Why Pick Moderate Over Value?

[Madi100]

We've stayed in only value resorts before. To stay in a moderate, I'm looking at spending about $40 extra a night. Now, I would love more than anything to stay at Port Orleans Riverside. But, for the atomosphere is it worth the extra money? They offer a sitdown restaurant (I think), but we like to eat quick meals. I know the pool is nicer, but fif we would stay there, it would be without children, so we only need the water, nothing extra. With just two people, we really wouln't need the extra room. Are the beds bigger? I'm just trying to justify this because I've always wanted to.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

Beds are the same size, they are full. Room is slightly bigger. The atmosphere is so much nicer, more quieter than the values. When I go for a weekend I will stay at the values, but anything longer than that, I like PO...either FQ or Riverside. Yes, there is a sit down resturant & with the 2 being sister resorts, you have 2 food courts & 2 pools to pick from. There is a jaccuzzi where as values do not have that. You can also just hop on the ferry and you are in Down Town Disney, which is great if you plan on doing Pleasure Island since no children with you. The grounds are beautiful compared to the values. You can get horse drawn carriage there, you can rent the water mice (or any other boat), you can rent the bikes (built for 2).... if you could swing the extra $40 per night, I would do it... so much more to offer there as opposed to the values.

 

[liznboys]

We've never stayed in a Value, but we visited the All Star Movies last trip, and we could not believe how crowded, hectic and noisy it was!!! We both looked at each other and said, we'll never stay in a Value! And then it was pure heaven to go back to POFQ where it was SO quiet and peaceful. Plus, the grounds are so beautiful and lush. It's well worth the extra money in our opinions.

 

[MJames41]

My preference is a value resort, my daughters is a moderate (she loves CBR and POFQ) and my son loves the Contemporary. The difference between the value and the moderate, in my opinion, is the atmosphere. There are a few more things to do, but the moderates are for a slower pace - everything is spread out more.

Have you thought about doing a split stay? Perhaps just spend a couple of days at the moderate?

 

[sjw4870]

I agree - the biggest difference is the atmosphere. Moderates definitely seem more "resorty" than values (All Star Music is the only value I've tried). The moderates seemed to me less noisy and less crowded. The rooms are slightly bigger. If I remember correctly at All Star, the tv was on the dresser where at the moderates it was in an armoire; also the All Star bathroom had toiletries in a dispenser where the moderates had individual bottles.

I too am a fan of POR and if your budget allows, I'd consider giving it a try.

 

[goofy4tink]

We love POR. Have stayed there twice. But I also like the AllStars. Yes, it is a little noisier there. But I wasn't bothered by it at all. POR is much more spread out. I never used the 'spa' (aka jacuzzi) since it was so small. I found the food courts to both be fine. The theming is wonderful at the moderates. Very laid back and easy. NOt over the top the way the AllStars can be. I guess you just have to decide what type experience you want. I know that I'll stay at AllStarMusic again. I'm just not sure the mods are worth the extra money.

 

[rcyannacci]

It's a different experience, and certainly a nicer atmosphere for adults. We went POFQ this time instead of value because we got a discounted price through an email offer; essentially we are paying a value price for the moderate. Of course, we could have gotten value for even cheaper, but we wanted this to be a nicer vacation since we are taking another couple for their first WDW trip.

We stayed at Coronado before, and loved the moderate atmosphere. It's not as much about the rooms as it is the grounds, having a nicer pool, less crowded food court, etc. And avoiding those hugh blocks of teenagers (cheerleaders, sports teams, etc.) that can book at the values in mass and create a lot of noise. (Love teenagers usually, but not when I'm trying t relax on vacation)

 

[Cmbar]

But We have stayed at POP. DH and I went last spring on a three day trip without the kiddies. Pop is great if you are going for a quick trip where you are hitting the parks. If you want to hang" at the resort, I would go to POR. We went there on our Honeymoon and it will always be special to us. If you do choose POR, we recommend the Mansions. Just more our style. I believe if it is only two of you, they may have a King. We had a King at pop and were very happy with it. IF you like quick meals I have to say that Pop had a Fantastic Food court. We loved the "centralness" of Pop Century. We would get off the buses and go in and grab a refill of soda, coffee or Hot chocolate and then head back to the room. (which wasn't that far away.) We weren't that interested in the pools so I didn't feel cheated not having an elaborate pool. I guess it all depends on the type of trip you are doing. If you are just going to hit the parks, then I don't think there is really any comparison. They both have to take buses to every park. But the DTD boat is really nice and relaxing!

By the way, does anyone know if there is another resort that has a boat to DTD.

 

[christianweecare]

I agree with the previous posters. If your next trip is w/o the kids I would go for the moderate. DH & I are empty nesters and take trips by ourselves now. We alternate between the moderates and the deluxes now. When we make trips with the ever-growing extended family and need several rooms we opt for the values for the cost. These trips are usually long weekend trips. DH & I much prefer the quieter, more relaxed feel of the moderates or deluxes whenever it is just the two of us.

 

[bigbabyblues]

We leave next weekend for ASMo, and I wish we could change to CBR. We could, but my 3-yo is so looking forward to ASMo (Toy Story and Doggie hotel, lol), and I'm not going to. Next trip we're going back to CBR, we loved it!

Without having stayed at the value, I say go for POR.

Steph

 

[EsmeraldaX]

I haven't stayed at a value yet, staying at POP in December, but so far, of the on site places I have stayed Riverside is my absolute favorite. The atmosphere is so pretty.

 

[Madi100]

We will be going to Pleasure Island. That's a must, especially if it's my birthday I would like a different experience, and you wouldn't believe how much I am wanting a trip away with just DH and myself. I feel that our children come before us so much, that I'm very much looking forward to just being with him. We've done the parks, but I want to just be with him. The quietness of the moderates sounds really appealing. And, as much as I want to go to the POR, I'm not sure my children would enjoy it. So, it might be nice to do WITHOUT the kids Now, I just hope this trip happens. It's not on my agenda, yet, but I really really hope it works out. My DH has been under so much stress lately, and it would be good. Anyway, thanks for the advice.

 

[EsmeraldaX]

Originally posted by Madi100
We will be going to Pleasure Island. That's a must, especially if it's my birthday I would like a different experience, and you wouldn't believe how much I am wanting a trip away with just DH and myself. I feel that our children come before us so much, that I'm very much looking forward to just being with him. We've done the parks, but I want to just be with him. The quietness of the moderates sounds really appealing. And, as much as I want to go to the POR, I'm not sure my children would enjoy it. So, it might be nice to do WITHOUT the kids Now, I just hope this trip happens. It's not on my agenda, yet, but I really really hope it works out. My DH has been under so much stress lately, and it would be good. Anyway, thanks for the advice.

Just wanted to add...make sure you check out the Adventurer's Club at PI when you go!

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

We had stayed at All Star resorts twice before staying at POR on our most recent trip. For us, as a family of four, we didn't benefit that much from staying at POR vs. AS. POR rooms were a bit bigger, but not a whole lot. Beds are the same size. DW and I did like the theming at POR (mansions) but I would say its not worth the difference for a family trip. We will most likely always choose value over mod in the future. As a matter of fact we'll be staying at ASMu again in November.

Having said all that, I think POR would be a GREAT choice for an "adults only" getaway. The carriage rides, relaxed atmosphere, boat to DTD, etc are nice amenities. Enjoy!

 

[TDC Nala]

If you can afford it and you've always wanted to stay there, do it.

I like the values and stay at them to save money and usually use that money to stay at a higher category next time.

 

[Madi100]

Originally posted by EsmeraldaX
Just wanted to add...make sure you check out the Adventurer's Club at PI when you go!

Unfortunately for my husband, he married a boring person. Therefore, I don't dance. So, PI for us is the Adventurer's Club and the comedy place. I had a blast in those two places!

 

[Rpsemont]

MY #1 reason to stay at a moderate (or above) over a value is that there's a coffee maker in the room! LOL! The last two times we did value we were at ASmu in the farthest building from the food court. I got a workout every morning going for my coffee.
The downside of the moderate, IMHO, is that they are HUGE resorts. To get to the restaurant/lobby/main area can frequently be a much longer walk than it is from even the fartest buidling at a value.
OTher than that, I'd echo what everyone is saying that the moderates just have a more laid back and "better" feel. Plus they usually have bicycle rentals, and boat rentals that allow you to do some fun, non theme parks things.
BTW, have you considered trying to rent points? If you went at an off time, you could stay in a studio at OKW for $80 (for a SUN-THursday night only) (if someone would rent you the points for $10/point) That 's less than $20 more than a value with the codes now of $55 (plus tax). We did this the last three trips and have just bought in to DVC. (the downside of renting points LOL!)
POR also sometimes has a nighttime "piano bar" type entertainer. Really convenient if you just want a nightcap.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

Originally posted by Rpsemont
MY #1 reason to stay at a moderate (or above) over a value is that there's a coffee maker in the room! LOL! The last two times we did value we were at ASmu in the farthest building from the food court. I got a workout every morning going for my coffee.
The downside of the moderate, IMHO, is that they are HUGE resorts. To get to the restaurant/lobby/main area can frequently be a much longer walk than it is from even the fartest buidling at a value.
OTher than that, I'd echo what everyone is saying that the moderates just have a more laid back and "better" feel. Plus they usually have bicycle rentals, and boat rentals that allow you to do some fun, non theme parks things.
BTW, have you considered trying to rent points? If you went at an off time, you could stay in a studio at OKW for $80 (for a SUN-THursday night only) (if someone would rent you the points for $10/point) That 's less than $20 more than a value with the codes now of $55 (plus tax). We did this the last three trips and have just bought in to DVC. (the downside of renting points LOL!)
POR also sometimes has a nighttime "piano bar" type entertainer. Really convenient if you just want a nightcap.

All of the mods are large except for PO-FQ, that is the smallest resort on Disney's property, anywhere your room would be is a very short walk to anything (Lobby, Food Court, Pool, Ferry, Bus). They also have an elevator where POR doesn't. By staying at PO-FQ, you can have the smaller resort & then take the shuttle or a stroll over to POR.

 

[christianweecare]

POR does have elevators. At least I know they do in the mansions. I don't know about the bayou buildings.

 

[captJack88]

We have stayed in both POR and AsSp, and I will never again stay in a value resort. The foodcourt is much better, even if you don't want to sit down at boatwright's, it's alot better. It's much less crowded and not nearly as noisy, the pools are great, and the kids LOVED the waterslides. You don't get that at the value resorts. The theme, the landscape, the sassagoula river, the boat to DTD at night, the lobby, even the gift shop are all so fantastic. You can't go wrong ! Good luck and have fun ! I go to allearsnet.com, just to look at the pics, I should've taken some myself while we were there, but we didn't, so I go there to get my fix!