Value or Moderate

[krisgil88]

Long time lurker, first time poster. I love these boards

We will be taking our first family trip in August of this year. I currently have ressies at the Pop and was considering trading up to a moderate. We don't have much money to spend and I'm wondering if it worth spending our money on a moderate or using it to go to Universal or Sea World.

If you think we should stay in a moderate I would love your opinion on which to stay in. I like CBR but hubby doesn't because we live close enough to a beach, not to mention the mail pool will be closed when we go. POR is my second choice.

Any Advice

Kris (40) DH (30) DS (9) DS (6)

 

[Stacy's a freak]

The answer depends on how much you plan to be at your resort. If you are planning on being at the parks all day, I would say to save your money and stay at POP (which is a really fun resort). But if you are the type of people who will want to leave the park to enjoy resort life (ammenities in addition to the pool, soaking up the atmosphere, etc.), I would say to spend the extra money for a Mod.

As for going to Seaworld or Universal, that's a personal call too. Frankly, for me, I can't see enough of WDW in 7 days AND if I do go anywhere else, it's a letdown. So I never leave to go anywhere else - I spend all of my time in WDW.

But that's just my opinion.

 

[Buzz2001]

CSR is a great mod. Check out my CSR website below for pics and info.

 

[Kimi313]

We just prefer the values over the moderates.

 

[JoePa4Ever]

We're only in our room to sleep & since money is a bit of an issue we are gladly taking a value resort (Pop) w/free dining. If money wasn't an issue, we would love to try some of the other resorts. We stayed at Sports last year and have absolutely no complaints about it.

 

[BabyPiglet]

Save your money and go with POP. It's a great resort with lots of fun theming.

 

[lovesdumbo]

I'm another one who prefers Pop over the moderates. I like that no room is too far from the food court or buses. I like the big icons. I like the queues a the bus stops. I like the offerings at the food court. I LOVE the frozen coke in the refillable mug.

 

[DisneyWorldOct08]

I personally prefer Pop over any of the mods I stayed at. Pop is smaller, and only has one bus stop. For a first family trip, you'll be in the parks most of the time and in the room mostly to sleep. I'd definately save some $$ to visit other place or buy more souvieners or nice meals.

 

[minnierocks]

Save your $$$...
We have stayed at both POP and All-Star Movies...We actually preferred the theming at Movies. I think it was the total Disney immersion and the giant Buzz Lightyear and Toy Story characters completely thrilled my kids!
We aren't in the room long enough to warrant spending the extra dollars...if it's a first trip...you won't be spending much time in the room either!

 

[mpbs]

Since your children are not toddlers, I say go moderate or deluxe. The pools at the moderate and deluxe are better. AKL and WL are delux that are more reasonably priced. Have fun where ever you stay.

 

[plymouthmom]

I have stayed at all three types, currently a DVC member. IMO there is little difference between the values and moderates besides the pools and restaurants. Rooms are basically the same. So....depends on what you want. The All Stars are nice because they are near Blizzard Beach so that takes care of your pool options. You can also bus anywhere for restaurants. We became DVC members because we really liked that kitchen option, we got a taste of it at the All Star Music with our Family Suite.

 

[nikki'smom]

Definitely a moderate!

 

[Aliceacc]

Hi and welcome!!!

You have 2 young boys, it will be August. You'll want to spend some time each afternoon at the resort. So take a look at the pools!!! That's the prime thing your sons will want in a resort. And they'll want the main pool open!

I vote for POR and "ole man river." It looks like little boy paradise!!!

I would skip Universal and Sea World and make this a Disney vacation. That way, you don't have to pay for transportation or extra admission tickets. There's more than enough to see in the Disney resorts to keep a family busy for a week!!


This thread may help you get your bearings: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1715551

 

[christa112]

We are going again in Sept. This will be our third time going and we are going to be stayin at the POP as well.

Our 1st time we stayed at ASM and loved it. The only down fall was the really crowded busses at night. We decided to go again the following year and WDW was offering Free Dining, so we decided to upgrade to CBR. CBR was really nice.

So after talking to my boys (8 & 7) where they wanted to stay they said they wanted to go back to ASM. They really enjoyed the fun atmsophere.

I really liked both hotels, but honestly do I think it is worth the extra 500 to 600 bucks, NO. If I were you I would stay at the POP and take that extra money and either spend it on your trip or put it towards airfare.

As for going to Universal or Sea World. I have only been to Sea World on our first trip, we really liked it but, missed a lot of the shows, because there is a lot to do there. If I were you, I would skip Universal & Sea World and just do WDW.

There is a lot to do there and MK & AK are going to take 2 days to get through and depending on what you do at Epcot & HS they could take 2 as well. Maybe hit the water parks and Disney Quest this trip. I think your boys are at a good age for those. This will be our first time going to those places as well this time around.

Good luck in your decision and have fun!!!

 

[floridawannabe]

Long time lurker, first time poster. I love these boards

We will be taking our first family trip in August of this year. I currently have ressies at the Pop and was considering trading up to a moderate. We don't have much money to spend and I'm wondering if it worth spending our money on a moderate or using it to go to Universal or Sea World.

If you think we should stay in a moderate I would love your opinion on which to stay in. I like CBR but hubby doesn't because we live close enough to a beach, not to mention the mail pool will be closed when we go. POR is my second choice.

Any Advice

Kris (40) DH (30) DS (9) DS (6)

Someone mentioned it earlier, if you plan on spending a little bit of time at the resort, go for the moderate. The rooms are larger enough to make a difference and the pools are a bit better with waterslides and the like. The bus service was good at POFQ. The food courts are about the same.

The values are fine but we like the moderates because we always wind up spending more time in the room than we think we will. Going in the summer heat can be exhausting and we take a break during the heat of the afternoon. We go back and cool off in the room and/or pool and change clothes. That seems to work for us.

I like Universal and Sea World but if this is the first trip, I would keep it to Disney. Better the four parks and the two water parks, more than enough to keep you busy.

 

[PatsGirl]

I'd stay at POP. We've stayed at both and unless you are going to spend a few hours each day lazing by the pool you don't need to spend the extra money. Also, I think boys that age will MUCH prefer the food court at POP than at the moderates -- my kids love the food there.

I also agree with others who say save SeaWorld for another trip. When we go to Disney and stay onsite you won't need a rental car. We alternate trips, twice to Disney (sometimes three times) and then once to a combo Universal/Seaworld
trip. They are very close to each other and chances are you won't be staying on site and will need a rental car anyways. Even if you do stay onsite, the hotels have a free shuttle to SeaWorld and WetNWild. Just food for thought.

 

[acraw70]

there is a definate difference in 'feel' between the value and moderate. but if you're only around long enough to sleep - save your money. we only stay in the moderate when we have plenty time to enjoy what they offer - including beautiful areas to just walk.

 

[amaycatbaker]

My choice is mod. And another poster was right, you do use the room quite a bit more than expected.

The pools are nicer.

 

[koolmom2]

if you can afford it - moderates are so much more nicer - and feel more like 'disney'.

 

[averill94]

We've stayed mods and Value.... we do have rest days and spend time at the pool. I prefer the values for us with the kids. Loved POP. You really are immersed in Disney and they have the music and the games by the pool etc.

For the moderates I LOVED CSR the pool is awesome but it is much more spread out. And you cant beat the savings with the value!

We are going back to POP in September- we REALLY enjoyes ASMu too!