Port Orleans v. Value Resorts - is it worth the $200+ difference?

[ewasilau]

Hi,

We're planning our 2nd ever family trip to WDW for the end of January. Stayed at AKL last time and loved it, but we are on a tight budget this time. We are planning our trip for the free dining period, so staying on site seems to make the most sense. Our trip will be short (arriving airport 1 pm on a Sat. and departing 6:40 pm on Wed.) so we do want to make the most of it.

So, question - is it worth spending an extra $170-$235 to stay in a moderate resort (we're thinking POR or POFQ - CS is not an option for our dates) over one of the value resorts (price difference varies depending on the value resort)? Is the bus service better out of POR or POFQ than it is from the values? What about the food/noise/crowds/check-in/out, etc? We're most concerned about getting the most time at the parks and ease of getting around w/ our kids (ages almost 3, 4.5 and almost 7 at time of travel). We are planning on using the bus transportation.

Thanks for any input!

[DisneyPrincess21]

Hi,

We're planning our 2nd ever family trip to WDW for the end of January. Stayed at AKL last time and loved it, but we are on a tight budget this time. We are planning our trip for the free dining period, so staying on site seems to make the most sense. Our trip will be short (arriving airport 1 pm on a Sat. and departing 6:40 pm on Wed.) so we do want to make the most of it.

So, question - is it worth spending an extra $170-$235 to stay in a moderate resort (we're thinking POR or POFQ - CS is not an option for our dates) over one of the value resorts (price difference varies depending on the value resort)? Is the bus service better out of POR or POFQ than it is from the values? What about the food/noise/crowds/check-in/out, etc? We're most concerned about getting the most time at the parks and ease of getting around w/ our kids (ages almost 3, 4.5 and almost 7 at time of travel). We are planning on using the bus transportation.

Thanks for any input!

If your looking for a small resort that is quaint and easy to get around, I would recommend Port Orleans French Quarter. I think your kids might enjoy the pool their also. It is the smallest of all the Moderate resorts and it very quiet and quaint. It feels very much like you are actually in the french quarter in New Orleans. They have a nice boat ride that takes you to Downtown Disney, IMHO a much more relaxing way of getting there, instead of the buses. They also have one central bus location at the front of the resort.

Another suggestion I have to throw in there (Because it is my favorite resort), Caribbean Beach Resort, I am not sure if it is available for your stay?
But, They have new Nemo themed rooms, a great beach, fantastic pool and a water play area for the kids. Good food court, nice gift shop. Also, I know you said that you are on a budget, but if that changes, their Pirate's in the Caribbean rooms are AWESOME! .

So out of your choices my vote would be for Port Orleans French Quarter, My personal favorite "home" resort would be Caribbean Beach, but French Quarter comes in a close second.

[LVT]

I cannot recall at what age a child is counted for the room. If you are considered a family of 5, the only value you can do is a suite at ASM. The Riverside area, near the French quarter has some rooms with 1 trundle bed, in order to sleep 5 legally.
If the youngest does not count, then POP is probably fine. Both resorts have double beds. The Moderate is a little bigger and gets the Free Dining with table service rather than the lowly Quick service plan that the values get.
The Disney specialist travel agents can help a lot.

[Mousemates]

If you were a family of four I would for sure say go with the value because the honest truth is that when my kids were young they greatly enjoyed the over the top theming of the value resorts (POR is pretty, but it doesn't have giant disney icons scattered about and loud colors (which kids like) everywhere.

However, the fifth child will make room time in the little rooms of a value a tight squeeze and thus I might be a bit more prone to go to POR for the extra bed..extra bit of room...and double sink vanity for brushing teeth and getting ready...and as mentioned above a better meal plan.

[BigRedDad]

Another thing to consider is that the Value resorts are QSDP (I think) and the Moderate/Deluxe resorts are the TSDP (I think). If this is correct, then the $200 price difference would definitely be worth it.

[wdwfansince75]

Not exactly sure how you intend to do the rooms...of the Value and Mods, as I understand, only POR has trundle beds. We did a family trip, with 4 rooms, for our clan over Christmas one year. DS#1 and family of 5 was about the same configuration as your group, and found the POR (then dixie Landings) served them well. Buses were fine. Good spot for a family such as yours. Lots of threads here about families of five, and problems finding accomodations. POR is good fit for younger families. For slightly older, especially in the summer, the Cabins become a great alternate.
As stated above, for free dining, Value offer is for Counter Service meals vice Table Service. TS meals include character meals, so you should consider that....We have found over the years that buffet meals, character or not, were the best for our family....but having been to WDW with kids and grandkids of all ages, I know well that each is an individual, with individual tastes, and each, (and tastes) changes year to year.
So for us, the rooms (size and trundle beds) and the meals (TS vs CS) would have us decide on POR over the values...And, yes, I would say that it is worth the extra cost. Consider some savings by suggesting to Christmas gift givers that Disney apparel is a thoughtful gift...and will save you souvenir money. Oh, and sweaters or sweatshirts are usually necessary for December trips...I assume that the same is true for January trips.

[bostonsam]

In my opinion would prefer a Moderate anyday,esp if/when its alot quieter...Po(fq)was awesome.If you like swimming,the pools are wayyy betterwas practically empty one night.It seems to me the Values are a bit more crowded...DH couldn't stand those busesand you get the added DD boat ride which was niceloved the FQ and would def stay there again!

planning to try CBR trip after next

[The Hitchhiking Ghost]

If you are looking at simply cost value, then I think you are at about break even. Your family size (ages) are the same as ours 3-5 & 8. Once a child turns 3, they are considered a full guest (they are on ddp, they are counted for rooms and for tickets).

So in your situation you would need a suite at the value, or a room at POR-AB that has a trundle bed, or go to a deluxe. I didn't crunch the numbers, but after you compare a value suite to a regular room at POR-AB, plus factor in the difference in dining plans (TS vs QS), then I think the dollars go by the wayside and you simply ask, do I want value or moderate. Which for me is a no-brainer, take the moderate.

[darthmacho]

Personally, I think the moderates, especially POR are worth the extra money if you can afford it. I think the theming, restaurants, and overall atmosphere is perfect. I wish they had more moderates from which to choose.

[Mitzie]

We are a family of 5, then ages 8,8 and 11. We loved POR. We were in the AB section and found it beautiful and quiet. Didn't have one problem with the buses and really liked the foodcourt. As someone posted, you won't find that over the top theming like at the value resorts, but for the kids the pool slides that mods and dlx resorts offer is nice. Also you were never far from a quiet pool and laundry. With the 3 year old that might come in handy. We have stayed at other resorts and POR is still right up there as one of my favorites.

[mook3y]

IMHO, since you are going for such a short period of time, I would just go for the value resort.

We have taken our family on 4 wdw vacations so far. our kids are 8,6,1.

This past year was our shortest trip so far. 7 nights at the Poly. usually we have stayed 10-14 days prior.

we loved the Poly and had a great time.

Usually we spend quite a bit of time at the resort and really enjoy the perks at the nicer resorts. However, at the end of the trip, my wife and I both questioned if it was worth it to stay at such a nice resort on a short trip.

But when you are maximizing your time at the parks, and only staying for 4 nights. are you going to utilize the perks a moderate would offer?

Without a doubt we would stay at a value for a 4 night trip.

[ewasilau]

Thank you for all of the thoughts and input! To clarify, we are only a family of 4 officially as the youngest will not be 3 yet so we can stay in any type room in either resort. Sounds like the values will be crammed with a pack-n-play for the youngest in it though - maybe he'd have to sleep on the floor!

Is the bus service any quicker from POR or POFQ or the values? I'd love to spend as little time as possible "commuting".

Thanks!

[LVT]

POP, we used a twin air mattress at POP. The
PaK N Play should be doable, but tight.

[BrerGnat]

I'd say it's worth the extra couple hundred dollars, especially since you are coming from the AKL as your last family experience...

The room sizes at the moderates are closer to the AKL room size. Value rooms are downright TINY. I think they are "ok" for a max of two persons. More than that and it's just downright claustrophobic (not to mention the utter lack of storage space...)

As for commuting times, POR/POFQ is pretty far out there too, and is really only close to Downtown Disney/Typhoon Lagoon. Everything else is quite a bus ride. However, Pop is not much closer to anything, besides AK. Every resort is close to something and far away from something. I'd say bus service (commute times) from POP will be on par with what you experienced at AKL.

I'd simply choose the moderate for the theming and larger rooms. Even for a short trip, that is more reason (to me) to cram in as much "theme" as possible, so that your time at the resort will feel like a continuation of park time.

[Kaps]

We are a famliy of five and POR is the only one that accomodates our size except for suites at the values. 26 days and counting

[Daisy'sMom]

I'd go with POP and spend the 200.00 elsewhere. Your kids will love it and the buses are great. Why spend more on a room when there is so much more you could do with your money.
I'm going with cousin and her family in few weeks. DH had to stay home this trip and is donating the money he would have spent at St. Judes.
There is always something you can do with 200. JMO

[kminton]

Having just returned from our first stay at POP, I would say spend the extra $200 and stay at the POR. Here's why:
Buses:
Always took 2 if not 3 or 4 buses for us to get home anywhere close to closing time (an hour before up to actual closing). Closing times were "early" 7 and 9 p.m. There didn't seem to be enough buses to service the sheer number of people even when going to the parks. I think we had one bus ride where people were not standing (and they crammed you on there). The bus stops are the furtherest away from the entrance/exit to the parks for the Pop - especially noticeable at Magic Kingdom and EPCOT. Bus rides to and from the park are longer - it seemed like it took us 20 minutes, if not more, to get to any of the parks, even the ones that are closer to the POP.

Resort:
We were on the first floor and an end room. We heard water starting for showers and toilets flushing - even during the night (and I consider us sound sleepers). Never heard any of this at POR.
Everything POP which is where the meals are - was very crowded. Had a great selection but so did the one at POR.
The smoking area was right outside the door to classic hall. As a non-smoker, we had to walk right by it coming and going to bus stops plus the eating area.

We said several times during our stay that we would be staying the POR next time. It would be worth the difference in price to us (even a family of 3). The parks are "exciting" enough; we wanted to come back to our resort and get away from the excitement - not be stimulated more.

Kerri

[LudwigVonDrake]

POFQ is worth the $200+ extra

[Hull-onian]

Depending on where you decide, we used taxies to get around. Especially after being in the parks all day. When using a taxi, you are dropped right at the door, for me it's worth it.

[mook3y]

Depending on where you decide, we used taxies to get around. Especially after being in the parks all day. When using a taxi, you are dropped right at the door, for me it's worth it.

I had almost mentioned this too.

If you want to maximize time, taking a cab is hands down the fastest way from point A to B.

The longest I have ever had to wait for a taxi was about 10 minutes and it was because we had 7 people and needed a van and there was not one right there.

Especially when it comes to AK, I spring for a cab. For some reason, we have the worst luck on trying to get to and from AK.

I love the theming of the nicer resorts, but if it was me maxamizing time at parks, I would stay value and spend the extra $200 on cab fare and souvenears.