I'm incredibly indecisive...help!

[HolleBolleGijs]

So I had a room booked at All-Star Music for me and my mom. We just upgraded to French Quarter, because a room popped up (standard river view), even though it was booked solid when we were originally looking. So we thought we'd jump on it, and make a final decision later.

We're thinking ahead to the room discounts that will probably be announced in the next month or so. Since FQ is pretty much sold out, is there any chance they will have any discount-eligible rooms?
That would obviously be ideal, but it's not necessarily a deal-breaker.

Do y'all think the difference is worth it between a value and a moderate? I really want to stay at FQ, but I almost exclusively do values. I want to have a nicer experience, but it's also hard for me to justify spending more money when I know we'd be comfortable at a value.

 

[Mukta]

Let me ask you a few questions. This is a short trip of 4 to 5 days. Are you planning to visit all 4 parks? How much time do you think you will spend at the resort?

If I am going to stay value, I am only there to sleep and shower, so amenities don't really matter to me.

With only 2 of you, do you think the extra square footage will be a bonus?

 

[HolleBolleGijs]

Let me ask you a few questions. This is a short trip of 4 to 5 days. Are you planning to visit all 4 parks? How much time do you think you will spend at the resort?

If I am going to stay value, I am only there to sleep and shower, so amenities don't really matter to me.

With only 2 of you, do you think the extra square footage will be a bonus?

We are doing all 4 parks, but not necessarily rope drop to close every day. That was my thought, too - we probably won't be spending too much time at the resort, but I also thought, if we're going to upgrade, it's better to do it now since it's a shorter trip and won't be as expensive. Square footage doesn't really matter too much, I just want an overall nicer experience. I've had my fair share of values, and while I have no problem with them, it's nice to have a change

 

[Mukta]

I have stayed at POFQ. It is a beautiful resort. That being said, I don't really appreciate moderate resorts. If I want a nice place to stay, I will stay deluxe. If I want something inexpensive, I will stay in a value. For me, there aren't enough amenities to a moderate to justify the price. If you were a larger party, the bigger beds and bigger rooms would be worth it.

 

[HolleBolleGijs]

I have stayed at POFQ. It is a beautiful resort. That being said, I don't really appreciate moderate resorts. If I want a nice place to stay, I will stay deluxe. If I want something inexpensive, I will stay in a value. For me, there aren't enough amenities to a moderate to justify the price. If you were a larger party, the bigger beds and bigger rooms would be worth it.

See for us, a moderate is like a deluxe and a deluxe is basically a pipe dream unless we rent DVC points. Essentially I already decided I want to stick with FQ, but I'm just looking for some justification haha. We're just so used to doing values that it feels strange to be splurging on the hotel.

How would you say FQ compares to the values ambiance-wise?

 

[Mukta]

POFQ is so peaceful and serene. It feels like you really are in another place. The rooms are nice and I never had trouble grabbing some food in Sassagoula on my way to the parks. The buses sometimes share with PORS, but they pick up at POFQ first, so there is usually sitting room.

 

[jjbuster2]

Seems like I'm swimming upstream here but POFQ is my family's favorite WDW resort to stay at. The monetary jump from a value to moderate is definitely easier to take than the jump from moderate to deluxe. This is the smallest of the moderates so being close to the pool, dining, buses, etc. is not a problem from any room (for the most part). Though many times you share a bus with Riverside, on most routes it seems like FQ gets picked up first (so you'll have a seat) and if it fills up at FQ, they often skip (send another bus to) Riverside. The worst route ever is coming from Downtown Disney back to POFQ; definitely take the boat back. We messed up on a couple of trips and tried taking a bus on that route (you go to the other side of DD, the water park - TL if I remember right, all 4 stops at Riverside and lastly FQ)! But the pool is great, the decor and grounds are nice, a refrigerator in the room is a must after you've been "living" out of a cooler in a value resort, and I love the curtain divider in the bathroom area so if you're up 1st and someone else is sleeping you pull the curtain when you turn on the light so as not to wake them (as much) and your bathroom just got twice as big.

 

[AliceJaina]

I feel like if you want to stay at FQ that is all the reason you need. Have fun!

 

[JaneGood]

Even when we plan on it, we never spend hardly any time at the hotels. The time we stayed at Caribbean was a nice upgrade from Pop (which we also love), but when it came down to it, it probably wasn't worth the extra $$ for the time we spent there. I've read the all stars don't have dedicated buses, that they hit all three all star resorts before going to the parks, so over the two I'd probably pay for FQ.

 

[DarthVader]

POFQ is a beautiful resort, nicely sized, I'd select that over the all star resorts any day. I've stayed at the all star sports resort a couple of times and its nice, don't get me wrong, but when I stayed at the Port Orleans it was night and day. The wife and I, along with the kids walked to the FQ and found it to be a very pleasant resort as well.

 

[HolleBolleGijs]

Everytime I look at pictures, I'm falling more and more in love with POFQ! I think I know what I'm leaning towards

I really just want a resort that I really look forward to going back to, and with any of the values, that just isn't the case, at least any more.

 

[Missymoe4]

See for us, a moderate is like a deluxe and a deluxe is basically a pipe dream unless we rent DVC points. Essentially I already decided I want to stick with FQ, but I'm just looking for some justification haha. We're just so used to doing values that it feels strange to be splurging on the hotel.

How would you say FQ compares to the values ambiance-wise?

I'm unlike some others on here. I have stayed at the deluxe hotels and find that they are not worth the hefty price tag, save for the closeness to the parks. As it stands, right now that is the main reason I will stay in a deluxe. I feel that the moderate resorts have come a long way. POFQ is charming, elegant and my new resort of choice. I stayed there in the fall (November) and just booked a return stay for August. Although the bedding is nicer in the deluxe hotels, I think that moderate hotels are fairly priced and have a lot to offer.

As far as upgrading to a moderate, I don't have much to say if it means hurting your pocketbook. It may be a great opportunity for you, but there are also other things to spend money on.

Good luck!

 

[DarthVader]

I agree with the thought that moderate resorts are the sweet spot for a Disney vacation, yet I've been saving my pennies for a Contemporary vacation since last year. I booked that vacation for next April so I have a lot more saving to do. I've always wanted to stay at the contemporary since it opened up. I'm paying a premium for that stay and I do wonder though if the money is better spent on a moderate resort.

At this point, I'm not second guessing myself, the kids are excited to stay there, the wife is all in and so its a once in a life time opportunity for us to enjoy

 

[Cosmic Commando]

How much is the price difference?
How long are your trips normally?

@HolleBolleGijs I always have this struggle. My family has stayed at values ever since we've been paying for our trips ourselves. Whenever I think about upgrading, I look at that chunk of money that I'd be saving by staying at a value. I've always decided that chunk of money would be better spent on food souvenirs, etc. or would look better staying in my bank account. However, since your trip isn't very long, this could be a good time to splurge. It doesn't sound like you're necessarily worried about being able to afford the price difference, so how about spending that money on something else? A tour, maybe?

 

[DarthVader]

My family has stayed at values ever since we've been paying for our trips ourselves.

I think there's two lines of thought - at least that's what occurs with my family.

The first one, the resort is just a place to sleep, the goal is for us to spend our time in the parks, So if we're just needing a bed to sleep in, then yes a value resort (or even off property resort) makes the most sense.

The other line of thought may be less tangible, but it goes with what the resort can provide in enjoyment, relaxation and services/amentiies while you're not in the park. For instance, the value resorts typically have full sized beds, for a family of four that means sharing. The moderate resorts offer queen size beds. More room means we'll have an opportunity to get a better night's sleep.

My kids love the water slides that the moderate resorts offer, so there again there's an advantage that increases our overall enjoyment of the vacation.

YMMV but I found for our needs and wants the benefits for the moderate resorts outweigh the savings we may find in the value resorts.

 

[NonnaT]

See for us, a moderate is like a deluxe and a deluxe is basically a pipe dream unless we rent DVC points. Essentially I already decided I want to stick with FQ, but I'm just looking for some justification haha. We're just so used to doing values that it feels strange to be splurging on the hotel.

How would you say FQ compares to the values ambiance-wise?

POFQ is absolutely lovely. The boat to DTD is a huge bonus IMHO. I'm sure you'll be happy with it! Enjoy your trip

 

[ColoradoEquestrian]

Go with your gut. You deserve to splurge a little!

 

[OneDNP]

Since we usually wind up spending more time in our room then we intend to, yes, upgrading is worth it. If FQ is appealing and enough within the budget that you will not be worried over every other penny spent on the trip, that is all the justification that you need.

 

[DarthVader]

POFQ is absolutely lovely. The boat to DTD is a huge bonus IMHO. I'm sure you'll be happy with it! Enjoy your trip

That is indeed a nice perk indeed, but for us, it was mostly unused. With young kids, we visited DTD once on the boat, they were not really interested other then getting souvenirs. For us, the parks are where its at

Of course as I posted, POR is one of my favorite resorts in WDW.

 

[JasonDeyoung]

Stick with FQ, you'll love it!