Choosing a moderate...

[Fromeurope]

We've stayed a week at PopCentury and loved it because of the nice colourfull buildings and the theming. We've stayed a week at Animal Kingdom Lodge and loved it because of the animals and the amazing food. Now we want to make reservations for a moderate resort, but we don't know which one to choose. Can somebody help?

 

[catheren]

It depends on the theme you are looking for....

CBR is the islands

FOFQ is New Orleans

PORS is the old south

CSR is southwest and a convention hotel

 

[stinkerbelle]

We've stayed at 2 mods - CBR and POFQ.

CBR is VERY spread out - but the themeing/atmosphere is great. You really feel you're in the Caribbean! heeh

POFQ is MUCH smaller, only one bus stop, and has a nice Mardi Gras theme. We were in the LAST building facing the parking lot, and our walk to the food court/lobby/pool area was under 3 minutes. (can be MUCH longer if at CBR) The ONLY downside of this resort is that is shares a bus with it's sister resort, Port Orleans Riverside - which has 4 bus stops and is much more spread out.

POR is very cute though...we took a walk over to check it out, we really liked the "riverside" marina area...very pretty.

 

[leighe]

DH and I spent our 1st anniversary at CBR and loved it! We really enjoyed the theming and liked the fact that the resort was so spread out. It made it feel very private and secluded (AKL feels the same way to me for some reason) and it was one of the quietest resorts we have ever stayed in. The main pool is really cute and the food court was pretty good - we just ate there for a few breakfasts - and we were pleasantly surprised by Shutters, the "sit-down" restaurant. The rooms are the biggest of any moderate and we loved how colorful they were. We had great mousekeepers and I think we had towel animals one day (no biggie for us, but I know some people are really in to that).

I also almost booked POFQ for our Christmas trip based on so many rave reviews and the recent refurbishment, but decided to splurge instead. I would love to stay there sometime.

 

[old lost boy]

We have been to all but CS. I thought PO was the most user friendly but DL looked the best. CBR was the first we went to and we liked it until we tried the others. Unless you get a good building you can be a looooong way from the food court.

 

[Buzz2001]

Check out my website for pics links and info on CSR

 

[DNBois]

Another vote for CBR - this is our absolute favorite. Put it this way - on our honeymoon, we spent the first 3 nights at CR Tower and then switched to CBR for our last 7 and we were very very happy with that choice

 

[Minnie&Nana]

Moderates really give you a chance to experience magical themes in a resort without emptying your bank account

I love the CBR - some find it too spread out, but I ask for Martinique and have always had a great room. I'd like to try other villages, but I know it could be a walk and I like being right at the first bus stop, pick-up and drop-off - and near Old Port Royale. The rooms are bright and cheery and, I swear, listening to Reggae music I feel a million miles away on a tropical island! We once had a corner lake view room - nice!

I've also stayed at POFQ - which was sooo quaint!! I was very tempted to stay there again this last visit (as someone mentioned, it's just refurbished), but went to GF instead - wanted a balcony this time. POFQ is small and cozy feeling and very pretty. Esp. building 5, where I do not think a bad view exists. The rooms were a tad dark for me.

Walked around Riverside - pretty but too spread out and it seemed you would not be able to see much from the windows - could be wrong. My favorite Shop is at Riverside and love taking the boat down there from FQ.

A friend stayed at CS but says she'll never go back - lacked the Magic for her.

Whichever moderate seems calls out to you, be sure to request a corner room!! Just might get one and they are great!

 

[wildernessbride52105]

my vote goes to port orleans riverside. i've been staying there for years and love it! we'll be staying there on our honeymoon!

 

[Mercy]

I would recommend CSR, we stayed there in August and loved this resort. It is beautiful! I wouldn't hesitate to stay there again.

 

[safetymom]

I have stayed at all the moderates and our favorite is still CBR. I don't think you can go wrong with any of them.

 

[sugermouse]

Our favorite moderate is POR.

 

[Fromeurope]

Thanks for all the postings !
I really do believe that all Disneyhotels are great, maybe that's why it's hard to pick one
All moderates look so different, the Mexican style at CSR, the Carribean style at CBR and the spirit of the South at POR/POFQ.
My DH is fond of foodcourts (almost non-existent in Europe) and the one at CSR looks great, but I don't know if I want the foodcourt making the decision

 

[Fromeurope]

Just took a look at Safetymoms CBR foodcourtpictures (thank you, your pictures are great!)! That foodcourt looks beautiful as well

 

[Disney Spaz]

Somewhere I heard there is an additional gratuity added to the food court at CSR.

 

[ufgator]

I've stayed at all the moderates and my favorite is POFQ. I really like the atmosphere and that it's smaller. It seemed quieter than the others. And the beignets at the food court are great. I'm staying at POR next week - it's my second favorite but I'll see if it moves up after the trip. I like all the moderates though. I think it's just what theming you like and what you want to be close to. The only reason I don't like staying at CBR that much is because I live in Boca Raton, FL and want to see something besides beachy stuff when I go.

DisneySpaz- I'm pretty sure there is a gratuity charge for CSR. I remember thinking it was too expensive for a Disney foodcourt. You order the food at the counter and then they bring it to your table.

 

[mom23guys2]

Although I've stayed at all the mods except CBR, I really love POR. It never seems that crowded even when it's full. The one thing I didn't like about CSR was the food court. Although the food was good I felt it took much longer for breakfast than at any of the other food courts, value or mods. There was a gratuity added on which I didn't mind, it really was the time thing when you were trying to get out early. You had to wait to be seated, went up to the various stalls, sat down, and then the food was brought to you. You had a card that was punched and then paid on the way out. At least it was that way a few years ago. It really is beautiful though.

 

[WDW Poly Princess]

My favorite so far is POR, but I'm staying at CBR for the first time soon, so we'll see if that changes things!

When are you planning your trip for? POR and POFQ are both totally booked for when I'm going, so you may want to book asap!

 

[Fromeurope]

We don't know exactly when we are going, but it will be in off-season!
I've seen a lot of pictures of moderates lately and we really think of making reservations at POR at the moment
But we are APholders. so actually waiting for nice APrates as well.