PlutoTheDog89
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Sep 19, 2011
- Messages
- 2,088
About a year ago, I asked whether a Deluxe resort was worth it. The feedback was split down the middle. The ultimate response was that "it depends on your family."
After a less-than-stellar stay at Port Orleans French Quarters (which I still, to this day, recommend—it was just a poor stay that left a sour taste in our mouth, plus it was getting a bit stale after 3+ stays) we thought that maybe it was time to try Deluxe. The Beach Club had always been on our bucket list, but the cost was just too much. I was in college when we started doing our Christmas trip and wasn't able to pay my own way. The trip was a present from our parents. Now that I'm working, my sister and I agreed to pay our own way. Split 4 ways, the trip was much more doable. Still, we had our convictions. We'd be paying for the resort alone what we used to pay for our entire trip. This, along with the fact that the holiday fell on a weekend meant higher airfare and a more expensive trip overall.
But we saved. And after an 8-night stay, here's what we think...
The Room
We usually go 12/24-1/2. Instead, this year we'd go 12/24-1/1. Because we were staying one less night, we decided to go "all in" and spend for the water/pool view.
Upon making our reservation, we had one request: a full balcony, preferably on a higher floor. Upon checking in, we received the higher floor, but only with a juliet balcony. The balcony was one thing I was really looking forward to. We had filed a complaint the previous year due to the maid being extremely rude to our family (something I don't have to go into detail) so we didn't really wanna complain, at the risk of being "serial complainers." Knowing that we checked in early, I figured other rooms may be available, though. I went down and explained in a polite manner that we were really hoping for a full balcony. It'd be fine if it wasn't available, but I asked if there were any other rooms available. After a little searching, the front desk CM moved us from the 3rd floor to the 4th, this time overlooking the quiet pool. The room had a full balcony and a gorgeous view of the boardwalk. We were able to see the fireworks from DHS, but unfortunately EPCOT was blocked by the side building. No problem.
Overall, if you blindfolded me and brought me to the room, nothing about it truly stood out. Outside of the balcony, it feels like any moderate resort room at Disney, only slightly larger. We did get to sit outside and view the fireworks a bit, but if you play your cards right, you can do this virtually anywhere. If you're paying for a Deluxe (this one, at least) just for the room alone, then no—it's not worth it.
The Service
The Service was among the best we've ever received at Disney. We were greeted immediately upon stepping off the Magical Express. The greeter even knew our names (I'd assume from the MagicBands.) The front desk accommodated our request for another room with a smile. Walking through the resort, every cast member, even the mousekeepers all greeted us with a smile. Our maid was very good with cleaning our room and keeping us stocked with towels, toiletries, etc.
Another big thing was our package. We sent down a package of toiletries ahead of time. In past visits, it was seamless, as we always stayed mod. Now, there was a convention center and we'd have to go pick it up. My mom stayed on top of things and called ahead. She's a bit of a worry wort (understandably so - all her deodorant, etc. was in that package.) Upon checking in, my mom asked where the convention center was. The CM replied "no worries, we've already fetched the package for you."
I wouldn't pay extra JUST for service, but it certainly made the cost feel worth it.
Amenities
As I mentioned above, the room amenities were pretty standard. I was so happy when I checked the forecast and saw that it'd be in the 80s Christmas week. Extra holiday pounds and all, I threw on my bathing suit and went to the pool shortly after checking in. We laid in the lazy river for about an hour. A cold front was due to sweep into Orlando (luckily it only lasted one day) so we tried to get in one day at the quiet pool, then I made it my business to go down the slide at least once.
The pool was outstanding, although, I didn't see them checking MBs for guests. Really, anyone could have come in, although I'm sure big brother is watching.
Is the resort worth it for the pool alone? I think so. You're pretty much getting a water park inside your resort. If you have kids, you can probably skip the water parks or the parks one day and just head to the pool. That's a money saver right there.
Location
Here's the real winner. My mom mentioned that the location paid for itself. I agree. We've discussed staying at Poly one year and my mom brought up a good point. She mentioned how she loved how she could easily walk to the Boardwalk and grab a snack or breakfast in the morning. Poly doesn't really have that. On top of this, EPCOT was a 5-minute walk away.
On NYE, we tried eating late at Yachtsman then walking to EPCOT around 10:30. We just weren't feeling the crowds, so we went back and watched the fireworks from the boat stop near the lighthouse. We were treated to the EPCOT fireworks, DHS fireworks, then the Star Wars fireworks. It was a prime location without the crazy crowds. We discussed that should we return next year, we'll stay out of the parks all day and just enjoy the resort.
Overall
Is it worth the cost? Well, it depends. I still think Deluxes are far too astronomically priced. Sure, you may manage to get a discounted room, but for the time we go, it's far too expensive. However, the proof is in the location. You simply can't beat walking to EPCOT, having the Boardwalk area RIGHT THERE for food, drinks, etc. and the fact that you could walk to DHS if you really wanted to. My sister and I did this one morning and beat my parents, who took the boat.
Our friends are DVC owners at Boardwalk. One joked that "once you go Deluxe, it's really really hard to go back moderate or Value."
We've discussed going back next year. We played around with the cost of renting DVC, but ultimately, I think we'll just spring for the room.
After a less-than-stellar stay at Port Orleans French Quarters (which I still, to this day, recommend—it was just a poor stay that left a sour taste in our mouth, plus it was getting a bit stale after 3+ stays) we thought that maybe it was time to try Deluxe. The Beach Club had always been on our bucket list, but the cost was just too much. I was in college when we started doing our Christmas trip and wasn't able to pay my own way. The trip was a present from our parents. Now that I'm working, my sister and I agreed to pay our own way. Split 4 ways, the trip was much more doable. Still, we had our convictions. We'd be paying for the resort alone what we used to pay for our entire trip. This, along with the fact that the holiday fell on a weekend meant higher airfare and a more expensive trip overall.
But we saved. And after an 8-night stay, here's what we think...
The Room
We usually go 12/24-1/2. Instead, this year we'd go 12/24-1/1. Because we were staying one less night, we decided to go "all in" and spend for the water/pool view.
Upon making our reservation, we had one request: a full balcony, preferably on a higher floor. Upon checking in, we received the higher floor, but only with a juliet balcony. The balcony was one thing I was really looking forward to. We had filed a complaint the previous year due to the maid being extremely rude to our family (something I don't have to go into detail) so we didn't really wanna complain, at the risk of being "serial complainers." Knowing that we checked in early, I figured other rooms may be available, though. I went down and explained in a polite manner that we were really hoping for a full balcony. It'd be fine if it wasn't available, but I asked if there were any other rooms available. After a little searching, the front desk CM moved us from the 3rd floor to the 4th, this time overlooking the quiet pool. The room had a full balcony and a gorgeous view of the boardwalk. We were able to see the fireworks from DHS, but unfortunately EPCOT was blocked by the side building. No problem.
Overall, if you blindfolded me and brought me to the room, nothing about it truly stood out. Outside of the balcony, it feels like any moderate resort room at Disney, only slightly larger. We did get to sit outside and view the fireworks a bit, but if you play your cards right, you can do this virtually anywhere. If you're paying for a Deluxe (this one, at least) just for the room alone, then no—it's not worth it.
The Service
The Service was among the best we've ever received at Disney. We were greeted immediately upon stepping off the Magical Express. The greeter even knew our names (I'd assume from the MagicBands.) The front desk accommodated our request for another room with a smile. Walking through the resort, every cast member, even the mousekeepers all greeted us with a smile. Our maid was very good with cleaning our room and keeping us stocked with towels, toiletries, etc.
Another big thing was our package. We sent down a package of toiletries ahead of time. In past visits, it was seamless, as we always stayed mod. Now, there was a convention center and we'd have to go pick it up. My mom stayed on top of things and called ahead. She's a bit of a worry wort (understandably so - all her deodorant, etc. was in that package.) Upon checking in, my mom asked where the convention center was. The CM replied "no worries, we've already fetched the package for you."
I wouldn't pay extra JUST for service, but it certainly made the cost feel worth it.
Amenities
As I mentioned above, the room amenities were pretty standard. I was so happy when I checked the forecast and saw that it'd be in the 80s Christmas week. Extra holiday pounds and all, I threw on my bathing suit and went to the pool shortly after checking in. We laid in the lazy river for about an hour. A cold front was due to sweep into Orlando (luckily it only lasted one day) so we tried to get in one day at the quiet pool, then I made it my business to go down the slide at least once.
The pool was outstanding, although, I didn't see them checking MBs for guests. Really, anyone could have come in, although I'm sure big brother is watching.
Is the resort worth it for the pool alone? I think so. You're pretty much getting a water park inside your resort. If you have kids, you can probably skip the water parks or the parks one day and just head to the pool. That's a money saver right there.
Location
Here's the real winner. My mom mentioned that the location paid for itself. I agree. We've discussed staying at Poly one year and my mom brought up a good point. She mentioned how she loved how she could easily walk to the Boardwalk and grab a snack or breakfast in the morning. Poly doesn't really have that. On top of this, EPCOT was a 5-minute walk away.
On NYE, we tried eating late at Yachtsman then walking to EPCOT around 10:30. We just weren't feeling the crowds, so we went back and watched the fireworks from the boat stop near the lighthouse. We were treated to the EPCOT fireworks, DHS fireworks, then the Star Wars fireworks. It was a prime location without the crazy crowds. We discussed that should we return next year, we'll stay out of the parks all day and just enjoy the resort.
Overall
Is it worth the cost? Well, it depends. I still think Deluxes are far too astronomically priced. Sure, you may manage to get a discounted room, but for the time we go, it's far too expensive. However, the proof is in the location. You simply can't beat walking to EPCOT, having the Boardwalk area RIGHT THERE for food, drinks, etc. and the fact that you could walk to DHS if you really wanted to. My sister and I did this one morning and beat my parents, who took the boat.
Our friends are DVC owners at Boardwalk. One joked that "once you go Deluxe, it's really really hard to go back moderate or Value."
We've discussed going back next year. We played around with the cost of renting DVC, but ultimately, I think we'll just spring for the room.
Before you get too many "deluxe" stays under your belt, you might want to consider purchasing DVC. Just a thought. 
