Need Feedback! Which Moderate Resort is BEST ??

[indigoxtreme]

I have stayed at POR twice, both times in Alligator Bayou, it was ok, a bit dark and in some need of updating. :

Port Orleans just had a complete refurb, both FQ and Riverside. I understand they are extra nice now and have a refrigerator in every one.

 

[Lizzybee]

Port Orleans just had a complete refurb, both FQ and Riverside. I understand they are extra nice now and have a refrigerator in every one.

This is definitely true for POR, we were just there in March (Spring Break). We have stayed at POR twice and we love it. In fact, I always thought it would be simlpy fabulous to stay at the Grand Floridian but after our second stay at POR, I caught myself thinking "but I'd miss POR" lol. Also, I found out my kids make us eligible for SoG and I told them maybe if we stay there, we could go back sooner. They said they'd rather wait and save up to be able to stay at POR again. They LOVE WDW, but would be willing to wait (which is sooo unlike them) to be able to stay at POR. Its peaceful, Tom Sawyer-like Southern Charm atmosphere is a welcome change of pace from the hustle and bustle of the parks. Boatwrights breakfasts are incredible. You get to pool hop...yes you CAN...right over to POFQ (a ten minute stroll or a boat trip) to legally use their pool. My kids liked the pool at POR a bit better than POFQ even though they thought they'd like that one best because it looked "cool" in the pictures. There are boat, bike, and surrey bike rentals and the boat to DTD is a beautiful ride, day or night. Another not-to-miss thing at POR is Bob Jackson the fun for all ages piano man in the River Roost lounge. He's great!

 

[bellenbuzz]

SO.........How has POR Updated itself ??? What kind of Changes ????
I'm sort of "beginning" to lean towards POR or CSR. Carribbean seems so BIG. It seems BUSES are mentioned....is there a big problem with the Bus Service at these resorts or not so much ??
Moderate Resorts look so Wonderful, why would we want to pay so much more money for a deluxe.....
I love all your replies and I am Positive I will have lots more questions in the future. Thank You Thank You.

 

[HopperFan]

See my star ratings below - would return to POR and CSR in a heartbeat. We have not stayed at POFQ although we have toured and eaten at food court (though it has many fans) because it is small and quiet and we prefer more energy. Plus we don't want to travel over to POR for sit down eating and other extras.

 

[MKFan-PR]

Originally posted by bellenbuzz:
SO.........How has POR Updated itself ??? What kind of Changes ????

Wow! Self-updating Resorts! How do I add that feature to my house???

Sorry. Just kidding.

The 'updates' are actually refurbishing of some areas. Many things will be new and not worn or dated.

Originally posted by bellenbuzz:
It seems BUSES are mentioned....is there a big problem with the Bus Service at these resorts or not so much ??

Buses are not a problem. They run quite efficiently between the resorts and the parks. POR shares buses with POFQ. It also has many stops. CSR does not share buses, and also has many stops. CSR also has an internal shuttle.

Because both resorts are quite big, there's a chance that you'll have crowded buses at certain times. If you don't want to ride on a crowded bus you can wait for the next one, which should come in less than 20 min (it is usually less). In general, everyone is quite happy with the bus service.

Since POR shares buses, you could have longer travel times. But for DTD you have the option of the boat. CSR is a little 'out of the way', but it doesn't share buses and they could be less crowded because of conventioners.

Have fun deciding! If you have any more questions, we're here to help!

 

[CarolA]

I loved CBR. I can't imagine why it would be considered "outdated" unless larger rooms and better views are outdated.

I have stayed at all of the mods. If I need high speed internet for work I will stay at CSR, but otherwise I find it too hot and confusing.


For reasons, I can't understand POR reminds me of a cheap southern apartment complex.

 

[DisneyKidds]

We had a refurbished room at POR on our last stay and it was very nice. The bathroom vanity area was redone, that and the bathroom had very nice new ceramic tile, new carpeting, fresh paint. Room seemed brand new.

 

[cdtommie]

We have stayed at all of them and prefer POFQ.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

We really enjoyed CBR and CSR. We love the food court in the AM - it's inexpensive and quick. The theming in both resorts is really nice, and competes with the theming of the deluxes. I agree with what other posters have said, so I'll try not to repeat too much, but here is my 2 cents. If you like Southwest theming, CSR is good, if you want more basic American choices CBR is better, it also seemed faster and doesn't charge a gratuity. Having said that, we liked CSR better. The room decor and theming were more to our liking.
At both, you'll have a room that opens to the outdoors, and there's a good chance you'll have a room that is on the first level. We like this, in case of a fire, you don't have to worry about finding an exit, and going down lots of stairs/corridors. You just open the door to your room and you're outside the hotel.
The biggest plus of the deluxes, IMHO is better locations. (except maybe AKL and WL) This makes it MUCH easier to take a midday break without losing a huge chunk of viable park hours. Also, most are less spread out (but you'll have a room that opens onto an interior corrider - good in extreme weather, not as good in an emergency evacuation.) Time is money, period.
A midday break is still do-able at the mods, it just takes longer.
As others have said - your best bet is to imagine which theming/hotel location appeals to YOU the most, the rest is mostly minor.

 

[Goofy4WDW1964]

We have stayed at CBR (3 times), POR and CSR. We have visited POFQ but haven't stayed there.

We love the moderate resorts.

The following is my opinion of each:

POR - Fantastic themeing. Spread out but very quiet and relaxing. Main pool and private pools throughout the resort. This is very nice because you don't have to swim at the more crowded main pool. In my opinion, the best food court on Disney property. Location is good. Not far to MK, Epcot, TL and DTD. Boat transportation to DTD. Recently refurbished. The Alligator Bayou section of the resort does have rooms that have a trundle bed so if your fifth family member is small enough, you can fit five in one of these rooms. Only moderate to have this feature.

CBR - Very good themeing. Spread out but very quiet and relaxing. Main pool and private pools throughout the resort. Good food court. Can see most of the Epcot fireworks from a lot of the resort area. Largest rooms of all of the moderates. Recently refurbished. Not far from Epcot, TL, MGM. In my opinion, the best location of all the moderates.

CSR - Themeing is OK. Didn't like it as well as the others, but that is just my preference and nothing to base a stay there on. The best main pool of all the moderates. Also has private pools throughout. Has a gym to workout in if you enjoy that. I didn't care for the food court. The food was good, but it seemed like more work than the others. You do get some table service for drink refills and a 10% gratuity is added on to your purchase for this. I didn't mind seeing conventioners, but the lounge/bar is right next to the food court and they aren't seperated by a wall or anything else. Everytime that we were down at the food court, the lounge was full of conventioners that had been drinking and they were very loud and talking like drunken sailors. Not what I wanted my 9 year old son exposed to. Location is close to AK, BB, MGM. In my opinion, the least convenient location of the moderates, but not by much. It wouldn't keep me from staying there. Newest of the moderates.

POFQ - Haven't stayed here but visited several times. Nicely themed. Not as spread out as the other moderates. Much smaller resort. Nice main pool. Doesn't have the private pools like the other moderates. But, you can walk over to POR to use their pools. This seems like a hassle to me. I have heard really good things about the food court, but have only walked through it. Never eaten there. Does also have the boat to DTD. Location is right next to POR so has the same advantages and disadvantages. Recently refurbished.

I do wish that the moderates had queen beds. They all have full beds. The rooms might be a little cramped for them though, except CBR since their rooms are a little bit bigger.

Now, as much as we love the moderates, we have rented DVC points the last two years, OKW and Saratoga Springs. Rooms are bigger and get queen size beds and some form of balcony or patio. I love the resorts and they are one of the best things about my trip. We got both the OKW room and Saratoga Springs room cheaper per day than the moderates.

 

[Lizzybee]

At our Spring Break stay at POR we only really waited more than about 5 mins or so for a bus once. It was the Saturday before Easter going to AK for early EMH...yep that was MY stupid mistake, but I even had a PS for that day at Donald's. Then the wait coming back from AK was extremely long due to a bad storm that hit and stuck around. That wait was so bad, we hopped a bus to anywhere else which ended up being CBR, got off at the first bus stop there, waited for the first park bus to come by (it was MGM) took the bus to MGM, got off there and got in line to go to POR. Overall the bus service was fantastic...quick efficient, lots of fun drivers. I wouldn't let "bus issues" scare you away from POR, 99.9% the bus sevice has been fabuluos for us

 

[bellenbuzz]

That is a Hoot (Hotels fixing themselves)....I want that feature too! Funny Funny !
This is the most fun way to make my decisions! I truly appreciate all your replies!
I want to stay at them all!!
QUESTION: Are the Food Courts at the Moderates open 24 hours??
Why do you either "love or hate" the Pepper Market at CSR?
Do the moderates have "convenience" stores to buy misc stuff and groceries?
Thanks Once Again

 

[safetymom]

No the food courts at the moderates are not open 24 hours. Typically they are open 6 or 7 AM to 11 PM. The misc stuff and groceries are very limited and more expensive. You might want to stop at a grocery store or Super Wal Mart or Target in the area.

I am not a fan of the Pepper Market. Too much standing in lines, you stand in one to get in to eat or get your mug refilled. Then you stand in line at all the food stations.

I also didn't like the mandatory 10% tip. Every time I have gone there they seat us, bring us our first drink and then we never see them again. I think I could refill my drink, find a table all by myself and not have to pay 10%. Yes you can have them remove it from your bill but then you are made to look cheap. Others will suggest getting the food to go then, so you can fight with the birds outside while you are eating.

 

[Badllamamama]

Definitely CSR! We loved the Pepper Market and DID NOT experience any of what safetymom talks about...especially the Hitchcock birds. The food is made fresh and to order, the CM's took care of our drinks and refills and even offered us coffee after we finished.

CSR has the best pool! My kids couldn't get enough of the awesome slide.

The margaritas are gret too!

 

[Buzz'sBetterHalf]

We love CSR!! The location seems to be the most centrally located to all the parks and it doesn't share buses with other resorts.

 

[Buzz2001]

Here are the last 10 threads asking the same question. Also 2 about pools.

Thread 1

Thread 2

Thread 3

Thread 4

Thread 5

Thread 6

Thread 7

Thread 8

Thread 9

Thread 10

Best Pool

Best Mod Pool

TOTAL VOTES NOT INCLUDING THIS CURRENT THREAD
POFQ = 381
POR = 353
CSR = 349
CBR = 184

 

[HopperFan]

We love it. It is technically a food court, but has more of the feel of sit down. The food is top quality, made to order and lots of choices. Our teen DS could not finish his calzone it was SO BIG ! We have never waited in line to get in and never waited long for our food, but even if we had - that meant it was freshly made. One time when we went there was no one to seat us and we got our own drinks - at checkout we requested the 10% be removed and it was, no problem. Birds ??? the only place we were bothered by birds has been at CBR and Peco's Bills in MK. We could also fill our mug at the snack bar by the pool so no need to go to Pepper Market.

No food courts not open 24 hours, but certainly late/early enough.

Yes the gift shops have some of the basic food items you may need, we have never had to leave the premises once there for food. Even at AKL gift shop we could pick up items.

POR - we also like their food court, and have even driven there just to eat when staying at another resort.

 

[Lizzybee]

We enjoyed the food court at POR, although we only ate there a couple of times. We ordered pizza in the room one night and it was just well pizza, but from what I understand that's the standard WDW pizza. Actually if it were "good" pizza my kids probably wouldn't eat it because they love Domino's kind. The burgers and other hot sandwiches are made after you order them. There was also a mexican food line and a line for Italian food. I had the taco salad one day and it was pretty good. We got some really tasty fresh cold grapes. We preferred eating at Boatwrights though. Even over Spring Break and on Easter morning, it wasn't too crowded to get a table (we did have a PS for Easter, but I realized we really wouldn't have needed one). We never ate breakfast in the food court because he had Boatwrights' breakfasts on the last trip and it was the best breakfast we'd ever had anywhere. I haven't been to the Pepper Market, but the food court at POR is just a food court. We were able to find tables without any trouble whenever we were there.