Room question, Standard or Preferred

[Uncle Lupe]

What would be the difference in room if you choose a preferred room at a value resort over a standard room at a moderate resort? From what I have found prices can be similar.

 

[disneytopdog]

At both the values and moderates the preferred rooms either have a pool view or water view or are close to the lobby, foodcourts/resturants and bus stops. IMHO they are not worth it. One being near the pools and lobby and bus stops means more noise and foot traffic at all hours. Why would you pay more for that.

As for paying more for a view out of my door or window just not worth it. I am never in the room long enough to enjoy it.

 

[Rob562]

If the two choices were the same price (Preferred Value vs Standard Moderate), I'd defintiely go with the Moderate.

A Preferred Value room just upgrades the room's location. A Moderate room (even the Standard) is larger than a Value room, and the resorts have nicer, more "grown-up" theming (not that there's anything wrong with the Value theming...) and more amenities.

But I guess it's up to you what "similar in price" means, and when you're going... Looking at the prices for Jan 1-15, for example, a Preferred Value is $97, where a Standard Moderate is $149. I'm not sure a $50/night difference would be considered "similar prices".

-Rob

 

[CleveRocks]

At all 3 Value resorts, there is a category called "preferred," and at Caribbean Beach Resort there is a category called "preferred location."

The ONLY thing that puts a room in this category is the room's physical location relative to some centralized location at the resort (food court, main pool, etc.). There is NOTHING about the interior of the room that is different from a standard room. If you took the general manager of one of those resorts and put him/her in a "preferred" room but had the curtains drawn so he/she couldn't see outside, he/she would have no way of knowing whether the room is "preferred" or not.

I hope that answers your question.

 

[Victoria]

If you are willing to pay a few extra dollars, get the standard room at the moderate. A preferred room at any resort gets you nothing other than supposedly a better location. Rooms at a moderate resort are larger than Value rooms (about 40 square feet more depending on the resort), have a mini-fridge, have a double sink in the bathroom area, and just all around feel nicer.

 

[wvdisneyfamily]

I agree with those that have said if the choice is between preferred value and standard moderate, go with standard. We paid for a "water view" at the moderate and it was just close to the pool. There was nothing special about it. I'm sure values are the same.

 

[lumpydj]

Absolutely standard moderate! My first time staying on property, we asked for a "garden view" at a value resort. We got a room with a clump of bushes in front of a parking lot for our view :fork:. "Garden view" then is what "preferred" is now.

 

[krankenstein]

Standard Moderate > Preferred Value :wave:

However, I would get a standard value and save the money. :lol:

 

[CleveRocks]

Here's a general comparison of Moderate and Value rooms that others have said in the past was helpful for them:

Moderate rooms are 314 sq. ft. (except CBR rooms are 340).
Value rooms are 260 sq. ft.
The 54 square feet difference is about the size of two double beds.

Moderate rooms have a ceiling fan.
Value rooms don't.

Moderate rooms have a fridge.
Value rooms don't (or you'll pay $10/day to rent).

Moderate rooms have 2 sinks (except CSR's have 1).
Value rooms have 1 sink.

Moderates have a pool slide and a hot tub.
Values have neither.

Moderates provide pool towels at the main pool.
Values do not provide any pool towels … you must use your room towels.

Moderates' bus stops are covered (think protection from rain and hot sun).
Values' bus stops are not covered.

Moderates have lush landscaping.
Values have more "hardscaping."

Moderates have a food court AND a table-service restaurant (except POFQ ... food court only).
Values have only a food court.

Moderates have some sort of recreational activity (e.g., boat rentals, bike rentals).
Values don't have that type of recreational activity.

At Moderates, the maximum room charge limit is $1,000.
At Values, it's $500.

EXTRA CREDIT:

POFQ and POR have boat service to Downtown Disney.
CSR has full room service, and a gym.
Values are much more "kid-themed" and fun-looking and whimsical-looking than the Moderates.

 

[Uncle Lupe]

Thanks for all the great information so far. It sounds like a standard room at a moderate resort is a better idea, that little extra space would be nice to have and the mini-fridge is required for our stay. For about an extra $350, really only $280 because I would have to rent a fridge anyway at the value, for a 7 night stay I would have a nicer accommodations and dining options in the resort.

Please, if anymore differences come to mind post your thoughts!

 

[thrupaytonseyes]

Just FYI, if you are staying at a Value resort and need the fridge for medical purposes they don't charge you for it. You just need to let them know when you are making the reservations.

 

[KC82271]

I don't know if it is because of DD3, but when I book a preferred at the values, I have never faced the pool. We are usually on the 2nd level, facing "green" whether it be the trees or just the walkway between resorts - and either the backside of the rooms facing the pool or having the driveway on the other side of the trees. I have never had an issue with noise either. It works out well at the end of a long night, not having to walk that extra half mile to a standard room. Then again, when I have been down there during "quiet" time, we have booked standard and ended up in the same rooms we had that we paid preferred rates for - granted a room or two off maybe - but it was nice.

 

[Kingdom Konsultant]

Keep in mind that when you book a preferred room at a Value like Pop you may be located close to the pool or food court but not have a view of it. The same goes with garden view or water view. You may be located near that view but not necessarily will you have a view of it.

Pam