Disney Value resorts vs moderate vs deluxe

haven't been to Disney in quite some time don't know if I even stayed on the resort when I went.

I know there is a difference for each one but the question is; is it worth paying the extra money for a moderate hotel? I may consider deluxe is that really worth it?
is the value rooms ok?

Disney Value resorts vs moderate vs deluxe

I personally have never stayed at a moderate, only value and deluxe and DVC. We only travel as a family of 3, so a value is fine if we are going cheap. The rooms are very small, but you aren't in them a lot.

The moderates don't appeal to me because of all the internal bus stops, and how spread out they are. IF I were to stay at a moderate, it would be Port Orleans French Quarter, if they aren't sharing buses with Riverside.

Re: Disney Value resorts vs moderate vs deluxe

We usually stay at value. No issues what so ever. I will say we had dinner at the Grand Floridian one night, completely different world. I would love to stay there on our next trip. I always say that but when I look at the price difference value is sooo much more reasonable and for us we spend all our time at the parks and are at the hotel for sleeping only.

Disney Value resorts vs moderate vs deluxe

It really depends on what you're planning on doing. I have stayed at all 3 levels as well as the DVC villas.
If we aren't planning to spend time at the pools or really spending time in the room at all we often stay Value.

If we want to enjoy pool time, or relax in the room, or if we're looking for a resort with a nice restaurant on property we will stay moderate or deluxe.

If we're traveling with small children we will stay deluxe because we usually end up spending more time at the resort, and we like being closer to the parks.

The moderate and deluxe resorts have pool slides, sit down table service dining, and larger rooms. I definitely think they are worth the upgrade at times but if you're on a budget and really just plan to spend time in the parks and sleep in the room, a value resort could be a perfect fit.

Contact me for free no obligation quotes and I can break down the differences of the resorts for you. I am an authorized Disney travel planner as well as a huge Disney fan who has stayed on property at least twice a year.

Kerri Hill
www.TravelKerri.com
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Facebook.com/TravelKerri

Re: Disney Value resorts vs moderate vs deluxe

We have only stayed at deluxe properties, purely for close proximity to the parks. The rooms were not great. They weren't bad but not great.

We didn't rent a car the last time around. I did not like bus service. Sooooo slow even going to 1-2 extra stops at resorts. I think we will always rent a car going forward.

Arts of Animation looks fun and is a value. We would drive to all parks from there.

Message edited 5/9/2014 11:05:43 AM.

Re: Disney Value resorts vs moderate vs deluxe

I see value in both deluxes and moderates. Both have pluses and minuses. I like the amenities better at those two and not really interested in the values for us (we spend some resort time -I know many love it for those just looking for a shower and bed.

We have done the Poly and AKL, but have also done CBR and coming up on our second POR stay. We loved both AKL (so unique to have the animals right outside (esp in a savanna room). We were not fans of CBR way too big and impersonal. We actually found POR to be the most relaxing for us so far.

I like POR's food court much better than the poly or AKL. They just had considably more choices. We always felt like we we go go go at the poly bc the kids could see the castle which meant they wanted to go back. The slides was a hit at POR so the kids never wanted to leave.

I think some of it depends on your personal agenda, your tastes etc.

Basically if you would be happy with a huge food court with many choices, don't care too much about the room (think motel 6 or similar type place-clean but very simple double not queen beds). Large characters and items for decor the values are fine. To me they remind me a bit of dorms, but I know many who save money and spent it on meals and tours etc so never at their hotel. Sleep 4 unless you get a family suite.

The modes can be a good middle of the road. We were please with our royal room last trip. Very relaxing resort, large food court, has a sit down restaurant. Slightly larger rooms than the values, most have queen beds but not CBR, which still have doubles). Only POR alligator bayou sleeps 5. CS does have some suites. Otherwise 4 or 4 with 1under 3.

The deluxes have smaller CS places but more table services choices. The room size can be either slightly larger or a lot larger depending on the size. You are paying a very heavy charge for some deluxes. You won't be getting a top top resort for what that same money buys in a top nearby resort. They are very nice, and can be worth it depending on why you want it. We loved the poly and it was great with a very young child of two under 3. But as the kids got older we no longer knew it. Many love the EPCOT resorts and the boat or walking to EPCOT or HS.

So you might want to think about what is important to you. Worth it can be very subjective.

Re: Disney Value resorts vs moderate vs deluxe

Disney Value resorts vs moderate vs deluxe

Having stayed at each - deluxe (Contemporary), moderate (POFQ), and value (AoA), I personally would not go back to a value. Yes, the counter service choices are abundant compared to a deluxe - but there are other amenities that are important to me that I found lacking at a value - particularly the towels. At home I use a HUGE bath sheet, and in a value the towels were not only TINY, but rough as if they didn't have a strand of cotton (or fabric softener) in them. HATED it!!! The room is the size of a postage stamp. DH & DD had to leave the room, close the door, and then I could maneuver the stroller into the room (from behind the door), yell for DH to open the door, then wheel the stroller out. Getting back in was also a pain in the butt. DH liked AoA and said he would go back, but I said no way. I would go back to French Quarter in a heartbeat. Contemporary was good for what we needed at that time - a resort on the monorail to wheel our stroller sleeping child on and off. Would I go back? Yes - at Christmas or Halloween when I want to be able to walk from Magic Kingdom to my hotel following a party. Beyond that, IMO, the extra $$ over a moderate isn't worth it.