Deluxe family needs advice for moderate

[constanze]

Hi all! We're planning a sudden trip in December. We have stayed in a few of the luxury properties and really wanted to try the POLY, but finances are a little tight. We are tuition poor. We have five of us. My husband and myself, and three older teens, 19, 18 and 16. So we probably need two rooms. We have always stayed Deluxe, because my DH is not a huge Disney (theme park) fan. So we usually do rope drop in the morning, hang at the resort during mid day, and then return to parks in the evening. We also like the quick walk to a park or a monorail option...but again, can't afford two rooms at a deluxe. Would love your suggestions for a moderate. I was thinking CSR, POFQ or POR (but only royal rooms are currently available).

 

[MushuHill]

Did you look at renting DVC? We are renting at Bay lake with a theme park view the week after Easter for the same price we paid to stay at POR last year in October.
POR was very nice, but the busses were horrible. Some mornings we had to wait 45 minutes for a bus to the park we wanted. I have also stayed at Coronado. It was really nice as well. We stayed in a preferred room so it was on the 1st stop to pick up and drop off. I really enjoyed that resort. It was really beautiful!

 

[JennaDeeDooDah]

Of the moderates you mentioned, POR is easily my favorite. The grounds are absolutely gorgeous and the Royal Guest Rooms are quite luxurious. I love the ability to take the boat to Disney Springs and the fact that you can use both its and POFQ's pools. It's nice to head to the bar from a drink and the entertainment by YeeHa Bob. The Royal Guest Rooms are also in 2 sections that are right across the bridge from the main building so you know you won't have to walk far. In my opinion, you cannot go wrong staying there.

 

[Wood Nymph]

We are deluxe people too, but have stayed at POR and liked it, although I do agree that the buses can be bad. If the 16 year old is short enough to fit in the Murphy bed, then your family would fit in an Alligator Bayou room. We enjoyed spending time in the pool area. The pool bar is very nice. And you would have the benefit of the boat to Disney Springs.

 

[ChasingLeslie]

I love CSR! It's the most deluxe-like with extra eateries and amenities, is very peaceful, and has great busing.

Another option: have you looked at the rates for the Swan/Dolphin during your dates? It would give you the walk-ability to Epcot and boat to DHS.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Did you look at renting DVC?

For this December? It's not an option. December has the highest demand weeks of the year for DVC, and we're within 7 months. Even SSR and OKW are not available for more than 2 days at a crack in many instances for a 1 or 2BR. If this were for December 2017, DVC is an option. December 2016's DVC rental ship has sailed save for finding a confirmed reservation with perfect timing.

 

[mjmgsssp]

My fave moderate is POFQ. It is the smallest resort, but has a cozy feeling to it. I've never waited more than 15 minutes for a bus, and you can take a boat ride to DS.

 

[MrsJamesPSullivan]

I second POFQ for the same reasons. Love the small size and the theming. Can't beat the boat to DS.

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

We love POFQ also however it was fully booked last Christmas when we went to book with we had to cancel a cruise due to ill health. So we were desperate to find some accommodation and our DVC resort was fully booked too. Well CSR came up so we opted for that in a preferred room. I wasn't looking forward to it because I love PO resorts. Boy was I wrong! It is a lovely resort. The lights so pretty in the evening. We saw fireworks across the lake. The pepper marker was cute. The rooms were nice and both pools amazing. It is a large resort so it's best to get a preferred room. But that is a nice place! Either that or POFQ get my vote!

 

[Marionnette]

Hi all! We're planning a sudden trip in December. We have stayed in a few of the luxury properties and really wanted to try the POLY, but finances are a little tight. We are tuition poor. We have five of us. My husband and myself, and three older teens, 19, 18 and 16. So we probably need two rooms. We have always stayed Deluxe, because my DH is not a huge Disney (theme park) fan. So we usually do rope drop in the morning, hang at the resort during mid day, and then return to parks in the evening. We also like the quick walk to a park or a monorail option...but again, can't afford two rooms at a deluxe. Would love your suggestions for a moderate. I was thinking CSR, POFQ or POR (but only royal rooms are currently available).

I just got back from Labor Day weekend at CSR and loved it. Like your family, I'm used to the Deluxe Resorts but since I was traveling with my sister and nieces, it wasn't in everyone's budget to stay deluxe (and there was no DVC availability). We stayed in a Business Class room, which has access to a lounge in the morning and late afternoon/evening. Not as fancy as concierge at the Deluxe Resorts, but adequate for grabbing a quick bite before heading to the parks and a light snack before going back in the evening.

I think that you'll find that you will miss the easy access to the parks. I'm used to walking to HS and Epcot from my home resort (BWV). We had a car, so we did not deal with the bus system but the Business Class rooms are all in Cabana 9B, which is the closest to the main building and bus stop #1. If I had to stay in a Moderate Resort again, CSR Business Class would be my first choice.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

CSR has the best pool for older kids, hands down, of the mods. Also a huge hot tub.

 

[constanze]

Thank you so much for your responses. Since we'll be there in December (haven't been in Florida this time of year), will it still be warm enough to use the pools? Sorry, I know this is probably a silly question...

 

[Babsy]

I would choose CSR, business class or preferred (if the additional cost is in the budget). If you book standard at CSR, then I would request either a room in the Cabanas section or Casitas 4.

CSR would be a great option for your family with teenage children. The pool is easily the best pool for older kids, has a great slide and has a nice large hot tub. There are lots os dining options, even poolside, quiet pools, a salon, fitness centre and a beautiful walk around the grounds especially at night. Four bus stops serve the resort so that no rooms are far from a bus stop. However, we found the bus service to be really quick and efficient. the trip around the stops only takes a few minutes, but if you want to get aboard and head quickly to the parks, the business class rooms are near bust #1 which usually is the last stop before heading to the theme parks (except DS, I believe). WE have always had good luck with the buses here, FWIW. CSR is in a fairly nice centrally located area that didn't feel like a long trip to any of the theme parks to us. The rooms are nicely furnished and comfortable with 2 queen beds. They are not as large as deluxe rooms but are not much smaller than the WL or AKL rooms, for comparison if you have stayed at either of those.

POR would be my second choice. The RR are lovely, but felt a bit more crowded than the CSR rooms to me. Perhaps it is the more ornate furniture? It is an illusion, though, as I know that the rooms are the same size, just felt that way to me. Of course, POR has the boat to DS and Yee Haa Bob is entertain to watch some nights if you stay there. A nice stroll to POFQ allows you to access their food court, pool and beignets! as well.

POFQ is our least favourite moderate. i know that a lot of people enjoy the small size and the single bus stop, but we personally enjoy having a few more amenities at the resort. The POFQ pool and slide are better suited to people with small children, IMO, and the only place to dine is a food court. I know that you can access the pools and amenities at POR, but I would prefer to stay in the location where the amenities exist and not have to walk to them all the time. POR and CSR are large resorts, but if you stay preferred RR or BC, then the large size doesn't impact you at all except to provide lovely grounds that you can stroll around at your leisure, if you are so inclined.

Overall, I think that CSR is the best choice, but either CSR to POR is a nice choice!!

Have fun choosing!

 

[constanze]

Did you look at renting DVC? We are renting at Bay lake with a theme park view the week after Easter for the same price we paid to stay at POR last year in October.
POR was very nice, but the busses were horrible. Some mornings we had to wait 45 minutes for a bus to the park we wanted. I have also stayed at Coronado. It was really nice as well. We stayed in a preferred room so it was on the 1st stop to pick up and drop off. I really enjoyed that resort. It was really beautiful!

Is there a good thread you can recommend on renting DVC points? I've never done that before. I've been looking thru the boards trying to get a handle on it. But it looks like it might be difficult as we're going during one of the busiest times, beftween Christmas and New years...We're thinking the 26th-31st.

 

[constanze]

For CSR which would be better: A preferred room, or a business class room?

 

[Marionnette]

Is there a good thread you can recommend on renting DVC points? I've never done that before. I've been looking thru the boards trying to get a handle on it. But it looks like it might be difficult as we're going during one of the busiest times, beftween Christmas and New years...We're thinking the 26th-31st.

I think that you're out of luck if you're in the market for a DVC unit for 12/26-12/31/16. There are absolutely no studios available at any resort for those dates. Not even partial availability.

However, you can check the DVC Rent/Trade Board for members who are looking to "rent" out their points.

 

[Marionnette]

For CSR which would be better: A preferred room, or a business class room?

For the money, I would pay for Business Class. It's a preferred location and you're guaranteed to be in Cabana 9B. Plus, you get access to the lounge during the hours it is open, which means that you can slip out for a coffee and Danish early in the morning and relax there while your family sleeps in. Or grab a sangria and catch up with the disboards on your ipad while your family takes a nap in the afternoon or is showering to get ready for the evening.

 

[MrsJamesPSullivan]

The pools are all heated so it depends on the weather and you. My kids have been in the pool at night in December with people, obviously not from the north, walking by in coats with hats and gloves.

The only rooms I would stay in at CSR are the business class rooms. I'm not a fan of the huge resorts and those rooms are at least close to the bus stops, etc.

 

[momears1980]

why not try for an AKL room with bunk beds and a pull out couch?

 

[constanze]

why not try for an AKL room with bunk beds and a pull out couch?

There seems to be no availability there