What Is Your Favourite Moderate Resort?

[KlippertFan]

I'm thinking of staying at a few resorts on my trip. I was thinking of doing 7 days in a value resort, 2 days in a moderate resort, and 1 day in a deluxe resort (though depending on budget I may have to forgo this one and add an extra moderate day resort). I decided to do a couple polls since I've never been to WDW and see what are people's favourite resorts. Unfortunately I can't do three polls in the same thread so I've had to create seperate threads for them. For this thread could you please vote on your favourite moderate resort and if you would like post why you like the resort you voted for. Much appreciated!

OH! I should mention, I'm travelling alone, no children.

 

[DAWGPOUNDAJ]

I think your seperate poll ideas are great! That allows people in different budget groups to compare in each thread.

That being said, definitely the Caribbean Beach Resort. I've stayed at the CBR, the POFQ, and POR so I can't compare to CSR. I have never stayed at CSR though b/c it seemed to much of a convention atmosphere for my tastes, however the pool looked amazing!

CBR has a few things the other resorts don't, and thats what makes it stand out in my book:

It has it's own private lake, and does not share it with any other resort. You can take out paddleboats, normal boats, sailboats, etc. onto it and it's a blast to spend an afternoon on it!

The jogging path is wonderful, 1.4 miles around so it's a great work out and you only need to run once around. (Hey your on vacation so you can slack off a bit on the distance running. )

The island in the middle of the lake has tropical birds you can look at. The closest you can get to that is Discovery Cove or the Animal Kingdom.

It has more quiet pools than any other resort. This resort is the largest of any Disney resort, and it circles a lake. The biggest complaint of people is that it is too far from their building to the food court, or that it's "too spread out." I'm not trying to be mean, but you are at Disney, so you will be walking no matter what. And the distance is not bad. My grandmother was with us when we were as far from the food court as you could get and she has had 2 hip replacements, and LOVED to go for the walk to the food court. We even had a rental car and she always declined our option to drive her there b/c the walk is so picturesque. But because the resort wraps around the lake, they have positioned I belive it to be 6 quiet pools around the place. While the main pool is often packed, I have never had a problem, even in late June and mid-July, with finding a virtually empty pool there.

Where else can you follow geckos and other small lizards along the paths? They are adorable!

Other pluses:

It's much more colorful, reminiscent of a Caribbean atmosphere. To me that screams fun, happiness, and good cheer. The other resorts are a bit more toned down in colors, and it's not as picturesque to me.

Their food court is second to only the values. (Which have the best food courts in all of WDW b/c food courts are the only options that people have to eat at there.) It has a wide selection (though it's the same as at the other moderates) yet I love how it's set up.

The hammocks on the beach here are fun too, particularly at night.

The bright coloring in the rooms (and don't worry it's not so bright that it's an eyesore or anything) happen to make the rooms look a bit larger as well.

Basically when I think of hte other moderates I think that they have a quaint ambiance, yet it doesn't really appeal to me. Your going to hear good and bad about all the resorts, horror stories about all of them (heck I have a doosey of a horror story from our one and LAST stay at the GF), so don't be too scared when some come up about every moderate. You really can't go wrong with what you choose b/c no matter what, it's DISNEY!!!

 

[safetymom]

If you do a search here on resorts you will find many discussions about the different levels of resorts. They are all very nice resorts and you will find it comes down to theming, location, pools most of the time.

 

[Claroquesi]

Really liked Coronado Springs. Verry quiet, got some nice relaxing time in. Very few children, mostly business types. Liked renting a kayak for the lagoon.

 

[Buzz2001]

We love CSR!! Check out my CSR website below for pics, links and info

 

[ddgirl]

We totally love Caribbean Beach Resort - I would probably pick this resort over some of the deluxes. I felt more relaxed and happy at this resort and especially like that you can walk right outside from your room. When we stayed at AK the walk from the lobby just to our room was like a mile and after being in the parks all day - once we got back to the room we didn't want to leave again because of the long walk. At CB just walk outside and the Food Court, Shop and Big pool are all close. Also enjoyed the sand areas, the hammocks and watching Epcots fireworks on the beach with our room close right behind us.


BA NAN AS

 

[DisneyJen0504]

Coronado Springs all the way!!!! With CBr as our second choice.

 

[mousefansmom]

The only one I haven't stayed at is CBR (although I have been there). However, my vote goes for CSR. We loved it there- beautiful, relaxing scenery, quiet, awesome pool.
Good Luck!
Mousefansmom

 

[babybunrab]

I have found that if you don't stay in the Casitas (where it appears, to me anyway, where more of the convention goers stay) then you don't really get the 'convention' feel. Buzz2001 might know more about this, though. I've always stayed in the Ranchos or the Cabanas and really enjoyed it. I didn't like CBR as well, but that was before the renovations, which I think were several years ago at least.

I should say, though, that I've stayed in six of the possible on-site resorts at Disney and I've never been disappointed. So, while I like CSR and WL the best so far, that's not to say that the others were not very nice.

 

[Lizzybee]

We love POR for many reasons, but I can't compare because that's the only resort we have stayed at since we are a group of 5. I can say what is wonderful about POR. It's very beautiful and relaxing, it has a laid back charming southern feel which is a nice change of pace from the bustle of the parks. You can take a boat ride to DTD instead using the bus and it's a beautiful and pleasant way to travel. They have Boatwrights Restaurant which has FANTASTIC breakfasts...whether you pick the Cresent City French Toast (stuffed with banana and served in a strawberry sauce), the Blueprint Omlette (you can order up to 10 (I think it's about 10) veggies, meats and cheese for your omlette and it's included, no charge per topping), or Sweet Potato Pancakes with Pecan Butter...you just can't go wrong. The dinners were good too, but we especially loved their breakfasts. You can rent boats, bikes, surrey bikes or a horse drawn carriage. They also have a fishin' hole on Ole Man's Island where you can rent a pole and catch and release. The pools are wonderful, my kids loved POR's and POFQ's equally...yes LEGAL pool hopping between the two resorts. Also not to be missed is Bob Jackson the piano man in the River Roost, he's hilarious and fun for the whole family. My kids got caricatures in the lobby and my daughter got a hair wrap there and it lasted for 6 weeks. We also used a quiet pool for a quick dip one evening and that was quite lovely as well. One of my personal favorites at POR and POFQ is a Pina Colada Smoothie (no alcohol, but you can get it with alcohol) by the pool in the sun. I'm sure the other resorts are wonderful too, I just haven't experienced them and I don't know if we'll ever stay anywhere other than POR just because we love it so much and would be afraid we'd get "homesick" for it.