Overwhelmed with hotel options! Help!

[westcoastgirl]

We have a Disney cruise booked for 2019, but are going to tack on 2-3 nights at Disneyworld afterwards. I am very new to the world of Disneyworld and am in the process of looking into hotels. Oh my! I don’t even know where to start! We can’t afford the Deluxe ones, so those are eliminated. But for Value and Moderate...where do I begin. What is most important to look at when choosing. I realize this is such a broad question but I don’t even know where to start. My boys will be 12 and 14, and we plan a day of relaxing at the resort and a day in Disneyworld. Any suggestions or help on where to even start to narrow them down? Is there one or two to stay away from? Thank you for ANY help in getting started with this process

 

[Stitch'sCousin]

We like to stay at Port Orleans Riverside after a Disney cruise. It is a moderate resort with a nice food court and main pool. There is a boat to take you to Disney Springs where you can spend time shopping or eating. Transportation to the parks is by bus. Check out this thread https://www.disboards.com/threads/d...ort-information-and-questions-thread.3374035/

 

[loves to dive]

I think all of the moderates are about 6 of one half dozen of another. By then the construction at CBR and CSR should be done so that won't be a consideration. You ride buses to the parks at all of them and all except Port Orleans French Quarter have multiple bus stops. CSR has a pretty cool pool and more food choices than most. I find POR more relaxing. As far as values, I'm not a fan. Pop will have renovated all their rooms by then but they have one queen bed and one pull down murphy bed so that might not be enough room for ya'll. The other value resorts have double beds right now. AoA has suites but frankly for the price you can stay in a moderate or even a deluxe if you shop around. There is also the option of Swan/Dolphin, if you search right you can often find their rooms for the price of a moderate. They have a great pool and are in walking distance to both HS and Epcot.

 

[hakepb]

By a 2019 trip, the Skyliner (gondola transportation from POP/AOA and CBR to DHS and EPCOT) may be running.

I think all remaining CBR rooms now have the Murphy bed (so the boys don’t have to share a bed)

Late 2019 may have Star Wars Land open in DHS.

 

[ForMyBoys]

Hi! Are you planning on just going to Magic Kingdom or are you hoping to do the other parks as well? If you are thinking of hopping around I would second the recommendation of the Swan/Dolphin as you can take boats to Hollywood Studios, Epcot and still get early morning hours and transportation.

If it will be Magic Kingdom only I would consider the closest resort to MK, like Fort Wilderness.

Also are you ok with huge resorts or do you prefer smaller resorts? We stayed at POR and found it too overwhelming and spread out. We prefer the smaller resorts.

 

[JerseyJanice]

If you go value, I will tell you that I stayed at All Stars Music once and Pop three times. I loved Pop each visit and would not hestitate to stay there again or recommend it to the others. If you can catch a discount, it’s the nicest budget motel you will ever stay in. A single, central pool stop is a boon there plus you can also use the AoA bus.

If you like Mexican food and theming, Coronado Springs is great. With four pools and one great water slide, your boys will love it.

We enjoyed Port Orleans and its main pool and slide are decent, but the buses can be a bear there. I think because CSR has a lot of convention and corporate business, its buses aren’t as packed.

Caribbean is too big for my liking. French Quarter is nice, but the pool slide wouldn’t be exciting for your sons.

As mentioned, the Swan or Dolphin is priced like a moderate (without a discount) but in amenities, it is on par with any of Disney’s deluxe resort. Only things to consider are that there are no Magical Express or Disney Dining Plan at the S/D.

 

[BriLovesDisney]

We don't like the moderates, but we've stayed at all of the values.

POP is our favorite, followed by AOA, All Star Movies, then Music, then Sports.

 

[Shellyb84]

By a 2019 trip, the Skyliner (gondola transportation from POP/AOA and CSR to DHS and EPCOT) may be running.

I think all remaining CSR rooms now have the Murphy bed (so the boys don’t have to share a bed)

Late 2019 may have Star Wars Land open in DHS.

Did you mean to say CBR? The gondola won't run to CSR as far as I know and CSR does not have murphy beds.

We really disliked CBR and wouldn't stay there again. I've not stayed at either PO resorts but am considering POFQ for a future stay, but the pool and slide do not look as good as CSR's. The pool is really nice at CSR with a fun slide. It's a beautiful resort with a relaxing feel to it. The food court is good and the bus service has always been great. If you choose CSR, I would recommend requesting Casitas which is close to bus stop 2 (the first one to be picked up). We've stayed at CSR several times and it's always been great.

 

[westcoastgirl]

Thank you so much everyone with your input and help!!! It is much appreciated and you were all so helpful!

 

[cjnix29]

Only mod I haven't stayed at is CBR. I like Coronado Springs the best. It feels like a deluxe since it has enhanced amenities since it's a convention property. Pool is great. Rooms have queen beds. pool is great. I know there is some construction going on though, so may want to check that out to see if it would impact you. But we liked that one the best. (and we had a 12 year old when we stayed there last).

 

[raddisneyfan]

POR or CSR--loved them both. If construction still at CSR when you go, then definitely POR--although POFQ may be the best option since the rooms are getting rehabbed in 2018.

 

[kwdw]

Values - double beds. Moderates - queen beds. Depending on the size of your teenager boys and how well they will share a bed - that might make a difference for you.

If a pool slide is important to you - CSR. Best pool slide for a moderate.

If you are really going to spend all your time in the parks - and no resort time - just book a value - and pick the cheapest based on price at the time of booking.

 

[Kimberle]

If you stay at POR or FQ, they have a boat to Disney Springs. On your "relaxing day", you can hang by the pool in the morning, then take the boat to DS for a nice dinner and shopping. Most of the resorts have FAQ threads here. Be sure to review the first couple of pages of each as they have tons of valuable information.

http://www.portorleans.org/ A wonderful site kept by a great guy. (He also posts on the DIS.)

https://buzz2k1.wixsite.com/coronado Coronado Springs. Buzz used to post here, not sure if he still does.

I don't know of a site for Caribbean. This resort is current undergoing MAJOR renovation. They have knocked down a ton of buildings and are building a tower. Who knows what this resort will be like in 2019. JMHO, but I'd knock this one off my list. Especially since you're a new visitor.

Happy planning!

 

[fla4fun]

OP, the first thing to do is figure out what you want to get out of those days. Which parks do you want to visit? How much time will you be in the parks vs. how much time will you be at the resort? Do you plan to stay all day in the parks or do you want to enter late/leave early/take midday break? Do your kids want a pool slide or do you want a hot tub? Do you want a table service restaurant at your resort or are you OK with just quick service? Make a list of the items that are most important to you and your family and then it should be obvious whether you are going to look at Value or Moderate. Once you have determined that, then it's easier to ask for advice on which resort will work better for you.

 

[Ensusieasm]

We have a Disney cruise booked for 2019, but are going to tack on 2-3 nights at Disneyworld afterwards. I am very new to the world of Disneyworld and am in the process of looking into hotels. Oh my! I don’t even know where to start! We can’t afford the Deluxe ones, so those are eliminated. But for Value and Moderate...where do I begin. What is most important to look at when choosing. I realize this is such a broad question but I don’t even know where to start. My boys will be 12 and 14, and we plan a day of relaxing at the resort and a day in Disneyworld. Any suggestions or help on where to even start to narrow them down? Is there one or two to stay away from? Thank you for ANY help in getting started with this process

POR preferred room. Your boys would each have their own bed because there is a Murphy bed for the 12 year old. The boat to Disney Springs is very convenient. My vote would be for three nights, because two is just not enough. Have fun!

 

[KenHutch]

Normally I always recommend FQ among the moderates but considering the age of you kids, POR might be a better choice, they will like the pool there more than the FQ one and your still on the boat link to DS for eating and shopping.

 

[jsbowl16]

You might want to look at renting DVC points. That usually makes a deluxe cost about as much as a moderate.

 

[Monorail_Man_NJ]

Port Orleans French Quarter or Animal Kingdom Lodge (standard view) can be as cheap as a mod with a discount <---.