Which Mod? Caribbean Beach or one of the Port Orleans?

[binabodi]

Just got a free dining code and are thinking we will go 2/13 or 3/7. I can't decide which Mod to book? We haven't been in 5 years and have always stayed at a value before. 2 adults, DD11 and DS4. TIA for any advice. I feel new it's been so long.

 

[aras4007]

I've never stayed at either, but from what I've heard, a lot of people complain about the size of Caribbean Beach and how long it takes to walk from the hotel to buses, food, etc. Also, they are the only mod that still has double size beds. Port Orleans have been refurbished recently and all have queen size beds.

 

[Belle83]

I love Caribbean Beach, especially the tropical theme. The main pool area is cooler than the theme pools at POR and POFQ. That being said, POFQ and POR were both refurbished recently and CBR hasn't been. CBR also still just has double beds, rather than queen-sized beds. POFQ seems to be the most popular moderate on these boards because of the small size. POR and POFQ both have boat access to downtown disney, which you might enjoy.

My vote would be for POR or POFQ.

 

[binabodi]

Thanks for the info. Size of resort/walking might factor in since we have a 4 year old. The double bed/queen isn't really a problem though.

 

[wiigirl]

I love Caribbean Beach, especially the tropical theme. The main pool area is cooler than the theme pools at POR and POFQ. That being said, POFQ and POR were both refurbished recently and CBR hasn't been. CBR also still just has double beds, rather than queen-sized beds. POFQ seems to be the most popular moderate on these boards because of the small size. POR and POFQ both have boat access to downtown disney, which you might enjoy.

My vote would be for POR or POFQ.

x2 for the Caribbean Beach.

 

[bteaster5]

I vote CB. Fun tropical theme. Did you get the offer through the mail or where? That's the time frame we are going and I can't find a free dining code anywhere!

 

[AllieBoo]

We have stayed at POFQ twice and love it! My kids wanted to stay there again this year, but we decided to try a POR Royal Room for a change. The POFQ complex is small and very walkable, the food court is good, and the pool is great! Also, since POFQ and POR are sister resorts, you can use the pool at either one if you stay there!

 

[DisneyGriz]

I just went through this debate, and am using the dining plan code as well. I'll start at the end and say we booked PORS. Here is what made my decision, and while I'm new to DIS, I am a longtime Disneyworld fan that still remembers his first docking in front of Magic Kingdom in 1974 (I was 5). We stayed at PORS several years ago and it was during the redo of the food court. What I remembered was that while we were towards the back of the Alligator Bayou, the paths allowed you to get to things quite easily and quickly. In talking to friends, the food court there is great now, and the rooms are all finished. The real bonus here is that you get to go to Downtown Disney on a boat (Kids love the boat rides). I have found that going to Downtown Disney is hard to fit in i you aren't this close. The other bonus is that you can also use all of POFQ amenities. Now I normally want to try new places, so Caribbean Beach seemed like a nice choice, and looks like it has a lot going on. Here is my issue with the size of this resort...I stayed at the Coronado Springs with my kids and hated it. The only times in my 20 vacations at Disney I had a bad experience at a resort was the first time I went to Coronado with my family and the 2nd time I went to Coronado for a work trip. It is a 10+ min walk to everything if you are not in a preferred location, and the buses are always full to and from the parks. That said, the pool and food court are amazing, but it's just not worth the aggravation. So when I saw that Caribbean Beach is the largest Disney resort and had 7 bus stops, I couldn't help thinking that I would regret my decision ifI went there. Now, it's fair to say that my lack of experience at that resort should put my opinion behind someone who has stayed there.

In any event, we are at the PORS for 2/13 and my kids(DD10 and DS6) are still completely in the dark that we are going back!

 

[DisneyGriz]

I got mine in the mail.

 

[maxiesmom]

I's pick either POR resort over Caribbean Beach. Caribbean Beach is too large and has so many bus stops that it seems like forever before you even leave the resort. I also found the food court at Caribbean Beach to be lacking.

POR has 3 less bus stops than CBR, queen beds, and the pick your pasta station in the food court. Yum! POR is head and shoulders above CBR imho.

 

[binabodi]

Wow, thanks guys for all the info. I think that CB looks fun but I am really concerned about the distance for my 4yo.

I received my code in the mail. I thought it was from my Disney Visa but me and my DH both received on and only one of our names is on the card.

Does anyone know if there is a comparison for PORS vs. POFQ?

 

[cindymindy]

PORS is definitely more spread out than POFQ. I personally prefer POFQ because of the theming. I will also second what others said about the size of Caribbean Beach. It is a very large resort. If you decide to stay there, you should consider a preferred room that is closer to the main pool and main building for your little one. I love the beachy feel, the lake and the various beaches, but the resort's size was a little much for us.

 

[maxiesmom]

Does anyone know if there is a comparison for PORS vs. POFQ?

Both are very nice resorts. POR is much larger than POFQ. POFQ only has one bus stop, so you might consider that a plus for POFQ. No room at POFQ will be far and away from the food court or bus stop either. However, the gift shop and food court at POFQ are considerably smaller than the ones at POR.

 

[Pumbaa7287]

Add me to the brigade of size against CBR... We stayed there once and it was just so huge! It took us a good 20 minutes of walking to get from our building to the bus stop. Also, the beignets at POR. THIS CAN NOT BE UNDERSTATED. THEY ARE THE GREATEST BREAKFAST FOOD OF ALL TIME!

Ahem... sorry.

 

[tarzansmom]

I have stayed at both CBR and POR and liked both a lot. POR holds a special place in my heart because it was my first resort and my honeymoon resort but CBR was a lot of fun too. My son liked CBR best because of the pirate pool and pirate themed room but as you have girls they might like the royal rooms better. CBR was a bit of a walk especially from the pirate rooms to the food court/ main pool. Of course there are rooms that are much closer.

 

[Belle83]

Wow, thanks guys for all the info. I think that CB looks fun but I am really concerned about the distance for my 4yo.

I received my code in the mail. I thought it was from my Disney Visa but me and my DH both received on and only one of our names is on the card.

Does anyone know if there is a comparison for PORS vs. POFQ?

I think part of why I liked CBR so much is because I always had a great room location (in the Jamaica section, which you don't have to pay extra for). There are a lot of bus stops at CBR, regardless of where you stay within the resort.

Here are the main differences between POFQ and POR:
- POFQ is much smaller, overall
- There is a table service restaurant (Boatwright's) at POR, but not at POFQ
- If you are taking the boat to Downtown Disney from POR, it will stop at POFQ. If you take it from POFQ, you just go to Downtown Disney.
- There is only one bus stop at POFQ. At POR, I think there are 4.
- The main pool at POFQ is more themed than the one at POR, but both have a water slide.
- If you stay in the Alligator Bayou section at POR, your room will have a pull-down murphy bed for a 5th person

 

[DisneyGriz]

Just got a free dining code and are thinking we will go 2/13 or 3/7. I can't decide which Mod to book? We haven't been in 5 years and have always stayed at a value before. 2 adults, DD11 and DS4. TIA for any advice. I feel new it's been so long.

Just curious, but what was your final call? I've been scrambling trying to get all of my TS meals booked so close to our arrival. Was lucky and got some decent character meals, but it's been slim pickings....

 

[UDFlyer12]

I've stayed a CBR and POR and like POR the best. We tried out the new royal rooms this past August and they were amazing! We also had a river/garden view and the area surrounding is beautiful. We have stayed at CBR multiple times and have enjoyed it as well, however, our first visit to POR gave us a new favorite. The rooms in CBR were on the smaller side and the old caribbean feel I got was from the fish wallpaper and bedding.... if i had to pick either I would say POR but both are great moderate options and you would be happy at either! good luck!

 

[dislover8943]

We have been to Caribbean beach 2 times and love it! we went last year with a 5yr old 2 yr old and 8 month old and didn't find it difficult at all to get around the resort. We will be sad when the baby turns 3 and we can no longer stay at CBR.

 

[Smiling Cheshire Cat]

CBR is the only resort that we've stayed at that we just didn't like. Too big, not a good food court. Definitely choose another mod.