Should We Upgrade - Value to Mod. Infant..

[Minnesota!]

We are staying at Pop 9/28 - 10/2. First trip with DS - who will be 15 months then. Contemplating upgrading to a moderate for space, convenience, dining, etc. conveniences. It would be $254 more. This IS a budget trip, but I am really thinking we would be too crammed at a value. I have stayed at the values before, and the mods. What would you do??

And if I SHOULD upgrade...where is the best place for us? We have done CBR and POR. Loved both. Should we try something new? What is best for infant?

Thanks!!

 

[pjathome]

Just returned from POP a week ago and loved it. According to the Disney reps the All Star value resorts are 40 sq. feet smaller that the mods, but when they built POP they improved on the issues that we with the All Stars. If you are planning to use a portable playpen and have a room with the 2 doubles it could be cramped but you could ask them to move the small table and chairs out or the way our room was you could put a playpen in the space beside the dresser and the bathroom, it should fit there. You also have the option of a king bed at Pop but it's only a request from what i understand and no guarantee but most visitors to pop are families who need 2 beds. I think with a Kind bed you'd have plenty of room for a playpen. I'd suggest you call Disney and ask if there is room in POP room for a playpen or a crib. They'll know for sure. Have a great time. Your son will love the themeing at POP, Disney Magic everywhere all the time.

 

[bigbabyblues]

We stayed at ASMovies last year with our 2 boys, ages 3 and 15 months, and we were fine. We were in the room more than we'd originally thought because of a hurricane (only 1 day) but we didn't feel cramped at all. We put the pack and play over between the dressing area and the dresser, and it fit fine.

 

[AKLgirl]

if you want a delux resort try AKL great for teaching about animals at early age and great to look at too!

 

[whacked]

The size of the room, with just one kid, won't make that much difference IMHO.

There would be an advantage to staying at the CSR as a moderate. It's more centrally located to the main parks (but further from the water parks).

We find it to be a big advantage to get back to the room quickly when the kids are tired.

You do NOT have this advantage at the AKL. The AKL is not centrally located. The animals are nice though. The AKL is a deluxe, not a moderate, so it's about $100 more per night than a value.

 

[5kwallace]

When we took DS for his 1st trip to WDW we stayed at ASM. A king bed was not available. We pushed the beds together & against the Wall. It left a lot of space for the pack and play. Also provided him space to play. Mousekeeping left it that way all week. The only problem I have with the value resorts is the crowds. Always long lines waiting to get on the buses -coming and going. Having to stand holding a small child is not easy. Thankfully, there were really nice considerate people who gave me a seat. I know that your family will have a great time no matter where you stay.

 

[Camping Griswalds]

Can you still push the beds together? Especially at Pop Century? I think I read somewhere that you can't do this anymore. Now my dream room would be a king bed and a double for the kids and squeeze in a crib for the baby

 

[SqueakyMouse]

If you decide to switch to a moderate, I highly recommend CSR with a young child. CSR has all-day room service (at very reasonable prices compared to those at the deluxes), which the other mods don't. This was especially helpful for us in May, when dh and older ds decided to go to Epcot and DQ one evening. I remained in our hotel room with the sleeping little ones. Being able to call room service for a snack or a meal is great during such a time!

 

[ArielsMommy]

We have only stay at the value resorts when we have gone with DD(3 1/2). She has been 5 times so far and loved it. We prefer the All-Stars over POP though. You can move the beds at All-Stars but the beds do not move at POP. So, if you intend to use a playpen, I would suggest one of the All-Stars so you can move the beds and make more room for it. We have always had enough space for the 3 of us.

 

[Minnesota!]

Thanks guys! DS will be sharing a bed with me/DH so we won't need space for a playpen or crib. My main concern, I guess, is that it will take longer to come/go to parks b/c of lines (where as at mods you have at least 2 bus stops, you know?), and the lack of choices of eating (where mods have food court and full service (well, with POFQ as the exception).

I am really thinking of trying CSR, but the 10% automatic turns me off, as does the convention stuff. Is it really noticeable?

 

[Kim In NC]

We stayed at ASMovies last year with our 2 boys, ages 3 and 15 months, and we were fine. We were in the room more than we'd originally thought because of a hurricane (only 1 day) but we didn't feel cramped at all. We put the pack and play over between the dressing area and the dresser, and it fit fine.

We did the same thing when DS was less than a year old at ASsports several years ago and had plenty of space. We really weren't in the room a lot and we are of the mindset that we would rather save on the room (that's least important) and do more activities or puchase 1 really nice item from each trip and not spend everything we have on a room. But that's us!

We had no problem with a pack 'n play at All Stars - the crib was against a wall and we had plenty of walking room to get around.

 

[minniesfriend]

Based on the transportation, I would go for the Moderate. Plus, you get a fridge which will come in handy.

I agree that space will not be an issue.

IMHO, I prefer the moderates to the AS. I think they are quieter and we have always had better service. This has been our experience. Others may feel differently.

CSR is usually our first choice of moderates because they do not share bus transportation with other resorts. I really do not like the Pepper Market, tho. I think it's $$$$ with the fee. OUr family of 4 cost over $50 for dinner. (kids are 8 and 10). We eat breakfast in our room. We purchase milk in the store and eat cereal or breakfast bars. This works better for us. If you're not a bacon and eggs everyday type, the savings here may help offset the extra expense of the upgrade.

Conventioners? We normally do not see them, but some friends of ours did and it wasn't a good experience. Lots of rude drunk people around his young daughters. We have stayed here at least four times and never experienced this. You may ask what groups will be there during your visit.

Have you considered CBR or POR again or do you want something new? They have nice shaded walkways that make for a nice stroll. POR shares transportation with PRFQ and these lines can get long - but not as long as AS. I don't remember CBR sharing. We really enjoyed our stay at these resorts and would stay here again in a minute.

AKL is our favorite deluxe. But since you are considering the budget, I would wait until your child can enjoy (and remember) the animals and Boma's. This is a beautiful resort.