Value to moderate

[babygirlamg]

It will be about a 500 difference to upgrade to a moderate resort... We always do Pop but was thinking Port Orleans...is the price different worth it????

 

[cfriend416]

I have wondered this myself. I think it comes down to how much time you will be spending at the resort and what matters to your family. Anyone feel free to correct me if I'm wrong, but I think the differences between values and moderates are as follows:
1) Slightly bigger rooms/beds
2) Different (but not necessarily better) theming
3) Water slides at the pools
4) TS restaurants
Again, I'm not sure if I'm right on all these so feel free to correct me.
Hallways are still exterior for a "motel" feel. Some still share buses depending on the time of year (I think). There is still a QS restaurant.
If the differences are not worth $500 to you, I'd say stay at Pop.

 

[glammadiva]

Pop is my favorite value and that is where I stay when my budget demands a value, but if I stay mod I stay POR. I'm at the age where I appreciate the little extras more, like the nicer landscaping and the lounge, the boat to DTD and the ceiling fans. Whatever you decide much pixie dust to you!

 

[grammimouse]

DH and I prefer to spend that extra $500 on WDW treasures or even the deposit for our bounce back. We do not spend too much room time . It is all about the parks for us. Of course it is a very personal decision , so you need to work it out yourself. Whatever your choice you will be at WDW , what's not to love ?

 

[JennyDrake]

DH and I prefer to spend that extra $500 on WDW treasures or even the deposit for our bounce back. We do not spend too much room time . It is all about the parks for us. Of course it is a very personal decision , so you need to work it out yourself. Whatever your choice you will be at WDW , what's not to love ?

DITTO!

To clarify PPer- POR and POFQ share buses. CBR and CSR do not.

Pop does not have shared buses nor does AoA.

AS may or may not share buses. I think the bus sharing at All Stars is WAY overstated. I stay at the AS at least 2-3 times per year and I would guess that we share buses 25% of the time or less. Even when we do, I see no difference in that and a moderate with multiple stops within the resort, which is what you will experience with the moderates.

 

[incredimom74]

I love French Quarter. I have stayed at Pop once, and loved it as well. If I had a choice, I would stay at the Moderate. The atmosphere is great, and it's a smaller resort. You don't step on any toes, or have to say excuse me 100 times to get to the food court. My vote, French Quarter! Also, pool is great!

 

[KYDisneyDad]

I know it's stated that POR shares busses, but we stayed two years in a row at POFQ and not one did the busses stop at Riverside as well. Also, the boat ride to DTD is nice..

 

[ExpatDisneyLover]

The differences between POR and Pop in my mind are -

I think POR has more comfortable beds - and they are queens rather than doubles. POR would give you a much larger room. I prefer the food court at POR. I love the boat to DTD. The vibe at POP is fun! Whereas the vibe at POR is relaxing IMO. SO for me I guess I choose the one I am in the mood for - sometimes it is POP and sometimes POR.

If you want to try something different, would appreciate a boat to DTD, more room and a larger bed it just may well be worth it to you. If you are in the mood for some Pop fun - are happy with the space, room quality, food court - enjoy a stay at POP! Value is such a personal choice - either way have a great trip - whatever you choose!!

 

[mom2AidanAndEli]

We'll be staying at POFQ this August. This is our fourth trip to Disney, first time staying anywhere other than a value. Honestly, for us, it's never been worth the extra for the amount of time we actually spend at the resort. The resort is basically a place to grab breakfast in the morning, sleep at night, and swim in the pool. Can do all that just as well at a value as a moderate, for us!

The reason we've upgraded this time is the FD plan. Staying at value, you only get the QSDP. Our family really enjoys the TS meals each day, so we wanted to upgrade to the regular plan. Once we do that for all four of our "adults", the price difference to stay at a moderate is negligible. So we figured we'd give it a try.

I think one thing you should really think about is what you could do with that extra $500 if you decide to stay at POP. Is there a tour you'd enjoy? Some extra souvenirs? An extra special TS dinner? Or put it away towards your next trip!

If you really take advantage of all the amenities at the resort, go for it. If the resort is a place to sleep and grab food at the food court, maybe not. It all comes down to how you'll get the most out of that extra $500--resort or other things!

 

[mrcarder]

We've stayed moderate the last few years, but our price difference was slightly less while considering FD: upgrade QS to regular dining in value vs. getting reg at moderate. The biggest factor for us is queen bed vs double. Most differences have been covered, but would add ceiling fans, better storage in bathroom area, better vanity and sinks, and curtain or door for bathroom sink area privacy. We had stayed at all star sports and movies, then Coronado and POFQ the last few. POR and POFQ also offer boat rides to and from DTD, if you plan to go there.

 

[baloo2000]

I also love POP and have stayed there many times. As a single traveler, I really don't need the extra room or any of the extra perks. Besides that, I'm ussually at the parks all day and only require a simple bed to fall into at the end of the day. That said, I think POP is very nice, clean, friendly, and easy to get around. I'v stayed at AKL, POFQ, CRB, and CS which are really amazing places but most times, I have been taken care of better at POP than the others.

 

[babygirlamg]

Ya we have stated at pop twice and I think we will stick with it, always had a great experience

 

[alc571]

We love POR. The queen beds alone are worth it for us. Plus we love the boats to DTD, the food and the pools.

 

[*Fantasia*]

Value resorts does not have ceiling fans. Moderate resorts does.
I just had to throw it in there just in case this is the deal breaker.

 

[Mrs Grumpy]

I don't know the answer yet but will in a little over two months. We have always stayed at POP also but we are finally trying POR for the first time on our upcoming trip. I always wanted to try a MOD but always starting thinking about the money and how we are never at the resort except to sleep and just couldn't justify it. Well we are going for it this time but I expect to go back to the values on future trips as we are happy there.

 

[katiee37]

I'm planning to stay at AoA in January for my solo trip since I really don't need the extra room of a moderate or even a deluxe. I was thinking of doing a split stay between AoA and another resort (I personally was thinking AKL) so maybe you could consider that--half the trip (perhaps the half you're spending more time in the parks) in a value, the other half (with one or more sleep-in days factored in) in a moderate or deluxe.