Which moderate resort?

[Joanus]

I am new to this site and posted this thread in another area, but I think I belong here. My family and I (me, husband, 2 sons, ages 10 and 7) will be going to WDW for the first time at end of August. We booked the CBR, but I read the reviews and it has too many negative ones, so I would like to change to another moderate resort. The rest all got fairly good reviews, so anyone have any suggestions? My boys love pools, and my hubby and I like quiet rooms that are updated; no peeling wallpaper, mold or smoke. We also like quieter air conditioners! Any preferences out there? Which is nicer, the POFQ or the POR? We would like to not be too far from food or buses. The CS also sounds nice, but very large...I need help!!! Thank you very much for any advice. I'm so psyched about going...

 

[leighe]

DH and I love CBR. Our room last summer was lovely - no peeling paint in sight! The grounds were beautifully landscaped - so peaceful and relaxing. We also really enjoyed the colors and themeing. We felt like the resort was very quiet and private.

The main pool is fabulous! It has a pirate fort theme and a water slide that is fun. Also, each village has its own quiet pool. We were there in July and sometimes we were the only people in the quiet pool.

We thought that the food court was pretty good and the sit-down restaurant Shutters was very good.

DH and I are considering POFQ for a future trip. I have heard so many great things about it.

Good luck deciding! Have a great time!

 

[mareb66297]

my suggestion would be port orleans. we stayed there in 96 and it was wonderful. the kids had a great time in the pool and the room and grounds were spotless and beautiful!

 

[DznyDreams]

IMO, it sounds like POFQ may be what you're looking for. Small resort and newly renovated. It won't matter which building you're in because you'll always be close to everything. I'm not sure about the noise from the A/C, but I don't remember this being a problem when we stayed there several years ago. We're not pool people, but I do remember that really cool-looking sea serpent slide on the main pool.

DH and I stayed at this resort on an anniversary trip, and the particular room we were in was in much need of updating at that time. Since they've just recently completed those renovations, I've booked a 3-night stay for our next trip in Oct. I'm really looking forward to it!

 

[tinkerbee]

My vote is for POR. It is a very nice resort. The kids really seem to like the pool. And its a quite resort. The food court is nice. It's my favorite resort outside of OKW.

 

[dina7]

I think you should try POFQ for all of the reasons already mentioned, especially since it's been newly renovated. I would also stay there instead of POR because the bus stops at POFQ first, so you will always get a seat on the way to the parks. It is also a smaller resort than POR which is another thing I like about it. POR is within walking distance, so you can always go over to check it out and you are allowed to use their pools. You can also try their food court if you get tired of POFQ one. Have a great time wherever you decide to stay!

 

[noritake1]

Hi< I wouln't change. I ahve stayed at CBR many times and love it there, I have also stayed at CS, and I din't like it as much although I do like the Pepper Mill. We love CBR. The main pool is nice and so are the other smaller pools, we love the sandy beach there and the hammocks. We also like to sit on the beah there and hear and see (not much) of Illuminations. I have 4 daughters so next time we can't stay there because of there ages 9,8,3, and infant too many for room unless we get 2 rooms, so we are staying at the port Orleans riverside for the extra tundral bed, but already my oldest is complaining becuse she loves the CBR so much and she did stay at riverside once and she wasn't thrilled with it good luck to you whatever you choose. Jill if you have any other guestions about CBR just e- mail me

 

[noritake1]

Oh and I forgot, it is very quiet in the rooms I have never hear the people next door, but in CS I could. Aslo rooms were very clean, about the air conditioner, I did not notice the noice of it and we look for thing s like that because 2 DD are deaf, and we look for things that would make backround noice. the air conditioner is by the front glass window by the door, you can hear it but it's not loud, th grounds are kept immaculate Jill

 

[Buzz2001]

Yes, CSR is large but not as large as CBR or POR.

CSR has been recently refurbished.

CSR has central a/c in the rooms. You also get a coffeemaker, hair dryer, iron and ironing board.

CSR has the best pool of all the mods and your boys will love the slide and the Dig Site which offers a volleyball area, an arcade, a playground. Plenty for a 7 and 10 yr old to do. They have great food and refillable mugs available right at the pool.

CSR doesn't share transportation with other resorts.

You can view pics and info about CSR at my website below.

Thread #1

Thread #2

 

[firefawnkimmy]

Hands down, when you read the reviews, people have not liked the CBR because they were relying on Disney transportation and it is a very spread out resort. If you are relying on Disney transportation and still stay there, I would request a stay in Triniad North or Martinique, the two closest "villages" to the food court area.

I have been to every moderate resort but the Coronado Springs resort, but have visited there and just hated the "feel" to it. So truthfully, after 11 Disney visits CBR is my utmost favorite resort. People are so friendly there (and I have been there 4 times), and the atmosphere is upbeat, cheerful, and everyone is extrememly helpful. The decor is awesome and when you walk into your room you just feel very alive and spirited b/c the room colors are bright and cheerful, yet look sophisticated in a Caribbean sense (I am judging that based on my actual trips to the Caribbean.) The walkways there are simply the most beautiful at Disney along with those at the Polynesian. Those two are a tie for beautiful walkways. They have a private lake that is simply beautiful and lots of rentals from boats, to paddleboats, to bikes. They also have private pools which I have never found to be too busy, not even in peak seasons, or in the middle of the summer. Their food court is my second favorite at Disney (second to the All Stars) and I rate on terms of food selection, so its great if you are trying to save cash on sit down restaurants.

Down sides. IF you do not have a rental car, and get put in another village, and do not relish beautiful (yet long) walks, you would probably dislike the resort. I have found that people who don't mind walks love the place. But people who don't like walking more than they have to at their resort (and who can blame them on vacation) don't like it. But hands down again they have been put in farther away villages. I honestly just thought the CMs have always been MUCH friendlier, the food court much better, and the scenery more breathtaking than at the other moderate resorts. BUT, I think if you are relying on Disney transportation, you should be prepared for a wait anywhere, all resorts have some type of a wait at one time or another, and public transportation (even Disney) can sometimes have problems. Just read some posts about peoples experiences of waiting at Monorail resorts!

So I would legitimately weight those facts in importance to you. If that sounds like an atmosphere you prefer, I would stay there, but if not, then switch. The Caribbean also has the biggest rooms 344 square feet, of all the moderate resorts, and their rooms are the same size as the standard rooms at the AKL. Just some other things to take into account. Good luck with your resort selection! But in all honesty you may encounter problems at any resort you stay in. I have heard of one poster with a wet floor at the Caribbean, but the same thing happened to us at the Port Orleans hotel when it was called Port Orleans, so basically, that too can happen anywhere. Even Disney has its bumps.

 

[DCSingle]

I have stayed at both CBR and Port Orleans in the last couple of years and also visited Port Orleans Riverside and French Quarter on my trip two weeks ago. Based on what is important to you, I think POFQ would be ideal for you.

As others have noted, the entire resort has been recently re-habbed so I don't think you'd have to worry about getting a bad room. POFQ is much smaller and less spread out than POR so if walking to amenities is a concern, it would also get my vote, also because the buses run there first so you should always be able to get a seat. Both POFQ and POR have very nice main and quiet pools and food courts. You're free to use the amenities at either resort so your kids could try both main pools and also have access to all the boating options at the POR marina.

Liked the restaurant and lounges at POR (which you can easily acces by boat or walking along beautiful paths from POFQ). Surrey bike rides around the property also very popular with families and you can't beat the free boat transportation to Downtown Disney.

I vote POFQ for your family all the way!

 

[kadaten]

I've done all the moderates and loved CBR. Also loved POFQ and liked POR. Did not like CS at all!! One of the few Disney things to leave me cold.... but there are lots of folks who like it So hey!

A reviews are just the opinion of one person.....take it with a grain of salt, go prepared, and see for yourself! Don't like where you stayed? Stay somewhere else next time!!

Change if you must, but your observation is correct....CS is VERY large and it's not what you're looking for. Either of the others would be fine....I prefer POFQ over POR just for aesthetics

 

[alecam]

Here's one more vote for POFQ!! My favorite moderate. It is very well organized, not so spread out, and not nearly as overwhelming as CBR.
Have fun wherever you decide to go!!

 

[bamadisney]

I think you and your boys (including husband) will love POFQ!!!! My daughters are abut the same age as your sons and we stayed there in Oct of 2002 and have reservations there for this coming Oct...Yeah! I think they will love it. It is very queit and everything is close...there are no out of the way rooms. You can ride the boat to Down Town Disney or to POR. The pool is nice with a slide and you can catch the boat and go to POR to their pool also. The food court food was actually good. We loved the over all experience. We were planning on doing Animal Kingdom Lodge ths trip but because all four of us loved POFQ so much we decided to save that money and just stay here again. I think you will not be disappointed by staying at POFQ. If you do change to FQ request building five it is close to bus, food court, pool and laundry. Let us all know what you decide. Good luck with your decision!

 

[Micca]

CSR fan here

 

[Joanus]

Well, we finally made our decision...it was a tough one! After reading all your responses, we had settled between CSR and POFQ. We decided that POFQ was the winner! Although CSR seemed absolutely beautiful, the deciding factor was how large CSR was opposed to POFQ. We thought for our first trip to Disney that we should start on the smaller, more intimate side. I like that POFQ is very convenient; it sounds as if it is a short walk to the food court or pool, and I like that the buses start there so that we can always get a seat. I also like the idea of taking a boat to DD and that we could also use the food court and pools at POR. We will have the best of two resorts! I'm also very happy that it was just renovated, so that there is less chance of getting a "worn" room (although CSR, I believe, has very nice rooms too). Having two sinks is a biggie in our family too. So, we booked a standard room at POFQ and will not be going to CBR...we will definately check it out though, along with all the other moderates so we can plan for next time. This was a tough one, for sure. The pictures of CSR looked so beautiful...I hope we don't regret not going there! Well, thank you, my fellow Disney comrades, for your quick responses and very thoughtful advice. It is much appreciated. We are so excited about our trip! I can't wait! See you all in Disney...thanks again!

 

[Buzz2001]

Have a great trip!! You'll have fun...you're at WDW!!

 

[WDW LifeLong Fan]

You will love your choice and your trip!

Oh, by the way....WELCOME TO THE DIS!!!!!