Why pay for a deluxe resort?

[Aristomommy]

We have done POP and 3 different deluxe resorts. Last trip was more budget and we started at POP and ended at Boardwalk. After a week in a small room, the noise and an uncomfortable mattress (DH and I had body aches the entire time), we got to Boardwalk and it was so nice. You can really appreciate the differences when you do a split stay. The room is bigger, the pool area has a hot tub and the resorts are beautiful.

We love AKL and will stay there in June. I looked at POP again (against DHs wishes, LOL) but the difference is worth it. AKL is a destination, not just a hotel. Your children can see the animals, learn African drumming (and many other activities) and speak to CMs from various African countries. DD10 who is a huge nature/animal lover spoke with many CMs on the Savannah about the elefants, different kinds of antilope etc. I think staying even one or two nights will give you time to experience something different.

 

[crisi]

I've never stayed value. I have stayed moderate a few times and I think its a nice option. But if the budget is available to us - and we are fortunate that it has been - we like the Deluxes. Since 2002 we've been DVC members - so we stay DVC, but I prefer the Deluxes to DVC.

Why....a more compact resort. Queen beds. Bigger rooms (though AKL and WL don't really have much bigger rooms) A signature dining place right on property (except the Poly). Interior hallways. Lobbies made for something other than checking in and out. And often something special - Storm Along Bay at the Yacht and Beach Club, animals at AKL, Boardwalk performers at the Boardwalk. Monorail access.

There are things I do like about the moderates - I like the almost unused community pools at CBR. I like the food courts. I love the grounds at POR.

 

[RMulieri]

I don't care for the AKL since it seems so far from everywhere....BUT I like the Beach club villas because of the location, the extra space inside the villas, the awesome resort pool, the Cms ...pretty much everything.

 

[scape1224]

We splurged to be able to be on the monorail with the baby.

 

[shayla]

We have stayed at both and in these economic times you may have to stay at a budget hotel. We had a great time at the budget hotels but they always seemed to be that much further away from everything and when the kids are very young and you end up carrying them over your shoulder after a long day at the parks it can be a drag.

We then decided to try Boardwalk Villas, Beach Club, and Animal Kingdom. Loved them and can't imagine not staying anywhere else. Remember you will have a fabulous time no matter where you stay but when the kids are young the resorts that are little more pricey are a good pick.

Good luck.

Shayla

 

[snowwhitemom]

The first of many times we stayed at AKL.... our dd while at MK.... lookes up at us only after being there for a few hours asked "Can we go back to AKL yet???"

Yeah its that fun, it is crazy nice..... when you are in the room you are still enjoying the magic, cause when you are relaxing on your balcony... sipping a cup of coffee in the am and a zebra or a giraffe walk up and have their breakfast too...... oh yeah that is amazing.

The pool is zero elevation .... if I am not mistaken that may be the only one..not sure... thats tons of fun for me but I also have really lil ones... 2 below 2.


If you can afford it for your vacation budget, go for it...just for a few extra.... its better than spending the $$$ on lil thngs here and there. Check for codes to for a better deal or even better rent from a DVC owner for $$$$$$ less than rack rate.

But be warned once you go deluxe you want desire to go back!!!!

 

[Fabinva]

Haven't stayed at the value resorts but stayed with kids at AKL and they loved it (we did too), they got the bunk beds and enjoyed viewing the animals, the resort is beautiful.
During our last trip we tried the Poly and all of us wished we were at AKL, hope to return there someday.

 

[SnowWhite607]

You can see from my signature that I have stayed in both. After staying at the Poly with monrail access, DH became quite the resort snob and wont stay anywhere but Deluxe. When I got without him I stay Value cause I am all about saving money at (almost) any cost. Plus we are going with my mom who is Queen of the Cheapskates. When DH goes with us, we do Value (next up - Beach Club)

 

[disney fan 1994]

Hello everyone,

Well we enjoy the deluxe rooms more. Reasons: boat rides, bike rentals, most you can have food ordered to your room and stock in your fridg when you get there (for a fee), monorail, bus, more than one pool, slides in the pools, activities at the resort, and they seem to be closer to the parks, most have more than one drop off and it gets you closer to your room.

We love Disney's Old Key West but have stayed at Boardwalk, Saratoga Springs Loved all of them.

Then we took a surprise trip and stayed at Pop Movies, we liked it but it was not the same. The pool was crowded and we could not even get a chair to put our things. Yes it was spring break last year but still. The only way to get to the parks was bus and one trip took over an hour with broken AC.

Well it depends if you wan't to spend time at the resort or all at the parks. You have to do what works for you and your family.

6 months 10 days until Disney's Hilton Head Vacation
8 months 20 days until WDW Trip (taking advantage of free birthday DD will be 7 we will be married 15 years

 

[holden]

I grew up staying at the Poly (when the only options were the Poly and the Contemp.). Staying there with my kids brings back all of those memories. We also love the monorail.

On a side note, we did stay at OKW once but didn't care for it - especially the buses!!! Even when we do stay at the Poly we get a rental car. We love to be able to eat dinner wherever we want and not worry about the fact that it might take us an hour to get there (such as Jiko).

We don't mind paying extra for the Poly, but that's just us.

 

[summermac]

Well I'm not a good person to ask. I don't even want to pay to stay at a value resort. Even on the buy 4, get 3 deal I thought it was a pit pricey.

So we're staying offsite at Windsor Hills. We got a 5 BR villa for almost what we'd have paid in accomodations alone at WDW. My parents & sisters are coming with us as well and so that now cuts our accomodation rate in HALF instead of doubling. LOL.

I was actually all about a value resort for my kids (first time for them) to enjoy being onsite this time. What got me wasn't so much the cost as it was the fact that WDW wouldn't guarantee us adjoining rooms b/c there was only 2 kids in the party. Everyone else is an adult. So what am I supposed to do when my kids go to bed at 8ish? Sit there and look at them on my double bed?

At WH, we've got our own pool and the kids get their own rooms. SOLD!

 

[Tasmen]

Personally, we are a deluxe resort family. I have only stayed at the Poly and have no desire to stay at a value after having experienced all the Poly has to offer. The next time we go, we'll be bringing our then 3 year old. I'm thinking we'll definitely want the convenience of the monorail and close proximity to the Magic Kingdom.

I don't mind paying extra money to have access to more speedy/convenient transportation. I've never been one to like standing in line to take the bus and will happily fork out the cash to avoid 'camping' a line.