How do you choose between resorts

[alitrem]

I am planning out very first DW vacation for summer 2017 and we have decided to stay at a DW resort but undecided on where to stay. We will be travelling as a family with 2 kids (11 & 15 at the trip time). I like the idea of the value resorts but don't like that they are only double beds.

I have also looked at the Caribbean Beach Resort, Port Orleans Riverside & French Quarters. Price wise I don't know how much of a difference each of the moderate resorts are but wondering for 11 & 15 year olds what resorts maybe a good idea to check out? I have seen that a couple of the resorts have the pull down beds from the walls but guessing those are not all rooms? What would those rooms be booked under...standard rooms? Preferred rooms?

 

[Iowamomof4]

Any chance you would consider a family suite? With two older kids, having two bathrooms and a microwave might be quite helpful. Plus, the family suites have queen beds in the master bedroom. All Star Music and Art of Animation both have family suites.

 

[minnie mum]

I am planning out very first DW vacation for summer 2017 and we have decided to stay at a DW resort but undecided on where to stay. We will be travelling as a family with 2 kids (11 & 15 at the trip time). I like the idea of the value resorts but don't like that they are only double beds.

I have also looked at the Caribbean Beach Resort, Port Orleans Riverside & French Quarters. Price wise I don't know how much of a difference each of the moderate resorts are but wondering for 11 & 15 year olds what resorts maybe a good idea to check out? I have seen that a couple of the resorts have the pull down beds from the walls but guessing those are not all rooms? What would those rooms be booked under...standard rooms? Preferred rooms?

POR and CBR are the only mods with the pull down Murphy bed. But it is sized for a child. I think it's only around 63" long. These rooms, with a max capacity if 5, are sprinkled in all the room categories except for king bed rooms or Pirate rooms at CBR. You can request one, but there's no guarantee you'll get it, and priority goes to families of 5. At POR, the rooms with Murphy beds and capacity for 5 are all located in Alligator Bayou. So, all room categories except king rooms or Royal Rooms. The only way to guarantee a Murphy bed at POR is to book a preferred room, since all preferred rooms are in AB.

I think either of these resorts would appeal to kids of these ages. They both have really good main pools.

The family suites at ASMu and AoA will be more expensive than a room at the Mods, but they have a separate MBR and ensuite with a queen bed, and sleeper sofa and table that converts to a bed in the main room. Plus a second bathroom and kitchenette. If your kids are opposite sexes, the separate bed may be more desirable.

 

[alitrem]

POR and CBR are the only mods with the pull down Murphy bed. But it is sized for a child. I think it's only around 63" long. These rooms, with a max capacity if 5, are sprinkled in all the room categories except for king bed rooms or Pirate rooms at CBR. You can request one, but there's no guarantee you'll get it, and priority goes to families of 5. At POR, the rooms with Murphy beds and capacity for 5 are all located in Alligator Bayou. So, all room categories except king rooms or Royal Rooms. The only way to guarantee a Murphy bed at POR is to book a preferred room, since all preferred rooms are in AB.

I think either of these resorts would appeal to kids of these ages. They both have really good main pools.

The family suites at ASMu and AoA will be more expensive than a room at the Mods, but they have a separate MBR and ensuite with a queen bed, and sleeper sofa and table that converts to a bed in the main room. Plus a second bathroom and kitchenette. If your kids are opposite sexes, the separate bed may be more desirable.

Thank you for your advice!

 

[Guyton dis lover]

I am planning out very first DW vacation for summer 2017 and we have decided to stay at a DW resort but undecided on where to stay. We will be travelling as a family with 2 kids (11 & 15 at the trip time). I like the idea of the value resorts but don't like that they are only double beds.

I have also looked at the Caribbean Beach Resort, Port Orleans Riverside & French Quarters. Price wise I don't know how much of a difference each of the moderate resorts are but wondering for 11 & 15 year olds what resorts maybe a good idea to check out? I have seen that a couple of the resorts have the pull down beds from the walls but guessing those are not all rooms? What would those rooms be booked under...standard rooms? Preferred rooms?

It all depends on how much you want to spend. We have camped ,stayed at value and moderate resorts. We have stayed at Shades of Green which is the DOD resort for military. Bottom line is how long to you intend to stay in your room. We look at it as a place to sleep and clean up. Not much to do in the room but watch TV or go to the pool.

 

[maxiesmom]

Why have you not looked at Coronado Springs? Out of the moderate resorts, it has the largest main pool area, and the longest pool slide. To me it also feels a bit more upscale than the other moderates (and I have stayed at all except the Wilderness Cabins), and I think it has the best bus service as well.

 

[Shellyb84]

Out of the mods, I have only stayed at CBR and CSR. I will say that I didn't care for CBR. The layout was confusing, the bus stops, food courts, pool, all were extremely crowded. CSR is a lovely resort, the pool is great, and the food is good. The atmosphere there is very relaxing. Bus service is great and it felt like a big step up from CBR. There is only one sink in the bathroom so that's not ideal, but otherwise I loved it. It will be our first choice if we stay at a mod again.

 

[amy1981]

My husband is 6'2 and I'm 5'11 so for that reason alone we've never done value. After a day at the parks we need a good nights sleep and that just isn't going to happen in a double bed. Also, if your kids are sharing a bed they will be more comfortable in a Queen as well, especially at their ages. We stayed at POR a few years ago and my then 6 year old slept in the trundle bed...it would definitely not work for an 11 year old I wouldn't think. We liked POR, we'd read bad reviews on the buses, but we had great luck and the food court was good too. Pool was...meh. If I were going with an 11 & 15 year old I'd pick CSR.

 

[alitrem]

Why have you not looked at Coronado Springs? Out of the moderate resorts, it has the largest main pool area, and the longest pool slide. To me it also feels a bit more upscale than the other moderates (and I have stayed at all except the Wilderness Cabins), and I think it has the best bus service as well.

This is good to know. I think I'll look into this as well!

 

[loves to dive]

I really don't think you can go wrong with any of them so if it were me I'd go with whichever one is less.

 

[BeckyEsq]

I believe of the moderates only POR and FQ have queen beds. That is a deciding factor for us.

 

[rascooby]

We have stayed at CBR and POR. This trip I think we'll stay at POR again. I really love the relaxed feel. My kids loved the pool and the boat to Disney Springs. I thought about the Family Suites at Art of Animation as well, but I decided POR would probably be more relaxing than a value.

 

[Baklava]

I am planning out very first DW vacation for summer 2017 and we have decided to stay at a DW resort but undecided on where to stay. We will be travelling as a family with 2 kids (11 & 15 at the trip time). I like the idea of the value resorts but don't like that they are only double beds.

I have also looked at the Caribbean Beach Resort, Port Orleans Riverside & French Quarters. Price wise I don't know how much of a difference each of the moderate resorts are but wondering for 11 & 15 year olds what resorts maybe a good idea to check out? I have seen that a couple of the resorts have the pull down beds from the walls but guessing those are not all rooms? What would those rooms be booked under...standard rooms? Preferred rooms?

We took our kids (18 and 5) to WDW for the first time in January. Our process for choosing a resort was as follows:

-We established that a Deluxe was out of the budget and while a couple Values were interesting (mostly AoA) with two party members over 6'2" the tiny beds at a Value were out.
-Of the moderates, CBR simply didn't feel Disney. Nothing we saw online was at all inspiring us to go there. CSR was a little better, but not particularly appealing. While I was interested in the sparkly attitude of POFQ, my husband and teen found it a little overwhelming. We went with POR and were delighted with our choice. We stayed in a Royal Room and it was wonderful.

IIRC, at POR the pull down bunks are only in Alligator Bayou. The only way to guarantee getting one is to book in the preferred section which is all in AB.

 

[MonaMN]

I believe of the moderates only POR and FQ have queen beds. That is a deciding factor for us.

Most moderates have queen beds now, with the exception of any king bed rooms, the pirate rooms at CBR and the Cabins at FW (totally different option).

Full size beds are a deal breaker for us, but I can't justify the extra cost for deluxe (yet!!). So we have stayed at moderates. We typically go in with a resort in mind, but keep ourselves flexible so we can take advantage of any discounts that might be offered. We have stayed at POR and CBR and liked them both for different reasons. We are trying CSR later this year.

 

[BeckyEsq]

Most moderates have queen beds now, with the exception of any king bed rooms, the pirate rooms at CBR and the Cabins at FW (totally different option).

Full size beds are a deal breaker for us, but I can't justify the extra cost for deluxe (yet!!). So we have stayed at moderates. We typically go in with a resort in mind, but keep ourselves flexible so we can take advantage of any discounts that might be offered. We have stayed at POR and CBR and liked them both for different reasons. We are trying CSR later this year.

That is good to know!

 

[aebeauregard]

Yes I was going to also say all the moderates are queen size now except pirates rooms and king rooms and the cabins. (as far as I can tell at least) CSR is usually a little more expensive than the other moderates because of the convention resort aspect I think.

 

[old feller]

Why have you not looked at Coronado Springs? Out of the moderate resorts, it has the largest main pool area, and the longest pool slide. To me it also feels a bit more upscale than the other moderates (and I have stayed at all except the Wilderness Cabins), and I think it has the best bus service as well.

I definitely agree 100% with this post Exactly what I wood say

 

[Polybound]

This is good to know. I think I'll look into this as well!

Even though considered D'lux, The Swan and Dolphin sometimes have great rates. I'd check these out as well.

 

[Walker24]

I'm pretty sure that the Coronado has two queen beds and the rooms are slightly larger than the Caribbean which only has twin beds. The Coronado has a really good quck service restaurant with a lot of choices and big servings

 

[MonaMN]

I'm pretty sure that the Coronado has two queen beds and the rooms are slightly larger than the Caribbean which only has twin beds. The Coronado has a really good quck service restaurant with a lot of choices and big servings

CBR has queen beds as of the latest refurb, with the exception of the pirate rooms, which have full sized beds. No twins other than in some of the deluxe bunk bed rooms and maybe suites/cabins.

Some rooms in CBR also have the drop down Murphy beds - ours did. That allows for five in those rooms.