Moderate resorts. Where would you stay?

[mommy2jack]

Hello all!

We are tentively planning a Disney trip for May 2013. We are not new to Disney but have always stayed off site (except for 2004 we stayed at the POLY for our honeymoon). We are considering staying at a moderate resort this time around. I'm leaning towards the Caribbean Beach Resort and my husband is leaning towards Port Orleans Riverside. Just wondering which one everyone else would pick and the reasons why you would pick one over the other.

Thanks!

 

[Chaoticsweetness]

I am biased. I loved the mansions at POR it was beautiful there & not as spread out as CBR.

 

[Valgoof]

I voted for CSR since that's where we are staying for our first time onsite. It looks so pretty and peaceful.

 

[Missytara]

I am also biased; I love POR.

With young children, you may want to do POFQ; easier with the buses, smaller more compact resort, etc.

But POR will suit you as well. So many wonderful things for young ones to see and do.

We had a 5 year old and a 14 month old last year and they loved, loved, loved it.

 

[jakeybake]

I voted for POR

I have the same decision to make for my solo conference trip in December. What sold me on POR is the lounge, the much better food court, Boatwrights (much better than Shutters IMHO) and most of all, the boat ride to Downtown Disney.

Last time I was at CB I felt a little "trapped" when I was there. Like I was either in the room or the food court. At least at POR you can hang out in the lounge for a drink or take a nice, slow boat trip to Downtown Disney to stroll around.

My .2 cents!

J

 

[klitteral2009]

We are taking our family trip in late January and were initially considering POFQ...but i think we've decided to go with the value AoA suite for more room and because the kids would enjoy the theming better than what they have at POFQ. It's a little more money, actually, which was a little shocking to me but in the end i think it will work best for our family of 5. But if you aren't concerned with having room to really spread out or have a smaller family, I think I'd stay at POFQ because I've heard so many wonderful things about how small it is and easy to navigate. Also basically getting two resorts in one seeing as how you share ammenities with POR. This is just from observation on the boards, not experience

 

[elaw]

Click here for a previous poll on this topic
Note:- Not trying to hijack this thread ... just trying to be helpful

 

[DizDaD7]

My vote goes out for C S R. To me its hands down the best moderate resort out there. We consider it a deluxe lite. But if you have it narrowed down to the other 2 resorts I would definitely choose Port Orleans Riverside. it's our second favorite moderate. From the food court to the pool to the downtown Disney boat ride. And newly renovated rooms.

 

[boscov]

LOVE POR....that is all

 

[dansdad]

My vote went to CBR. With the ages of your kids, the kiddie splash area would be awesome. We love the relaxed laid back atmosphere at CBR. It is such a nice change of pace from the craziness of the parks. It's our favorite Moderate.

 

[twinboysmom]

I have two year old twin boys. We LOVED cbr. I had very low expectations and I was more than pleased. Our boys loved the pool and kids water play area. The kids area is gated and is only for the 48 inch and under crowd. There are lots of you tube videos showing it if you'd like a look. My boys loved it so much that we returned to the pool to pool hop (legally we are DVC members and were staying on points) when we stayed at another resort last month.

The moderate I would not recommend is CSR. I loved this resort and loved the food options but to me it was the least young child friendly. The pool is geared towards older kids and the kids play area was pitiful.

 

[mickeymedic]

DH and I have stayed at both - and our absolute favorite resort is POR. Besides atmosphere, the other thing you will want to consider is bed size. CBR still has Full sized beds. All the other moderate resorts have queen beds.

 

[shell8558]

We have stayed at both and we Love POR!!! Especially the mansions!! You just cant beat the beautiful grounds, boat to DD, food court, and wonderful pool area. But I am biased, I'm a Louisiana girl and this resort brings out the great feeling of the south!

 

[lilouisianagal]

Honestly, I think you will be happy with any selections. CBR is very pretty (beaches!!) and has a great feel, but it is very spread out. This is my mom's favorite resort, so I stayed at CBR lots as a kid. POFQ is wonderfully decorated and much more compact (and I like the pool there!). It's like a clean version of New Orleans! POR is beautiful all around and has a great main area (food, etc).

I'm on the flip side from PP--I'm leaving Louisiana, I don't want to go stay there! So that knocks out 3 mod resorts for DH and me.

We're hoping to stay at CSR next trip so I can't say one way or the other on it, but I doubt you would be disappointed with any of them!

 

[freemanms]

Well, I will go with the third option: "Port Orleans Resort - Riverside"

 

[DizDaD7]

Well, I will go with the third option: "Port Orleans Resort - Riverside"

3rd option? It was between POR n CBR...lol.

B.t.w. to the disboards

 

[mickeymedic]

3rd option? It was between POR n CBR...lol.

B.t.w. to the disboards

I think he was maybe referring to the 3rd option on the poll. POR was listed 3rd.

 

[pepe of ohio]

To start out, we're deluxe snobs.....almost all our trips have been deluxe....last trip we tried POFQ, vacationing with daughter and son in law and grandchildren, and it was fantastic.....resort is very compact, not spread out like POR, CB, or CSR....

We have done a short trip to CSR long ago....huge spread out resort with multiple bus stops tells you the resort is spread out, and walking across the parking lots to get to the bus stops.....loses the ambiance we look for...

CB, stayed there one night to have access to the cruise line bus to the port, just remember it being huge too.

POR, stayed there one for one night (booked there since I was paying for 2 rooms)....way too spread out, long walks to main pool and food court but we had mold issues in the room and were switched to the YC, nice up grade and was really glad to be out of POR....

So there are our reasons and final pick of a moderate....even when we're staying deluxe, lately its been the WL, we bus to POFQ for their food court offerings...quite good and better choices the what WL offers, plus we like taking the boat to DTD from there, love the entertainment in the Scat Cat Club and we can get food, see some entertainment, use the boat to DTD, do some shopping and bus back to our resort.....they have movies in one court yard, all grass and guests brought out towels and such to lay on the lawn, and the mmarshmellow roast is cute too....

 

[Sue M]

POR riverside is our fav, love the mansion section. I think POR has a little more to offer:
Beautiful landscaping, love the river paths.
Boat to DTD
Fun evening entertainment in the lounge (family friendly)
Great food court, make your own pasta is yummy
Fishing hole
Horse & carriage rides
Nice main pool, and quiet pools.

 

[lisam427]

My vote goes out for C S R. To me its hands down the best moderate resort out there. We consider it a deluxe lite. But if you have it narrowed down to the other 2 resorts I would definitely choose Port Orleans Riverside. it's our second favorite moderate. From the food court to the pool to the downtown Disney boat ride. And newly renovated rooms.

i agree with this poster. coronado is awesome! it is hands down my favorite!!! i vote por as my second favorite.