Pop vs. Coronado vs Port Orleans FQ vs Port Orleans Riverside vs Caribbean

[awfpack]

Hi.
We are a family of 4 ( 2 daughters 18 and 13) We love Pop but are condidering trying one of these other resorts on our next trip in march 2025. We spend most of our time at the parks but we like to spend some time at the pool as well. How are these other resorts compared to Pop. How are their pools? Transportation to the parks? Anything special about one of these over the other?
Thanks

 

[Stacybaeasm]

If you are used to Pop and love to use the Skyliner - Caribbean will give you essentially the same transportation options. The thing to know is that resort is HUGE. Depending on where you are, you may have to take an internal shuttle to get to food, the feature pool, and it could be a long walk to the Skyliner station. This also means there are multiple bus stops so, again depending on where you are, the bus to MK or AK could be full by the time it gets to your stop and you could have to wait for multiple buses to come before you can get on (at peak times). FQ is a lovely, small hotel. If you are looking to upgrade from a value, this is the one I would recommend. 1 bus stop, easy to walk to all the amenities, a boat to Disney Springs, beignets, etc. However, it is bus only transportation to the parks. I know the pool went through a refurb recently and I honestly don't remember when that was scheduled to be done so I would double check that if pool is important. Riverside is pretty but it has some of the same issues as Caribbean - it is big and there are multiple bus stops. It also has no skyliner so bus only to the parks.

 

[Miffy]

I completely agree with everything @Stacybaeasm wrote.

I'll just add that I don't really like Coronado, although plenty of people do like it there.

I love POFQ and we almost always stay there now. Yes, there's no Skyliner, but the bus to Epcot takes 10 minutes and the bus to DHS takes about 11 or 12 minutes, so it's not a long ride even though it doesn't have the convenience of the constantly loading Skyliner.

 

[Jasper&Bowie]

I've only stayed at POP and POR on your list. I didn't like how far it was to everything at POR. Even my kids liked POP better for that reason.

 

[Kooks and Bay Bay]

Love POP.
Only mod I'd suggest is Port Orleans Riverside.
Its quiet, love the Royal Guest Rooms theme if you can swing it, has what I'd consider to be the best transportation (Yes Carribean has the Skyliner but the bus transporation is terrible), has a great pool, and has great food options.

 

[DisneyMomx7]

I'd suggest CBR. It has a great pool, easy access to Skyliner and beautiful scenery. I also really like the Banana Cabana

 

[HopperFan]

Hi.
We are a family of 4 ( 2 daughters 18 and 13) We love Pop but are condidering trying one of these other resorts on our next trip in march 2025. We spend most of our time at the parks but we like to spend some time at the pool as well. How are these other resorts compared to Pop. How are their pools? Transportation to the parks? Anything special about one of these over the other?
Thanks

Been to them all ....

POP ~
Our favorite value, feels more adult in theme than the All Stars. We enjoy the Bowling Pin Quiet pool, it is never really crowded, lots of deck space, doesn't draw the young kids and probably better than most moderate quiet pools. HUGE PLUS is the SkyLiner to two parks. That also gives quick access to lots more dining options that would be a plus for us "adult" guests.

CORONADO
Our favorite moderate. Been my kids favorite since they became teens (even over our deluxe stays). Has so many dining options!!! Dahlia Lounge at the top of the tower is a nice view and stop. One of the BEST pools on property with adult sized slide and biggest hot tub. Nice to have some amenities right there at the pool. We found transportation from there to be good with no long rides anywhere. Very adult leaning resort, my teens love it.

PORT ORLEANS RIVERSIDE
Beautiful resort to walk around and enjoy. Yee Ha Bob is fun entertainment in evenings. Transportation plus is the boat to Disney Springs which opens up lots more dining options. Main pool is chill, relaxed but often busy. Plenty of quiet pools, I think the AB ones are better themed. Choice of themed rooms. We have stayed many times but less as we've needed less resort time. Transportation, buses get very crowded so we always ask where the first stop is and go there.

PORT ORLEANS FRENCH QUARTER
Moderate prices for the value of the moderates. No table service, very small hot tub and the pool is completely geared for the young children. At 9 my kids called it "the baby pool". Pretty to walk around, plus is the boat to Disney Springs and usually doesn't share a bus. Newly refurbished. But I can't justify that price for what it offers, and without young kids we have no desire to go to the pool. If I'm having to walk the distance to POR for the pluses, then I might as well stay there.

CARIBBEAN BEACH
Has it's plus and minuses. Some rooms are far from main hub. When Rivieria was built it lost some rooms reducing size, got a whole new main hub building which is very nice and a great new TS restaurant, Sebastians, that we loved. Pool seems to offer space for all ages and sits right next to main hub. Plus is the SkyLiner and the same access to multiple resorts. Not all rooms are walkable to it though so I think they still have to run the interior bus system.

 

[Pyxie]

I've stayed at all of those minus Coronado.

Out of the options, my favorite is POFQ. In fact, it is my favorite resort on property out of the ones I've stayed in and that includes deluxes. It's small, quiet, the bus transportation is easy with the 1 stop and not as many guests, and I personally love the theme as someone who loves New Orleans.

I also like Riverside a lot. These 2 are almost like 1 resort in that they share amenities and are a short walk or boat ride away from each other. The one drawback to Riverside is it's size (which is also the issue I have with Caribbean Beach). If you are near a bus stop, it's fine. I do like the 5th sleepers and this would be a nice option if your daughters don't want to share. In fact, this is basically our go-to now that we have teens who don't share a bed.

I mentioned my biggest issue with Caribbean Beach is its size. I do like that it has the Skyliner and if you are near a station, that is very convenient. You also have easy access to Riviera for the dining options there. Another thing to keep in mind about Caribbean Beach is that the buildings have no elevators.

Pop is probably my favorite value. If I am staying value, it's usually my preference unless I want an economical family suite at All Star Music. But at this point, I have for the most part moved on to the moderates.

 

[maxiesmom]

I've stayed at them all, and here are my thoughts

Pool--Port Orleans Riverside has a great pool area, and a lot of nice quiet pools if you want more of a quiet, chill, pool experience.

Transportation--If you like the Skyliner CBR has access to that. Both POR and POFQ use buses for the parks, but have boat service to Disney Springs. If that is on your radar, the boat is sooo much nicer than the buses. CSR has the best bus service of the 4, due in part to it being a popular convention resort. In my many stays at CSR the buses are never as crowded as the buses at other Disney resorts.

Overall my favorite is a toss up between CSR and Riverside. My least favorite by a mile is CBR. Even with the Skyliner the resort is just too large and hard to get around. Plus it has no elevators at all (POR doesn't have them in the bayou section but does in the other sections) which is a negative if you have strollers or a scooter, or just knees that don't always work that great.

 

[Olaf63]

All great resorts. Do your research and pick the one best for you and your family. We personally love Coronado Springs for the location, main pool, restaurants, and lounges.