CR or Port Orleans Riverside?

[libertygirl]

We are going in April 06 and are torn between the two. Our last visit we stayed at WL which we loved but would like to try something different.

I have heard great things abouth Port orleans riverside - but DH wants the queen size beds and romminess of a moderate. with this in mind, the CR would be our next choice, it is $1k more so I am very worried about the reports about cleaniless, stains and such. DH is fickle about cleanliness as well.

So my question is is Port Orleans really that small - is it enjoyable anyways for a family of four? - children ages 8 and 10.

Is contemporary worth the extra money? which wing is better?

Thanks

 

[Lizzybee]

I can't speak of CR because I've never been there, but we stayed at POR twice as a family of 5, 2 senior citizens, myself and my two kids. The beds aren't queen sized at POR though, they are full beds. It was fine for us, I even took a couple of nights on the trundle bed and it was comfy too. I personally don't think I'd pay $1K more to stay anywhere, but that's just my take on it, I'm sure the deluxe resorts are perfectly wonderful, but we just sleep in the room so it just doesn't seem like it would be worth it for us.

 

[brentalex]

We have stayed at both and I will never go back to POR, unless they change the transportation. But first, the rooms at POR are smaller, beds are smaller. Your kids will have to share a bed, unless you get a room with a trundle bed, which even for your 8 year old could be small. I know that my kids at that age would not have been happy in the same bed. The CR has a day bed which allows the kids to have separate beds. CR is so close to the MK which is great, and is on the monorail which is also great.
Now to the transportation, we stayed at POR during our kids April vacation a few years ago, and the transportation was awful. In the mornings the bus always stopped at POFQ first, so we almost never got a seat. If you tried to get on at anything other than the main stop, the bus sometimes went rigtht by you since it was full. It seemed like we always waited and waited for a bus. Granted, things may have changed since then, but I would not go back. And that is somewhat sad, because the resort itself is beautiful, it is nice to be able to use 2 pools, since you can use the pool at POFQ. But the bus situation just really bothered me.

 

[edingerc]

I've stayed at and loved POR when it was Dixie Landings but the reports about the buses aren't exagerated. If you're thinking CR, then you're thinking full deluxe. A full deluxe, with kids and a Hubby that likes room screams Poly to me! The Poly has the largest standard rooms on the property, with daybeds (pull out couch after the rennovation) and the kids will luuuuuuuuuuv it.

 

[Stitch Inside]

We are going in April 06 and are torn between the two. Our last visit we stayed at WL which we loved but would like to try something different.

I have heard great things abouth Port orleans riverside - but DH wants the queen size beds and romminess of a moderate. with this in mind, the CR would be our next choice, it is $1k more so I am very worried about the reports about cleaniless, stains and such. DH is fickle about cleanliness as well.

So my question is is Port Orleans really that small - is it enjoyable anyways for a family of four? - children ages 8 and 10.

Is contemporary worth the extra money? which wing is better?

Thanks

We just returned from the North Wing and it was wonderful. Was it worth it? To me, yes. I always wanted to stay there, and now I want to stay there again. Our room was immaculate, and large (I like to be able to spread out). Housekeeping and bell services were excellent, and we really enjoyed the valet parking, especially when returning from the parks during a thunderstorm. We only drove to MGM and AK.
The South Wing is currently being renovated, so I would think those rooms will be nicer this April.
But the main draws to the CR are its location and transportation. If you don't plan on spending a lot of time in MK, and you have your own vehicle, I wouldn't think it would be worth it. The AKL is more reasonably priced, has queen beds, bunk beds, is very clean and newer, and the kids would probably love the animal viewing.

 

[princessesrule4]

Definitely the Contemporary!

 

[sk8bug72]

I've stayed at both. POR was really dissapointing this past April. The transportation was HORRIBLE, especially from the parks back to POR after fireworks and shows. The food court was very slow and unorganized. It took forever to check in and to get our luggage to our room. Also, the room was small and there was still food from the last people in the fridge. I was not impressed at all, and I'm not even a very picky person. CR on the other hand was great! I want with my aunt and cousins. We got 2 regular rooms for a REALLY great rate (my aunt is amazing at finding good deals!). We were not happy with our rooms because the blinds were broken, the front of a drawer fell on to my foot when I opened it, and the rooms were just not in good shape. This was probably because we were in the wing that was about to be tourn down. My aunt went to the front desk and explained that she was very dissapointed with the rooms. The lady said that there were no other regular rooms available, so she gave us a suite!!!!! It was amazing! Also, the transportation is GREAT, there is a huge arcade, and the food court is very efficient. Also, there are a few gift shops in the hotel. The pool is great, you can rent boats, and there is a lot to do there. I would definitly choose CR if I were you.

 

[Deb & Bill]

... CR on the other hand was great! I want with my aunt and cousins. We got 2 regular rooms for a REALLY great rate (my aunt is amazing at finding good deals!). We were not happy with our rooms because the blinds were broken, the front of a drawer fell on to my foot when I opened it, and the rooms were just not in good shape. This was probably because we were in the wing that was about to be tourn down. ...

They aren't tearing any wings down. Just renovating them. We were in the South Wing this past week and even with the ongoing construction, the room was in excellent condition and we loved it.

 

[sk8bug72]

They aren't tearing any wings down. Just renovating them. We were in the South Wing this past week and even with the ongoing construction, the room was in excellent condition and we loved it.

Oops! yeah, your right, it was just a renovation. I stayed there (garden wing) in october, so it was a while ago.

 

[rcraw45425]

As someone that has been there in April (ie Spring Break), one word, YES! We just got back from POFQ three weeks ago and never again! The buses are aweful, even if you get a seat (first stop) you still have to wait four more stops at POR before you get to your destination. The moderate rooms are a good bit smaller that the monorail deluxes, and believe me, there is a difference with two kids in a moderate and two in a deluxe. We even took an aerobed with us, one slept on it and the other slept with me each night( no fun). The size of the deluxe bathrooms alone is worth it to me. The biggest drawing feature however is the monorail convenience during heavy crowds. We stayed at the CR a few years back during spring break and it is really nice being the first stop from the Magic Kingdom. This year I changed my CR reservation to the GF and that was another convenient place. Even the WL (boat to MK) is preferred to my family to a moderate. Just reread your post, my kids are 8 & 10 too, we have two girls, try getting three females ready when you have a cubicle with a shower/pottie and two sinks outside with a curtain for privacy from "Dad". Another thing that bothered me, with the airbed, was the fact that the entry doors are offset, making you have to wedge teh queen airbed in by the door. Oh, yeah, outside corrodors too.