Which Moderate Resort Would you choose

[mafpi]

I won a trip from our company for four days in Orlando. They are oputting us in the JW Marriott Grand Lakes. We decied to extend our vacation three more nights. Now we are Disneyhlocs and been to Disneyland more times than I can count. We decided to do Animal Kingdom. But my question is, where should we stay the other three days. I want to stay at a resort where I can enjoy the resort. So which resort will I enjoy the most. It will be me and my wife with two kids 9 & 11. Should we just stay at the JW Marriott. Or which Disney Moderate resort willI enjoy the most? Which resort has the most Disney magic? I am leaning towards the Carribean Beach. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

 

[jujube]

Carribbean Beach is very nice. Are your 2 children boys, girls, or 1 of each? I ask because if you're interested, you can book pirate themed rooms at Carribbean Beach or Princess themed rooms at Port Orleans.
My family loves everything about Coronado Springs. It also has a huge pool with a great slide.

 

[pgianna]

I always stay at the swan dolphin, you get to stay in a deluxe hotel, but at the price of a moderate. They always have discounts going on. You can book for as little ad 179 per night. This hotel isn't Disney owned, but is still on property. So if you don't need to have disney wallpaper or disney bed sheets, this represents one the best values, in my opinion. I have heard good things about caribbean beach, but there are a couple of things you need to be a aware of. First thing, its a real big resort. so there are shuttles within the resort itself just to get to the front of the resort, to catch the other disney bus that takes you to the parks. So thats adds to the transportation time. Secondly, I have read many reviews that state that the beds in the pirate room aren't good at all. They aren't a typically bed, with a box spring and mattress, just a thin mattress on top of a board. Maybe ok for a child, but not for an adult. Just keep this in mind. You will have a good time regardless.

 

[pgianna]

I need to make a correction. There aren't internal shuttles at the CBR, but there are multiple stops for the Disney parks bus within the resort. Some of these stops can be 10-15 min walk from your hotel room, depending on what building you are in.

 

[Maggie'sMom]

If you could afford a little extra, I would recommend Animal Kingdom Lodge or the Wilderness Lodge. Both are deluxes, but they are the least expensive of the Disney deluxes.

Of the moderates, I'd recommend Port Orleans Riverside. You'd have the boat to DTD which is nice.

 

[maryj11]

I have stayed at Coronado Springs and Port Orleans Riverside. I Liked both but Prefer Port Orleans Riverside. This next time I think will stay at Carribean Beach. I think all the resorts are nice it just depends on what theme you like and if you want close to the main building and pool I would pay a little extra for a preferred room that puts you closer to those.

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

With a 9 year old and an 11 year old, I recommend either CSR or POR. Caribbean Beach is the only moderate that still has double beds - CSR, POR and POFQ have queen beds. That extra space would be nice whether your kids sleep together or you and your wife each sleep with one.

My kids (both girls) are 9 and 12, and both love Coronado Springs. The pool is one of the best on property, and my DD12 ranks it second behind Stormalong Bay at the Beach Club. The rooms at CSR have very comfortable queen beds, and there are sliding wooden doors between the room and the vanity for privacy and to make it easier to get ready in the morning without waking everyone else. Bus service is generally excellent.

We haven't stayed at POR, but it would be my second choice of moderates. The rooms are newly refurbished, and there is a boat to Downtown Disney. POFQ also has a boat to DTD, but I don't like the theming, and the pool looks too babyish for my kids.

If you want to spend a bit more, Animal Kingdom Lodge is wonderful, and you would have a room with a balcony. You could also get a room with bunk beds. Wilderness Lodge is similarly priced and is convenient to MK, but I prefer the theming at AKL.