So how different are the deluxes?

[jnrrt]

We had our first night in a deluxe resort (AKL - the "moderate" deluxe), and it's obviously a fabulous resort. We loved the animals, and the pool, and the food, and the ambiance, but I was really struck by the size of the room. This was not a large room. It was cool, but it was just a hotel kind of room. So, have I covered the differences in the deluxes (amenities basically, maybe sound-proofing), or are the rooms actually better at the other deluxe resorts?

We'd like to stay everywhere at least once, but frankly, I'd have been just as happy staying somewhere cheaper, and visiting AKL like we've always done, although it was cool to do it once. So I'm trying to figure out if it's worth the money to try them all.

What do you all think?

[lllovell]

I think a regular hotel room will never make me completely happy again since joining DVC! :bluebloun That said, I would like to stay at all the different resorts as well over time, but only if the kids are older or an adults only trip I think. If we are going to WDW and staying in a "regular" hotel (meaning not DVC), we tend to pick moderates because they are a bigger than Pop or the All Stars and they have a fridge. They also have ambiance that I just don't feel at Pop or All Stars. I am not sure I will ever be able to justify staying at the deluxe resorts over the moderates though because I am a penny pincher.

I miss the kitchenette/kitchens a DVC has to offer when traveling with the youngsters.

[DSNY FN]

If I am not at DVC I will always be at the All Stars it is by far the most Disney resorts on property.

[KNWVIKING]

If I am not at DVC I will always be at the All Stars it is by far the most Disney resorts on property.

Could you go into detail as to why you think that ?

IMO the best non-DVC resort to stay at is Dixie Landings - rather, PORS. It's about as close to being a Deluxe as a non-deluxe can be. Great theming. Great pool area. Plenty of room. Great common area to eat,shop,play and explore.

It was done right.

[jnrrt]

We definitely liked the moderates over the values, although I thought Pop was nice. It's mostly a sound thing for me - the values seem to be very noisy, and since we have always had kids napping, that's an issue. Maybe not as much of one in the future, but who knows. I like the themeing at the mods as well.

I'm just wondering if I'm so spoiled by DVC now that I won't really enjoy the deluxes because I'll be thinking of what I'm missing at my DVC (and yes, we always get a one-bedroom since we like to use the kitchen, and the laundry is just fabulous when you have kids).

[DSNY FN]

Could you go into detail as to why you think that ?

IMO the best non-DVC resort to stay at is Dixie Landings - rather, PORS. It's about as close to being a Deluxe as a non-deluxe can be. Great theming. Great pool area. Plenty of room. Great common area to eat,shop,play and explore.

It was done right.


We hated Dixie Landings our favourite mod is Coronado Springs it feels more deluxe than VWL IMHO we just love the theming of the All Stars and all the on the go hustle and bustle of the All Star resorts. Just everything about the place screams Disney to our family. We love to people watch and love to be on teh go all the time so for us this is the ultimate Disney vacation it was just that for the lenght of time we go it made more financial sence to get into DVC even over the Values. Main reason is kitchen facilities at DVC for cooking we cook all but about 3 meals in our room in a 2 week stay. That is the only downfall to the Value resorts is we can't cook there or we would be there every trip I also don't camp anymore so FW is out for me.

[KNWVIKING]

[QUOTE=DSNY FN]We hated Dixie Landings our favourite mod is...... QUOTE]

Shsssssh..... Exactly the answer I'd expect from someone in favor of gay marriages...

ONLY KIDDING ONLY KIDDING ONLY KIDDING

Sorry DSNY FN, I just couldn't resist. When in doubt, I'll always go for the joke.

[lllovell]

LMBO KNW - don't make me thump you as my first official moderator challange (so far - amazingly...I haven't had to play with anything, delete, move, edit - nuttin....:mad: lol )

I really liked Coronado Springs AND POFQ (haven't been around long enough to have know it as Dixielandings!). I think your family loves BIG theming, which is cool Dsny. I think you said you weren't fond of SSR either right? I can see that being the case if you appreciate the more heavily themed resorts.

(ok - heavily themed isn't the right wording here - I mean OKW is heavily themed as OKW down to the Buffet music playing over the speakers...what would be a better wording? I hope you get my meaning.)

Laura

[PoohsPal]

I'll have to admit that the biggest diference I noted was that deluxes have the best TP. :beaniepro

[KNWVIKING]

I'll have to admit that the biggest diference I noted was that deluxes have the best TP. :beaniepro


Yeah, better trim your nails first before staying at AS.

[lllovell]

ack!!

I was surprised by the soap dispensor thing at the All Stars...but didn't I read somewhere here that they are doing away with that?

I enjoyed POP and by regular hotel standards, it was a much nicer place, but it is sure hard NOT to get spoiled by DVC and Disney standards in general (which I guess I also haven't been around long enough to notice the "decline" people often bring up - to me - its all still great!)

[DSNY FN]

[QUOTE=DSNY FN]We hated Dixie Landings our favourite mod is...... QUOTE]

Shsssssh..... Exactly the answer I'd expect from someone in favor of gay marriages...

ONLY KIDDING ONLY KIDDING ONLY KIDDING

Sorry DSNY FN, I just couldn't resist. When in doubt, I'll always go for the joke.

OMG that was to funny well atleast we all have a great sence of humour around here LOL.:hammer: :rockband:

[DSNY FN]

LMBO KNW - don't make me thump you as my first official moderator challange (so far - amazingly...I haven't had to play with anything, delete, move, edit - nuttin....:mad: lol )

I really liked Coronado Springs AND POFQ (haven't been around long enough to have know it as Dixielandings!). I think your family loves BIG theming, which is cool Dsny. I think you said you weren't fond of SSR either right? I can see that being the case if you appreciate the more heavily themed resorts.

(ok - heavily themed isn't the right wording here - I mean OKW is heavily themed as OKW down to the Buffet music playing over the speakers...what would be a better wording? I hope you get my meaning.)

Laura

Actually we love SSR for the location to DTD the resot theme is a little on teh slow side but we can't beat teh proximity to one of the places we spend large ammunts of time DTD. OKW yep retirement home IMHO the good part of OKW and one reason we have stayed there is the point structure you can't beat it but our absolute fav DVC is BWV love the night life and the goings on and the prximity to our favourite park.

[jnrrt]

I'll have to admit that the biggest diference I noted was that deluxes have the best TP. :beaniepro

Well, I don't know why, but that struck me as absolutely hilarious. I'm still giggling. So, if what you're saying is true, I'll just buy a truckload of TP (obviously gold standard TP, the fluffiest, squeeziest, softest, most lint-free I can find) hand it to people as they're heading into the All Stars, and they can just give me half of what they're saving over the Grand Floridian?

[PoohsPal]

I swear. I was staying at CBR and went to GF for a Character Breakfast. Much softer TP there. DH was horrifed that Disney would do something as awful as give people rough TP just 'cause they did not spend the extra $.

I like your new business prospect! lol.

[bavaria]

Well, I don't know why, but that struck me as absolutely hilarious. I'm still giggling. So, if what you're saying is true, I'll just buy a truckload of TP (obviously glod standard TP, the fluffiest, squeeziest, softest, most lint-free I can find) hand it to people as they're heading into the All Stars, and they can just give me half of what they're saving over the Grand Floridian?

Kid you not, I once participated in a hotel TP test and had to rate preferences. BUT moving on to the original question...

I have sadly become a bit particular on what I like in my hotel rooms over the past few years of crazy travel. My biggest needs are

- great bed (think Starwood etc) preferably with duvet
- an armchair or sofa; can't stand having to always sit on/in bed to read, watch TV, etc
- fridge
- quality bathroom (doesn't have to be extravagant, but good quality fixtures and countertops please)

DVC provides me with most of that except for the bed - my bed at SSR was less firm that the beds at POFQ and POR.

The deluxes at WDW provide *most* of that as well. As the beds are traded out, I notice a big difference. I am hoping for duvets eventually - can't recall if the new rooms at CR have them. But reading online sites, bedspreads are a big ick factor to most guests. I just can't deal with sheets and blankets - never learned to sleep with them.

I think that most deluxes are a solid 3 star and some are solid 4 stars (YC/BC come to mind)

I will stay moderates most of the time, as I don't need a big hotel 'wow' when on vacation (get enough of that travelling). Values will also do for short stays, or when I am feeling a little frugal. But I do agree that the noise factor is a little greater there.

Basically, I think that I am trying to say that moderates and deluxes both provide excellent theming; the rooms are a little bigger and better appointed at deluxes; deluxes have more dining options in general; deluxes are usually closer to the resorts.

(Sorry, took me a long time to say that!)

[KNWVIKING]

ITA..... the Sweet Sleeper beds at Starwood hotels are THE best.

[pouncingpluto]

When we bought our new bed, we were trying to model it after Westin's Heavenly Bed. It seems we've overshot, though, because the next time we stayed at a Westin, it wasn't nearly as comfy as our bed!!

[bavaria]

When we bought our new bed, we were trying to model it after Westin's Heavenly Bed. It seems we've overshot, though, because the next time we stayed at a Westin, it wasn't nearly as comfy as our bed!!

The only thing that I dislike about coming home from my many travels is my bed! I thought that I had bought a good mattress but may need to go shopping soon to upgrade to those great hotel ones....

(and looking forward to my upcoming stay at the Dolphin in a few weeks....ahhh!)

[jnrrt]

Bavaria, I thought it was the Swan that had awesome beds? Is it the Dolphin?

We had a terrible bed when we were first married, and loved traveling to escape it. Now we have a really comfy bed, and I hate giving it up when we go. We have a queen, and I'm almost scared to upgrade to a king, because I'd never want to go back when we're on vacation! Although, of course, with DVC I don't have to, now do I?

[bavaria]

Bavaria, I thought it was the Swan that had awesome beds? Is it the Dolphin?

We had a terrible bed when we were first married, and loved traveling to escape it. Now we have a really comfy bed, and I hate giving it up when we go. We have a queen, and I'm almost scared to upgrade to a king, because I'd never want to go back when we're on vacation! Although, of course, with DVC I don't have to, now do I?

Westin has Heavenly Beds, Sheraton Sweet Sleeper beds (but pretty similar)

HOWEVER the Dolphin has the Heavenly Beds since the Swan and Dolphin got their beds at the same time.

[JimC]

We had our first night in a deluxe resort (AKL - the "moderate" deluxe), and it's obviously a fabulous resort. We loved the animals, and the pool, and the food, and the ambiance, but I was really struck by the size of the room. This was not a large room. It was cool, but it was just a hotel kind of room. So, have I covered the differences in the deluxes (amenities basically, maybe sound-proofing), or are the rooms actually better at the other deluxe resorts?

We'd like to stay everywhere at least once, but frankly, I'd have been just as happy staying somewhere cheaper, and visiting AKL like we've always done, although it was cool to do it once. So I'm trying to figure out if it's worth the money to try them all.

What do you all think?

Here are approximate room sizes by resort, exclucing DVC, suites and Ft Wilderness:

ASR – 260
AKL – 344-381
BWI – 422
CBR – 340
CR – 436
CSR – 314
Dolphin – 360
GF – 400
Poly – 409
Pop – 260
PO/DL – 314
WL – 350
YC/BC – 380
Swan – 340
SOG – 480

If you want large then you meed to be military to stay at SOG. Next largest would be CR - the original or the BWI.

Having stayed at most of the resorts the most noticeable differences to us are the themes, dining options and services (bell services, valet parking, room service, concierge). While room size differences are noticeable, we seem to adjust quite nicely. I have not noticed an appreciable difference in sound proofing from resort to resort. Well, the outside corridor resorts are noisier than the interior corridor resorts.

[bavaria]

I should really do a follow up note here after my recent Dolphin stay. The room was very large, with two double beds, but only a very small chair where there really was room for a sofa.

The bathroom was a disappointment for that level of hotel but the beds were great.

Overall, the room was a little tired but I believe that the soft goods had just been replaced.

It was a perfectly comfortable stay, but definitely missed the theming.

[jnrrt]

Thanks for that, JimC. I think you answered my question since we stayed earlier in the week at CBR, then to OKW, then one night at AKL, and our AKL room seemed smaller than our CBR room. I'm guessing they were the same, and the difference in the decor gave that impression.

[nono]

Going OT, but my husband and I once toyed with the idea of trying to gamble enough at the Mirage to get them to comp us a bed and ship it home to us. :dazzled: Very nice rest there every time!

[ripleysmom]

I prefer POR as a mod. I stayed at the All-Stars once and the noise of toilets flushing in the other rooms was distracting. It was okay but it isn't somewhere I would enjoy staying at regularly.

[nono]

I think the deluxes are great to experience, but I love my money more than the uplift the deluxes cost. :) It's the old price/value ratio for me -- do I feel the extra dollars are worth the additional bucks? Depending on the discounts at the moment of booking, the answer is sometimes YES, but oftentimes NO...

[crisi]

We are fans of Queen beds, interior hallways, room size, great pools, amenities, location! and total theming. The only mod I've stayed at has been CBR - I've always wanted to try POR - however I find the bus situation at moderates to be grating. But the values have no appeal to us at all - small rooms with full sized beds, no pool slide, no real restaurants.

When we stayed at AKL we booked a deluxe room, which gave us a few more square feet. This was after staying at the WL, which has similarly sized rooms. Poly rooms were huge! Though you are still getting "just a hotel room" - for more without DVC you need to splurge on a suite. We liked AKL, but only stayed long enough to enjoy the resort - it was a non-park part of the vacation. I'd find being that far off the beaten track and needing to take buses everywhere maddening.

But Deluxe rooms are expensive. I'd stay moderate at WDW. If I couldn't afford moderate, I'd go offsite before booking value, or skip it altogether.

[TW1]

But Deluxe rooms are expensive. I'd stay moderate at WDW. If I couldn't afford moderate, I'd go offsite before booking value, or skip it altogether.I agree with you Crisi. We've never tried the Values or the Deluxes and not sure if we would. I really just want a nice room in a nice location and theming, like you outlined.

Prior to becoming members we tried all the mods. We stayed at CBR once and enjoyed it, but prefered POR/FQ, mainly we felt the food court was better (plus DS was smaller then and kept getting too sandy at CBR!) Haven't been back since becoming members, but it would be our Fri/Sat nite option on a future trip.

[JimC]

...But Deluxe rooms are expensive. I'd stay moderate at WDW. If I couldn't afford moderate, I'd go offsite before booking value, or skip it altogether.

Deluxes are for off peak travel and AP codes. Or whatever they call that new program now.

By the way you get value season in the summer from July 4th week on for those who need to travel then.