Sway me!!!!!

[elizflynn]

Hello fellow Dis Friends!

I am looking for your help...I am going with my mother in October 2011, just us girls! I can't decide between POR, POFQ or CSR?!!? I want your personal opinons good, bad or indifferent on each resort! Hopefully this can help me narrow down my choice!

I want anything from food choices, to decor, to grounds, to activities, to customer service, anything you got!

TIA!!!!

I love my dis friends!

 

[verticalchaos]

Why aren't you considering Caribbean Beach? IMHO, it's the best of the mods. Port Orleans Riverside felt...ordinary to me. Port Orleans French Quarter...no thanks...can't stand New Orleans (nothing against anyone who lives there...it's just not my thing AT ALL). Coronado Springs...I guess it might be ok if you snag a room in the Ranchos or Cabanas section, but the Casitas just felt ordinary.

 

[christinec68]

I would pick one of the Port Orleans resorts. FQ is smaller so you are closer to everything - it's something I would have to consider travelling with my mother. Riverside has a TS restaurant which is really convenient, plus Bob Jackson shows in the lounge which I throughly enjoy. The resorts share ammenities so you can use both pools. There is a boat to DTD - I am in favor of any non-bus tranportation alternative...LOL The proximity to DTD gives you tons of nearby dining options.

Both resorts are pretty and well themed. FQ is obviously styled like New Orleans. Riverside has 2 different themes -- Mansions with stately looking buildings and beautifully manicured gardens and the Alligator Bayou section which is more rustic.


CSR is nice because it has been recently renovated, the rooms have queen size beds and it has a fitness center. They have a nice patio bar outside the main building with lots of seating (shaded & unshaded) with a small food menu. They have a full snack bar by the main pool which I thought was a nice touch since it's quite a walk from the main building.

Where ever you decide to stay, it's going to be great!

 

[KatMark]

We love the CSR (we've stayed eight times now and when we go again to Disney we will book our ninth stay there. We love the whole new decor of the rooms, the queen beds, the fitness center/spa, the main pool, quiet pools and largest hot tub of the mods; we love the food selections and the fact that there is a bar at the pool with food, full room service menu and a new lounge, Rix Lounge, that has a DJ and no kids allowed after 9 p.m. It is a beautiful resort during the day, and stunning at night with the lights on and the fountains going in the courtyards. We've stayed in the Casitas eight times and the Cabanas once--we prefer the Casitas. We are going to try the Ranchos next visit just to say we've tried them all.

If we had to pick a second one, it would be POR. We originally thought it would be POFQ, but after visiting there in September we realized it was not for us--hot tub way too small, no quiet pools, a very congested main pool. We love the food court at the POR.

 

[elizflynn]

Why aren't you considering Caribbean Beach? IMHO, it's the best of the mods. Port Orleans Riverside felt...ordinary to me. Port Orleans French Quarter...no thanks...can't stand New Orleans (nothing against anyone who lives there...it's just not my thing AT ALL). Coronado Springs...I guess it might be ok if you snag a room in the Ranchos or Cabanas section, but the Casitas just felt ordinary.

I stayed at CBR years ago, my whole family, mom included and we had such a poor experience I guess it tainted us. We had the absolute last building on the property which we walked in to find spiders and webs everywhere with large amounts of sand in the beds which we continued to find even as the week went on! I remember the theming being nice, but nothing that wooed us....I do have neighbors however who rave about it! Something for everyone I guess

 

[elizflynn]

We love the CSR (we've stayed eight times now and when we go again to Disney we will book our ninth stay there. We love the whole new decor of the rooms, the queen beds, the fitness center/spa, the main pool, quiet pools and largest hot tub of the mods; we love the food selections and the fact that there is a bar at the pool with food, full room service menu and a new lounge, Rix Lounge, that has a DJ and no kids allowed after 9 p.m. It is a beautiful resort during the day, and stunning at night with the lights on and the fountains going in the courtyards. We've stayed in the Casitas eight times and the Cabanas once--we prefer the Casitas. We are going to try the Ranchos next visit just to say we've tried them all.

If we had to pick a second one, it would be POR. We originally thought it would be POFQ, but after visiting there in September we realized it was not for us--hot tub way too small, no quiet pools, a very congested main pool. We love the food court at the POR.

One of my main concerns is distance to everything because although mom is only going to be 55, she had a hip replacement 2 years ago and currently suffers from heal spurs! I don't want to absolutely kill her before we get to the parks haha....I am however thinking of renting a scooter or wheelchair but mom doesn't like a big fuss to be made over her so she will probably object to it and suffer...silly lady!

We stayed at the POR and POFQ area when it was Dixie Landings, many times in my childhood and lovedddddd it , lots of family memories so that's why I thought about that, but the grounds seem large also...I wish I could splurge on a deluxe which would eliminate my worry for my mothers health but I just don't think I can swing it! ....while I'm asking...which is the cheapest Deluxe?

 

[KatMark]

One of my main concerns is distance to everything because although mom is only going to be 55, she had a hip replacement 2 years ago and currently suffers from heal spurs! I don't want to absolutely kill her before we get to the parks haha....I am however thinking of renting a scooter or wheelchair but mom doesn't like a big fuss to be made over her so she will probably object to it and suffer...silly lady!

We stayed at the POR and POFQ area when it was Dixie Landings, many times in my childhood and lovedddddd it , lots of family memories so that's why I thought about that, but the grounds seem large also...I wish I could splurge on a deluxe which would eliminate my worry for my mothers health but I just don't think I can swing it! ....while I'm asking...which is the cheapest Deluxe?

Well, POFQ is the smallest of the moderates if you are concerned about distance.

The WL and the AKL are the two cheapest deluxes. If I had to choose between the two, I would go with the AKL. We much prefer the theme and found the castmembers to be much friendlier. The WL theme does nothing for me and we had a castmember lie right to our face which turned me off all the more from the resort.

 

[sdchickie]

Cheapest delux is WL but they aren't monorail. I really love WL it's not all spread out like the moderates but still has everything that they do (resturant, counter service, pool with slide, it even has a geyser that erupts every hour!) Another nice thing about WL is the boat transportation to MK. I really liked POR, it rained the whole time we stayed there so we didn't get to see much of the grounds but I just liked the vibe there. Since you have fond memories of it I would suggest going back there.

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

As KatMark said, POFQ is the smallest mod. We love CSR - the theming, the rooms, the atmosphere, the queen beds. My kids love the pool, and your mom might enjoy the large hot tub.

A deluxe does not eliminate the need for walking. We had the longest walk of any resort at the Beach Club. It was mainly indoors, but our room was VERY far from the lobby, then the bus stop was a long walk from the lobby. We just got back from AKL and stayed club level, so our room was closer to the lobby, but you could have a huge walk from one of the far out rooms to the bus stop or parking lot.

One of the benefits of a moderate resort is that there are multiple stops (except POFQ), so your room is not likely to be very far from the bus stop. You can also park close to your room if you have a car.

If you will have a car, the best parking is probably at the DVC resorts like OKW or SSR. We stayed at OKW, and while we didn't love our room since it was badly in need of rehab (I think they are rehabbing now), it was very nice to park right outside our room.

If you stay at CSR and won't have a car, I'd request the Casitas. It is close to the main building for food, and the casitas are the first bus stop. Buses at CSR are rarely crowded enough to have to stand, but it might be nice for your mom to be at the first stop.

 

[elizflynn]

As KatMark said, POFQ is the smallest mod. We love CSR - the theming, the rooms, the atmosphere, the queen beds. My kids love the pool, and your mom might enjoy the large hot tub.

A deluxe does not eliminate the need for walking. We had the longest walk of any resort at the Beach Club. It was mainly indoors, but our room was VERY far from the lobby, then the bus stop was a long walk from the lobby. We just got back from AKL and stayed club level, so our room was closer to the lobby, but you could have a huge walk from one of the far out rooms to the bus stop or parking lot.

One of the benefits of a moderate resort is that there are multiple stops (except POFQ), so your room is not likely to be very far from the bus stop. You can also park close to your room if you have a car.

If you will have a car, the best parking is probably at the DVC resorts like OKW or SSR. We stayed at OKW, and while we didn't love our room since it was badly in need of rehab (I think they are rehabbing now), it was very nice to park right outside our room.

If you stay at CSR and won't have a car, I'd request the Casitas. It is close to the main building for food, and the casitas are the first bus stop. Buses at CSR are rarely crowded enough to have to stand, but it might be nice for your mom to be at the first stop.

So you think she'll be ok at a Mod? It's really better for my wallet since this is a surprise trip and all but I just want her to be as comfortable as she can....any woman have suggestions on shoes for her? I was going to get her a pair for her birthday and use that as the starting point of the surprise!

Are their quiet pools located at CSR? If so, where are they located?

 

[Coconuts]

Never stayed at POFQ so I can't comment on that one.

CSR is a beautiful resort with a fantastic pool. Pepper Market was good, but we didn't like Maya grill so much. Where our room was, it seemed like it took us at least 20 minutes to walk to the pool. Loved the pool bar too; it seemed to me a great resort for grownups. I believe there are elevators in every building.

POR was one of our favorites. Beautiful landscaping, but not as themed as CSR. We loved the food court and the piano bar. The boat rentals and the boat to DTD is so convenient. You and DM may love this since it's just the two of you. There are no elevators to the second floor in the Alligator Bayou section though

Overall, you can't make a bad choice. Remember, you are at WDW!!! Good luck!

 

[Coconuts]

So you think she'll be ok at a Mod? It's really better for my wallet since this is a surprise trip and all but I just want her to be as comfortable as she can....any woman have suggestions on shoes for her? I was going to get her a pair for her birthday and use that as the starting point of the surprise!

Are their quiet pools located at CSR? If so, where are they located?

My mom and dad (both 72yo) stayed with us when we were at POR. On the map, we looked like we were one of the closest buildings to the pool/food court/main house, but it was quite a hike. Thank goodness they both had ECV's. They used them to get around the resort. Basically there is a lot of walking wherever you are at WDW.

I just got a new pair of sketchers shape ups and they are soooo comfy.

 

[KatMark]

So you think she'll be ok at a Mod? It's really better for my wallet since this is a surprise trip and all but I just want her to be as comfortable as she can....any woman have suggestions on shoes for her? I was going to get her a pair for her birthday and use that as the starting point of the surprise!

Are their quiet pools located at CSR? If so, where are they located?

There are quiet pools in all three sections -- Casitas, Cabanas and Ranchos (I'm liking the "unofficial CSR thread" for you for reference). My best friend stayed at the AKL and had a longer walk there from his room to the pool and food than he did from the convention center at the CSR to the furthest room which is in the Ranchos. I would, like StitchandPooh'sMom said, request Casistas 4 or 5 (close to the spa, quiet pool, laundry) and about a five minute walk to the main building -- food, registration, gift shop (my DH is 57 and I'm 52 and my DH walks slow naturally). And, if you are not happy with your location, just explain your moms hip to them and see if they can move you if you decide to go with CSR.

Link to CSR thread: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2338336

There are pictures of the room decor, the quiet pools, main pool, etc.

Good luck deciding.

 

[disneymurtagh]

POFQ was the worst WDW resort i have ever stayed at. We had endless problems with the old, out dated room. The mousekeeping was terrible and the staff mediocre at best. My parents stayed in POP the same week and they had a much better room and service, in a value resort. POR was a nice upgrade from FQ but that might be because FQ was that bad.

 

[jngwright]

I have stayed at all three. CSR is very pretty, and I told my mom that it would be a good fit for her! We were in the Casitas and the quiet pool was very nice, PLUS the spa is in Casitas. That would be fun for a mom and daughter trip!

Mobility wise, POFQ would be a really good choice. It is small and is so lovely. We stayed at POFQ when we did a grand gathering. Our group ranged in age from 18 mo to 80 years old, and it was a great resort for all of us. The boat to DTD is really nice too.

Have a wonderful trip!

PS-You are a sweetie to take your mom on this special surprise trip!

 

[PamelaKay]

I have stayed at both POR and CSR. I thought CSR was a nicer resort. In my opinion, the theming and the transportation were better at CSR. I would take a look at the CSR thread which used to include a map of the resort and then request a room near one of the many bus stops. That cuts down on your walk significantly.

I have also stayed at WL and really enjoyed it. Taking the boat to the MK was a wonderful benefit and if you could swing the difference, I highly recommend it. One thing you might consider in your reservation is that many of the deluxe hotels carry a cheaper rate Sunday-Thursday. If you can avoid Friday and Saturday, it might make a difference.

Good luck with your decision. No matter what you can't really go wrong since you and your mom will be at disney.

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

So you think she'll be ok at a Mod? It's really better for my wallet since this is a surprise trip and all but I just want her to be as comfortable as she can....any woman have suggestions on shoes for her? I was going to get her a pair for her birthday and use that as the starting point of the surprise!

I think if your mom has mobility issues, you are better off at a moderate. You might luck out and have a room close to the lobby in a deluxe, but it can be a very long walk if you don't. At a moderate, you are sure to be reasonably close to a bus stop at least, but you may be far from food. At CSR, the last stop for the park buses is El Centro, so if you end up further out, you could ride a park bus around to the restaurants. I'd request the casitas and explain that your mom has some mobility issues and you need to minimize the walking. Otherwise, I'd go with POFQ for the smaller size. But CSR offers a lot of advantages - queen beds, the spa, room service if you just want to hang in the room one night if she is tired.

 

[L2DAVI]

I just stayed in POFQ. LOVED IT!!!!!!!
i DO NOT EVER WANT TO STAY IN ANY OTHER RESORT. We were in building 7 (last building) and it was only a 4 min. walk to the main building ( timed while walking with a pokey 4 yr old) It was wonderful to come back after a long day of walking and knew we didn't have another 10 - 15 min walk to our room. Grounds were beautiful decor was ok, fun for my DS. Loved the hot tub. DH & DS loved the slide. We used the boat service to DTD every time, very relaxing. No sit down service but able to go over to POR for table service and ALSO you can go the POR and use all of their things (pool, restaurant, etc...) I had no problems at all with this resort. The door man even gave my DS coins to toss in the fountain. Loved the Philly Steak Sandwich!!!! I was just talking about them earlier this morning. Hope this helps.