Hi Susan,
Welcome back to the Disney Parks Moms Panel!
We definitely prefer deluxe or deluxe villa resorts because of the fabulous amenities they offer. We especially love the multiple dining and transportation options. At Disney's Polynesian Village Resort, for example, we adore 'Ohana and Disney's Spirit of Aloha Dinner show. At Disney's Contemporary Resort, we love Chef Mickey's and California Grill. Disney's BoardWalk Inn is another one of our favorite deluxe resort hotels because of its proximity to several dining options at Disney's BoardWalk area. All three of these resort hotels have multiple transportation options but we most appreciate the quick walk to Magic Kingdom from Disney's Contemporary resort hotel and the short walk to Epcot from Disney's BoardWalk Inn. We have been able to use the
resort monorail to get to pre-park opening dining reservations at Magic Kingdom from Disney's Contemporary Resort Hotel and Disney's Polynesian Village Resort. Multiple transportation options also allow us to maximize park hopper tickets.
Susan, we also love being able to watch the fireworks from some deluxe resort hotels. We always make a dinner reservation at California Grill so that we can view the Happily Ever After fireworks while dining and, on our most recent visit, we watched IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth from the balcony in Disney's BoardWalk Inn Club-Level lounge. We have also adored our patios and balconies at deluxe resort hotels. Since we now prefer staying at deluxe resort hotels, I shorten our visit by one night to keep it within our budget.
I suggest doing a split stay with a few nights at a deluxe resort hotel and the remaining nights at a moderate resort to see what you think. The bell services cast members have always transferred our luggage for us!
Magic, memories and Minnie Mouse hugs,
Donyell