WL is $600 more than MOD - is it worth it?

[MinnieMom]

What do you think? Is it worth it to pay $600 more to stay at WL instead of a mod? I just can't decide! I read another poster's question about only paying $137 more for WL and if that was my choice, I would definitely go with WL, but $600 is a good chunk of change!

That could buy us a lot of souvies or snacks! I need help from some experts!

 

[McKelly]

I am interested in this as well, except that it will be $1000.00 difference for us, since we are staying ten nights (and airfare is already purchased). The only thing holding me back from switching is bed size.........is six inches more of bed worth $1000.00? I don't want to find out the hard way!! LOL!! We would bring an air mattress for one of our kids and that would leave me in a bed with my DD9. $1000.00 is a lot of money (for us).........I just keep asking myself how bad could it be? I have considered renting DVC points, but I am too chicken, not trusting enough I guess!!

 

[Atchley]

I am the poster that only was $137 difference. (I think it came out actually to $139) When are you going and do you qualify for any discounts like AAA? (AAA well worth the money for the discount on resort alone.) The only way we were able to afford it is when it was value rates for the Deluxes plus 15%off with AAA discount. Those dates start on July 20. (Still summer to me) One other thing about the value dates is that all nights are the same price. (At least my Friday night was the same price as Sunday through Thursday.)(Saturday not value season yet )
I went ahead and booked WL. May be the only time we get to stay at a deluxe.
Before you decide, you might check out the Part 5 WL FAQ page. There is a lot of information on there. (There are something like 530 pages but a lot of info on the first page) I was very very happy to read about all of the childrens programs. My kids will be 10 and 8 at the time of travel. They won't want to do these things much longer and I am very happy that we are choosing to let them experience it now. We have stayed at value and mods and they are great!!! but not a lot of organized childrens activities going on at most of them.
We also drive down which saves us a little money. (Smaller car) Although this year I am looking into flights. Don't tell DH yet.
I hope this info helps you out.
If I can help to answer any more questions, I will do my best.

 

[Pams1st]

We went in Aug 07. Ok, I will be the exception to everyone else. We did not like the WL at all. Myself, DH and DS's 4 and 7 thought the themeing was good, but the resort was showing wear and tear and the CM's were not as friendly or helpful as we had heard. We did enjoy WCC and the boys enjoyed the pool, but for the amount of time we actually spent in the resort it was not worth it. The transportation was top notch, both boat and bus, were top notch.

Aug 09 will be spent at the Coranado instead. That is what is nice about Disney, there are plenty of resorts so keep trying them all

Pamela

 

[gardengirlco]

I've only been to WDW once, two years ago, and we stayed at CBR for four nights before a Wonder cruise and at WL for three nights after, which was then into the value rate period so we decided to try it. I enjoyed both places but actually preferred CBR. We spent so much time at the parks that we didn't really get to take advantage of all the perks of the WL so I didn't feel we really got our money's worth out of it. I enjoyed the atmosphere and the room was very nice, but we just didn't do a lot at the resort.

I also liked having a mini fridge in the room at CBR and the larger selection of counter service food available and being able to pick up breakfast items and have them in the room at CBR for breakfast.

I guess if you plan to do a lot at the WL itself I'd be more inclined to splurge but if you won't be at the resort much, I'd go for a mod.

I'm facing the same dilemma now planning for our trip at the end of this year. Part of me would like to try the Poly for the last two nights of our trip when the value season hits, but is it worth $700 vs. the $308 it'd be to stay at a mod and not switch hotels?

And then I think about renting points and how it'd be about the same amount for a DVC studio as staying at a mod. Decisions, decisions ...

Good luck with your decision making process!

 

[Atchley]

I was crunching some numbers (What can I say? I was in accounting for 9 years! It's what I do!) and I believe that the only way you are going to get from a mod to a deluxe for the smallest amount is at the end of July when the deluxes are on value season and the mods are still on summer season.

Keep in mind that I am factoring in the applicable AAA discount on all of these prices for the time period specified. All rooms are standard and have taxes included. Seven nights figured.

Oct 19-26
CBR $1104
WL $1949
Difference of $845

Sept 20-27
CBR $939
WL $1506
Difference of $567

July 20-27
CBR $1289
WL $1507
Difference of $218

(To moderators:I hope its okay that I posted these numbers. If it is frowned upon, please let me know. Thanks)

I guess it all depends on when you go and where you want to stay. If I figured your approximate date correctly, with AAA discount you will be saving 15% a night at a moderate and only 10% a night at the deluxes.
I hope this helps.
I don't know that I would pay that much more for a deluxe.
Although, I guess I already am paying that! If we went in Sept to a moderate resort, we'd save a bunch!!!
(oh, and hope for free dining)

 

[MinnieMom]

I am the poster that only was $137 difference. (I think it came out actually to $139) When are you going and do you qualify for any discounts like AAA? (AAA well worth the money for the discount on resort alone.) The only way we were able to afford it is when it was value rates for the Deluxes plus 15%off with AAA discount. Those dates start on July 20. (Still summer to me) One other thing about the value dates is that all nights are the same price. (At least my Friday night was the same price as Sunday through Thursday.)(Saturday not value season yet )
I went ahead and booked WL. May be the only time we get to stay at a deluxe.
Before you decide, you might check out the Part 5 WL FAQ page. There is a lot of information on there. (There are something like 530 pages but a lot of info on the first page) I was very very happy to read about all of the childrens programs. My kids will be 10 and 8 at the time of travel. They won't want to do these things much longer and I am very happy that we are choosing to let them experience it now. We have stayed at value and mods and they are great!!! but not a lot of organized childrens activities going on at most of them.
We also drive down which saves us a little money. (Smaller car) Although this year I am looking into flights. Don't tell DH yet.
I hope this info helps you out.
If I can help to answer any more questions, I will do my best.

Well, we're already getting the 40% discount from the code that we got in the mail, so I don't think AAA would give us any better deals. The more I read about CSR the more I'm actually starting to lean that way. I don't know . . . I'm having a really hard time justifying the extra $600 . . . especially when I'm reading about the long bus rides to DD and AK. If it were only $139 like yours, I could much more easily justify it

 

[drewswife]

If you are going in peak summer season I would go with the WL for conveinence and nicer pool. You are more apt to go back to the hotel for middle of the day breaks.

 

[Atchley]

So cool that you got a code!! We've never received one and I really don't even know how you get one. I hope that you all have a great time. At 40% off, I'm sure you will! Maybe someday I'll get a great code.

 

[lake queen]

We really liked WL. However, we are a family that gets to the parks for rope drop and we don't hit our door until the last parade or show is over!

After spending extra $$ for WL, we decided that we are just not in our room enough to justify spending the extra $$.

We now go to value resorts, we are so tired after our long day, we sleep well with out the extra 6 in. on the bed!!!!

 

[roselark]

I stayed at WL in December and did NOT think it was worth the extra cost. I paid about $500 more than I would have at CSR and would have been much happier at CSR. I was really disappointed with WL.

 

[Mr. Pig]

You will have a great stay if you choose CSR. Is the extra $$ worth it for WL. That of course depends on the person but if you are having a hard time justifying the extra $600 then I would stick with a Mod. The Moderate will give you a better food court. WL advantages is that it is smaller (less walking) and somewhat larger rooms. Theming? That's a personal choice also - some love the Wilderness look and some love the Southwest look of CSR. IMO transportation is a wash between CSR and WL also. DD buses can be long rides from most of the resorts. Unless you feel you just HAVE to have some aspect of WL I would go with the Mod and use the extra money for souvies or snacks. But of course that is me.

 

[Lilolvr]

I stayed at WL in December and did NOT think it was worth the extra cost. I paid about $500 more than I would have at CSR and would have been much happier at CSR. I was really disappointed with WL.

Unless the interior hallways and queen beds are deal breaker, I would pick CSR and save the $500 for other things.

 

[lilyv]

Well, we're already getting the 40% discount from the code that we got in the mail, so I don't think AAA would give us any better deals. The more I read about CSR the more I'm actually starting to lean that way. I don't know . . . I'm having a really hard time justifying the extra $600 . . . especially when I'm reading about the long bus rides to DD and AK. If it were only $139 like yours, I could much more easily justify it

I'd just keep in mind the 40% discount is allowing you to try a deluxe at a great rate. Bus rides? I think they are all about the same. It takes awhile for the bus to just make it around CSR-I think it's 4 stops. I took tons of buses on our last trip and went to most of the resorts bus hopping. I didn't really see any major differences. In the end, you should do what's going to make you happy. Sounds like you're planning a great vacation!

 

[MAKHayes-DisneyDiva]

To me and my tall DH, the interior hallway and longer beds are important to us. But everyone is different. Either way, it's Disney!!