Why Deluxe?

[apress]

I need some help. My DH and I are planning an adults only trip this summer. We are currently booked at POR but have been considering a deluxe. We have never stayed deluxe and the cost to go from a moderate to a deluxe is at least $1000. Is a deluxe that much better than a moderate? Please give me your thoughts. Thanks

 

[DisBuckMan]

Interior hallways, private balcony, better on-site restaurants, one single bus stop (which is debatable, IMO, as to how much of a "perk" that is), slightly larger rooms, better pools, better lobbies, generally closer to parks, etc. It's up to you to decide whether all that's worth the extra money.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

I go Deluxe because I have kids and I enjoy the proximity to parks of certain Deluxes.

To be honest, if you mostly intend to be in the parks and not take advantage of the amenities of a Deluxe, there's not a huge leap for Mod to Deluxe, and $1000 buys a couple of really nice dinners or spa treatments.

 

[DLgal]

We stay deluxe for these reasons:

A fitness center is a MUST for my husband
Larger, more interesting pools with slides
Interior hallways
larger rooms with 2 queen beds AND a daybed (so my kids can each have their own bed)
closer bus stops at the theme parks (yes, I actually care about this...it's the little things)
Club Level
Numerous restaurant/bar options onsite, usually at least one signature dining spot
Poolside drink/food service
Balconies

As to your second question, is a deluxe really better than a moderate? Yes. In my opinion. I have stayed at all the moderates and none of them are similar to a deluxe. It's a very obvious step up.

 

[Shanti]

I need some help. My DH and I are planning an adults only trip this summer. We are currently booked at POR but have been considering a deluxe. We have never stayed deluxe and the cost to go from a moderate to a deluxe is at least $1000. Is a deluxe that much better than a moderate? Please give me your thoughts. Thanks

Yes, it's worth it. It's the difference between staying in a motel and staying in a hotel. It's a very noticable quality difference even if you're only there to sleep and shower. Have you considered a standard room at Animal Kingdom Lodge? They typically are the same price as the better moderate rooms. Be sure to book the room with a resort room discount, as well- those cut the price for deluxes by 30%.

 

[DisBuckMan]

I

To be honest, if you mostly intend to be in the parks and not take advantage of the amenities of a Deluxe, there's not a huge leap for Mod to Deluxe, and $1000 buys a couple of really nice dinners or spa treatments.

Agree completely with this. If you don't plan to actually use the advantages provided by a deluxe resort, it's $1000 wasted.

 

[goofy4tink]

Depends on what is important to you. I love POR and stay there whenever I get the chance. I own DVC at both BWV and BLT..so obviously enjoy the deluxe feel.
But....we don't use the gym. So, that's not a big deal. I don't mind the walk to my room at a moderate..and have hated the walk to my room at some deluxes!!! Yes, the deluxe resorts are more nicely themed....almost more adult. The pools are usually nicer, and there are generally more table service restaurants. The proximity to a park, or two, is nice. But, is it worth the addtl cost? Only you can decide that. Then again, I have no issue staying at Pop! I tend to think there's some charm at all the resort levels.

 

[MinnesotaMouseketeers]

We spend time at the resorts and when we can afford to go deluxe we do for reasons already stated above. Restaurant choices, balcony, pool, lounges, and exploring the lobby and grounds. If you plan on spending time at the resort so you can enjoy the perks and you aren't suffering from sticker shock I would go for it at least once. If you don't plan on spending time at the resort save you money for something else. Like one of the signature restaurants, couples spa treatment, etc. Only you can know for sure if it's worth it in the end.

 

[KnittingMom]

Yes, it's worth it. It's the difference between staying in a motel and staying in a hotel. It's a very noticable quality difference even if you're only there to sleep. Have you considered a standard room at Animal Kingdom Lodge? They typically are the same price as the better moderate rooms.

I agree -- a standard room at either Wilderness Lodge or AKL is about $100 a night less expensive than other deluxes, and you have the private balcony or patio, and the other amenities.

 

[ttstroker]

We gladly pay extra for the epcot resorts so we can walk back to our rooms and not have to worry about the long wait for a bus. Our son is almost a disney adult, so he doesn't enjoy MK as much anymore. if we usually can't get into BWI, BWV, BC/YC, BCV, we'll stay at a moderate (typically CSR, POFQ, POR) for the queen size beds or boat to DTD (we hate taking the buses there no matter the resort). We also allot 1-2 days of pool time to enjoy the slide and poolside bar. my son appreciates the moderate and value arcades though. It's all about what you plan to do. if you'll be in the parks all day, i'd stay in a moderate and use the extra money to enjoy yourself in the parks. We've been to the parks a ton already (been AP holders for the past 7 years), so 2 hours in the morning to take care of our FPs then we either stick around the park for lunch or head back to the resort for lunch/downtime. Those are the days the walk and amenities a deluxe offers make it all worth it. Also, staying club level takes things up a notch. the hardest part is not getting a drink in epcot since i could get as many as i'd like free in the lounge! Our last stay was CL in AKL. That was a totally unique experience seeing animals from our balcony, taking a short walk and getting snacks and food throughout the day, and just enjoying all the resort had to offer. it was during marathon weekend, so too cold for the pool, but we did have an awesome dinner at Jiko, met the "Pin King" at their store, and just took to the whole ambiance of the resort

 

[Tikiman]

I don't know if this would be helpful or not but we tried a Moderate (POFQ) for the first time last Summer and then switched over to a Deluxe (Polynesian) and I posted a report of the trip. We may not have the same opinion but it might give you an idea of what I missed having staying at a Moderate. I was happy I tried it because it is hard to go off others opinions without trying for yourself.

http://www.tikimanpages.com/poly/news/item/226-vacation-2015-report

 

[Mousemommy1]

We spend a lot of time at our resort so we prefer the amenities of a deluxe. Location is super important to us as well. We like to be able to walk to at least one park if possible.

Now that there are 5 of us, the larger rooms are definitely a plus.

It's just a matter of preference. For us, the price difference is worth it, but only you can decide that for yourself.

 

[Kimly]

Once you go deluxe it's hard to go back.

 

[Babsy]

I need some help. My DH and I are planning an adults only trip this summer. We are currently booked at POR but have been considering a deluxe. We have ne.ver stayed deluxe and the cost to go from a moderate to a deluxe is at least $1000. Is a deluxe that much better than a moderate? Please give me your thoughts. Thanks

WE like moderate and deluxe resorts in different ways. Overall, the deluxe is worth the extra $$$ in our opinion, although there are some trips where we will be busy in the parks or are going with a 'go go go' group that we opt for a different vacation style and stay moderate or even value. Over the years we have stayed in them all and we enjoy each resort for its own unique advantages.

We really enjoy the balconies, proximity to parks, larger rooms and variety of dining options in the deluxe resorts. The rooms are more comfortable to sit around in. We also enjoy club level.

We go back and forth between value, moderate and deluxe all the time, sometimes in the same trip.

Enjoy wherever you choose to stay!!!

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

I love the deluxes and would stay in one every time if I could afford it. I like the moderates too and that is where I normally stay due to the price being lower.

I like the indoor areas and the lobbies better at the deluxes plus I've felt that the rooms are much nicer.
I also like having transportation options (boat, bus or monorail) instead of bus only.

I like having extra restaurant choices and store choices at the deluxes. The only downside to some deluxe resorts is the lack of quick service restaurants and since many of the deluxes do have that choice, it's not much of a downside.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

FWIW, if you are thinking about spending a lot of time in the Boardwalk area, Boardwalk, Beach/Yacht Club or the Swan/Dolphin are all great choices for their access.

But if you want to do a bunch of Disney Springs, you are just as well off at POR. The bus transport from anywhere to Disney Springs is dreadful. Saratoga Springs and Old Key West also have boat transport to Disney Springs, and are often less expensive as cash reservations despite their deluxe status.

 

[AdamEfimoff]

So they don't like you blogging ? 'let my wife do the checking in because I never know what Cast Members might recognize me and some don’t really like what I do.'

 

[2013Frozen]

Our first stay at a AKL last month, and it was amazing. DD 8 LOVED it, as did myself and my parents. Have stayed at Pop, AoA, and CBR in the past. Would definately choose AKL in the future. The beauty of the resort, proximity to the bus from the lobby (requested close to lobby in online check in), beautiful pool view, greatness of lobby in general, abundance of animal viewing areas, and daily activities for kids .. overall just outstanding. Will defiantly look for AKL (deluxe discounts) in the future!

 

[buzznina]

I always like to tell people to give a resort a try, if you can and this way you can form your own opinion. But if you are going to be at the parks the majority of the time, why spend so much more $$ on something you will not use. Our family has stayed at a few deluxes and have no problem going back to a Mod We always have a day or 2 dedicated as a resort day during our stays, so we are not always at the park and the resort is important to our vacation and truthfully we are having a harder and harder time justifying the cost difference. I will say that we rather have the outdoors then an indoor hallway, a balcony is nice but the time we spend on it is very minor, we do like the bit bigger rooms and they do have better and more TS choices but on the other hand we found their FC to be lacking. As a PP mentioned, maybe look into AKL and WL, we really liked AKL. There I think we all made it clear as mud as to what you should do

 

[HeyKoolaid]

One reason we enjoy the Wilderness Lodge is the ability to take a launch to the Magic Kingdom - a very relaxing way to arrive or depart the MK, and at night it feels like we are arriving at Hogwarts.