Difference between Moderates

[charlielinda]

Hello. I'm a Disney veteran but has never stayed on property. We always stay at a timeshare and love it. I've talked by husband into the September free dining program and now need to decide between the different moderate resorts which I understand are Caribean Beach Resort, Coronado Springs, and Port Orleans. I'm so new at this I didn't even know which abbreviations other folks use for the resorts. Help.

Could you help me? Which do you like and why? Which don't you like and why? We are two adults in our early 50's who want to spend time together and relax. Any ideas are welcome. Thanks!

 

[Lilolvr]

Coronado Springs (CSR) is a great choice. It has an awesome pool/slide, the bussing is awesome because it is not shared with another resort like POR/POFQ and it has lots of food option. Check out buzz2001's website dedicated to CSR. CSR is a very relaxing, romantic resort that is gorgeous at night. It also has live entertainment at the new Ric Lounge.

 

[rie'smom]

CSR is our favorite mod-it's the one we return to when staying in a mod.
The Dig Site pool is great.
Landscaping is lush.
beds are very comfortable
Cms are great
Pepper market has delicious food
Maya Grill is also delicious
CSR has it'sown busses-no sharing between resorts
Some complain about seeing conventioneers-not me. Pools are less crowded as are busses. The conventioneers we've seen have always been super polite.
Choice of walking around the resort or taking a shuttle. We always walk because the resort is so beautiful.
Great gift shop
I don't think Buzz will ind if I share his website with you:
http://coronado_springs.tripod.com/
I highly recommend checking this site as he has both fantastic pictures and great info.

 

[mom2taylorandemily]

We love the Carribean, you can get a preferred room and be close to the Food Court. It has beautiful landscaping and the resort is so quiet. With the Island feel, you feel as though you are on a vacation inside your vacation. It is wonderful there.

 

[DAZY3BYZ]

I'd vote for POR or POFQ. The grounds are just beautiful. The landscaping,grounds and carriage rides add to the charm. The boat to DowntownDisney is just so relaxing. Such a great way to spend some time relaxing together and go to DowntownDisney for shopping and dinner.
The buses do share but we've never had a real problem except coming from the parks after they close. All the buses are pretty packed then.
We enjoy the food court here. Lots of options. You also have Boatwrights for a sit down and lounges to relax. POR is a great resort.

 

[Tink's Pixieduster]

First, here is a link to the DIS abbreviations http://www.wdwinfo.com/abbreviations.htm

Port Orleans is actually TWO resorts - Port Orleans Riverside (POR) and Port Orleans French Quarter (POFQ).

The resorts are next to each other, and guests at one resort are allowed to use the pool at the other resort.

POFQ is the smallest of the WDW resorts, with only 1,008 rooms. POR is about twice the size.

I am also in my mid-50's. My DSis and I love staying in POFQ for a few reasons.
1 - Its small, so there is not a long hike to the room from the bus depot, no matter which building you're in (big plus for us).
2 - POFQ and POR often share buses, and when this happens the guests at POFQ are picked up first, meaning there is more liklihood of getting seats.
3 - I really like the boats that go to Downtown Disney (DTD), which are shared with POR. This is a pleasant and relaxing alternative to riding buses to DTD.
4 - I enjoy the dixieland music piped into the common area around the main building.
5 - I LOVE the freshly made beignets!

And I guess because POFQ was the very first WDW I stayed at it feels like home to me. 154 more days until I get to go back!

 

[cheerforchelsea]

I am in my 50s also and CBR is my favorite resort of all. I love the feel of being in Nassau - like momtotaylorandemily said - it is a vacation within a vacation...

 

[Mickey23]

CSR is our favorite mod-it's the one we return to when staying in a mod.
The Dig Site pool is great.
Landscaping is lush.
beds are very comfortable
Cms are great
Pepper market has delicious food
Maya Grill is also delicious
CSR has it'sown busses-no sharing between resorts
Some complain about seeing conventioneers-not me. Pools are less crowded as are busses. The conventioneers we've seen have always been super polite.
Choice of walking around the resort or taking a shuttle. We always walk because the resort is so beautiful.
Great gift shop
I don't think Buzz will ind if I share his website with you:
http://coronado_springs.tripod.com/
I highly recommend checking this site as he has both fantastic pictures and great info.

Well said...another vote for CSR!

 

[KatMark]

We love the CSR! My DH and I are in our 50's--I just turned 50 in December and he is 55. We will be staying CSR for our 25th anniversary in September and it is our 7th stay there (my wonderful DH asked if I wanted to stay deluxe at the Polynesian for our anniversary and I told him no--I am quite happy with our home away from home--the CSR). We love the peacefulness of the resort; we love taking moonlit walks around the lake at night when the sun has gone down and the lights are reflecting off the water; we love walking around all the fountains in the Casitas section; we love the option of going to the main pool with the Siesta Bar and enjoying the water or the hot tub or going to one of the quiet pools to take a nap or read a book; I love having the spa there for a massage while on my vacation (there is also a fitness club...but we don't use it...figure we get enough exercise with all the walking we do ). We love the landscaping; mousekeeping is terrific; they have a great gift shop--one of the largest at all of the resorts; we like the food court--the Pepper Market--and have always had good meals there (they are large and my DH and I will often share a lunch).

 

[DisneyHolidayFan]

We are in our late 50's and we both think POR is the most beautiful of all the moderate resorts. The grounds are awesome, entertainment in the lounge is great and food is good. I was not as impressed with the looks of POFQ, CBR and CSR but have not stayed in any of these resorts so am only judging them by their appearance.

 

[duchess_tisha]

We have stayed at all 4 moderates and really enjoyed them all.

My favorite is POFQ, it is very relaxing and I enjoy listening to the Jazz musician in the lounge at night.

My DH likes Coronado the best because it is so spread out and he is a fan of the southwestern landscape. It does have the best food of any of the moderates I have to admit.

POR is very wooded and quiet and CBR has that distinct tropical feel. The kids like it best I think but it does tend to be a little busier.

You can't really go wrong with any of them. Have a great trip.
Now you can enjoy the extra magic hours benefits as well since you are on property.

 

[ZeroMyHero]

OP: you will get dozens of opinions here in favor of each of the 4 mod resorts, and all of them are valid. My point is that people can rave about a resort being the best in the world but if its themeing doesn't appeal to you, it could negatively color your visit. Caribbean Beach is just that, a Caribbean beach themed resort. Coronado Springs has a Mexican/Southwestern US theme. Port Orleans Riverside has an Old South US theme, and Port Orleans French Quarter has a Mardi Gras theme. IMO, the best thing to do is to go to the Disney site and look at the photos of each of the moderate resorts. Chances are one of them will be a standout for you. Then, come back here and read up on it to see what others have said about it: the size, buses, food offerings, rooms, pool, etc. Just an opinion from someone who was in your shoes back in January. I hope you find a resort that's great for you.

 

[SuzieN]

They are all lovely. Why don't you read up on and check out pics of all the mods and then pick the one that appeals to you most. If you don't want to do a lot of walking at your resort on top of all the park walking then I would reccomend POFQ [Port Orleans French Quarter]. Actually, I'd reccomend it anyway! It is a charming and cozy resort~! My family loves it!

 

[Buzz2001]

I don't think Buzz will mind if I share his website with you:
http://coronado_springs.tripod.com/
I highly recommend checking this site as he has both fantastic pictures and great info.

Not at all. CSR all the way!

 

[MariaEllerºoº]

What type of theme do you like? New Orleans, Bayou, South West or Tropical Island feel??? Our personaly favorite is the CBR...Caribbean Beach Resort. Yes, the resort is spread out...which we find to be an added bonus. We don't feel as if we're being run over by a crowd. It has a very tropical island feel with the sandy beaches, hammocks to lie on and steel drum and calypso music playing along the pathway over the bridge and island to Old Port Royale. Each island has their own quiet pool and laundry area. Old Port Royale has a fantastic food court with many different selections to choose from as well as hosts a nice sit down restaurant. My son and husband loves the arcade here and my daughters and I love the two shopping areas that hosts island themed gifts as well as the typical Disney souvenirs. You can rent bikes or watercraft from the marina which I highly recommed doing especially biking along the pathways of the whole resort. The main pool is currently undergoing a rehad and due to open this September which sounds like it's going to be fantastic! I loved the old main pool, however, it sounds like the rehab is going to make it even better than before. I really can't wait to see. I asked my children which resort they would like to stay in next and they all chose CBR.

We have stayed at WL, Contemporary Tower and North Garden Wing, Poly, Port Orleans French Quarter, Caribbean Beach, All Star Music and Ft. Wilderness Campground to give you an idea which ones the children have stayed in and the one they like the best...CBR won hands down.

 

[MagicMe]

Well, my pick on the MODS would be POR. I just love the landscape and feel of the place. Also, POR has two distinct type of rooms. you can stay in a bayou section or in a mansion section (think old southern plantation). Like many of the MODS, they have multiple pools (a main pool and additional quiet pools mixed in among the buildings). They have a great food court, a sit down restaurant and a lounge.

 

[nikki'smom]

Definitely CSR! Can beat the pool/slide, the fact that the transportation is not shared with another resort and atmosphere is spectacular! The food options are great too!!