Help! I need to make a decision tonight!

[Catie'sMama]

New member here! Referred from another board regarding a certain brand of addictive children's clothing! I have a 2 year old daughter.

My mom saw the ad in the paper about the Magic Your Way, and well...4 days later we are ready to complete our booking. I've already got great reservations at Chef Mickey's, Le Cellier, Sci-Fi Dine In, 50's Prime Time Cafe, Pooh at Crystal Palace, etc. So the issue is: Do we cheap out (we're talking $300 here) and stay at All Star Movies or go for a moderate? Budget wise, swinging the extra $300 is not that big of a deal, especially if we have to put up with noise, long lines to wait for the bus, etc.

For moderates, I am really looking at Port Orleans Riverside, but could also consider French Quarter. I have heard some issues about walking distances, but as long as it's not a couple of miles we'll be okay (especially the one in the stroller). I'm really liking that they have their own bus.

Any advice from all you wise Disney lovers??

 

[becka]

Welcome to the DIS!!!

We really like the value resorts but the moderates are nicer. You might enjoy the extra room and the mods are usually a little quieter which could be nice at nap time. I have never stayed at POR but we stayed at POFQ and since it is the smallest of the mods you don't have a long walk and the busses are shared with POR althought POFQ is the first to pick up and first to drop off.

I am sure you will have a great trip no matter where you stay!

 

[a Really Bad Egg]

If money is not an issue, I'd recommend the upgrade.

 

[lmhall2000]

If this is the first trip of a few over the next two decades...then I'd do AS...if you don't think you'll be back for another trip again then I'd say do the POFQ...only because if you do plan another trip within 5 years then you'll have the moderates to look forward to.

Tara

 

[goodferry]

If budget isn't an issue, I would definitely go with POR, I have never stayed there, so I can't give you any specific advice about the resort, but the pools are supposed to be great and the convienience of having the boat to downtown disney is an added plus! Welcome to the Dis and happy planning

 

[Catie'sMama]

It's my 7th trip! DD's second-we went when she was 9 months old. We probably won't get back till 2006 or 07 because we're moving to Hawaii.

BTW, I also lost 50 pounds. Been a lifetime (Weight Watchers) since June.

 

[Bugsmom73]

I would go with a moderate.

 

[unixadm]

If the $300 isn't an issue, I would go with a Moderate. They are definitely nicer. The rooms are a bit bigger and nicer, the resort facilities are nicer and the restaurants are better. I've found that the crowds are a bit less as well.

As others have said, if you are going to go again in the future, then you could always save the $300, use it for some extra things on this trip, and book the Moderate the next time....sort of upgrade each time you go. If this is going to be the only trip you make to Disney for a long time, definitely spend the extra $$ to get the nicer resort.

 

[bevon]

I would go with the moderate!! Definitely!!! Good Luck!

 

[Amyg]

That was my dilema as well and I chose a moderate because I like a little more space and quiet. We're planning to go to POFQ since it's more intimate and I understand they have a great pool!

 

[Wigit12]

My mother stayed at POFQ while we were at OKW and loved it. Really nice atmosphere. I thought the pool was excellent. Cute kiddie pool too. They liked the food court there, but no sit down restaurant on the FQ side.

 

[minnie61650]

Try the ALL Star resorts. I love them.
A lot of posters who say go for the mod have not tried value. I have tried Mod CBR has 7 bus stops. and the PO resorts have 4 bus stops.It takes longer to get to Epcot,MGM,and AK from the Contemorary than it takes to get to those parks from the All Star resorts.

Here is a site with a map of All Star Sports and All Star Music.
http://www.wdwinfo.com/resortmaps/allstarmap.htm
Scroll down.All Star Music is at the bottom of the page.
The Calypso buildings at All Star Music are #1 and #10 are nearest to the food court and bus stop.
They are the preferred buildings and cost about $12 extra per night.
The Calypso pool at ASMU has Donald Duck.

Here is the map of All Movies.
http://www.wdwinfo.com/resortmaps/allstarmovie.JPG
The Fantasia Buildings are the preferred buildings.
The All Star Movie Fantasia pool has Mickey.
The food courts are great.
The buses are wonderful.

Bus rides are shorter from the ALL Stars than POP according to PassPorter.com

All Star Buses------------Pop buses
MK 20 min---------------MK 25 min
Epcot 10 min------------Epcot 20 min
MGM 10 min--------------MGM 15 min
AK 10 min----------------AK 15 min
DTD 15 min---------------DTD 20 min

Which is one the of the resons I the All Star Resorts --they can't be beat. I have visited WDW more than a dozen times with the 1st time in Oct. 1971. It was brand new. I've stayed at FW, Disney Inn, a few the of Hotels on hotel Blvd., CBR and the towers at the Contemporary. I got to see the MK from my balcony at the Contemporary and I'm happy I got to experience it once. I just prefer the All Star Resorts.
The theaming is pure Disney.
My last 4 visits have been at The All Stars and this fall when we take dd,dsil, and our grandson age 3 we are staying at the All Stars Music. I thought about AKL and even though we can well afford AKL I just wanted Alex to experience the Disney Magic at the All Stars on his first visit. I can hardly wait.
Linda

 

[Catie'sMama]

Thank you to everyone who helped with their comments. After much debate and agonizing, I went ahead and booked the POR. Like I read in another post, your vacation is what you make out of it. We will use that philosophy and enjoy ourselves to the hilt! Can't wait to introduce my daughter to the magic that is Disney!!