Need Advice: POR Riverside or CR???

[ildisneyfreak]

I would really like some feedback for our June 2008 trip. I have us booked currently at POR Riverside because there will be five of us; need the trundle bed for my 9 year old son. I checked the AAA website today and could book the CR for the same trip for $740.00 more. My mom is sharing the cost, so for us it would be about $500.00 more. Is the CR worth it or would we be just as happy at POR? We are a little worried about crowded buses at POR and being cramped in the room with 5 of us. On the other hand, CR doesn't seem to be as themed as POR and the pool is just ok.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!!!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

If you don't mind spending the extra money then I would go with the Contemporary. It would be a huge upgrade since it's a Deluxe Resort where as POR is a Moderate Resort, plus how can not beat staying at the closet Resort to the Magic Kingdom? Besides that you have the Monorail and you could watch Wishes every night, either from a Magic Kingdom view room in the Tower or on the 4th floor observation deck.

 

[gismo1554]

I do think POR is a fantastic resort. The rooms are spacious and I choose this resort over CR just for the fact that the surrounding area is nicer and you can go for walks around the lake and there's a boat to DTD. However CR is as said so close to MK that it does have a great location and if you are planning on spending a lot of time away from the resort going to the parks I would say go for it. Although CR is a deluxe and POR is a moderate I actually don't see there are that many differences between the two. The rooms I believe are similar size so its only really the cosmetic aspects and CR has additional resturants compared to POR (which has 1). The pool area in CR is not as exciting as the pool area in POR where they have a nice slide and pool bar and it feels like a watering hole. Both have boat rentals and both are on a lagoon. CR has good links to MK (you can walk or go via monorail) and EPCOT (monorail) but takes a little while to get to MGM (bus), Typhoon Lagoon (bus) and DTD (bus) due to most buses (at least when I was there) going via Wilderness Lodge. POR does share bus route with POFQ but has fairly good connections with DTD (boat or bus), Typhoon Lagoon (bus), EPCOT (bus), MK (bus) and MGM (bus). AK (bus) and Blizzard Beach (bus) take awhile from both resorts. I think it depends what you are looking for in a hotel. Personally if I was doing all the parks and given the choice I would save the money and stay at POR because out of all the luxary resorts CR isn't one that seems to have much going for it compared to the theming on the other Deleuxe resorts that make them worth the upgrade. Maybe though I'm missing something with CR and it is worth the money I don't know.

 

[willis37862]

Another vote for POR. It is a beautiful resort in a very nice setting. We find the Contemporary to be dated , but thats just us. The pools at POR are great too. There are plenty of them and you get to use the pools at Port orleans french quarter too and they have a pretty fun pool that kids seem to love. You don't have access to the monorail there but you can take the boat to DTD. I hope you all have a great time

 

[HopperFan]

Another vote for POR ! That money can go a long way on food & fun at Disney. CR is a big concrete 70's hotel to me, the pool is very uncreative and right now with all the construction going on not far from pool - no me. Yes, it's right there at the MK, but hotel environment is important too, especially in summer with swimming.

 

[PrincessPaczki]

I would also say the POR. It is such a beautiful and peaceful resort. The pools are great and surrounded by greenery and palm trees. The food court has alot to offer and there is a boat to take you to DTD.

 

[skifast22]

If the extra cost is within your means, I'd say go with the CR. The rooms are the largest on property and were just recently refurbished. The beds are extremly comfortble, and each room comes with a daybed. I never tried sleeping on it, but it was comfortable to sit on. It seems like it would be more comfortable than a roll away bed. If you anticipate spending more time in the MK and Epcot than the other parks, the convenience of the monorail can not be beat.

With the current construction going on inside the hotel, counter service food options aren't that great. I don't know if the new Chef Mickey's Express will be open or not in June. If it's not though, you could do what we did. We took the monorail a few times to the Polynesian and GF to eat at Capt. Cooks and Gaspers. This worked out great since it also gave us a chance to check out the other resorts (and get some Tonga Toast...twice..hehehe)

I'll admit, my opinion is a bit biased since I've never been to PoR. But the CR has always been an Icon of WDW for me, and when I was finally abale to stay there this past Sept it was the best stay I ever had.

 

[Steven41782]

I would stay at Riverside even if money was no object. Contemporary was a let down for us... money not considered. We went last thanksgiving and had a lovely room, but something about the hotel just didn't do it for us. To each his own though.

 

[CMMarkins]

Have you looked at renting points from a DVC Member - Youo would get a Home Away From Home resort for the same if not less than what you are paying. If interested contact me and I will fill you in on more details. CMMarkins@aol.com

 

[mom2mykids]

We stayed at POR this past Sept in building 18. It was wonderful. There were 5 of us and it did not seem crowded to me. The landscaping was beautiful. We never waited long for a bus. Here is the link for the POR thread:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=396424

This is a view from our room:

And the pool (it was early and the water wasn't running yet):