We might have to give Pepper Market another chance if we do go back to CSR. Everyone's advice here has us so torn again. Ah!
Though, I think POR could really work out for us. POFQ was being favoured by one of the decision-makers due to it being small and having a first pick-up on the bus. But not having a quiet pool and not having a TS restaurant has likely put it out of contention and we'll focus on the possibility of either getting a discount or
free dining at POR.
Free dining, however, is still being favoured over the discount (Actually maybe I'm missing something with the math but isn't free dining still of greater value than even if you get the max. 30% discount? For example the value of a single day of the dining plan -- aprox. $64/adult/night -- would still be greater than whatever 30% is off full rack rate? For example ... three 'Disney adult' aged diners would be about $190/night 'savings' if you get the dining plan but the 30% saving off full rack on a moderate wouldn't come near that? So even if you don't use all your dining credits ... for example, if you're only eating about $35 per day in food each ... aren't you still technically 'saving' more than what you'd be saving with the discount? Because say you get $50 off per night with the moderate but you're then paying about $100 out of pocket per day to feed the family -- and that's likely low-balling it at Disney prices -- that's still costing you more than the full rack rate to get the moderate with the free dining, which will give you the flexibility to have some more expensive meals. But maybe I'm really missing something in the math of the full 'is free dining a better deal than discounted rooms' debate?).
Anyways, since free dining is being favoured, if history repeats itself and it's not offered at POR, we'll likely be at CSR or CBR. I'm not sure how the other decision-maker feels about CBR. Doesn't seem as enamoured with it, though. I'm a bit more interested in it now that I've seen pics of the room refribs but I'm still not sure it's the right resort for us considering how big it is. The main pool looks awesome, though. But we tended to stick to the 'quiet pool' anyways last time. Less of a hike and water is water to our crew. We don't need all the fancy stuff. Though, that might be debatable this time after experiencing TL last trip. The big chatter is about if we'll do TL and BB this time or just one and which one it should be. So, the novelty of a water slide and splash pad might end up drawing us to the big main pool this summer/fall. I have a feeling the quiet pool might not seem as awesomely luxurious this time around after seeing some of the other elements and fun-ness of a water park!
A split stay is an interesting idea. I guess if we hate the one resort than at least we know we have the other one to look forward to!
We'd actually been playing a bit with doing a split stay at Universal Studios (or trying to stay exclusively at Universal Studios) but their hotels, parks and package options just don't look as appealing as Disney. There's still the interest in going over there, though. Maybe just for a day to check out WWHP. There's been some expressed interest in SeaWorld this time too.
What do you guys think? If you're going to end up spending 2-3 days at parks off-site is it better just to stay-off site? Or is it best to dedicate a Orlando vacation specifically to the 'dark side' and not attempt Disney at all on it? Basically -- avoid off-site if we're doing Disney again this time?
) 
