Deluxe Resort Question

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travellerman

Active Member
Original Poster
It's been a long time since I"ve stayed at a deluxe resort at Disney, most of the time its at a moderate. I was wondering, aside from possibly the size of the room, and the location of the resort, are there any other perks in the room that make it different from the moderates?

Also, I've had a couple of bad experiences at the airport check in desk at the past couple of moderate hotels so that I am hesitant to even bother trying to use it and just go to the airport normally. The cast member got confused and couldn't figure something out, so just sent us to the airport and said they couldn't do it for us. (We were on a domestic flight on JetBlue) Has happened more than once now and not ever given an explanation. Anyway, to make a long story short, do you think it would make a difference staying at a deluxe resort? Or just head to the airport and check in there which I probably will do anyway.
 
Much-Pixie-Dust

Much-Pixie-Dust

Well-Known Member
For the in-room amenities - The toiletries are more high-end brand. Conditioner and shampoo are in separate containers. You get a private balcony at a deluxe. The towels and sheets seem more plush too.

Other changes with a deluxe include higher charging privileges (on your magic band). More restaurant choices, more covered areas at the pool. The cast members working the front door area are very catering (like providing you with towels as you come in if it is raining).

I can't speak of airport check-in procedures, but I have never had a problem. We usually on-line check in through our phone the night before our trip and the resort prints our tickets or we do it at the airport. We don't use the Disney transportation bus service, but we do check our luggage in at that resort and they send it to the airport. I like doing this because it's much less to keep up with after we return our rental car.

Hope this helps.
 
surfsupdon

surfsupdon

Well-Known Member
The rooms have had DVD players in them recently as well (YC, AKL) and they ahve the additional daybed for an extra sitting space (aside from WL and AKL).

Deluxe all the way!
 
slappy magoo

slappy magoo

Well-Known Member
We drive in so I have no experience with DME, can't help you there.

We're also DVC members so my opinion on Deluxes versus other resorts is admittedly biased.

Aside from room size a lot of the decision will simply be based on whether or not location is a factor and/or whether you think you would enjoy any of the amenities of any given resort. Example - currently, Coronado is the only moderate to have a fitness center. Maybe that's important to you, maybe on a vacation looking at a treadmill is like a vampire looking at a crucifix. Restaurants, actual sit-down and relax restaurants. Coronado, I think has 2, one of them very small and limited. Riverside has one that French Quarter "shares" and it's only open for dinner. Caribbean Beach has one and it's frequently considered to be one of the worst on property. Meanwhile, OKW and SSR each have one restaurant and all the others have at least 2 perhaps more. And those deluxe resorts that are close to other deluxe resorts, well, that means you could be walking distance (or a short monorail/shuttle/boat ride) to other restaurants and lounges, whereas at your moderate, you'll have to rely on a bus to take you to a hub and then a transfer, or your own car, to get around to other places.

If you're a dawn-to-dusk park commando, spending little time actually enjoying what a resort has to offer, then the only thing going for a deluxe is probably location. So it really depends on what you want out of your next vacation and if the difference in price is worth it
 
T

travellerman

Active Member
Original Poster
Thanks. I am hoping to splurge on an upcoming trip and spend a couple nights at a deluxe resort as it's been so long. As frustrating as it was at the check in at the hotel its not a big deal, i'll just go to the airport and check in there. I enjoyed the moderates I've stayed at and will probably do a split stay (thought Caribbean beach was very pretty resort) and I don't mind walking if its a big walk (just spent 8 to 10 hours at a park walking, another 7 minutes for me isn't too bad lol) But Beach Club or Poly, or Wilderness Lodge would be a lot of fun to experience for a change after so many years (been about 15 years since last deluxe stay) Thanks for all the advice.
 
NYwdwfan

NYwdwfan

Well-Known Member
To elaborate on the restaurant choices, all deluxe resorts have a signature sit down, a regular sit down and a quick service location.
 
durangojim

durangojim

Well-Known Member
As others have said, if you're in the park from AM to PM then there's not much reason to stay at a deluxe. If you are like me where you consider the resort/hotel as part of the vacation and enjoy taking it easier by lounging by a pool, having a drink, eating at a nice restaurant or enjoying the ambiance then a deluxe is worth it. I defy anyone who has stayed at an EPCOT resort and walked to or from WS to say it's not one of the coolest things ever, especially after a day at the park. There is no moderate where we could be in the pool at 8:53pm and in WS at 8:59pm ready to watch Illuminations.
 
psukardi

psukardi

Well-Known Member
Well if you stay at the BC/YC you get a really sweet pool.

The ability to see a masseuse during your stay is really nice. Ya, you have to pay for it - but man 1/2 way through a long trip getting worked over makes you feel like a million bucks
 
righttrack

righttrack

Well-Known Member
The deluxes, IMO, just leave less to worry. You are treated to a fine hotel experience. The moderates, I always feel disconnected from the staff and what is going on. Of the values, I feel that Pop has a central feel to it, and actually a little more connected than other resorts.

Overall, we prefer the deluxes. That might not be in everybody's budget, but if you can, I think you'll enjoy your vacation more. I think the restaurant experiences on property are best in the deluxe resorts. The best food and settings are to be had here. Park food is good but not as good.
 
durangojim

durangojim

Well-Known Member
righttrack said:
The deluxes, IMO, just leave less to worry. You are treated to a fine hotel experience. The moderates, I always feel disconnected from the staff and what is going on. Of the values, I feel that Pop has a central feel to it, and actually a little more connected than other resorts.

Overall, we prefer the deluxes. That might not be in everybody's budget, but if you can, I think you'll enjoy your vacation more. I think the restaurant experiences on property are best in the deluxe resorts. The best food and settings are to be had here. Park food is good but not as good.
Click to expand...
You summed it up really well. I actually prefer Pop to any of the mods I've stayed at for the reasons you mentioned.
 
JN3VA

JN3VA

Well-Known Member
I think one of the previous posters brought up location. I think that is one of the best perks of the Deluxe assuming you are staying at a hotel nearby e.g. Boardwalk if you like Epcot. Its very quick to get back at night especially when closing out a park. Its also nice that parts of the family can go home early solo if they want. The Deluxe usually work well for us since some like to stay in the parks late and some like to go back and just relax or spend time at the pool.

I have only used the airport check in at moderates twice, and had no problems (Coronado Springs). I usually do the on-line airline check in the night before, pay any bag fees and then all we are really doing is dropping bags off in the morning.

Which moderate did you have issues with? I'll be staying at Port Orleans French Quarter later this year. Anyone have any insight how well the airport check service runs there?
 
T

travellerman

Active Member
Original Poster
FQ and CBR. I had no problems with any of the cm at the hotel at all just the airport check in. FQ the cm seemed rushed and said we needed to check in at the airport. CBR she got confused with something on the computer she was using and just said she couldn`t do it and we`d have to check in at the airport (again, a domestic flight on JetBlue) so shouldn't have had a problem I would have thought. Were not given any explanation at all. Was no big deal though in retrospect, just caught the bus and checked at the airport like normal. I just wondered if a deluxe resort would make some kind of a difference in this regard. But is no problem.
Saying this, I really enjoyed both the FQ and CBR and wouldn`t hesitate to stay at either one of them again.
 
jpittore1

jpittore1

Well-Known Member
After staying at AKL one night we bought into the DVC- it is a beautiful resort, three great restaurants and two pools (Jambo and Kidani
 
DisneyJunkie

DisneyJunkie

Well-Known Member
I've found in the deluxe resorts that the furniture in the room is nicer (less cheap motel-looking). Also, the transportation seems to be better at the deluxe resorts as well (not having to ride around to several different stops with the resort bus stop line is a BIG plus). The deluxe resorts are also in the best of locations, depending on your preferences for which parks you'll visit most often. But one big plus that I have only noticed at the deluxe resorts and not at any of the others we've stayed at, is the "homey" feel of the resort itself. At any of the other places I've simply felt that I'm merely at a hotel as a place to rest my head for the night; at the deluxe, there's a very comfortable, nestled-in feel to the place (particularly Wilderness Lodge).
 

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