Switching From a Deluxe to a Moderate

[mdboyd]

Hi folks! I need some advice.

In the past, we have stayed at the Polynesian (twice) and at Wilderness Lodge (twice). We spent one weekend offsite and absolutely felt too far from the "magic." I like feeling immersed in Disney when I am there!

In May, we are going to WDW for six nights. I am trying to keep a tighter rein on our budget this time. As a result, I am considering "downgrading" our AKL reservations to POFQ. We have never stayed at a moderate hotel and am interested to hear from those who have stayed at both Deluxe and moderate. Did you enjoy your stay just as much? Was the deluxe definitely worth the extra money? We are looking at an additional 30 per night for our visit. Dh says "stop being so budget oriented and pay it." I just want some more input.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Anthony1971]

I would stay at PORS it seems to be more inline with the POLY and WL
at least I prefer this
and most people ona survey I read a while back mentioned all 3
so maybe I am not the only one
Riverside has a great bakery
but it does not replace the coffee
Good Luck

 

[Kaitysmom]

It depends on what amenities you liked about the deluxe and how much you used them. I think POFQ is great - I haven't stayed there in a while, but I loved the boat over to DTD and the theming of the resort. I miss the bigger beds when we go to a moderate so we tend to go deluxe now. We also spend more time at the resorts now and use the pools more. If we were going to be at the parks most of the day, I wouldn't mind going back to the moderates - for $30 more, I'd probably go with deluxe.

 

[DisneyWisher]

Speaking for myself, I would not change a thing. We stayed at POR in Sept'01 We were in the back a good walk from everything. We are staying at AKL for the first time in 2 weeks. I like that everything is under 1 roof.

 

[ptrbryant]

We've stayed at WL on our past 3 trips and will be going to WDW in May. The only discount we could get is AAA, which would still price WL over $200/nt. for us.---it's just that little bit too much for our budget (we've been soooo spoiled by codes in the past that brought WL down to $129/nt.)

We're renting points from a DVC member ($120/night with no additional taxes) for 4 nts.---Saratoga Springs. That left us with 3 more nights. Based primarily on the stellar reviews of POR (Mansions), we're staying there for the 3 nts. at a AAA discount of $124/nt. ($140 w/taxes). We don't really use many of the amenities at a Deluxe (i.e. bell services, full service restaurant, fitness center). What we like about Deluxes are the theming, attractiveness of the grounds, quality of the room furnishings, etc. POR sounds like it meets this criteria. We feel a little nervous about it...not sure about the smaller beds, lack of interior hallways, etc. But, I really, really want to try a MOD. If we find we actually like it---and one of those great $79 rates came out, I'd be confident booking an entire vacation there in the future. If we don't like it, at least we know and we've only spent 3 nts there.

So, you may want to consider a split stay!

Karla B.

 

[daannzzz]

As the above poster said, it depends on how many of the amenities you use. If having a couple of different restaurants AND a food court all at your hotel are important to you along with room service and monorails and boats then you might wish to stick with a deluxe. But if you can handle being without them you will find that the Moderates are themed just as well as the deluxes. The landscaping is just as nice as is the interior decor and the CM's are all as nice, there are just a bit less of them sometimes. If you can get a deal on a room at a moderat I think they are the best balance of Disney themeing vs. price the on property.

 

[HopperFan]

For $30 per night, I would stay with the AKL/deluxe reservations !!!

I don't have a problem with moderates, we enjoy them as well. We look at each trip and decide the best match for that trip. For six nights and especially since you are talking about POFQ........no sit down restaurant and more limited amenities............and only a $30 difference I would stay with what you have. The AKL is beautiful and there is lots to enjoy !

Last trip we went for marathon, lots of running or park time and a shorter trip. We opted for $55 a night at ASMo vs $100 a night at CSR or more for deluxe. Now if it were for a more relaxing Disney focused trip - especially longer, I would have paid the extra for CSR or a deluxe.

 

[estnh]

We have stayed at POFQ, AKL, WL, and the Poly. I think the Poly is in a class by itself, but we like POFQ almost as well as AKL or WL--there are some things we like even better.

We enjoy our stays in a moderate just as much as in a deluxe, and switch back and forth from visit to visit based more on whim than budget.

 

[Grumpy92]

We love POFQ, it is our favorite moderate. We also have stayed several times at AKL & WL. The moderates do have outside corridors. But we found the amenities and food very good. WE also liked the small size of POFQ not to mention that they just rehabbed it last summer. I think you will like it.

 

[heffalump9]

We have done POR and AKL and it is more difficult to go from a Deluxe to Moderate. We are not fans of counter service and that is the negative at POR(Boatwrights is good but very busy (hard time getting PS), plus the two properties are just more CROWDED. To us the AKL is like a warm and friendly home, we love both the Boma and Jiko and the option of room service. Plus you can't beat the activities at AKL and the zero entry pool. When we are at AKL we love to spend time at the resort and at POR we spend more late evenings at the Parks and DTD. One plus both properties have great bus service.

 

[mdboyd]

I just needed to hear some more input before I gave up on the "save money on the resort" idea. I am staying with AKL!! Thanks so much for your help!