Would you choose CSR, POFQ/RS, or POP

[disneydreaming101]

Hello, I'm a newbie with a question about where to stay for our next family trip. We just took our first trip to WDW in Aug. of this year and we stayed at POP. I really enjoyed it and we got a great deal on the room (no dining plan). It was what we expected; a value hotel without a whole lot of room and a food court only. However, we have kids that are 7 and 10, so the food court actually had a good variety for them (I'm embarassed to mention, but I still sometimes eat like a kid as well, so I rather enjoyed the food court, too!) The small room really did not bother us, mainly because we just were not there very much! Also, our kids are still kinda young, and space and privacy weren't a crucial must have (not yet anyway!) My husband suggested that we look into a moderate for our next trip, which will be in Feb. Any suggestions? We really liked the look of Coronado Springs Resort. Also, POFQ and Riverside, but even which one between these two we should pick, I just don't know. I heard the buses are problematic at PO, which would be problematic for us. I can tell you what our top "wants" in a hotel are...Since we are going in Feb. we are not concerned with the pool/playground or water recreation type stuff (it's all about the parks!). As I mentioned, we need a really good bus system (we will be without a car) and we will be in and out of the parks each day. (I know the bus system is not perfect anywhere, but want to stay away from a place where they are known to be really bad!) We also need a food court, but also a nice restaurant at the resort would be great. Also, a reputation of consistently clean rooms (heard a bad story about lotsa bugs and dirty pillowcases at PO? Family member works with a woman ,who we don't know well, telling this story ..she is kinds negative though, LOL, so we can't gage how accurate her story is!) We would love a quieter resort for when we come back to rest, although we managed to sleep okay at POP (not the quietest resort, but probably not the loudest either! Also, does anyone have advice on what buildings are closer to food and buses? I would love to stay at a deluxe, but it's not going to happen! I thank everyone for any advice or opinions on what moderate resort they have enjoyed the best (and any specific opinions on these four). The experience on this board has been so helpful!!! Thank you,Thank you!!!

 

[dismom73]

I haven't stayed there yet, but we are going in two weeks to CSR. I've heard wonderful things about the busses for this resort, not crowed, no wait etc, but I have yet to experience it myself. As far as the food court, The Pepper Market, I've heard that you either love it or hate it. They do have a nice, sit down restraunt as well. If you go to the Coronado Springs resort page one of the dissers has a web-site that is strictly CSR and has LOTS of pictures and info about it. Good luck!

 

[dismom73]

If you go under the "New Coronado Springs Resort FAQ" you will find the link to that website.

 

[adaygaby]

HI!

I stayed at CSR last year for a conference and it was really a great resort. Here is Buzz2001 (fellow DISer) unofficial CSR website. He has lots of good info and pics. http://coronado_springs.tripod.com/

Unfortunately I was not able to take advantage of the parks 'cause of the conference schedule last year.

But I'm happy to say that I'll be at CSR in a couple of weeks and this time taking the family and visiting the parks!!

Hope you have a great time on your trip in February!

 

[Stinky_Pete]

You seem pretty satisfied with POP, so you might just consider saving the money and staying there.

I've stayed at CSR - the resort was very nice. It can be a long walk around the lake to the main building depending on where you are. I am one of the people who does not like the Pepper Market - gave it 3 tries during our stay and was unhappy with the experience each time.

I've also stayed at POR (but only 1 night). I liked what I experienced at the resort. We were kind of far from the main building but you can request closer. We liked our breakfast at the restaurant (Boatwrights). I didn't go to the food court. POR also has a boat to Downtown Disney. If I could get a room with a king bed at POR with my December discount I would change from CBR.

The thing to remember is that you will hear negative reports about every resort, but the vast majority of people have a good to excellent experience. You shouldn't base your choice on one or two people who say they had problems. The people who have problems are usually more vocal than those who have no problems.

 

[SereneOne]

I tried to book Coronado and then French Quarter, but there where no ressies available. I was able to choose between Caribbean and POR, I picked POR because I have heard a lot of good things about it. We do not need to worry about the busses though, we are driving down. I go in December, I will let you know.

 

[lovesdumbo]

I spent 10 nights at POR in August. The rooms were fine-housekeeping was great!, the busses were OK-not a huge problem-but the resort is HUGE! I won't be a rush to stay there again.

I do like POFQ better because the resort is nice and small. It is quiet. The busses pickup and drop off here before POR. I would stay there again but we are a family of 5 so we would need a 2nd room. I would rather stay deluxe than pay for 2 moderate rooms.

I really enjoy POP! It is a fun place and I like the price. I find the foodcourt fits my kids better. At POR they had some really nice adult options but they didn't have a few basics my kids like-hot dogs & PBJ's. The largest size milk in the food court at POR was 8oz. You could buy bigger at the gift shop but they don't open early in the morning. I also thought Pop handled the crowds at the food court better. But to be honest with you I've never been to Pop when its been super, super busy.

I made a reservation for next summer at the All Star Music Family Suites. I was able to get a AAA discount on the room so the price was the same as 2 preferred rooms at Pop. I think we'll enjoy the extra room and I think ASMu is a fairly quiet value resort. I think I'm paying about $40 more per night than a moderate.

 

[michelle1]

I have stayed at both POR and CSR and they were both great, however, if you really plan on spending most of your time in the parks than why not save the cash and go back to a value. We usually stay in mods because of the hot tubs, pool slides etc and usually spend quite some time at the resort but we have stayed at a value and the rooms are essentially the same except mods are slightly bigger and a fridge is included. The buses at CSR were awesome, we had a car at POR so I can't comment but I have heard they share with POFQ. As far as restaurants, the Pepper Market at CSR had a good variety of food and POR was your basic food court although it has changed since we were there so I'm not sure how it is now. I guess your choice would depend on if you want to spend the extra $ or not...if you really don't think you will be using the pools much (Feb is hit or miss I'm guessing) than maybe you might want to go back to a value. I am going to POP next month for the first time and it looks like a fun place!

 

[Claire&TheBoys]

We've stayed at CSR twice and have enjoyed it both times. We find it to be quiet, relaxing and we've never had a service issue. During our last trip (2 weeks ago) we barely waited for buses and almost always had a seat (except coming back from parks late at night). We like Pepper Market (love the variety) and the nice little gift shop. We had a room in Cabanas 9B, had an end room with 2 windows and it felt quite large - we had plenty of space. The only downside to CSR in my opinion is the single sink, but it's what we're used to at home so it's not really an issue for us.

Check my signature for my favorite picture taken at CSR 2 weeks ago. Wherever you decide to stay, you'll have a great time!

 

[solfan68]

In June of '07 we had wanted to stay at POR, and were unable to get in. We ended up at CSR and really enjoyed the resort. Everyone who has mentioned the busses are spot on. Especially during the day they are fairly empty. Since CSR is a convention center, this often spells light traffic to the park during the day.

The Pepper Market(food court) takes a little getting used to. That said, the food was on par with some of the sit down experiences we had. We were at the top end of the resort, but I still don't think the walk was all that bad. If everything works out, we will get a chance to get to POR in 2008.

Enjoy your vacation, wherever you lay your head down.

 

[pkondz]

Last stay was our first WDW trip where we stayed onsite. Look at my siggie if you think I was disapointed! Seriously, our next trip we are trying to decide between POR or WL. We enjoyed POR so much that it's a definite contender between it and a deluxe! Yes, the busses are shared with POFQ but it was never an issue with us because we are early risers and took advantage of morning EMHs every day. Coming back from the parks was never a problem either. We stayed in Magnolia Terrace and I highly recommend it... closest to bus, main pool and dining. Yes it's a big resort, but that's one of the things we like about it; the grounds are beautiful and very relaxing.

 

[disneydreaming101]

Thanks everyone...it's always good to hear what others have experienced. I agree that POP meets our needs and is cheaper, especially since we are going at a time when we wouldn't use the ammenities many of the Mods offer, however, hubby wanted to look into a change of scenery...and more food options, I think! I'm sure it will all be wonderful wherever we end up...and thanks for the CSR website link, by the way!!! I have been looking at that for a long time, today! Looks great! I am just excited at the thought of going to WDW again!!!! I miss it everyday!!!!

 

[SereneOne]

I was originally reserved at ASMo, but I did some searching around and was able to get a moderate for only $88 more for the whole eight days. So for the price of a preferred value, I got a moderate!

 

[winniethepoohsmom]

Have you considered AS Sports? When my boys were younger they loved staying there with the football field and the baseball pool. We just stayed at CSR and loved it. We spent a lot more time at the resort since it was hot and took mid-day breaks at the pool and evening swims & the hot tub. It's nice and quiet and althought its a big resort we were in the Cabanas 9A not far from ElCentro or the main & quiet pools. CSR also has interior transportation that can take you around if you're room is further away. We enjoyed the Pop and I would consider staying there again if we were'nt going to use the pools or hot tub. If you decide not to stay at a mod & transportion is very important to you, you may want to consider using your savings on a car. We rented a car for $105 for the week and we thought it was well worth it. If we have a car and we're not on the dining plan we will sometimes eat outside of disney since it can be more affordable. Linda

 

[Ellamay]

I am at CSR now and I would not stay here again I like POFQ better. Just a matter of your personal taste really nothing wrong with CSR I just like POFQ better. POFQ is a smaller resort CSR is very spread out.

 

[Buzz2001]

Definitely CSR!! Has way more amenities than POFQ and doesn't share buses like PO resorts. CSR or POP!!

 

[maciemouse]

We just stayed a night at CSR two weeks ago and we enjoyed the resort. We were in building 9B which was a short walk to the main area. Our room was ready for us by noon. I had heard a lot about the resort and wanted to check it out. We would stay there again. I would have to say that out of all the moderates (we have stayed at all) CSR and Port Orleans Riverside are our favorites. They both offer plenty as far as the food options are concerned. I did not care for French Quarter. I thought the food court was way too small. Our family loves POP too! It has that "Disney" feel.

 

[Carol D]

I love CSR! It's a great resort with awesome transportation. Some of the best I've experienced at WDW. The food is great but a bit pricey if not on the dining plan. The it is good and the portions are large. The resort is very beautiful and you feel like your on a tropical vacation.

 

[kate&sarahsdad]

Hello, I'm a newbie with a question about where to stay for our next family trip. We just took our first trip to WDW in Aug. of this year and we stayed at POP. I really enjoyed it and we got a great deal on the room (no dining plan). It was what we expected; a value hotel without a whole lot of room and a food court only. However, we have kids that are 7 and 10, so the food court actually had a good variety for them (I'm embarassed to mention, but I still sometimes eat like a kid as well, so I rather enjoyed the food court, too!) The small room really did not bother us, mainly because we just were not there very much! Also, our kids are still kinda young, and space and privacy weren't a crucial must have (not yet anyway!) My husband suggested that we look into a moderate for our next trip, which will be in Feb. Any suggestions? We really liked the look of Coronado Springs Resort. Also, POFQ and Riverside, but even which one between these two we should pick, I just don't know. I heard the buses are problematic at PO, which would be problematic for us. I can tell you what our top "wants" in a hotel are...Since we are going in Feb. we are not concerned with the pool/playground or water recreation type stuff (it's all about the parks!). As I mentioned, we need a really good bus system (we will be without a car) and we will be in and out of the parks each day. (I know the bus system is not perfect anywhere, but want to stay away from a place where they are known to be really bad!) We also need a food court, but also a nice restaurant at the resort would be great. Also, a reputation of consistently clean rooms (heard a bad story about lotsa bugs and dirty pillowcases at PO? Family member works with a woman ,who we don't know well, telling this story ..she is kinds negative though, LOL, so we can't gage how accurate her story is!) We would love a quieter resort for when we come back to rest, although we managed to sleep okay at POP (not the quietest resort, but probably not the loudest either! Also, does anyone have advice on what buildings are closer to food and buses? I would love to stay at a deluxe, but it's not going to happen! I thank everyone for any advice or opinions on what moderate resort they have enjoyed the best (and any specific opinions on these four). The experience on this board has been so helpful!!! Thank you,Thank you!!!

The pool at CSR is the best! There is also a playground for the kids. The snack bar has some good food offerings to make the day at the pool a nice treat.

 

[Lilolvr]

Another vote for CSR!!