Another 'Which resort should I choose' thread - CR or POR?

[BikeFan]

Our family (DW, DS6 and DD's 7, 3, & 1) is going down 10/1-8 to take advantage of the free dining promo. We were originally going to get a room at POR because we'd all fit in a single room (w/ trundle bed), and it's inexpensive (~$2100 for us w/ 7-day passes). However, I noticed that the CR also offers rooms for 5, and it's the cheapest of the deluxes w/5-person standard rooms. A garden wing room would cost about $800 more than the same package at POR. The CR is tempting because of the views, the proximity, and the monorail, which would be easier to get a stroller on and off. Because of the age of our kids, we'll likely be taking mid-day breaks every day, with the older ones heading to the pool (w/ me, of course), so having the monorail option from Epcot and MK is very nice. However, the pics of the pool at CR don't look as neat as the pools at POR/POFQ (we've never stayed at any of these resorts), and I do find the theming at POR/POFQ to be more appealing than CR. Of course watching the monorail go right INTO the building at CR is pretty neat, even at my age!
Anyway, all thoughts and tips appreciated!

 

[Duckfan-in-Chicago]

Just my opinion, and I'm not the biggest fan of the theme at CR, but I would suggest CR. As far as the pool goes, kids will have fun in any pool...and they'll have MUCH more time to have it at CR than POR. You would be saving 20+ minutes each time you left the MK and each time you returned. And really convienient to get to Epcot.

 

[cajunfan]

I would pick the CR too...especially with the ages of your children.

That being said, it may be very difficult to get a wing room during that time due to the ongoing renovations at the CR (South wing totally shut down right now to OCT).

Lynn

 

[BikeFan]

I would pick the CR too...especially with the ages of your children.

That being said, it may be very difficult to get a wing room during that time due to the ongoing renovations at the CR (South wing totally shut down right now to OCT).

Lynn

I read that as well, but whenever I try to get a quote off the website, it shows vacancy. I wonder what they'll do if there aren't enough rooms for the bookings they've got come Oct. Move people, I guess. Or maybe a lucky few will get a tower upgrade!

 

[MOMOFMNM]

Hi!!! I was in the same boat as you but I decided to do the CR...for location and amenities and restaurant choices. We have three small girls too and the location can't be beat...we are going end Sept thru Oct and I got a garden wing water view room...you should check though because my TA said the next time they called they told her only tower rooms available for her other client so I think I go in in the nick of time!!! Anyway after researching I decided to switch for those reasons and I don't really want to hassle with the busses all flippin day...and I am happy about my decision!
Good luck, I would check on that wing room asap
Maybe we'll see ya at Chef Mickeys one day or the pool

 

[MOMOFMNM]

maybe they are planning having some rooms done by then??? who knows with coorporate business they way it is...I find it hard to believe they would turn anyone away willing to pay for a room at the CR, even at wing...maybe they will upgrade some families...we will be there for our ONE YEAR wedding anniversary and I made special note on our ressies!!
that is going to be awesome

 

[MOMOFMNM]

I was also thinking...I don't think my kids are going to get or care about the Orleans/deep south theme at POR...but now having the castle in view and the monorail at their every whim...that sounds up their alley!!! And the pools...my kids have fun in buckets and hoses so they are more then thrilled with any pool and slide...I think CR might be better geared toward small kids and families...nearer to the MK and all and if you have a sroller I would think about at night when fighting to get on a bus to go to POR you could just WALK to the CR and wala no fighting!!! Sounds like heaven to me..

 

[BikeFan]

I was also thinking...I don't think my kids are going to get or care about the Orleans/deep south theme at POR...

Yes, a lot of that nice theming is lost on young ones, but mine sure liked the looks of the 'sea serpent' slide at POFQ! If we stayed at POR, we'd be able to use both the POR and POFQ pools, as they're 'sister' resorts. But I agree w/ what your saying about the convenience factor, which is a big plus for CR. The only real negative about CR is having to spend ~$800 more to stay there!

 

[dreaminboutdisney]

Stayed at the CR last August with my family of 5 (ages 3, 11, 14). Loved the convenience of the monorail and less buses to take. The room was large and plenty of room for everyone to have some space not that we spent much time there. My 14yr old slept in the daybed and the rest of us shared the queen size beds. The pool is simple and sunny but we never got to use it. We only had 3 days so didn't get a chance to take a midday break but loved knowing if we did it was just a monorail ride away from MK & Epcot. We stayed in the wing rooms to save $. Didn't want to spend extra on view since we wouldn't have taken advantage of it. My 11 year still talks about seeing Space Mountain from the bus stop. Wanted to stay there this summer but no availability probably due to refurbishments going on. We'll be staying at the POR because trying to save money. POR looks really nice and quiet but I'm concerned about fitting 5 in the room and taking the buses everywhere with the summer heat and crowds. Well hopefully we'll all be comfortable sleeping and travelling to and from parks since all the other resorts are so expensive. Don't get me wrong the buses are a definite plus staying on site. Just got spoiled staying at the CR with the monorail. I would recommend staying at the CR with a Family of 5 if you can swing it $ wise and try to get some type of discount (Disney, AAA etc.)to save.

 

[gigi1313]

i would stay at the CR w/a group that large, simply for the bigger room... that extra space is precious when trying to get five or six people out the door in the morning! whatever you decide, ENJOY!

 

[MOMOFMNM]

I am finding it unfairly hard to entertain and vacation my family of 5 vs a family of 4 at Disney!!! That extra person makes a HUGE difference in cost of resort, not necessarily tickets but GEEESH!!! I realize 5 is more than 4 but to have to pay an extra 150 or 200 per night just to fit our family is kinda STEEP!! If we were 4 we would be doing the POP for WAAAAAY less or even a mod for WAAAY less and I did ask about joining rooms and they said they would not gurantee it and my kids are waaay to young to be away from me so I can't risk that. I am happy with my rate at CR but I did knock off one day of our vacation, I was planning to do POR for 6 nights and we are doing 5 at CR instead...more for school than money but still....could've saved a bundle at POR w free dining but I am very excited to be at the CR...that resort and the GF I can remember as a kid off site on the boat with my family looking at how cool those resorts were back then. My dh is not happy with the decor of the CR but he is hard to please anyway and is kinda being Scroogie about the whole trip (but is agreeing to finance it so I am not going to badger him )

 

[BikeFan]

I am finding it unfairly hard to entertain and vacation my family of 5 vs a family of 4 at Disney!!! That extra person makes a HUGE difference in cost of resort, not necessarily tickets but GEEESH!!! I realize 5 is more than 4 but to have to pay an extra 150 or 200 per night just to fit our family is kinda STEEP!!

I feel your pain, having 4 kids ourselves. Luckily, the baby, who will celebrate her 1st birthday on our trip , doesn't 'count' as a person, so we can legally have all of us in the same room. But still, you'd think Disney would have a budget alternative for larger families (the DVC properties are first-class but expensive if you aren't an owner). At least there's the FW cabins once she turns 3 and is no longer classified an infant. Now if only thier pool had a slide . . .

 

[MOMOFMNM]

we would've enjoyed a cabin too but we are flying and not renting a car because of $$$ reasons we will not be going to any non monorail resorts to eat or anything and we are on a rail resort to save $$ for car rental so it would've been more to get a cabin and a car and gas and insurance and inconvienience of driving ourselves in Orlando...
cost wise it would've been more to get a cabin and car vs staying in a wing at the CR

 

[MOMOFMNM]

Because after all we couldn't rent an economy car with our family...ahhhh the joys of NOT being the average family with 1.5 children in America...LOL and YES we are Catholic so we will probably have a few more, better stop complaining while my family is still "small" next few years we may have to rent an RV and drive...

 

[HANDYMOM]

I guess a good way to think about it would be, what could you do with the $800? Everyone has to decide for themselves but for me personally....I'd rather take an additional bus or two and pocket the $800. Now I've stayed at both POR and CR and enjoyed both. I stayed at CR as an adult travelling with another adult. Again, just my opinion, but my kids REALLY enjoyed POR's pool and would be bored silly at the CR's.

Either way, you will enjoy..I'm sure!

Good luck

 

[BikeFan]

I guess a good way to think about it would be, what could you do with the $800? Everyone has to decide for themselves but for me personally....I'd rather take an additional bus or two and pocket the $800. Now I've stayed at both POR and CR and enjoyed both. I stayed at CR as an adult travelling with another adult. Again, just my opinion, but my kids REALLY enjoyed POR's pool and would be bored silly at the CR's.

Either way, you will enjoy..I'm sure!

Good luck

I know what you mean about the $$ - normally, I'm frugal, and would not pay the extra $100/day for CR, but given the age of our kids, I can't discount the convenience factor. When we were down at WDW in Sept. 2003 with just the oldest three, we took mid-day breaks everyday but 1 (when AK closed at 5 PM), and we'll probably do that again this time. That being the case, the CR is very tempting, even if part of me doesn't want to spend the $$.

How far is the POR pool from Alligator Bayou (that's the only section with trundle bed rooms, correct?)? From the maps, POR looks more spread-out (never actually stayed there), and it looks like a bit of a trek between where our room would be and the main pool. Thanks.

 

[MOMOFMNM]

I agree with handymom and space was a real issue for me personally...I am a space hog more than anyone in my family and if I had the money we would be doing a 1 or 2 br villa somewhere but I can't afford that for now

 

[mommykds]

I just made this same decision when booking my free dining package for Oct. I was between the CR wings & POR. My kids are all under 9 & don't swim but they like to wade in the pool. CR does not have a kiddies pool & no zero entrance pool either so I'd end up at the stairs with the kdis the whole time. I think the POR pool is more themed & better for little kids. I wouldn't base my resort decision on the pools but I was also concerned with the rehab going on. Didn't bank on getting upgraded (which would be lovely!) so I didn't want to spend (for us $900 more) to stay in an older room when the POR just got rehabbed. Just a thought!

 

[BikeFan]

CR does not have a kiddies pool & no zero entrance pool either

Didn't know that - thanks! Does anyone know how deep the CR pool is? None of my kids are great swimmers yet, so a kiddie pool or at least zero entry pool is a plus.

 

[mommykds]

BikeFan,

Here is a link to pool info at CR from the boards.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=735914&highlight=contemporary+pool

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=788014&highlight=contemporary+pool