My DH and I have stayed at the YC and BWI previously when we've visited, but are considering taking a more 'budget-conscious' trip for the end of this year. I can't help but wondering, though, if we've loved the YC and BWI, will we be disappointed by what PO-R or PO-FQ have to offer? I'm hoping that some of you have had similar experiences and can share the benefit of your wisdom! TIA!
Used to Deluxe, will Mods be a big letdown?
- Thread starter jenfromnj
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Hi, Jen, I'm also from NJ!
I've never stayed at any of the resorts you mentioned, but I have stayed at the Poly, WL and AKL in the deluxe category, and also at CBR, and my travel pal has stayed at POFQ, so I'll give you my ideas, for what they are worth.
I love CBR and she loves POFQ, but when the budget allows, we always stay deluxe for a couple of reasons. Personally, I like the "hotel" type of concept where you have a lobby, etc., all in the same building. Also, I don't believe you can beat the bus transportation from AKL to the parks. The other thing that wins me over is a balcony. One of my pleasures when I'm on vacation is relaxing on the balcony in the morning before heading out for the day, and then when I get home at night, there's nothing like sitting out there and watching everything pass by, especially if you have a cold beer in your hand.
However, aside from missing my balcony, I've enjoyed my stays at moderates and don't hesitate to stay there when the budget is tight. I don't think POFQ will compare to YC in some respects, but my friend says it's her favorite moderate. If you can't swing the deluxe this time, I wouldn't hesitate for a minute to try POFQ or CBR.
I've never stayed at any of the resorts you mentioned, but I have stayed at the Poly, WL and AKL in the deluxe category, and also at CBR, and my travel pal has stayed at POFQ, so I'll give you my ideas, for what they are worth.
I love CBR and she loves POFQ, but when the budget allows, we always stay deluxe for a couple of reasons. Personally, I like the "hotel" type of concept where you have a lobby, etc., all in the same building. Also, I don't believe you can beat the bus transportation from AKL to the parks. The other thing that wins me over is a balcony. One of my pleasures when I'm on vacation is relaxing on the balcony in the morning before heading out for the day, and then when I get home at night, there's nothing like sitting out there and watching everything pass by, especially if you have a cold beer in your hand.
However, aside from missing my balcony, I've enjoyed my stays at moderates and don't hesitate to stay there when the budget is tight. I don't think POFQ will compare to YC in some respects, but my friend says it's her favorite moderate. If you can't swing the deluxe this time, I wouldn't hesitate for a minute to try POFQ or CBR.
I would recommend POFQ to you. Growing up (and well into my early twenties) we always stayed at the Contemporary. Now married with kids, remodeling a house, etc. we are more budget savvy. We have stayed at both CBR and POFQ. We found POFQ very quaint, bus service was great (first stop picked up, does share with POR though and first dropped off from parks), boat to Downtown Disney was a joy (even took you to POR to have dinner at Boatwrights). There are no balconies to enjoy but we did like sitting on the benches along side the River (not even going to attempt to spell it) and strolling along the river between the two resorts. This year we are planning on adding a carriage ride to our trip.
Only thing that bothered me about POFQ was no sit-down restaurant but being so close to POR and DTD it didn't really seem to matter. Hope this helps.
CBR was beautiful but way too big to enjoy if you weren't located in the right building.
Only thing that bothered me about POFQ was no sit-down restaurant but being so close to POR and DTD it didn't really seem to matter. Hope this helps.
CBR was beautiful but way too big to enjoy if you weren't located in the right building.
Chicago526
<font color=red>Any dream will do...<br><font colo
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I don't think "disapointed" would be the right word. The mods are very nice hotels in and of themselves. If you don't use your balcony much, then you really wont miss having one. If you don't stay in your room much, you won't notice they mod rooms are a bit smaller. I think the pool areas are just as nice (except I don't think mods have hot tubs, but I could be wrong on that, I haven't stayed mod in a while!) as deluxes for the most part. While you may prefer deluxes over mods, I don't think you're vacation will suffer for staying there. Afterall, you'll have a lot more money to dine and/or buy souvies with! 
Belle Amy
There's no place I can be, since I found Serenity.
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My fiance has been pampered by deluxe resorts for the past 10 years....he has stayed at WL, Poly, and more recently AKL with me, although he's stayed there previously, and consierge to top it all....he was VERY hesitant about staying at a moderate, but after our September trip to POR, we are both excited to try other moderates and hope they live up to the experience we had at POR. It is a very different experience from a deluxe, but wonderful just the same...in some respects we prefer it more because each building is so spread out from the next, you almost feel like you have the building to yourself....especially at POR with the more private pools located between some of the buildings...
Fear not, you will be just as pleased with the magic at the moderates!!! Hope you have a great trip!!!
Fear not, you will be just as pleased with the magic at the moderates!!! Hope you have a great trip!!!
Jen - Welcome to the wonderful world of Disney Freaks. It's a delightful club to belong to.
As far as Mods having hottubs - I don't remember if CBR did but I know POFQ does. My DH and I relaxed in it one day for a short time while my kids played in the fenced in playyard just across from the hottub. It was perfect.
As far as Mods having hottubs - I don't remember if CBR did but I know POFQ does. My DH and I relaxed in it one day for a short time while my kids played in the fenced in playyard just across from the hottub. It was perfect.
mjkaferle5
DIS Veteran
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We were staying at POR next trip. A lot of people on the boards have called it a deluxe moderate. The lush growth of plants and tree rivals any of the deluxes.
We have also stayed at POFQ in the past. During my stay I always thought, "Man, if this isn't a deluxe then a deluxe must be out of this world!!". Basically I loved it!!
We have also stayed at POFQ in the past. During my stay I always thought, "Man, if this isn't a deluxe then a deluxe must be out of this world!!". Basically I loved it!!
We always did mods, then we had a kid and got a great post 911 rate at Poly and then bought DVC. We got spoild. So much so that we were a little disapointed in OWK since the layout is more like a mod then a one building deluxe resort. (also we were in a studio.) I know that is a bad thing for a DVC member to say, I tend to get flamed for it.
However we got a great deal at PORS this past May 2005 for 77 a night and I figured, you can't beat that. ( we had already used our points up at BCV in March, but had APs.)
We were not dispapointed at all. It was a great trip and for the money we LOVED PORS. You have to be prepared for the differences (mostly how spread out mods are.) other then that they are great. In fact it was much quieter then most Deluxes and I liked that. The playground was great for the kids too, the theming is wonderful. Personally I think you can't go wrong with any Mods, but my favorites are PORS, (aka dixie landings) CRS, POFQ and last CB. We weren't impressed with CB, to each his own.
Edited to add, all mods have a hot tub. CRS is right near the main pool and the waterfall dumps into it. IMO it made it less then hot. (but looked cool.)
However we got a great deal at PORS this past May 2005 for 77 a night and I figured, you can't beat that. ( we had already used our points up at BCV in March, but had APs.)
We were not dispapointed at all. It was a great trip and for the money we LOVED PORS. You have to be prepared for the differences (mostly how spread out mods are.) other then that they are great. In fact it was much quieter then most Deluxes and I liked that. The playground was great for the kids too, the theming is wonderful. Personally I think you can't go wrong with any Mods, but my favorites are PORS, (aka dixie landings) CRS, POFQ and last CB. We weren't impressed with CB, to each his own.
Edited to add, all mods have a hot tub. CRS is right near the main pool and the waterfall dumps into it. IMO it made it less then hot. (but looked cool.)
puffkin
DVC Owner- SSR & AKV
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The mods are great. I think that they are often one of the best values on property (if you can get a good discount). Here are some reasons you may prefer a mod over a deluxe:
-If you drive, you will be able to park your car fairly close to your building at a moderate. The buildings are spread out and there is ample parking.
-Quiet. Since the buildings are so spread out, you don't have a lot of people walking around or by your room (unless you are close to the main buildings). Also, most of the mods only have two floors, so you can request a 2nd floor room for extra quiet.
-Pools. They have pretty nice main pool areas, but not quite as nice/grand as the deluxes. However, the mods have tons of quiet pools which are very nice. Most of the deluxes only have one quiet pool. The mods also have hot tubs, though only at the main pool.
-Food Court. The mods have great food courts with tons of choices and seating. They also have a decent sit down restaurant (except POFQ).
-Price. You could get two rooms at a mod (with two bathrooms and 4 beds) for roughly what it costs for 1 room at most of the deluxes.
-Laundry. There are more laundry facilities at the moderates than at most of the deluxes (usually by the quiet pools).
We try to stay deluxe too if we can afford it, but the mods are great too. We have stayed at POR, CBR, Poly, AKL, Pop, ASMo, and OKW.
-If you drive, you will be able to park your car fairly close to your building at a moderate. The buildings are spread out and there is ample parking.
-Quiet. Since the buildings are so spread out, you don't have a lot of people walking around or by your room (unless you are close to the main buildings). Also, most of the mods only have two floors, so you can request a 2nd floor room for extra quiet.
-Pools. They have pretty nice main pool areas, but not quite as nice/grand as the deluxes. However, the mods have tons of quiet pools which are very nice. Most of the deluxes only have one quiet pool. The mods also have hot tubs, though only at the main pool.
-Food Court. The mods have great food courts with tons of choices and seating. They also have a decent sit down restaurant (except POFQ).
-Price. You could get two rooms at a mod (with two bathrooms and 4 beds) for roughly what it costs for 1 room at most of the deluxes.
-Laundry. There are more laundry facilities at the moderates than at most of the deluxes (usually by the quiet pools).
We try to stay deluxe too if we can afford it, but the mods are great too. We have stayed at POR, CBR, Poly, AKL, Pop, ASMo, and OKW.
I stayed at WL for our first trip to WDW and then stayed at POR Riverside last summer.
Yes, you will notice some differences, but you will still be staying in a beautiful atmosphere with a wonderful pool. Although I probably would not stay at POR again, I am not sorry I stayed there as we saved a lot of money and still had a fabulous trip. The kids could not tell the difference, they are only interested in the pool.
POR Riverside had more of a motel feel than WL, with noisier air conditioners and doors to the outside. I also wasn't crazy for the bus service at night, but you have stayed at deluxes which also do not have monorail service.
I think you will appreciate the money you are saving and also have a great stay. It is good to try a mod at least once to compare them to deluxes, IMO. Next trip we are splitting between Poly and either AKL or a moderate (CSR).
Yes, you will notice some differences, but you will still be staying in a beautiful atmosphere with a wonderful pool. Although I probably would not stay at POR again, I am not sorry I stayed there as we saved a lot of money and still had a fabulous trip. The kids could not tell the difference, they are only interested in the pool.
POR Riverside had more of a motel feel than WL, with noisier air conditioners and doors to the outside. I also wasn't crazy for the bus service at night, but you have stayed at deluxes which also do not have monorail service.
I think you will appreciate the money you are saving and also have a great stay. It is good to try a mod at least once to compare them to deluxes, IMO. Next trip we are splitting between Poly and either AKL or a moderate (CSR).
Alicnwondrln
DIS Legend
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to the op i am the same
we have always stayed deluxe
never even a mod
this smas we are trying pop
my son DS6 wants to stay there
i just hope everything will be ok
we have always stayed deluxe
never even a mod
this smas we are trying pop
my son DS6 wants to stay there
i just hope everything will be ok
Chicago526 said:I don't think "disapointed" would be the right word. The mods are very nice hotels in and of themselves. If you don't use your balcony much, then you really wont miss having one. If you don't stay in your room much, you won't notice they mod rooms are a bit smaller. I think the pool areas are just as nice (except I don't think mods have hot tubs, but I could be wrong on that, I haven't stayed mod in a while!) as deluxes for the most part. While you may prefer deluxes over mods, I don't think you're vacation will suffer for staying there. Afterall, you'll have a lot more money to dine and/or buy souvies with!
All teh mods we have been to had hot tubs the largest being that of Coronado Springs it holds 25 people and apparently is the largest on Disney property. Dixie has a couple smaller ones by the main pool.
SnackyStacky
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If you go in expecting a deluxe experience at a moderate, you will be disappointed. The moderates (with the exception of the Caribbean Beach) are not as spacious as the deluxes. As has been mentioned, they're also more spread out, and the lobby and pool areas can be a hike.
But if you expecting a "moderate" experience - in that it WON'T be a Yacht Club or a Boardwalk, you'll have a fantastic time!
I've only stayed at the French Quarter - but I REALLY enjoyed how compact it was. Not nearly as spread out as the other moderates seem to be.
But if you expecting a "moderate" experience - in that it WON'T be a Yacht Club or a Boardwalk, you'll have a fantastic time!
I've only stayed at the French Quarter - but I REALLY enjoyed how compact it was. Not nearly as spread out as the other moderates seem to be.
ksc37
DIS Veteran
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I hate to say this, but you will probably be disappointed in the moderates. I have become addicted to the deluxes (I realized this after staying at a value resort last week). I think I became addicted after spending some time at the Beach Club, so if the Yacht Club and Boardwalk are your usual resorts, you will probably have some difficulty making the change to a moderate.
The moderates are very spread out, so it takes forever to get to and from the food courts, bus stops, etc. from the more remote rooms. And, if you're like me, you will miss the balcony, the full vanity in the bathroom and a closet door to hide all your stuff. The size difference is noticable also. Most of them have hot tubs, so that is a plus. You will probably notice a difference in checking in, too. Last time I did a moderate, it took me around 45 minutes to check in. Deluxes never take me more than 10 minutes or so.
The moderates are very spread out, so it takes forever to get to and from the food courts, bus stops, etc. from the more remote rooms. And, if you're like me, you will miss the balcony, the full vanity in the bathroom and a closet door to hide all your stuff. The size difference is noticable also. Most of them have hot tubs, so that is a plus. You will probably notice a difference in checking in, too. Last time I did a moderate, it took me around 45 minutes to check in. Deluxes never take me more than 10 minutes or so.
I'm a deluxe girl who really enjoys the moderates. I grew up staying at the Poly but for budget reasons DH and I stayed at CBR on our first trip. We LOVED it. In some ways it felt more private than most of the deluxes I have stayed in - I think because of the outdoor corridors, landscaping, seperate buildings, and several quiet pools. We threw together a last minute trip in mid-October a few days ago and decided on POFQ - with a baby coming in January I just couldn't justify the price of a deluxe. I think you will be fine at a moderate if you keep in mind the differences in location and transportation.
Thanks for your replies! I guess a lot of you are right that it's all about managing our expectations. Ironically, DH was the one who wanted to try and save some money (we're in the process of buying our first house), and now he's coming up with 1001 reasons that BWI is a good idea!
DisneyFans4
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If I had to choose which moderate I've always liked Coronado Springs.
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