I can't comment on Port Orleans French Quarter since we haven't been there. We've stayed at the CBR multiple times in both preferred and non-preferred rooms. To us, the size of the resort is not an issue since the longest walk we have ever had to Old Port Royale (main pool, marina, food court, etc.) was just 5 minutes and that's from one of the furthest rooms in Jamaica. The walks are easy and the resort is gorgeous to look at. We once booked a preferred room because that's all there was that was left when I book and then we were once given a free upgrade. Yes, the walks were shorter but, like I said, walking at the CBR isn't a big deal to us.
My son was just 8 (now about to turn 15) when we started staying at the CBR and he thoroughly enjoys the resort's main pool as well as the quiet pools and beaches. Last year, we rented both a surrey bike and a single bicycle and he rode around the resort almost a dozen times.
As far as the buses go, we have never had an issue with waiting for them or the actual ride times. We've been at various times in May (including Memorial Day and Star Wars Weekends), early August and mid-August and the bus system has been efficient during each trip. The longest wait we ever had was about 25 minutes and that was when my husband slept in, ate lunch at the resort and met us at Hollywood Studios early afternoon (not peak getting to the park time). I actually timed our rides from the time we sat down on the bus in Jamaica, made our way to the other bus stops and then pulled into the bus stop at the parks. The times were: 11 minutes to HS; 10 & 11 minutes to Epcot (we went multiple times); 13 to 16 minutes to MK (we went multiple times). I can't remember the time to the AK but it was 15 minutes or less. Of course, if the bus driver has to assist someone in a wheelchair or on a
scooter, it took longer but that would be the case at any resort.
During our 6 stays at the CBR, we've tried out many of the food options in the food court. There are several sections to choose from and the layout is such that your group can split up and still easily find one another and meet up at the register. Our favorite food choices were the reuben sandwich, the fresh tossed chicken ceasar salad, the tomato basil soup, the baked penne pasta, pizza and the fresh baked items in the grab-n-go section.
I hope that this helps in your decision making process. If you have any specific CBR questions, feel free to ask and I'll try to answer them for you.
CBR never grew on me. I enjoy the relaxing boat ride to DTD. The resort is so small that I don't think there is such thing as preferred room. I just love everything about POFQ! You have to try their beignets! Great for breakfast and for snack time! 
The others in my group are no help they will go to either 
