Once you go Deluxe.......

[susy]

All this talk about indoor/outdoor corridors is funny to me, because I LIVE in a condo that has outdoor corridors. I guess they call it"garden apartments". We are in South Florida and our building is 3 floors. We are on a golf course and we have pools and a nice sauna. So, outdoor corridors wouldn't make a difference to me. We loved the All Stars, even though I am used to hotels with more room amenities. CBR was very nice. We are staying at our first Disney Deluxe (AKL) in a few days! I know we will love it, but it will not mean that we won't go back to mods or value. Because of finances we will have to. Especially since now I have decided not to go back to work (DS is starting pre -k). We still have the goal to stay in ALL the resorts, it may just take some TIME!

 

[mareka]

We started out staying in the value resorts due to $$. and a commando touring style.
But now that we have made many trips - we became DVC members.
Its wonderful. The last vacation I hurt my knee and had to stay off it for a few days. Well I did NOT feel bad in my 2 bedroom villa. I had a book and my needlework and a kitchen and a hottub.
My family was worried I was suffereing - RIGHT!!

This time we are cruising and then staying in 2 studios - so we will see.

But we have less people going so this should be alright.
m

 

[wld]

I was beginning to think I was the only one that likes to walk outside.

We stayed at WL for the first time for our anniversary having always stayed at a moderate before. As the week wore on I found to my suprise that I would rather be at a moderate.

I don't like the inside hallways, it feels too hotel-y to me. Yes the lobby is beautiful, but being an outdoor gal I really missed walking among the beautiful plants and flowers. Since we usually go in Dec its a real treat for a Michigander. I like having my own private entrance with my own little garden when we were on the first floor at CBR. And walking around the lake at night at CSR is beautiful.

We are returning this Dec and will be staying at POR and expect to enjoy that as well.

So having only experienced 1 deluxe and 3 moderates, I would say it will be very easy for us to go back. And this thread is even making me think about All Stars.

 

[mareka]

We have stayed at All Stars in the past and were very satisfied with it.
But I would worn that if you tend to spend a lot of time in your room or at least at the resort you might be happier at a moderate.

Up til now we usually toured commando style. It has taken all these trips to start to ease up and smell the roses.

Also a little thing like AGE starts to catch up with you.

 

[Uncle Albert]

I would always go fast on my WDW vacation. I need a vacation after the vacation. Staying at a deluxe makes me slow down and smell the roses because it is so nice with the pools and other fun things to do at the resort. Epcot area and Fort Wilderness is the best for these other recreation options.

I love a WDW vacation and now I'm starting to understand there are many different styles of doing it. And I bet they are all FUN!

Uncle Albert

 

[mareka]

We are now DVC members and Home is at Wilderness Villas.
So we want to take it a little slower and do the tour of the resort. Then maybe walk the trail over to Fort Wilderness. Take in the HoopDe Doo Revue. Take the boats out. Sit on the beach and watch the Pageant. Etc

It should be fun.

We'll hit the parks in the morning before the crowds hit.

 

[ryanpatricksmom]

Not only could I go back, I actually prefer to go back!
We stayed in the Fort Wilderness cabins for 3 consecutive years and loved it (I realize that these are not moderates, but are in the same price category). We loved the amount of room, the quiet, and proximity to MK. This year, because we were only coming down for a long weekend, we decided to give the GF a try. If these bathrooms are larger than some of the moderates, I can't imagine how tiny those must be. Our bathroom door just barely cleared the toilet. The transportation options were slightly better than Fort Wilderness, but this did not offset the difference in price IMO. In general, it's a beautiful resort, but it just didn't grab me. I think in the future, for us, we'll consider a deluxe a nice place to visit..but we wouldn't want to live there.

 

[yup I'm Goofy's sis]

Fun discussion! We have only been to moderates and cabins, and found even these two options to be a tough decision. Every trip has been magical--that much is for sure! This trip [we were at POR the first week of August, I just can't figure out how to update the bottom of the page!], we opted for two rooms at POR for our family of six. With four sons, ages 10-20, we knew last time that we had outgrown the cabins, which are wonderful with kids, and great for the budget because of the kitchen.

Connecting rooms at POR was perfect. Two bathrooms doubled our sink, shower and toilet options, and the connecting door gave us a "suite" feel without a Deluxe price tag.

Reading these boards, I think that the time-saving aspect of the food courts is a tremendous advantage over the deluxes--I can't imagine having to spend the time for full-service at every meal. We found the food court, combined with cooler/fridge supplies, to actually be almost as economical as cooking at FW.

I did love the lobby atmosphere at POR, and I agree with those of you who prefer the outside entrances--it actually feels more private, somehow. DH loved to stand outside our POR room with his coffee as the slowpokes among us got ready, leaning on the rail of our "veranda", enjoying the beautiful view. I think it also matters if you drive, and have to lug stuff from the car--I hate to deal with elevators and other guests when we are hauling in all the junk from the trip!

DH and I look forward to a couple-only trip to a Deluxe someday, but I could definitely "go back", go down, even go sideways, as long as I get to "go Disney"!

 

[lizfromfl]

My first two visits staying on Disney property were to the AKL and the Polynesian. I loved them both and was quite hesitant to try a moderate.

My last visit was to POFQ and I loved it! I thought that I would hate the "outside corridors" but found it quite nice to just leave the room and be outside. The hotel was so pretty and having the food court was a big money saver.

I did miss the valet parking and room service but other than that, I was perfectly happy and look forward to staying there again.

 

[idors8]

The first time we stayed onsite, was in the summer of 2000 and it was 7 nights at POR. We loved it, the spacious grounds, the rooms, the great atmosphere and my son loved the food court.

The second time just DH and I stayed at the YC for our anniversary for a quick 3 night trip. I loved the feel of the resort, the private balconies, the pool, the Boardwalk and Epcot right at your doorstep.

Third time around was 8 nights (8/20-8/28) at the YC. While I still loved it, I did miss the food court at POR for quick meals, and strolling the spacious grounds. I would definitely like to give POR another try. Maybe next time I would split the stay between a mod and a deluxe.

 

[cinmell]

PamNC, I was wondering this myself. Years ago we would only stay at CBR. Then we started staying at the Contemporary and our upcoming trip is at the GF. We are planning on going back in May and are debating between CBR and Polynesian. We love the theming and set up of CBR, but I'm spoiled by the monorail and boat service at the deluxe resorts. I also find the rooms to be a bit larger at the deluxes and we do spend alot of time at our resort, we may even spend more time at the resort now that we have a daughter! We just can't decide but I guess we can't go wrong no matter what we decide because we'll be in WDW.

 

[ASFCurly]

I stayed in the Contemp the first and only time that I went, I am a little nervous about having to use the busses for everything as we loved being able to use the monorail, but it is a solo trip so I don't want to have to pay for more than a value, the first time I saw a picture of the all stars, I thought, oh how ugly, now I kind of like them. I loved the contemporary, but I am going to stay at other places because I want to try all of the resorts eventually.

 

[Disney-Kim]

We like to mix our stays with mods/dlxs because I would miss both of them if we cut one or the other out.

The moderates imho have the BEST themeing inside/out of all the resorts as a whole. they have fun food courts, multiple bus stops, multiple pools, etc. We really love riding the boat to DD from POR and we love the themeing of the mansions too. CBR is really nice with the fun colors and beaches too.

the best thing about the deluxes in my opinion is LOCATION.
thats it. We are staying at the YC because we like being able to walk to Epcot. thats it.

I don't think the amenities in the deluxes make our stay any better than the moderates.

thats me though.

 

[kaabost]

We are commando tourers on a budget so we have always stayed at the All Stars. So far, we have been very happy. I'm not saying that I wouldn't mind trying non-value resorts but they seem like a waste with our touring style. I particularly love ASMovies because it's theme is still DISNEY instead of some other part of the country. Do I have a one track mind at Disney? YES! True, there is no lobby but I have always found the poolside atmosphere outside (especially at night) festive and simply wonderful. I also like the quick/cheaper foodcourt. When we get "older" (DH is turning 30 on our upcoming trip....so this may be sooner than I think hehehe) we may drop the commando style and appreciate higher scale resorts.

 

[kaabost]

Oh, one more thing. The monorail resorts are my biggest temptation to upgrade because (1) I think the monorail thing is such a cool concept (2) you can see magic kingdom all night from your resort/room (3) you can watch the electrical water pageant.

The contemporary resort tempts me the most because....well....the monorail goes THROUGH the resort. HOW COOL??? I saw several posts implying that the Contemporary was not as good as other deluxe resorts. Why is this? Just curious.

 

[CuteKatCar]

I just wanted to clear up something that I read here. Although the deluxe hotels don't have a food court, they do have mini-type food court. At the Cont, it's called Gasparilla Grill. You can get lots of stuff there: yogurt, cereal, all soft drinks, juice boxes, ice cream bars and they have a grill so you can get grilled food - hamburgers, hot dogs, grilled sandwiches, french fries. Not everything at a deluxe is a sit down restaurant.

I can vouch for one at the GF too. So, there must be one at the Poly and others as well.

Anna

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

Originally posted by CuteKatCar
I just wanted to clear up something that I read here. Although the deluxe hotels don't have a food court, they do have mini-type food court. At the Cont, it's called Gasparilla Grill. You can get lots of stuff there: yogurt, cereal, all soft drinks, juice boxes, ice cream bars and they have a grill so you can get grilled food - hamburgers, hot dogs, grilled sandwiches, french fries. Not everything at a deluxe is a sit down restaurant.

I can vouch for one at the GF too. So, there must be one at the Poly and others as well.

Anna

Umm, the Food and Fun Center is at the Contemporary, Gasparilla Grill is at the Grand Floridian. Captain Cook's is at the Polynesian, and Roaring Forks is at Wilderness Lodge. Animal Kingdom Lodge has Mara, and the Beach Club has Hurricane Hannah's. Yacht Club & Boardwalk don't have them.

 

[cbutterfield]

Sure you can go back. Last trip was at cont. In Dec. we will be going to ASM. Different things to love about Deluxe and Budget.

 

[ellyn2000]

I certainly was able to. We stayed @CR and next trip stayed @ASMO. I was happy even though the room was so much smaller. When I considered the difference in price, I got even happier. It's just personal preference. I will pay ANYTHING for a really good meal and some people think that's ridiculous. Some folks will pay ANYTHING for a nicer hotel and people think that's ridiculous. It just depends on what's important to you. I like staying @AS and saving enough to enjoy other things with the money I save.

 

[WDWHound]

We have no problem with going from a deluxe to a mod. We like to stay in the Contemporary Tower and in CBR. We love the CBR for its tropical setting and we love the Contemp for is location, view and easy monorail access. This trip we are going to try out AKL. It think its more a matter of environmentan and theming for us than anything else.