Moderates based on atmosphere and buses

[Lbg206]

I realize there is a similar thread right now, but I have a question that isn't exactly covered by the other one. We currently have a reservation for Oct. at the All Star Movies resort, but are considering upgrading it to a moderate. There are 6 of us arriving on a Saturday, 4 adults and two kids agi 5 and 7. The two kids and their parents are leaving on Wed. but my mom and i are staying through the next Saturday. We are thinking of upgrading just because we've heard about all the bus crowding at the All Stars since they make so many stops and the INSANELY small rooms, and just all the things that go along with a Value. Yes, the characters are awesome and the kids would love them we don't intend to spend much time there plus once they leave my mom and I would like a little nicer place as well.

I ask that you please vote based solely on atmosphere, walking distance, and bus efficiency. We aren't all that concerned with the pools since you don't know about the weather that time of year and we don't plan on spending much time there and we also aren't too concerned with the restaurants wince we already have our ADR's and would probably only use the food court areas and nothing more no matter the resort. Thanks everyone!!!

P.S. I realize I didn't include Port Orleans French Quarter, that's because they don't have any available rooms for us during that time, I've already checked.

 

[I Love Pluto]

Atmosphere - Coronado
Buses - Coronado

Walking distance - Depends on where your room is.

Coronado Springs has beautiful grounds. It's a pleasure to jiust be there. They also have quiet pools that the values don't have. Also - refrigerators, coffee makers, queen beds.



Don't hesitate to stay at the All Stars. It's really nice there. They really care about their guests, and will go out of their way to help you.

 

[Lbg206]

Thank you "I love Pluto" I really appreciate the input!

 

[ThanksForNoticingMe]

You can't beat the atmosphere of the Coronado!

They also have their own bus.

 

[Lbg206]

You can't beat the atmosphere of the Coronado!

They also have their own bus.

Thanks!!! This is actually the resort my 6 year old cousin picked for us from the beginning but we didn't listen to her. haha

 

[tinacaplan]

CSR is beautiful and we found the bus service to be awesome. We did a little resort touring when we were there in February, and the bus from POFQ back to EPCOT took forever in comparison to our drives from CSR. Also, because its a convention resort, the busses were never all the full.

The atmosphere is lovely, as well, and the newly rehabbed rooms are a huge plus!

 

[Lbg206]

CSR is beautiful and we found the bus service to be awesome. We did a little resort touring when we were there in February, and the bus from POFQ back to EPCOT took forever in comparison to our drives from CSR. Also, because its a convention resort, the busses were never all the full.

The atmosphere is lovely, as well, and the newly rehabbed rooms are a huge plus!

Thank you so much. I have actually stayed at the Caribbean once, but it was 1995 and I was 13 years old so I'm guessing my perspective as well as the resort itself have changed a bit. I appreciate your thoughts.

 

[Sammie]

CSR, the new rooms are fabulous, so upscale and the resort is one of Disney most beautiful especially at night.

Great transportation and wonderful pools.

 

[PoohsFan1]

My first choice would of been POFQ because of the size of the resort and the sole fact that they have only one bus stop for the whole resort, plus they are first on and first off whenever they share buses with POR. But since you said there was no availability for your dates, then I voted for my second favorite moderate resort which is POR. We love how pretty the grounds are, you can share amenities with POFQ, even if you are in the back of the resort, the walk is very nice especially along the river. We love both of the PO Resorts and will be at POR in September (was already at POFQ in March). Another resort I would suggest is CSR, and even though we had never stayed there before, I think that resort looks so pretty and the pool looks amazing. Good luck.

 

[Lbg206]

CSR, the new rooms are fabulous, so upscale and the resort is one of Disney most beautiful especially at night.

Great transportation and wonderful pools.

I think the pool may have been what got my cousins attention. Thanks Sammie....I appreciate the opinion!

 

[Lbg206]

My first choice would of been POFQ because of the size of the resort and the sole fact that they have only one bus stop for the whole resort, plus they are first on and first off whenever they share buses with POR. But since you said there was no availability for your dates, then I voted for my second favorite moderate resort which is POR. We love how pretty the grounds are, you can share amenities with POFQ, even if you are in the back of the resort, the walk is very nice especially along the river. We love both of the PO Resorts and will be at POR in September (was already at POFQ in March). Another resort I would suggest is CSR, and even though we had never stayed there before, I think that resort looks so pretty and the pool looks amazing. Good luck.

Thank you so much!! I was actually quite interested in POFQ as well, but they zero openings that week so maybe we can try it the next time.

 

[WendyLovesPeter]

I loved Coronado.. I forget where our room was located. I could check for you if you are interested. The bus stop was close, and our bus situation was great. I am not sure which stop we were, but we didn't have a problem with the bus being already packed when it got to us... we could always sit. At the same time, it didn't ever seem like we stopped at multiple bus stops on our way to the parks.. We had a little walk to the main building, but it was a pleasant walk. I really liked the food area too Pepper Market and Maya Grill

I have stayed at CB twice previously. As much as I liked the CB both times, the Coronado became my favorite. I have heard it has a rep for being a business or convention resort, but it did not have the flavor for our family... very nice.

We have also stayed at 2 All Stars (Sports and Movies). They were nice and FUN looking, but I much prefer the Coronado to them.... bus situation beat them hands down.

 

[Lbg206]

Thank you "WendyLovesPeter" I really appreciate the response and it sounds like you had a wonderful experience. I'm really starting to lean more toward Coronado, although the other two are still part of the mix too. I think my hesitation toward All Star is first off I saw a recent video of the rooms and WOW they are small, but besides that last year for my mine and my husband's honeymoon we got an amazing deal and managed to stay at a deluxe resort )Animal Kingdom Lodge) It was the most amazing experience ever!! It was my first and only stay at a deluxe and I think it spoiled me. I'm okay going back to a moderate, but all the way down to a value.....just a little leary of it I guess.

 

[Sammie]

I think the pool may have been what got my cousins attention. Thanks Sammie....I appreciate the opinion!

Even if you don't swim they are beautiful to look at. Lots of fountains too and a nice beach area with hammocks in the Cabanas.

And queen beds at CSR, that makes a huge difference to us.

 

[3boys4me]

We love Coronado Springs. The queen beds really seal the deal for us. The grounds are gorgeous. The bus situation was great. We stay in the Casitas section and it is a great location. We are so disappointed that they didn't have any rooms available for our trip this November. I keep checking hoping something will open up.

 

[Sue M]

Personally I think POR-Riverside is the best themed Moderate resort. We love the mansion section, boat to DTD, Carriage rides, evening entertainment in River Roost Lounge-Bob Jacksons show is not to be missed, great for all ages.
In Oct, the weather should be good, so you may enjoy a swim, and a soak in the hot tub after a day in the parks sure is nice.
We've stayed at CBR, and enjoyed our stay there, just think POR has a tad more to offer. They're all nice, really it comes down to what theming appeals to you.

 

[Lbg206]

Thanks for the great posts everyone, you've given me a lot to think about. I've been to Caribbean and absolutely loved it in the past, but for this time I'm really leaning more toward Coronado or POR, I think it's between those two. I'll let you know which one wins out.

 

[skipperkim]

My first choice would of been POFQ because of the size of the resort and the sole fact that they have only one bus stop for the whole resort, plus they are first on and first off whenever they share buses with POR. But since you said there was no availability for your dates, then I voted for my second favorite moderate resort which is POR. We love how pretty the grounds are, you can share amenities with POFQ, even if you are in the back of the resort, the walk is very nice especially along the river. We love both of the PO Resorts and will be at POR in September (was already at POFQ in March). Another resort I would suggest is CSR, and even though we had never stayed there before, I think that resort looks so pretty and the pool looks amazing. Good luck.

Rats, no POFQ huh? Change your dates. Seriously, then go to POR. The boat to DTD is wonderful and you'll still have it there.

 

[KatMark]

You can have good or bad bus service at any resort, from value to deluxe, on any given day. As far as atmosphere, we love the Coronado which is evident by the fact that we've stayed there eight times (with stay number nine coming up in September). We love everything about it from the layout, to the decor of the room with the new queen beds, fitness center/spa/sauna, large hot tub, etc. We've not stayed at any of the other moderates although we have visited each of them numerous times. POR-Riverside would be the only other one we would consider if the Coronado were not available.

 

[pepperw23]

This thread is making me super excited for our stay at CSR!!