Have you considered CSR Tower? I find that to be a more acceptable step down from a Deluxe than a full mod room. GDT is like Mod+. Interior halls, thicker walls, multiple dining options. Although the bathroom setup is not right for everyone (if you aren’t that close with your travel companions the toilet and sink are off limits when the shower is in use instead of just the toilet being off limits) and the rooms max at 4 people.
Also, check Swolphin.
*warning- apologies to those who love POFQ*
I cannot speak to POR but I did a POFQ/BWI split last year. I wanted to try a full moderate, I was used to staying Deluxe or GDT but the prices were getting ridiculous. It was only like 3 or 4 nights but I was SO happy to move to BWI. I ended up hating all the outside walkways in the wet weather, the pool was slammed with not nearly enough chairs, the AC unit made a complete racket when turning on and you could hear multiple toilets nearby flushing. I wasn’t even a fan of the DS boat, a long boat ride that dumps you at the end of DS where you have to clear security for entry- we were much happier taking the POFQ DS bus, it was very fast and basically empty.
I decided in the future if I need to cut my budget like that again and Swolphin doesn’t fit I will go looking off-site. What I’ve been doing lately to save is sometimes I’ll stay the first night at Pop if I can get a discount. I know going in the walls are thin and it’s a motel setup but being my first night I usually just collapse of exhaustion then wake up early to drop my bags at Bell Services to transfer for me and then I get to hop the Skyliner to a park instead of cramming on to a bus!