Just back from POR and CSR

[klj27]

We stayed 3 nights at POR and 6 at CSR (and then 6 at the beach). It was the most fabulous vacation. We loved Riverside: the activities, our room, location. CSR was nice also. I"ll answer any questions about either resort for anyone.

 

[jksky4]

I am planning a trip for my family of 5 for Feb 2006. I am torn between the POR, CSR and the CBR. I have children 2, 5 and 7 and want to make sure they have things to do when not at the parks. Help?

 

[ptrbryant]

We've stayed at POR and really liked it, but I've heard good things about CSR, too and would kind of like to try it out. How would you compare the two? We always drive, so transportation isn't really an issue and we rarely use the resort food courts. We really like attractive, clean rooms, beautiful grounds, etc.

Thanks!
Karla B.

 

[jksky4]

This is our first time going in years. We stayed offsite the last time and because of the 3 kids we want to stay onsite. I would love to stay in a Deluxe but because we want to save money, we need to choose from a Moderate.

 

[tinkerbellmagic]

I am planning a trip for my family of 5 for Feb 2006. I am torn between the POR, CSR and the CBR. I have children 2, 5 and 7 and want to make sure they have things to do when not at the parks. Help?

I'd like to know the answer to this also. I have stayed at POR and will be going back to POR, but CSR has really caught my eye. I'd like to hear how POR compares to CSR.

Thanks,
Tink

 

[klj27]

When we booked this trip CSR was our first choice. We only stayed at POR because we had a a few extra days we could add on and CSR was booked. We loved POR so much more. The theming seemed so much more natural, where CSR did not seem authentic. I didn't feel like the pool at CSR was near as big as it looks in the pictures.

They had very similar activities at both resorts. When we were at POR we rented a surrey bike and had a great time. They had these at CSR also, but the path didn't seem as interesting. When we were at CSR we rented a small boat. My husband said that he wished we would have done it at POR because the waterway was more interesting there. CSR was more open and had a beautiful view at night, where POR was more shaded.

When we checked in at POR riverside we asked if we could get a room with a trundle bed. They had one available and didn't charge us the extra $15.

We liked the food court better at POR. I didn't think the surcharge at the Pepper Market would bother me, but I was not impressed. The hostess seated us and our server only got us our first drinks, after that we were on our own. That didn't seem worthy of the extra charge.

Any more questions....

 

[Disney Debbie]

Were you at the pool Saturday when the idiot kid was at the TOP of the pyramid???? My SIL is the one that told the lifeguard about him. I LOVE CSR - but they seriously need to do something about the access to the pyramid from the slide waiting line. I went on the slide with my DN and had to stop a kid from climbing up that hill - which is how the kid that DID make it got up there. When they got him down - he just jumped in the pool - never saw a parent at all - I wonder if they were even THERE

I love both POR and CSR - but CSR is my favorite. I think it's mainly because POR is too much like my hometown!

 

[klj27]

Were you at the pool Saturday when the idiot kid was at the TOP of the pyramid???? My SIL is the one that told the lifeguard about him. I LOVE CSR - but they seriously need to do something about the access to the pyramid from the slide waiting line. I went on the slide with my DN and had to stop a kid from climbing up that hill - which is how the kid that DID make it got up there. When they got him down - he just jumped in the pool - never saw a parent at all - I wonder if they were even THERE

I love both POR and CSR - but CSR is my favorite. I think it's mainly because POR is too much like my hometown!

Yikes - that is scary!! We were there from the 5th to the 11th. I didn't even consider that someone would try to climb up there. I never rode the slide, but son did a lot! I am glad that he would be too scared to get in trouble to try anything like that.

 

[ptrbryant]

Yeah, that's the problem when you're from the South! We're in south-central Kentucky and while I thought POR was great, it didn't seem very "different" from what we often see around here. Yet, it seems to be most people's hands-down favorite, so I'm not sure what to do! A nice kind of dilemma, though!


Karla B.

 

[Goofy4WDW1964]

We have stayed at both, and we liked POR so much better. But, you do have to keep in mind that this is my families opinion. Yours may be different. We liked the theming of POR much better. But, we are from central Illinois, so either theming was going to be different for us. We stayed in the mansion section and loved it. If you are going to need the trundle bed, then you will need to be in the Alligator Bayou section. I have heard that this section is great as well.

We didn't care for the food court at CSR. Loved the food court at POR. The main pool at CSR is better, but POR main pool is very nice too. We tend to swim at the private pools anyway.

POR is a lot more shaded, which we really liked. CSR seemed hotter. The rooms are pretty similar. But, POR has two sinks where CSR only had one. Nice to have two sinks when we were all getting ready.

With CSR being a convention resort, we found that it had good points and bad points. It did make the buses less crowded. But, the bar at CSR is right next to the food court at CSR. Every night when we were at the food court at CSR, the bar was full of intoxicated conventioners. They were very loud and language was not wat I wanted my son to hear. You also get a fitness center at CSR, I didn't use it while we were there, which can be a big plus if it is something that you want to use.

Also, POR has the boat to DTD. We also did not use this, but have heard that it is a really nice feature.

Both resorts are equally spread out and both are beautiful to walk around. Both are equally close to parks when you take all the parks into account as an average.

Seems that both resorts have their fans so you should enjoy either one.

Our take on POR is that we loved it and will stay there again. We thought that CSR was OK. We would stay there again, but only if non of the other moderates or DVC point renting wasn't available to us.

Hope this helps.

 

[duck_adoo]

We're staying at POR in 32 more days and stayed at CSR in 2001. I'll be sure to post when I get back. But I did want to say that we're weren't crazy about the Pepper Market at CSR. I don't really think the extra charge is worth it and the food wasn't that great. Our dd's didn't really like the pepper market either. Again, that's just our family. The layout and themeing is great, the pool is great (no kids climbing to the top when we were there), we had no problem w/transportation. There is very limited shading though.
Good Luck!

 

[rocky41102]

We are staying at POR in September. It's our first trip to Disney and we're celebrating our anniversary. We've also booked a king bed room. Does anyone know how far the buildings are from things? We want something quieter, near a quiet pool, and kind of close to a bus stop. I was thinking about buildings 28, 27, 26, or possibly 35? But I can't tell how far the walks would be. We're okay with a few minutes walking, but I really don't want a room that's 15 or 20 minutes away from things. Any help would be appreciated!
Rocky41102

 

[Nolcrest]

We stayed at POR last week and I will say that I was very surprised that when we visited CSR one evening there was a line of people waiting to get into the Pepper Market at 8:50 in the evening. We saw that and my husband said he was so glad he wasn't staying there. He would not have liked waiting for a food court plus having a gratuity to boot.

 

[Badllamamama]

CSR!! We love the pepper market, the main pool is way better than POR but to each his own.

 

[tinkerbellmagic]

Wow, thanks for all the great comparisons. I really appreciate it and it has helped me a lot.

Tink

 

[klj27]

We are staying at POR in September. It's our first trip to Disney and we're celebrating our anniversary. We've also booked a king bed room. Does anyone know how far the buildings are from things? We want something quieter, near a quiet pool, and kind of close to a bus stop. I was thinking about buildings 28, 27, 26, or possibly 35? But I can't tell how far the walks would be. We're okay with a few minutes walking, but I really don't want a room that's 15 or 20 minutes away from things. Any help would be appreciated!
Rocky41102

We were in building 34 and we were very happy. We were close to the bus stop(even though we didn't use it), close to two quiet pools, and a 10 minute walk to the main pool and food court. We were very happy.

 

[dolphin01]

We love CSR and everything it has to offer. We are not into the southern buildlings look. With CSR, we really feel like we are on a vacation. Whether its in Cancun or Cozumel, we love it. Never understood the "limited shade" comments from other guests. I go to the pool to be in the sun not in the shade. We find it a relaxing getawy.

 

[ptrbryant]

I think there're more people who are increasingly aware of skin cancer risks and want to minimize them. I've had several pre-cancerous moles removed and, while I always lather on the sunscreen, after being in the parks all day, I really don't want to be in the full Florida sun at all times at the resort as well. Also, many people find it easier to relax in the shade.

Karla B.