Port Orleans Riverside vs other moderates

[disneydad1]

we are a family of 5 and like POR because we think:
1. it's a fair value for our dollar when we book with a room discount
2. good food court
3. preferred room keeps us close to the pool and food court
4. not too close but not too far from the parks

we have never tried another resort - i'm curious to hear from people who have stayed at POR as well as other moderate resorts to see how they think it compares.

For those who have stayed at a deluxe as well as POR - was the deluxe worth the extra $ and, if so, why?

thx in advance!

 

[caliope]

We've stayed at POR and Poly and BC. We're booked for CR in August. We’ve also stayed at GF, but that was 22 years ago.

We have not stayed in any other moderate besides POR. We liked our stay there in general and had a great trip, but we have not returned since subsequently staying at Poly and BC. Primarily this is because we put a significant premium on location and proximity to parks, with resort amenities such as multiple TS restaurant options and great pools a close second in terms of priorities. DH in particular would not go to WDW if he had to take buses to the parks every day, or if he had to deal with a rental car. When we stayed at POR, we had a car and found that we spent a lot of time in transit. That just wasn’t how we wanted to spend our limited vacation days.

While we thoroughly enjoy bringing DS (almost 5) to WDW, and do so often, we seek a balance with activities that we also enjoy, such as relaxing at the pool or a lounge. DH and I were married for a number of years before DS came along and we’re used to “adult” vacations. Our touring style is to hit a select park in the morning, maybe have lunch there, then return to the resort for the afternoon. Sometimes we go back to a park in the evening; sometimes we don’t. Because of this back and forth, we want our transit time to be as quick as possible.

“Worth” is relative but for us the deluxe resorts are the only way we’ll go to WDW these days. Perhaps that’ll change in the future as DS gets older – we’ve seen our vacation style evolve over the years, so you never know! If that ever happens, I’d try POR again. I don’t think I’d try any of the other moderates or values, because they really don’t appeal to me, but I also wouldn’t rule them out if I need a single night stay someplace and that was all that was available.

 

[MommaBerd]

We are also now a family of 5, since oldest DS is at college. We have stayed at POR and BC. We *really* liked POR. It was our first family on-site visit - and it was a short one. But, we loved the feel of the resort - all the nature and trees made it so peaceful, the pool was fun, the food court was convenient and tasty. (I did get lost a time or two trying to get back to our room, but that's OK...it was kinda fun to meander.) The boat to DS is a treat, though it took forever for a boat to arrive.

On our most recent trip, we stayed at BC. The grounds are pretty, but not as peaceful and not as much nature/woods (of course!). The room, however, is bigger but it also *feels* much bigger. The day bed is larger than the Murphy bed at POR, too. The pool is WOW! BUT, the biggest advantage of BC is the ability to walk to two parks. And we love Epcot. So for us, it makes BC a clear winner.

But having said all that, I would not hesitate to stay at POR again if we were to stay in a moderate. And, it would be (and is) the moderate I recommend to friends. In September, DH and I will be staying our arrival night at POFQ, and I'm really looking forward to trying out that "neck of the woods." Buuuut then we're moving to BC.

One more thing to add - way back in 2012, DH and I stayed at CSR. It was our first on-site stay. I was SO disappointed. The room was just not at all what I expected, especially for the price. That was now 5 years ago, and I think they've done refurbs since then. But, it certainly didn't impress me the way POR did.

 

[loves to dive]

I've stayed at all the moderates except POFQ and all the deluxes except WL and SSS. It's hard to compare a moderate to a deluxe, they are just different beasts. As far as my favorite moderate, to tell you the truth, I don't really have one, I'd stay at any of the ones I've stayed at before and normally just go for the one that's the cheapest. I feel like the rooms are all pretty much interchangeable, the themes are different but size wise there isn't a huge difference. The grounds at POR is more lush than CBR and CSR but that is a theming thing. I'm partial to the grounds at CSR because I'm a desert rat and even though I live in Georgia and am a Georgia girl as far back as we can trace our roots, I lived in Albuquerque while in high school and my heart is in the southwest. Are the deluxe resorts worth the extra price? Worth is subjective, I tend to do split stays between a few nights in a moderate then move over to the Epcot resorts so obviously I think they are worth it. Part of that for me is just the location, you can't beat being able to walk to two parks. Would I stop going to WDW if I couldn't afford to stay in a deluxe, nope, I'd stay in a moderate and be just as happy.

 

[Jadyreen1282]

POR has always been our go to. No other mod compares to the ambience and believe we have tried them.

 

[mickeymom22]

We are a family of five. We have stayed at POR, POFQ and Coronado Springs. Quite frankly, I was getting tired of POR...until...my son went to college. We had never been to MNSSHP so we booked a trip in October for that and F&W. I let my youngest pick the resort...guess where she wanted...a royal room at POR! I wasn't quite sold on it, but who can resist your own personal fireworks every night?!!?? I have to say, I really liked the royal room area. It was just as peaceful as Alligator Bayou. I wouldn't hesitate to stay there again. We stayed at POFQ when our youngest wasn't old enough to count yet. So far that is our favorite moderate. Then I would say POR followed by Coronado Springs.

On the deluxe side, we have stayed at Beach Club and Boardwalk. They can't be beat for their location, but we found the hallways at the Boardwalk to be rather long after a day at the parks.

Once we rented an RV, the kids really loved that. Fort Wilderness is an amazing place too!

 

[ols386]

POFQ is my favorite with POR following that.

POR always feels peaceful.

I think POR has the best food court on Disney property.

I like that it has the mansion section, and Alligator Bayou. Each has its own unique theme.

The boat to Disney Springs is also nice.

I've stayed at all moderates, at some point in time.

 

[McFlea]

There are other moderates?

 

[AMB1]

We are a family of 4, but our kids don't do well in the same bed, so I like day beds/ Murphy beds whenever possible. We have stayed at the following resorts:

Boardwalk Inn (4 days)
Grand Floridian ( 7 days)
Contemporary (4 days)
Beach Club (7 days)
POFQ (3 days)
CBR (1 night pre-cruise)
All Star Music (1 night post-cruise)

We use different resorts for different purposes and have been satisfied with all of our visits.

When we stayed at POFQ the pool was being refurbished, so we spent our afternoons at POR using it's feature pool and eating in its food court. We have a good feel for POR and it's grounds. In retrospect, given the pool situation, we would have been better off booking a preferred room at POR where we could have had a Murphy bed. Any future visits to Port Orleans will be at Riverside. We liked the grounds and amenities.

This past March we spent one day at CBR in a preferred room that was a close walk to the feature pool and the main dining area. The day was spent entirely at the resort ( no parks) prior to a cruise. The room was the same configuration as the POFQ room but had the Murphy bed (perfect for DD8). The grounds were lovely and we were along a river. The kids loved the hammocks on the beach and thought the pool was fabulous. DD(11), who remembers the Beach Club, says the slide was better than Stormalong Bay. DD8 loved the island in the centre of the resort with the playground and all the paths to run around. We thought it was a really lovely place. It is big, so I was glad we booked a preferred location.

I am now planning our next trip and trying to decide whether deluxe is "worth it" this time. We are leaning towards a return to an Epcot area resort, not because we think the hotels are that much nicer, but because of the convenience of walking into Epcot. It suits our touring style and we like all the dining options at our doorstep. If the budget doesn't work though, we will book POR. We would book CBR if it wasn't under reno and if they would guarantee the Murphy bed.

 

[SGMCO]

We've stayed at all 4 MODs and POR is my favorite of all of them, we even stayed at AK lodge and missed POR. I agree the POR Food court is the best on WDW property, that is what was lacking when we stayed at AK lodge (yes, they do have a QS but food was not good and choices of food and sitting areas were very limited) AK lodge the buses to parks were always packed with DVC members (they get picked up first and dropped off first) so going to the parks first thing in the morning took quite awhile because by the time the bus got to the Jambo section it was almost full, could only fit a few people. If you decide you would like to stay at a Deluxe you can always look into renting DVC points and that could give you more room space and cost less than paying rack rates.

 

[Sue M]

We've stayed at POR, POFQ, & CBR. Also all deluxe resorts except BWI & CR. We love Por, it's our fav moderate. It has a little extra to offer (along with FQ) with the boat to DS, carriage rides, great evening entertainment, and the best food court.

Even though we stay a lot at deluxe, I'm always happy to stay at POR. With a family of 5 you may enjoy the extra room in a deluxe resort and having a balcony to escape to after the Kids go to sleep, if you have little ones. AKL and WL rooms don't give you much more room. And only sleep 4 plus one under 2.
The Epcot and MK resorts have 2 queens and day bed ( not all rooms in YC/BC do, you'd have to request). The MK resorts have the largest rooms, Poly, GF & CR. all rooms have day bed. "Worth" is so subjective. To me it's worth it. I enjoy the deluxe resorts.

But really, I've enjoyed something about each resort I've been at. Next trip I'm staying at Pop. It's just me, so don't need much room. Traveling with friend and we have our own rooms.

 

[megs1313]

we have never tried another resort - i'm curious to hear from people who have stayed at POR as well as other moderate resorts to see how they think it compares.
-right now this is a no brainer. CBR has construction (and I hated it before, so..) so for moderates with a family of 5, you have POR.

For those who have stayed at a deluxe as well as POR - was the deluxe worth the extra $ and, if so, why?
-If I had to choose between 10 days at POR and 5 at a deluxe, i'd choose POR. But, if you can stretch up to a deluxe and not give up much in other areas of your trip, then (IMO) it is worth it.

 

[rosiebean]

I travel with extended family to WDW, and we tend to chose deluxe resorts because 1) we travel during months where there are discounts, which allows us to get a deluxe room at a 'reasonable for us' price, 2) we love the deluxe proximity to parks, and 3) we love being able to easily walk or monorail to our resort for a midday break/nap.

When I travel with my kids, I tend to stay deluxe because they enjoy pool time, and I've been lucky enough to get good discounts at resorts with good pools and pool slides.

That said, we've stayed at POR when deluxe discounts weren't that great and had a great time...I've stayed at CBR as well and visited family staying at CSR, and POR remains our moderate of choice. I personally love the theming of the grounds, the boat to DS, and the theming/location of Royal Rooms. My kids actually wanted to stay in Royal Rooms during our upcoming visit (in August), because they think they are so "beautiful"...and this is coming from pre-teen boys. We're staying at GF thanks to a great discount, but the next trip with them may very well and happily be at POR!

 

[ChasingLeslie]

I've been to CBR, POR, and CSR. CSR is my hands down favorite: central resort location, best busing of the three, numerous dining options, and an excellent pool/slide...plus it's usually priced a little lower than POR (which I don't understand, but I'll take it!).

POR would be my back up. It's beautifully themed and has a very good food court. I find CSR easier to navigate than POR, but I've had more repeat trips to CSR so it's possible that I just know that layout better.

CBR is/was a fun resort and I enjoyed my stay, but the busing has kept me from wanting to return. The waits and the seven bus stops were just too much and felt torturous.

 

[disneydad1]

thanks to all for your replies - helps us put our experience in some perspective - glad to hear others like POR too!

 

[buzznina]

As you can see from our signature, we have stayed at all 3 levels. We have made the Mods (with POFQ & POR being our favorites) our "go to" resorts. When we stay deluxe, it's more of a splurge, because we really do not find them to be worth the $$$ more then the mods. Saving 10-20 minutes here and there, a balcony, indoor hallway or multiple TS restaurants are not really important to us. They usually lack a good QS place and we can always just go to that TS restaurant if we want to without staying there. I find the theme's of the Mods to be as good as the deluxes and our DDs would pick the pool slide at CSR over most of the deluxe pools and we also like the quite pools that a lot of deluxes do not have.

 

[disneyseniors]

We have stayed at CS and POR many times. CS was really nice and the rooms seemed much bigger, don't know why? It had a convention feel to it but was a beautiful resort. We stayed there several years ago when their food court was not organized like the other resorts. TBH, it was a pain in the neck, but now it is like the other resorts, so no problem. It seemed to be a lot of walking, even though we were "close" to the main building in the Casitas #3.
Then we stayed at POR, and never looked back. For us, we like the laid back lush tropical feel of the bayou. It fits our style just fine. I would like to try POFQ one day, as the grounds are truly lovely. We took a night time tour of the POFQ resort last visit and loved the courtyards, gardens.
But for the 2 of us, we will always stay at POR.
My daughter, husband, and 3 kids stayed at the Poly a couple of years ago, but usually stay at POR. We stayed at POR. They stated that they wished they had just stayed at POR, and were not impressed with the room, monorail system (always broken down), but the location was great IF you go to MK all the time. I found it odd that she would prefer POR to a deluxe, but the whole family wished they were at POR, FWIW!

 

[SL6827]

There is an ambiance at POR that you will find that no other moderate has. But I do like CSR and CBR as well. Did not care for POFQ too much.

 

[Ghostridethedolewhip]

POR all the way. We still call it Dixie Landings. We started staying there from first year it opened when I was 12. I stayed with my family growing up, girlfriend (eventual fiancé and now wife) and now we stay with our kids and my sisters' families and kids. We love to bring our bikes and ride to POFQ (which we actually like best due to smaller size). You can't go wrong with POR.

 

[Corbie]

We are a family of five. We have stayed at POR, POFQ and Coronado Springs. Quite frankly, I was getting tired of POR...until...my son went to college. We had never been to MNSSHP so we booked a trip in October for that and F&W. I let my youngest pick the resort...guess where she wanted...a royal room at POR! I wasn't quite sold on it, but who can resist your own personal fireworks every night?!!?? I have to say, I really liked the royal room area. It was just as peaceful as Alligator Bayou. I wouldn't hesitate to stay there again. We stayed at POFQ when our youngest wasn't old enough to count yet. So far that is our favorite moderate. Then I would say POR followed by Coronado Springs. <SNIP>

Personal fireworks? I'm a first-timer booked into POR in October. Could you explain that part to me? Fireworks sound great!