Coronado Springs, Boardwalk Studio, Old Key West studio or Port Orleans Riverside

[Mordu]

I'm trying to figure out where to stay for my April 2016 trip. We are staying 7 nights.

We've stayed in Coronado Springs and Port Orleans Riverside. We really liked both resorts- but preferred Coronado due to the excellent bus service and the sliding doors that closed off the bathroom. Our Favorite park is Epcot. I have 2 young children (7 and 4)

We are debating between staying at Coronado Springs again, or trying something new. We are trying to keep the cost reasonable. I'm thinking about renting DVC points and staying in a Boardwalk studio villa or an Old Key West studio villa. Or we may try Port Orleans French Quarter.

I'm leaning towards Boardwalk for the location, the small kitchen and the balcony. But I'm worried about the pull out sofa and the bus service to AK and MK. I've also heard good things about Old Key West (2 queen beds in a studio) and Port Orleans French Quarter (small resort)

Wanted to get some thoughts from others that have stayed at these places.

We spend most of our time in the parks, but like to eat breakfast in the room and often take an afternoon break to rest our go to the pool. Having good, quick transportation to the parks is very important to us.

 

[michelle1]

I have stayed at each of those resorts you are considering. For convenience to the parks, BW is great since you can walk or take a boat to Epcot and DHS. The downside to it would be if you like a food court at the resort it doesn't have one although there are plenty of restaurant choices around the Boardwalk. I don't think a pullout sofa would be a problem with your kids ages. OKW has the 2 beds but that resort is really really big! We just stayed there in July and 4 days in we switched to WL..I liked the theme of the resort but it was just too spread out. Our room was a 10 minute walk to the main building and feature pool and there are so many bus stops within the resort that it seemed to take forever to get anywhere. POFQ is really nice and small. I have heard that sometimes it shares buses with POR but not when we were there. You like the sliding doors between the bathroom and the bedroom at CSR but I'm pretty sure the other moderates have them too. Out of all of your options I would choose BW for location, larger room, mini kitchen and I love having a balcony.

 

[Mordu]

Thanks Michelle1- I'm leaning towards Boardwalk. The only thing I'm worried about is the pull out bed, becasue my husband or I will end up having to sleep on it 7 nights.

 

[GreatLakes]

I've stayed on the Boardwalk at both the Swan and Dolphin but never at Disney's Inn or Villas. It is the best location on property in my opinion, I'd pick the Boardwalk resorts over the monorail resorts all else being equal, so from location I would say BWV.

It really comes down to the economics of it. What is the cost premium for BWV vs. your other choices. If the money is inside you comfort zone go for it. If not then I would say go with POFQ. It isn't my favorite moderate but why not try someplace new?

 

[wdwrule]

How about business class in CSR? Breakfast included with cost along with snacks, sodas, and wine/beer/sangria in the evenings.

 

[Mordu]

Thought about CSR business class but really liked casitas and proximity to the bus. Not sure it would be worth the extra $600.

 

[auntfrannie]

I've stayed at all four on your list. OKW was my least favorite; I think because it is so spread out although I don't have any problem walking around CSR or POR. If cost isn't an issue the BWV would be my choice. POR was my favorite moderate until I stayed at CSR a few years ago and that's now my favorite. I know I'm in the minority but I didn't care for POFQ; I thought it felt too cramped together.

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

OKW is the hidden gem of WDW. The resort is layed out nicely. the landscaping amazing and the whole place seems to be moving a touch slower then other resort. The units are huge and the 1 bdrooms and up all have their own full kitchen,laundry ad spa tubs.

The man pool has a great sandy playground and the huge slide and activities during the day. there is a bar, TS and Olivia's their TS, which has a great menu. Another large pool at turtle crawl has a snack and bar shed. and picnic tables and BBs. there are 2 small quiet pools.

The bus service is great.

AKK

 

[DisneyWorld4Ever]

Agree with aunt frannie, CSR is our favorite as well but we always stay in the casitas. We enjoy walking around the resort, it is so beautiful. We do not care for POFQ either.

 

[ErinInCT]

Hands down BWV! We stayed there at our last trip and my kids are begging to go back (but I wanted to try a different DVC so we're doing Kidani at AK). Maybe you and DH can alternate nights on the pullout, lol!! WE LOVED being within walking distance of two parks (turns out EPCOT is my girls' favorite park). Bus service was fine but last time we were there the busses stopped at S&D and YC/BC so it seemed forever b4 you actually got on the road, butI think I read they no longer stop at all the EPCOT area resorts. The Boardwalk at night was A BLAST! My girls loved the entertainers and got picked to help out a lot!! We ate breakfast and lunch in the room (or at the pool) every day b/c we always like to go back for lunch/swim and shower b4 returning to the parks. You will NOT be disappointed!

 

[patty57]

I just want to suggest that if you decide on BWV, you should try and secure your reservation ASAP. It's a popular resort, and will probably start to fill up at the 7 month booking window.

Edited to add that I've slept on the pull-out in a one bedroom at BWV, and was comfortable.

 

[LSchrow]

the BWV studio renovation (expected completion early 11/2015) added a (small) murphy-style bed under the TV - perfect for either of your children. so you'll have the queen bed, pull-out sofa bed, and the murphy bed. pictures are here:
http://www.disboards.com/threads/boardwalk-villas-decor.3386755/page-2
we love the BWVs (sooooo much to do, fantastic staff, stunning views, etc), but I agree with those who suggested looking/booking ASAP - availability is already spotty for both standard & BW views in May 2016.

 

[Babsy]

Out of your choices, I would choose BWV for the location. However, I would also not want to sleep on the pull out bed. Have you considered the swan or Dolphin? you will get two queen bed at the Swan or two full beds at the Dolphin. The price to stay in the Epcot/DHS area at one of these resorts is considerably less than staying at the WDW resorts in the area, especially if you qualify for one of their many discount options! remember to factor in the resort fee and either parking fee or transportation to/from the airport, when calculating the cost.

Good luck!

 

[Mordu]

Thanks for all of the input..
We thought about Swan and Dolphin- but we love the convenience of charging to the magic bands and Magical Express. Part of what makes it a vacation for my husband is not having to drive (and deal with car seats) and we absolutely love not having to pull out credit cards for everything .
Am leaning towards a BWV studio...I love CSR but really want to do something different annd by renting points, it's only $200 more. For a Deluxe, that seems very reasonable, althought I will miss having Mousekeeping every day.
I was mainly worried about the bed situation.. Going to run it by the family tonight. Trying to make decision now so we can secure a place...

 

[Alice Sr.]

I was a nice momma on our last trip and let my DD and her fiancé have the master bedroom (we had a one bedroom) and I took the pullout. I was skeptical about the comfort and retained the right to switch back if I didn't like it but I was fine, no problem at all. It was just me though so having two people may make a difference. Regarding the resorts, I think POR felt small and I think the beds are smaller but it was quite a while ago that I stayed there so don't trust me on that one. I have never stayed at Coronado so no comment. We love OKW but it pays to research and be strategic about the building and get a room request in early. BWV is pretty much the only resort we stay at anymore so I guess that is a highly recommends.

 

[Saxsoon]

My family owns Boardwalk and Old Key West.

I would suggest Boardwalk because there is so much to do there and I love the theming. On top of that, you have a short walk to a back entrance to EPCOT (my favorite park).

Old Key West has larger rooms, but you can be far away from the main area with gift shop and restaurant