Returning to Moderate After Deluxe?

[Royal Consort]

The last two trips we took to WDW we stayed at Wilderness Lodge and Grand Floridian. I loved the Wilderness Lodge but our standard room meant we had trucks pulling in and out during the early hours. The most recent stay at the Grand Floridian was an immense disappointment as I didn't believe the extra charge was commensurate with quality. Certainly the CMs were no different in their level of service or expertise than any WDW resort. Our room was also in pretty shabby state with broken mirrors, badly patched holes in the walls and ceiling, and stained couch.

This year we've booked at Port Orleans Riverside in a Royal Room. I visited POR for the first time last Sept whilst we were staying at the GF and was impressed with its themeing more than most deluxes. My question is: how do you feel returning to Mods after staying at deluxe? Does it feel like a major step down?

 

[Disneylover99]

It doesn't feel like a step down at all to me.

I have a favourite value, moderate and deluxe. I think of it as a step across, rather then up or down. It's just different, but neither better or worse.

 

[Sweettears]

I miss having a balcony and a sofa to sit on.

 

[APiratesLifeForMe2]

I've done it and it isn't bad. Sure I miss the transportation Options of a deluxe and close proximity to the theme parks but you get to save $$$$.

 

[RiSaNicNol]

I think it depends on yourself. Our family experienced this just last weekend. We stayed at Grand Californian Villas with our DVC points; but due to our flight being cancelled suddenly by United, we had to stay an additional night. And since our credit card Travel Delay Protection only covers expenses up to certain dollars amount, we have to stay at Paradise Pier Hotel. I personally didn't care at all; DS too, but DW was the opposite. She felt the major step down.

 

[amberpi]

Location and ROOM SERVICE for me. I've done value and mod both day of, both checking in after 10pm. Not having room service was an eye opener. I may not use it every trip, or 3 times in 1, but if its not an option, its not vacation to me.

 

[Marionnette]

The last two trips we took to WDW we stayed at Wilderness Lodge and Grand Floridian. I loved the Wilderness Lodge but our standard room meant we had trucks pulling in and out during the early hours. The most recent stay at the Grand Floridian was an immense disappointment as I didn't believe the extra charge was commensurate with quality. Certainly the CMs were no different in their level of service or expertise than any WDW resort. Our room was also in pretty shabby state with broken mirrors, badly patched holes in the walls and ceiling, and stained couch.

This year we've booked at Port Orleans Riverside in a Royal Room. I visited POR for the first time last Sept whilst we were staying at the GF and was impressed with its themeing more than most deluxes. My question is: how do you feel returning to Mods after staying at deluxe? Does it feel like a major step down?

Meh! It certainly isn't the same and I've had bad experiences as well as good at both resort levels. I did miss the convenience of jumping on a monorail or boat or just walking to a park directly from my resort. And the lack of a balcony and extra seating makes it a little less relaxing. But if you're a go-with-the-flow kind of person, those shouldn't make a huge impact on your trip.

 

[Poohsmommi]

I find the service at the moderates better than the deluxe resorts. While we usually only spend the extra money for a deluxe at the 3 monorail hotels, you are still fighting crowds when the park is closing to get to your transportation. Yes, you can walk, but who wants to do that after being in a park for 14 hours? We have stayed in every hotel on property - literally. So, to answer your question, no. It's not a step down, and I wouldn't hesitate to stay in a moderate.

 

[Babsy]

We have stayed in all the resorts and often still stay at value or moderates after staying deluxe. It is different - as PP said the lack of a sofa and balcony is noted - but if you are in the parks most of the time then the difference isn't a really big deal. We love the grounds and the relaxed atmosphere at the moderates and we enjoy the animated Disney movie, cartoon atmosphere at the values. Just go into the lower priced accommodations with realistic expectations and you will be able to enjoy the differences.

 

[Poohsmommi]

We have stayed in all the resorts and often still stay at value or moderates after staying deluxe. It is different - as PP said the lack of a sofa and balcony is noted - but if you are in the parks most of the time then the difference isn't a really big deal. We love the grounds and the relaxed atmosphere at the moderates and we enjoy the animated Disney movie, cartoon atmosphere at the values. Just go into the lower priced accommodations with realistic expectations and you will be able to enjoy the differences.

and room service! That is a must some times LOL Although you can get pizza and wings delivered.

 

[Mom2Stitch]

We stayed at the Poly for many years and now only stay at CSR. I think that the difference in price makes it ok for us to not have a couch or balcony. Normally we are at the park or at the pool and I'm not sure we would use either all that much.

 

[ols386]

I've stayed at all three levels, and there are various things about each resort that I like, but just being at WDW is pretty special, whether you're staying at a deluxe resort or a value resort.

 

[SouthernSoprano]

I'll let you know after our trip in Sept. We've always stayed at CBR, but due to construction, we were moved to a SSR 2 bdrm villa. While I'm looking forward to trying out a new resort, I will miss CBR. I think its true that we all have our favorite places to stay. Just being able to be at WDW is special to me. One thing I do believe is that by making a change, in the future we may be more likely to want to try out other resorts.

 

[fla4fun]

I have stayed at every level of Disney resort, and had great vacations at all of them. The important thing is to keep your expectations realistic for the resort you have booked. If you prefer a balcony and then book a resort without them, don't spend your trip feeling bad that your resort doesn't have them. Only you know what amenities are a make or break for your vacation, so if a mod checks off everything you need, you will enjoy it.

 

[Ensusieasm]

The last two trips we took to WDW we stayed at Wilderness Lodge and Grand Floridian. I loved the Wilderness Lodge but our standard room meant we had trucks pulling in and out during the early hours. The most recent stay at the Grand Floridian was an immense disappointment as I didn't believe the extra charge was commensurate with quality. Certainly the CMs were no different in their level of service or expertise than any WDW resort. Our room was also in pretty shabby state with broken mirrors, badly patched holes in the walls and ceiling, and stained couch.

This year we've booked at Port Orleans Riverside in a Royal Room. I visited POR for the first time last Sept whilst we were staying at the GF and was impressed with its themeing more than most deluxes. My question is: how do you feel returning to Mods after staying at deluxe? Does it feel like a major step down?

I have stayed at a few deluxe resorts, and POR is still my favorite. You will love your stay! Enjoy!

 

[StuckInKS]

After staying at only values, we did AKL and SSR in May 2016. It was nice (and we found that we really, really like AKL), but we missed some aspects of the values (like the themeing, the larger food courts & the proximity of all the rooms to the main building). We stayed at POP for our Oct/Nov 2016 trip and still enjoyed it, but missed some aspects of the deluxes (the better beds, the pool slides and the living/kitchen areas). We are fine either way, as long as we are onsite.

 

[buzznina]

We have been going for over 12 years and many trips at all 3 levels and we have never came away from a deluxe stay thinking, that the trip was so much better then the others. The past 4-5 trips we go into the planning with first looking at what deluxe we would like to stay at and after comparing prices and even though we could stay deluxe, we have chosen a Mod. We just cannot justify the cost difference and are now finding it harder to even just splurge to stay at a deluxe. I also wanted to add that we do not just do parks every day and that we always spend a lot of time at the resort.

 

[AngiTN]

Didn't bother us in the slightest.
We prefer POR over GF or Poly, even if they cost the same. I simply do not care for either of those resorts.
Hate the monorail, find it a worse mode of transportation than the bus. Certainly don't see it as a benefit
We are going back to a Deluxe for our trip this mont. WL, for DH. It's his favorite.
Mine is still POR. Though BWI is a very close second.
I have no desire to eat in my room, who has room for that? so don't miss that
Having TS at the resort is something we can leave or take, doesn't make our stay one way or the other.
Our next trip in June is back to a Mod

 

[wilkeliza]

I've done it and have had no regrets. It depends on what the focus of the vacation is on if I'm willing to spend more on a deluxe resort then a moderate.

 

[lisaviolet]

This year we've booked at Port Orleans Riverside in a Royal Room. I visited POR for the first time last Sept whilst we were staying at the GF and was impressed with its themeing more than most deluxes. My question is: how do you feel returning to Mods after staying at deluxe? Does it feel like a major step down?

I don't know how you'll feel. But I do think Dixie Landings, I mean Port Orleans Riverside , is the most beautiful property at WDW. Of any level.