Unsure about Moderates

[MrsJamesPSullivan]

If you can afford it give POFQ a try. It's a small resort with no room far from food, bus or boat. I love the theming and colors. It just makes me happy. Even when not staying there we will take the bus from our morning park just to walk through and take the boat to DS. Try something new, if it's not for you maybe Pop won't seem so boring next trip.

 

[lynzi2004]

Would you ever consider Fort Wilderness? I don't know how you feel about camping, but we tent camp there in April and had a fantastic time. There is boat service to MK and buses for everywhere else.

 

[DisneysaurusRex]

well first of all, welcome to the boards! i feel like i have a decent insight to this, even if you might not like it. a room is a room, whether you pay $750 a night, $240 a night or $85 a night. i can say when i stayed in a $750 room (which was really $400ish because I was a cast member at the time) i spent A LOT of time in my room, at the lounge and enjoying the atmosphere of the contemporary. when i stay in a moderate, i do enjoy it. i prefer staying preferred at carribean most times, but this upcoming trip i'll be returning to pofq. it's small size speaks to me, i hate sprawling resorts. now, as you've stated you spend little time in your room basically seeing it as a bed is a bed is a bed. is it worth it to you to pay more and maybe consider some downtime at the resort to enjoy the theme and amenities? do you use the pool? if you're spending a lot of time in the parks/at the poly save your money and go with pop. pop is my go to when i am planning on heavy park touring.

so basically: you like to be out in the parks, spring for the cheaper room and reward yourself with more treats

Thanks for the welcome and the detailed response!

 

[jetdoctor]

I would stay at a smaller resort like POFQ. Admittedly I am a Disney snob. I would prefer to stay at a deluxe resort and if I can't then I'd rather not go. With that said I totally understand that that is not not in most people budgets, it's usually not in ours. We just stayed @CBR it was nice. Again I think the rooms are small. Everything comes down to your family needs. For us we are locals so if we stay it's only for a few nights and it's mainly to relax not going crazy at the parks. You have to take in factors such as how much time you are going toe spending in your room. If you are looking to spend most of your stay at the parks and only use the room for a place to sleep then that fine. But if you plan on taking in things like room service and say having the ability to sit on a balcony and sip on some beverage, then I would most defiantly stay a a deluxe. I know that most value resorts have double beds and moderate have queens with the ability to get a king. Most of the time value resorts are further away from the parks and transportation take a bit long on Disney buses. many of the moderate resorts are more themed.

I always looked at it this way...with a family of four the values were fine when the kids were little, but we grew into the mods as they got older and bigger. Eventually, as mom and dad had more "me" time with more self sufficient teens, the deluxes were a treat for us.

I agree

 

[goofyintoronto]

CSR has the best buses i've ever experienced at any resort. I never waited longer than 5 min, and i never had to stand. Not even after wishes! POFQ is also a good choice, since its a small resort. Not a lot of walking there. Although since youre like me, you use your resort to sleep and shower, i'd just stick with pop. I'd rather spend my money on something else.

 

[dlavender]

Here's my "overpriced" leaders:

1. Moderates (particularly Caribbean)
2. Contemporary
3. Grand Floridian
4. Art of Animation
5. Polyneisian
6. Wilderness Lodge

In your opinion, why do you think the Mods are the most overpriced? In looking at the deepest discount for a room (through Disney, not using a TA), a value can run about $90, while Caribbean can run about $150. However, Yacht Club/Beach Club/Boardwalk will come in around $275. In my opinion, I can see the $60 increase for the vast difference in All Star resort vs Caribbean resort. I would never spend a day at the All Star pool, but have and would at the Caribbean. However, even with the Yacht Club's superior pool, I could not justify that $125 increase from Caribbean, or $185 from Value. (I've stayed at all three). You usually give great insight, but I am curious as to your position here. Help me see the light.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

In your opinion, why do you think the Mods are the most overpriced? In looking at the deepest discount for a room (through Disney, not using a TA), a value can run about $90, while Caribbean can run about $150. However, Yacht Club/Beach Club/Boardwalk will come in around $275. In my opinion, I can see the $60 increase for the vast difference in All Star resort vs Caribbean resort. I would never spend a day at the All Star pool, but have and would at the Caribbean. However, even with the Yacht Club's superior pool, I could not justify that $125 increase from Caribbean, or $185 from Value. (I've stayed at all three). You usually give great insight, but I am curious as to your position here. Help me see the light.

I think there is little if any tangible difference in amenities between moderates and values and I can't see any moderate costing $200 a night...which they often do now.

The deluxes are way overpriced...no doubt...but they typically have much better food options and locations/convenience...usually better ambience as well.

Steep discounts can be had at deluxes too if you travel wisely...

I just think the value difference is little between the first two steps.

 

[dlavender]

I think there is little if any tangible difference in amenities between moderates and values and I can't see any moderate costing $200 a night...which they often do now.

The deluxes are way overpriced...no doubt...but they typically have much better food options and locations/convenience...usually better ambience as well.

Steep discounts can't be had at deluxes too if you travel wisely...

I just think the value difference is little between the first two steps.

Fair enough. I refuse to pay more than $150/night for the mod, so we are pretty much in agreement. To be fair I wouldn't pay more than $100 for a value. I contend that if you are going to spend a day at the resort, the $50-$60 is worth it. If I'm paying more than $250 night, I need more than a short walk to EPCOT to make it worth it. When the monorail loop could be had for ~$250, I could justify it. A view that couldn't be had elsewhere. At $400 they can keep it

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Fair enough. I refuse to pay more than $150/night for the mod, so we are pretty much in agreement. To be fair I wouldn't pay more than $100 for a value. I contend that if you are going to spend a day at the resort, the $50-$60 is worth it. If I'm paying more than $250 night, I need more than a short walk to EPCOT to make it worth it. When the monorail loop could be had for ~$250, I could justify it. A view that couldn't be had elsewhere. At $400 they can keep it

Notice where I didn't put on my list...places with middle pricing for deluxe and/or excellent theming elements...

Mainly yacht, beach, Boardwalk and animal kingdom

I still love the theme of wilderness lodge...but they frankly overpriced it and it went from best value to arguably worst in 10 years. So now it's a DVC gut project.

The 1970's places for $600? You have to be insane...that's beating people over their head for nostalgia.

And the grand ain't that grand...it's good architecture run by la Quinta quality staff...always has been.

What's so fascinating about the monorail? It's a 1970 installed chooch that runs threw 2 Hotels that opened at about $40 a night...and stayed at a relatively economical price until Caribbean and grand Floridian opened in October of 88 and suddenly they cost double.

That's the shell game with "categories"...is a bubble that the customer can't seem to pop...

And FYI...I Just had a $485 rack rate room For $221...

That...seemed economical...beach club around $215 does to me too...

But nowhere near the gaudy prices for tired buildings and hardware that they jacked up to today's levels.

 

[maxiesmom]

I would maybe go with the All Star Sports in a preferred room. I guess I'm weird in that I like the food court at the Sports better than the one at the Pop. And as far as busing goes, each All Star has it's own bus way more often than they share. And when they do share, Sports is the first one picked up. And the bus ride is not long as the All Stars are connected by their parking lots.

No way no way no way would I recommend Caribbean Beach. It is massive and the food court is not that great.

 

[ChasingLeslie]

I think there is little if any tangible difference in amenities between moderates and values

Queen beds (with upgraded mattresses at CSR/CBR), table service restaurants, and pool slides are pretty tangible. Plus CSR has "deluxe lite" amenities (spa, fitness center, adult club).

 

[CynBeth]

I say go with POFQ. It is small so an easy walk from any room to the food court and buses and also to Riverside if you want to visit that food court. A lot of times buses are nt shared but even when they are FQ is always first and it is very fast to hit each stop. The resort is a good location from each of the parks.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Queen beds (with upgraded mattresses at CSR/CBR), table service restaurants, and pool slides are pretty tangible. Plus CSR has "deluxe lite" amenities (spa, fitness center, adult club).

I'll agree that Coronado is a step up...and the boat access and port Orleans and Dixie are nice...

But the differences in beds is a whole 4 inches...

Maya grill is good...but spotty

Caribbean (whatever it's called) isn't very good.

Boat rights is ok

Port's is so bad that I can't seem to find it.

People dont got there for the food.

The pools are a little nicer...limited slides and an overwhelmed hot tub for 900, 1900, 2100 and 2100 rooms.

Nope...well versed In the advantages and disadvantages of moderates...i think $25 more than values a Night is about right...not $75-100

 

[cruisingtwins]

I think the moderates look like cheap motels by the side of the road. I liked AoA way more than CBR and POFQ.

 

[dlavender]

That...seemed economical...beach club around $215 does to me too...

I'd take beach club for $215 anytime over a mod for $150.

 

[DisneysaurusRex]

Major thank you to everyone who contributed answers and advice!

I think most of you are right in going with Pop preferred. Maybe next trip I'll see if my brother wants to join me at POFQ and then we can spend more time at the resort.

Thanks again! Feeling better about my choices now

 

[DisneysaurusRex]

Would you ever consider Fort Wilderness? I don't know how you feel about camping, but we tent camp there in April and had a fantastic time. There is boat service to MK and buses for everywhere else.

Thanks! I'm not much of a camper, I can't see myself sleeping in a tent after walking all day at Disney. But thank you for the suggestion!

 

[rosiebean]

I'll agree that Coronado is a step up...and the boat access and port Orleans and Dixie are nice...

But the differences in beds is a whole 4 inches...

Maya grill is good...but spotty

Caribbean (whatever it's called) isn't very good.

Boat rights is ok

Port's is so bad that I can't seem to find it.

People dont got there for the food.

The pools are a little nicer...limited slides and an overwhelmed hot tub for 900, 1900, 2100 and 2100 rooms.

Nope...well versed In the advantages and disadvantages of moderates...i think $25 more than values a Night is about right...not $75-100

I have to say that I disagree with all of this (i.e., I know several people who go to Mods specifically for food court and sit down restaurants...not because they have those amenities at mods, but because they've stayed at those mods before and really really really enjoy the dining offerings). I love Mods, some of them even more than Deluxes, and quite happily have paid twice the amount of a value to stay in one. It's what *I* consider money well spent. I'd be miserable staying the entire time at a value, and, honestly, would spend my entire time thinking that I'd gladly cut my trip short by a day or two to stay at an upgraded resort.

But to each his own.

 

[lilclerk]

We usually stay at values, but jumped up to POFQ this year. It is absolutely beautiful and I got some great photos, but... I don't think it's worth all the extra money. I'm a value resort girl, I'd rather spend more money on experiences in the parks and dining. It is also just me or me and a friend, we don't need the extra room.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

I have to say that I disagree with all of this (i.e., I know several people who go to Mods specifically for food court and sit down restaurants...not because they have those amenities at mods, but because they've stayed at those mods before and really really really enjoy the dining offerings). I love Mods, some of them even more than Deluxes, and quite happily have paid twice the amount of a value to stay in one. It's what *I* consider money well spent. I'd be miserable staying the entire time at a value, and, honestly, would spend my entire time thinking that I'd gladly cut my trip short by a day or two to stay at an upgraded resort.

But to each his own.

Everyone has an opinion and preferences...so to each their own.

No issues with that.