Best resort in each category

I'm going to try not to put the same answer twice for anything...

Value resort? Art of Animation (or so I'm guessing since I haven't seen it yet but that is where I would pick to stay)
Moderate resort? Port Orleans - Riverside
Deluxe resort? Polynesioan
Best with children? Family of four or fewer? Wilderness Lodge
Family of six? Animal Kingdom Suites
Best for a couple? Contemporary
Two friends/family members traveling together? Boardwalk

I haven't been to any yet so I am going to pick the ones I would want to stay at in those situations

Value resort? AoA - newer than pop
Moderate resort? Coronado Springs
Deluxe resort? Boardwalk
Best with children? Family of four or fewer? 4 would be AoA suites (sharing beds sucks) less than 4, Pop would be fun
Family of six? SSR Treehouses
Best for a couple Animal Kingdom
Two friends/family members traveling together Port Orleans French Quarter

Okay, here are my picks!

Value resort? I don't stay at Values usually but am trying Art of Animation in October.
Moderate resort? Port Orleans French Quarter
Deluxe resort? Grand Floridian or Polynesian
Best with children? Family of four or fewer? Animal Kingdom
Family of six? Animal Kingdom Lodge 2 Bedroom Villa
Best for a couple? Any DVC 1 Bedroom Villa
Two friends/family members traveling together? Grand Floridian

value-AoA

moderate-pofq

deluxe-poly.

best w/ kids? family of 4 or fewer?-wilderness lodge

family of six-2 bedroom bcv

best for a couple-gf

two friends/family members-this depends, if it my buddy and i then ssr so we could golf everyday (2 seperate studios
just to clarify). my mother and i probably boardwalk for the espn so we can watch the game

Value resort? POP Century
Moderate resort? Coronado Springs
Deluxe resort? Beach Club
Best with children? Family of four or fewer? POP Century
Family of six? Art of Animation suite
Best for a couple Polynesian for deluxe, Coronado for a mod
Two friends/family members traveling together Coronado Springs

"Worth" and "Value" are highly subjective and really depend on the people traveling and the type of trip they are taking. I personally am kind of snobby when I travel. I like my luxury details, snappy bellmen, a valet, full service restaurants, high thread count sheets, and a posh pool are important to me. I spend a good amount of time at my resort using everything it has to offer. I'm willing to stay fewer nights to pay for a better hotel. So for me, the upgrade is worth it.

By that same token, my BFF is an in the Park Gal, hitting the rides and squeezing the most into every moment. She only wants a safe, clean place to lay her head at night and she's happy as a clam. She would rather have a longer trip and make her dollars work someplace else, like at a Signature meal, or on a Park Hopping option. For her, the "value" isn't there.

There is really no one right answer, and that's the beauty of this message board. We're all folks that have toured for years and in some cases decades. We know that there's more than one way to do Disney and that everyone can find a way that works best for them. You should talk with your traveling companion and find out what the most important things are to her, then consider them when coming up with your plan. The best vacations are ones where everyone gets a little of their favorite things.

Value resort? Art of Animation
Moderate resort? Port Orleans - Riverside
Deluxe resort? Polynesian or Beach Club
Best with children? Family of four or fewer? Port Orleans - Riverside
Family of six? Wilderness Lodge
Best for a couple Polynesian
Two friends/family members traveling together Port Orleans - Riverside

These would be my ideal choices, but there are alot of things to factor in when choosing a Disney Resort. As Kristen said, it's all subjective. I'm of the same mind that when I go to Disney (or anywhere else in the world for that matter) I want to be pampered. It's part of what makes Disney so magical.

My 2 cents!

Value resort? I would so try Art of Animation
Moderate resort? POFQ for the lush grounds, peaceful setting, and a pretty good location
Deluxe resort? Polynesian just for themeing alone in my opinion. Think it would be a blast and next trip we will stay there!
Best with children? Family of four or fewer? I can't answer this one from experience, but if I were a kid AoA would be high on my list, as would one of the pirate themed room at CBR.
Family of six? I can't answer this one either!
Best for a couple I think POFQ is very romantic and would be great for a couple. Strolling around the grounds at night is very enjoyable. There's a carriage ride over at POR and the boat from POFQ can be a nice romantic ride in the evening
Two friends/family members traveling together I think any would be fine!

Value: POP/AoA
Moderate: I used to be a CSR fan, but I think I'm a convert to PoFQ after my last stay.
Deluxe: Contempo all the way (unless you take $$$ into account )
Best For Couple: I'm taking PoFQ and AKL
Two Friends: CSR is really convenient for this

Don't forget the part about making sure that your Mom is somewhere she's comfortable and will enjoy. Especially if she's the one shelling out the cash. A moderate may be the best option since it's right in the middle.