Taking a last minute vacation to WDW next month and wanting to figure out which moderate resort to stay at. We have stayed at POR before. We enjoyed it (except for the long walks back to the room). It will be me, DH, DS (3), and DD (1).
all the moderates could be a long walk - POFQ is the smallest - so would go for it. otherwise value - Pop- nothing is a far walk and it has some of the best bus service at WDW.
We've only stayed at 2 of the mods so far....CBR and PFQ. PFQ was very compact...sort of a deluxe feel in that way. The buildings are so quaint and everything is a short walk....the food court, pool, buses...If this is important to you I would go with PFQ. I like CBR....I thought the main pool was awesome and I really liked the food court...lots of options. The big negative for me was the bus service (we always seemed to wait forever) and if you don't pay for a preferred building you are a hike from the main pool and food court.
I have stayed at all of the mods except for CSR and I very much prefer POR. With all of the bus stops available there, it shouldn't be TOO long a walk when getting off the bus. I prefer it because of it's relaxed, laid back theme, AMAZING food court, good pool, lots of activities, boat to DTD and it just has a homey feeling to me. I didn't like CBR because it was big and the layout was awkward and I didn't care for the food court. The pool was very nice however. I liked POFQ, however, the decorations felt cheesy to me and the pool really isn't that good. I can't comment on CSR. I hope this helps!
Like you, I've enjoyed POR. After staying there twice, we tried CSR and enjoyed that as well. You might find the same amount of walking involved, however, CSR is on a circular layout and very easy to navigate. You could also request a preferred room which is close to the center of the resort and buses. HUGE BONUSES to CSR: 1.) CSR has it's own bus system and does not share with anyone, so you get everywhere faster. 2.) The main pool at CSR is fantastic, with Mayan pyramid/water slide, pool bar and playground. Good luck with your decision!
I love CSR, heading back next week for my 5th stay. The grounds are amazing, dig site pool is huge and one of the best on property. nice rooms with down comforters, same h20 products as the deluxes, great bus service, great pool bar, nice restaurants, night club, and the central location to all the parks.
I agree with spiceycat about the pop century busses. We stayed there during 4th of July week this summer and bussing could not have been better. Stayed in 80's building and walk to bus was short and with only one stop, we never had to wait long. Overall, though, as far as total atmosphere, I will always stay at POR if I have the chance. Love the grounds, foodcourt, pool, and between the main stop and the one that is near our hotel, never had to walk too much (although I don't have small children with me, so my idea of short walk and yours may be different).
I have stayed at all the moderates. My favorite is POFQ. I have stayed there three times. I just stayed at CBR in August and it was just too big for us. It was a very pretty resort with a great pool. CSR is also big, but a nice resort with a nice pool. It is also the furthest away from most everything. POR is also very big, but it has a nice pool too.
Have only stayed at CSR and loved it! Hubby had to have a fitness center and they are the only moderate with one. Kids loved the pool. It has the wonderful lake you can walk around and the Pepper Market was really good (to us).
Loved POFQ. It was so quiet. I really thought the resort was beautiful. Would like to stay at the CBR but I don't think I can handle those "loud" comforters. They hurt my eyes!
Coronado Springs is a very nice resort. The pepper market has a ton of options for quick service meals and the pools are very nice as well.
Another thumbs up for CSR. Awesome pool/hot tub/slide. Busses are great. Rooms have a more deluxe'ish feel.
I've stayed at all of the moderates (POR multiple times, POFQ once, CSR twice, and CBR three times). I enjoyed all of them, and would be happy at any of them, but much prefer POR. I love the meandering pathways, the food court has a nice decor with plenty of seating, we never miss Bob Jacksons show at the River Roost, the boat to DD is a great plus -- I don't know, I just love it there. My least favorite (which is all relative, as I like them all) is CSR. I hated the food court set up - I don't want to wait to be seated at a food court, and I don't want someone refilling my mug - I want to get what I want when I want it. I also find it odd to tip at a food court, like I said, I don't want all of the "extras" that to me are annoyances, I just want to do my own thing. Also, and for my family this is kind of a deal breaker with this resort, the food court is not run by Disney so they do not have to be as great with allergy meals. My husband and son need to eat gluten free, and at all of the disney owned food courts a chef will always come out, talk to us, and give us tons of GF options. When we contacted Disney about this before one of our trips, they recommended that we mainly stick with disney run restraunts (this mainly applied to Epcot, but it would also apply here). I have to admit we haven't tried it, I stayed there prior to having this need, but we would be in a real bind if we tried eating there and found they were not as accommodating. I also just didn't prefer the theme as much, just not as much to my taste. That is purely personal, I know plenty of people prefer it. I do like that they have massages and a health club, unlike the other moderates.
