Which moderate?

[Dazed]

Started browsing for Oct 2010 a few weeks ago but I've caught the bug again and am now seriously looking at first two weeks of August 2009 This is very last minute for me but getting excited. Can get flights with continental from Edi for £519 which doesn't seem too bad considering the dates.

We loved POP last visit and planned returning for one week but it looks like staying at a moderate with free QSdining would be much better value.

I need help please deciding which moderate -never even considered them before!
Important things I liked about POP and would be looking for in a moderate are ;good bus service,short walk to bus and good counter service restuarant.

Anyone help please?

 

[wayneg]

Have you also considered OKW or SSR? deluxe DVC resorts, same price as moderate but include regular free DDP.

 

[Neoshoegal]

We absolutely loved Port Orleans Riverside, gorgeous grounds, great food court and restaurant, very relaxed atmosphere.

 

[Clare D]

We've just booked the Port Orleans Riverside. I looked at French Quarter but as we have 2 small children I was after a few more dining options and more than 1 pool.
We've stayed at the AKL and the GF previously and from what I've read I don't think we will be disappointed.

 

[Dazed]

Ok, thanks all. Just checked again and thanks Wayneg, Saratoga springs and OKW have joined the confusion. They're about £50 more in total than POFQ or coronado springs but with free table service dining rather than free counter service. It's amazing how that 'free' word makes me happy and excited.

Any more thoughts about which to choose for single mum and three healthy eating boys (13,18,20)-don't need any character or fancy dining. No car so a good transport service is essential.

 

[FloridaSam]

I would be tempted to go to either OKW or SSR!

 

[howlongtillsummer?]

Me too! I would say go for the best bargain!

 

[Gaynor]

Saratoga sounds good for you, you can walk (or get the boat)to Downtown Disney with it's entertainment and choice of restaurants. The cs restaurant is also recommended at SS.
We stayed at POFQ last year and liked having the boat to DD, we are so tempted by the SS offer for next year

 

[Blue Kangaroo]

Hi - we've been to POFQ, CSR and SSR and are booked into POR this year!

SSR is a lovely resort and the location in relation to DTD would be a plus point for your family with all the dining, shopping and entertainment options. But we wonder if the room layout would suit your party? If you get 2 studios you will have an arrangement with 1 queen bed and 1 sofa bed in each room, which might not be very practical. The one bed wouldn't work as you'd have 1 king bed and a sofa bed. And the 2 bed would be quite a bit more expensive. I understand the studios at OKW have 2 queen beds so might suit your needs better. We haven't been there though so don't know what it's like. There is a boat service to DTD from OKW and SSR which runs til about 11.30.

The other thing with the DVC resorts is that the table service dining plan might not suit you as much as quick service if restaurant dining isn't your / your boys' thing. You'll generally need to make reservations well in advance to make the most of it which means you'll need to be on a strict timetable!

POFQ has quite a romantic feel, has a boat to DTD as well and is first in line for the bus service it shares with POR. It's small so you'll never be far from the bus stop. Limited eating options, but the food court isn't bad. We really enjoyed our stay here but decided to try POR this year for the wider range of facilities.

CSR is the most modern of the moderate resorts, has a great pool with a cool theme that would appeal to teenage boys and has a food court with lots of choice, although the layout takes some getting used to. It seems to be criticised sometimes (for example, the fact there is a conference centre there makes it seem less Disney) but we enjoyed it very much.

Phew - hope that helps!

 

[Dazed]

Thanks for all replies and particularly about room layouts etc.
I think I should rule out SS as we'd only have one studio which means a pull out bed for two of us.

OKW is still possible. Anyone been there who can report on the counter service/restuarants and transport service at resort. I am an obsessive planner but got quite irritated last year waiting on the two ADRs I'd arranged. We waited 25mins ouside Plaza only to see lots of empty tables when we we were called. H&V was only 10mins and was very busy inside. Is it usual to have to wait a while when you arrive for ADR?

It is the 'bargain' that's attracting me to OKW -only £2 extra each per night to upgrade from QS to stsndard TS- otherwise CSR is sounding good!

Decisions decisions

 

[Elise79]

We choose CSR for this September and paid to upgrade the DDP.

We prefered it as it has a good bus service (there will be a stop near your room no matter where you are in the resort) it only has 4 internal stops.

The main pool is great and I am sure your boys would love the slide.

If you decide to go with the QS plan the CSR has the Pepper Market (and although it is IMO not as good as it used to be) is great for a CS credit. For dinner you can get a rib eye steak or roast of the day as well as freshly made pizzas, pastas, burgers etc. Everything is cooked to order too.

The majority of rooms now have 2 queen beds (rest of the mods have doubles) and the newly refurbed rooms also have a flat panel TV

If you have any other questions on CSR please ask as we have stayed there 4 times now with our 5th in September!!

 

[Blue Kangaroo]

If you like the idea of table service you should probably go for it! The OKW studios are quite a bit bigger than a moderate room and you get your own balcony and a microwave and toaster too.

I think you can use TS credits for QS in any case if you find you can't use them all. However, I think the QS options at OKW are pretty limited. I'm not sure, but I think you can get pizzas delivered to your room with TS as another option.

Planet Hollywood and Sci-Fi Drive-In are two places where we were able to walk in without ADRs last year so worth bearing in mind...

 

[Melcatfish]

I would have said SSR for your party due to ease of access to Downtown Disney etc... but as you have ruled that out the I would go with OKW as the rooms are larger and so you will have more space to spread out! It isn't as close to the action as SSR but it has transport and is a bargain at the special offer rate with free DDP!

The only thing is that with the normal DDP you will have to plan more as it get busy when free dining is on and ADRs are recommended. If you just have QDP you can be more spontaneous. I don't think I could do a whole holiday just on Counter Service quick food but it depends on what the highlights of your holiday are (for us food is important!)

Mel
x

 

[nobodies36]

Started browsing for Oct 2010 a few weeks ago but I've caught the bug again and am now seriously looking at first two weeks of August 2009 This is very last minute for me but getting excited. Can get flights with continental from Edi for £519 which doesn't seem too bad considering the dates.

We loved POP last visit and planned returning for one week but it looks like staying at a moderate with free QSdining would be much better value.

I need help please deciding which moderate -never even considered them before!
Important things I liked about POP and would be looking for in a moderate are ;good bus service,short walk to bus and good counter service restuarant.

Anyone help please?

Try http://www.netflights.com

I got you flights from Edinburgh 4th-18th August with Continental for £327 each, a saving of £768!! Book it! You know you want to!

Also, what ever you choose make sure you get the regular dining plan (not quick) even if you have to upgrade dining only. We chose POR (and upgraded dining) this year and it is me (27), my bro (29), his girl (26) and my mum (54). Although older, we are a similar set up. OKW, SSR, POR and POFQ all have easy access to Disney Quest for the boys too!

Hope that helps (and may even see you there)!

 

[Dazed]

thanks. Each reply I read I think, great that decides it, then read next one and change my mind!

I've got my holiday dates booked and need to beg a day or two either side first thing tomorrow!

Lisa -thanks so much -thats a great price, don't know how I missed it. And you're right I do want too!!! - will have to wait to get holiday dates confirmed first.

only doing disney for one week so could easily survive on QSdp - Pepper market sounds especially good for different CS meals.