Which Moderate Resort has the biggest WOW factor for a first timer?

[fifthdimensiondweller]

Hi everyone!

We are planning to possibly do WDW with a friend of ours in a few years. At 25 he has never been. We will probably be staying moderate and I was wondering- which resort do you think will awe a first timer the most- and why?

 

[NicoleLarson]

Honestly none. I would pick the one that most appeals to your taste. Bayou, Caribbean or southwest. None have grand lobbies, CSR is probably the fanciest. The values have larger than life statues and those can be wow! Deluxes mostly have amazing lobbies and are wow! Mods are nice, just nothing wow!

 

[BobC]

The moderates to me like NicoleLarson said don't have any wow factors to them. They're great resorts and comfortable, but no grand lobbies that make you say 'wow' under your breath when you walk in.

Like she said, the values do have the cheesy larger-than-life theming to them which can definitely make a child go wow, but probably not a 25 year old. I don't think he/she would get excited seeing a 30 foot Dalmatian

 

[ChasingLeslie]

I'd suggest CSR or POR. CSR has an impressive lobby, three distinct sections (Casitas, Cabanas, Ranchos), fitness club and spa, adult night life, and the very best moderate pool area. POR has the Mansions and Bayou, extra resort recreation (rentals, Yeehaw Bob show), and the boat to DSp.

 

[jalapeno_pretzel]

CSR definitely.

 

[MinnieSummer]

if you are looking for a WOW as in, walk in the door and be amazed CSR is the closest you will come, with POFQ being a close second. But, since AKL is not that much more I would consider that. If you are looking for a WOW as in so much to do in your age bracket, CSR is a definite. The patio bar outside the restaurant area is fun as is the lounge inside. It just has a more adult vibe.

 

[dansdad]

We have not stayed at CSR yet, have visited multiple times, but have stayed at the others. Our vote is CBR. It's just gorgeous and very impressive. We feel like we have 2 vacations in one when staying at CBR.

 

[VACamm]

I have stayed at them all, and CSR has the biggest wow factor in my OPINION. Its gorgeous and the pool is amazing!

 

[heidijanesmith]

CSR is awesome! Beautiful theme, gorgeous views, and an amazing pool. Big wow factor.

 

[SGMCO]

I love all of them. If this is your 1st time staying at a Disney Resort a MOD is great. They all have Beautiful Landscaping, nice Food Courts (something that Deluxe doesn't have). Several of them Have Table Service restaurants. They all have very Nice Pool Areas. We've stayed at all 4 of them and I am a big fan of MODs, I think they are great price. My Rankings: #1 POR #2 CSR #3 POFQ #4 CBR We've stayed at AKL and while it was beautiful I missed staying at a MOD.

 

[nicynot]

I will throw out either of the port orleans resorts, and i see you all saying CSR, but maybe this first timer would like something on the smaller scale? The theming at either is great! not to in your face disney either, but POFQ will always be my choice, i first stayed there when i was 24 almost 25, and i was hooked. I absolutely LOVED the boat to downtown disney (disney springs now). I had previously stayed at CBR and i really disliked the buses to and from Disney springs, so the fact i could hop on a boat there and back was amazing to me!

 

[Shellyb84]

Another vote for CSR!

 

[jolene63]

I would definitely say CSR. We just love the look there, especially at night.

 

[Kevin355]

We love CBR and it had that WOW factor for us.

With that said, you may or may not enjoy what some suggest. All of the moderates are pretty darn good and each has their own pluses and minuses, so if you get the chance to take an afternoon and visit them, do that.

 

[ChasingLeslie]

I will throw out either of the port orleans resorts, and i see you all saying CSR, but maybe this first timer would like something on the smaller scale?

POR is actually BIGGER than CSR.

 

[buzznina]

For our family a "wow" factor is more then just a lobby, we like to roam around the resort and enjoy the theme and think the Mods have some great themes. If your "wow" factor is a lobby then you will not really find any with the Mods and IMO only a few with deluxes. I would do research on the resorts and look at resort photos and themes to choose which one. Plus, a wow factor can be different for everyone.

 

[nicynot]

POR is actually BIGGER than CSR.

Honestly, iv have never looked it up online to compare amount of rooms to amount of rooms and acres of land vs acres of land, but i will say this then, the theming makes POR seem smaller then CSR to me then. When i was at CSR my room was waaaayyy back away from the food court and the lack of trees means you can see a a lot of the resort at once. POR is treed, a lot, and although i have never stayed at the way back of that resort it still to me feels smaller.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

We stayed at CBR for our first onsite stay and it Wowed us. We loved the Caribbean feel. The landscaping. The pool. OPR. We loved it so much we went back two years later.

 

[fifthdimensiondweller]

Looks like CSR is getting a lot of attention! Thank you guys so much for all of your answers. We've never stayed at CSR so maybe that would be a good choice because we could experience something new as well. I agree mods don't quite WOW in the same way as deluxes and values do... I thought about both but I don't know if value's themeing would overwhelm him (I love it but I'm a fanatic-lol) and I don't know if deluxe would be in his price range and certainly wouldn't want to pressure him into it. If it were just my husband and I we'd likely do a deluxe but I don't want to make a more expensive decision like that when I'm not the only one paying, you know? I'm DEFINITELY taking him to check out some of them though no question!

Keep the suggestions coming- I'm loving hearing everyone's opinions!!! : D

 

[No.1000]

We like them all, but POR is our favorite. The boat to DS really nice and the resort is relaxing.