Can'tchoose which Moderate....please help!

[ms.ojo]

I have been doing a lot of reading of the guidebooks & msg boards, and I think I'm more confused then ever as to which Moderate Resort would be best for our family. Hope you can help. Sorry in advance for the long posting!

We are a family of 4, w/ children ages 5.5 & 2.5 for our trip in late April... they'll be 6 & turning 3 at our trip later this yr in early Dec!! This 2nd trip has just come to be as dh has a convention he'll be attending in Orlando. We decided to make another trek to see the Mouse and all the Christmas decorations & shows. I will be getting an AP at our trip in April to help on savings for Dec too!

In April, we're staying at ASMo. Have been there before w/ ds. Theme is GREAT for kids, pool worked out fine, and bus svc was wonderful!! Bus rides are direct and a relatively short ride to all parks. We've stayed in Fantasia & Woody bldgs which were easy walks to pool, food court & buses. We've been very happy, but I'd like to try something new for the Dec trip. (I think we'd stick w/ ASMo for April as kids really do love the theme)

Here's what I've learned so far about the Moderate resorts:
Car Beach: Theme wise, my favorite. But resort is VERY large. Would want to make sure we were able to get into bldgs near transportation, main themed pool area and food court. How realistic is that request to be honored?? All books seem to recom. your own car but that isn't an option for us. What is transportation really like? And how long are the walks around the resort?

CS: Highly rated pool and bus svc is a plus...but I can't say the theme really jumps out at me. Is it nice? Would it appeal to my kids? I know there is a dig site, but will it appeal to young children?? How is the food court compared to ASMo?? That is does it have a lot of non-mexican fare they'd enjoy (pizza, mac & cheese, sandwiches,etc)

POFQ: Think the kids would really like the themed pool...but like CS, not sure if the food court is ok for kids. Also, what is the bus svc really like? I hear they make mult stops at POR and it looks like it takes much longer to get to the parks from here than ASMo, CarB or CS.

Can't wait to hear your replies!!! And any links you might suggest for more info'n on these hotels. It's just the AP rates are going to be so appealing for Value Season in Dec...I really want to try something new...but we've all been happy w/ ASMo....I so don't want the new hotel to be a disappointment.

Thanks again!!!

 

[swilphil]

There's lots of information (pictures, too) on all the resorts at www.allearsnet.com. They also have food court menus in the dining section.

I would go POFQ or POR. POFQ is smaller and it's easier to get around. I hear good things about the bus service.

 

[Bugsmom73]

I would vote for either POFQ or preferred location at CBR.

 

[lclark0621]

POFQ is our favorite moderate resort.

The food court is decent & you can always find something for everyone there. The pool is a big hit with kids & adults.

It is smaller, so easy to get around.

It is really very beautiful & has such a nice feel to it.

All around great for adults & kids. I think you would love it!

 

[daannzzz]

I think any of them would be good for you. The food courts are all fine though I like the POFQ the least. It has more to look at for the kids though.
CBR is a wonderful place. Most rooms are close to a pool and a bus stop. To be absolutely sure you are close to the main pool and food court you need to book a "preferred" room.
Coronado Springs is really pretty. I love it there and all three themed areas are very nice but themed very differently. The walkways and landscaped areas are beutiful. However it is not for everyone. When I took my Mother (71) and Sister (49) over for a look they did not like it there at all. You may arrive and find it wonderful or disappointing.
POR is very beautiful as well and while fun is not quie as fun as the other three moderates.
POFQ is my least favorite but it was easy to get around because it's half the size of the others. The room was nice and kids love the pool.
I think you should go with the one that is most pleasing to you and pay the extra to be close in to the main area.

 

[Mortlives]

For CBR, you can pay a little extra and get a "preferred location" near the pool and food court. Then, it's not a request, it's something you've paid for. Otherwise request Jamaica, because it's right across the lake, and a short walk through a beautiful island. The transportation when we were there was fine, but we've never really had a problem with WDW transport. So far, CBR has my favourite hot tub out of the moderates, there's a lovely hot waterfall trickling into it.

All the food courts we've tried have kid food and adult food, and the food tends to be better quality than you might expect. We loved the ribs at POR, for example, and the beignets at POFQ.

Whatever you choose, have a great time!

Kungaloosh!
Morticia.

 

[rkmassa]

I would recommend POFQ. The kids will love the pool. The food court was really good when we were there. The bus service was fine. FQ will be first picked up, so you get a seat most of the time. First dropped off. Very short walk to any of the buildings. The bus will go to POR, but there are only 4 stops and they are very quick. You won't have to pay extra to be close to the main pool and food court like CBR. FQ is nice and compact. You can request a building there too, but you won't have to pay extra if it is near the pool. The boat to DTD is great. So fun. Very pretty at night. I would highly recommend POFQ.

 

[kdibattista]

Definitely POFQ... theming is great, smaller resort (which is great after a loooooong day at the parks) and the food court is wonderful!!! You are going to find the same items (pretty much) at all the food courts.

 

[lotte]

I agree with POFQ. We have stayed at all the moderates and this is our favorite. My DD is very fussy, but loves the food court. The pool is great and the boat to Downtown is a must. I have never had a problem with the buses.

 

[Naisy68]

Ditto on POFQ - I think it's a great resort for kids and adults, when we were there in July, my family loved it. It is small and cozy. Theming was really neat. There is nothing that is too far away. The food court was great. We have a three year old that really liked it. We loved walking down by the river and taking boat rides to POR and Downtown Disney. The bus situation was fine. Yes, they stop in POR and pick up there before heading to the parks BUT POFQ was the first for dropping off from the parks. I just think it's a great resort for families.

 

[DisneyJen0504]

Our fave is CSR with CBR a close second. We prefer the theme of these two resorts to that of POR and POFQ. However, you might like the smaller size of PO? The food court at CSR is by far the best of all the moderates. The grounds at CBR are beautiful. You can get preferred room location for close prox to food and pool and there is a bus stop in each village.
Best of luck!

 

[Nolcrest]

I think you and the kids will LOVE POFQ. Like everyone else said it is compact and bus transportation is first on and first off before going to POR. The kids will just love the colorful/playful icons at the resort. I find POFQ to be both whimsical and romantic. The boat to DTD is a great option plus they now offer carriage rides. The food court offers your typical kid friendly food options plus you'd always have the option of using the facilities and food court at POR as well. Definately POFQ.

 

[ms.ojo]

Wow!! A lot of fans for POFQ. Thank you. I'm now actually thinking of doing POFQ with ASMo for our April trip. (we're going for 7 nights) And if we really like it, then POFQ for the 4 nights in Dec. Otherwise, maybe we'll give CBR a try in Dec w/ the pref. room location option to make sure we're close to the things we want to be close to.

Thank you! And if more comments come in, that would be nice too!!!!

 

[marcyinPA]

We stayed at POR and loved it. My ds's are 9 and 5. I thought the resort was beautiful. Kids loved the pool. Food court was good, and it was nice to have Boatwright's there for a sit-down if desired. We particularly enjoyed being in Alligator Bayou and having the use of a trundle bed (which btw, we did not request and did not pay extra for). My boys don't like sleeping together, so the little guy slept on the trundle and loved it.

POR has lots of lush vegitation and wildlife....the kids enjoyed hunting for the little lizards.

Good luck deciding!

 

[Buzz2001]

CSR!! Your kids will love the dig site. Sand area is a large sandbox with many playground activities; i.e., swings, slides, playscape. It also has an arcade. A great pool, an awesome slide and a small kiddie pool. See pictures at my website below