Cbr versus Riverside

[be0URguest]

Husband and I are Visitting the world this may and are going between carribean beach or possibly port Orleans riverside. We're very beach and relaxation people (we like to enjoy some poolside drinks here and there) but have stayed at both carribean beach and Coronado springs before. Budget is not that great so I doubt we could go deluxe but yea. Need some opinions. How is the bus situation at riverside ??? The food? The walk from the rooms to food? And overall ambiance. Part of me wants to try it cause it's something new to see but I'm unsure.

Open to suggestions! Thanks for your help in advance!!!

 

[Goofey Drool]

Our family has stayed at both and we prefer the Carribean Island tropical theme. Not much into the Lousiana bayou theme. Port Orleans however seems like a better bet for an adult couple. The boat to downtown Disney or whatever they are calling it this year, is nice. They used to have a horse drawn carriage that took you around the resort which was neat. The restaurant seemed a little nicer too...but with two teens coming along the nod goes to Carribean Beach Resort for us. Good luck and have fun.

 

[Neesy228]

Of your two options, I would pick Caribbean Beach, but I will tell you that POR is my least favorite resort on property, so I'm biased.

Buses at all the moderates are very similar. There are multiple stops throughout the resort, which can be time consuming, and how long you wait is pure luck. If you walk up when your bus is pulling in, then great! If you walk up just after the bus left, you could wait up to 20+ minutes for another.

I would highly recommend looking into Coronado Springs as an option. It's got a very laid back beachy feeling to it - there are even hammocks along the main lake area. It tends to be pretty quiet in my experience, the rooms feel quite upscale (MUCH more than POR, in my opinion), the market area is nice with decent options, drinks are great and it can be very romantic to stroll around the resort in the evening while all of the lights are reflecting the water.

Have a great trip!

 

[be0URguest]

Thank you both! I've just heard rave reviews of port Orleans and I'm trying to figure out why it's so great? We love carribean beach and Coronado springs but yea were up for trying something new if it's worth it any other opinions welcome.

 

[dansdad]

Thank you both! I've just heard rave reviews of port Orleans and I'm trying to figure out why it's so great? We love carribean beach and Coronado springs but yea were up for trying something new if it's worth it any other opinions welcome.

We were big POR fans until having to switch to CBR for Free Dining years ago and ever since then we haven't been able to go back to POR. Now if we had to book POR to get a discount that wasn't offered at CBR or all the rooms under the discount were sold out at CBR we would have no problem booking again. POR really is a lovely resort. The boat to Disney Springs and Yeeha Bob are fantastic perks to POR.

We have found zero difference in the buses between CBR and POR. The food court at POR is nice. We personally prefer the layout and choices of CBR, but we enjoyed all our meals at POR. Boatwright's is a good Table Service restaurant, but again we feel Shutters is a notch above.

All of this is just personal preference and POR really is a lovely resort. If you have the feeling you want to try some place new, POR is an excellent choice.

 

[ChrissyBeth29]

I am a HUGE fan of POR. I love the themeing and food court is great. They have a great bar, and the entertainment is top notch, imo! I never really cared for the other mods...they just were to my aesthetic. I would always stay at POR. I like the pool bar there as well!

 

[saskdw]

Between those two I would pick CBR. Mostly because of the theme.

Our WDW vacations are always in December and we come from frigid western Canada. So we want a tropical theme. POR/POFQ have zero appeal to us because of the theme. Our very first WDW trip in 2008 we stayed at CBR in a preferred room in Martinique 25. It was a great location and a great trip. I highly recommend the preferred rooms at CBR.

 

[ChasingLeslie]

I have stayed at both POR and CBR and really enjoyed them both. The theme and atmosphere at both resorts are wonderful. They both have good food options (POR has a better QS and CBR has a better TS, IMO).

CBR shines with it's zero entry pool, splash pad, beach, and seven quiet pools. It loses points for the spread out layout and long internal bus route.

POR shines with extra amenities: boat to DSp, sister resort FQ, Yeehaw Bob show. But also has so-so bus service and sometimes shares buses with FQ. It has less stops than CBR, but is also very large when you compare maps.

Also worth mentioning, POR is usually $10-20 more per night and can be excluded from discounts.

 

[WIFriendofFigment]

My husband and I love POR. As two adults traveling w/o children, we feel it offers the most for us. It does get crowded at the bus stops during peak times of the year, but we like the options for dining in addition to the pool bar, carriage ride, boat to Disney Springs, and Yeehaw Bob as others have mentioned. I feel like it's a nice respite from the fast pace of the parks.

 

[maxiesmom]

I've stayed at both and think POR is much nicer than CBR. POR is smaller, has a nicer food court and gift shop, and has some buildings with elevators.

If you thought the bus service and the walking distances at CBR was acceptable, you will find the same at POR.

 

[DaisyDuck001]

If you are so undecided between these two resorts, why not just split your stay, and spend half the time at each?

 

[HopperFan]

If you have never tried it, why not? I've been to all the moderates, it's fun to try something new. POR is a beautiful resort with lots of Southern charm. Every time I stay and take walks I seem to say that I forgot how pretty it was. A plus for our adult group is the boat to DS for a walk, nice meals or drinks.

Here is a great website with lots of info and TONS of pictures - http://www.portorleans.org/gallery.php

 

[Pepper pots]

Also have stayed at both resorts..First visit we stayed at CBR and really liked it, then we tried PORS, and went back twice because it was love at first sight..The grounds,the awesome food court, ( reckon the best on property ) the boat down the Sassagoula river, etc..

 

[Coconuts]

We have stayed at both resorts, and like POR more. It just has a relaxed feel to it and I like all of the trees and shade. I prefer the food court, and it has the DS boat and the piano bar , which is great fun for all ages.

CBR is so upbeat and sunny and tropical, which sounds more like what you're looking for. The pool there is unbeatable; love the zero entry and the layout.

As others have said, the buses are comparable at both resorts.

Honestly, there isn't a wrong choice here. I'd stay at either. Good luck.

 

[be0URguest]

Wow thanks for all of the info and opinions! We decided to book Riverside and are very excited to try something new! We pretty much love the mods we've tried so far but think it's fun to explore. I keep looking at pictures and videos and it's really growing on me as well! May can't come soon enough!!!