Need help with the moderates

[kmermaid]

Trying to see if a moderate will fill all our needs. It will only be myself and DH this time. We will be doing all the things the 2 DD's would be either to scare or have no interest in doing. ie: MK will probably be bottom of list. Would like a resort with a fun bar which we can grab a drink at after coming back from the parks. And a decent restaurant or food area if we need to grab something on the way back to the room. Does anyone know which moderate has the best transportation to the parks? Thanks for any and all info!!

 

[cassie]

Hi kmermaid, I've stayed at the POR and CBR. POR has a better food court IMO. The pool bar is neat, but quite aways from the food court and resturant.

On the other hand I did enjoy the pool bar at CBR. Good Jimmy Buffet music, and plenty of people to chat with. It is also next to the food court and resturant. They are presently doing over the food court & resturant, and the resort is expected to reopen Dec. 21.

 

[ebaynut31]

I've stayed at PO-FQ and enjoyed it. but, I just stayed at Coronado Springs in June and the place, in my opinion, was fantastic. The foodcourt, rooms, layout of the resort. My dd and I rented bikes and went for a bikeride thru all the different sections. We enjoyed the scenery and wildlife. The bar at the pool is only open until about 6pm. I highly recommend this resort for you. Just my opinion.

We plan on staying there for 2 weeks on our next trip to Disney. Not quite sure when that will be though. Maybe this summer.

 

[kmermaid]

ebaynut31:

Where did you stay at CSR? I've seen pics of the rooms and I thought it looked rather heavy with the dark blue greens on the furniture. What did you think? I stayed at PO-FQ ten years ago and thought that the decor was nice but wanted to try something else.

 

[faith]

Have you checked Deb Will's site www.wdwig.com? Lots of resort info on there. Good luck.

 

[ebaynut31]

We stayed in 8A. right between the pool and bus stop 4. It was a little "heavy" with the colors and such but I have yet to stay in a place where it is very light. know what I mean? I like to be able to open shades or windows to let the light in and you just can't do it at the mods or values. I have my pictures posted on my homepage website and I will go check to see if I have any of the rooms there. If you click on my icon below (the blue one that will bring you to my homepage) you can look also.

 

[ebaynut31]

Ok, none of the room. I will post them for you later today. I have to go to work soon. Probably won't do until late afternoon.

 

[Wonderlandmom]

We enjoy POR and CSR. We did CSR without the kids in Sept and thought it was perfect for that! We enjoyed sitting by the pool and having a drink(something we NEVER do with the kids around), took long walks around the scenic resort, and thought the Pepper Market was excellent. It may cost a dollar or 2 more than POR's foodcourt, but without the kids we did not notice a big difference in prices. Plus with being waited on, there were NO kids running around the foodcourt. With our kids, POR foodcourt would win, without our kids it would be Pepper Market. We stayed in the Cabana's and the hammocks are right out front near the water. At POR we love Magnolia Terrace. Will have to try CBR one day, probably with the kids ! Trying CR with kids next May !

 

[Buzz2001]

Our family enjoys CSR the most. Check out our website below. Good luck deciding!

 

[BobBrazeal]

I know that everyone has their favorites among the moderate resorts and I'm no different. I've stayed at all the moderates over the years and been to all of them more than once each. My order of preference is:

1. PO-FQ - I just like the smaller resort. Although it still has ~1000 rooms, that is about half the size of the other moderates. My first stay on site was Port Orleans (now PO-FQ) so that could be a part of my attraction to it. I've always found it to be more laid back and more intimate / romantic and I like that. Walks along the streets there, sitting out in the gardens, walking along the river are all things that keep bringing me back. I've also noticed that they have recently redone the food court there and looks like they've added more choices.
2. PO-R - Nice variety of styles. Have the choice of Mansions or Alligator Bayou. Mansions much more open and light. Alligator Bayou more wooded and darker, although I like that. So nice to have the two distince resorts (PO-FQ and PO-R) within walking distance of each other. This is one of the reasons that I put these two at the top for my taste. Plus a refillable mug bought at one is good at both. Can stroll between the two in just a few minutes and have the advantages of each. Love the pontoon boats to/from Downtown. I really like the food court here as well as the sit down restaurant and the lounge and the bar area around the main pool.
3. CBR - Lighter and more airy than the others in my opinion. Lighter colors and I do like the "island" atmosphere. I personally like the variety of the food court although it can be crowded and noisy for sure! I do like the music while sitting enjoying a drink. According to where your room is located, it can be pretty spread out. There are 7 bus stops for this one resort.
4. CSR - Although many people love CSR, it just doesn't fit my taste. I've stayed there three times and it just always felt to "convention oriented" for my taste. Maybe it was just the times of year that I was there that the convention crowds were a higher percentage of the guests. Took away a little of the Disney atmosphere for me.

 

[eeyore0062]

We have stayed at 3 of the 4 moderates, and here is my thoughts on each:

PO-FQ--- smaller, and more compact. Great food court, and the beignets are to die for!
Terrific pizza, made right there!
Nice pool with a great pool bar... laundry right around the corner from the bar.
Everything is very centralized, and no more than a 5-8 minute walk to get anywhere.
Only one bus stop, and you are 1st on, and 1st off... which is great!
Friendly staff everywhere we went.
Nice boat shuttle to PO-R so you can take advantage of the full service restaurant.
Secluded hot tub.
Nice playground facilities.
Great theming.
Quiet and romantic.

PO-R--- relatively spread out, but not as much as some of the others.
Decent food court.. now being renovated.
Pool is nice, but in dire need of refurb. Will be closed in January and possible February to accomplish this. Does have 4 quiet pools, and you can use the pool at PO-FQ.
Ok full service restaurant. Food is pretty good.. a little overpriced for what you get, though.
Beautiful theming.
Boat rental
Bike rental.
4 bus stops... if you are at the last stop, busses could be full.
Very kid friendly.

CBR--- very spread out... long walk to Port Royale from Barbados and Trinidad South.
Small main pool, but nice quiet pools.
Parrot Cay tends to be on the smelly side, according to some posts I have read on these boards.
Beautiful theming.
Boat rental
Bike rental
Hammocks on the Beach
Short bus ride to MGM, but somewhat long to everywhere else.
May be able to see Epcot fireworks from the beach.
After reopening, there will be a new sitdown restaurant, and the food court will be reworked.
Separate area for check in... in a different building.
Nice playground facilities on the beach.
Rooms are 25 sq feet larger than those at the other moderates.
Recently refurbed guest rooms--completed late 2001.

CSR--- we were going to stay there this past time, but couldn't get my discount for the entire stay.
Very spread out.
10% surcharge at the food court.
Nice sitdown restaurant.
Great slide at pool.
Able to get beverage refills for refillable mugs at pool.
Pool separated from main building.
Long bus commute from the parks.
Only moderate to have a gym and room service.
Is a convention resort, so if they have a big convention, you may have to be moved to a different resort.
The conventions make the food court more crowded at times.

Hope this helps!

 

[kmermaid]

Thanks everyone for your replies!! After much researching and photo searching we have decided on PO-R. We have already stayed at PO-FQ and we loved that but wanted to try another resort, since we don't get down there too much.