DVCers, help me pick a moderate!

[Tara]

I was going to post this on the Resorts board, but I think I'd prefer the perspective of DVCers on this one...

I booked a Ding fare to take my son on a surprise trip to WDW the day he gets out of school. I need to settle on a resort, though. I don't want to borrow points, so I'm taking advantage of the summer AP offer and booking a moderate to save money...I think. I booked a pirate room at CBR...though I might change it as DS doesn't really care about pirates, but they only had a king room available otherwise, so the difference was only $18 total. And the pool/play area looks nice for a moderate - I think DS will enjoy it. We've never stayed there. (In fact, DS has only spent 1 night at a moderate - Coronado Springs. I've also stayed at POR back when it was Dixie Landings, and I stayed at CSR once before.) And CBR is a bit bigger than other moderates...and the same size as WL rooms or VWL studios.

But I'm not sure I've made the right choice...would the smaller POFQ better suit us? Decisions, decisions! And then I made the mistake of looking at deluxe resorts - I can get WL for about $400 more...but we could eat for that money...for less, even. But I know I'll miss our DVC comforts. Heck, I'll even miss the kitchen, and I don't cook at home! (And I used to swear that I didn't need DVC because I didn't even want to see a stove on vacation...oh, how the tables have turned!) But this is a "bonus" trip so I we can deal.

Any advice out there from DVCers who have had to grapple with the moderate choice? I think I'll go read the 212-page CBR thread on the Resorts board and make a countdown ticker...

So here I sit trying to figure out what to do. I think CBR is the right choice...

Edited to add: We will have a rental car - that is not negotiable to me. I think we'll do breakfast out each morning, so distance from the resort center is not a big deal to us. In fact, if I were going to the food court in the morning, I'd just drive there and then leave directly from there for the parks. (we drive everywhere, including MK) And I doubt there's much of anything my picky eater would eat for lunch or dinner at the food courts, so the quality of the food court doesn't matter, either. So I think that eliminates 2 of the "cons" on the list for CBR. My son loves pool time, and from all the photos I've seen, it looks like CBR is a big win here. Plus the rooms are slightly bigger. 340 versus 314 sq ft might not seem like a lot, but my Lockers have to go somewhere! If I could get a preferred view room, I probably would, but that isn't a choice (just pirate std or water view, or king bed), so pirate it is. After sleeping on it, I think this is the right decision for us.

 

[katmittens]

We usually stay at a value (Pop) for one or two nites before we check into DVC. The past two trips we changed and stayed at CBR. We really enjoyed it. We have stayed at CS, POFQ, and Dixie Landings, I still call it by the old name. We like all of them, but Dixie and PO, were starting to bother us with the bus transportation. Busses always busy, running late. We liked the pool at CS, but not the theming. The pool is very nice at CBR and the food court is pretty good. I like the food court at Pop and Dixie better. The rooms are a little bigger at CBR. We had a courtyard view both times and it was very quiet. There are also I thing 6 quiet pools near the different clusters. We stayed in Martinnique, which was very convenient, and I think Aruba the other time. The pirate rooms I think are farther away from the main pool, than some of the other cluster, llike Martinique. I think you are paying for the Pirate theme. I also read somewhere, I think on here on a review, that the mattresses in the Pirate themed rooms only are terrible. They had to get different ones due to the style of the bed. I'm sure you'll have a great time no matter what moderate you stay in. I know what you mean it is not DVC.

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

We've only gone to POR and POFQ. We prefer POR a little bit.

Keep in mind we are from the South so the Port Orleans theme is comfortable.

 

[Inkmahm]

I"ve never stayed at a value or a moderate before. On Saturday, I will be staying at POFQ for the first time the night before our cruise (used the AP discount for the room which made it a lot cheaper than using points for a Saturday night.)

It's only for one night in my case but I'm really looking forward to trying POFQ.

 

[Ericandjenng]

Prior to finally purchasing DVC, our preferred resort was POFQ...loved the size of the resort and luckily we never had issues with the buses, plus there is the boat transportation to DTD.

 

[cvjw]

We've stayed at all of the moderate resorts before joining DVC. Our preferred moderate is POFQ - we have stayed there too many times to count. It is the smallest moderate - all rooms are close to the food court, pool and bus stops. At certain times of the day, POFQ and POR share Disney bus service. POFQ is always picked up first and dropped off first - that was a big plus for us with tired kids. We liked CBR and Coronado Springs, but just thought they were too big, and never wanted to repeat our stay at either. POR was always our second choice if POFQ was fully booked, as it was from time to time.

 

[Tinks "SS"]

We were at CBR when we took the DVC plunge. We really enjoyed it there! We had a pirate room also. My boys loved it. they are 7 and 9. They loved the pool and slide there also. The pool is really nice. The walk to the Food court and Main pool wasn't that bad but it was far. My DH refused to walk it and complained about it being too far from everything but he was also experiencing a Gout flare up which didn't help at all. lol Other than that the only mod we haven't stayed in is POFQ. I loved CS though. They both are truly beautiful. Have fun!!

 

[Robo-Daddy 3000]

We've stayed CBR and CSR at the end of two different DVC vacations. Never stayed at either of the PO resorts.

CBR and CSR are similar. I probably liked CBR a little more than Coronado. I really did not like the Pepper Market at CSR and felt that the quick serivce food choices at CSR were very limited. I guess if we had to stay at one again, I'd probably lean towards CBR.

 

[CdnKayDee]

Moderate, roughing it at Disney world. We are biased but we really love POR. POR has everything you need for the perfect vacation. Great grounds, great food court, live entertainmnet (you have to go see Piano Bob), parking close to your building, double sinks, horse drawn carriages, rental boats, a short walk to POFQ for beignets, the list goes on...

We are sure whichever moderate you chose will be great.

Kim and Danelle

 

[MiaSRN62]

Hands down for us, is POFQ. Love the smaller size....no room is too far from bus stop/boat dock or food court......nice boat ride to DD........very quaint resort. POR would be my second choice............

Maria

 

[Silver Queen]

Before joining DVC our favorite moderate was CBR. We come from NY (like the OP) and we enjoy staying at a resort with a tropical theme that looks like we're "some place else". Other than grabbing something light for breakfast we didn't eat at the food court. We preferred the restaurants in the parks or the table service restaurants in the other resorts. In our opinion, POR looks too much like the areas where we live (upstate NY). If you don't mind that fact that CBR is big you should enjoy the beautiful atmosphere.

 

[Tara]

Before joining DVC our favorite moderate was CBR. We come from NY (like the OP) and we enjoy staying at a resort with a tropical theme that looks like we're "some place else". Other than grabbing something light for breakfast we didn't eat at the food court. We preferred the restaurants in the parks or the table service restaurants in the other resorts. In our opinion, POR looks too much like the areas where we live (upstate NY). If you don't mind that fact that CBR is big you should enjoy the beautiful atmosphere.

You know, it's funny you mention how POR looks. I've stayed there already and since DVC means we're less likely to try new resorts, I don't want to pass up an opportunity this time to try something different. But I'm from Alabama, so the whole southern theme feels familiar anyway. I've never thought about similarities between upstate and POR, but I do kind of see it! In fact, I live very close to the real Saratoga Springs honestly, SSR doesn't look like it at all to me - POR is just as close to the real Saratoga IMO!

 

[Cajun28]

We have stayed at all of the moderates and our favorite, by far, is POFQ. POFQ is smaller than the other moderates, so you are always close to food court and pool. I like having POR being a short distance away, so you have a choice between 2 food courts for meals. Another big reason is the boat to DTD. It is nice to be able to take a nice, relaxing boat ride to DTD instead of stressing over trying to find a parking space there.

Good luck with your decision, I don't think you can go wrong with any moderate you choose.

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

If your from Alabama...definitely stay at Port Orleans!

They've got the South pegged...down to the tags in the parking lot, and t-shirts from around the South Eastern Conference, mostly crimson.

For those of you not from Alabama...a tag is a license plate, and Bama's best football team (for now) is the Alabama Crimson Tide .

Port Orleans is compact but looks like New Orleans (duh). The alligator bayou is rustic, but the rooms kind of look like apartments. Inside though, you have beds made out of logs and QUILTS on the bed. The mansions are lovely with nice gardens and fountains. Its very peaceful and romantic. I think the mansions are all a bit more convenient to the food court, gift shop, etc.

On our last trip, we stayed way back in the bayou. It wuz too fur of a walk into town. Plus, my new shoes were causing me problems. (Thank goodness I packed my old ones!)

We are going back to POFQ on our next trip. My extended family really loves music, and will also enjoy the dragon pool. I think I will enjoy the closeness of the resort.

P.S. We also love yeehaw Bob!

 

[smjj]

We have always thought POR was one of the best kept secrets. I personally think it is a 5 key resort at a 4 key price. The AB area is the area have stayed in and I think it is one of the best Disney has to offer. We also like CBR and have stayed ther twice. Hope this helps...smjj

 

[starbox]

Our first stay onsite was CSR, so it holds a special place in my heart. I actually love the moderates - I think they have so much to offer. My favorite DVC resorts are actually the ones that have a similar "all inclusive resort destination" feel rather than a hotel-feel. For us, being able to walk around the grounds of a resort is a PLUS.

All of the resorts have something unique:

POR/PORFQ - cute theme, cute pools, and the ferry boat to DTD is a plus.

CBR - I've been on every slide on property, including VB and HHI, and the slide at CBR is THE FASTEST. It's a serious slide - it actually flipped me around. The whole pool is really nice and has a pirate-feel.

CSR - I love Pepper Market - and the playground is way cool (my kids have outgrown playgrounds now - but it was sooo cool).

 

[sarahk0204]

It is, technically, a moderate resort, and you get the full kitchen.

Of course, this may be more resort than you need for the two of you.

 

[Tara]

It is, technically, a moderate resort, and you get the full kitchen.

Of course, this may be more resort than you need for the two of you.

Yeah, Ft Wilderness is sooooo not for me.

I'm pretty much settled on CBR at this point. As I said, the food court doesn't matter to me, and neither does transportation as we always use our rental car. After thinking about it, size didn't matter either...CBR is no different than staying at SSR in that regard. Plus I've stayed at POR and CSR, so trying something new will be good. The feature pool will be a BIG plus for DS8 and that outweighs just about everything else now that I've thought it through. And little things like the bathroom sinks having a vanity rather than freestanding pedestal sinks at POR/POFQ make a bit of a difference, especially when I'm used to so much space in DVC rooms.

Thanks everyone for the different points of view! Yesterday I booked spontaneously and was fretting over choice - today I'm settled and celebrating going from 128 days to 63 days on the countdown meter!

 

[LouisianaDisneyFan]

We just got back from a trip staying at CB in a preferred room. The pirate rooms are also in the preferred section, on the other side of the main food court, main swimming pool, etc. It's a great location and you will be right next to the bus stop. We've stayed at CB a few times before... and basically have made the rounds of many of the resorts over the years. Our first few trips were a blast in a tent at Fort Wilderness! In addition to Caribbean Beach, we also enjoyed Pop Century, Boardwalk Villas, Polynesian, Wilderness Lodge, Beach Club Villas, and Contemporary. I guess you could say we have eclectic tastes! Of all those choices, we seem to gravitate back to Boardwalk and Caribbean Baech again and again... though we just purchased at BLT, so we'll be staying there a bit more often now.

Overall, I think the pirate rooms are a great choice for your upcoming trip.

 

[Inkmahm]

Hands down for us, is POFQ. Love the smaller size....no room is too far from bus stop/boat dock or food court......nice boat ride to DD........very quaint resort. POR would be my second choice............

Maria

We were at POFQ last night for the night before our cruise leaves today. Have never stayed here before but it was nice. We tried the boat to get to DDT and that was convenient. Parking is very close to our room. I got the first floor as I requested. And it is a corner room so we haDVve two windows.

Only one thing my husband noted was that this room came with something our DVC villas never have had yet- used soap in the shower! Yuck. I'm about to go take my morning shower now so I'll have to remove the icky soap but mousekeeping needs to improve here if leftover soap is their norm.