Need help with hotel decision, looking to book today!

[njBadLands]

Hey all been a while,

Happy to say myself, wife, and 2 1/2 year old son are making our first real trip to WDW since 2011 (longest time we have gone without a trip since dating). I say real because my wife and I did a day trip solo last April when visiting family in Naples and left my son with grandparents.

Last three trips we have stayed at Boardwalk Villas, Wilderness Lodge, and Wilderness Lodge. Prior to that three trips to Coronado. We did one night at Pop Century before four nights at Boardwalk in 2011 and thought the resort was just fine (but again just one day).

We will be arriving Orlando on a Monday at 9pm, hitting parks all day Tuesday and Wednesday and then most of the day on Thursday before driving to Naples for 4 nights.

We have never stayed value for an entire trip and to be honest have gotten used to Deluxe. Due to an expensive Vegas trip planned for June, we will be limited to Moderate or Value this trip. My question is considering we are getting in so late on Monday and then in essence spending only Tuesday/Wednesday at Resort before leaving, do you spend $500 for 3 nights at Pop Century or $700 for 3 nights at a Moderate? $200 will not make or break us, but I'm just trying to be smart considering only 2 full days (I dont count nigth of arrival) at resort and my trip in June. Will it be that much a difference goign from 3 trips at Deluxe to a full trip at Pop?

Also, if I choose moderate, what is the best option (i have stayed Coronado so want to try somewhere new), Riverside, French Quarter, or Caribbean Beach?

Thanks much!

 

[Betsyboo]

I can say I loved Riverside, stayed there last January and we are staying at FQ next month. We stayed at Pop for 4 nights back in 2011 and had a good time there too. Happy travels and good luck.

 

[Tuvalu]

The biggest consideration is do you want to share a double bed (value resorts) or a queen bed (moderate resorts )?

 

[StarWarsGirl]

There are several factors to take into consideration:
How much will you be at the resort? If you plan on spending bit of time at the resort, go moderate. But if you're just sleeping there, go moderate. Keep in mind that moderates have pools with water slides and hot tubs while values have a simple pool.
Do you want a double or queen bed? Moderates have queens in addition to the doubles, but the values do not
Would you rather spend your money elsewhere at the resort? Would not spending the money on the moderate mean an extra TS meal or souvenirs?

If you go value, choose Pop. The bus service is great. We never had to wait more than 15 minutes for a bus, and usually we waited 5 minutes. If you go moderate, do Port Orleans Riverside. It's the nicest IMO and has boat service to DTD.