"Moderate Resort" Questions

imlazar

DIS Veteran
Joined
Feb 14, 2005
Messages
584
Hi folks, we're looking at staying in a moderate resort in early March '06. The family includes two boys, ages 5/3 at time of travel.

We're leaning toward Caribbean Beach resort based on what we've read on-line. Our goal is a place with a good variety of places to eat, nice clean rooms with refigerators, and a fun pool for the kids. We'd also like to be close to downtown Disney (reachable by boat or walking is preferred)

Here are my questions:

1. Are we making a mistake with Caribbean Beach - is another resort better (Coronado/POR?)
2. What do you recommend for the lowest price? I've seen $175 a night on hotels.com and haven't been able find anything lower
3. Are microwaves available?

We stayed at Saratoga Springs Resort on our last visit and we enjoyed it a lot, but the price is about double the price of the moderate resorts.

Thanks in advance!!
 
Hi! We just returned from 5days/6 nights at CB. I know everyone has there opinion: but here is my + and - . In all I think I would say next time I would choose a different resort:

Positive: (BTW I have a DD 3, and DS 5, and DS 21months)

1) rooms good size
2) fridge in room---saved a TON of money on drinks by loading up the stroller with drinks we had travelled with from home and kept cool in the fridge.
3) Very clean
4) pool was a big hit with the kids --loved the waterslide and kiddee pool
5) lots of food options in the food court

Negative:
1) TRANSPORTATION--we might have been there at a bad time 9/30-10/4 but the transportation blew it for me. The resort is HUGE and does not seem to have the buses to keep up. One night at MK it took 90 minutes to get back to the resort after MK wishes. Other properties had empty buses going by, as we waited and waited. Also since the property is so big the bus stops all over the property therefore adding precious minutes to every trip.
We stayed in Jamica---which was great location but the last for drop off on the bus. Also it just didn't seem to be a quick trip anywhere except MGM.

2) Size of resort. Jamica is close to the bus and about 7 minute walk to food court. But the food court was JUST far enough and inconvienent enough that we often ate cereal in our room rather than dragging everyone down there.
3) Lots of options at Food Court but I just thought they were SLOW.

Previously my family stayed at Port Orleans Riverside (which BTW is a boat ride to downtown disney). The resort was much easier for us to manuever and eat at the food court and catch a bus. Overall, we had a great experience here.

I know others will disagree and perhaps the age of my children is influencing our experience. I would NOT say our trip was ruined or anything, I just think I'd pick another moderate resort next time. :earboy2: :earboy2: :earboy2:
 
thanks for your feedback - we are now considering wilderness lodge. Sigh, too many resorts to choose from. :-)
 
If you want to be close to Downtown Disney, I would consider the POR/Riverside or POR French Quarter. Both are just a boat ride away.

They have nice pools, theming, and Riverside has a sit down restaurant, Boatwrights as well as a food court. If you stay at one, you can use the amenities (pool restaurants, etc.) for the other as well. I hear bus service to these resorts is a little better given the smaller size in comparison to Carib. Beach.
 

We have stayed at PO Riverside, CBR and CSR. If being close to DD, the Port Orleans resort has the boat to DD. CSR would be the farthest from DD. All have nice food courts, although CSR was our least favorite. All three have nice main pools and additional private pools. CSR has the best main pool. All three are spread out. POFQ is the only one that isn't. But, being spread out also gives you the advantage of a very quiet resort.

We have our car with us so the buses aren't really an issue. The rooms at CBR are a little bigger than the other moderates.

Have you thought of renting DVC points? We have done that two years in a row, SSR and OKW. We liked SSR as well. We loved OKW. But, OKW does have fewer dining options because they don't have a food court. Our cost was less per night than a moderate. But, we were not renting through a weekend either. Weekend nights can really run the cost of DVC up.
 
POR would get my vote...

1. Very quick and convenient boat ride to DTD.
2. Great room size, clean, excellent mousekeepers.
3. We spent a whole relaxing afternoon at the central pool (which does have a great little water slide. You can also hop over to the POFQ pool.
4. Food court had lots of options. It can get quite busy, but... it's WDW.
5. We had great luck with the buses! Rarely had to wait for an outbound bus. We too had a long wait after a late night at MK, but... it's WDW and when everyone wants to get back to their resorts at the same time... (it's like the line-ups at the grocery store... the other one always moves faster than yours).

We were there with DD-8 and DS-4
 
I think CBR is a great resort. You might want to read the FAQ's listed below to help you make your decision. Many people have been very happy at CBR.
 
I've stayed at POR and CBR and prefer POR greatly! DS's 5 and 3 loved the POR slide at the main pool which is much bigger & better than CBR's. The quiet pools at POR are fantastic too.

The boat transportation fromPOR and POFQ are the best. Very fast and what a beautiful ride.

While POR is a large resort, we never felt like we did a lot of walking to get to the food court, pool and bus stops like we did at CBR. Both resorts are beautiful, but PORs landscaping is much more elaborate.

By the way, the rate you are looking seems way to high. Check the codes and rates board as well as Mousesavers.com before you book through Hotels.com.

Good luck!
 
I have to agree with those who say POR or POFQ since you want to be close to DTD. We stayed at POR in June and the ride to DTD was relaxing and nice. We stayed at CBR a few years aog with our then 3 yo and the long walk to everything was not what I would like to repeat. The resort was OK but just didn't do it for me. My very favorite moderate is CSR and my DS LOVES the pool and slide, almost as much as his parents. This is the resort that he asks to go to every trip. What ever resort you chose, have a great time!!! :flower:
 
imlazar said:
Hi folks, we're looking at staying in a moderate resort in early March '06. The family includes two boys, ages 5/3 at time of travel.

We're leaning toward Caribbean Beach resort based on what we've read on-line. Our goal is a place with a good variety of places to eat, nice clean rooms with refigerators, and a fun pool for the kids. We'd also like to be close to downtown Disney (reachable by boat or walking is preferred)

Here are my questions:

1. Are we making a mistake with Caribbean Beach - is another resort better (Coronado/POR?)
2. What do you recommend for the lowest price? I've seen $175 a night on hotels.com and haven't been able find anything lower
3. Are microwaves available?

We stayed at Saratoga Springs Resort on our last visit and we enjoyed it a lot, but the price is about double the price of the moderate resorts.

Thanks in advance!!
Hi imlazar

We have stayed @ CBR when my son was younger, and the pool area is just perfect for younger kids. Get a map and request something close to the main building (Port Royale). We have stayed many times @ Disney (30+), and it is not a perfect world. Things happen. Busses tend to be slow during busy times.

I don't think the kids really care that much about the size of the room, or how far mommy or daddy has to carry them. And that is what usually happened to us; daddy carried DS to room every night. He still does, if it's really late and ds is too tired to walk.

Character Meals are so great for kids. I recommend doing as many as you can.The food is not that great, but the smlies on those little faces are!
And you are at Disney for them!!!

If cost is not a factor, the Poly is a great location ( monorail)and has a great pool.Moms & dads love it !!!! Kids like it too.But if I ask my son, which would you rather: one week @ Poly OR two at CBR /CSR he just laughs. And asks "Why would I choose one week at Disney if I can have two? I'll take two, when do we leave and don't forget Chef Mickey's and the rest of those guys and the mickey waffles and pizza!!!!!" He is eight now.

We have been doing this since he turned two. CBR was the first we stayed @ with our son. We have stayed at almost all of the resorts. Check and see if you qualify for any of the discounts that swan & dolphin offer. Sometimes it is almost the same as the moderates. And they offer room service, with LOTS of food close by. The pool is also very nice.

Good luck ::MinnieMo
 
Seems like there were a lot of problems with buses a week or two ago. I only used it to MK and back and once to leave a GF breakfast. It did seem like the buses were slower or more crowded and it seemed like a couple of the bus drivers were irritated at WDW management.

Portie
 
Have stayed at CBR and though we enjoyed our stay, we feel that CSR is a better resort choice overall-better busing, much better food, better pools, beautiful grounds and overall-we liked CSR better!
 
THE PROS
No sharing bus service with other resorts
Centrally located with short rides to the parks
Largest hot tub on WDW property
Awesome main pool area with bar, snack bar, playground and kiddie pool
3 quiet pools
New shuttle service eliminates long walks to any of the villages
High speed internet service
WiFi available too
Free use of the gym
Spa
Fridge in the room
Coffeemaker in the room
Iron and ironing board
full room service menu
2 arcades
beautifully landscaped
central air, not a noisey wall unit

THE CONS
Full size beds (kings size beds are available)
one sink

IN THE MIDDLE
The Pepper Market is either a love it or hate it place. We love it but some folks just don't care for it.

Convention resort - some guests don't like seeing other guests at work. Doesn't bother us and helps keep the buses empty. GF, Cont, BW, Y & B Club are also convention resorts.

Check out my website below
 
I know you didn't ask this question, but hey...here I go anyway.

If you can go another time (like Feburary - not Presidents Day , or January) you will find the rooms much cheaper.

As far as the resort: I have not stayed at CBR, but it is so large and spread out with kids your age. I would recommend POFQ for a moderate.

If you can go Deluxe, then the WL would be great. AKL would also be great. It has a lot for kids to enjoy and although all the transportation options are bus, they are not shared and the bus service is great.

If money is no object :rolleyes: (then lucky you) then I highly recommend the Poly. It is easy to get almost everywhere..but MK is a breeze to get to. AND if you can move the vacation to earlier in the year, you may end up getting a great rate on a deluxe room.
 
Goofy4WDW1964 said:
We have stayed at PO Riverside, CBR and CSR. If being close to DD, the Port Orleans resort has the boat to DD. CSR would be the farthest from DD. All have nice food courts, although CSR was our least favorite. All three have nice main pools and additional private pools. CSR has the best main pool. All three are spread out. POFQ is the only one that isn't. But, being spread out also gives you the advantage of a very quiet resort.

We have our car with us so the buses aren't really an issue. The rooms at CBR are a little bigger than the other moderates.

Have you thought of renting DVC points? We have done that two years in a row, SSR and OKW. We liked SSR as well. We loved OKW. But, OKW does have fewer dining options because they don't have a food court. Our cost was less per night than a moderate. But, we were not renting through a weekend either. Weekend nights can really run the cost of DVC up.
Where can we find more info on renting DVC points? Do you have to be a DVC member? Thanks
 


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