Which Moderate Resort should I stay at?

[lowlight79]

Hello all,

A few months back I had declared that I was going go to the AKL, but do to finances, I am going with a moderate. I've looked at countless reviews but really want someone's feedback from here. Which moderate is the best for a couple in there early 30's. We like to relax and go to the parks when we want, We plan on chilling by the pool a day or two relaxing and spending time at the parks in the evening.

Is the best one for us the Wilderness lodge, Coronado Springs? Carribean Beach resort or the Port Orleans Riverside? I think my fiance and I are torn between the Riverside and the Carribean Beach resort. Any help would be great. Thanks! I stayed at the Port Orleans WAYYYY back in the day when it was dixie landings and barely remember it.

 

[disneyfreak89]

Wilderness Lodge is actually a Deluxe, so if you can't afford AKL, you likely can't there either. Coronado, Caribbean Beach and Port Orleans Riverside and French Quarter are all moderates and they all have different things to offer different people.

I personally think Riverside and French Quarter are most romantic. Caribbean has that tropical feel but too spaced out for some. I personally don't like Coronado because its a Convention resort and therefore feels more 'business like' than 'Disney like'.

If we had to pick one it would be Riverside. We went when it first opened as Dixie Landings and are actually going back there this spring to reminisce. Looking forward to it!

 

[grimley1968]

Agreed with PP in that WL is just as deluxe in its pricing as AKL.

I've stayed at CSR and POFQ among the moderates. I prefer POFQ because it's relatively small compared to other deluxes, has a very nice pool, has the boat ride to DtD, and I like the overall ambience of the resort. The food court isn't great at POFQ, but you could always walk over to POR and use their much bigger food court. Because POFQ is so small, you can generally park pretty close to your room, making it easy to drive to parks (if you have a car). Likewise it's easy to get to the bus stop there, though it shares buses with POR.

 

[magrudersmakes3]

We have stayed at both CBR and POR. We prefer POR for its intimacy. It is a Disney resort so you get the Disney magic, but you also feel like you are nowhere near Disney when you are there. CBR was very nice, but it is a larger resort and the walk to anywhere can be quite long depending on where you are at.

 

[SoccerDogWithEars]

Put me down as another vote for Port Orleans! I think FQ and Riverside both have their own pros and cons. POFQ has nice little paths and gardens, and only one bus stop. POR has nice sprawling lawns and gorgeous "mansions," but there are 4 different bus stops, which can get annoying depending on where you are. Sometimes the bus is full by the time it gets to your stop, or at night you're the last stop and it takes a while to get there. Either way, you can't go wrong with those imho!

We've only stayed at CBR and CS once each, so I'm not as familiar with them. CBR had a nice path around the lake, but as PPs said, it can be a small walk to get places. CS is nice, but as it's geared toward business people, we've found it seems to lack a bit of the magic that other resorts have.

 

[toonaspie]

I've stayed at Carribean Beach but between the two I would choose Riverside. It has the most exquisite theming of the moderates. The environment makes you forget that you are in central Florida. It's pretty breathtaking.

 

[jemmouse]

Check Wilderness it is the cheapest of the Deluxe and might fit your budget. Or do a split stay, maybe a night or 2 at AKL, and then moderate.

My favorite moderate is FQ. I haven't personally stayed at the others but I have went to them and walked around plus I have asked friends and we compare notes. With that being said, at FQ there is a jazz musician in the lounge at night, fun for a couple. Also I do agree it can be romantic. You could walk over to POR and take a carriage ride. At FQ you can also use POR amenities so its like you are getting 2 resorts for 1. Plus at FQ or POR you can take a boat ride to Downtown Disney....

Carribbean and COronado are HUGE!!!! After a day at the parks this mom doesn't want to walk forever to go get a snack or drink.

EIther way look at the positives. You are going to DisneyYou will have a great time...Maybe book a meal at AKL...

 

[DizDaD7]

Hello all,

A few months back I had declared that I was going go to the AKL, but do to finances, I am going with a moderate. I've looked at countless reviews but really want someone's feedback from here. Which moderate is the best for a couple in there early 30's. We like to relax and go to the parks when we want, We plan on chilling by the pool a day or two relaxing and spending time at the parks in the evening.

Is the best one for us the Wilderness lodge, Coronado Springs? Carribean Beach resort or the Port Orleans Riverside? I think my fiance and I are torn between the Riverside and the Carribean Beach resort. Any help would be great. Thanks! I stayed at the Port Orleans WAYYYY back in the day when it was dixie landings and barely remember it.

Out of all the mods Definitely would rate them like this & why:
1, CSR
2, POR
3, POFQ
4, CBR
But between the 2 top ones it's close. I'll rate just those two

Pool : edge goes to CSR over POR...3rd best Main pool outta all resorts IMHO
Bus : CSR again You'll never wait for a bus, nor will you have to stand..The convention resort that it is, never packs up with as many families as some of the other resorts. To me even though it's big and has conventios, I never got the feel that it wasn't Disney.. POR has the Boats to DTD though, huge plus there, but their bus system to me was worse than PoP.. Especially returning from a park..And forget about getting back to your resort from the Fantasmic show...YIKes.
Food: CSR slight edge here. QS/Food court Pepper MArket is better than the waits at the POR food court. ALthough the food is even,(maybe slight edge to POR)but the non waiting to sit at PM is way better. T/S Restaurant. Slight edge to POR Boatwrights over Maya Grill
Lounge: Both are good but edge goes to POR...Yeehaw Bobs is hilarious..
Rooms : It's probably a push on this one. Both are upgraded & have nice decor, and Queen Size beds
Theming : Although both are very nice I enjoyed CSR a slight bit better. POR is very very nice though..

Either one you choose, I'm sure you'll be happy..Remember you're in Disney, It doesn't really matter, Does it.? LoL... Have fun.

 

[DizDaD7]

Oh..Also I forgot...I was in Casitas 3 or 4 ....but So close to quiet pool, and very close to main bldg, and its own bus stop..

 

[shell8558]

I have stayed at CBR and POR. Hands down POR is my favorite!. CBR is way too big- if you need an internal bus to get around, its too big for me!! I have stayed in the mansions in POR twice and I love them!! The grounds are beautiful, there is a boat to DD, romantic carriage rides and the food court has great options (make your own pasta- yum!) And I actually prefer the pool at POR.

 

[dansdad]

We have stayed at CBR, POR and POFQ. CBR is our favorite moderate by far. Each village has it's own quiet pool. Each village has it's own bus stop so you are never far from one. The resort has such a relaxed laid back atmosphere that is such a nice change from the craziness of the parks.

It is nice and spread out so even when it's at full capacity, it never feels like it. Nothing better after a long day at the parks than to walk barefoot on one of the many beaches. It feels like your feet are getting massaged by walking on the sand.

There are plenty of room locations that are a short walk over the bridge to OPR and the Main pool. We have a hard time getting our DS11 out of the Main pool to go to the parks.

You can't really go wrong with whichever you choose. We just happen to love CBR.

 

[lowlight79]

Thanks for all the in depth help. I think I have narrowed it down even further and I may entertain the idea of staying maybe one night at a deluxe if I can.

 

[lowlight79]

So after much research and debate. It looks like we are gonna do a split stay. Spend our first two days at AKL, and after that go to CSR and take in as much as we can.

 

[DizDaD7]

So after much research and debate. It looks like we are gonna do a split stay. Spend our first two days at AKL, and after that go to CSR and take in as much as we can.

Great choice you won't be disappointed....CSR is a fabulous resort...

AKL I can't really speak of yet by experience , in April it will be our 1st visit staying here, but my sister Loves and raves about this place... She has a thread started for her devoted AKL friends... Her Screen name is KIMMAR067 Here is the link to the AKL thread, plenty of info here for ya.. Enjoy. http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=45532821&postcount=1

 

[happymomof1]

Wow-no votes to Caribbean Beach Resort! Sad......
Yes, POFQ and CSR may not be "central Florida like", but I've lived in the Midwest most of my life, and I LOVE CBR theming! The beautiful (and HUGE) lagoon, the winding paths that take you past sandy beaches and sparkling quiet pools lead you to a fabulous pool, Caribbean and steel drum music playing in the background, a great food court and lush tropical flowers! It's paradise! Don't overlook it! We usually have a rental car with us and parking is right outside each building. Book a water view and be transported to the tropics!

 

[mickey2minnie1]

I have to stay mod this time around too, so this has been helpful As much as I love the CBR theming, the double beds do it for me. No way. I am torn between POR for its beauty and CSR for its Better bus service and nighttime views. I think I will follow suit and try and do the Poly at the end for a split stay.

 

[pmaurer74]

Have you thought of renting points from a DVC member and staying at AKV?

 

[lowlight79]

Have you thought of renting points from a DVC member and staying at AKV?

Never thought of that. I will have to look into that next time. What we did was we just cut a day of our stay and will be doing the spilt. 2 days at AKL and 2 days at CSR. I told the my Fiance to pack light! Thanks for all the help everyone. This board has great people! Off to disney 2/27/12!!