Which moderate resort?

[kima86]

My DH & I are planning our 3rd MVMCP trip during the week of 11/28 - 12/2 and currently have ressies at Pop Century for the week. Since we plan on hanging out in our room and doing some resort hopping to check out the holiday decorations our last full day (12/1), we were thinking about staying at a moderate that last day. We are leaning toward POR or POFQ and are looking for any input/opinions on these (or Caribbean Beach or Coronado Springs for that matter!).

Thanks for helping us out!

 

[TLinden16]

Welcome to the DIS, Kima!

I have stayed at all of the moderate resorts, and my favorite is the Port Orleans French Quarter. It's a lot smaller than the other moderate resorts, so it's a lot easier to navigate. The colors are bright and the characters around the resort are whimsical. I find it very peaceful to walk around the resort, and the boat to Downtown Disney is a nice change of pace from the buses.

I am not a big fan of the Coronado Springs. I do not like the food court there, and the walls seemed thinner--we could hear our neighbors voices when they were talking at a moderate level, and we always heard the foot steps of the family above us. I also do not like the food court there.

Hope that helps. Have fun planning!

Karen

 

[Buzz2001]

THE PROS
No sharing bus service with other resorts
Centrally located with short rides to the parks
Largest hot tub on WDW property
Awesome main pool area with bar, snack bar, playground and kiddie pool
3 quiet pools
New shuttle service eliminates long walks to any of the villages
High speed internet service
WiFi available too
Free use of the gym
Spa
Fridge in the room
Coffeemaker in the room
Iron and ironing board
full room service menu
2 arcades
beautifully landscaped
central air, not a noisey wall unit

THE CONS
Full size beds (kings size beds are available)
one sink

IN THE MIDDLE
The Pepper Market is either a love it or hate it place. We love it but some folks just don't care for it.

Convention resort - some guests don't like seeing other guests at work. Doesn't bother us and helps keep the buses empty. GF, Cont, BW, Y & B Club are also convention resorts.

Check out my website below

 

[kima86]

Thanks so much for your input and I look forward to hearing from some more who have experienced the moderate! I'm going to use your replies to show my husband so we can sort through them all and then make our decision.

I really am enjoying reading the DIS boards...I'm finding that it's taking up a lot of my spare time (I would much rather plan our Disney vacation than clean the house any day!!!)

 

[KarenW]

We stayed at POR two years ago and loved it. My husband had no input at all (didn't want any), but when we got there he said it was like being in another world. He loved it!! We were in the Alligator Bayou section. We loved the rustic feel of it. The theming was very good. The food court was very good, too. We haven't stayed at any others, as we had five in our family, so this was our only option. In fact we loved it so much I am a little nervous about staying at a value (ASMO) this year (my oldest son is not going so we have four this year), but from what I have heard and read my children will love it and that is what is important!!

 

[WeirdEyes]

We have stayed at the POR and CBR. The CBR was okay, but the POR was awesome! If we go back to moderate, it will be at POR.

 

[michaelwilliammidd]

We stayed at POFQ in Dec. and loved it. We had a ton of family members in multiple rooms and not one bad experience. The rehab made this place amazing. The small size and the intimate feel make it a wonderful place to stay, highly recommended.

 

[purplern]

The only 2 Mod we have stayed at are POR and CBR.]

I like them both equally. CBR is a big resort and I liked that because it didnt feel crowded. I like the theming. It is a beautiful resort.
POR is also a beautiful resort.

 

[kellyanne731]

I've stayed at POFQ and CBR, and my favorite by far is POFQ. CBR was a little too big for my liking. I specifically requested a building close to the bus and food court, but for anyone who wasn't that lucky it was quite a hike. The boat from POFQ to DD is a relaxing alternative to taking the bus everywhere. I also liked how the grounds were maintained at POFQ better.

POFQ is much more romantic and intimate (without being overly so).

 

[Goofy4WDW1964]

We have stayed at POR, CBR, and CSR. We loved POR and CBR. These resorts are pretty similar. Both are spread out so you could have some walking, but it has never been that bad. This makes these resorts very quiet. I enjoyed walking around them both. Both have main themed pools and several private pools. Both have food courts and a sit down restaurant. The rooms at CBR are a little bigger than the other moderates. Both have two sinks.

CSR is similar to POR and CBR in that it is also spread out, has a main themed pool, (probably the better pool of all the moderates), is also quiet, and has a food court and sit down restaurant. I didn't care for the food court here. (We haven't eaten at any of the sit down restaurants so can't comment on those). The rooms are comparable to the other moderates.

One difference is that CSR is a convention resort. Can mean less crowded buses. Also, has a gym for resort guests. There is an automatic 10% gratuity added on to food court meals because there is someone who gets you drinks. The bar can often be full of conventioners, (it is right outside the food court with no wall to seperate the two), and they can get a little loud and sometimes crude. There is only one sink in the rooms at CSR.

All the moderates are beautiful and peaceful.

 

[mamalle]

I have stayed at them all and our favorite family resort is the CSR. everytime we go we have a wonderful trip!

 

[kima86]

Thanks to all who have given us their input. I'm sort of taking notes from your answers and then will weigh each one to make an informed decision.

 

[Sandi]

We just returned late last night from our Coronado Springs stay. That completed our Moderate experiences -- we've stayed at all of them. Our ranking would be:
1. PO-Riverside;
2. PO-FQ (if you have children 5 and under, I would rate this #1);
3. CBR
4. CSR

We enjoyed ourselves at all of the moderate resorts, but just found the Port Orleans resorts superior in terms of ambience and service.

CSR is very large and there were lots of conventioneers there. I also did not like Pepper Market very much. The food was fine, but I felt the 10% service charge was silly -- especially when we only received service once on our several visits there. Our first visit was good and we got help with drinks, etc. After that, absolutely nothing -- and it wasn't like it was terribly busy.

We're going back to WDW in February and will be staying at POR.

 

[BelleChick]

My whole family loves POR! It is just beautiful! Even though we have stayed at all four, Riverside is our favorite.