Best Moderate resort?

[thelittlemermaid]

DH has been talking about going back to WDW in 2006 and wants to try a moderate resort this time.

Out of the moderates which one do you fellow DISer's feel is the best? While looking at pictures of the different resorts, DS really likes Port Orleans French and Caribbean Beach cause of the pool's slides. LOL!!! But of course we are not going to pick the resort because of a pool's slide. If it matters DS will be 9 and DD will be 6 in 2006.

We have talked about doing a 2 week trip. We don't want to go back during Hurricane season again or when it's hot and humid.

When is the best time to go to WDW when the crowds aren't so bad, plus when it's not that hot, but can still get into the pools? Is Feb or March a good time?

I thought for sure DD wasn't going to make it through the rest of the trip cause of the heat. It really hit her hard.

TIA!!!

 

[Luv2Roam]

CSR

 

[SamanthaL]

FQ! Easy walk to the food court from every building, jazz music playing in the "streets", beautiful flowers, and small enough to walk on foot. Oh and there is only one bus stop.

 

[Ilovestitch]

Early-mid May is a nice time to go to WDW- lower crowds, longer park hours and still warm enough to go swimming.

CBR is my favorite resort- it has a largest rooms of all the moderates and an awesome food court, I also love the caribbean theming. -Steph

 

[TBaseler]

I stayed at Port Orleans French Quarter and was VERY disappointed. I don't think it was up to the standard that I saw at Carribbean Beach and Coronado Springs. It was worn, in somewhat of disrepair in areas. The view from the room was nice, but even the bedspreads seemed like they needed updating... it was just kind of old. We loved Caribbean Beach (but that was in 1996 - not sure how it looks now). Coronado Springs is my favorite of the moderate-priced resorts. It's especially good for adults, I think. Because it's a convention center you see more business folks than families. I found it quieter. The pool was awesome, as well.

 

[safetymom]

Our favorite is CBR. I think you can't go wrong with any of them. It all comes down to the theming. Each resort has its plusand minus points.

 

[SamanthaL]

You might want to find out about FQ. It was closed for a long time and had a total rehad. It was done over from the food court to the rooms.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

I know that POFQ is a compact resort. How do the other 3 compare with each other? We've only stayed at CS and thought is was very spread out even though we liked the resort a lot. We didn't have a car and might have felt differently if we had of and I think for out next visit we'll rent a car if we stay at a moderate.

T&B

 

[Buzz2001]

CSR!! Check out my website below for pics, links and info

 

[SamanthaL]

I found the other 3 to be about the same as far as being spread out. That is a big reason for my love of the FQ. I also love the theme!

 

[Tigger&Belle]

I'm planning on staying at FQ for a few days with my 4yo so I was thinking about trying one of the other moderate resorts with my DH. He likes the look of CB so that will probably be our number one choice (I'm the Disney freak so I should listen to his input every now and then... ).

One other question. Since it will be just the two of us, we would try for a king room. What are the usual discount rates for a king room (I have an AP)? I know that those rooms go for more than the rooms with 2 doubles, but how much more? If I were to trust my memory I would say $15/night more...

T&B

 

[SamanthaL]

Yes. I think that is about what we paid for the king room. We did not get a discount however and I can't remember why.

 

[SamanthaL]

I just checked my passporter and it looks like a rate for a king bed is the same as a water view it is $15 more but that is rack rate. Who knows what it would be with a discount.

I hope you two have a great time and I bet your son will love sliding down the dragon's tongue!!

 

[cinmell]

CBR

 

[yecats]

First, I always go in the offseason and never found swimming in cooler weather to be a problem since the pools are heated at the disney properties. Oct through March are great times to go but beginning mid February is when Disney's peak park season begins and continues through end of April.

As for moderates, I really love PORS. FQ is very nice, compact grounds and certainly just renovated all rooms but there is only the one pool and food court area, no sit down restaurant. FQ is a short (10 to 15 minute) walk from PORS. I do prefer PORS. It is a bit more spread out than FQ but not quite as large as CBR or CSR. RS is just as pretty as FQ and certainly has very beautiful landscaped areas throughout the resort. I also enjoy the the main pool which has a longer slide. There is of course a hot tub and bar area here with plenty of pool towels. Behind the main pool area is a playground that is built like a fort that the kids can enjoy. The main building area has a large food court, very good sit down restaurant, check in, nice store to purchase Disney goods and of course the recreation area where you can rent bikes, boats or take the cruise to DTD (kids arcade there as well). By the time you go, Disney will have just finished there refurbishment to PORS rooms as well. To check out pictures of the moderate rooms/resorts, go to wdwig.com and also take a look at the pics on this site to.

All the mods are beautiful but main difference is how far your willing to walk everyday.

 

[tar heel]

Your ds 9 may like the looks of the POFQ and CBR slides, but he'll think the CSR one is much more impressive! CSR has the best pool of the moderates. The resort is very spread out, though, which can be a pain.

Since you're talking about a really long trip, you might do POFQ b/c that entitles you to also use the pool at POR.

I don't think you can go wrong with any of the moderates. We've stayed at all of them except POFQ and would rank them: CSR, POR, CBR.

 

[HopperFan]

...then CSR is your answer. We loved it there, a beautiful resort. It is the newest of mods and it seems each time they add just alittle bit more to the newest. Never felt it was crowded and the kids loved the pool, great slide (much bigger than others), large hot tub and the amenities. Also good quiet pools, check Buzz's website.

I also think the POR has a good theme pool with the shape of it lending to a kids end and a more grown up end. The slide is a decent one. The quiet pools here are very nice. If you stayed at FQ you would have access to this also. We thought the slide/pool at FQ was "young". Kids had no interest in staying there. (we ate there and walked the resort). But seems to be a very quiet resort. Of course both have access to amenties and boat to DTD.

CBR theme pool is too small for resort and it was always too crowded for us (in Oct). The slide is very small and even my 5 and 9 year old were totally bored with it.

 

[mouseRD]

POFQ was recently rennovated (just reopened in March 04) & I've read wonderful things about it on these boards. POR (former Dixie Landings) is in the process of being rennovated (2 or 3 of the mansions are done); some of the AB section has been mentioned in needs of repairs. You might also want to look at Swan/Dolphin - often offer great specials there ($139/night right now) - great grotto pool with cool slide, walking distance to Epcot & boat to MGM or if you want to be closer to MK, sometimes you can get great rates at WL.

 

[been there done that]

We've stayed at the Poly, POFQ and CBR, and CBR is our FAVORITE by far!! It is so pretty and everyone if so friendly. Our kids loved choosing between pools. They LOVED the slide at the main pool. Have fun wherever you go. My friend just came back from POR and loved it.

 

[dsmom]

I'm a Florida native so you never can tell with the weather- I've seen it freezing in May and 100 degrees in December!! I love the weather in March the best- very nice! My favorite moderate was the Coronado- it was so beautiful when we were there last spring- we've been back three times and have never been disappointed. I love the play area and the pool. The walk around the lake at night is beautiful-very romantic. I don't know if they still have it but one night we had a picnic dinner delivered to the room- fried chicken. beans ,potato salad and cole slaw- very good and a nice change.