Should we try a deluxe?

[onceuponadream]

We have been to POFQ and CBR and always had wonderful trips. We have also always visited in March when and stayed in the parks from open to close because of shorter hours and cooler weather. We will be in Disney the first 12 days in June this year and I'm really concerned about the crowds and heat. I know we will need to go back to the hotel and rest and cool down. We plan on a "swim break" every afternoon. For this reason we are not considering the All Stars. We think the pool slide would be a lot of fun for the kids.

We are having a tough time choosing between the moderates and the deluxes. Specifically, the CR, AKL or Poly vs. POR or CSR. We're not considering the Epcot resorts (and I'm an RN so if we did we would be at the Dolphin). If codes or AP rates are similar to last year then we can expect the deluxe to be about $1000 more for the 12 days. We have read the many people who love POR and the pros and cons of CSR. We are trying to decide if the deluxes are really more convenient (to make our afternoon break less of a hastle) or if a moderate would suffice. I know the pool at CSR is awesome and hear they are refurbing the pool at POR to make the slide a little longer. The theming of POR is not really our taste (I think Alligator Bayou rooms look a little too rustic and the Mansions area looks a little too "antiquie"). We are also definitely open to splitting the stay between any 2 resorts.

I guess it boils down to has anyone stayed both moderate and deluxe NOT liked the deluxes better and returned to the moderates instead??

Thanks for any opinions

 

[daannzzz]

I go back and forth between the deluxe and moderates resorts. I think the themes at the moderates are just as good and sometimes better than some of the moderates. The main things I like about the deluxes are...the balconies and the locations. Allot of the amenities are lost on me. I don't care if I get fancy soaps or shampoos or sewing kits or cotton balls. If I want to eat at one of the restaurants I just drive there. While elaborate pools are fun, I don;t swim that much so it boils down to enjoying the balcony and being within walking distance or monorai or boat travel to a park. The moderates have fine, comfortable rooms and while I like having interior corridors I personally think that they tend to be noisier because of the echoing down the hall way factor!!! If money is a consideration you will have just as good a trip at a moderate but a hair more travel time for your midday breaks.

 

[XStAnt]

The deluxes have larger rooms, which is a plus for a long stay. Also, they have interior doors which is nicer, quieter and safer. PLus the deluxes are usually a little more compact (easier to walk from one part to the next), whereas the moderates are very spread out. Also, CR and Poly are on monorail so it's really easy and fun to get to MK and Epcot. The deluxes are just buses.

All that being said, I think the moderates tend to be a fair value, especially with the discount codes. Although the deluxes are a little bigger and nicer, I often feel it's not worth the extra money.

My suggestion would be to split the stay. Start at a moderate and then switch to a deluxe (don't do it the other way or you could be a little disappointed). You say you're not thrilled with the theming of POR. Have you considered CBR? They just refurbished the food court.

Good luck.

 

[woody5]

I think it all boils down to what you want out of a resort. We had always stayed at the moderates until last summer. We stayed at the WL. During our stay it was only $39 more per night to stay at the WL or AKL than one of the moderates so we gave it a try. First let me say that the WL was a great place to stay. It wasn't too large and easy to get around at. We had no problems with the transportation. The pool is fun but depending on the ages of your kids, the novelty of the small slides at the pools will wear off. That being said, I found that we did not use alot of the extras that you get at a deluxe. We tend to be the kind of family who spends the majority of the time at the parks so we use our room for sleeping and the pool for swimming. If you can get a great rate at the WL or AKL I would give it a try. All of the other deluxes will be significantly more expensive. Personally we will stick with the moderates unless good rates are available for WL or AKL. By the way you mentioned being a nurse, the Swan/Dolphin rate for nurses will be about the same as a good code for WL or AKL, significantly less than all other deluxes, and a little more than the moderates. Good luck deciding.

 

[AspiringCindy]

We usually wind up staying at WL just as woody5 has done. When we are booking, WL is only $20-40 more a night compared to the moderates. While I have stayed at Deluxe (BC) and moderates(POR) , I do prefer the deluxe. They offer more food choices within the hotel, the pool areas are slightly more theme oriented and I like the interior corrodors as well.

 

[onceuponadream]

Thanks for so many replies .

The "busses only" doesn't bother us as much as 5 or 6 bus stops within the same resort (CBR). We also didn't like CBR pool area very much. The slide was pretty small and it was difficult to keep track of our 4 kids all in different area. It was pretty and clean just not our preference.

WL looks beautiful but we will be spending a lot of time at the pool so we may save that for an off summer trip.

The Dolphin looks nice but if we can pay $30 more for AKL....

The food courts at the moderates have more variety....

It sounds like those of you who have stayed at deluxes still "go back" to the moderates and like them both. That doesn't help me very much but it's nice to know they are both okay choices. I am so torn between wanting to "experience" being on the monorail and waking up to animals and the "reality" that we may not be in the rooms long enough to justify the cost .

Anyone else?

 

[kevind65]

It depends alot on how your family vacations. Our family tends to spend most of our time in the parks, so for us the moderates are just fine. sometimes, too much is made of the difference in room sizes between the moderates and deluxes. last year we split time between CSR(10nights) and AKL(5nights) and the room sizes were not all that great. we had a great time at both resorts. we have found that transportation times do not vary that much between most of the disney resorts when you think about it. You're generally closer to some things and farther away from others no matter where you stay because disney is so big. we don't do the deluxes too often because all we do is sleep and use the pool there. good luck in deciding.

 

[onceuponadream]

kevin65--thanks for your reply . We also usually do parks and pools. Staying 12 days this year so not sure if we'll be "parked out and have more resort time". Probably just pool time as it will be summer . How did you like CSR? We've stayed at CBR and the layout seems similar. However, the pool at CSR looks really fun. If you don't mind me asking...where was your room located and how far were you to food court and the dig site? Did you find the transportation to be pretty good? Also, since you were there 10 days I'm assuming you had a chance to eat at Pepper Market. How was the food/gratuity system. We would really like to stay there. The negative posts I've read have me a little scared though. Even when I read the Passporter they mentioned that it was not a resort they would choose and they loved POR. We like the theming and pool of CSR better though .

 

[susy]

Hi! We stayed at AKL over labor day weekend and wow! It was the most fun I've had at any resort anywhere!

we had a pool view and it was very conveniently located. Just a very short walk to restaurants, pool, shop, and buses.

The pool slide was A LOT better tha the "baby" one at CBR. Also had zero depth entry, which is nice. mara had good selectiosn and we ate at boma (breakfast and dinner) and Jiko. Or son used Simba's and loved it!

The buses were great! One bus stop and no sharing!

5 minutes to AK, about 10 to Epcot and MGM, and 15-20 minutes to MK.

Saw animals from all around the resort (by the Pool, arusha rock, different viewing areas. Lots of activities going on all the time (at the pool, too).

 

[opal]

When we have gone in hot weather (usually longer trips), we have always stayed at a mod (usually CBR). When we have gone during cooler weather, we stayed a deluxe, most recently BWI and Swan.

On the longer trips in hot weather, we would spend the a.m. at a park, return to the resort after lunch for some pool, relax time and then back to the parks or DTD for the evening.

When we go in cooler weather, we stay fewer days. Since Epcot is the only park open later, we like the Epcot resorts because it's easier to run back to the room for more layers to keep warm.

If you really don't spend a lot of time at the resort, the moderates are great. $40 x 12 nights add up!