moderate resorts

[tndisfan]

Just joined disboards! I wanted some opinions on which moderate resort to stay at. We've been to Disney in 2008 and 2009 and stayed at All star sports and Pop Century. We have never stayed at a moderate resort before but wanted to for our upcoming trip in May/June 2011 because of free dining. CBR seems to appeal to me because of the theming/decor but worried about the large size. Any input would be appreciated! Thanks!

 

[prnces1214]

So personally i love PO Riverside (formerly Dixie Landings). We actually stayed at both sides but we love Riverside more! Its a great resort with a lot to do...and we stay in the Manor Homes and they are closest to the food court and main bus stop. CBR is beautiful!!!! But it is just so big! We went the one year after my dad had back sugery and asked for a close room and we were placed in the furthest building from the main building and it was literally a 20 minute walk to the Main building. I havent stayed at CSR so i cant help you there but good luck in your decision and have a great trip

 

[mickeystoontown]

If the theming of the CBR appeals to you, I'd book a stay there. We've stayed at the CBR five years in a row and have a 6th stay already booked for 2011. In all honesty, the walking at the CBR seems to be exaggerated.

The walk around the entire promenade is just 1.4 miles. Old Port Royale (the food court, main pool, etc.) is located approximately in the middle of the promenade. So, even if you are in the furthest building (with the exception of the pirate rooms), your walk to OPR will never be, roughly, more than half of 1.4 miles. We've been in Jamaica 41 twice and our walk was, maybe, 5 minutes. We have also stayed in Martinique 23 which is a non-preferred building and our walk was about 5 minutes. Twice, we have stayed in a preferred building (Martinique 25 and Martinique 26) and our walks were, literally, just a few minutes.

I have lots of pictures of the CBR in my two trip reports with the most recent being in the "Who Knew Choking...." report. Just click on the links below to have a look around.

If you have some specific CBR questions, just let me know and I'll try and answer them for you.

 

[addiln]

we stay at sbr last year and it was great. the resort was a nice size so nothing seem cramped in there. i would suggest this one if you have kids. the pool is nice with the pirate boat. also the resort is not too large that it is hard to walk around it.

 

[Ariel on Land]

Agreed-- if CBR appeals to you, then stay there! I don't get the "too big" complaint that you hear so often. It is so beautifully landscaped that just walking around is relaxing with all the beaches, wildlife, tropical music, etc... And really, it's NOT that big. We were in one of the "far away" rooms last time, but I don't think it took longer than 5 minutes to get anywhere. We love it there-- part of me wants to do something else, but I love the large rooms and it's just so pretty and peaceful!

 

[skipperkim]

That's why I stay POFQ, its a small resort.

 

[KatMark]

We've never stayed at CBR (we choose a different moderate for our stays), but we have visited it a number of times. Personally, I find the talk of "how large it is" rather overexaggerated. We've stayed at the CR and my best friend stayed at the AKL, and we both had longer walks from our rooms to the pool or food than the walk is from the furthest point at the CBR to the food court or pool.

You don't mention who is in your party. If you have young ones, they would probably really like the pool at the CBR -- all new pirate themed and a zero entry as well.

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

We only stay at CSR if we stay in a moderate because it has queen beds (the other moderates have double beds), but it is about the same size as CBR and we don't find it to be too big or too much walking. If you like the looks of CBR, pick CBR. It has the largest rooms of all the mods, and the new pool is great for little kids if you are travelling with any.

 

[TheDreamsComeTrue]

I'm new to the Boards too.
This past July we stayed at CBR, This is usually the only moderate resort we stay at. Why? Because we love it! We never noticed the large size or have any complaints about walking.
In September we plan on staying at CSR! We never have before it, but it looks beautiful!

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

Just joined disboards!

I'm new to the Boards too.

to the DISBoards, tndisfan and TheDreamsComeTrue!

 

[Mr_G3]

We loved CSR, which is similar in size to CBR. The walking wasn't much of an issue for us. If you'd rather have a compact resort, POFQ is the best choice. We liked both places.

While we have not yet tried CBR or POR, I think they are both nice. All of the mods are very similar overall, but each has its own special features. I believe you just look at the pictures of each, do a little research about what they offer and what others think of them, and you can't go wrong. Yes, there are negative reports floating about each of them, but these are the minority. Even the deluxe resorts get panned in reviews.

 

[KellyNY]

Do not be afraid of CBRs size. Besides prefered locations, there are several regular locations with very short walk to main pool/food court. I always request buildings 45, 46, 51, 52, in this particular order. 45 and 46 are the best, almost across the bridge, leading to main area and pretty close to bus stop. Also if you smoke, there is a very nice smoking area between 2 buildings, always empty, not like in parks.

 

[cjsm&d]

Just joined disboards! I wanted some opinions on which moderate resort to stay at. We've been to Disney in 2008 and 2009 and stayed at All star sports and Pop Century. We have never stayed at a moderate resort before but wanted to for our upcoming trip in May/June 2011 because of free dining. CBR seems to appeal to me because of the theming/decor but worried about the large size. Any input would be appreciated! Thanks!

I like CSR the best. The pool is my sons favorite. I like the layout, and I even like the food (in the minority there), but get the dining plan because it is pricier than the other mods. The rooms are the best, with queens instead of doubles like the other mods, and central air that isn't nearly as noisy. Also the best all around transportation to parks of all the mods.

POR is my next favorite. It is probably the most beautiful mod property. The food court is good, Boatwrights not so much... Pool is ok, like the quiet pools here. Transportation is just ok as you share with POFQ.

POFQ is nice. If it was just DW and I this would be fine. Pool is nothing special. Need to travel to eat anything besides the food court, which is good. Like POR, enjoy the boat to DTD.

CBR, I haven't stayed at, but have visited. The layout doesn't appeal to me, and I've heard some negative reviews from family and friends who stayed there about the food and transportation. But then again, I heard alot of bad stuff abour CSR, and we love it!

 

[msmith07101]

CBR is my favorite. I love the theming of it and love the pool. If you are worried about the size then book a preferred room. I have done preferred and it's great for being near old port royale and the main pool. I have also stayed in a pirate room, which we loved for the theming...but they are far away from old port royale. I think if I were you I would pick the resort that appeals to you based on the theme. I love the caribbean, so CBR is my favorite mod.

 

[tinacaplan]

We love CSR. The newly rehabbed rooms are great; very modern and up to date with the lovely, white, cotton linens and flat screen t.vs. I also feel that it has amazing bus service. Busses were never crowded, we never stood, and we were there during President's Week last year. The grounds are lovely, too.

In all honesty, I think the interior shots of a lot of the mods I've seen look like a Holiday Inn anywhere, but CSR felt different to me. Don't let the size scare you, either. We didn't think it was bad at all.

 

[Sue M]

We have stayed at CBR (Jamaica 42) and POR-Riverside (Magnolia Terrace).
Love both resorts. No wrong choices just go with the theming you like. I love looking at all the photos on allears.net.
CBR rooms have been refirbished not too long ago. POR rooms are due, and will be this year.

As a resort, IMO POR has a little more to offer with boat to DTD, Carriage rides, evening entertainment in River Roost lounge- Bob Jacksons show appeals to all ages. Not to be missed.

CBR had their pool entirely re-done, and the pics look great.

Each WDW resort has something special to offer. Which ever one you choose, it will be great!

 

[Sofia's Dad]

I just came back from CBR. I had stayed at POR 2 years ago and like it much better. CBR didn't do it for me. Never will stay there again. But again it has some returning visitors and we all can't love the same resort. I would take my time and really research your resorts of interest. Is the pool your number one feature? CBR has a good one, but a little small for a resort that size. POR has a better than average pool and probably its weakest part of the resort. But the scenery is beautiful. Very clean and has what I think a much better restaurant and food court. POFQ has the highest ratings here regarding the moderates but I never stayed there. POR second highest followed by CSR. CSR might be a nice one as I heard the food is good and there pool was another plus. POR and POFQ share a boat that takes you to DTD which is a nice change from the buses.

 

[tndisfan]

Thanks everyone for all of your input. As for who is travelling, it is myself, my husband and 2 boys ages 12 and 9. I think I have it narrowed down to CBR and CSR. I know my younger son would like the pirate pool at CSR but the pyramid pool looks pretty cool too at CSR. We probably will not be eating in the food court that much, maybe just for breakfast a few days. Decisions, decisions!!

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

Thanks everyone for all of your input. As for who is travelling, it is myself, my husband and 2 boys ages 12 and 9. I think I have it narrowed down to CBR and CSR. I know my younger son would like the pirate pool at CSR but the pyramid pool looks pretty cool too at CSR. We probably will not be eating in the food court that much, maybe just for breakfast a few days. Decisions, decisions!!

I haven't stayed at CBR, but if the pirate thing is cool for your kids, it would be fun to stay there while they would still enjoy it.

My kids are 11 and 7, both girls. Pirates and Nemo have no appeal for them. But they seriously love the pool and slide at CSR - it is the longest and fastest slide of any of the moderates. DD11 ranks it just below the slide at Stormalong Bay at Beach Club - it is fast, long and open and great fun for kids and adults. CBR gives you the pirate ship splash area that many kids love. My kids prefer the pool and slide. We stayed at AKL earlier this year and thought the kids would love the splash area at Kidani, but they didn't. They stayed in the pool and on the slide (the Kidani slide is almost as good as CSR, but the Jambo slide is shorter and slower).

CSR also gives you queen beds instead of doubles if your kids will sleep together. My kids don't like sleeping together, so we brought a queen aerobed and had room at CSR to put it on the floor after sliding the desk over toward the TV. CSR also gives you a sliding door between the sink area and the room - I was able to get up and shower and dry my hair without waking the kids with the light and noise. It also gives a bit more privacy than the curtains in the other mods.

CBR gives you a bigger room and two sinks. My kids and husband don't spend much time at the sink, so we prefer more counter space at CSR to a second sink. CSR rooms were renovated last year with new furniture, new queen beds and flat screen TVs.

You should expect clean, comfortable rooms, great bus service, and friendly CMs at either resort, so just pick the one your family likes best and enjoy your stay!

 

[brucerob62]

We are coming to CSR on dec 20-29..its the only one for me and my family of 4..spacious queen beds ..no small double beds for us..normal size ..just like to sprawl out a little..ITs up to you...I agree CBR decor nicer and room ever so slightly larger..but I like CSr...ALso does anyone know if you can purchase DDP outright w/o purchasing park tix..have no expiration date tix from 2 years back..Pls let me know..I usually dont purchase DDP ..but thought I would try it ...If the price is right