Value Resorts vs. Moderate Resorts

[Shula8205]

My husband and I just got married two months ago, and as a wedding present his family got us Disney World park tickets. We're hoping to go next year, but we can't decide where to stay. I stayed at Port Orleans and Dixie Landings as a child, and Wilderness Lodge a few years ago. However, we just can't afford the deluxe resorts and he's a bit reluctant to spend for the moderates since the value resorts are cheaper. I've never stayed in any of the value resorts . . . Are the moderates worth the little bit extra? Which values are good and which moderates are the best now? I'd appreciate any recommendations on both types we can get!! Thanks so much!!!!

 

[pugdog]

The biggest difference is the the mods have a hot tub and a sit down restaurant. And the rooms are slightly bigger.
We have stayed in all the mods and as of this December we will have stayed at all of the values.
If all your going to do is use your room for the shower and a place to sleep go to the values. You can always use the buses to go to different resorts for the food, we always do.
But now if your going to spend alot of time in your room then you might want to think about the mods. DING! another thought, if its just the 2 of you why not just stay at the values pay the little extra for a king room and then youll have pleanty of space.

 

[Buzz2001]

THE PROS
No sharing bus service with other resorts
Centrally located with short rides to the parks
Largest hot tub on WDW property
Awesome main pool area with bar, snack bar, playground and kiddie pool
3 quiet pools
New shuttle service eliminates long walks to any of the villages
High speed internet service
WiFi available too
Free use of the gym
Spa
Fridge in the room
Coffeemaker in the room
Iron and ironing board
full room service menu
2 arcades
beautifully landscaped
central air, not a noisey wall unit

THE CONS
Full size beds (kings size beds are available)
one sink

IN THE MIDDLE
The Pepper Market is either a love it or hate it place. We love it but some folks just don't care for it.

Convention resort - some guests don't like seeing other guests at work. Doesn't bother us and helps keep the buses empty. GF, Cont, BW, Y & B Club are also convention resorts.

Check out my website below

 

[beccasmom]

We've stayed in most of the moderates throughout the years - with the exception of Pop Century and Coronado Springs. I have heard good things about both of these resorts, though. My personal favorite is POFQ because it is small enough to get around easily and the theming is wonderful. The rooms are a little dark, though - probably my only quibble because otherwise the resort has much to recommend it. POR is also very nice, but a little too spread out - it feels too much like we're in a theme park! But we've stayed in both the mansion and the bayou sections and it is a very nice resort.

We have only stayed briefly at one of the values - All-Star Sports when it first opened for two nights. My impression - I think it is great that hotels in this price range are available for those who can't work the other pricier resorts into their budget. The theming is excellent. IMHO, the rooms are just too small and the noise level too high. We stayed at Surfs Up, which was one of the few buildings open at that time. The resort only had four buildings open at that time and it was still quite noisy. However, if you will be park hopping, shopping and otherwise engaged in outside pursuits most of the time, the All-Stars would certainly make sense. I would imagine having a car available would be helpful here. I can't really comment on bus service because we were only there briefly.

Check out these sites for more information. Remember that the All-Stars resorts are closer to Blizzard Beach and Animal Kingdom; POR and POFQ are more centrally located and offer more transportation options - boat or bus. So choose based on what might be most important to you. Of course, if you will have a car, that's not really a consideration.

http://www.allearsnet.com/acc/faq_hot.htm - this is probably the most comprehensive Disney guide you will find. Lots of information!
http://www.mousesavers.com/disneyresorts.html

http://www.passporter.com/wdw/resorts.htm

http://www.mouseplanet.com/dtp/wdwguide/

 

[stschaefer]

We stayed at All-Star Music and loved it. Good location, good foodcourt, and good transportation. I have heard good things about Coronado Springs for the food court and sit down restaurant. Main difference is dual vanities (except at Coronado Springs ???), hot tub, and refrigerator included in the cost at the Moderates. Otherwise the rooms are practially the same size.

 

[Frantasmic]

My first trip to WDW was in 1992. No kids, and we stayed at POR. It was a great trip.

It will depend on when you go. If you are going when there may be a lot of other younger (below 12) kids, you might want a moderate. If you are going when times are slow and most families will be for under 6, i.e., can't run around on their own, a value would work.

POFQ or CSR sounds like they would work if you can afford it.

 

[ufgator]

Congrats on getting married! I got married a year and a half ago.

I've stayed at all of the moderates and visited someone's room at Pop. I think it's worth it to spend the extra for a moderate. I think all the moderates are good; it just depends what theme you like and what you want to be close to. My favorites are POR and POFQ b/c I love the theming and the grounds. POFQ is the smallest of the moderates. You can also take a boat to DTD, which is something CBR and CSR don't have. CBR is nice too and we've never had a bad stay. We've had mixed stays at CSR.

 

[jiminy1]

My husband and I went several years ago to DW and stayed at the CSR. We absolutely LOVED it. It was definitely worth the extra bucks to stay there in particular, over a value resort. Why? It's much quieter than the value resorts and seems more adult-oriented. I assume you'll be by yourselves, not with children, so I assume you'd prefer a fun getaway that is also romantic--and for the price, you can't beat CSR.

 

[speakupjc]

The moderates are nicer and have more dining options. Some even have more transportation options as well for example the PO has a boat to another park as opposed to only a bus at the value resorts. Here is a link to some information about Disney Resorts which I thought would help you. http://www.allearsnet.com/acc/faq_hot.htm

 

[mickey0216]

I have stayed at All-Star Music (1x) and Sports (multiple times), CBR (1x) and CR (1x 25 yrs ago so I won't include it in my comments).

I do not see the advantage of spending an extra $50 to stay in a moderate vs a value resort.

I know that several others will strongly disagree with me, but I don't "get" CBR. While CBR has a sit-down restaurant (it was empty everytime we ate at the resort - atleast 1x or 2x per day), I much prefer eating at the food court at ASSp and ASMu over CBR. At CBR you have to pay as you exit each food station. I much prefer being able to pick up items from each of the food stations and checking out one time. While the room may by slightly larger, I never felt "Wow, this room is much bigger that All-Star XXXXX." For me, CBR is too spread out, the people (CM's and guests) were rude, it took forever to get on a bus and get out of the resort.

We left early and came home...

 

[njcarita]

My husband and I just got married two months ago, and as a wedding present his family got us Disney World park tickets. We're hoping to go next year, but we can't decide where to stay. I stayed at Port Orleans and Dixie Landings as a child, and Wilderness Lodge a few years ago. However, we just can't afford the deluxe resorts and he's a bit reluctant to spend for the moderates since the value resorts are cheaper. I've never stayed in any of the value resorts . . . Are the moderates worth the little bit extra? Which values are good and which moderates are the best now? I'd appreciate any recommendations on both types we can get!! Thanks so much!!!!

just wanted to say --- that is one of the BEST wedding present ideas-- ever--- what a great inlaw family you must have-- want to trade

 

[judykay53]

We were at POP two weeks ago and one thing we noticed that will prevent us from staying there again is the fact that the bus stops at the parks are the last ones. It was dreadful walking all the way to the last stop and then when we got to POP our room was at the end of the 70's building we were in. That is something we had not thought about. Are the moderate's bus stops right before you get to the values? We stayed at Fort Wilderness last year and it sure was hard walking past their bus stop!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

we just can't afford the deluxe resorts and he's a bit reluctant to spend for the moderates since the value resorts are cheaper.

In our family, if finances allow only a Value, that's fine with us!! We enjoy our WDW vacations no matter where we stay. If budget dictates a Value then don't worry about it, you'll have a great time no matter where you stay.

Remember, half the fun is in the planning, and vacations are what you make of them!!

 

[spot28]

I've never stayed at POP, that seems to be a favorite among the values so maybe it is nicer, don't know. But, I did stay at an all-star. What a trek to the car, to the lobby, to the restaurant...and the walls were cinderblock! Reminders of my old dorm days at UF. Uggh. It seemed noisy, just heard people, kids crying, etc.. and then SO many people at one place --the bus lines, the food lines, YIKES! I stayed at POR, it was nicer..more theming, less tacky, and more like a hotel instead of motel. I think I'd do the POFQ or Cornodo Springs if I could do a mod again. We stayed in the Alligator Bayou section of POR for the trundle bed, but I think the other 2 I just mentioned are more charming.

Good luck

 

[Planogirl]

I've also stayed at the All-stars and really didn't care for the place. When we were there, it was noisy, everything was crowded and the amenities are few. I would think that the atmosphere at a moderate would be much better for a still newly married couple.

I personally prefer Port Orleans Riverside but then I like the theme of it the best. Port Orleans French Quarter is within walking distance and since it's a sister resort, the amenities there would also be available to you. There is nice boat transportation to Downtown Disney at both of these resorts plus both pools are quiet nice. PORS is the only one of the two with an actual restuarant but since they're so close I don't know if that matters much.

Good luck with your decision!

 

[deide71]

Stay at the Pop and request a king sized bed. Use the extra $$$ for a nice dinner, or two!!!!

Congrats!

 

[Disney Spaz]

After having stayed at all the values and all but one moderate I say go for the moderate. It is more couple friendly and relaxed. We have always found the values are packed with kids and tend to be more hyped up where as the moderates are morelaid back and calm. It is really up to you about what you like but we enjoy mods better as a couple.

 

[Mcmouse]

They are all OK depending on what your preferences are. We have stayed at each of the Mods (except POFQ) and at ASMO & POP. The Mods are a little nicer (nicer pools, waterslide)& rooms a little bigger, but the Values are fine. We really liked the theme at POP. The only drawback for the values are the room size (we have 4 in our family) With just the two of you though that shouldn't be a problem. So if you can't afford the Mods, start with the values and work your way up. Or split your stay.

Congratulations,
Mike

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

We personally enjoy AS Sports for many reasons, many already listed, but our favorite resort used to be POR/FQ. It is well worth the extra dollars for the hot tub, great themed pool and those midnight walks on the romantic grounds and they used to have, and might still, a piano player in the lobby in the evening.

You know yourselves better than we do. If romance is your thing go for POR/FQ or save a few bucks and use the savings for romantic meals or whatever.

It is Disney, you are going to have fun which ever one you choose.

Congratulations and Best Wishes to you both.

Slightly Goofy/Linda

 

[Rella Bella]

I agree you'll have fun where ever you stay... after all it's about the parks not where you sleep.
But from my experience the All Stars, while great, have A LOT more kids running around... the pool, the food court, even the gift shop. Doesn't bother me at all... we have kids. But I would think newly weds would appreciate the quiet of a moderate. But if you'll just get up and immediately head to the parks for fun & food... save your money for that.
We've stayed at CSR & CBR and liked them both. I prefered the themeing at CB (green & lush compared with desert like)... but CSR definitly has the nicer big pool. AS Sports was great but we had a real HIKE to get from the bus/food court/gift shop to our room... much longer than the nearest bus stop at either of the moderates.
Maybe consider going off season when the room rates are lower!