Which Moderate Hotel?

[Leah's Mom]

We just received a postcard in the mail for a great discount. We have stayed three times at the All Star Music and enjoyed it. But now we can stay at a moderate for $79. So which one is your favorite and why? We have a 12 year old autistic daughter who LOVES to swim and we do spend a fair amount of time back at the room for mini breaks. I would love to hear from others as to what moderate they like.

 

[ADisneygirl]

We have only stayed at one moderate, so my opinion might not carry as much weight as from someone who has stayed at them all. That being said, I recommend staying at Port Orleans French Quarter. It was recently remodeled and the room we had looked new. The Mardi Gras theme is showcased in the elegantly decorated rooms. The resort is compact and no building is really very far from the food court or pool. The pool was fun and had a small underwater pass to swim under that was shady and cool. The slide is pretty neat and is not high at all so it is great for kids. We didn't use their transportation, but they are the first to be picked up by bus before Riverside, and they have a boat to DTD.

Happy planning!

 

[Maki Mouse]

Hi - I have stayed at Caribbean Beach, and Port Orleans Riverside. I LOVED both resorts, and I've only heard good things about Port Orleans French Quarter... so I'm sure you can't go wrong with any of the moderates.
We had great room locations at CBR and POR - so we had no problem with the large size of the resorts. If you are worried about too much walking in the resorts, I hear POFQ is the way to go - nice size, great pool (we tried it out when we stayed at POR).
If your daughter loves to swim, then maybe Port Orleans is your best bet, because you can use the pools on both sides. Plus the boat to Downtown Disney is nice.

Have fun!

 

[Mercy]

We're at CSR right now! LOVE IT!!!! DH loves it and so do the kids!

 

[orvilleair]

ADisneyGirl is right about POFQ with the transportation and the pool is better than POR. Plus the rooms were recently renovated.

With that being said, if your 12 year old DD loves swimming, there are more pools at POR. The quiet pools around some of the buildings are just regular retangular pools, but it could be only a short walk from your room. Plus, it is usually more quiet. The main pool is central to the complex and offers a slide and a few small waterfalls. I can't comment on CBR or CSR, but I've always read that CSR has a fantastic pool themed around a Mayan pyramid. I've only stayed at POR so that's just my 2 cents, and have a good trip.

 

[HopperFan]

Our experience ~

We love POR, the theme pool is fun, and if she is a good swimmer she can hang by the "adult" end as our kids call it. Alittle deeper but quieter. Beautiful and peaceful resort. While the food court is large, it is not too loud and we liked it. Very nice quiet pools.

POFQ ~ we have never stayed but ate at and walked around. It is very peaceful and quiet, smaller resort. Food court smaller but sufficient. The pool was not crowded, but I don't believe it has quiet pools. You have the advantage of using any amenties at POR and the boat to DTD.

The only disadvantage to these two we found is if you have to use the buses they can get crowded, and that could be a problem for my child. We always got on the bus, but sometimes people that close to him is upsetting.

CSR ~ great resort. We found that while it is large and for conventions it was much quieter all over, especially the pool area, because so many guests are at the convention. GREAT theme pool. The pool is large and lots of seating with a super slide. We practically had it to ourselves. We enjoyed the Pepper Market, a "high end" food court, found it to be more of a sit down atmosphere. Food right at pool too. Also very nice quiet pools. Transportation was great.

Stayed at CBR and would not return. Theme pool was way too small and crowded. Very overwhelming for my child. They didn't want to do the quiet pools there. Food court was also too loud for him.

 

[mad4themouse]

Another vote for CSR!

I've stayed at CR, BC and CBR as well. But guess where the kids want to stay next month? CSR! They love the pool and the Pepper Market is probably the best food court of all the moderates. Just be aware that they automatically tack on a 10% gratuity if you dine in. It's the only thing that we didn't like about CSR.

 

[pumpkinboy]

My votes would be for POFQ or CSR. POFQ is smaller and more intimate with an awesome dragon slide and pool. The main drwback would be poor on-site dining options. CSR is our other favorite Moderate, with another really cool pool and great on-site dining at the Pepper Market. The only drawback here is that sometimes there is a convention booked there and it feels a bit "colder" than other Disney resorts during that time. ON the other hand, we have always found the staff at CSR to be very professionsal and accomodating.

 

[Karebear]

Having stayed at POR, CBR and CSR-I would vote for CSR. It is my favorite moderate due to the pool which is very large and well themed. Also, it has the best bus service that I have ever experienced at WDW. We have never waited long for a bus at CSR and they are seldom too crowded. I like the Cabana section because it is near the pool, bus stop, and the food court. They also serve food at the pool. Cabana 8A is my favorite. Good luck with your decision.

 

[Leah's Mom]

Thanks! We just got airfare for Dec 11-15 for a really great price!! - Should be a quiet time for the parks...right? Also the Christmas decorations should be up? Thanks again.