Need Feedback! Which Moderate Resort is BEST ??

[bellenbuzz]

Planning WDW vacation for 2006. Looking at Moderate resorts. Any Advice or Feedback on which one is best to go with. Heard CB is outdated. Havn't heard much about Coronado. Looking at PO possibly, which area??
I would appreciate reading any comments.
THANKS

 

[dbanzai]

I've only stayed at CBR so far and I really liked it. For some reason when planning my next trip it came out more expensive than the PO resorts, otherwise we definitely would have stayed there again.

We are staying at POFQ this trip, after changing the reservation from POR. The small size of POFQ was what sold us, as well as that the bus stops here first while doing the PO circle. POFQ is missing its own restaurant though.

CSR looks great, and we may try that next trip. We've definitely become moderate visitors. So granted I am not the most seasoned moderate visitor yet, but having done a lot of comparisons and staying at one, I'd still say CBR because it has compact villages (kinda like the small size of POFQ) and it has a great restaurant in Shutters.

 

[BelleChick]

I have stayed at all of the moderate resorts and they are all wonderful. My family likes POR the best because we like the way it is themed. It is very close to downtown disney and has a wonderful sit-down restaurant. If you go to these links you can look at some pictures of the resorts and decide which is best for you.
http://www.allearsnet.com/acc/g_dxl.htm
http://www.allearsnet.com/acc/g_po.htm
http://www.allearsnet.com/acc/g_cs.htm
http://www.allearsnet.com/acc/g_cbr.htm

 

[morrismhs]

I have stayed at CBR a number of times and have enjoyed each one. I like the theming - it is very relaxing. Some feel it is spread out, but I think it makes it quieter. If you choose CBR, think about staying in Jamaica. Good bus stop location and not too far a walk to the food court. Enjoy!!

 

[Belle5]

I am not sure where you are hearing that CBR is outdated. The rooms are the largest of any moderate and they underwent a makeover just a couple of years ago. We have stayed at all the moderates except POFQ and think they are all great!

 

[MickeysMommy]

CBR is the largest resort...just an FYI. In order to be closest to the food court and main pool you will need to pay extra for a "Preferred Room". If you don't care then anywhere in the resort will be fine. CBR is beautiful but if you have really little ones may be tiring. I do not know about the others but we here on the DIS will help out in any way we can. Have fun!

 

[TINKTWINS]

Well you will get all kinds of opinions on who likes what best. Here's my 2 cents. I have stayed at POR twice, both times in Alligator Bayou, it was ok, a bit dark and in some need of updating. But walking the grounds is very romantic and peaceful. The pools are nice, but both times the main pool was very very crowded, very hard to find a chair, and the kiddie wadding pool was dirty. The food court tended to be very busy as well, tough to get a seat. I probably would not choose this resort again, although I have not been in Magnolia bend yet. I stayed at CB last August, tried both the main pool and the quiet one closest to my unit. Both were good and not as crowded as POR. The kiddie area of the main pool is nice. The food court is good, you also can sit outside and hear tropical, carribean music playing, that I loved! However, it can be a bit of a walk to get there depending on what unit you are staying in. If you choose CB look into which units are closer to the food court. CB would be my second choice. I have yet to stay at CS. POFQ gets my top choice. I liked that it was smaller. You dont have to walk a zillion miles to get anyplace, including the parking lot. (POP for example was a LONG walk from the lot to the room and the food court) That can be tough with small, tired kids. The food court had great food. We walked down almost everynight for some tea and desert or icecream for the kids. They sat and watched cartoons and colored while the adults wound down. We travel in a large pack, two families, we total 11, so to find things we all can do together is a bonus. The pool was nice too, but one of the smallest of the Moderates, but we enjoyed it. The rooms had been recently updated and felt very comfortable and clean. We had a water view room on the first floor which had a sitting area in the grass. Very nice. Its pretty walking through as well. Of all, POFQ and the Poly rate tops with me. We will be spending some time at POFQ in August, and we are SO looking forward to it! The kids really liked it as well. Have fun

 

[Buzz2001]

CSR PROS AND CONS

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

 

[byoung]

All the resorts have good points. Stayed at all of them. You might look into renting points from DVC owner also.

 

[DisneyKidds]

I second the vote for POR based on it's themeing. Themeing, and immersing the guest in an environment, is what Disney resorts do best, and Riverside does the best at this job of all the moderates. The variety of buildings (manor houses and bayous), strolling the grounds, Old Man Island, the lighting at nightime, the Bridge and Mill.........you really feel like you are in the old south. In addition to being a wonderfully themed resort, POR (and POFQ) has a marina with boat service to DTD, POR horse and carriage rides, a nice food court and a decent restaurant. The kids love the pool. There is a lot to like.

Second favorite moderate would be CSR. It is the newest of the moderates, and being a convention facility it does have a few amenities that the other moderates don't have, like a lobby bar and a nice full service restaurant. Pepper Market is a different take on the food court concept, and one we like a lot. The pool and play area at CSR is very nice as well. CSR is very spread out, but the fountains and grounds are very beautiful. Nice resort, it just doesn't do as good a job at making me feel like I've been transported to the Southwest and POR does making me feel like I've arrived in the old South.

Renting from a DVC member is always an option, and a great way to stay at a resort like the WL, BC or BW for as little as $120 a night (on a week night), so long as you are willing to sacrifice a little of the flexibility (canceling, etc.) that you get when booking a reservation through Disney. We rented points to stay at VWL once, and now we own two DVC contracts. So be aware, renting from a DVC member can be a dangerous thing .

 

[safetymom]

We are big CBR fans. I think it comes down to what theming you like best. You might want to take a look at the CBR FAQ's for the latest info on the resort.

 

[ksjayhawkfan]

We loved CSR. The pool was great, loved Pepper Market. We also really liked the bus service, it was great.

But I think we might have to try out POR next time because we will have 2 adults, 2 kids and a 2 yr old. And they tell me the max is 4 per room.

 

[*Fantasia*]

What's best for me and my family is POFQ. The children and I really enjoyed this resort. The resort is very very pretty and quaint. I love the tiny streets and the post signs. The food is great. The pool is so cool, especially the slide. This resort is for us... This is best for us.

 

[MKFan-PR]

I think the Moderates in general are great. Which you choose depends on your taste and what you would like to have. There are pros and cons to each.
I've stayed in all except POR and I'v return to any one of them in a heartbeat (in fact, I recently changed a ressie from WL to POFQ due to budget contraints without any regrets). Let's try to summarize:

CBR: Caribbean Themeing
PROS:
-Somewhat larger rooms.
-No bus sharing with other resorts
-Good Food Court
-Recently renovated
-Large lake for boating

CONS:
-Spread out (internal bus route available)
-Front Desk in separate building (Customs House).

POR: Southern Themeing
PROS:
-Good restaurant
-Magnolia Bend section quite romantic
-Boat transportation to DTD

CONS:
-Buses shared with POFQ
-Spread out (not as much as CBR, though)

IN THE MIDDLE:
-Alligator Bayou section is hit or miss
(some like it, some don't)

POFQ: New Orleans Themeing
PROS:
-Small. Everything quite close.
-Probably the best Food Court of the Moderates.
-Boat transportation to DTD
-Pool area a hit with kids
-Nice walkway and facility access to POR

CONS:
-Buses shared with POR
-No sit-down restaurant.

CSR: Southwest / Mexican Themeing
PROS:
-Newest of the Moderates.
-No bus sharing with other resorts.
-The best pool area of the Moderates (Dig Site)
-Convention resort usually means less people going to parks
(i.e. less crowded buses)

CONS:
-Spread out (internal bus route available)

IN THE MIDDLE:
-Pepper Market is a different kind of Food Court, with different service set-up.
(some like it, some don't)

Look at all the options, and decide what looks best to you. I don't think you'll have a bad experience at any of them. Have fun deciding!

 

[mamalle]

everyone has their opinions on what resort is the best it all depends what your looking for and Im sure you will find one that is suitable for your stay. we have been to all of the moderates and by far the CSR is our favorite. the kids love the pool and dig site. we love the rooms and pepper market. we like to go a few times a year and never have had a bad experience at this resort. good luck with your decision.

 

[Troy08]

I loved both of my stays at CBR-once in Martinique(you pay a preferred rate for that section now)but it is very close to Old Port Royal(pool and food court). Also stayed across the bay in Aruba-lovely walk over the bridge to Old Port Royal. Personally, I love the Caribbean theming, the bright colors, island music playing, and the lush vegetation.

It is quite spread out though, so depending on the ages in your party-very little ones, you may want to think a tad smaller. Older kids and teens wi ll love it.

Plus, it has two sinks and has the largest rooms of the mods. Four adults can easily stay there with plenty of room. We even had a roll-away bed and it wasn't crowded.

 

[bellenbuzz]

I Absolutely love all you feedback !!!! It is sooooooo fun to read and gets me totally thrilled about planning our dream vacation.
Our trip is with me and my DH and 2 DD ages 5 and 8 then. Plus my sister's family with 2 boys.
THANKS SO MUCH !!
Dream Disney !!

 

[Laurajean1014]

In our opinion, its Coronado Springs, POR, than Carribbean Beach. In that order.

 

[Disneyjosh229]

Each moderate is good for one thing or another....

Ive stayed at POFQ and CBR, and both are good for different reasons...

IMHO, these are there strengths and weakneses...

CBR-

Strength- Absolutly GREAT location
Weakness-IMO, marginal theming and confusing layout

CSR-

Strength- Nicest Accomidations
Weakness-IMO, Bad Location

POFQ/POR-

Strength- Nice pools and rooms
Weakness-A little out of the way/having to share a bus

Overall, im most satisfied with POFQ, because the accomidations and theming are nice; but the resort is a little off the beaten path. I love having people so excited!!! It brings back memorys of when I was excited!! Hopefully I can start planning for a DL vacation soon!!

 

[poohfan]

We've stayed at POFQ twice. We loved the theming and the kids loved the slide in the pool. The resort has a quieter feel about it because it's smaller. It does share buses with POR but unless things changed since we were there the bus came to POFQ first so we always got a seat. There's a path that you can walk to POR and eat at the restaurant there. I don't remember it being a long walk and the grounds are beautiful. It was a great way to relax and burn up a few of those extra calories from the Epcot desserts!