The Gap Between The Resorts.

[real mad hatter]

Ok. I don't mean what's the distance between POP and ALL STARS. Ive read that there's a big jump from Value to Moderate in various departments.But I've often read such good reports on moderate resorts that there's not a huge gap between them and deluxe.Yes,and before all you lucky folk that have experienced staying at a deluxe start firing arrows at me.What I'am trying to get at is the extra $$$$$ for your vacation staying at a deluxe worth it,? Or would you be better staying at a moderate and using the $$$$$ for spending money or other things.I will be asked this for sure at my up coming Disney party.The Balcony at a deluxe and theming and location would be my big three differences,but as I have only stayed at moderates I couldn't truly answer that.So what are your views please on this.?

 

[RedDad]

You also might want to consider splitting up your stay to save money. Our first trip, we stayed at All-Star for 3 nights, then switched to Contemporary for last 4 and it was great. Totally worth the extra expense to us (being upgraded to MK view room for free didn't hurt!) Disney transferred everything for us, all we had to do was show up at the Contemp after our day in the parks.

We've also stayed at WL, AKL, Pop, and SOG, and enjoyed all of them. Like others have said, it depends on your preferences and your plans. When our littlest was around 15 months old, we knew we'd be heading back to the resort for naps, etc. and wanted to have a nice place to be. Also wanted to be close, so we chose WL. Some longer trips we plan for a "rest day" mid-trip where we spend time at the pool and want to be in a nicer hotel for those.

Also, if you plan to use the Key to the World charging privileges, you get a higher limit at the deluxe resorts before they charge your card. I think it's $500/$1000/$5000 for Value/mod/Deluxe.

We usually try to plan for one "Deluxe Trip" every 3 years or so, and then go on the cheap when we can in between.

 

[durangojim]

You also might want to consider splitting up your stay to save money. Our first trip, we stayed at All-Star for 3 nights, then switched to Contemporary for last 4 and it was great. Totally worth the extra expense to us (being upgraded to MK view room for free didn't hurt!) Disney transferred everything for us, all we had to do was show up at the Contemp after our day in the parks.

We've also stayed at WL, AKL, Pop, and SOG, and enjoyed all of them. Like others have said, it depends on your preferences and your plans. When our littlest was around 15 months old, we knew we'd be heading back to the resort for naps, etc. and wanted to have a nice place to be. Also wanted to be close, so we chose WL. Some longer trips we plan for a "rest day" mid-trip where we spend time at the pool and want to be in a nicer hotel for those.

Also, if you plan to use the Key to the World charging privileges, you get a higher limit at the deluxe resorts before they charge your card. I think it's $500/$1000/$5000 for Value/mod/Deluxe.

We usually try to plan for one "Deluxe Trip" every 3 years or so, and then go on the cheap when we can in between.

Great post! We often do the same thing, staying at Pop for a couple then a deluxe (usually Poly, BC or WL) for the rest. And yes, when you have young kids, taking that break is a must! Also the credit limits are $500/$1000/$1500.

 

[RedDad]

Great post! We often do the same thing, staying at Pop for a couple then a deluxe (usually Poly, BC or WL) for the rest. And yes, when you have young kids, taking that break is a must! Also the credit limits are $500/$1000/$1500.

Oops! Only off by 300% or so . I'd be in trouble at WDW with that kind of a charge limit!

 

[DisneyDebNJ]

We usually stay at Deluxes... I always said it was because the transportation options were easier, and quicker. The beds are nicer and the rooms a bit bigger, and balconies! (LOVE starting and ending my Disney days on the balcony) However, having said that, I think, in our case, its a matter of familiarity. I am a definate creature of habit, but really wouldnt mind staying at a moderate if the family decided on one. The first resort we stayed at when my DS was a tot, was Dixie Landings, and he loved it. If you asked my DH if it was worth the extra money he would say yes, for one reason .... If Momma ain't happy, NOBODY's happy!!! Well said, DH, well said!!!

 

[durangojim]

I know that I'm in the minority here, but after having stayed at all three classes of resort, we choose to stay at deluxes the majority of the time and values when we don't stay at the deluxes. For us the moderates don't really do anything, they don't have a balcony or large rooms, but they're not cheap enough to be considered a great savings. To each his own, but that's just how we roll.

 

[tracyandalex]

For us it depends on how we are doing the trip. If we are doing a short cheap trip and don't plan on spending a lot of time at the resort then it's usually a moderate or even value depending on the rates. Now if we are staying for a longer amount of time and will be at the resort more then we go deluxe.

 

[rael ramone]

Another consideration is how you plan to spend your time. We too have stayed at all levels from Pop to several different deluxe resorts. If we are more into parks on a particular trip, we are happy at a value, but we don't have to factor in dining or transportation as we drive and can go to any restaurant or park easily. There are trips when we just want to relax and enjoy the resorts. That is when we prefer deluxe. When we stayed at Beach Club and at WL, we spent very little time in the parks. BW more park time, and even more park time while at OKW and SSR.
Moderates are enjoyable either way.
We have actually stayed at deluxe and never set foot in a park, and some people would call that crazy. No more crazy than paying huge dollars for a deluxe and only stopping by to shower and sleep.

Animal Kingdom Lodge is *very much* worth a long weekend with no parks. Multiple viewing locations (not just the 3 official lookouts - there's all the external staircases at the various 'fingers' of the lodge, not to mention your room). Lots of African artifacts & informational displays. And plenty of good food at your disposal.

 

[RedDad]

Animal Kingdom Lodge is *very much* worth a long weekend with no parks. Multiple viewing locations (not just the 3 official lookouts - there's all the external staircases at the various 'fingers' of the lodge, not to mention your room). Lots of African artifacts & informational displays. And plenty of good food at your disposal.

We actually gave ourselves a "vacation from our vacation" at the end of our last trip in August. After 4 hot days in the parks with extended family we booked a room at AKL and did nothing but hang at the resort with our 2yo for two days. She loved the hotel just as much as the parks!

 

[Stellajack]

Animal Kingdom Lodge is *very much* worth a long weekend with no parks. Multiple viewing locations (not just the 3 official lookouts - there's all the external staircases at the various 'fingers' of the lodge, not to mention your room). Lots of African artifacts & informational displays. And plenty of good food at your disposal.

Agree! This resort is indeed worth the extra $$$'s. We find the AKL to be very relaxing, quiet, and soothing. In addition, we really enjoy the latest possible seating in the evening in Boma's, when we can actually sit and talk after our meal without having to rush so that they can seat another party.

 

[rael ramone]

Agree! This resort is indeed worth the extra $$$'s. We find the AKL to be very relaxing, quiet, and soothing. In addition, we really enjoy the latest possible seating in the evening in Boma's, when we can actually sit and talk after our meal without having to rush so that they can seat another party.

But IMHO, unless you are loaded, it is *not* worth it as a base for theme park touring. There's too much there to enjoy that you are spending good money on.

Not to be overlooked there is the 'Cultural Safari' every night in the Sunset Lounge. One CM from Zimbabwe said he lived a 20 minute walk away from Victoria Falls, and, except during the dry season, you can feel the mist from it that far away.

 

[Stellajack]

. . .Not to be overlooked there is the 'Cultural Safari' every night in the Sunset Lounge. One CM from Zimbabwe said he lived a 20 minute walk away from Victoria Falls, and, except during the dry season, you can feel the mist from it that far away.

Yes, as well as the CM's out at Arusha Rock to answer all your questions about the savanna and animals, and the stories from the CM's from Africa around the firepit each afternoon. We love this lodge.

 

[bethymouse]

I guess being a Disney fan who's stayed at all 3 types, I prefer the deluxe. It seems a bit "safer" to me w/ the inside corridors rather than the "motel" feeling of the outside entrances. I was disappointed in the POLY. We had a nice time, but felt it was just not worth the price. The value resorts are for families I believe. It's nice to be immersed in all things Disney rather than staying off property if you're on a budget, can't afford DVC, and love to go every year! The moderate resorts are nice, but they are quite large. You still get a great main pool complex w/ a slide ( if that's important to your kids), and 1 table service restaurant rather than just quick service /food court food. We've also tried the quick service dining plan, and got tired of the "burgers and fries" thing. But, like most people said, to each his own. Our favorite resort so far has been Wilderness Lodge. It truly is like being "welcomed home".