Originally Posted By piratedeb413 Hi. I am currently thinking about a December trip (buy 4 get 3 free...not really much of a bargain, is it?). I would like to know which Moderate resort is your favorite and tell me pros and cons. Thanks.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Hmmmm, you will always get different answers on this one, as people have different preferrences and experiences. For me, I love Port Orleans Riverside staying in the mansions (Feels like the Haunted Mansion at Disneyland). This resort to me feels like a deluxe at a moderate price (in fact we like it better than a lot of the Deluxes). There is entertainment on site, lot's of amenities and it feels really laid back. We love it. The boatride to downtown Disney is especially great. Also, there seems to be more buses to this resort than Animal Kingdom Lodge! The other part of Port Orleans is very popular because it is small and intimate (though I am not a huge fan of the theming), and although it does have a food court, for a table service, you need to go to Riverside. That said, the bus better serves PO than Riverside, and it is a shorter walk anywhere. I really like the decor of Coronado Springs, and the food options too. There is a small nightclub, and it has my fav pool of the moderate resorts. Some are put off by the convention vibe here as there is a convention centre on site and this is the moderate resort most used by business people. Also, the bar and food options are a little more expensive as a result. But this is my 2nd fav resort after Riverside. My least fav (though very popular) is the Caribbean beach resort. Of the moderates, it has the very best location, near to Epcot, so pretty central to all the parks. The rooms are Finding Nemo or Pirates of the Caribbean themed and kitchy in their execution (one of the many reasons why this is one of my least favs). However, because it was the first moderate, it has the largest moderate bedrooms on offer. It is popular because of the sandy beaches (no bathing allowed) and Caribbean themed architecture. Like I say, the location cannot be beat. But for me, when making my decisions, my order of preferrence would be: 1. Port Orleans Riverside 2. Coronado Springs 3. Port Orleans 4. Caribbean Beach Resort
Originally Posted By mousegeezer Dave is right on. But, if you are one who wants the energy of being around a lot of people, Riverside is not right for you. We love Port Orleans Riverside because it tends to be much quieter. I have taken many pictures there where there is no one in sight. After a day with the crowds in the parks it is nice to relax in the park like atmosphere. I also reccomend a stroll down to the French Quarter to sit in the lounge and have a drink while listening to live Jazz. Try having a look at these two sites Suitedisney.com Has pretty good pictures of all resorts. PortOrleans.org is as comprehensive a site as I have found for any one resort.
Originally Posted By Disneymom443 I've heard great things about both Orleans, some one for me would be heard. But I have only stayed at one Moderate and it was CBR, before all the new changes. I really liked CBR. Oh and Ft. Wilderness Cabins have now been added to the Mod. list. They are great and beautiful. Lots of open space and very quiet. But I was say rent a golf cart.
Originally Posted By NikkiLOVESMickey I'm a third for Port Orleans Riverside. It's definitely our favorite for all of the reasons davewasbaloo said. We're staying there again (for the 7th or 8th time I think) in February. French Quarter is ok, but I prefer Riverside. Can't say anything about Coronado because I've never stayed there. Caribbean Beach is far too spread out for me.
Originally Posted By Labuda /me is holding her tongue about her opinion of Riverside since it's been years since the bad experience That being out of the way, I'd choose Coronado Springs if I were going to book a moderate for a trip where I had a car - I LOVE the food court there, the nightclub, and the pool. Plus, I like the landscaping around the different buildings. For a trip sans car, I'd go with POFQ.
Originally Posted By Mr X I can imagine why it would be quiet out there, the place really is remote. In fact, you're actually closer to the gigantic "back of house" facilities for the entire resort than you are to most anything connected to the resort proper. I used to work way out there, in fact, and sometimes we dined in the Dixie Landings cast cafeteria, they had good breakfasts, made to order muffin sandwiches YUM!
Originally Posted By danyoung I've stayed more than once at all of the moderates, and I really believe you can't go wrong whatever you decide. It's more about finding the theme that works for you. For me, I really love the Coronado Springs, with all the buildings spread out around the 15 acre Lago Dorado Lagoon. This resort just went through a complete overhaul of rooms, and they really are plush. Yes, it's a convention hotel, but the conventioneers have their own section on the far side of the resort and don't usually impact that much on the regular park storming guest. The food court has delicious breakfasts, although they do include a mandatory 10% tip which gripes me. But overall I think the vibe of the CSR is much more like a deluxe than most, and you can usually get a room at a great value (well, for Disney anyway!).
Originally Posted By NikkiLOVESMickey <<Which one used to be Dixie Landings?>> Riverside used to be Dixie Landings.
Originally Posted By jkayjs All 4 of the mods(I'm leaving out FW)have something different to offer. If you like intimate with great New Orleans charm POFQ if for you. If the lure of southern mansions or rustic cabins with many onsite amenities set in a very laid back/spread out setting hits the mark POR is just what you want. When vacation means tropical breezes, sandy beaches & hammocks with a decidedly Disney interpretation in a beautifully landscaped/spread out location CBR might be the choice for you. If anything Southwest makes you feel relaxed & removed from your everyday life CSR has spot on themeing in their spread out location. There is something to like in all of the mods & as already said to each his own is the rule for deciding. Our choice in order would be POFQ, PORS,CBR,CSR. This is because of our personal preferences. POFQ doesn't have a TS but there are plenty only a boatride away in DtD/PORS. We love the intimate setting esp @ the end of a long day when even the longest walk is pretty short plus it's 1st pickup/drop-off for the buses. POR is everything discribed & more & may even be tied with POFQ for us as we're about to stay yet again. It clearly has more onsite amenities that appeal to adults/kids alike. The rooms are themed very well & to our surprise AB turned out to be our fave. We love the ts there but were disappointed when they discontinued breakfast which we loved. CBR is beautifully landscaped & the rooms are very roomy. We haven't stayed since the updated themeing but it wouldn't keep me from returning. I love walking the grounds here & enjoy the FC & TS there. CSR has lovely rooms but for some reason they decided to have only 1 sink. This alone isn't a deal breaker but we also don't care for the FC. I'm not interested in being seated @ a FC esp when it comes with a 10% service charge. I know many worry about the convention aspect. I for one have not had a problem with this. We aren't there during the day so maybe that would make a difference but we never really noticed. Sorry so long hope this adds to conversation. It's great to have so many choices.
Originally Posted By Mr X Ah, I see. That place might just be the farthest Western part of the resort (I know the back of house stuff is far west, sort of behind the resort which I never actually saw since I always drove behind the place).
