value vs moderate??

[magiccouple2004]

could someone compare the moderate resorts vs the value resorts?? are the value resorts overrun with kids, how often do the buses come, how far to the parks? that kind of stuff. we have stayed at POR and AKL but we have ressies at POFQ and were trying to decide if it is worth switching to a value resort. we like to stay at different resorts and we have steered away from the value.. any input??? thanks

 

[grinningghost]

We've stayed at ASMu and ASMo and thought both were really, really great. Yes, there are alot of kids, but not overrun, just alot of kids with alot of entire families.

The buses were great. Ran often and on time. No problems.

The rooms are pretty small, when we stayed with 3 people it wasn't so bad, but I wouldn't do it with 4 again unless I really had to. The place got messy quick - nowhere to put all the junk.

The resorts were extremely lively and festive. I can't say enough about the total Disney magic feel at both of them. The pools are really nice, the food courts excellent.

Couldn't say enough about them - the only downfall - the rooms are pretty tight.

 

[minnie61650]

could someone compare the moderate resorts vs the value resorts?? are the value resorts overrun with kids, how often do the buses come, how far to the parks? that kind of stuff. we have stayed at POR and AKL but we have ressies at POFQ and were trying to decide if it is worth switching to a value resort. we like to stay at different resorts and we have steered away from the value.. any input??? thanks

Mods have pool slides and hot tubs. values do not.
That is the biggest difference.
The rooms at the Mods are just a tad larger.
The bathroom at a mod is about the same size as the All Stars but you will have 2 sinks instead of one.

POR room lay out

here is the All Star room layout'

[All Star Sports room layout

There is not a lot of room size difference.

Disney's value resorts are a total bargain. You get so many perks (Disney theming, Disney transportation, and EMH)
Any of Disney's resort guests (even those staying at a value or mod) are allowed to shop, dine, use the transportation or spa facilities at any of the Disney Resorts. (Of course pool hopping is not allowed.)

Theming does play an important part in liking a certain value.
Some guests really enjoy Pop. They like the giant big wheel, can of playdough or some other giant icon that brings back fond childhood memories.

Me? I enjoy the theming at the All Stars.
I grew up watching Mickey Mouse Club.
Mickey and Donald are important Disney characters to me. That is why the All Stars feel Disneyish to me and why I like them so much.

All Star Music is my favorite. It is quieter because more couples stay there. DH and I enjoy the peacefulness at All Star Music. Yes, there some children At ASMU. After all it is a Disney Resort. But the adults outnumber the children at ASMU. Young children like the theming at the other value resorts better so parents of young children usually choose to stay at one of the other values. I love staying at the Calypso building. It is closer to the pool, food court and bus stop.

Here is a site with a map of All Star Sports and All Star Music.
http://www.wdwinfo.com/resortmaps/allstarmap.htm
Scroll down. All Star Music is at the bottom of the page.
The Calypso buildings at All Star Music are #1 and #10 are nearest to the food court and bus stop. They are the preferred building and cost $10 more a night.

Here are some other reasons I choose All Star Music over Pop.

1. It is less crowded at All Stars
Pop has 2,880 rooms in their Classic years section (the section that is currently open) vs. 1,960 rooms at each of the All Star Resorts.

2. Bus rides are about 5- 10 minutes shorter from the All Stars.
All Star Buses----POPbuses--
MK 20 min---- ----25 min------
Epcot 10 min-- -----20 min------
MGM 10 min-------15 min------
AK 10 min----------15 min----
DTD 15 min----------20 min-----

(Pop is closer to MGM and Epcot than the All Stars but the bus route from the All Star resorts is more direct

3. The beds are more comfortable at the All Stars and you can move them giving you more usable floor space.
The beds at Pop are rock hard and are bolted to the floor.

4. There are 3 food courts to choose from (you can also refill your All Star mug at any All Star Food Court).

5. Gift shops are quieter and service is better at All Star Music because they are separate from the food court.
Having the parcel pick-up for packages delivered to the resort from the parks is behind the counter at ASMU. It is - fast and convenient but at Pop it is across the building.

6. The parking at Music is better. The lots are huge and there are more rooms located close to the lots at Music than there are at Pop.

7. When staying at the All Stars you can use any of the All Star pools. That means 3 main pools , 3 quiet pools and 3 kiddie pools to chose from.

The All Star Movie Fantasia pool has Mickey.

The Calypso pool at ASMU has Donald Duck.

Where else can one find Donald Duck or Mickey Mouse at the pool?

 

[magiccouple2004]

are the buses frequent like they are at the mod resorts and are they full?

 

[BTown]

The major difference really is about $50 a night.

 

[stemikger]

In all fairness the only value we have stayed at was Pop Century. My wife and daughter like it better then our stay at CBR and POFQ. I tried to convince them to try CSR and on our last trip we made a visit there and they were both like, no way, we want to stay at Pop for all our visits. Oh well, it saves me money so I won't complain.

 

[ducklite]

IMHO there's a lot of difference.

The decor at the values inside and out is loud--bordering on obnoxious IMHO. While I like theming, I don't enjoy having it scream at me day and night. I'm not stupid, I do'nt need a 60 foot football to tell me the theme is sports.

The decor at the mods is more subdued. While there is certainly theming, it's more subtle. The landscaping is also lusher.

While it might not seem like much, when you are talking about small rooms to begin with 54 quare feet makes a big difference--it's clautrophobic versus manageable.

The amenities between them are different. Most mods have a full service restaurant as well as a food court, and an inside lounge that doesn't close early in the off season like the pool bars do. (Who really wants to sit outside when it's 40 degrees in January to get a drink?)

The mods have two sinks as opposed to one--which makes a difference when trying to get out the door or ready for bed. They also have the privacy curtain which can be pulled across the area where the sinks are for privacy while dressing.

The pools have slides as well as a lower ratio of guests to water than the values. They also have hot tubs.

Have I mentioned being overrun with kids? I've stayed three times at the values and all three times overrun was an understatement. We found the mods to be quiet and uncrowded.

The distance to the parks is about the same--closer to some, further from others. You have the option of taking the boat to DTD, which is a nice diversion in warmer months. The mods also offer amenities which vary by resort, but include fishing, bike rentals, and moonlight carriage rides with optional champagne.

IMHO they are night and day--and if it's in your budget, staying mod over value is well worth the small difference in price.

In all honesty, I'd stay off site at the Hilton before I'd stay at a value--which I did do a couple years ago.

Anne

 

[Buzz2001]

CSR is a large resort that does not share services with other resorts and offers some deluxe amenities because it is a convention resort.

CSR has a salon, spa, and a gym that other moderates do not offer. CSR has full menu room service and offers an internal shuttle system provided by golf carts to assist in getting to and from the main building to the villages.

It is also the only mod to offer suites.

CSR is situated around a 15 acre lake and CBR is situated around a 45 acre lake.

CSR has terrific transportation. It does not share with any other resort (like POR / POFQ) and it only has 4 bus stops within the resort (vs 7 at CBR). And since CSR is centrally located, you'll have a quick ride to all the parks.

And being a convention resort, the buses seem less crowded because guests are busy with their conventions.

CSR is the most central to the 3 parks you mentioned. See the map below.

Photo by Ducky4Disney

CSR has the best pool of the mods and probably the second best on WDW property. Best mod pool. It offers a great slide (123 ft long), an arcade, a sand volleyball court, and a playground at the main pool area.

Review from mousesavers.com!!

Coronado Springs is my Best Value choice in the Moderate category. It has several advantages compared with the other Moderate resorts. It is newer, so there has been less wear-and-tear on everything. Also, Coronado Springs is a convention hotel, so it has a few extra amenities not offered at the other Moderates, including a salon, a health club and a more upscale food court.

The theming is radically different in the three areas of Coronado Springs. You can request a specific area when booking but there is no guarantee you'll get your request.

• The Spanish-style Casitas at Coronado Springs are very peaceful, with courtyards featuring tiled fountains. Casitas Buildings 1, 3 and 2 (in that order) are the closest to the restaurants and services. Casitas Building 4 contains the salon and health club, if those are important to you.
  
• The Cabanas at Coronado Springs have a beachy Caribbean feeling. Cabanas Building 8A is very close to the feature pool, which may be a blessing (convenience) or a curse (noise, light). Cabanas Building 9B is closest to the marina and relatively convenient to the restaurants and services.
  
• The Ranchos at Coronado Springs feel quiet and secluded -- some would say isolated -- and feature desert landscaping and pueblo-style architecture. They look closest to the main pool on a map, but in actuality they are separated from the rest of the property by a swamp, so it can be a fairly long walk from these buildings to the pool, and a very long walk to the restaurants.

 

[Lilolvr]

IMHO there's a lot of difference.

The decor at the values inside and out is loud--bordering on obnoxious IMHO. While I like theming, I don't enjoy having it scream at me day and night. I'm not stupid, I do'nt need a 60 foot football to tell me the theme is sports.

The decor at the mods is more subdued. While there is certainly theming, it's more subtle. The landscaping is also lusher.

While it might not seem like much, when you are talking about small rooms to begin with 54 quare feet makes a big difference--it's clautrophobic versus manageable.

The amenities between them are different. Most mods have a full service restaurant as well as a food court, and an inside lounge that doesn't close early in the off season like the pool bars do. (Who really wants to sit outside when it's 40 degrees in January to get a drink?)

The mods have two sinks as opposed to one--which makes a difference when trying to get out the door or ready for bed. They also have the privacy curtain which can be pulled across the area where the sinks are for privacy while dressing.

The pools have slides as well as a lower ratio of guests to water than the values. They also have hot tubs.

Have I mentioned being overrun with kids? I've stayed three times at the values and all three times overrun was an understatement. We found the mods to be quiet and uncrowded.

The distance to the parks is about the same--closer to some, further from others. You have the option of taking the boat to DTD, which is a nice diversion in warmer months. The mods also offer amenities which vary by resort, but include fishing, bike rentals, and moonlight carriage rides with optional champagne.

IMHO they are night and day--and if it's in your budget, staying mod over value is well worth the small difference in price.

In all honesty, I'd stay off site at the Hilton before I'd stay at a value--which I did do a couple years ago.

Anne

Anne, I agree 100%. You head the nail on the head!

 

[Brian Noble]

I wouldn't do it with 4 again unless I really had to. The place got messy quick - nowhere to put all the junk.

Was the mod noticeably roomier/had better storage, or not really? I can't picture whether the extra space really matters or not.

 

[johnvree]

Never having stayed at a value, and therefore based only upon visiting and reading about them, I would try hard to fit a moderate resort into my budget. I would even shorten my stay by a day to get into the moderate.

For us, though, the resort is a big part of our vacation. We always plan several half days to lounge at the resort. So the pool, recreational and restaurant options are important.

If, however, I was going to be spending the majority of my time in a park or doing some other activity, then I wouldn't care as much about where I was staying.

 

[cobbler]

IMHO there's a lot of difference.

I'm not stupid, I do'nt need a 60 foot football to tell me the theme is sports.

That made me laugh. Or the giant Coke. Now I love Coke don't get me wrong but it's a little big.


My hubby compares values to a Micro Inn. That is what he felt like he was staying at.

Now our kids enjoyed it and of course we enjoyed them enjoying it but we decided we wouldn't stay there again unless we come in a night early.

And yes the moderates are a bit larger but it is a big difference for a family of 4. I went to visit my friend the year we were at the values, she was at BCV and we were at Sports by the time she came in. Talk about a Disney caste system, geeze!

 

[yw8465]

Having just returned form the ASM, and having been to the CSR last October, I can say VERY emphatically that I will never stay in the value resorts again. It was one of the worst rooms I have stayed in over the several years...anywhere. The "non-smoking" room reeked of smoke. This was not just our room, either. Others I talked to complained theirs was the same. The water for the tub could not be shut off completely. The TV was like 20" and the dresser was so small that you could maybe fit two days' worth of clothes in it. Not to mention no hair dryers, no coffee makers, no fridge. The bath towels are more like hand towels and very thin and rough, which also you had to use for the pool since they didn't provide any there. The Food Court was very good, but maybe that was because I had worked up such an appetite from the 15 minute hike.

The CSR was very good by comparison, and I didn't detect a huge difference here from the Beach Club, or the Dolphin, both of which I have stayed in over the past few years. The CSR is quieter due partly to the convention crowd, and busses to/from the parks are not as crowded. CSR is large and you still can get overwhelmed by the walking distances, but at least they have trams/trolleys that cart you around. Well worth the extra dollars to pay for the intermediate resorts. If you can't afford the intermediate, just go offsite or go to DTD area and rent a car. You'll be glad you did.

 

[Preds]

Having just returned form the ASM, and having been to the CSR last October, I can say VERY emphatically that I will never stay in the value resorts again. It was one of the worst rooms I have stayed in over the several years...anywhere. The "non-smoking" room reeked of smoke. This was not just our room, either. Others I talked to complained theirs was the same. The water for the tub could not be shut off completely. The TV was like 20" and the dresser was so small that you could maybe fit two days' worth of clothes in it. Not to mention no hair dryers, no coffee makers, no fridge. The bath towels are more like hand towels and very thin and rough, which also you had to use for the pool since they didn't provide any there. The Food Court was very good, but maybe that was because I had worked up such an appetite from the 15 minute hike.

The CSR was very good by comparison, and I didn't detect a huge difference here from the Beach Club, or the Dolphin, both of which I have stayed in over the past few years. The CSR is quieter due partly to the convention crowd, and busses to/from the parks are not as crowded. CSR is large and you still can get overwhelmed by the walking distances, but at least they have trams/trolleys that cart you around. Well worth the extra dollars to pay for the intermediate resorts. If you can't afford the intermediate, just go offsite or go to DTD area and rent a car. You'll be glad you did.

Intersting, as my reaction is the complete opposite.

We were just at Pop Century for 2 nights, and CSR for 6 nights (ended up being 5 as we checked out early). We also stayed at POFQ in 2004. So that's 2 moderates we tried, and 1 value.

I booked the value resort VERY hesitatingly. I mean I was extremely skeptical. Now, after the fact, I wish I would have booked our entire stay at Pop. I thought I'd hate the theming at Pop, the goofy 60 foot tall characters, rubics cubes, bowling pins etc., but it grew on us quickly. You actually felt like you were on a fun vacation at Disney. And all 3 pool areas were unique and fun. The food court was large and quick. We really, really enjoyed Pop Century, and it shocked the hell out of me as I went in there with extremely low expectations and came out of there extremely satisfied.

Unfortunately, we walked away from the CSR with completely opposite feelings. We were completely unimpressed by CSR. 1st off it's a huge resort with a ton of walking (our room in Ranchos 6B to the food court was easily 1/2 mile or more). The food court is terrible, the lines were horrible at most any peak time (line to get a ticket, lines for each station, and the food was expensive WITH a mandatory 10% gratuity for dining at the cafeteria tables. We just hated the Pepper Market. As for the ppols, the Dig Site pool area was overcrowded, on 2 of 3 occasions we couldn't find 1 chair much less 4 at the main pool. The slide is no big deal. We actually preferrred the smaller pool between near Rancho 6B which is where our room was, as at least we could find some chairs there. The beds were no different than Pop, the room was only marginally bigger. The room was also in average to poor condition, with peeling paint, a refridgerator cabinet door that was literally falling off, an iron that didn't work. My wife was in tears the night we checked in. We tried all we could to get back to Pop or any of the All Stars, but it just wasn't happening Easter week. We even investigated some off-site options, and in retrospect I wish we would have done that. We ended up sucking it up at CSR and made the best of what we could, but in the end we checked out a day early as we'd had enough. We spent the extra day with friends in Tampa (much more enjoyable).

It's all personal opinion, and personal preferance, but I'll never pay ~63% more for a moderate over a value again ($158 vs $97). It's just not even close to being worth it IMO.

 

[kizmac]

Keep the POFQ ressie and if you are seriously curious about the values, visit one while you're on this trip. That is what I did on our last trip. Me and my mom did some resort hopping and I wanted to see POP so we hopped a bus and I was very thankful to not have been staying there for 9 days. If you have kids, I'm sure they would love it, but I did not like it. It is very obnoxious. If you like that them it would be fine. I just prefer the more relaxing atmosphere that you get at the moderate. It's worth the extra $ to me.

I wanted to make it over to ASMO, but we didn't have the time. That may be more appealing to me, I don't know. I'd like to check it out this year when we go.

 

[minnie61650]

All Star Music is my favorite resort.
The theming at the All Stars is so Disney!
I travel several times a year and often stay at 4 star resorts so Disney's Deluxe and mod resorts are just another hotel/motel room to me.
Staying at the All Stars is like being in the middle of the magic and that is where I want to be!

It is quieter at All Star Music because more couples stay there.
DH and I enjoy lounging by the pool. The pool area is not very noisy because children are not rushing for the slides (there are no slides) and yelling for their parents to watch while they go down the slide.

IMHO there's a lot of difference.

The decor at the values inside and out is loud--bordering on obnoxious IMHO. While I like theming, I don't enjoy having it scream at me day and night. I'm not stupid, I do'nt need a 60 foot football to tell me the theme is sports.

The pools have slides as well as a lower ratio of guests to water than the values. They also have hot tubs.........

Have I mentioned being overrun with kids? I've stayed three times at the values and all three times overrun was an understatement. We found the mods to be quiet and uncrowded...........


Anne

I guess I just don't see the All Stars the same way as you. I don't see them as loud--bordering on obnoxious . I see them as Disney with all the wonderful Disney icons.
All Star Music has always been quiet.
The Contemporary was loud and noisy when I stayed there.
My DH owns a multimillion dollar business.We have 4 children who we put through college. Our youngest will graduate with a double major in December. We are debt free and own a 5 bedroom, 4 bath lakefront home on a private golf course. We have a large inground heated pool with slide and hot tub.
I can well afford to stay at any of Disney's resorts.

It is so wonderful that Disney offers so many choices of resorts because
different people enjoy and look for different things on a Disney vacation.

My choice, my favorite Disney resort is All Star Music.

When I think of a Disney Resort. I think of The All Stars.

I have been visiting since 1971 when it was brand new.
Most people would think I would equate the Poly or The Contemporary with Disney.
Not Me! The Poly and Contemporary may be nice resorts but they just do not seem Disneyto me.

I love the giant icons at the All Stars. The huge Coke cups with the straws in them at All Star Sports, the Giant Buzz and Woody and the Mickey pool at All Star Movies, and the pool with Donald at All Star Music. I feel like I stepped into a Disney Movie Fantasyland when I am at the All Stars.
Now that is Disney!
When we pull up to All Stars and I see those giant icons I get the biggest smile on my face. I know I am at Disney!

 

[Preds]

All Star Music is my favorite resort.
The theming at the All Stars is so Disney!
I travel several times a year and often stay at 4 star resorts so Disney's Deluxe and mod resorts are just another hotel/motel room to me.
Staying at the All Stars is like being in the middle of the magic and that is where I want to be!

It is quieter at All Star Music because more couples stay there.
DH and I enjoy lounging by the pool. The pool area is not very noisy because children are not rushing for the slides (there are no slides) and yelling for their parents to watch while they go down the slide.




I guess I just don't see the All Stars the same way as you. I don't see them as loud--bordering on obnoxious . I see them as Disney with all the wonderful Disney icons.
All Star Music has always been quiet.
The Contemporary was loud and noisy when I stayed there.
My DH owns a multimillion dollar business.We have 4 children who we put through college. Our youngest will graduate with a double major in December. We are debt free and own a 5 bedroom, 4 bath lakefront home on a private golf course. We have a large inground heated pool with slide and hot tub.
I can well afford to stay at any of Disney's resorts.

It is so wonderful that Disney offers so many choices of resorts because
different people enjoy and look for different things on a Disney vacation.

My choice, my favorite Disney resort is All Star Music.

When I think of a Disney Resort. I think of The All Stars.

I have been visiting since 1971 when it was brand new.
Most people would think I would equate the Poly or The Contemporary with Disney.
Not Me! The Poly and Contemporary may be nice resorts but they just do not seem Disneyto me.

I love the giant icons at the All Stars. The huge Coke cups with the straws in them at All Star Sports, the Giant Buzz and Woody and the Mickey pool at All Star Movies, and the pool with Donald at All Star Music. I feel like I stepped into a Disney Movie Fantasyland when I am at the All Stars.
Now that is Disney!
When we pull up to All Stars and I see those giant icons I get the biggest smile on my face. I know I am at Disney!

Linda,

I pretty much concur with everything you said. We too can afford the more expensive resorts, but frankly they're boring and seem so un-Disney. Additionally, even though we can afford more, it still is senseless to overpay just because you can. We look for value in everything we do, but are sure not to penny pinch on quality. When it comes to a vacation resort at Disney, the minimal quality difference from value to moderate or even deluxe just don't come close to being worth it in our opinion.

On our resent trip we really regretted ever checking our of Pop Century and into CSR which just felt so un-Disney, and despite the pleasant surroundings, felt as fake if not moreso than the Pop with it's huge icons and whatnot. We really enjoyed Pop Century, and will likely try the other values out as well in the future (likely Movies).

 

[ktink]

We've only stayed at Pop and CSR. Our family prefers CSR. Don't get me wrong Pop was great and it was our first family trip to WDW so it was magical. My dd's love the fact that the mods have waterslides and the fridges come in handy. We also enjoy having a sit down restaurant on hand. Last year and this year w/ the free dining we've scheduled dining at the resort.

I think the values are great especially for the first visit just because it is so IN YOUR FACE theming but I prefer mods.

 

[minnie61650]

Linda,

I pretty much concur with everything you said. We too can afford the more expensive resorts, but frankly they're boring and seem so un-Disney. Additionally, even though we can afford more, it still is senseless to overpay just because you can. We look for value in everything we do, but are sure not to penny pinch on quality. When it comes to a vacation resort at Disney, the minimal quality difference from value to moderate or even deluxe just don't come close to being worth it in our opinion.

On our resent trip we really regretted ever checking our of Pop Century and into CSR which just felt so un-Disney, and despite the pleasant surroundings, felt as fake if not moreso than the Pop with it's huge icons and whatnot. We really enjoyed Pop Century, and will likely try the other values out as well in the future (likely Movies).

ITA

Disney's value resorts are a total bargain. You get so many perks (Disney theming, Disney transportation, and EMH)
Any of Disney's resort guests (even those staying at a value or mod) are allowed to shop, dine, use the transportation or spa facilities at any of the Disney Resorts. (Of course pool hopping is not allowed.)

Disney does charge a premium price for their Deluxe resorts.
Deluxe guests are paying for location and amenities not for stellar customer service.
Many guests are disappointed because they think the GF is a 5 star hotel.
They expect the service of a 5 star and are disappointed when their expectations are not met.
It is in no way near a 5 star hotel even though it costs as much as many 5 star hotels.
The GF is rated 4 diamonds by AAA but most sites rate it as 3 and a half.
The Poly and CR are usually considered 3 star hotels.

 

[pezheadmeg]

2004 I stayed in All-Star Sports and 2005 I stayed in POFQ. All-Star was adequate and totally affordable. However traveling as adults on a girls only weekend, we like POFQ much nicer. A large part of it was for the boat to Downtown Disney. Also, the buses were less crowed and more frequent. This fall we're opting again for POFQ. After staying at both the CR and the Poly as a kid, there is no question POFQ is my favorite amongst them all.