Please help me choose a resort

[Lisa A]

I am planning a trip the week of August 21 and need help choosing a resort. This is my second trip to WDW. The first time we stayed at WL and I must say that I was very dissapointed. Since I have never been before, I was expecting much more from a deluxe resort. It just didn't feel deluxe to me. I guess I expected more for my money.

Unfortunately, this trip I cannot afford to stay in a deluxe resort. I was wondering which of the moderates or values would be a good choice for me family (kids 4 and 6). My priorities are clean room, good transportation, good pool and less walking.

What is the general opinion, are moderates worth a few extra dollars or is my money better spent on more days at Disney?

I know that everyone's opinion is different, so the more responses the better.

 

[kimmar067]

...burst yer bubble, but that 'less walking' thing is probably gonna be 'out-the-window' if you are thinking of staying at a value or mod (JMHO - stayed at ALL of them [MODS, that is!] and, unless you are lucky enough to get a room RIGHT NEAR the main building, be prepared to walk!

May I ask why you didn't enjoy WL??

Since your kids are 4 and 6, your best bet'll probably be the Pop Century for theming, and, since it is the NEWEST, for cleanliness. The Values also have wonderful food courts. I can't be sure about the transportation 'sitch', tho'...good luck with your decision!

 

[Lisa A]

I didn't like the WL mostly for the theming. The rustic look was not my cup of tea. I chose the WL based upon many positive reviews. It just seemed dark and dingy to me. Also I didn't even get a coffee maker in the room. For a deluxe resorts I thought that would be standard. The bathroom seemed small and dated. I of course loved what I saw of the GF from the lobby, but doubt that I could ever afford to say there.

 

[Sandi]

We prefer the moderates to WL. We've stayed at POR, POFQ, CBR, Poly, and WL. In a few weeks, we'll be at CSR so, like Kimmar, we'll soon have done all the moderates. We liked all of the moderates better than WL thus far (Poly is our fave though).

To get less walking the POFQ is a good choice. It is also really good for younger kids. It is a compact resort. Food court, pool, and children's playground are all really nice. No sit down restaurant, but that doesn't bother me. That would be my recommendation, but we've never stayed at a value. I guess if it were a matter of getting a few more days at WDW, I would probably go with a value. The rooms just seem really small to me (from descriptions).

 

[kimmar067]

...the bus stops for the mods and values are farther away from the parks...that means EXTRA WALKING!!!

 

[Buzz2001]

THE PROS
No sharing bus service with other resorts
Centrally located with short rides to the parks
Largest hot tub on WDW property
Awesome main pool area with bar, snack bar, playground and kiddie pool
3 quiet pools
New shuttle service eliminates long walks to any of the villages
High speed internet service
WiFi available too
Free use of the gym
Spa
Fridge in the room
Coffeemaker in the room
Iron and ironing board
full room service menu
2 arcades
beautifully landscaped
central air, not a noisey wall unit

THE CONS
Full size beds (kings size beds are available)
one sink

IN THE MIDDLE
The Pepper Market is either a love it or hate it place. We love it but some folks just don't care for it.

Convention resort - some guests don't like seeing other guests at work. Doesn't bother us and helps keep the buses empty. GF, Cont, BW, Y & B Club are also convention resorts.

Check out my website below

 

[Buzz2001]

...the bus stops for the mods and values are farther away from the parks...that means EXTRA WALKING!!!

CSR has close bus stops at the parks except for MGM.

 

[kimmar067]

THE PROS
No sharing bus service with other resorts
Centrally located with short rides to the parks
Largest hot tub on WDW property
Awesome main pool area with bar, snack bar, playground and kiddie pool
3 quiet pools
New shuttle service eliminates long walks to any of the villages
High speed internet service
WiFi available too
Free use of the gym
Spa
Fridge in the room
Coffeemaker in the room
Iron and ironing board
full room service menu
2 arcades
beautifully landscaped
central air, not a noisey wall unit

THE CONS
Full size beds (kings size beds are available)
one sink

IN THE MIDDLE
The Pepper Market is either a love it or hate it place. We love it but some folks just don't care for it.

Convention resort - some guests don't like seeing other guests at work. Doesn't bother us and helps keep the buses empty. GF, Cont, BW, Y & B Club are also convention resorts.

Check out my website below

.....the Cor-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-onado Springs holds a place in my heart, cuz' it was our first ON-SITE vaca, so I agree with what you posted!

 

[BESUNNYSIDEUP]

How much are you going to be at your resort? When we go we leave for the parks first thing and usually don't get back to our room untill around midnight (just enough time to fall into bed and start again the next day). If I wanted to go to a resort and just lay around the pool or stay in the room watching tv I wouldn't go to disney - I could do that anywhere. We usually stay in the moderate resorts but this time we are not forking out the extra money for a room we don't spend much time in. I will be staying at Pop this year and have heard that they have several pools so that they are not overly crowded. Also I have heard that if you suggest the 70's building you are pretty close to the bus stops. I wouldn't worry to much about the bus stops at any of the moderates or values unless you request to be far away from them. I requested the building I want in when I made the reservations. Hopefully I will get it. Just note that they will ask you if you want to pay more for the 60's building. I figured I'd stay at the building right beside it for less money (50's or 70's building) and still be close to everything. As far as where the bus stops are when you get to the park...I expect to walk a lot at the parks so what it the big deal if the bus is a few more feet down the sidewalk? Go and have fun - that is what is most important.

 

[grimley1968]

I'm sorry, but if you did not like WL, you are definitely not going to like any values or moderates, especially for the reasons of walking and good transportation. It's hard to beat a boat to MK for transportation! Everywhere else, except for the monorail resorts (all more expensive than WL), it's a bus ride to MK. I absolutely LOVE WL, but to each his own, I suppose. I found WL's pool to be very nice, and the room to be spotless. True, there is something of a "dark" look to WL, but that should be pretty obvious from the theme itself. Anytime I've ever been in a lodge environment, I see lots of dark wood in the structure. It's hard to see how the rooms are "dated", though. WL was built in the mid-90's, I think. I can see how some particular rooms might have some peeling wallpaper due to age if Disney isn't maintaining them properly, but the look of the place is pretty "in vogue" these days, especially when you compare it to 20 year old GF, and 35 year old CR and Poly! I don't know of any moderate resorts that are much newer, if at all, than WL. There are some newer value resorts than WL, but boy, will you walk at those places, not to mention have to take the buses everywhere! The only places that have less walking and better transportation than WL are the aforementioned more expensive monorail resorts.

The only place I can imagine that might fit a moderate budget AND have the least walking among the moderates is POFQ, but not POR. POFQ probably involves less walking than POR, but not much less. You'll probably still end up walking a good deal more than at WL. At least they have a boat to DtD. I don't think any of the values are going to meet your criteria.

 

[Laurajean1014]

Try Coronado Springs. Our friends stayed there and liked it very much.

I usually stay at deluxes; however, once I stayed at Port Orleans during a business trip and I liked it very much. We had a company car, so I cannot comment on the walking. We drove everywhere.

 

[ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!]

I would for something at either Pop Century (especially if you can get a preferred room by the lobby) or at POFQ. I think those two are the smallest of the values/mods. Not sure about Pop Century, but POFQ isnt as GIGANTIC as POR and CBR. I don't have much info on CSR.

Goodluck!

 

[Disneyjosh229]

I would for something at either Pop Century (especially if you can get a preferred room by the lobby) or at POFQ. I think those two are the smallest of the values/mods. Not sure about Pop Century, but POFQ isnt as GIGANTIC as POR and CBR. I don't have much info on CSR.

Goodluck!

I second POFQ, in my opinon, one of the best resorts on property. Nice Theming, Nice Pool, Good Location, imo make it the best Moderate (please no flaming )

 

[Lorelai]

Our kids enjoyed the theming at the Carribbean Beach resort. There was a lot of walking, but the pool, food court and atmosphere was really great!