Value vs Moderate vs Deluxe

[jeepgirl30]

I've only ever stayed at Moderate or Deluxe hotels. I have stayed at CSR, CBR, Dolphin and GF. Out of all my favorite is CSR.

I want to take our kids so bad and want to go this year. DH said IF I can do it cheap we'll go. I'm thinking end of Sept begining of Oct as it is still Value season and I want to go before DS turns 3. He'll be 3 Nov 15.

I'm considering just booking a value but have read so many negative reports. What do you get at a Mod that makes it worth the extra money? If I were to do a Deluxe again I'd do a monorail, either Poly or CR for the location but not this trip.

For a mod I'm looking at POR. I do love CSR but I think DH may want a break. My parents are going too (seperate room of course) and I think they would prefer POR but they too want to be conservative. Mom wanted to stay off site but luckily my dad and I agree and said no way.

My mom and DH need to be apart as much as possible so no suite or cabin advice please!

 

[Pink Flamingo]

We've stayed at value, moderate & deluxe resorts at WDW with children (2). If I were on a strict budget, I would not have any problem with staying at one of the value resorts. The rooms are smaller & the theming & pools are not as elaborate, but from our experience the rooms were clean, we didn't hear any noise from our neighbors. We had no problems with the bus transportation ~ no major waits.

With regards to POR, we stayed their our first 2 trips & loved it (it was Dixie Landings back then). Our youngest DS was only 8 months old & we were a little concerned with having to take the stroller on the bus, but we didn't ever have any problems. The only reason we opted for a deluxe on our next trip was that we wanted monorail access & my DM paid the difference between staying at a moderate & deluxe.

Have fun planning!

 

[DisneyPhD]

I have stayed at all the mods and a few deluxes. All of my mod stays were pre children. (we bought DVC when DD was a baby). Aug 2003 we stayed at OKW and found out why it wasn't as good for us with a small child...... All the walking. This is the same with Mod resorts. We didn't have a car. It as rainny, getting a asleep child up the stairs in a stroller... in the rain.

For us Deluxes are better since they are not as spred out, and much of the walking can be done inside.

Having said that we are planning an "extra trip" with our AP this May (we are going in Mrach too.) And will be staying at POR for a few days before heading over to Vero Beach. We will have a car this trip, but we like bus transportion. So I will have a better comparison then. Mods do have great food courts and that is a plus. The pool at POR is great and it has a playground too. So far the biggest drawback is the walking and no elevator with strollers.

We considered a value resort (I think DD would love ASM) but it wasn't avilable when I called and a mod was only 20 more a night then a value. Since a fridge would be free with mod it came out to only 10 more a night.

 

[MommaluvsDis]

I've stayed in all 3 levels. I have no problem recommending a value resort. You get the same Disney feeling that you get in a room that costs $280 a night! You're going to Disney and staying on property. I personally feel that if I'm paying $80 or so, I can actually enjoy the vacation more.

Whatever your decision, you'll have a great time!

 

[Pink Flamingo]

So far the biggest drawback is the walking and no elevator with strollers.

The building we stayed in at POR had an elevator - I think the name of the building was Magnolia Grange or something like that. Also, at check in you could request a 1st floor room. That's what we did. Of course, you're not always guaranteed that one will be available, but it's worth a shot.

They also had an elevator at ASM.

 

[bigbabyblues]

We went the same week you're talking about last fall, and it was a great time of the year. We stayed at ASMo, and I was a little unsure because of all the negative reviews, but we really liked it. You just know ahead of time that the room isn't the biggest and there's no slide at the pool, and your riding on the busses instead of the monorail. The room was about the same size as a regular Holiday Inn/Comfort Inn size room. No frills, but it was clean and it served the purpose. The pool was still fun for us, but we wouldn't use a slide anyway, our kids are too small. There was a nice playground, and there is a set of elevators in the center of each building. Really helped with the stroller. We didn't have any problems with the busses, they were a bit crowded in the evenings after the parks closed, but that's to be expected.

I think a value would be fine, as long as you know what to expect. I was pleasantly surprised, and we'll stay at a value again.

Steph

 

[summerrluvv]

I've stayed deluxe and value, never a moderate. My thought is either do it all the way or the cheapest way, not in the middle. IMO the moderates are almost just like the values (same setup, many buildings, no indoor corridors, food court, etc.). Of course the room is a little larger and the pool has a slide, but if those aren't important, then a value is just fine IMO. Plus at the values, there is one main bus stop at each resort, not five within the same resort.

 

[doubletrouble_vb]

I just stayed at ASMu and also drove over to look at the POPs.

The only way I'll ever stay in a value again is at the rock bottom price I paid...$49...I'd rather stay offsite. The kids weren't too bad...the unsupervised/no parental accompaniment ones were college age so they had nothing to prove. My main problem was that some of the things I'd expect from your run of the mill motel/hotel were missing (no individual soap, completely insufficient counter/table space in the room, tiny tv). The difference between value and moderate comes down to:

For the moderates
a) groups generally don't stay at moderates b) there are hot tubs for the parents c) i think they have laundry service which means you get the handy bag in your room d) there is a full service restaurant e) there is a food court with a much wider range of offerings f) there are actual interesting activities offered g) in addition to bus service some of them have boat service to DTD. h) there is plenty of landscaping and natural theming i) there are genuine bell services j) enough pools that they can actual BE quiet pools k) at POR and POFQ the theming is so good you actually feel away from it all l) plenty of spaces to sit and ponder or veg out. m) rentals of bkes and boats ...probably other stuff but it isn't coming to mind.

For the values
a) The "artwork" is pretty interesting to look at.
b) landscaping isn't terrible
c) its cheaper
d) if you have a car there is a back way out to 192 for good offsite eats

The main negative on POR/FQ (haven't stayed at the others so I can't say) is that its a bit spread out...you CAN make these resorts your entire vacation which I cannot say about the values but in combination with all the walking you do all day...it might be tough for some. Bus wise the trick is to figure out the closest stop to your room, then the stop with the earliest drop that you wouldn't mind the walk to your room, depending on the time of year the stop with the first pick up and/or the stop with the last pick up. If its not a crowded time you want the stop that means you are on the bus the least amount of time.

The main negative on the values is that if you aren't in the building closest to the dining hall your distance to food is just as long as a moderate...and the offerings are somewhat "junky".

 

[HANDYMOM]

I've stayed deluxe and value, never a moderate. My thought is either do it all the way or the cheapest way, not in the middle. IMO the moderates are almost just like the values (same setup, many buildings, no indoor corridors, food court, etc.). Of course the room is a little larger and the pool has a slide, but if those aren't important, then a value is just fine IMO. Plus at the values, there is one main bus stop at each resort, not five within the same resort.

I could not disagree with you more! We have stayed at the deluxes and the moderates and would choose the moderates for the money, any day! The moderates are actually a lot more like the deluxes as far as theming, beautiful landscaping and room quality with the convenience of a food court and exterior hallways. I respect your opinion but I would encourage anyone to stay at POR especially, we just love it.

Our trip in May '04 was the first for DS's (2 and 4, just about to turn 3 and 5). They just loved all the ammenities at POR and asked us if we could just "play" at the resort for a day the next time we come. I find that the moderates are more "kid friendly" overall.

As far as the multiple bus stops, we went at a fairly busy time and rarely had a long wait. As far as the distance to the bus stops, the cast members at check in are very accomodating and with 5 stops within each of the moderates (except POR-FQ) you can most likely be close to one. For those of you with cars, do what we did.....hop in the car and drive to the main stop. It's a quick jaunt across the parking lot to get home and your right at the food court bldg and/or pool if you want to take a dip first!

 

[jeepgirl30]

I could not disagree with you more!

Great! Now I'm just as undecided as before

That is the good and bad I guess with any message board. You hear both sides and have to make up your mind which side is closer related to your own situation. Trouble is, I can't decide!

My head is telling me Value. My heart is saying CR or Mod. I never listen to my head but we had some financial setbacks last year and the only way I'm going to convince DH is by listening to my head.

Although my parents are talking about driving. DH doesn't want to be stuck in a car with my mom for the 18+ hrs (with her stops it'll end up double). He refuses to fly without me. So now we are talking about possibly me going with the kids and parents without him. I can't imagine the kids first trip without him though.

 

[Taja]

I've stayed at YC, CSR and PC. Enjoyed all three for different reasons.

For value, you can't beat Pop Century. If you have an AP, check to see if there are room discounts available--or if you're a member of AAA a smaller discount be available.

How many children do you have? A value resort room would be comfortable for two adults and two children--not sure if a third child is permitted if under age 3. Space is fairly tight in these rooms, so I'm not sure a crib (even the Pack-and-Play variety) would fit.

If you have extended family traveling together or staying at the same time, you might want to consider two connecting rooms. That would provide a bit of extra space for the young ones and two bathrooms shared among everyone!

I was in the 50s section (behind Tramp), and it was a two-minute stroll to the main building and about one minute to the parking lot. If you decide on PC, when you check in ask the CM to point out availablel rooms on the map (they usually do) and check the location for buses, parking and the main building. Some of the buildings are a pretty good hike to anywhere!

 

[Taja]

Was just reading another member's comments about the value resorts. They are true of the All Star resorts.

PC (Pop Century) does have individual soap and shampoo. Some of the Mousekeepers do terrific things with the children's toys and can create wonderful wash cloth/towel animals/objects. Some don't--but that was true at YC and CSR, as well.

The table in the room is very small with two chairs. It isn't designed for dining, just snacks or fairly neat activities. The television was adequate--but I have a 20" basic television at home. What do I know?

The nightstand between the double beds is an appropriate height, with a basic clock-radio. The main complaint I've heard from those who have stayed at the All Star resorts is bumping their heads on the nightstand during the night, as it is higher than the mattress!

The bathroom at PC is a bit smaller than at CSR. CSR has that extension ledge at the back of the tub, giving it about 10 or 12 more inches. The PC bathroom just accommodates the tub/shower and water closet. Watch your toes when closing the door! The dressing/vanity area also seems a bit smaller. There are six decent sized (smaller than CSR, but there's were a bit unwieldy) drawers in the dresser. Television sits atop the dresser, no armoire.

Its clean, basic and the CMs are friendly. The cheerleaders and teams began arriving when I was there in December, 2004, but the adults were more of a pain than the teens and preteens. Except at the parks. That's a whole 'nother story!

 

[Taja]

Okay, one more time for PC and I'm finished--I think!

There are two elevators for each group of rooms (four spokes extending from a core, where the elevators are located, with rooms on each side of the spokes). The distance from the elevators to the farthest rooms wasn't bad. I've been in hotels where I swear it's a good .5 mile from the elevator bank to my room--and that wasn't even at the end of the corridor!

 

[Pembo]

We have stayed at POR and ASMo. I choose a mod because the of the slide at the pool. My kids love the slide. Other than that we'd probably choose a value. Everything else is pretty comparable. We did feel that POR had more atmosphere because of the landscaping.

Good luck in your choice.

 

[CheapMom]

Have stayed at POP, ASMO (2 times), POFQ, CSR, CR, and offsite. My favorite is ASMO. Very clean, comfy and cheap. My kids LOVE the theming. My 2 year old had more fun in Andy's room thananywhere else in WDW-and it was right outside our door. $55 per night was well worth it.
I agree that the mods are prettier but they don't offer much more than a value IMO.

Good luck!

 

[weluvpluto]

We have stayed at all categories, and I will always prefer a moderate over a value. But I think it depends on how much you have to pay for the room. For us, we have gotten general public discount codes and last year AP rates, so for $15-20 dollars more a night I would choose the moderate.

The one time we stayed at a value, ASSp, we couldn't wait to get out (it was a split stay trip). I found absolutely nothing relaxing about it, where we get that laid back relaxed feeling at the moderates. But we also weren't at the parks all the time, we are people who spend a little more time at the resort. If your not planning to be at the resort much, a value would probably be fine

POR is our favorite moderate