value vs moderate

[TARAMEOW]

My last trip I stayed at the POP and this year I am staying there again. I wanted to know if the Moderate resorts are really worth the extra $$$

 

[WDWFigment]

If you go in the summer, and don't want to be around thousands of loud, obnoxious Brazilian tourists, I strongly recommend staying at Moderate. There are other benefits as well, it all depends on what type of crowds you want to avoid (if any). As a younger person, I don't mind the value resorts, but if I were 30 or older, I doubt I could stay at a value resort.

 

[TARAMEOW]

HMMM makes sense to me. When I went last year in September the crowds were not that bad and the theming at the hotel was great!!!

But I cant help be a little jelous when I see the prettier hotels

 

[Mayl]

It comes down to what you plan to do with your time. Our kids are 7 and 9 and after going in April, we found the mod (POR) to be a “waste”. Meaning, the kids were able to grind out a full day at the park better then my wife and I , and we ended up using the resort for swimming and sleeping. When the kids were younger and we would only get a few hours at the park before naps and such, we like the mods as we spent much more time at the resort.

POR was wonderful and we enjoyed the property, but found we did not spend enough time there to justify the increased cost. This Jan 08 we are doing POP as we feel it fits our needs.

 

[1000th happy haunt]

The moderates come with a refrigerator and coffee maker. You may want to upgrade if these things are important to you.

We tend to rent a car and stop at a supermarket (pick up milk, juice, yogurt, etc), so a refrigerator is important to us.

 

[mom-mom2three]

In my opinion, yes the mods are well worth it, I have stayed in the deluxe, mods, and value resorts. While I love the deluxe resorts I can't afford them (not and pay my house payment) but the mods are beauitful, the beds are queen size, the rooms are a little larger, and the resorts seem to be less crowded

 

[pudinhd]

I want to ask the same question as the post, but am wondering all the way up to the deluxe. Are deluxe worth the extra money above moderate or value hotels? I have only been to WDW once, and my uncle arranged for us to have a free mini suite at the Swan. I didn't even know until a little while ago that it wasn't a Disney hotel. Anyway, I would love any comments you have. Thanks!

 

[TinkerValkyrie]

We haven't gone yet, but we chose a Moderate(POFQ) over a Value. We took several factors into consideration. We have little ones and POFQ is supposed to be small and quiet, so this makes things easier on us. We're used to staying in 3 star or 3 diamond hotels. The Values are rated at 2 stars or diamonds(at least in the places I've seen so far). The Moderates were rated at 3, so we figured it would be more like what we were accustomed to. I grew up with Disney trips to the Poly, so stepping down to a Value would be a bit much. Also, the bright decor of the Values is just a bit much foe me. The kids would probably love it, but after being at the parks all day a nice quiet restful resort would be more for me.

 

[Lynne M]

) but the mods are beauitful, the beds are queen size, the rooms are a little larger, and the resorts seem to be less crowded

There are no queen beds at the moderates, only kings or doubles. For a queen bed, you'd have to go to a deluxe resort.

To the OP, the differences between the mods and values are not as great as the difference between mods and deluxes.

Values and moderates both have double beds in the rooms, and both have the outside corridors.

Moderate rooms are a little bit bigger, and come with a fridge at no extra charge.

Moderate resorts have a pool with a slide, values have no pool slides.

Most moderates have a TS restaurant, as well as a food court (except POFQ). Values only have a food court.

Probably the biggest difference is in the theming. Values are themed with the big icons - giant, multi-story Coke cups, bowling pins, statues of Disney characters. Very bright and colorful. Moderates each have a distinct theme....the French Quarter....the Caribbean....the Southwest. Landscaping is a little more elaborate and sophisticated.

 

[Irishhockey]

We personally do not think so...

The rooms: The moderate rooms are in fact larger, offer two sinks, a fridge, and coffee maker. I like those amentities, but not for the price difference. The beds are the same size, doubles, and while I admit the decor is nicer, a bed spread is a bed spread lol. The room layout is exactly the same as well, including the exterior door and one main window. There is a privacy curtain, but the new rooms at ASmu and ASsp now offer those as well.

Overall Resort: The moderates are even more spread out then the value resorts (with a slight exception to POFQ). Because of the large size, these resorts have multiple bus stops within the resort. It also results in longer walks to the food court/main facilities depending on your room location. The main pool will usually offer more of a theme and include a pool slide. As a whole, the grounds and theme are much more appealing at the moderates. I don't consider there to be any transportation/location advantages either. Pop can be seen from CBR, and the All Stars are close to CSR. POR does offer a boatride to DTD but I find it more to be a hassle then advantage.

To me...
Value resort = glorified motel
Moderate resort = glorified value resort

Don't get me wrong... My favorite resort is definately CBR and I'm itching to stay at CSR... but after staying at a value resort... it just opened my eyes a little bit... and I wasn't expecting to come out the "tunnel" raving about the values.. trust me!

I agree that value resorts can be home to several large groups, but that still won't justify the difference in cost to me. I'll choose not to go that time of year or stay off property. Why would I even consider staying off property? Because for the price of a moderate resort, we can rent a condo or even a small rental home and rent a car. As a PP said, the comparison just nearly isn't that great compared to values vs. deluxes. I would feel as if I was throwing money away. Also Keep in mind that large groups can be found at POR and CBR, especially during Pop Warner championships.

I'll probably stay at a moderate on a future trip... but I feel I can get the same, if not a better expereince with a value resort. I don't like "throwing away money" and personally feel that there isn't much of a difference between the moderates and values besides theming and decor.

We're staying at ASmu this fall after our stay at Pop Century and can't be more excited. The new rooms are definately more resort-like and the resort now plays poolside movies at night as well as pool games in the afternoon. Had we needed a fridge and water slide, adding the Water Park and fun option, and renting a fridge for the week, was still cheaper then the difference in price between the value and moderate.

 

[DisneySweetie]

the mods are beauitful, the beds are queen size, the rooms are a little larger, and the resorts seem to be less crowded

Ummmm, not to be a downer - but the beds in the mods are double/full size. If you are used to a queen at home, you are going to notice they are a bit smaller than that. However, this is also true of the values so it's probably not a deal-breaker for the OP.

We stayed at CSR in December 2005 and loved it. Out of all the mods, this resort seemed to fit our style the best. We were a little far from the main building, but we enjoyed the walk. The grounds were well kept and we loved arriving to see the beautiful Florida sunset on the lake. We even rented a surrey bike our last day.

We are branching out and trying POFQ for our honeymoon. We like that the resort is a bit smaller so we thought we'd try it. The mardi gras theme isn't exactly our style, but we thought it would be something fun to try out.

I think after we start a family of our own, we might like to take them to some of the values. The theming and icons at those resorts can really leave an imprint on a child's young mind. But until then, I am hoping to continue "living it up" in the mods.

 

[grumpy.uncle]

I think the Values are great if you are on a budget and traveling w/ children. If you are solo or are an adult only party, I would stay at a moderate or deluxe. The values seem geared to children and from what I have read here on the DIS, they are very noisy. You get alot of teen groups staying there, especially during the summer months, and the noise late at night can be an issue if you are a light sleeper. Each resort has it's pros and cons. I have found that for every positive review I read here, there is a negative review. I would determine what your budget is and then sit down and see what lodgings fit that budget. Buy a good travel guide and study the photos and amenities at each of your choices on the assorted Disney related websites. Before our first trip to WDW, my sister and I planned for over 2 years. We must have changed our mind on where we were staying at least 4 or 5 times. We finally ended up renting DVC points and staying in a 2-br at BWV. It was a fabulous trip for us. We were able to save the money to be able to afford it during the 2 years prior. We also enjoy cooking, so we ate the majority of our meals in our room which saved us alot of money and thus allowed the deluxe resort stay. Each person has different needs and priorities in a vacation. At WDW, I spend about half my time at my resort, so my choice is very important. If you spend the majority of your time at parks and get back to your room at midnite, then all you need is a clean, comfortable bed and a quiet room. Good luck w/ your trip planning. The planning is half the fun.

 

[Doc CW]

I like the moderates the best. POFQ is my favorite I like its relaxing atmosphere, food, its size, and the theme.

 

[disney-super-mom]

A moderate or a deluxe-lite (WL & AKL) would totally be worth it to us.

Besides the previously mentioned differences, I can't imagine staying somewhere and NOT being able to soak our tired feet and bodies in a hot tub in the evening. That's like a requirement for us on a Disney vacation.

The deluxes seem to be a little more convenient in that everything is located under one roof (hotel rooms, lobby, and restaurants with the exception of BWI). And the theme pool at a deluxe is only a short walk for all guests. Because of this, the deluxes feel more like a "hotel resort".

The moderates feel more like a "resort community" instead of a hotel. They consist of several buildings, so you could have quite a walk to the lobby, main theme pool, or the food court/restaurant.

The values are like a resort community as well. They just have a little smaller rooms, no TS restaurants, no fridge or coffemaker in room (except the new family suites at ASM), no pool slides, and no hot tubs.

I'm telling ya, if Disney put in pool slides and hot tubs at the values, we'd stay there!

 

[minnie61650]

My last trip I stayed at the POP and this year I am staying there again. I wanted to know if the Moderate resorts are really worth the extra $$$

POFQ is not as spread out as the other mods or the values.


POR CBR and CSR are very spread out.

The Values are laid out closer together.

The mods have pool slides, a hot tub and a sit down restaurant (POFQ doses not have a sit down restaurant but shares with POR.

There is not much room size difference between a mod and a value.

Here is the layout of a mod.
The bathroom 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 room layout

The mod has 54 square feet more than the value.
That means if both the mod and the value room were 27 feet long than the mod would be 2 feet wider. Just enough room for a double sink instead of a single.

I feel that is not a lot of room size difference.

 

[Atchley]

I vote moderate all the way!

 

[minnie61650]

All Star Music is my favorite resort. It tends to be the quietest of all the values.


All Star Music judt finished undergoing a refurbishment of all of the rooms and was completed in June 2007.

Dh and I stayed in one of the refubished last September(2006).

We really enjoed the new look and the privacy curtain they added seperating the vanity area from the sleeping arda.


Here is a website with photos of the newly refurbished rooms at All Star Music.

Look at the Jazz Inn section with new posted:

http://allearsnet.com/acc/g_asmu.htm


All Star Music is my favorite Disney owned hotel.

Please see my info thread for more of the reasons why I enjoy All Star Music so much.

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?p=18641909#post18641909

Have fun at Disney!

 

[srgibbs]

I vote Moderate if vacation funds allow but don't go into debt over it. We have stayed at Mods the past 2 Sept's and will be back to our favorite POFQ again this sept. We have small children and a pack and play so the 2 sinks with a curtain gives us a little extra space and the kids can sleep while I get ready. We love having a coffee maker and like real creamer so a ref. is a must for us plus we freeze our bottle waters in it for the parks. Also at POFQ everything is so close and we really don't feel like it is a hassle to get around. Kids love the dragon slide and we love the beignets for B'fast. Again, just personal preference but we have never stayed at a value but the above reasons are why not that we would have a problem it just wouldn't work for our family. If it was the difference between going to disney or skipping you better believe we would stay value.