Value vs Moderate

[minijeanie]

my daughter stayed in value (went with high school band) and the rest of the family stayed at a moderate. For me Value seemed loaded with kids and the quick serve areas was packed. The grass outside her door was all mud. For me I could not stay at a resort without a table service and I didn't like the size of the rooms at all. I know most people say your not in the room that much but for me if I am on vacation I enjoy the better amenities and the pool, grounds, concierge, etc. I guess just a personal thing

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Sure, Disney coffee is awful, but it has caffeine.

I can't always be choosy. I have small children and hate mornings.

 

[Tom P.]

With any discussion of value resorts, I think it's important to also differentiate Art of Animation from the other value resorts.

There was some talk at one time that Art of Animation would be called a Value+ resort, and I think there's some merit to that. I think there are some significant differences that separate it from other values. For example, the majority of the rooms at AoA are family suites. They are way more expensive than a typical value room, but also extremely spacious, with two full bathrooms and a separate bedroom. The family suites also have a queen bed in the main bedroom, as well as a coffee maker and a larger mini-fridge. The family suites are all interior corridor access, as opposed to the exterior access of the other values (and even the moderates). The main pool at AoA -- the Big Blue Pool -- is fantastic. While it has no slide, I think it safe to say that it blows away the pools at all the other values. Finally, the theming at AoA is incredible, and very organic to the resort, whereas the theming at the other values feels far more "tacked on" to me.

I don't know of a family suite at AoA would be appropriate to your family or something you would consider, but I felt it important to the discussion to differentiate AoA a bit from the other value resorts.

 

[lustergirl]

The only moderate I have stayed in is CSR. What a beautiful resort, but man it is too spread out. I like AS Sports and how compact it is. The sit down restaurants aren't a biggie for me. If I stay at CSR again we will book a preferred room.

 

[tinka-belle]

Other minor differences: Covered bus stop waiting areas and ceiling fans in the rooms for the moderates, as well as a coffeemaker. Rooms are definitely a bit larger, beds are queens and seem more comfortable so maybe better quality bedding?

 

[maxiesmom]

With any discussion of value resorts, I think it's important to also differentiate Art of Animation from the other value resorts.

There was some talk at one time that Art of Animation would be called a Value+ resort, and I think there's some merit to that. I think there are some significant differences that separate it from other values. For example, the majority of the rooms at AoA are family suites. They are way more expensive than a typical value room, but also extremely spacious, with two full bathrooms and a separate bedroom. The family suites also have a queen bed in the main bedroom, as well as a coffee maker and a larger mini-fridge. The family suites are all interior corridor access, as opposed to the exterior access of the other values (and even the moderates). The main pool at AoA -- the Big Blue Pool -- is fantastic. While it has no slide, I think it safe to say that it blows away the pools at all the other values. Finally, the theming at AoA is incredible, and very organic to the resort, whereas the theming at the other values feels far more "tacked on" to me.

I don't know of a family suite at AoA would be appropriate to your family or something you would consider, but I felt it important to the discussion to differentiate AoA a bit from the other value resorts.

To me, AOA is an over-done value resort. The suites cost a lot more than the suites at the Music resort. And if you want "just" a room you are punished by being placed in the rooms farthest away from the bus stop and food court. The Big Blue Pool looks cool, but having music under the water does not make it blow away the other value pools. And while the buildings have inside corridors, you still have to walk outside to get anywhere. Just my honest opinion, AoA may be a bit more dressed up (or over-dressed) but it is just a value resort.

 

[MimiOfTwo]

I've stayed value twice (yes I gave it a second chance). Never again. I felt like I'd been in a blender I much prefer the quiet laid back feel of POFQ or better yet GF/Poly.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

The coffee maker in the room isnt always a "plus" though. Personally I think that coffee is horrid. Im picky about my coffee. Besides, i like milk with my coffee so if im going to buy milk....I might as well just buy the entire cup of coffee.


I agree with this. I like the bus queue at the values too. At least there's a proper line. I dont like how mods & deluxes are setup...people just crowd around.

I do think that having two queen beds at a mod resort is a huge bonus though, depending on your party size. For my DS and I, it doesnt make a difference if its two queens or two doubles since its just the two of us.

Well, it's not great coffee but I guess I'm not that picky. I don't mind buying a container of milk for our stay and I can still have coffee in my PJs. It's brewing fresh for me within 10 seconds of me opening my eyes. If I had to get up and dressed and go somewhere for my first coffee of the day, I'd be pretty cranky.
We tried a value once and dh will never do it again. We don't like how spread out the values are ( or even moderates for that matter).
Once we tried WL, that was it; never looked back. Dh always says the difference between a mediocre vacation and a WOW! vacation is usually a couple hundred bucks. Compared to the cost of a whole vacation, it isn't much.
Like I always say though, to each his own. Do what works for you. There's no wrong way to do Disney.

 

[goofyintoronto]

Well, it's not great coffee but I guess I'm not that picky. I don't mind buying a container of milk for our stay and I can still have coffee in my PJs. It's brewing fresh for me within 10 seconds of me opening my eyes. If I had to get up and dressed and go somewhere for my first coffee of the day, I'd be pretty cranky.
We tried a value once and dh will never do it again. We don't like how spread out the values are ( or even moderates for that matter).
Once we tried WL, that was it; never looked back. Dh always says the difference between a mediocre vacation and a WOW! vacation is usually a couple hundred bucks. Compared to the cost of a whole vacation, it isn't much.
Like I always say though, to each his own. Do what works for you. There's no wrong way to do Disney.

Yes i thought about leaving the milk in the fridge BUT, I just dont like that coffee. In fact, if i cant find a decent cup, i just manage without coffee the entire trip. Shocking right?

Yes values are spread out, your right about that. But im hardly ever in the room....i cant justify spending a ton of money when im hardly in the room. As you said, to each their own. Im just happy to be in disney no matter where i stay on property! :

 

[daisyduck123]

It's been 10 years since we stayed at a Value (POP, in 2004 & 2005).

For us, the biggest difference between Moderate & Value is that at the Values, in the evenings.....I felt like I was at the local mall on a Friday night...lots of teens, kids running about, and more. That's all I'm going to say about that.

 

[happymommy]

I actually have never stayed at a moderate, and always used to stay a the deluxe resorts. For just my daughter and me, we found Pop to be very cute and fun!

I bring a travel coffee maker and good espresso ground coffee, as well as disposable coffee cups (Amazon Prime box - along with water and things I order beforehand). I make way better coffee!

Since neither have a balcony, to me the moderates and values are a bit similar in that regard. With just the two of us, a double bed is fine.

The food court does get crowded at times at night, so we get our food and bring it back to the room. I like how they have a table & chairs versus a desk at the deluxe (which I don't use!). Even though the food court is crowded sometimes, I like the selections available even better than most of the deluxe resorts I've stayed at in the past. And honestly, it took a long time to get food at the Mara at times last trip we stayed at the AKL (we were at Kidani, so it also was a pain to get over there). In that regard, I actually liked Pop better (but DH and DS ended up joining us, so we needed the space).

From now on, honestly, for just the two of us (DD and I are the ones that really enjoy Disney trips), Pop is great! I don't see it worth it for us to bother with a moderate even.

Now, if DH comes on a trip, we'll have to possibly rethink it. He likes a gym (yes, even at Disney). I find all the walking to be fine, and enjoy taking a week off from the gym!

 

[Boopuff]

I stayed at POP and AOA. POP never again. It was acceptable, but the full size beds forget it. We had 3 adults in the room and it felt really small. Yes POP was fine (we did a short 3 day stay) but the large groups that the value host make it downright unpleasant. AOA was another story. We loved the space in the family suite, queen bed it was really nice. After our stay at POP my DH said never again and we stay mod/deluxe. Just got back from a stay at POR it was fantastic. I think the biggest "con" about the values is the small beds and room size. The large groups too!

 

[bookgirl]

Also, Value resorts = no coffee maker in the room, and no towels at the pool.

Okay the coffee pot is true but I've been at values where there were towels. Granted I don't hang out at the pool but I walk by them and I see the big silver carts right next to them with towels. Maybe they don't do this anymore?

 

[bookgirl]

I've stayed at all the Values. I'm not a fan of POP or AoA but I like the All Stars.

However:

I'm not a pool person

I stay at them when I'm solo so small room/bed and one sink not a big deal.

I like the food court offerings for a quick meal (I like the TS meals and usually do a couple per trip but I don't want to spend $20 + for breakfast or waste that much time eating every meal at a TS)

If I'm solo I'm usually doing a park commando trip so I just want a clean room, a comfortable bed, and a working shower. Theme and extras are nice but not necessary.

I like ice coffee so I bring

and buy milk and have coffee in the room, in my PJs haha

So a Value works for me.



TBH: I do actually prefer the Mods and I have stayed at 3/4. (not counting the FW Cabins, and POFQ is my favorite) They are quieter, more themed, landscape is more lush, the food court has slightly better menu options and if you stay one of the PO resorts there's a boat to Disney Springs. This is where I'd stay for a relaxing trip.

 

[Huff]

I've always felt that for those like us who spend zero time in their hotel except to sleep it makes little sense to spend much more for a moderate or deluxe. Makes more sense for those who make use of the pool, restaurants, nap time etc. For us POP has been perfect. However, for our upcoming trip it was only a $10/night increase to change from POP to CBR for a 10 night stay because of costs to upgrade free dining at POP.

At POP we stopped by Walmart on the way and picked up a cheap toaster and coffee maker. On check out we left them in the room as we were flying home. Worked out great! They need coffee maker swaps at POP like they used to do with refrigerators!

 

[maxiesmom]

I've always felt that for those like us who spend zero time in their hotel except to sleep it makes little sense to spend much more for a moderate or deluxe. Makes more sense for those who make use of the pool, restaurants, nap time etc. For us POP has been perfect. However, for our upcoming trip it was only a $10/night increase to change from POP to CBR for a 10 night stay because of costs to upgrade free dining at POP.

At POP we stopped by Walmart on the way and picked up a cheap toaster and coffee maker. On check out we left them in the room as we were flying home. Worked out great! They need coffee maker swaps at POP like they used to do with refrigerators!

Just as a future FYI toasters are not allowed in your room. The provide them at the food court for guests to use.

 

[WEDWDW]

Okay the coffee pot is true but I've been at values where there were towels. Granted I don't hang out at the pool but I walk by them and I see the big silver carts right next to them with towels.

Actually All-Star Sports is the only Value Resort to ever have Pool Towels and that just started earlier this year.

The big,silver carts are Housekeeping carts that they "SOMETIMES" put out(usually by the elevators) for Guests who need extra towels,but they are not always out and are not placed AT the Pool as Pool Towels are.

 

[shh]

I've never stayed in mod or deluxe...I like the values except for the noise from adjoining rooms. If there's a crying baby or a kid having a temper tantrum in next room, it's like they're in your room - the walls are that thin. You hear every toilet flush.

But when you're just doing room only and dining plans don't factor in, it's a pretty big $ jump from value to mod and no guarantee I won' t have the same problem there. I keep saying I'm going to try a mod, but then always default back to value.

 

[raddisneyfan]

My advice when planning expenses for vacation and whether or not a more expensive room is worth it? If it is going to add any stress to your vacation, don't do it--go with the cheaper room. If you go for the Moderate, and there are plenty of reasons to as previous posters have indicated, but you will be stressed when you get there and need to watch every penny, then go for the Value by all means. I'm fortunate to have choices when I stay at Disney, but if it came down to Value or watching every penny when I got there, or heaven forbid, no Disney, I would go with the Value every time. Good luck with the decision and hope to see you at Disney soon!

 

[jimjenkids]

definitely a toss up for us. this trip we could have done 1 room at a moderate(at the time I booked) but kids(girls) wanted more space and more importantly, more bathrooms so we opted for 2 rooms at POP. we have done the values in the past a few times and had both good and not so good experiences(I prefer to do the moderates-quiet, relaxed, bit bigger) but the not so good experiences wont keep us a way. the savings on 2 rooms at a moderate is the trade off for the girls going to universal...plus it now looks like I have my ds that will be flying back from Puerto rico and fly in to spend xmas with us in Disney/Florida. ready or not, we have great walking shoes for the chance of being a bit farther away, now bring on the vacation