Value vs. Moderate

[canadaman]

My family is starting already to plan a trip for next summer. We are 2 adults and 2 sons aged 7 and 6. We have only been to WDW once and that was last summer. We didn't have much time and could only stay 4 nights. We stayed at all star movies. We really did enjoy it.
This trip we thought we would stay at POP, but the more resorts we look at the more we like some of the mods. Especially CBR, we also have looked at CSR. Last trip we spent 1 full day at each park with no breaks in between and it was exhausting. this trip we plan to stay for about 8 nights and want to have a few days to just be around the resort. This is why we have been looking at mods. There is just more to do at the moderates.
I am not sure if the extra amenities at the mods justify the extra cost for us. Some of you experts must be able to help us out on this.

 

[SandraC]

We've stayed at all mods at least once with our two kids and last week we stayed at POP. If I were to do it over again, I'd stay at all the values first and then the mods. My kids are 9 and 15 and I feel that we missed the fun themes of Disney that the values provide. So we are going to do all the values now, while they are still kids, and either go back to mods or try deluxes when they are older teens. Sometimes I planned to stay at a value, but the mods offered a really good deal so we booked the mod.

You are VERY wise for staying 8 days and taking breaks. Once you do that, you'll never go back to COMMANDO Disney.

On our non-park days we have;

* Downtown Disney, by car or bus or boat from Port Orleans
* Took the Broadwalk boat to Hollywood Studios just for fun
* Walked around Broadwalk
* Did a waterpark for a light half day
* Buses or boat to Fort Wilderness for the lunch buffet and the petting farm
* Character meal at a deluxe resort
* Resort hopped and had lunch at the counter service
* Rode the monorails for fun
* Lounged on the Poly beach lounges and watched WISHES and the Electric Light Parade
* Sit by the pool at your resort and enjoy a lemonade in your resort mug
* Have a great lunch or dinner off-site

 

[candielips]

We have only ever stayed MOD but are booked this Sept at POP. We are looking forward to the theming for our DD who will be 2 and I hope we will enjoy it.
When I look at the pics of the rooms at the values, I odn't see that much different than the room we had POFQ, which I thought was nothing that fantastic. I feel fortunate enough to be able to go to WDW at all through this economy.

 

[canadaman]

Another thing i wanted to ask about was the size of the resorts. All star movies was nice and compact. Very easy to get around in. I have looked at maps for CBR, and CSR and they seem so big a spread out. I guess that could be a good thing. A bigger resort would seem less crowed I would think.

Are the size of the moderates really as big and spread out as they look??

 

[pigletto]

I really liked that CSR was big and spread out. You can do a little research and decide which location to request. CSR seemed very peaceful compared to our stay at Pop. Pop felt as you said .. extremely crowded. It depends on the kind of vacation you want. I like to feel like the parks are my busy time and want to feel a little less in the middle of things when I get back to the Resort.
My kids loved the theme and all the Icons at Pop though.
I would never turn down a trip staying at one of the values and I am sure I would have a great time.. but if the budget allows I prefer a Mod.

 

[digskat]

we have stayed at ASMo (x2), POP, POFQ and OKW. POFQ was beautiful, and we enjoyed the boat to DTD and waterslide. However, bang for the buck, values are better for us. Room wise, the Moderates are about 2 feet wider, and POFQ has the double sink, but there isn't enough difference to warrant the $30-40/night. Our first choice, on-site, is ASMo.

 

[Lizziejane]

Mods are beautifully themed and perhaps a little quieter than the values, although I guess that really depends on what's going on on any particular day. The pool theming is better at the mods, there are the rentals (boats and/or bikes). Even just the surrounding to take a stroll are nicer. Only you can say whether $30-40 per night is worth it to you. To me, it would absolutely be worth $40 per night expecially if I was planning on a couple of resort-days. Honestly, the difference for me is that a value feels just like that - a vacation on a budget. A mod, while not a deluxe room (although the new CSR rooms look VERY nice!), at least surrounds you in outdoor space that can pass for deluxe!

 

[Cdn Friends of Pooh]

we have stayed at ASMo (x2), POP, POFQ and OKW. POFQ was beautiful, and we enjoyed the boat to DTD and waterslide. However, bang for the buck, values are better for us. Room wise, the Moderates are about 2 feet wider, and POFQ has the double sink, but there isn't enough difference to warrant the $30-40/night. Our first choice, on-site, is ASMo.

We would agree with this ... except our first choice, on-site, is Pop!

 

[CanadianImagineer]

Prior to our stay at CBR in '07, we had stayed at ASMu and ASMo. We LOVED the values, but thought it was time to try out a mod. We chose CBR because the beach theme appealed to us the most. While we did enjoy the resort, we simply prefer the values over it. We're not "mid-day break" people so we hardly spent anytime at the resort except for eating and sleeping. So, we preferred to spend this time being immersed in the Disney icons at the All-Stars as opposed to a 10 minute walk to Old Port Royale for breakfast at CBR.

However, I think CBR would be a great fit for your family Being a large resort, there are plenty of quiet spots to escape to. We were in Trinidad South (furthest from main building), and it was very quiet. The beach and pool were both virtually empty, and we hardly heard any noise at nighttime.

 

[DisneyRookie2007]

My family is starting already to plan a trip for next summer. We are 2 adults and 2 sons aged 7 and 6. We have only been to WDW once and that was last summer. We didn't have much time and could only stay 4 nights. We stayed at all star movies. We really did enjoy it.
This trip we thought we would stay at POP, but the more resorts we look at the more we like some of the mods. Especially CBR, we also have looked at CSR. Last trip we spent 1 full day at each park with no breaks in between and it was exhausting. this trip we plan to stay for about 8 nights and want to have a few days to just be around the resort. This is why we have been looking at mods. There is just more to do at the moderates.
I am not sure if the extra amenities at the mods justify the extra cost for us. Some of you experts must be able to help us out on this.

Stay at a VALUE, use the $$ you save to purchase the water park and more option. I doubt the kids will care where they are staying and the awter parks are a great place to get away from the parks

 

[DisneyRookie2007]

My family is starting already to plan a trip for next summer. We are 2 adults and 2 sons aged 7 and 6. We have only been to WDW once and that was last summer. We didn't have much time and could only stay 4 nights. We stayed at all star movies. We really did enjoy it.
This trip we thought we would stay at POP, but the more resorts we look at the more we like some of the mods. Especially CBR, we also have looked at CSR. Last trip we spent 1 full day at each park with no breaks in between and it was exhausting. this trip we plan to stay for about 8 nights and want to have a few days to just be around the resort. This is why we have been looking at mods. There is just more to do at the moderates.
I am not sure if the extra amenities at the mods justify the extra cost for us. Some of you experts must be able to help us out on this.

Stay at a VALUE, use the $$ you save to purchase the water park and more option. I doubt the kids will care where they are staying and the water parks are a great place to get away from the parks

 

[dancin Disney style]

We have stayed in both the mods and values. We have enjoyed all our stays there. Our fav has been POFQ but that was always my dream resort and it didn't disapoint. We stay at the values when we want to stay longer because it is less expensive but if we are only staying for a week we do the mods.

With kids that are 6 and 7 I would recommend the values. The kids will LOVE it. POP is great but ASMo is total eye candy for kids. The icons are all from Disney movies that the kids will know.

I would also recommend for your days off that you go to the waterparks. They are actually relaxing.

On the note about price....the mods are usually about $70 more per night than a value standard room.

If you are going in the summer try planning your stay for after the end of the first week in August. That will put you into value season which will save you a lot. In July you are in summer season which will cost you $115 weekday and $125 weekend for a value. If you are there over the 4th of July you will pay even more. These are the 2009 prices so it could cost a little more in 2010.

 

[Charleyann]

A moderate is easily justified once you experience the difference! We started in movies and moved to POFQ. What a difference!

Charleyann

 

[Mickey's Best Girl]

I received a PIN last year so I thought I would upgrade to CBR and surprise my DD16. What a waste of money IMO.
We have much more fun at Pop. The theming and colours scream Disney which we love. CBR was nice, beautiful grounds but to me there is nothing Disney about it. We did not like the food court or the bus system and the rooms, while large, were very dull.
We missed Pop very much and for Nov. we're heading "home" and saving the $$. We found the mods. were not worth the extra money.
Keep in mind this is the opinion of only one Disser. Do a little research in the resort thread and see what appeals to you.
Have fun wherever you end up staying!

 

[redrosesix]

We have done both of our stays at ASMusic and have no complaints. But we also had park hoppers and WPF&M passes, so having just a pool was fine with us.

I'm not sure why you wouldn't want to stay at ASMovies again, since you said you enjoyed it. Next year, your sons might enjoy going to the poolside movies at ASMusic -- which would be really close for you if you stayed in the Mighty Ducks section.

BTW, if you go with a Value resort and add the WPF&M passes, you can use them at Oak Trail Golf course. Club rentals are only $15 for adults, free for kids, and you can get free taxi service to and from your resort.

 

[SaskDisNut]

For our first family trip to Disney in 2007 we stayed at Pop and loved it. On our last trip in Dec. we had a split stay between Pop and CSR. Again we loved Pop and really enjoyed the selection at the food court and I think the buses are pretty good. But we also enjoyed our stay at CSR. CSR has queen beds and all mods have a fridge. The southwestern theming at CSR is relaxing and it seemed pretty quiet. The pool & waterslide were a hit with the kids and we really enjoyed the hot tub. I told DW at the time that it felt more vacation like compared to being at Pop. Pop is exciting, fun, and vibrant. CSR is more laid back, seemed more business-like, but has beautiful grounds and a great pool. The bus service was OK but CSR is among the first bus stops at the parks.

So now we are debating whether to go for free dining in October and of course that leads us to where do we stay. We love both resorts but CSR is more expensive but also has the amenities that we like.

That is the beauty of Disney. It has something for everyone, for every taste, and every budget. Do what suits your family the best. Whatever you decide you will have a great time.