Best moderate resort for a Disney first-timer?

[nutshell]

POFQ

 

[SarahC97]

My two favorite mods are Port Orleans French Quarter and Coronado Springs. Both beautiful, both very grown up, and lovely to stay at. I'd give the edge to FQ because of the boat to Disney Springs.

 

[Eve & Wall-e]

DH and I picked French Quarter for our first WDW vacation, and the second, and the third time! There's only one bus stop for the resort. All the buildings are just a short walk to wherever you want to go, lobby, food court, bus stop, pool, boat launch. One day we walked along the path by the water over to Riverside. It's a very short walk. We explored Riverside and rented a surrey bike for an hour. So fun! We also really like taking the boat ride to Disney Springs and back. You can use the pools at both French Quarter and Riverside if staying at one of the two resorts. French Quarter doesn't have a table service restaurant, but Riverside does. Riverside is a much larger resort with multiple bus stops.

You can't go wrong with either resort. Have a magical vacation!

 

[Chaoticsweetness]

I would recommend CSR, if there wasn't any construction. POFQ is the best small moderate resort.

 

[ShayBells]

POFQ is my favorite moderate. I’d go that one. Or I would consider splurging on a deluxe

 

[soccermom54]

French Quarter: small, romantic (especially at night), boat to Disney Springs, quiet, 1 bus stop and rooms have just been updated.

 

[cleophus12]

I like POFQ for all the reasons listed above, but mostly because they don't share transportation with anyone else and it makes travel to the parks so much easier.

 

[mco65]

They are 5.5 and 8 years. My son said the slide at POR was better than the one at FQ. I actually liked the layout of the main pool at POR better too. It was much easier to see the kids from most chairs around the pool.

We hit the pool every night at POR.. the kids do like the slide.

 

[buzznina]

We really like all 4 Mods with POFQ and POR being the top 2. For just adults, I would recommend either POR or CSR, CSR in particular because it has an adult bar, as well as a spa and fitness room.

 

[raddisneyfan]

Personally, I liked all 3 moderates that I've stayed at--CSR, POR and POFQ. If you mind walking, then POFQ is the most compact with short walk to shop, restaurant, front desk, and bus. I like buildings 1, 6 or 7 garden views and top floor to get the most quiet. Building 7 also gets you closer walk to POR food court which I like better than POFQ. Also closer to POR pool since I think POFQ pool might be a bit much for your boyfriend. POFQ has bus advantage in terms of convenience and ease of all 3 mods that I've stayed at. If you don't mind walking, then either POR or CSR would work. At POR, I would request Bldgs 26, 34, or 39 (all in the Bayou section) for a quiet room and top floor. To me, though, CSR is the most adult oriented with better food and adult beverage options. I would request Casitas 4 or 5 water view--4 has the health club and both are close to a bus stop. I've never stayed at CBR, but I'm sure I will once they've completed all of the darn construction. Good luck planning and you'll always have a good time at WDW!

 

[luvthemouse71]

My boyfriend and I are starting to plan a Disney vacation together- his first time ever! He didn't grow up on Disney like I did and he said he'd prefer to stay at a resort that "doesn't shove Disney down your throat" (which I'm taking to mean no giant character statues everywhere a la Pop Century.) I'm thinking that Port Orleans Riverside or French Quarter might be a good option, considering we've been to NOLA for a vacation and loved it, but we are open to suggestions. Overall, we're looking for a moderate-level resort on the quieter side, decent dining/drinking options, and a little more mature decor/architecture. Somewhere that's more than just a place to sleep, where we can really enjoy the time we spend there.

I usually just stay at a Value resort but I have a feeling my guy won't quite appreciate a guitar-shaped pool as much as I do...

My vote is POFQ. It’s small so a new timer won’t be overwhelmed, it has a nice atmosphere and there’s the boat to DS.

 

[kwdw]

POFQ based on your criteria. However - I think CSR is also great for adults. But yes - there is construction going on.

 

[HakunaMoscato]

Thank you so much for your help, everyone! I am leaning toward POFQ based on everyone's suggestions, with CSR as a backup! Gotta take Boyfriend's input into consideration, of course. We don't mind construction at CSR, and depending on how long it takes, it may even be over by the time we end up going!

 

[Babsy]

I don't know how much time you plan to spend relaxing at the resort.....but...

I would take a look at the POFQ pool if the pool is something that you may want to use. It has always felt like my least favourite part of POFQ for adults. If you don't mind travelling to POR you can use the pool over there instead, however, if you prefer POFQ to POR in other ways. (We generally prefer staying in POR with a visit to POFQ for the beignets.) Just something to think about. Also, there is only a food court at POFQ for dining (no TS restaurant at POFQ), if that matters. There is the boat to DS and a TS over at POR, though.

My vote would be Swan/Dolphin or POR.

 

[buzznina]

How old are your kids? Trying to decide if my DD age 7 would like POFQ with solash pad or POR pool better.

How tall is your DD? The splash pad has a height limit of 48" and under only.
Our DD's like both pools, but likes POR slide better. We like how both POFQ and POR main pools are designed, not just a big open pool and the fact that there is a bunch of shady areas. POFQ has over taken POR as our favorite Mod, but truthfully, we really like all the Mods and would have no issue staying at either of the 4. The PO resorts get the edge because of the boat to DS, yee haa Bob, surrey bikes and carriage ride option.

OP - have you checked out the PO website? https://www.portorleans.org/

 

[bek]

Since you said you like NOLA, then POFQ. I loved hearing the jazz in the common areas. The wrought iron railings reminded me of the real French Quarter. Everything brought back the best times I'd had in NOLA.

Coronado is Southwestern themed. Swalphin is modern with a Florida twist -- sort of like Miami Beach. Riverside is southern plantation.

 

[SwanVT2]

How tall is your DD? The splash pad has a height limit of 48" and under only.
Our DD's like both pools, but likes POR slide better. We like how both POFQ and POR main pools are designed, not just a big open pool and the fact that there is a bunch of shady areas. POFQ has over taken POR as our favorite Mod, but truthfully, we really like all the Mods and would have no issue staying at either of the 4. The PO resorts get the edge because of the boat to DS, yee haa Bob, surrey bikes and carriage ride option.

OP - have you checked out the PO website? https://www.portorleans.org/

Thanks! DD is 46 inches. I stayed at POR as a teen many moons ago!

 

[KaptKaveman]

I would say POFQ as well. It would be between that or staying in a Royal Room in the section of POR closest to POFQ. The size of the resort, the one bus stop, the boat to Disney Springs. I also think the hot tub and pool are better at POFQ.

 

[adelaster]

.

 

[nkereina]

moderate-level resort on the quieter side, decent dining/drinking options, and a little more mature decor/architecture.

Based on this criteria, I would suggest Coronado Springs. But only if it will be several months before you go, as its under heavy construction right now. DH and I have stayed at all the moderates, and while I don't think you can go wrong with any of them, Coronado fits this description the best IMO.

Coronado caters to business travelers and convention attendees, so by nature of this, the resort seems to feel more adult-oriented. There are three bars on-site, and a few extra dining options than the other moderate resorts. It also has a gym and spa, which is just a little extra that the others don't have. The decor is very well-themed, and really transports you but doesn't scream Disney at all.