Value vs Moderate??

[Lilo and Minnie girl]

This is my third trip to Disney, and I am excited. It was my idea this time to go because we had the extra money. My idea though was to stay at a value resort, but we are going during free dining, and the Pop was all booked up. This is my favorite resort so far, because it is inexpensive, and I think it is nice and the atmosphere is great. But... my DH wanted to stay at a moderate, which was the only ones available, so we are staying at CSR. We are still getting the free dining, which I am happy about, but the amount of money we are spending, which is not all that much for Disney, I kind of wasn't happy about. But long story short, I am very excited about going to Disney, myself my DH, and our DD who is four. I hope our experience is a lot better than the values though because we are paying more, for instance the buses wait time, this I did not like at all at the values. So who can convince me that moderate resorts are nicer or better, because my DH seems to think so.

 

[gatorfreud]

CSR was super awesome!! We really enjoyed our stay there. Make sure you leave some time to just hang out by the pool, the playground is right there and is really great!! It's like a real playground, not just some tiny little play structure like at some other resorts. And a sand box. You could also rent a surrey bike and ride the grounds... we really wanted to do that but ran out of time. Since you're on the free DDP you will get a great deal at Pepper Market, they have very good food.

I think you will have a wonderful time!!

Kim

 

[karemore]

Unless you spend a good amount of time at the resort, it's not worth the extra money.

From what I've read, Pop has one of the best bus routes. It was certainly easier than FQ since it was the only stop. I wouldn't pay for a mod expecting better bus service.

You will get a bit bigger and nicer room. You will have a nicer pool and playground.

If you are already booked, go and relax and enjoy. I was sure I wouldn't be able to sleep at the GF because of how much it cost, but I slept like baby and enjoyed every minute. Like I enjoyed every minute at a mod, and almost every minute at Pop.

 

[Redbudlover]

I stayed at a value the first night of my trip a week ago - first time at a value for me- and then moved to POR. For a single person the room at ASM was fine, but the larger POR room let me spread out more. For a family I would think a mod would be more comfortable. I thought the pool was nice at the value, but I was glad to be moving - I like a little more luxury, more upscale surroundings. And I like to use the marina. The value felt a little Motel 6 to me, though the bed was comfy. I see the biggest difference between the mods and the deluxes with CSR kind of hitting in the middle due to its spa. The food at the CSR food court was better, too.

I think you will really enjoy it. Go with a good attitude and have fun!

 

[KatMark]

Truthfully, we stayed at a value only once and we did not enjoy it at all. We've done deluxes about four (or five?) times and will be staying for the 7th time at the CSR. We just found the value to be too crowded and too noisy. The deluxes, although we like them, are too expensive with two boys in college (one recently graduated with his B.A. in Communications Art but has decided to go back for his Masters). We just really love CSR for its beauty, the quietness, the pools (main and quiet), the hot tub, the Pepper Market, the gift shop and the spa. My DH and I really enjoy walking around the paths at night after the sun has gone down and the lights are reflecting off the lake and the fountains in the Casitas section. It truly is beautiful. Although a convention resort we've never had any issue with conventioneers.

 

[adell557]

We did CBR last time, and we are going back to the POP this time. We didn't feel the moderate was worth the extra money.

 

[CleveRocks]

Here's an objective look at the differences between Moderate resorts and Value resorts:

Moderate rooms are 314 sq. ft. (except CBR rooms are 340).
Value rooms are 260 sq. ft.
The 54 square feet difference is about the size of two double beds.

Moderate rooms have a ceiling fan.
Value rooms don't.

Moderate rooms have a fridge.
Value rooms don't (or you'll pay $10/day to rent).

Moderate rooms have 2 sinks (except CSR's have 1).
Value rooms have 1 sink.

Moderates have a pool slide and a hot tub.
Values have neither.

Moderates provide pool towels at the main pool.
Values do not provide any pool towels … you must use your room towels.

Moderates' bus stops are covered (think protection from rain and hot sun).
Values' bus stops are not covered.

Moderates have lush landscaping.
Values have more "hardscaping."

Moderates have a food court AND a table-service restaurant (except POFQ ... food court only).
Values have only a food court.

Moderates have some sort of recreational activity (e.g., boat rentals, bike rentals).
Values don't have that type of recreational activity.

At Moderates, the maximum room charge limit is $1,000.
At Values, it's $500.

EXTRA CREDIT:

POFQ and POR have boat service to Downtown Disney.
CSR has full room service, and a gym.
Values are much more "kid-themed" and whimsical-looking than the Moderates.

 

[lady_hlh]

We stayed at POP for our first 2 trips and we really loved it. However last year we got upgraded to OKW and we all really enjoyed the extra amenities at that resort. My DD likes to spend a lot of time at the pool and loved having a pool slide plus a nice playground. My DH was thrilled with the uncrowded buses and covered bus stops. This year I was going to book free dining at the POP with an upgrade to DxDDP. My DH vetoed my idea and had me book CSR because he wanted the extra amenities again. I was bummed about not doing the dining upgrade at first but now I'm excited to try CSR and my DD can't wait to go on the jaguar slide.

 

[Buzz2001]

CSR is a great choice. Check out my CSR website below for pics and info.

CSR offers many deluxe amenities you won't find at the other mods like a spa, salon, fitness center and full menu room service.

CSR has the Pepper Market which you won't find a better spot for CS credit on the DDP. You can get a rib eye steak dinner and it only counts as a CS credit.

CSR has terrific transportation and an awesome pool/slide too.

 

[Claire&TheBoys]

We love CSR - we were there for free dining last year and booked it for free dining for 2008 before we even left last year! The DDP is an excellent value at Pepper Market - you get a ton of food. Our older son (5 last year, will be 6 this year) loved the slide and pool. We think the bus service is terrific. We've rarely had to wait more than 5-10 minutes for a bus to where we wanted to go. CSR feels like a break, an oasis, in the middle of the busy World. It's so relaxing!

Have a great vacation!

 

[DisneyBugs]

We did CSR on our honeymoon -- LOVED IT, and would love to go back. The PepperMarket is in a league of it's own when compared to the other moderate resort eating areas.
However.... We're the "get up and go/close the parks" type of family. So even though mod's aren't that much more expensive than the values, we opt for the values figuring, all we really do is sleep and shower there, so why spend the extra $?
Pool at mods have slides, values don't. If you're going to do values, try and stick w/ POP -- they don't share a bus w/ another resort from what I've been told.

 

[amgine27]

if you plan on spending alot of time in the room go for the moderate if not them go for the value

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZW--qI8-Y8

 

[AngelaDJC]

We stayed at a value resort the first couple times I've taken my kids to Disney. We planned on spending all our time at the parks. For that reason the value resort was perfect. You're really only sleeping there and the bed is comfy. Last year I splurged on a delux and we found ourselves spending a lot of time relaxing and swimming in the pool and hot tub. This year we are staying at the CSR. My kids are older (14 twins) and we enjoy the resort feel as opposed to the somewhat noisy motel feeling of the value.

 

[adell557]

I have never gotten the "noisy motel" feel. We really like POP for the food court too. I guess b/c the moderates have a TS restaurant, they have a more limited CS. We really like eating CS with our little ones, sitting in a restaurant with them is torture, they are so amped to be at disney, sitting in a restaurant is like punishment for them and in turn for us too!

You have to really see what is best for your family. Most of the objections to values can be overcome, like we are in a fridge swap so we will have fridge and it won't cost anything.

I didn't find there to be that much more space b/c the furniture at CBR was really big, in turn taking up alot of space.

I don't care about 2 sinks

I do have to say the pool slide was fun for my DD. Which is one of the reasons we actually chose to try a moderate on our last trip, but after staying there, we saw that it wasn't worth giving up some of our favorite things like pop jets, twister, and big wheels at the POP

 

[skipperkim]

Count me in as a mod girl. I need my hot tub in the evening. Don't forget that POR has a carriage ride, a great perk. The boat to DTD is also very relaxing.

I've only stayed at Pop once and didn't care for it. It was too crowded and too noisy.