Help selecting resort

[Goofy One]

Me, DW, DD(4yrs), DD(1.5yr) and Grandma are looking at going to WDW in the middle of November ( 14th-21st) for DD 4th B-Day and I am looking into some advice for what resort to stay at.

We are down to these 4 choices:

Coronado Springs - DW and I love this resort plus the playground looks like something our 4yr would have a blast at.

French Quarter - Grandma really wants to stay at this one because of how close everything is. DD would like the slide a lot but they do not have much of a play area.

POP Century or All-Star Movies - I think my DDs would really enjoy the themeing and such. Not sure though how relaxing this would be for us adults and also not sure if they have a slide or not on the pools.

 

[Alicnwondrln]

They dont have a slide at the pool at POP but it is very cute and fun.

The 2 mods you choose are both cute in there own way. I would pick POR over CSR. I like the themeing better.

Good Luck

 

[karibritt01]

CSR is our favorite resort! Everything about the themeing is relaxing. While the resort is large, there are options besides walking there. They offer internal transportation, and the buses travel in a loop so you can easily ride from one section to another. The Cabanas section is convenient to both pool and CS area. My kids (8 and 4 last trip) really loved the resort, too.

 

[KigerKat]

We were researching our options for a while as well - these forums are great for that!!

I found that a lot of people said that CSR is geared more toward conventions, and doesn't have quite as much "Disney Magic" as some of the other resorts. Other guests have said the pool is often filled with conventioners enjoying a little too much alcohol in the evenings, and can sometimes be a little inappropriate for children.

Pop Century and All Stars are great for kids with the large icons, and very affordable. My parents have DH have stayed here in the past and didn't care for it because it was just so crowded with children and a little noisy.

DH and I decided on Port Orleans because of the themes, and it looked like there was more to do there. I've heard the buses pick up at FQ first, and then Riverside so some people prefer FQ for that. It also has a river taxi to take you over to Downtown Disney as well as beautiful water views throughout the resort.

I'm sure you'll hear a lot of opinions on this one! Good luck!

 

[Goofy One]

I think we may be leaning towards ASMovies.

Does anyone know how crowded the buses tend to be mid November?

 

[GMarcan920]

We've stayed at POFQ and love it. They have a boat late afternoon through the evening over to Downtown Disney which is a really nice way to go there. I think, also, that POFQ is first picked up and first let off on the busses. Pool is wonderful, food is OK, not great.

We've stayed at the Value Resorts and didn't much care for them. They are huge and feel huge, but it's good if you have children - definitely geared to families with children.

 

[KatMark]

We will be staying at the CSR for the 7th time in September. Sorry if I am losing my cool here, but I am so tired of the accusations about the conventioneers at the CSR--when half of the people making the accusations have never even stayed there as can be noted by their signatures. We have NEVER seen a conventioneer in the pool having had too much to drink. During the hot afternoon hours when we are spending time at the pool, the conventioneers are in meetings. Do they drink at night? Yes, there are a couple of bars at the CSR. Do they distburb people? Not that I've ever witnessed. The outside bar is close to the main building and the one at the pool closes, I would assume before the pool does (don't know...we use the quiet pool at night). I have never seen anyone at the CSR any more "intoxicated" than the woman I saw at the bar at the POR last year listening to the piano player--with her child with her. Yes, it is a convention hotel, but they are in meetings all day thus freeing up the bus service. At key hours, the Pepper Market might be a little more crowded, but we have never really had an issue with that either.

The CSR is wide spread, but you can catch a golf cart or one of the buses if you do not want to take a five or ten minute walk from Point A to Point B. The grounds are lovely at night. The Dig Site is terrific for kids, as is the playground and there is also the hot tub.

We have never stayed at the POFQ, but if we were to decide to try a different moderate from the CSR (which we are not...my husband couldn't even get me to go to the Polynesian for our upcoming 25th anniversary trip because I am too happy at the CSR), the POFQ would be it. We did not like the POR at all.

We have only stayed at a value once and did not care for it. We love kids...we have our own...but found the value to be way too loud and noisy for us. We like the sereneness of the CSR at night.

I am sure wherever you pick, you will be happy. Disney offers so many different types of resorts because there are so many different tastes.

 

[Jrabbit910]

I think we may be leaning towards ASMovies.

Does anyone know how crowded the buses tend to be mid November?

ASMov was one of the first resorts that I ever went to and still love it to this day. Its a fun themed resort & kids love the huge icons. The time that you are thinking about going is also a great time as well. Its a week before Thanksgiving and Veterans day weekend crowd is gone.
My DH & I stayed this week at POR and LOVED every minute of it. The only concern that I would have is for your grandmother. Being that its a value you only get food court not restaurant & again, its a resort thats usually filled w/ children (of course your going to get kids anywhere).

Imho; I think POFQ or POR would be the be a great resort for all. POR has quiet pools, has the fishing pond, and the grounds are wonderful. POFQ is alot smaller then POR and its still great. You can also take a carriage ride at night w/ the family around the resorts and the restaurant (boatrights @POR) is great and the boat ride to DTD is a great way to get around.
Good Luck w/ your choice and no matter what you pick, I wish you a wonderful stay!

 

[cheerforchelsea]

I have been several times in Mid-November and the bus transportation is crowded!!

 

[Lilolvr]

We love CSR! Great pool/slide, awesome transportation and terrific food choices. The playground is fantastic, our kids love it. CM's played games with the kids and would bury treasure in the sand for them to dig up. It's an awesome resort!!

 

[alliyah]

If Grandma is 50ish, I would say go with CSR. The playground and pool is nice, but there can be a lot of walking. If Grandma is 70ish, I would go with her wishes of POFQ. It is obviously a lot smaller and thus less walking. Your DD might like the playground at POR, which you could also use.

For the record, while I did not really like CSR myself, we didn't encounter any problems with the convention people.

 

[Lilolvr]

I found that a lot of people said that CSR is geared more toward conventions, and doesn't have quite as much "Disney Magic" as some of the other resorts. Other guests have said the pool is often filled with conventioners enjoying a little too much alcohol in the evenings, and can sometimes be a little inappropriate for children.

Never experienced that in our trips to CSR. Not once.

 

[Buzz2001]

CSR is a great resort! Check out my CSR website below for pics and info. The buses do not share with any other resort like POR/POFQ, the pool is the best of the mods and the food is terrific.

I've stayed at CSR nine times and have never had any issues with the CM's, management or guests (convention or other).

 

[Buzz2001]

I am so tired of the accusations about the conventioneers at the CSR--when half of the people making the accusations have never even stayed there as can be noted by their signatures.

Amen to that!!

 

[MELSMICE]

Of the ones you listed, my choice would be CSR. They do have a GREAT playground for kids.

The resort is extremely relaxing & the main pool area is very large & spread out so you are not on top of the guest next to you. It has many tables (we prefer table & chairs to loungers).

I've stayed at POR, not at POFQ, however, when we walked to the FQ, I found that the pool area seemed very small & crowded. The resort itself looked very quaint, but I like space. CSR has lots of space!

I haven't stayed at the values, but I know the rooms are a little smaller than a mod, so with 5 guests you may want to consider a bigger room.

Also, we saw a few convention people, but it's not a big deal. I'm not sure why people find this as a negative. They're just people like everyone else, they just usually have on casual business attire instead of vacation wear. I'm sure they're all envious of those guests walking around in their bathing suits & shorts!

 

[MissKristinaLianne]

Def... CSR or POFQ

...POFQ does have a pretty cute play area. Also you could take a walk over to POR's which is a lot bigger and totally different from POFQ's.

CSR is nice... yes the theme is very calm and relaxing.

..either or.