I am hoping to make another magical trip happen this year. This will be our 4th trip (we've gone each year in September/October).

The first trip was at Pop Century, it was fine and we liked it there, but the bus waits were too much to handle and I don't want to go back to that. Otherwise I would consider a value again.

Our last two trips were at Animal Kingdom Lodge - I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it there, but it is expensive for me because I'm really, really poor!!! hahaha

I am thinking of trying out Port Orleans French Quarter... will it be a let down after AKL? Is the bus service bad? My son really can't handle waiting an hour just to get on a bus at the end of the night (and I almost can't handle it... I won't wait that long for a real attraction, so it is too hard to wait that long just to go back to the hotel when we're so tired).

Anyone stayed at both... or any general opinions on going down to a moderate after staying at a deluxe? I might do a split stay and end the trip at a deluxe for a happy ending.

As long as you aren't EXPECTING a moderate to be the same as a deluxe, you shouldnt be too disappointed. I think the biggest trick (and this goes no matter what) to minimize waits for the buses at the end of the day, is to not exit with the masses. Either leave before, or stroll through the shops/whatever on the way out. I realize this can be kind of tough with kids, though.

Just remember that POFQ doesn't have a table-service restaurant, you have to go to POR for that. Also, you'll want to check the dates for the pool refurb at POFQ (assuming that's important to you/your kid).

I stayed one night at POFQ before going on to my "main" vacation at a deluxe last summer. I liked POFQ. Its small and cozy. The pool is nice with a cute slide. There are Mardi Gras character/statues around the yards. The boat that goes direct to Downtown Disney is a REAL perk! So even though you don't have a sit-down restaurant there, you can go to POR or hop a boat to the many offerings at DtD. They have an outdoor bar. The staff was very friendly I felt.

The room felt as big as an AKL room really. The bathroom has 2 sinks and there is a curtain that separates it from the room. The toilet and bathtub are in a separate closet. The A/C is that below window type so it blows a bit loud and that was the only real negative I found. The food court was a food court; I'm not a fan, but I know this is popular with other people.

Its not a deluxe and I did feel the difference, but I was actually pleasantly surprised by the surroundings. If it came down to "go POFQ or not go to WDW", hmm, I go POFQ.

P.S.: I love, love AKL too.

I think all of the moderates are much closer to the deluxes than the values. I've stayed in all the moderates as well as most of the deluxes (including the incredible AKL), and have no problem at all spending time in a moderate. My personal favorite is the Coronado Springs, but POFQ is pretty nice as well.

And I agree with my friend Drince above - don't hit the busses at the same time as the masses. Plan your park storming to where you're all the way at the back of a park at closing time. Then take your time meandering up front. Tell the kids that it's better wasting time like this instead of standing in a long line! Or you might consider renting a car at the airport as I do - I really HATE waiting for busses. The car works out really well for me. At the end of a crowded day I just stroll out to my car (or take a parking lot tram) and enjoy the short drive back to my hotel.

within the past couple of years, i've stayed at AKL and WL (club level).

i prefer POFQ by miles.

but that's me.

I am so glad you posted..We are BC regulars and I wanted to go in October (already doing April at BC) too and found we could get 7 nights with passes at a moderate for around 1800.00.This is a great deal....but can we break away??

The POFQ is pretty good for buses and waits from what I have heard. I have not stayed there, but have stayed at the POR twice. Since the two share buses often than I have had a chance to talk to POFQ folks and been jealous of them. When POFQ does not share buses with POR than you are usually in good shape on waits because it is a smaller moderate resort so not as many people. When they do share buses with POR, the wait at the parks at the end of the night is going to be bad but that seems to be the case for all the resorts. When they do share buses with POR, however; they will pickup and drop off first at POFQ. I believe there is just the one bus stop at POFQ and from what I have heard the buses come to the resort empty so no problem getting a seat. On the way back since they stop at POFQ first, you are the first to get off so have a shorter ride.

Be creative leaving resorts as others have said here. Our worst experience was leaving Epcot after Illuminations one night. Over an hour in the bus line before even getting on a bus going to back to POR/POFQ. This was our first night of our first time going. No matter what line you are in at the end of the night the others always seem better, although the deluxe resorts seemed shorter with more buses but again that is probably perception more than reality. The next time we saw Illuminations, we caught the monorail to TTC than caught the monorail to MK which was open much later so no crowds leaving yet and caught the bus to the resort. We were able to walk right on to each only waiting for them to arrive. In total we spent a little less than an hour so the time was just a little shorter but the kids got to spend most of the time on the monorail sitting instead of standing in a long line which made the time pass.

I think you'll just be excited/overwhelmed with the whole disney experience. Each hotel is going to offer a new experience and a new set of "Stuff to look at". Don't focus on the idea that it's a downgrade, just focus on the newness of it. :)

I'm sure I wouldn't be disappointed at all in the atmosphere of the resort, or the rooms... nothing like that.

My biggest concern is the bus service. It is so good at AKL that I would hate to have long waits if we stayed at POFQ. Also, the pool looks pretty small, does it get crowded? I realize the resort is much smaller, so not as many people would be using the pool, but still... is it small? Max will want to swim no matter where we are, it won't matter much to him what the pool is like as long as there is one!

Hmmm... maybe I should consider Coronado Springs... their pools look fabulous. Anyone know how their bus service is?

CSR's busses serve only that resort. They stop off at I believe 3 different locations around a large loop as well as stopping at the front, so you'll always be close to a bus stop. There are several "quiet pools" which are fairly standard rectangular pools. And then there's the huge main pool, themed around a Mayan dig site. There's no deep end in this pool - I think around 3 feet is as deep as it gets. Very beautiful pool!

to my knowledge, only 2 resorts have 1 bus stop and never share.. AKL is one of them, POP is the other.

the thing is that if anything does go wrong, whether it be long bus lines/waits, long walks to where you want to be, or anting else you are likley to perceive it as a "moderate" thing and kick yourself for not going deluxe.

we started out at the values, did the moderates, and have stayed at AKL the last 4 trips. sure it costs a bit more, but it's our annual vacation and we want it to be the besy it can be, without feeling like we "skimped" on the quality of trip.

That's a wonderful thing, if you've got the bucks. There's a huge difference between what you pay for a moderate and a deluxe. I usually can't afford it, but the moderates give me the vibe of a really nice resort without the high price. Occasionally I can afford a deluxe, and you're right - they are pretty spectacular, especially the AKL!

to my knowledge, only 2 resorts have 1 bus stop and never share.. AKL is one of them, POP is the other.

The Wilderness Lodge only has one bus stop and the only time we shared the bus was on the way to Epcot in the evening, when it stopped at Fort Wilderness to pick up guests; on the way back it stopped at WL first - thus ensuring that WL guests get picked up first and dropped off first. There was no sharing on the buses to AK, HS or MK.