my perspective:
Regarding Value:
I like that if I'm on a tight budget, I can still go to WDW.. because truly, I would rather have to fight crowds than forego my trip for lack of money. I have found that the value resorts can be difficult and tiring when you have little kids along. The walk from the parks to the buses are always the longest, and the buses are packed, and it gets really tiring for me too.
Regarding Moderate:
The main difference that I can see is that the landscaping is prettier. The idea of taking the boat to DTD is a bonus, but again, with little kids, how often do you get much time spent at DTD? So besides that, you're still taking the bus. The walk from the parks to the bus stop is slightly lesser than the value resorts, but still tedious and it's still a bus.
Deluxe: Again, with little kids, the only deluxe that's not on the monorail I'd consider would be WL. Little kids tend to favor MK, and I know I will be spending more time at MK when I bring the kids, so for convenience's sake, I'll stay in an MK area resort.
If I had to choose, I'd take Polynesian, so that I not only have the monorail, but also the Neverland Club. That is an invaluable convenience.
As far as once you go deluxe you'll never goes back goes, yes, I will love the beauty and luxury of the deluxe resorts. But at the end of the day, I just want the convenience.
Without kids, I wouldn't mind where I stayed (as long as it was onsite) because I can come and go as I please, and not cajole anyone along, saying it's only a short walk further.. etc. If I can take my own pace, I'm not bothered by the walk, the crowds.
But as a divorced mother of two small children (almost 5 and almost 4) the opportunities for vacationing without them are very few and far between. I am fortunate enough to be going without kids this December, and while I'll miss them at WDW, I'm going to take advantage of doing the things that I usually have to rush through or skip altogether when they're with me. Things like shopping at DTD, spending time in the World Showcase section of Epcot, relaxing next to the pool, sleeping in, dining in non-character restaurants.. and spending time with my friend. It'll be very nice for me.
I digress.
the resort. It's become our resort of choice...we consider other places and always end up back at the CSR!
