Value Resort or Moderate?

[siobhan1997]

Me, DH and DD 14 years. Five nights arriving early evening, on day 1, leaving very early morning day 6. Plan on doing one dag Magic Kingdom, one day waterpark, with evening at downtown disney, one day shopping, one day at resort. Is it worth the extra $300 to $400 more to go from value resort to moderate? All ADR's made at deluxe resorts for free dining.

 

[rheffelf]

Depends on how much time you will spend in the room. Value rooms are small. Moderates are a little bigger. Tough call. Really depends on how much time you plan on spending in the room. Any appreciable time, I would do a moderate.

 

[fall08CP]

Go for the mod!!!!!! I stayed at a value last night and never again It seemed really lacking after I've stayed at a mod. At that age I don't think the value would have the same appeal as it would to young kids. Let her enjoy a water slide

 

[pruesmom]

Spend the extra money and stay at a MOD!!!!

 

[BamaFan121s]

Depends on what your 'style' is. For us is it totally worth the difference! All of the 'extras' you get at a mod compared to a value just happen to make a big difference for our family.
There is more room in the bathroom area, better pools, *slightly* bigger beds, more place to store your 'stuff,' and a fridge--a huge neccessity for us as we take some of our own food and usually eat lunch in the room while we rest.

 

[Amy&Dan]

I love the moderates but have to say I don't find the room amenities/size to be that much more over the values. If the mods had queen sized beds that would be different! Where they shine imho, is in the outdoor theming, pools, landscaping and they are generally more laid back. However, if you won't use those amenities (hot tub, slide, full service restaurant) than don't pay for them and stay at a value! I have to say I have enjoyed some nice pool days at the values but do enjoy wandering around those moderates and taking in the theming and landscaping. And having a lake, river, boat or something a bit above and beyond what the values can offer can be really nice sometimes. But I also enjoy the values and don't find them just places to sleep and shower.

In some ways, my family has found the perfect solution, All Star Music! We stayed there last month and loved it. The newly refurbbed rooms, pool side activities and the lovely landscaping (far nicer than the other values), plus the fact its quieter than the other values made us feel less like we were staying at a value. We fell in love with it and would not hesitate to stay there again esp. given the money we saved.

Again, I love the moderates (CBR is my favorite) but think you need to make sure that the $400 extra is really going to be worth it. And regardless of where you stay, rent a car. With that much resort dining, it would be a time consuming pain not to have a car.

 

[Buzz2001]

Check out my CSR website below for pics and info.

 

[Letsbgoofy]

I think it depends on what you plan to do around the resort. If you want to rent bikes, go boating, have more pool options, etc. then go for the moderate. I personally like the values if I'm not planning to do much/eat much at the resort.

Amy&Dan mentioned the All Star Music which is also my favorite value. We are trying Sports this year because they were all booked at Music and I hear that all the rooms have just been redone at Sports (we stayed there in 1996).

 

[CleveRocks]

You have to decide for yourself which is best for you. Here's an objective list of the differences:

Moderate rooms are 314 sq. ft. (except CBR rooms are 340).
Value rooms are 260 sq. ft.
The 54 square feet difference is about the size of two double beds.

Moderate rooms have a ceiling fan.
Value rooms don't.

Moderate rooms have a fridge.
Value rooms don't (or you'll pay $10/day to rent).

Moderate rooms have 2 sinks (except CSR's have 1).
Value rooms have 1 sink.

Moderates have a pool slide and a hot tub.
Values have neither.

Moderates have pool towels (at the main pools only).
Values don't have pool towels ... you have to bring your room towels.

Moderates have several bus stops, so it's never a long walk to the bus (POFQ has only 1, but it's a very compact resort).
Values have only one bus stop.

Moderates' bus stops are covered (think protection from rain and hot sun).
Values' bus stops are not covered.

Moderates have lush landscaping.
Values have more "hardscaping."

Moderates have a food court AND a table-service restaurant (except POFQ ... food court only).
Values have only a food court.

Moderates have some sort of recreational activity (e.g., boat rentals, bike rentals).
Values don't have that type of recreational activity.

At Moderates, the maximum room charge limit is $1,000.
At Values, it's $500.

EXTRA CREDIT:

POFQ and POR have boat service to Downtown Disney.
CSR has full room service, and a gym.
Values are much more "kid-themed" and whimsical-looking than the Moderates.

 

[Mickey23]

moderate

 

[karemore]

If I'm reading it right, you are only spending one day in a park?

In your case I would absolutely spend the extra for a moderate.

You are going to spend considerably more time at the resort than a family who is spending every waking moment in a park.

We only tried Pop, but it was not relaxing. POFQ WAS relaxing.

And I'm not sure where you plan to shop, but it's nice to take the boat to DTD from FQ. MUCH nicer than the bus or driving.