Should we try a moderate?

[leeann32]

here's alittle background...
we are a family of 5, kids are 15,13,&7. We originally booked the Poly with free dining Dec11-17th for $3600.
After doing some looking around trying to save some $$$ we found POR for $2200 a savings of $1400!
We only stayed deluxe so far, Poly & Beach Club.
We enjoyed both deluxe resorts, but $1400 is alot of $$ to save!

Does anyone have any advice? Will we be to cramped with 5 in one room?
How is POR?

 

[pooh2001]

I would try a moderate.

We have been only staying in deluxe (CR, WL, twice at the Dolphin) - but for our next 2011 vacation we wil be at the POFQ.

POR & POFQ are both wonderful.

POR can hadle a family of 5. Your 5 year old would easily fit into the trundle bed at POR. Maybe your DD 15 can sleep in the trundle and the DS's sleep in the bed together. If your DD is 5' 1" or less, she can fit into the trundle bed.
A nice way to keep the DD & DS's apart.

POR pool is great for kids of your ages. The food court has many options.
Plenty of draw space - one for each of you and you get a free small mini refigerator for your water bottles and snacks.

Bring a hanging shoe holder to store the many hair brushes, shampoos and other bathroom items your family will use. It wil help keep everything organized.

Store your suitcases at the bottom of the closet and bring a few extra plastic hangers (the kind you can throw away from clothing stores) to hang some clothes in the closet. There is a peg bar on the wall to keep hats, jackets, what ever organized.

Bring a electic power bar to have extra outlets for cell phones, camera's, ipod's to charge.

You can use the facilities at both resorts and there is a boat to DTD which will be great for your older children to do Disney Quest.

The bus service is very good and sometimes each resort POFQ & POR have their own buses.

Check the thread for POR information - do a search and you will be pleased.

It is great to do the savings of dollars.

Enjoy the free food option

 

[KatMark]

We used to stay at either the CR or the Poly all the time. Then we moved to a moderate and with the exception of one trip for a special occasion, we've not looked backl. We love our moderate.

We have not stayed at the POR, but we have visited it a number of times. We love the food court there and it is a beautiful resort. The thing you will miss the most is the queen beds and the little one will have to sleep on the trundle bed (I've read pros and cons of the comfort of this). If we didn't have a resort that we love and could not get into it, POR would be our only other moderate choice.

Truthfully, I don't find the deluxes worth it -- especially with that kind of savings. I would switch to the POR.

 

[LuvLDM]

I have stayed at all of the moderate & most of the deluxe resorts....POR is my favorite!
I find the moderates to offer the best value, while the deluxe properties are lovely I just don't think they are worth the absurd price that Disney charges to stay there.
If the smaller rooms/bed aren't a deal-breaker then definitely try POR.

 

[pooh2001]

Please also check out the dedicated POR/POFQ website
http://www.portorleans.org/

some info I found:

The standard room facilities include:

2 Double Beds (or one King Size bed if you have booked that option — however there is limited availability of this room type)
Remote-controlled colour TV (27" tube) with in-house information stations and some (mostly Disney-oriented) cable channels
Table and two chairs
Bedside table with digital alarm clock/FM radio
Air conditioning/heating via a stand-alone unit mounted under the main window
Telephone with voicemail and a data socket should you wish to connect a modem (note: the old 75¢ per call connection charge seems to no longer apply, thus making all local and toll-free calls completely free)
High Speed Internet Access port and supplied ethernet cable (extra charge for this service, currently $9.95 per 24-hour period — see the Internet Access page for more details)
Small wall-mounted key-lock safe (useful for money, credit cards, documents, keys, phone, iPod, etc — but not big enough for laptops or larger cameras)
Ceiling fan
Dimmable light over each bed
Hanging rail for clothing, plus four storage drawers located in the armoire closet that also houses the TV set
Luggage Seat
Small fridge (21"x16", no freezer compartment)
Bathroom with toilet, bath tub and over-bath shower. Disney-branded soap and shampoo/conditioner are supplied
Retractable clothes line over bath
Separate vanity area with twin sinks, mirrors, etc. This area can be curtained off from the rest of the room if required
Hair dryer
Iron and Ironing Board
Coffee maker (4-cup size, with basket type filter and complimentary coffee supplied). Not ideal for boiling water for making tea
Ice bucket, which can be filled from the ice machines located in every building
Baby cots/cribs (Pack’n’Play) and bed rails are available upon request
Some rooms include a connecting door into the next room. Although Connecting Rooms can be requested, they cannot be guaranteed. Note: this is not the same as “Adjoining Rooms”, which simply indicates two rooms are located next (or near) to each other but they don’t have an internal connecting doorway
Corner-rooms feature an extra window, which can make the room feel more light and airy
30" and so are suitable for children aged up to about ten years, but would Additionally, Alligator Bayou rooms (only) normally include an extra rollaway ‘trundle bed’ which slides out from beneath one of the double beds (not provided in King bed rooms). The trundle beds are approximately 70" x 30" prove too small for most adults over 5 ft in height. Note: the only way to guarantee this feature is by having a party of five people in your booking, but requests are usually honoured
As with all Disney Resorts now, the rooms are all completely non-smoking — including balconies and walkway areas. Designated open-air smoking areas are provided

 

[disneysmyhappyplace]

We are a family of five. My kids are very similar in age. My middle son uses the trundle and the rest of us share the double beds. Is it small? Sometimes if we are in there to long, but we really only sleep, change, and shower there. We are always fine. We are trying the BC with a split stay at POR this year so I guess I will have a different perspective to compare when we return, but I like to save money. So I would go for saving the money. POR has many of the amenties of the deluxe resorts and we love the boat to downtown disney. Hope you have a great trip!

 

[harpinjean]

You should be fine at a moderate. I really enjoyed POR when we stayed there, it is a beautiful resort.

 

[dtripli]

Hi - Im writing this before reading the other post; so I won't bias my own opinion! hee hee

Anyway, up until 2 years ago we were a family of 5 as well. We had always gone deluxe too. We stayed at GF, Poly, CR, BC, YC and the Dolphin. When Aiden was born we decided we would do two rooms at CBR instead of trying to cram into the one room. Now, I really don't have anything too negative to say about CBR. The themeing was great, and so was having to bathrooms with three teens! hee hee....but "once you go deluxe...it is hard to go back!"

I didn't like having to bus it everywhere, and there were times that we waited way too long for a bus. Before our now 2 1/2 year old was born and there was just the 5 of us we never felt cramped in the deluxe rooms. After all 2 queens and a day bed was just fine....We broke up shower schedules to day and night...My 3 older children are 16, 13, and 11 now.

CR and Poly are said to have the largest rooms on property; so maybe go with one of those?....

That being said....if the main concern is money...well you know...we all do what we have to....I just got the feeling you could do deluxe, but are just playing with the idea of going mod to save the cash...Thats, ofcourse a personal decision.

I hope I was some help too. Good luck with your decision.

 

[Pinnochio]

I agree with LUVLDM.....the prices for the Deluxes are absurd...do yourself a favor, book PORFQ and enjoy a nice resort without the big $$$$'s....also, as an added bonus you get a free water taxi from your resort to DTD....nice scenic ride...enjoy and don't look back...

 

[Elmo888]

One thought is that with your youngest at age 7 (instead of 5), is it possible that you wouldn't be spending as much time in your room? That might help sway you to POR.

 

[wish*i*was*in*the*vi]

In my opinion having everyone share double beds would be really cramped...after long days at the parks, with kids(and adults some times too) being tired and cranky, everyone needs a good nights sleep, not crammed 2 people to a double. That's why we don't stay at a moderate(aside from Coronado which has queens), we'd love to save the $ by staying at the less expensive resorts and they look perfectly lovely, but we're just not willing to sleep in double beds. Just my 2 cents worth.

 

[bytheblood]

I really love POFQ. I have to admit that I am a resort snob. I am an owner at Animal Kingdom Lodge...and I have stayed at Wilderness Lodge and Beach club for my last few trips. I prefer the Deluxe resorts. I did try CSR in June last year (for the 2nd time) and will not return.

Anyhow, as much as I prefer the Deluxe resorts, I would always be willing to return to POFQ. Especially if I was out of points for DVC.

But, I do want to add this - for your family size and make-up, I think you will be very cramped in a moderate resort. If anything, maybe a suite at the AllStars would be a better option for you? I cannot see the teens comfortably sharing a bed with another sibling.

 

[kerri0616]

We've stayed at all levels of resorts, and we just returned from the Poly in July. I really cannot say anything negative about the Poly, but I guess for the difference in price between Poly and a moderate, I would choose a moderate next time!

Everyone talks about the convenience of the monorail, but we had several long waits for monorails at the resort and at MK. Was it quicker than a bus....sure. But it isn't a perfect form of transportation.

Staying at a moderate doesn't diminish fun park time. The Volcano Pool was really quite small, so POR or CBR's pools would actually be better. The theming of the mods is really nice.

I'd pick a mod over Poly!

Kerri

 

[Amy&Dan]

We've stayed at all levels of resorts, and we just returned from the Poly in July. I really cannot say anything negative about the Poly, but I guess for the difference in price between Poly and a moderate, I would choose a moderate next time!

Everyone talks about the convenience of the monorail, but we had several long waits for monorails at the resort and at MK. Was it quicker than a bus....sure. But it isn't a perfect form of transportation.

Staying at a moderate doesn't diminish fun park time. The Volcano Pool was really quite small, so POR or CBR's pools would actually be better. The theming of the mods is really nice.

I'd pick a mod over Poly!

Kerri

My sentiments exactly! Enjoyed the Poly, but will not be going back since to me its not worth the extra cost over a moderate, all of which I have stayed in, all of which I love.

I also don't see that much difference between a double and a queen bed. Now between a queen and king, big diff to me. The other, not so much. But that is just me.

OP: If the size of the trundle is a concern, you can bring a twin sized airbed. That's what I do, its very comfortable, even for my almost 6' tall son. My kids outgrew the trundle so we now just bring the airbed (and we are a family of four and can't get the trundle guaranteed anyway).

We love POR. We have stayed at all levels of WDW resorts, we used to own DVC and for us, themoderates are the perfect resorts. We also think the mod pools are great, not a step down from a deluxe at all as far as we are concerned.

And boy, when we have stayed deluxe, the lack of a food court has been a big bummer for us! All of the mods have great counter serve options.

See for yourself, $1400 is a lot of money, especially if you have three kids!

 

[Tinkh]

POR is wonderful. Seriously, you should be fine. We have stayed all levels and POR is one of our faves. 1400 is a lot to save.

 

[KSDisneyDad]

here's alittle background...
we are a family of 5, kids are 15,13,&7. We originally booked the Poly with free dining Dec11-17th for $3600.
After doing some looking around trying to save some $$$ we found POR for $2200 a savings of $1400!
We only stayed deluxe so far, Poly & Beach Club.
We enjoyed both deluxe resorts, but $1400 is alot of $$ to save!

Does anyone have any advice? Will we be to cramped with 5 in one room? How is POR?

We are a family of 5. We stayed at POR in March - our kids ages were 14, 12 and 8. We were very cramped and would not stay there again. Honestly, we'd stay in the family suite at the AS Music over POR, or even two rooms at the Values compared to POR. We'd rather have space than the so-called "upgrade" to POR. POR still has outside corridors & double beds. The trundle "bed" is nothing but an oversized plastic crib mattress on a slab of metal. Our son was freezing as it was by the AC. So we took the mattress and stuck it between the beds. Even with the nightstand, it didn't stick out. But it's no day bed like you get at the Poly.

That said, we did enjoy POR overall - the grounds are beautiful and the boat ride to DTD is nice. We just didn't enjoy the smallness of the room for 5 of us.

We've stayed at the Poly and our kids loved it. But like I said, we also enjoy the Values.

 

[michael's mom]

I think you'd be fine in the room. How much time will you be spending there? I remember staying plenty of times with 5 of us in a room, even into our teens when my youngest sister was still young. Sure, it's not the best staying in double beds...but to save 1400 I'd do it. I have to say, I'd never stay at ASMu. It's not my thing at all. And if you're used to deluxe, I can't imagine you'd be happy there either. POR is beautiful. It has a great pool, great food court, and the boat to downtown is a nice treat too! I took the boat over to POFQ for some beignets one night and walked back to POR...that walk was so peaceful and relaxing! I've never really seen the problem with outside corridors. It doesn't make much difference to me (especially in WDW). Now, I'd love to be able to stay deluxe, but I'd rather go back more often than stay in a deluxe.

We always rent a car so the WDW transportation is never an issue for us.

My vote is stay at POR and save the $1400 for something else (maybe a tour?) or just to save!

Regardless of what you choose, have a blast!

 

[Upatnoon]

If money and space are important, you should consider off-site.

We are a family of 5 and we have been staying at Wyndham Bonnet Creek. You can stay in a 1,200 square feet, 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom with living room and a kitchen for around $100 a night.

This resort is next door to the Caribbean Beach resort, so the location is excellent.

Read about it in the "we looooooove bonnet creek" thread in the Orlando Hotels and Attractions board.

 

[AnnaS]

How often do you go? When was the last time you went? When are you planning on going back? I always say, you gotta try everything once. If it's once in a lifetime (okay 5 years or so, lol), then go for it.

We have stayed at CBR (dd and I) once and POR I believe three times. Twice before DVC and once after DVC. We enjoyed our stay in both. We love the themed pool at POR, the lounge and even now we still go back once or twice to their great food court.

You can save the money, use it for tours etc, or perhaps start a saving fund for next time (WDW or elsewhere).

Good luck with your decision. Keep us posted

 

[leeann32]

Thank you everyone for your responses! After reading through peoples suggestions, I think we might just try a moderate!
Probably 2 rooms at CSR, we like the idea of having queen size beds.
2 rooms is still less $$ than staying at the Poly, just not a huge savings.
Thank you again everyone!