Choosing between moderate resorts

[dbanzai]

Hi. I was a member a long while ago, but not overly active. I just re-registered.

Myself and a friend are planning to go down to Orlando in March, and we're just about set to book your trip. The one sticking point now though is we can't decide if we want to stay at the Carribean Beach Resort or at Port Orleans-Riverside.

We're mostly wondering about the location of the two resorts, in regards to the overall set-up of WDW. The official Disney site used to have an excellent .pdf map that showed the locations of all the resorts, but the current maps are less-than helpful in this regard.

We definitely want to stay in a moderate resort this time around, and these two are the ones which interested us the most. Does anyone have any favorites, besides these two? Or perhaps does anyone have that map I was just referring to? I may have my old brouchure at home, but I'd like to put down my deposit this morning.

Thanks,
Dave

 

[Rootskate]

I know that The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World by Bob Sehlinger (I have the 2004 edition) shows a map of the Disney property. This gives you a pretty good idea where everything is situated. Maybe someone else here will be able to give you more specific info. I am sure you will have a great trip no matter what you decide!

 

[firstmickey]

CBR and Port Orleans are just minutes from each other, so as far as location to the parks....they are both close.

POR and POFQ have a boat ride to DTD that is very nice and takes about 20 mins. (by bus it is about 5 mins).

At CBR you can see the EPCOT fireworks from some locations.

I have stayed at all three and prefer PO-Riverside of all of them. Boatwrights restaurant is one of the best kept secrets on property....especially for breakfast! (you pay less there for a sitdown breakfast then you would for a food court breakfast with all of the ala cartes). Plus in the Lounge...you have Bob Jackson Wed thru Sunday nights.

I am going back in a month and staying at POFQ because I have an AP rate there. I like that one just as much. It is smaller and less spread out and you can still walk over to POR. The bus stops here first then goes to POR so you are always the first on going to the parks and first off coming home.

I stayed at CBR one time and didnt care for it at all. It was too big IMHO and the buses took forever to visit all those bus stops. IF you like the beach them however, you might enjoy it more.

as far as amenitites, all the moderates are pretty much the same...so I would choose what theme you like best.

POR: old south
POFQ: mardi gras
CBR: beachy


but pssssttt....I vote POR!

 

[dbanzai]

Hmmm. Nice to know, thanks!

The boat/ferry was one of the things we were curious about. We saw that there was one but didn't know where it went to from POR. It only is between POR and DTD? Does it run at the end of the evening, or is it only during daylight hours?

Well, those two, CBR and POR are still the top choices, but your recommendation of POR may put us over the top. Thanks again.

 

[armomof3lvsdisney]

POR

I really can't be objective because I have not stayed at CB. But my family loves POR and we will be going back in March. The landscaping is beautiful, we never had any problems with transportation, the food court was very good, the boat ride is an awesome plus, and the pools are great. You can not go wrong choosing POR and I can't wait to go back.

Happy Planning

 

[firstmickey]

The boat usually runs from like 4pm to 11Pm? maybe 10?
and is weather dependent.

it is like an attraction in itself.....usually the captain gives a little talk as you go down river.

It also leaves from PO FQ.

 

[ufgator]

We've stayed at all the moderates, and I like POR and POFQ the best. The resorts are so pretty, and I love the way they redid the rooms at POR (haven't been to the renovated rooms at POFQ yet). We loved Panterre Place at POR - quiet, but you could still easily walk over the bridge to the lobby. I'm not that crazy about CBR because I live near the beach in South Florida and we have that beachy feel all the time so I want something different on vacation. We haven't had a bad stay at POR or CBR. The boat to DTD also goes to POFQ. I think POR is a little closer to MK. CBR is also really close to the Boardwalk. POR and POFQ are sister resorts so you can use the amenities at POFQ too.

I looked for a map on the computer but couldn't find one. I have a brochure but we're having problems with our scanner and I don't know how to scan anyway.

Have fun whichever one you pick!

 

[dbanzai]

Well, thanks for all the help.

We've actually decided to stay at CBR, 'cause myself and my travel buddy are huge beach lovers and wanna spend time on the beach (hey, Brian Wilson and the Beach Boys are my favorite musicians of all-time... That's why I took surfing lessons my last trip to WDW) and we like the idea of being closer to EPCOT and MGM... It might've been nice to be near DTD, but we're looking forward to exploring the nightlife of the Boardwalk as well.

The ferry and the live entertainment of POR was very tempting, but it looks like there's the ferry to the Boardwalk as well.

 

[gabsmom]

We just returned and the boat from POR to DTD started at 10:00 and ran until 10:00 in the evening. Nice ride.

 

[KarenNYC]

for those of you who stayed at POR - any suggestions on the best room to stay in? I have a two year old and want to be near the bus and main guest area - I don't mind being a bit further from the pools. Also, does anyone know if there are refridgerators in the rooms?

Karen

 

[bytheblood]

Plus in the Lounge...you have Bob Jackson Wed thru Sunday nights.

Who or what is a Bob Jackson?

 

[bytheblood]

We loved POFQ. We are currently booked for PC for June, but we are strongly considering changing to either POFQ or CSR. I think we will probably go back to POFQ. We loved it there. It was so very nice and quiet. Everything on the resort was convenient to get to and the staff was great.

 

[firstmickey]

Bob Jackson is the piano player who plays in the lounge at POR Wed thru Sundays from 7pm -12am. He is excellent for both adults and kids. He does family type entertainment. My kids thought he was a riot. He has the kids get up and march around the room, has them come up to his piano and sing and do motions to songs, and gets adults involved in jokes and songs too.
It is something really nice to do one evening to take a break from the parks. We filled up our drink mugs for the kids and the adults could enjoy an adult beverage while we all enjoyed the show.

Go early...he is popular and tables fill up fast!

 

[bytheblood]

Bob Jackson is the piano player who plays in the lounge at POR Wed thru Sundays from 7pm -12am. He is excellent for both adults and kids. He does family type entertainment. My kids thought he was a riot. He has the kids get up and march around the room, has them come up to his piano and sing and do motions to songs, and gets adults involved in jokes and songs too.
It is something really nice to do one evening to take a break from the parks. We filled up our drink mugs for the kids and the adults could enjoy an adult beverage while we all enjoyed the show.

Go early...he is popular and tables fill up fast!

Cool, thank you for filling me in. If we choose POFQ, I will go and check him out.