Returning to Moderate After Deluxe?

[dledger]

We stayed at the BC in 2014 and then POR for our Disneymoon last summer. The only thing my dh commented on (as he had never been to POR) was the amount of walking from the lobby to the room to the buses, etc. other than that- we loved both stays. We did miss the proximity to Epcot but that's just us because we spend most of our time there.

 

[AllieBoo]

Transportation is the main difference for us. We have mostly stayed at mods, but we stayed at Yacht Club last trip and the proximity to Epcot and DHS just made it so much better for us than having to grab a bus. We've also stayed at the Poly and having the monorail was so nice. The rooms themselves are also bigger of course, so for our family of four that also helps. So I definitely prefer deluxe, but would not hesitate to stay at a mod and would not look at it as a major step down.

 

[Tar_Heels_Love_WDW]

We typically go for Mods when we aren't using our DVC points for rooms because we think they're the best value for us. That being said, we do miss the balcony most, but I definitely miss having a full coffee pot that you get in Deluxe Villas as opposed to the stupid little 1-cup coffee maker in Mod rooms. I drink a lot of coffee, so this feature is more important to me than to others.

 

[msjprincess]

I've done it numerous times. POR is one of my favorite resorts. There are actually certain things I miss when staying at a deluxe, like more CS food options. I guess it depends on how you vacation. I've been going to WDW regularly for over 20 years. I have never ordered room service or gone to one of the spas. I always look forward to having a balcony, but then when I get there I go out on it once or twice for a couple of minutes and that's it.

For me the biggest selling point for the deluxe resorts is the location.

 

[Elleshoodat]

We stay at deluxe resorts for long weekend trips when we aren't visiting the parks (it's like a staycation for us), and moderate resorts for longer trips with park days. Our favorite deluxes are Animal Kingdom Lodge and Beach Club, and for moderates we love both Port Orleans resorts. I don't consider them a step down, just different!

 

[elle101me]

I've stayed at each level, and honestly, POR is still my favorite. The only thing I miss at POR is how easy it is to get to the MK from the deluxe resorts, but.. you have the boat to DS which I love.

 

[jaiminee krikit]

We stayed at AKL last summer for the first time. We usually stay in moderates, and sometimes values. I couldn't beat the deal I got at AKL. We even got an obstructed savannah view room, and before we arrived I thought it would be amazing. The view was amazing. I did not like the room at all. The beds were horribly uncomfortable, and the walk to our room was surprisingly long. It was nice that the walk was indoors, but still. After 4 days at AKL, we stayed for 2 nights at POR. As soon as we arrived back at POR, it felt like home. We got to our room and I didn't want to leave ever again. I do want to try GF and CR some day, but I'm afraid my heart is with the moderates.

 

[maxiesmom]

Just to make sure anyone reading doesn't realize, not all deluxe rooms have a balcony. Some have a patio instead, and some have neither.

 

[Wood Nymph]

how do you feel returning to Mods after staying at deluxe? Does it feel like a major step down?

We usually stay at BC or WL, although we've tried all the deluxe resorts except AKL. We've also stayed at POR twice, our only moderate stays. Both times we had first floor, corner rooms with a king bed in Alligator Bayou. Those were some the quietest Disney resort rooms we've ever stayed in. We liked the room very much. But with people being able to walk past your window and look in, my DH kept the blinds closed. I missed the balconies that most of the deluxe resorts. I also missed the shorter lines for the park buses that you get with the deluxe resorts. But the food court at the moderate resort is very nice.

Hate the monorail, find it a worse mode of transportation than the bus. Certainly don't see it as a benefit

We stayed at GF in Dec and hated the monorail. The MK was closed most nights of our stay for the MVMCP so there was almost benefit to the monorail for us.

 

[fab1976]

We stayed at POR our first on site stay and loved it! Next time we went I booked WL and loved it even more. Made it our "home" for the next couple of trips and recommend it for the location and atmosphere. Last year before our cruise we did one night at AoA and one night at POFQ after the cruise. Loved the POFQ, so very very much! We loved it so much we stayed there this year for 8 nights. Yes there are differences but definitely not horrible ones. The difference between value and deluxe is more obvious, I don't think we would stay at a value resort for a week. Different toiletries, smaller beds, much more sprawling grounds, just to name a few. The moderate that we have stayed in is definitely not much different from a deluxe. Of course there are some differences, but not enough to make us switch from POFQ now. The price difference just isn't worth it!

 

[DeterminedOne]

I was having a similar dilemma booking this trip. I felt the mods would be a step down just based on transportation options. But when I realize we could save a couple thousand dollars, I humbled myself. DH has never stayed on property, so he won't care. Having stayed at POR before and liking it, I feel fine about my choice. Plus POR has the boat to Disney Springs, so there's at least one more option for transportation. As much as I would like to stay Deluxe, it just doesn't make sense for us at this time. We're splurging on the DDP instead. We will get far more out of that than the room. Good luck!

 

[auntfrannie]

The only thing I miss at the moderates are the balcony. It's nice to start or end your day sitting on the balcony with something to drink. With the mods I have my drapes closed because of people passing by, which makes the room dark. But I've stayed at all levels and have enjoyed every vacation. It's always a matter of my budget and how much I'm willing to spend.

 

[stinkpickle]

We did a split stay at AKV and POR last year, and we liked POR just a tad more, overall.

 

[Little E]

I have had this question as well, and I'm so glad OP posted this thread. We have stayed at values, mods, and deluxes, and we've had great experiences with them all. Our last two trips have been at deluxe resorts (CR and GF, we loved them both!), and we are taking a week long June 2017 trip...our longest trip, to date. We were originally booked at BWI, and we were super excited to try an Epcot resort for the first time. However, after I booked, I felt very stressed by how expensive this trip would be, and I asked our TA to rebook at a less expensive resort. She highly recommended POFQ, and it saved us roughly $1400, so that's where we are now booked.

I hoped that the late June discounts would make it possible for us to rebook at a deluxe, but there were no openings at any of the Epcot resorts for our trip dates, and we have already purchased flights, so there is no wiggle room in our trip dates. So, we are staying put at POFQ. I have read the POFQ informational threads, and I am encouraged by all of the positive feedback on this post from folks about going back to a mod.

Thank you, everyone, for making me feel so much better about going back to a mod! We'll be in WDW, so I know it will be magical, and that's what I need to focus on!

OP, I know you'll have a magical trip as well!!

 

[karm12]

The thing is, Disney Deluxe resorts are not luxury resorts. If you want a luxury resort, go stay at the Four Seasons and pay less than a room at the Grand Floridian.

My favorite resorts are the Poly, POR, and the WL. It usually isn't worth the $200-300 extra a night to stay at a deluxe because you really don't get much more. We hated the BC and CR. You don't really get that much more for all the extra money you spend. POR is beautiful.

 

[dkrauss]

My wife and I have stayed at each level of resort in the past 5 years.........we prefer deluxe resorts primarily because of the amenities offered. We've found we like the Little Mermaid rooms at AoA better than the rooms at WL.......but overall WL is better for us because of the access it offers, restaurant choices, and lobby.............AoA is cool.........but the LM rooms are just to far away from everything at the resort. Probably our favorite resort is AKL.............the savannah rooms are IMHO the best..........restaurants the best!

On the same trip we did AKL we did a night at POR in a Royal Room....small room but gitchy ..........unfortunately for the rest of the resort..........we didn't like it at all...............too big.........buses were an issue........Food Court horrible. My wife and I have also done POFQ and have a completely different attitude........we both enjoyed it.

As far as services and CM's in the last 6 trips we've done............not one issue.........anytime we had a problem it was handled with grace and respect.

What are your expectations? Do you need the amenities.........or just a place to sleep and rest a bit? I guess my point is..............its a personal choice. As far as resorts go..........I'll go back to AoA, POFQ, WL, BWV, and AKL.......each has its own flair.

Doug

 

[mb5417]

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.

Just wondering. Did you request the move, or did Disney offer it because of the construction?

We stay there every year, usually in September. This year, due to the Bounce Back, we are going in December.

 

[westie55]

I have stayed at most of the deluxes, all mods but CSR, and AoA. I've had wonderful experiences at all of them and yes, I go back and forth between categories. It's all about expectations and knowing what you can and can't live without. I don't mind the buses and don't need on-site signature restaurants, etc.to be happy, so I'm happy anywhere. I like experiencing the different resort themes and feel they make my vacations different and unique!

 

[SouthernSoprano]

Just wondering. Did you request the move, or did Disney offer it because of the construction?

We stay there every year, usually in September. This year, due to the Bounce Back, we are going in December.

Disney offered the move...but before they had the chance to say to which resort (bc I'd heard of them moving to AOA and I didn't want two rooms if I didn't have to), I asked about SSR. I'd seen others on here asking about it and I thought it was worth the try. They waffled at first, wanting me to pay a $335 upgrade fee. Until I reminded them that they would be saving at least that much by not paying us the gift cards for two rooms. That was when they offered a 2 bedroom villa. Now we're all in one room together and I'm happy with that. I really hope we love SSR as much as we have CBR.

 

[Royal Consort]

What are your expectations? Do you need the amenities.........or just a place to sleep and rest a bit? I guess my point is..............its a personal choice.

OP here. Since we have been to WDW many times before, our touring plan has changed and is less about the parks and more the ancillary stuff such as the dining. We spend a bit of time in our resort either in the room (we are going in August so won't need a balcony as it's too hot) or in the grounds relaxing. This is why I thought POR would have more to offer than the French Quarter. We have stayed at the FQ back when we were commamdo tourists.