Where would you stay?

[Christinaxo]

Everyone has their own opinion, but I also don't know why CBR gets bad reports, but we loved everything about it. Our boys were 7 & 9 when we stayed there and they loved the pool (which has recently been refurbished). I will say, though, that we didn't mind the walking. I know some people feel that with walking so much in the parks that they don't want to walk forever to get around at the resort, but we didn't mind it, so maybe that's why we didn't think CBR was bad as far as size . As tinkerbellybutton said, a preferred room would put you close to the main pool and food court. I'm sure you'll have a great trip no matter which resort you choose, but we loved everything about CBR from the beautiful grounds, to the wide variety at the food court, to the awesome pool, to the efficient bus transportation .

That is very true and also the hardest part! I have absolutely no opinion on my own, never being to WDW at all so I have to rely on what others say which is what I think is making me anxious in the first place. Because I know what is important to others may not be a big deal to me and vice versa. I do however appreciate all advice so thank you! I guess I have to go with my gut (which still has no idea ) lol

 

[lady_hlh]

I like the overall look of the rooms at CSR, I actually was leaning towards booking there because the rooms are to my liking and my son thought the pool was "cool". It being a larger resort did kind of make me nervous a bit with all the bus stops but even then I went to book and no more rooms available during the time we are there I took it as a sign because my DF didnt like the theme of it anyways lol

CSR is the only mod that hosts conventions so the buses were never filled to capacity and the lines weren't huge coming back at night like POR. The main pool area was way better than POR or PQFQ, I've never seen the CBR pool but people always say that CSR has the best mod pool. I don't know if you know this but when I can't get the dates that I want for a package on the WDW website, you can sometimes book it as a longer stay with no problem. I used to book a longer stay and then call back on the phone a few days later to get rid of the extra days that I didn't really need.

 

[delgrec]

I have stayed at POFQ, CBR and CSR. We are staying at POR in August. I honestly liked all three for different reasons but none of them have made me want to only stay there. Hence our upcoming POR stay. Your kids are anti POFQ and your DF is anti double beds. CSR is a convention center and I feel has the least Disney feel of the four. That leaves POR. That gets my vote (even though I have never even stayed there . I anticipate a fantastic trip. Either way, whatever you choose, you will be happy.

 

[Christinaxo]

CSR is the only mod that hosts conventions so the buses were never filled to capacity and the lines weren't huge coming back at night like POR. The main pool area was way better than POR or PQFQ, I've never seen the CBR pool but people always say that CSR has the best mod pool. I don't know if you know this but when I can't get the dates that I want for a package on the WDW website, you can sometimes book it as a longer stay with no problem. I used to book a longer stay and then call back on the phone a few days later to get rid of the extra days that I didn't really need.

No I had no idea! Wow thank you thats a great tip, so glad to know if I do book CSR I might have a chance lol!

 

[Angiea1114]

We have done All Star Movies, POP, CBR and just returned on 4-8 from POR. We are a family of 6, plus my in laws so we book two rooms. Kids love the feel of the values, but I like the slightly bigger beds in moderates. Keep in mind as of our trip, CBR still only had double beds.
With both in laws having mobility issues and our youngest being 5, I was concerned about resort size as well. I could not afford preferred rooms but did get a garden view. We were placed in Acadian mansion, and I loved it. Right across the bridge was the pool, and then a short walk was the main building. There was a bus stop about a 3 minute walk from our room.
The atmosphere was peaceful, and beautiful. The food was awesome, and we loved the quiet pool at the end of our building!!
POR is where will book again!

 

[Yellosno]

I have only stayed at POFQ and Dixie Landings (now POR) and was too young to really remember it. I absolutely loved staying at POFQ and would definitely stay there again. The only transportation issue was when we went to TL and that is only because we got there far before the first bus was leaving to go there.

 

[diskids2]

We have stayed at CBR three times. Love the pool. Food vourt good. Table service leaves a bit to be desired. We stay in a preferred room Easy to get to food court. Centrally located. It's our Favorite moderate

 

[mickeynut1]

That is very true and also the hardest part! I have absolutely no opinion on my own, never being to WDW at all so I have to rely on what others say which is what I think is making me anxious in the first place. Because I know what is important to others may not be a big deal to me and vice versa. I do however appreciate all advice so thank you! I guess I have to go with my gut (which still has no idea ) lol

Try not to stress as I'm sure you will have a magical trip no matter where you stay . I didn't know about the Dis when we took our first trip onsite, so I just looked at pics from a WDW travel brochure and booked the resort by which theme/decor we liked the best. Just keep looking at pics and see which resort(s) have what you're looking for and go with your gut. You are going to have a magical trip .

 

[Christinaxo]

I have stayed at POFQ, CBR and CSR. We are staying at POR in August. I honestly liked all three for different reasons but none of them have made me want to only stay there. Hence our upcoming POR stay. Your kids are anti POFQ and your DF is anti double beds. CSR is a convention center and I feel has the least Disney feel of the four. That leaves POR. That gets my vote (even though I have never even stayed there . I anticipate a fantastic trip. Either way, whatever you choose, you will be happy.

That was a really helpful way to narrow it down!!! And I think so too, so I need to stop stressing out over it, thank you!

 

[Christinaxo]

Try not to stress as I'm sure you will have a magical trip no matter where you stay . I didn't know about the Dis when we took our first trip onsite, so I just looked at pics from a WDW travel brochure and booked the resort by which theme/decor we liked the best. Just keep looking at pics and see which resort(s) have what you're looking for and go with your gut. You are going to have a magical trip .

You are absolutely right! The most important thing is that WE ARE GOING TO WALT DISNEY WORLD! WOOOHOOOO! lol thank you!

 

[Christinaxo]

We have done All Star Movies, POP, CBR and just returned on 4-8 from POR. We are a family of 6, plus my in laws so we book two rooms. Kids love the feel of the values, but I like the slightly bigger beds in moderates. Keep in mind as of our trip, CBR still only had double beds.
With both in laws having mobility issues and our youngest being 5, I was concerned about resort size as well. I could not afford preferred rooms but did get a garden view. We were placed in Acadian mansion, and I loved it. Right across the bridge was the pool, and then a short walk was the main building. There was a bus stop about a 3 minute walk from our room.
The atmosphere was peaceful, and beautiful. The food was awesome, and we loved the quiet pool at the end of our building!!
POR is where will book again!

I have only stayed at POFQ and Dixie Landings (now POR) and was too young to really remember it. I absolutely loved staying at POFQ and would definitely stay there again. The only transportation issue was when we went to TL and that is only because we got there far before the first bus was leaving to go there.

We have stayed at CBR three times. Love the pool. Food vourt good. Table service leaves a bit to be desired. We stay in a preferred room Easy to get to food court. Centrally located. It's our Favorite moderate

Thank you guys for all the great information! All the details are giving me a better sense of what might be best for us so I appreciate it!

 

[ColonelHathi]

POR! We waffled considerably too. Here's why we choose POR ultimately over CSR and POFQ.

~Queen beds
~'Princess and the Frog' theming in the non-Royal rooms that appeals to DD 4, AB rooms DS 7 likes too (as well as the mansions).
~with AB room, kids would get their own beds (and fight over the Murphy bed)
~pools galore - main pool with slide, quiet pools, access to POFQ pool too!
~boat to DTD

This will be our 1st family trip, so I am not letting reports of bus issues get to me as I have nothing to compare it too recently. Last time I rode a bus at WDW I was a CM - and that was still rare. We're also renting a car for much of our vacation. I also showed the kids pictures of each mod, and also POP and AoA, and asked for their input, which did help as well. Good luck!

 

[mickeynut1]

You are absolutely right! The most important thing is that WE ARE GOING TO WALT DISNEY WORLD! WOOOHOOOO! lol thank you!

 

[Christinaxo]

POR! We waffled considerably too. Here's why we choose POR ultimately over CSR and POFQ.

~Queen beds
~'Princess and the Frog' theming in the non-Royal rooms that appeals to DD 4, AB rooms DS 7 likes too (as well as the mansions).
~with AB room, kids would get their own beds (and fight over the Murphy bed)
~pools galore - main pool with slide, quiet pools, access to POFQ pool too!
~boat to DTD

This will be our 1st family trip, so I am not letting reports of bus issues get to me as I have nothing to compare it too recently. Last time I rode a bus at WDW I was a CM - and that was still rare. We're also renting a car for much of our vacation. I also showed the kids pictures of each mod, and also POP and AoA, and asked for their input, which did help as well. Good luck!

Do all aligator bayou rooms come with a murphy bed? I thought we wouldnt need that but my 8yo would LOVE to have his own bed! I didnt know if they were saved for families who specifically had 5 people. That could be a deal breaker lol and I am realizing if I worry about transportation I will drive myself crazy! The whole point is to be on vacation and let disney lead the way Thank you!

 

[MinnieLovesMickey12]

If I were you I would do Port Orleans Riverside and book a preferred room. Then you will be very near the food court and main pool and right at the main bus stop at the front of the resort.

The food court at POR is one of the best on property and it has the longest pool slide of any of the resorts.

If you book a preferred room you will be guaranteed to be in AB with a Murphy bed in the room. All preferred rooms are in AB section.

If not you can book a standard room then ask the CM to notate on your reservation that you want AB near a bus stop.

 

[aVASTGrl]

If you're worried about the the size of the resorts and all of the bus stops (and if POFQ is out) I would go with POR, and book a preferred room. I haven't stayed at CBR, but CSR was wayyy too big for us, and it didn't feel very "Disney". We didn't care for the food court there at all, either, but that's a subjective thing. It felt like it took forever to get out of the resort due to all of the bus stops. POR has multiple stops, but not as many, and the resort is still a lot smaller than CSR. And since you mentioned you're planning on some resort time very day, POFQ is right next door, so it's like having two resorts to explore in one.

But like other PP's have said, I think you and your family will have a wonderful time no matter where you'll stay

 

[jade1]

Yep its all good, and if you need the money I can't argue.

But funny thing is, years down the road you will stay at WL, then when you see a similar thread as this one-you will answer "I wish I had stayed at WL the first time".

 

[bookgirl]

If you could have your first stay at WDW all over again, and had to choose a moderate resort, which would you choose and why?

*I ask because I am wanting to downgrade from the WL to save some money. Never been to WDW (first timer) so any advice is so helpful to making our trip magical! Transportation is probably most important to us, as that is the last thing we want to worry about, not having a car up there. DD is 4 & DS is 8. I really like how compact POFQ is and that they only have one bus stop but my kids freak out everytime we look at the resort videos. The mardi gras theme just does not seem to appeal to them and its their first time! They love the look of all the other ones but because they are so big I am TERRIFIED of transportation issues. I hate not knowing what to expect. & DF refuses to do double beds so values are out of the question! Please help!!!*

I love POFQ and I hate in your face icons, they are not that bad.

However if I had never stayed at POFQ and it was my first mod stay, I'd be really tempted by POR. Not sure I'd like the distance of some of the rooms but the Prefered rooms up in AB look close and it does have some really nice landscaping/atmosphere going on. Plus it's suppose to have some great pools. Personally I love the boat to DTD. Even if I don't want to shop that trip through the 'bayou' is kinda neat to a midwestern visitor.

 

[Christinaxo]

Yep its all good, and if you need the money I can't argue.

But funny thing is, years down the road you will stay at WL, then when you see a similar thread as this one-you will answer "I wish I had stayed at WL the first time".

Its funny you say this because the DF has told me to just leave it as is, the money is there and everything is already planned! But I would rather always save money you cannot beat that location though! I still do not know if I will change, it was so easy to pick WL for many reasons, choosing one of the mods not so much

 

[Christinaxo]

Ok so we have decided that if we indeed change our reservation if will be to POR!! The kids were the deciding factor, they preferred it and we plan on exploring POFQ while we are there as well! Thanks for all your help guys!!!