Which Moderate Resort would you recommend? And why?

[GaTech]

We have always stayed at the Value Resorts but are considering staying at a Moderate on our next trip. There will be 4 families needing 4-5 rooms. Which Moderate Resort would you recommend? And why?

 

[armomof3lvsdisney]

Port Orleans Riverside

My family loves POR. The grounds and buildings are beautiful. The boat to DTD is an awesome plus. Also, if anyone in your party has 5 in their group you can get a room in the Alligator Bayou section with a trundle bed that will accomidate 5. We love it there and can't wait to go back in March.

 

[ktglads]

French Quarter!

Its the smallest moderate resort so no matter where your room is, you will be close to the bus and the food court. This is great for tired feet in the evening. Plus, you still get the benefit of the boat to DTD and the ability to use the pools at POR and POFQ.

 

[Mom2Ashli]

We stayed at CBR and it is very large and spread out. It has several beach areas.

 

[djm99]

Since my husband wants to go to Mexico this summer instead of Disneyworld, I thought I would try to give him a little of Mexico and we are staying at Coronado Springs. This is a compromise - I think!. I'm planning some spa treatments and some on resort activities so it will not just be about the theme parks - He's not so crazy about the parks , but there is so much to do on this moderate resort (We plan to do some kind of boat activities, bike riding, volleyball - everything we would probably do if we actually went to Mexico - so hopefully this will work!!!!

We went to Jamaica last spring and all I kept thinking was I would have rather spent all this $$ in WDW. I'm too young to be enjoying a "relaxed" vacation.

 

[goofy4tink]

POR is one of our favorite resorts. You get the look and feel of a much pricier resort for much less money. We have stayed in both AB ang the mansion sections. Like them both but they are different. AB is more laid back and rustic. The bldgs. there have only two floors, so no elevators. The mansion bldgs are much more formal. Since there are three levels there are elevators.

The pool area in nice on Ole Man Island. The quiet pools are just that..quiet. Not a lot of activity at those when we visited.

The food court worked out fine for me. My dh isn't a big fan of food courts but my dd and I like them. In fact, when we stayed at the Polynesian my dh was much happier with the little 'food court' there. But dd and I liked the food court at our stay in the AllStars. Go figure.

I would most certainly go with POR. It's just beautiful.

 

[sunkissed212]

My vote goes to POR....because it's the only mod that I've stayed at. I've only stayed at the Poly, CR, and GF before with family and this year was my first trip alone (well, with bf but without parents) and we just couldn't afford the deluxes.

POR is great. The grounds are absolutely beautiful! We walked all the way around the first day we arrived (after taking a dip in a quiet pool) and it was just breathtaking.

We stayed in AB bldg 18 and it was great. The resort was very e mpty when we were there so it was very quiet and we didn't have to wait for anything while we were there.

Boatwrights and the food court have really good food and the prices are definitly competitive with other resorts on the property.

River Roost lounge, is AWESOME! They have the best colada's I've ever tasted and our server was very generous with my bf's whiskey drinks as well. We spent time in there every night at the end of our activities to wind down. It was great!

Great arcade and gift shop too. We loved all the cool games they had in the arcade and I bought tons of souveniers from the gift shop in the main building.

Well, that's my review...I'm sure whatever you decide will be great but chalk one up for POR from me!

 

[Buzz2001]

CSR!! Check out my CSR website for pics, links and info.

 

[yecats]

I voted for CSR but I also love PORS as well. I have to agree with everything written about these 2 resorts above. Both are beautiful, spread out, etc. I haven't had bad service from either one. I am from New Orleans and see buildings that look like PORS and FQ all the time. This past Nov. I spent some time at CSR and it really did feel like a vacation to me (probably because PO reminds me of home where I felt like I was someplace else at CSR). I wouldn't hesitate to stay at CSR again. However, please note that the food court works differently at CSR than any other resort on Disney property so be sure to realize the little differences there. Have a great time.

 

[crcormier]

Only stayed in CBR and POR, but I LOVED POR, such a beautiful resort!!!

 

[nhpooh]

I vote for CSR because I have been to Mexico and it felt like I was back there. The pool was great, we also had another couple with us and it worked out well. The grounds are very nice, we did a lot of walking and bike riding. Have fun which ever one you go for.

 

[jeepgirl30]

I voted for CSR. I have only stayd at CSR and CBR. I absolutely love CSR. With the lake it is so beautiful and peaceful especially in the early morning or late evening.

I would like to try POR or POFQ one of these days but it'll take a lot for me to give CBR another go. In all fairness it was a few years ago I stayed at CBR, I think they have refurbished since but the rooms was so nasty.

 

[RebeccaLovesDisney]

I voted for CSR! We just returned from CSR and absolutely loved this resort. The grounds are beautiful and peaceful. You could easily spend a day just enjoying this resort. I thought the Pepper Market had much better food than other food courts we've tried (CBR and PC). And the Dig Site has got to be one of the best pool areas at WDW. The pool is huge with a really fun slide and there's a large hot tub, beach volleyball court, arcade and playground.

 

[pm914]

We stayed at the CBR in 1999 and didn't care for it. It had a very low-budget feel to it without enough of the redeeming "Disney theming" to make up for it.

 

[MiJo]

my DW and I have stayed at POR, POFQ and CSR and enjoyed them all. We will be returning to POR in January (it was Dixie Landings when we were there in '99). Each one has its own special qualities. We really enjoyed the small size and the spa at POFQ. POR's theme and the music is a favorite for us both and we enjoy Boatwright's. Also, at POR, Bob "The Piano Man" Jackson is a do not miss for us. And we both enjoyed the Pepper Market at CSR. For some reason, we haven't had much desire to stay at CBR so we haven't seen that one. The boat to DTD from POR/POFQ is also a nice feature for those resorts. And, CSR has a bus to the BW, which is nice if you enjoy that area. It's a tough choice but you probably can't go wrong no matter what you decide.

 

[BadgerBruce]

I voted for CSR. We stayed there for the 2nd time in November & think it's a great resort. The bus service was excellent, the big pool is terrific & the quiet pools are very nice. Didn't eat much at the food court, but really like the limited menu at the Dig Site Pool. Great fiesta margaritas, too. The grounds are beautiful. Have stayed at POR 4x & love it there, too. The bus service was better at CSR. Stayed at POFQ last April & did like it, but liked the other 2 more. We decided we like the "spread out" set up at CSR & POR better--we love to walk all around the resorts.

 

[BelleChick]

I have stayed at all of the moderate resorts...They are all beautiful, so you can't go wrong with any of them. I would suggest looking on the net at pictures of the resorts and picking the theme you like best. You can view some at:
http://allearsnet.com/acc/g_dxl.htm
http://allearsnet.com/acc/g_po.htm
http://allearsnet.com/acc/g_cs.htm
http://allearsnet.com/acc/g_cbr.htm

I liked POR the best, but everyone has their own favorite!

 

[HopperFan]

I voted POR but I equally like CSR. I think either one would be a magical visit. POR gives you the boat to DTD, shared amenties with POFQ and a fairly central location. I agree that the trundle bed may be a plus for some. You also give the families a choice of the rustic AB or the formal Mansions, designed around the Old Man Island, and none too far from main hub. CSR is the newest moderate and more deluxe feel, but POR has been through some recent renovations.

Further considerations may be: ages of children - pool or playground needs - both are great but different, use of food court - would style of CSR appeal to you, will you use boat rentals - I like the lake setup at CSR better than river set up, will you have kids who will be free to walk around hotel alone - would you like the idea of conventioners.....

 

[polkadotminnie]

CSR because the pool area is the best!

 

[GaTech]

Thanks for the info! I was hoping for an overwhelming favorite but it sounds like I have some more work to do. Which resort is better for small kids? The ages of the kids will be 8, 6, 4, 3, 1 & 1. Do any of the Moderates have character meals or character visits?