Why do you book a moderate?

[FairyDust2008]

I have posted similar posts regarding moderates versus deluxes, etc. What is your reason for booking moderates over deluxe? I know money is one reason because it can save a good chunk of money for other great things. My hubby is totally SOLD on the moderates like POR/POFQ and CSR and doesn't see putting all the extra money into a deluxe when that money could be used for so much more. Plus, he thinks the theming and amenities are very nice for the moderates. I tend to agree with him but I do like alot of the deluxes and he likes the Beach Club/Yacht Club and Boardwalk for deluxe choices. We are just weighing the pros/cons of stuff in our winding down for booking a resort. We kind of had a change of vacation dates so I've had a little "EXTRA" time to make a decision. Thanks for all your help

 

[BamaFan121s]

Generally, they seem to be more spreadout and seem quieter. We usually run into "groups" (churches, school groups) at the values...high kid to parent ratio and lots of noise--no thanks. My experience is that the overall bus service has been better. Slightly larger beds, mean hubby and I don't have to sleep seperately. There seem to be more activities and things to do around the resort at moderates.

 

[Tink's Pixieduster]

As much as I would like to book a stay at a deluxe resort (closer to the parks, somewhat larger rooms, and upgraded amenities), for us it just doesn't make up for the difference in the amount it costs to stay at one. Our family would love to stay at one of the deluxes, but for the difference in the cost we have more available cash so we can afford more table service meals, more shopping, and we think more experiences in general. And our experiences with the two mods we've stayed at, POR and POFQ, have been very good. We do enjoy visiting other resorts to walk around and see whats there so we have an idea what we might be missing, but honestly, unless our ship comes in we are not going to have the budget for a deluxe any time soon, if ever.

Now if WDW wanted to comp us an upgrade we certainly wouldn't turn it down!

 

[Lilolvr]

To me, the deluxes are just not worth all that money when I'll be spending most of my time at the parks. I don't mind outdoor walkways.

 

[vicceja]

We love the Deluxes especially BC because our family likes to head back to the resort for some relax time and pool time for several hours before we head out again. We enjoy the amenities of the Resort as much as all the Parks have to offer.

 

[IWISHFORDISNEY]

I have booked mods in the past when our income was a bit lower. Now I am hooked on either Epcot resorts for location or AKL for the theming and perks their CL offers. Our favorite mod is CSR. They also dont share buses, have a great pool, and IMO the best food court. We actually have returned there for breakfast even when we were not staying there. I am sure Buzz can help you out with specifics but it is a very nice resort. I have to admit I have never stayed at POR or PORFQ. I have herd good things about this resort two. I here it is very comparable to deluxe room sizes at AKL or WL. Did you check out the allears.net for pics and info. It is a great resource.

 

[mmcguire]

One simple reason: $

We've stayed at the Dolphin a few times, but with all their added junk fees now (parking, resort fee, etc.), it just isn't worth the money to us. The moderates fit our budget better, plus we get free parking at the resort.

 

[ols386]

I much prefer a moderate to luxury Disney resort. Their so-called luxury resorts aren't any nicer than the moderates, in terms of nice-ness of the rooms, in my opinion. But it probabaly depends on what you are looking for. If you are interested in dining in nice restaurants, then you would probably like the luxury. If you don't necessarily care about that, and don't mind eating at food courts, then maybe you would like staying at a moderate. The moderates also have water craft that you can rent. We have stayed at all three moderates, and I think they are every bit as lovely as the luxuries. (We've stayed at 2 luxuries.) We stayed at Riverside (POR) for five nights in early January this year, and absolutely loved it! The grounds are gorgeous! We really liked the food in the food court (especially the bakery). You pay significantly much more money to stay in a luxury, and could use that difference in money for many other things.

 

[cheerforchelsea]

I much prefer a moderate resort - the values are way too noisy and crowded. The deluxe resorts are nice but many times the common areas are packed with people. I like the peace and quiet of not entering the hotel through a common lobby. (Just back from AKL - nice but too crowded.) Give me the CBR anytime!!

 

[MontanaZoo]

I stayed at AKL last time by myself which was really great. The room actually wasn't extremely different from any other hotel I've stayed at but the atmosphere was wonderful. I'm actually staying at a moderate this time (besides $) because my DN 11 is going with me and I don't think I'd get her away from the animals to go tour the park. I had trouble! The animals actually are really mostly visible morning/evening since that's when they are more active and fed closer to the buildings on the savannas. I did miss all of the evening entertainment at the parks last time though because I'm an amateur photographer and wanted shots of the animals!

I chose CSR for our moderate because of pool refurbishments going on at other moderates and also the bus doesn't share with other resorts. Plus the theming looks really nice.

 

[KatMark]

We book a moderate (the CSR in our case for soon to be the 7th time) because they have just as nice of amenities as does the Deluxe of our choice (the Polynesian). We just cannot justify spending the extra money it would cost at the Polynesian, when the CSR has two restaurants, a much larger gift shop than the Polynesian, a nicer pool, plus the quiet pools, a spa, etc. It is also less hectic and we enjoy the peacefulness of the moderates as opposed to most of the deluxes.

 

[HugsForEeyore]

I haven't stayed at a moderate in 3 years now. I feel the moderates simply aren't worth the price. I find they are more spread out than values, and my rooms at moderates tend to be very remote and isolated from the rest of the resort. I always seem to get the room that is near nothing - no bus stop, no food court, and especially not the pool! My rooms at values and deluxes tend to be more centrally located. And I find the bus service at moderates no better than values.

The clincher for me was when I stayed at POR a couple of years ago, and paid rack rate, which was about $180 a night with tax. I got a room in the farthest back corner of mansion Parterre Place, near absolutely nothing. I was furious I spent that kind of money for a room with no perks and wasn't close to any ammenities, with no balcony even. And the buses were awful getting to MK. For just a few more dollars a night, I could have had a standard room at WL or AKL, or the Swan or Dolphin. Those hotels have so much more to offer, in my opinion.

So unless I get a fantastic discount, I won't stay at moderates anymore. I don't feel I get much value for the price, which is around $200 a night nowadays. Not worth it. It's only values or deluxes for me.

 

[dreamalittledream]

I loved staying a the Deluxes for the Balcony, a little extra room when the kids are asleep. also the Queen size beds, closed door on the bathroom and more Sq Ft in the room was helpful for stollers & suitcases etc when the kids were younger. Not to mention the monorail and proximity to the parks.
that said, we'll be staying Mod next time for the price. I may regret it but I'd almost stay anywhere to be able to go back this year.

 

[littleprincessmom]

We've stayed in GF, Cont, Poly, WL, AKL, BC & BW (deluxes) and CBR, POFQ and POR (Mods).

Love them both for different reasons. Just returned from POR and here's what I liked better about mods:

1. We drive. It is usually much easier to park your car closer to your room at a moderate. No paying for valet parking or valet tipping (and we tend to go to a park in the a.m., back to the resort around lunch/afternoon and back out at night, so tipping can add up). Unless you ask, no bell services if you have your own car and are willing to bring in your own luggage, so $ saved there too. I actually told my mom I could not believe we'd already checked in the resort and been to our room and I had not spent any money - we are so used to the deluxes and tipping everywhere we go!

2. The food courts in MODs tend to be more extensive. We like TS for dinner (and some lunches) but a quick muffin or cereal for breakfast is all we need.

3. Mods (like Deluxes) have towels at the main pool/hot tub.

4. LOVED POR theming and the entire "common" area. The rooms I would describe as completely adequate but the grounds are truly beautiful.

5. POR has boat rides, caricatures in lobby and other "features" that Deluxes also offer.

6. Main reason: $. With an AP rate, our room at POR for 4 nights cost what we often spend for 1 night at the GF. That is alot of dining, souveniers and extras!

Are the Deluxes nicer? Sure, they are, and our next trip is to the GF. But are the mods (and especially POR) great too - YEP We will definitely try moderate again!

 

[Mrs. Bee]

First of all, I can't rationalize spending a few hundred dollars on what is just a basic hotel room. You're paying all that cash for a nice lobby? I don't get it.

We recently stayed at POR and it was a splurge for us. But in all honesty, I don't think I'd want to stay at a deluxe.

The moderates that have outdoor room entrances (like POR) have better soundproofing which is a must for me. I can't sleep if I can hear my neighbors and whatnot.

Some people like to have everything in one central place with the main area. I prefer things spread out. I loved that our building at POR was far away from the main area with the lobby, food court, restaurant, bus stops, etc. It felt more secluded and private.

I'll take the gorgeous grounds of POR over the pretty lobby at the grand floridian any day! The walk to the food court with my husband for hot chocolate every night was fantastic.

 

[G8r4evr]

For the money, I think the mods are the best value onsite. The values are a little too basic for my liking and the deluxes, well, the prices are just ridiculous.

So, for under $150 (and usually quite a bit less) a night, I usually choose a mod and enjoy a great locale, theming, grounds, onsite restaurant and lush landscaping =)

 

[Disney5Mom]

We love the quiet pools at the moderates. Our family is all grown up and we love the convenience of having a pool close to our room that is not too busy.We also enjoy the landscaping at the moderates.

 

[Bugsmom73]

Most of our recent stays have been deluxes. The values, althought neat theming, seem to noisy and crowded for me. Our next trip we are thinking Moderate.

 

[ekmom]

I would love to try a deluxe but we can only travel during peak times and I think the prices are outrageous. I just can't justify spending that kind of money! We don't spend that much time at the hotel anyway.

 

[MsStinkerBelle]

We usually choose a moderate if we're going during a peak season (like Christmas) and will probably spend slightly more time at the resorts. POFQ is our favorite and we're going to be staying there Christmas '09. This Christmas is an anomaly for us as we're only doing WDW once this year so we're splitting between Pop and the Polynesian.

I do deluxe resorts at least once a year but we're there for 10+ days and this is usually during Value season. I love POP but I can only stay there for about 3 days max as it doesn't have a lot of the amenities I like in a resort. We still think it's fun and usually split our stay between this and a Deluxe.