Moderate/Value hotel recs?

[CurlyQ284]

We just went in November and my son and I have talked my husband into going on another trip. Both times we have gone, we stayed off property and I don't want to this time.

I can't budget the extra for a deluxe resort so I am looking at the moderate ones. My boss goes to Disney a lot, he likes Pop Century but he is a bit more extreme, at the park super early, staying as late as possible, park hopping etc. We like to be a bit slower, we limit to one park per day to force in some resting time so I think we might enjoy the amenities at the others but I'm looking at PC too, it looks closer/more convenient access to some of the parks. DS will be almost 12 when we go, so no naps or strollers to worry about.

Please recommend your favorite? Thanks!

[nicolewi]

All I know is that we stayed at Art of Animation and absolutely loved it, if that might work for you. The theming was fantastic for the kids, the pools were beautiful, had no problems with the location.

[gretchenindisguise]

We really like Port Orleans Riverside.

[CurlyQ284]

Jan 9, 2023 12:36:17 GMT -5 nicolewi said:

All I know is that we stayed at Art of Animation and absolutely loved it, if that might work for you. The theming was fantastic for the kids, the pools were beautiful, had no problems with the location.

Ok that's great that's helpful thank you! My boss says he liked Pop Century better so I didn't even look at it but it looks SO FUN!

[mrsslocombe]

I've stayed at:
Art of Animation (both Little Mermaid rooms and Lion King Suites)
Pop Century
Port Orleans (Riverside and French Quarter)
Caribbean Beach
All-Star Music

Of those-French Quarter is my favorite as a resort itself. The design is beautiful, it's a small resort so you don't have to walk for miles and miles to get anywhere, you have your own buses so the lines are so much shorter. The pool is fun. It feels more relaxing.

Art of Animation has a really great pool, if that is important to you. It (and Pop Century) also has the Skyliner which is a game changer-I would probably stay there over French Quarter just for the Skyliner. My main complaint about AoA and Pop is the food court is horrendous. I don't love Disney food in general but this food in particular is awful. I did everything to avoid eating there.

Caribbean Beach is fine, and has the Skyliner as well (and it's the main hub, so it's even faster to get to Epcot/HS). It's ENORMOUS though, so the walk to get everywhere is annoying. And the pools aren't as fun.

Port Orleans Riverside is probably my least favorite of the ones I've been to, it's very large, the theming is boring, the pools are meh. The bus lines are so freaking long and since they have multiple stops within the resort the buses get full fast. This would be my last choice personally.

FYI the rooms in All-star, Pop, Little Mermaid/AoA are tight, especially with luggage. We are rope drop-close people so really only sleep in the room, so we make due. But if you will be spending more time in the room and can afford a moderate resort, I would vote for that.

[Patsy Baloney]

I’ve stayed at Pop Century and Art of Animation.

I preferred Pop, caveat - that was an adults-only trip. Room was small, but extremely functional, theming was fun, we were by the main pool and there was a bar right there, movies every night, good food court, great time.

AoA was in the Cars suites. Great rooms, fun theming. The rooms seemed huge - 2 bathrooms, 3 sleeping spaces. The pools were fab.

We decided when we go back with kids, we’ll probably plan to get adjoining rooms at Pop Century instead of going with a family suite.

I would really encourage any stop on the Skyliner. That thing is amazing and I was mad anytime I had to ride a bus!

[callmekd]

Art of A if going with kids. It’s a very kid friendly resort.

[estrellita]

We almost always stay at the cheapest hotels, mostly because we don't spend much time there. We most recently stayed at Pop before our cruise but the rooms hadn't been updated yet. It was fine other than the bathroom being so tiny. Like having to squeeze between the toilet and door and squishing to close it. We're staying at Movies next week but we really wanted to stay at Animation!

Other than those, we've stayed at Caribbean Beach and Port Orleans. Honestly I don't remember much about PO. Caribbean Beach was nice, but this was before kids, so I don't have experience there!

[wesleycrusher]

I would stay at POP/AoA for value only because you have access to the Skyliner, if you choose to stay at a value resort. POP is actually a favorite of ours, but we haven't stayed there recently. Since AoA is the newest value resort, I have always found it to be the most expensive of the values.

My pick for moderate would be Caribbean Beach- we actually stay here the most and are heading there again in a few weeks. This resort also has access to the Skyliner.

The reason why we personally prefer the moderate hotels is that the pool area at a moderate has a slide (and there are 2 slides at Caribbean Beach). My kids also GREATLY value the hot tub, which they don't have at the value resorts. The moderate resorts also have a sit down restaurant, values only have quick service, so that is something to consider. And finally for Caribbean Beach- some rooms sleep 5 (meaning there is a twin size pull down bed). We are 4 but my kids prefer to each have their own bed, which we try to accommodate now that they're getting older (not sure if your step daughters would also be going?)

[CurlyQ284]

Jan 10, 2023 14:59:16 GMT -5 wesleycrusher said:

I would stay at POP/AoA for value only because you have access to the Skyliner, if you choose to stay at a value resort. POP is actually a favorite of ours, but we haven't stayed there recently. Since AoA is the newest value resort, I have always found it to be the most expensive of the values.

My pick for moderate would be Caribbean Beach- we actually stay here the most and are heading there again in a few weeks. This resort also has access to the Skyliner.

The reason why we personally prefer the moderate hotels is that the pool area at a moderate has a slide (and there are 2 slides at Caribbean Beach). My kids also GREATLY value the hot tub, which they don't have at the value resorts. The moderate resorts also have a sit down restaurant, values only have quick service, so that is something to consider. And finally for Caribbean Beach- some rooms sleep 5 (meaning there is a twin size pull down bed). We are 4 but my kids prefer to each have their own bed, which we try to accommodate now that they're getting older (not sure if your step daughters would also be going?)

I'm not sure, I asked them to let me know if they wanted to go, and if so, which parks do they want to go to so I could group those days together if they want to fly in late/fly out early.

I cannot do all 5 of us in the same hotel room, it is too much for me lol. They would share an adjoining room if they decide to come. SD1s boyfriend came this last time so that's why I got an airBnB, but he is a been there done that type and he doesn't want to go back, so the girls could share a room if they decide to go again.

I am predicting they will want the do 1 day at MK, Animal Kingdom, and possibly Epcot. SD1 didn't want to go to Epcot before because she didn't want to waste a bunch of money on alcohol, they she proceeded to buy drinks everywhere lol. SD2 will be 21 by then and shes a spender so I think they will both want to go to Epcot 🤣

[quesyrah]

We absolutely loved Caribbean Beach. The sky liner was a game changer!

[imimahoney]

We went in August and stayed at CB. It was a nice hotel with a very fun pool. The sky liner is awesome and made travel to those parks fast and easy.

BUT it's a massive resort and if your room is far from the SL or bus stops it just takes forever to get around. It took us 15 minutes to just walk to to dining area. That's it's biggest downside, IMO.

[kath16]

i've stayed at AoA and Caribbean and both are AWESOME. my kids love AoA theming and we stayed in a cars suite with our boys. pools were awesome - Kozy Kone was super quiet and right next to laundry. all around wonderful.

[ksun]

We've done CBR and Pop for proximity to the skyliner and both were great.