Once you go Deluxe (or DVC) it's hard to go back.

[hiptwinmama]

As a kid, we either drove home ( only and hour) or grabbed a room at the All-Stars for 1 night. The first year we took the kids we stayed in the All Star Movies for 7 night, and really didn't like it. They next year it was Kidani Village which we loved. This year it was the Boardwalk, which we like a lot but wished we had chosen the Beach Club. Next year it's the Beach Club.

Does anyone else agree, that once you've stayed at a Deluxe resort a few times it is hard to go back to budget?

 

[Tinkerfan4ever]

I think it depends on what you thought of the value resorts before you stayed at the Deluxe/DVC. We love the value resorts. Movies is our favorite, with Pop a close second. We now own DVC at Boardwalk. We have stayed Boardwalk and at Saratoga Springs. We are going to Disneyland this year... but back to DW in 2014. Hopefully either Beach Club or OKW depending on how much family comes with us. If we wouldn't have enough points to stay in our DVC unit... we would not hesitate to stay at a value again. We really want to try out the Art of Animation... so we will find a way to make that happen. Since we loved values to start, we would stay there again. If you don't like the values... you probably won't want to stay there again, whether you now stay at DVC, Deluxe, or even a moderate resort.

 

[ParentsOf4]

Ignoring price, WDW's Deluxe Resorts are wonderful. We don't have a true favorite and would gladly stay at any of them. WDW's Moderate Resorts are great as well.

WDW's Value Resorts are different. Although they have a lot going for them, they do have more of a herd feel about them. Rooms are smaller, accommodations are significantly less plush, common areas are not as exotic, pools & food courts are basic, and the guest-to-staff ratio is considerably higher. So, yes, once you've stayed in a Deluxe or Moderate Resort, shifting back to a Value Resort takes a little bit getting used to.

 

[draybook]

We've only stayed at Pop and POFQ, but I can tell you that I will book FQ over a value resort any day of the week!

 

[kane47]

I agree with that. Not to take anything away from the moderate or value resorts, but there is a lot of convenience that comes along with the deluxe resorts. The biggest for me is the crowd level. There is nothing worst than going for a swim and being with in arms reach of the next person in the pool. Completely not relaxing and not enjoyable. Also, the ability to go to more than one sit down restaurant is a huge advantage. As we all know plans change and if you are at the parks and don't feel like staying there until dinner it is always nice to come back to the resort and have a choice of restaurants and meals.

 

[MorganKelly]

We are long-time DVC members and we rarely stay at the hotel resorts now. But on our many WDW trips pre- DVC since 1981, we stayed at all the deluxe and moderates at one time or another. Our one stay at All-Star Sports was a kid favorite, but not so much for the adults.

My two favorite hotels are the Contemporary and either POR or POFQ. But everyone has their favorites for reasons either practical or sentimental.

 

[SecondStarTilMorning]

I sure hope they are worth it- because I'm about to drop around $600 to spend two nights at the grand Floridian instead of staying at the swan for free

 

[DrummerAlly]

I used to say that as well. Once we stayed at the Yacht Club and Animal Kingdom Lodge I didn't know if I'd ever be able to go back to the values or mods... but we did and loved it! We stayed at Coronado Springs on our last trip and it was still magical. Every trip brings something new!

 

[olinecoach61]

No it's true, once we stayed deluxe we didn't want anything else. The first time we got to stay at the poly as a gift, now we feel like we need to stay there. The amenities and being on the monorail line is quite an enjoyable experience.

 

[Tinkerbella16]

We always stayed at the values for years, then started staying at Moderates and that is hard to go back. I am happy staying at POFQ/POR over anything!

 

[Bparso87]

I agree I became a DVC member last year and stayed at AKL and could never go back to value r moderate. I loved all three types but deluxe just was awesome.

 

[dave&di]

We have only stayed at Deluxes, this Sept we will be staying at a Mod (POFQ) for the first time! I'm a bit nervous!

 

[luv]

No, I bounced around Mods, Deluxes and DVCs a lot. It wasn't until I went offsite and stayed in a large condo that I found it difficult to go back to rooms and small suites. The luxury of space just makes a vacation so much more relaxing.

But I still stay in rooms occasionally. It's fine.

 

[worldtraveler]

I had only stayed deluxe until November, then I stay at POR, and it wasnt awful . This past week, I stay at sports. For a solo short trip it was fine. Anything longer and value is just not going to cut it. My family spoiled me with deluxe and I'm ok with that.

 

[bgraham34]

I have been a DVC Member for 5 years now and I know there is no way i could spend 3+ days at a value resort. I could swing one or two night but that would be it. A moderate I could do a longer period of time, personally I am just use to more space and comfortable beds.

 

[Tuvalu]

Deluxe resorts have thicker, more plush towels and even more important...2 ply TP!

 

[HouCuseChickie]

OK- I have only stayed Deluxe since we've been staying onsite at WDW...and I don't know if I could do it any other way and be totally happy. I mean, MK is our favorite park...Contemporary is my fave and WL is DH's fave. The convenience of just being able to walk to the park or take the boat is phenomenal. You then factor in the dining options that require so little effort to get from point a to point b and it suddenly becomes super relaxing. Finally- you add in the comfy bad and the spacious room and you've got a nice little retreat for your down time.

I keep thinking that I could change to a mod and save a chunk of $, but then I have to start thinking about the best way to make our dinner at 'Ohana after rest time vs. just hopping on the monorail for a quick ride (= less park & nap time, more transport time). On top of that...it's a heck of a lot easier to get my leftover cake to my room after breakfast at Chef Mickey's before hitting Epcot at opening if I'm staying at the Contemporary.

 

[Disneykidder]

We stayed at the values when our oldest was young but decided it was enough. They were fine but it was really the noise and the crowds that DH and I disliked. My son could care less...he thought it was great. We then switched to mods, knowing very well we wouldn't go back to a value. If we HAD to, Pop would be the one of choice. Although AofA looks neat!!

Now that we are DVC members, we will be staying at Deluxe but wouldn't hesitate to stay at a moderate. They are beautiful, roomy, well maintained, have great food, are comfortable and quiet. We are staying at our first monorail hotel in a few months and cannot wait!!!!!!

 

[copcarguyp71]

*Disagree*

The inequity in extra cost versus amenities between Deluxe and moderate seems too great to overcome for us. Our first two trips were WL and BC but the last two were POFQ and CS and I have to say that I have been perfectly happy in the mods and do not realize that much of a difference and certainly not enough of a difference to justify the high disparity of cost between the two. I have never stayed at any values so I cannot speak to that contrast but IMO having stayed at both deluxe and moderate I would not go back to a deluxe again unless I got some sort of great discount to make it worth the while to try.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

The prices of the deluxes have been a turnoff for us. We stayed at Pop 4 times from 2004 to 2007. In late 2007 we switched to deluxe and enjoyed stays at the Contemporary, Polynesian, Wilderness Lodge, and Yacht Club. 2 of those stays were concierge. We also stayed at POFQ twice. It's been since Sept. 2011 since we've done a dedicated WDW trip. Last May and again this May we will be on-property for 2 days pre-cruise. It'd be easy-peasy to book just a couple nights at a deluxe but ya know what? We don't feel like its worth it. The prices even with discounts are waaaay too inflated. Last May we went back to Pop after all those years & trips and it truly was a breath of fresh air. Totally enjoyed it. Maybe we were happy because it was only a couple days then we were in the lap of Disney cruise ship luxury (which really spanks the WDW deluxes for us). We're staying at Pop again and can't wait. Love the whimsical over-the-top crazy theming. Looking forward to walking around the resort snapping pics. Honestly, if we were to do another dedicated WDW trip I don't think we'd stay any more expensive than POFQ. That's a much better bang for the buck for us. The deluxes I just can't enjoy when I'm feeling like I'm being taken for a ride....and it ain't no attraction fun ride....