CSR vs POR

[wacowgirl]

I haven't booked my vacation yet, hope to do it this week... I need your advice. I had planned on booking POR but now I'm having 2nd thoughts. I looked at CSR and now I wouldn't mind staying there either.

I haven't stayed at either one so both would be new to me. It's myself and my DS who will be 22 when we go. I know if I ask him which one he wants to go to, he'll shrug his shoulders and say I don't care, it's up to you. Ugh! We both love the outdoors and Spanish looking décor (think Santa Fe, NM). I'm sure I'll be happy with either one, but HELP! Should I do spilt stay? Would that be too much trouble?

We'll be going over Thanksgiving of 2016 (9 days total) and I have a budget of $5000. We plan on doing Disney dining. Your thoughts please

 

[Jose Guerrero]

We haven't stayed at POR, but our first time at Disney was last December at the Coronado. I wasn't too enthusiastic about it because I'm mexican so I sort of wanted a different theme, but Free Dining was either CSR or CBR so we took the offer. We didn't regret our decision. It really is a beautiful hotel. We enjoyed buying snacks at the Rix Cafe and eating them by the lake. The pool was quite cool too, and the rooms were really comfortable.

Having said that though, the bus system was kind of a pain because there are so many stops. I would recommend choosing a preferred room (we did), since those are by the Bus Stop 2, which is the first one that's picked up and dropped off. It is a huge hotel, so I don't know if our positive experience would've been the same if we had a room at the Ranchos section, which is really far from the lobby and the restaurants (though I've heard that's a common among the moderates).

 

[Olaf63]

We love CSR. Its a beautiful resort, especially during the night. Business class is our favorite area because of the access to the lounge. The bus service is good and is not shared with any other resort.

 

[maxiesmom]

I love both resorts! I will say that CSR is a little better when it comes to the busing, as due to it being a convention resort, fewer guests use the buses.

I would also pay for a preferred room at either resort, if you have the money in your budget to do so. It is nice to be close to the food court and gift shop.

 

[Jadyreen1282]

POR has YeHaa Bob!

 

[JasonDeyoung30]

Port Orleans French Quarter I love and is one of my "go to" resorts. I know I'll get an awesome experience everytime. Port Orleans Riverside is an amazing resort as well, i am actually booked there in a few weeks. Now, as for Coronado it is a nicer resort. The size of the resort scares some but I don't think it's that bad really. If you can get a room close to the lobby and a bus stop it's actually a really nice resort.

 

[GPC0321]

My only on-property stay (17years ago) was at Coronado, and I loved it. In fact, when booking our long-overdo return trip for March, I had originally chosen CBR (something different), but couldn't get CSR out of my head. I contemplated POR and especially POFQ pretty hard too, but switched to CSR eventually. I did the preferred room too because we were in a preferred room last time and it was really nice!
I've seen someone here call CSR the deluxe of the moderates.

 

[ChasingLeslie]

I've stayed at and enjoyed both! CSR and POR are a similar size, each have four bus stops, and beautiful landscapes.

At POR, you get the boat to DTD, the Yeehaw Bob show, and access to sister resort FQ. The cons are the occasional shared buses and possible exclusion from discounts.

At CSR, you get deluxe-lite amenities (fitness center, salon/spa, option of business class booking), a better pool and hot tub, and multiple dining/drinking options. The cons here are subjective: some feel that the resort isn't "Disney" enough or that convention goers can distract from their vacation immersion (we didn't find either to be the case).

I'd suggest CSR if you prefer the Spanish/southwest theme, but I think both are great options. Good luck deciding!

 

[goofyintoronto]

POR is my fave because of the boat to DTD! Its a stunningly gorgeous resort. Love the food court better than CSR too.

CSR is nice though, very pretty. and they have the best bus service out of all mod resorts.

Both are great, but i'd go with POR. Although, as another poster mentioned, POR is usually excluded from discounts. If thats the case, and you want to save money, i'd choose CSR. Otherwise, POR would be my pick.

 

[buzznina]

First; you really cannot go wrong with either resort, we like both of them and have stayed at both multiple times. Since your son is 22, I would go with CSR because we think it has a more adult feel to it.

 

[goofyintoronto]

First; you really cannot go wrong with either resort, we like both of them and have stayed at both multiple times. Since your son is 22, I would go with CSR because we think it has a more adult feel to it.

CSR has more of an adult feel to it? I've been to both, so im confused as to what you mean? In what way is it more "adult"? There are no colorful larger than life icons at POR at all, and the pool area is just as pretty at CSR as it is at POR. Can you clarify???

 

[Dendycat]

Stayed in csr last month and much preferred it to POR. The bus service was excellent, my boys loved the pool area and we didn't feel it felt that big at all. Although the the boat service at POR is a nice feature, we just got fed up of waiting for buses.

 

[nkereina]

We liked both POR and CSR. For us:

CSR Pros:
-Great bus service
-Convention resort which means pool and buses see fewer people
-Awesome pool
-Pretty grounds

CSR Cons:
-Feels large and some rooms out in Ranchos are a heck of a walk to the main building
-Convention resort means you're surrounded by business people which reminds me of home. Also made DTD bus and lounge crowded.
-Hated the food court - all the restaurants/food courts are operated by third parties here so quality/offerings differ from other resorts.

POR Pros:
-Boat to DTD was great
-Quick walk to POFQ to use their food court or pool
-Awesome food court
-Large resort but easy to navigate with several bridges cutting across the river

POR Cons:
-Main pool was mediocre and felt crowded
-Sub-par housekeeping
-Buses were hit or miss

Overall, we enjoyed both and would stay at either again. You can't go wrong either way. If we were on the dining plan, I might choose POR because we prefer their food court much more.

 

[nkereina]

CSR has more of an adult feel to it? I've been to both, so im confused as to what you mean? In what way is it more "adult"? There are no colorful larger than life icons at POR at all, and the pool area is just as pretty at CSR as it is at POR. Can you clarify???

Not trying to speak for the PP you quoted, but for us, I could describe CSR as having more of an adult feel simply because there were more adults! There was a technology convention present while we were there, so it was full of single business travelers. Every morning, we saw more people in polos/khakis than families gearing up for the parks. Lots of people working on laptops and on conference calls around the lake. Busy lounge each night. Smoking areas frequently occupied. Packed buses to DTD. The upside was that the main pool was pretty empty each time we went, and overall the buses to the parks were comfortable and timely. We love POR just the same but there definitely more families/kids, and I think the murphy beds now attribute to that.

 

[buzznina]

CSR has more of an adult feel to it? I've been to both, so im confused as to what you mean? In what way is it more "adult"? There are no colorful larger than life icons at POR at all, and the pool area is just as pretty at CSR as it is at POR. Can you clarify???

What nkereina mentioned, plus for us it's CSR Night Club(adult) vs POR Yee Haw Bob(family), POR has bike rentals, CSR does not. Our family likes to have a resort day or 2 and likes to have the option to rent a surrey bike or watch a funny family show.

 

[HopperFan]

I haven't stayed at either one so both would be new to me. It's myself and my DS who will be 22 when we go. I know if I ask him which one he wants to go to, he'll shrug his shoulders and say I don't care, it's up to you. Ugh! We both love the outdoors and Spanish looking décor (think Santa Fe, NM). I'm sure I'll be happy with either one, but HELP! Should I do spilt stay? Would that be too much trouble?

We'll be going over Thanksgiving of 2016 (9 days total) and I have a budget of $5000. We plan on doing Disney dining. Your thoughts please

CSR is our favorite moderate followed by POR. We would happily stay at either. Based on what I bolded at top CSR matches you.
- When DS and DD hit teens (and now in their 20's) CSR became their favorite and still is. DD chose for graduation trip and even has stayed there on her own.
- Decor is your thing, beautifully done, we LOVE Ranchos - talk about imagineering.
- November 2016 = brand new rooms!!!! They are presently renovating all of the rooms so it should be done before you go. That is a huge plus to me!
- Dining Plan? CSR has more dining options that just about any resort on property! You'll have multiple choices for any given meal if you are eating at the resort.
- DOORS between bedroom and bath make it nice to get ready with space over the curtains at POR. For you all a plus.

First pick would always be CSR.
- Great transportation at a resort centrally located to all.
- Sits right in the middle of Epcot, DHS and AK and right at the ramp to the highway to MK.
- Convention means less crowded buses, pools and more amenities offered.
- Main pool is beautiful, largest hot tub on property, extra long slide fun for any age, beach volleyball, quick serve dining, bar, mug refill station at the pool and always plenty of lounges and tables.
- Quiet pools are nice and peaceful.

 

[Pookaloki]

I have stayed at both resorts. I LOVED both resorts,but I nod my head toward CSR though. I liked the food at the Pepper Market better than the Riverside Mill. I also found the buses were timed better.
Honestly we are booked in a Royal room at POR next trip and I am thinking about switching to CSR in a business room room as the are so close in price. I am waiting until next month to see if there is an offer for either and will late fate decide.

Either way, both are beautiful and would be a great choice.
1 tip though, if you pic CSR and end up in the Ranchos area, take advantage of the bus system to bring you up front to the main building, as it can be a long walk. Also if you get the dining plan with the mugs, you can get refiills at the Dig site pool AND the main Pepper Market.

 

[Babsy]

CSR is our favorite moderate followed by POR. We would happily stay at either. Based on what I bolded at top CSR matches you.
- When DS and DD hit teens (and now in their 20's) CSR became their favorite and still is. DD chose for graduation trip and even has stayed there on her own.
- Decor is your thing, beautifully done, we LOVE Ranchos - talk about imagineering.
- November 2016 = brand new rooms!!!! They are presently renovating all of the rooms so it should be done before you go. That is a huge plus to me!
- Dining Plan? CSR has more dining options that just about any resort on property! You'll have multiple choices for any given meal if you are eating at the resort.
- DOORS between bedroom and bath make it nice to get ready with space over the curtains at POR. For you all a plus.

First pick would always be CSR.
- Great transportation at a resort centrally located to all.
- Sits right in the middle of Epcot, DHS and AK and right at the ramp to the highway to MK.
- Convention means less crowded buses, pools and more amenities offered.
- Main pool is beautiful, largest hot tub on property, extra long slide fun for any age, beach volleyball, quick serve dining, bar, mug refill station at the pool and always plenty of lounges and tables.
- Quiet pools are nice and peaceful.

You nailed it, HopperFan!!!

 

[isabellea]

People always note how far Ranchos is from the main building but when we stayed at CSR last July we were in Ranchis and rarely went to the main bldg because everthing we needed was close by. The pool cantina serves drinks (including mug refills), breakfast and lunch which are pretty good. For us Rancho was great because it's the closest section to the awesome main pool. If you can afford it, book business class at CSR! For POR I cannot comment yet because I never stayed there.

 

[goofyintoronto]

People always note how far Ranchos is from the main building but when we stayed at CSR last July we were in Ranchis and rarely went to the main bldg because everthing we needed was close by. The pool cantina serves drinks (including mug refills), breakfast and lunch which are pretty good. For us Rancho was great because it's the closest section to the awesome main pool. If you can afford it, book business class at CSR! For POR I cannot comment yet because I never stayed there.

Actually Cabana's 8A is the closest section to the main pool. MAP HERE. Thats where we stayed. It was an AMAZING location. As isabellea mentioned, you can get mug refills/drinks and food at the main pool...no need to go to the main building as much! The bus stop is right there...which btw CSR has the best bus service by far. Never waited more than 5 min, and never had to stand (not even after the parks).