Pros and Cons of each Moderate Resort?

[DaniandRyan]

We are planning on taking another vacation to WDW in January of 2009. We want to stay at a moderate resort, but aren't sure which one to choose. Does anyone want to offer some pros and cons of each moderate resort? We are a couple in our mid-twenties with no children.

Thanks

 

[Buzz2001]

What's bad -

full size beds (all mods)
it's a large resort so you will have to walk
one sink

What's good -

central air (not a noisy wall unit)
the pool
a playground
an arcade poolside
the slide
largest hot tub on WDW property
the transportation (quick rides to all the parks, not shared)
the food choices
offers full menu room service
a spa
a fitness center (free to guests)
a salon
the three lounges/bars
WiFi available in certain areas
it's a beautiful resort, especially at night

Check out my CSR website below for pics and info.

 

[TinkerKel]

I agree with the cons previously posted. However, you can get a room with a king bed (I think there is an additional charge of approx $10/night, but so worth it, IMO). As for the large size of the moderates, we stayed at CSR on our last trip, and requested a building that was close to the pool and food court. This request was granted, and it worked out great.
As for which resort, I'd suggest CSR - DH and I are also without children and we are in our late 20's. We liked that CSR seemed to have a lot more adults w/o kids than other resorts we have stayed at - b/c of the Convention Center there. Anyway, the food court at CSR was a big pro for us as well. And we liked the theming and pool. Plus, they just opened that new nightclub. Haven't been yet, but I checked out the website, and it looks pretty cool.

 

[GOOFY D]

I have stayed in both CBR and CSR and they are both OK. However, I would not go out of my way to get either as our family has been as pleased with the All Stars as the moderates for the most part. CSR is very spread out and the food court was a disappointment. It certainly is a nice resort though. If the prices are close (during discount periods), we would go for the moderates, otherwise we are just as happy with the All Stars.

 

[aubriee]

POFQ:

Pro:
1. smallest WDW resort. Very quiet. No building is far from the main building or buses
2. boat to DTD
3. first bus stop to and from the parks
4. can use both POFQ and PORS pools as they're sister resorts
5. Beignets (YUM!!!)
Cons:
1. shares buses with PORS
2. no sit down restaraunt

CBR:
Pro:
1. theming nice
2. has it's own buses to just transport people around inside the resort
Cons:
1. bus service is terrible
2. resort is HUGE
3. even preferred rooms may be a LONG way from the food court

CSR:
Pro:
1. best bus service of all the moderates
2. pretty theming in the Casitas and Cabanas
3. good food court (expensive though)
Cons:
1. drunk, obnoxious conventioneers at quiet pools
2. alot of 'suits' running around due to conventioneers
3. not themed as well as other moderates (missing that Disney touch)
4. expensive food court that has a mandatory tip added
5. huge=alot of walking if you are in the Ranchos
6. only one sink

PORS (I've never stayed at this one so only know what I've read)
Pro:
1. great theming
2. can use both PORS and POFQ pools as they're sister resorts
3. boat to DTD
Cons:
1. last bus stop
2. huge=alot of walking if you are in one of the further buildings

Personally I prefer POFQ (by far). If you do go with CBR definitely pay for a preferred room and request close to Port Royale in Martinique. If you go with CSR request a building in Casitas close as possible to the main building or Cabanas 9. Just my opinion of course. If I was to rank them it'd be #1 POFQ, #2 CSR, #3 PORS, #4 CBR.

 

[aubriee]

oops! double post!

 

[Mamu]

I have only stay at 2 of the moderates, have never stayed at CSR.

I think all the info you've gotten here is great.

My only problem with these resorts are they are all huge. They do have there advantages though. They have a few pool options, like the quite pools (usually there's more then one) , the theme pools can be very crowded and noisy. buses can be iffy depending on which building your at. Food courts do cater to families so there's more options.

I would say where there are only two of you why not look into staying at the Wilderness Lodge. With a good code it's the price of a moderate. The resort and grounds are beautiful. Also the Swan and the Dolphin have some great deals. These are both lovely resorts.

So many hate to spend the extra money on anything other then a value (My children all take their families to the values and love them) They have done the moderates and think the value is a better deal. They have also done the deluxes when they come with us (we treat) and love then, nothing better then being on the monorail line. When you spend your day at the parks, the values are still the best deal.

Hope I haven't confused you more.

 

[cnids00]

CBR was the theming for us, love the colors and the music, the quiet pools are lovely especially when we came home from the parks and soaked in them for a while before heading to bed!

We stayed in Aruba first time, only problem was who to go fill up our refillable mugs when we got back from the parks, everyone's feet and legs were hurting

2nd stay at CBR we paid for preferred location and stayed in Trinidad North, loved the location and I don't mind the walk to the food court from either place, now this second time we bought a cooler, water and some pop at our grocery stop (we used a Limo service with 30 min grocery stop) so we had drinks when we came back from the parks

I believe now the moderates have small refridgerators in all rooms?