I hear ya! I love the deluxe hotels but often stay at moderates to keep our budget on track.
The Wilderness Lodge would be a nice choice since it is not as pricey as most of the deluxe hotels but still offers wonderful amenities. The boat to the Magic Kingdom is a fun way to travel. The lobby is outstanding.
The lodge is also very different from the Beach Club, therefore you'd be less likely to compare the lodge to your favorite resort. The Wilderness Lodge is the favorite of many families and for good reason.
You will still enjoy interior corridors. The Whispering Canyon Cafe is lots of fun and a must for my family on every trip (no matter where we are staying). The rooms are smaller than at the Beach Club but the view out your window is likely to be serene. You can also watch the nightly Electrical Water Pageant from the small beach.
Kids like crossing the bridge in the lobby and watching the geyser go off outside. When you journey up to this resort, you've left the real world behind.
With that said, I also have enjoyed stays at Port Orleans French Quarter and Caribbean Beach. POFQ is small which only adds to its charm. CBR is very large but offers tropical beauty.
Figure out your nightly rate budget. Then look at rates for each resort. Next, look at pictures for the hotels that fit in to your budget. You can do so at
www.allearsnet.com or at
www.wdwinfo.com. It might be fun to have everyone look at the pictures and then take a vote!