Thoughts on Moderate/Value Resorts

Originally Posted By CuriousConstance

I realize that the deluxe resorts are the nicest and offer the greatest variety and tameness.

But there is no way we'll be able afford staying at one, so that being said, If we can swing a moderate I'm torn between the Caribbean and Port Orleans. I've got two young childern (9 and 5) who love playgrounds/cool swimming pools so stuff like this is a big factor.

And if we need to go value, I'd love to stay at the Art of Animation, but let's say we need to go rock bottom cheap, the All Stars appear to be the cheapest, are any of them any better than the other? We don't care for sports much, so I'd probably never pick the sports one, but what about between Music and Movies?

Is Pop really much better for the added $140 or so it would add to the cost of the trip?

 

Originally Posted By FerretAfros

I've never stayed at Caribbean Beach, but I'm a really big fan of Port Orleans. I've stayed at Riverside twice (Magnolia Bend section both times), and would like to give French Quarter a chance but it's usually more expensive. To me, Riverside does a great job of making it feel very old fashioned and classy, yet still entirely casual and approachable. It's remote enough that you feel like you've left the world behind and are truly on vacation. For the price point, I really think it's the best value that Disney offers

The resort is rather large, so it can be a hike to get to the main building/food court, but the paths are done in a way that it doesn't feel nearly as far. If you're going straight from your room to the parks, there are several bus stops around the resort, so you'll never have to walk more than about 5 minutes (which is great at the end of the night). The landscaping is fantastic, and what really sets this place apart; there are parts of Alligator Bayou that feel very remote, and you can get lost (in a fun way) quite easily, while Magnolia Bend really captures the feeling of a more formal plantation.

Riverside has a great main pool with a water slide and hot tub (all Moderates have a slide and hot tub; none of the Values do), as well as about half a dozen smaller 'quiet pools' scattered around the property. In a recent LP Podcast, Rebekah said Riverside had Gideon's favorite playground on property, so that's worth something! They also offer fishing in the river from Old Man Isle (where the main pool is), carrige rides (extra cost), and boat rides to DTD, via French Quarter and Saratoga Springs. The rooms are also nicely sized (comfortably fit 4 adults for a week) with queen sized beds (Values have doubles).

The All Stars are all roughly the same experience, other than the the theme giant props outside. It seems like recently Sports has had the cheapest rate by about $10/night, but usually they're all priced the same. They all have several pools with some fun theming around them, but no water slides or hot tubs. The general theming seems to be bold bright colors, with an emphasis on fun; while it's a great premise, it's not always what you want to come back to after a long day in the parks

Pop Century is newer than the All Stars (2003 vs 1995-1999), but other than that I don't think there's a huge difference.

And as for Art of Animation, I just can't see what all the fuss is about. It looks like the quality is the same as the other Values, but the price is just not in line with what you get.

 

Originally Posted By RoadTrip

Port Orleans - Riverside is one of my favorite Disney Resorts, including the Deluxes. If you stay in the "Mansions" section (Magnolia Bend) you will almost feel like you are at a Deluxe resort. There is a themed pool (Ol' Man Island) and five quiet pools throughout the resort. There is also a boat that takes you to Downtown Disney. Caribbean Beach is a nice resort but it is VERY spread out. Depending on what building you are in, you might have to hop a bus just to get to the area with dining and the feature pool.

I've always enjoyed the All Star Music... we stayed there on our most recent visit to WDW last October. The Music is usually quieter than either the Sports or Movies. The Movies theming is usually very popular with kids... your kids would probably really like it. All the kids at the resort can make it rather noisy though.

 

Originally Posted By DouglasDubh

It's been a long time since we stayed there, but I think Coronado has the best pool of the moderates.

 

Originally Posted By DyGDisney

I love Port Orleans Riverside. It's so peaceful and you really get the impression of being in the old south along a lazy river.

If you stay at POR, take the free ferry over to Port Orleans French Quarter and use their pool. It's themed really cute for kids. We used both pools and my kids preferred POFQ.

 

Originally Posted By sjhym333

I have stayed at all of the above and I am not a huge fan of the All Star resorts. I liked Pop Century alot and loved The Art of Animation.

I am a big fan of Port Orleans Riverside. I agree that the layout and design give it a great sense of being in a nicer hotel plus it tends to have a more relaxed feel to it over the other resorts. Port Orleans French Quarter is also great but seems a little more frenetic at times and while the courtyards are very nice I like the Riverside layout better.

We like Caribbean Beach. Nice pool area and it seems a little more off the beaten track to us. It is very spread out. But there is a charm about it.

 

Originally Posted By CuriousConstance

Is it Riverside that has the slide that looks like a sea serpent?

Thanks for all the info guys! I'm really leaning towards Port Orleans if we can swing it.

 

Originally Posted By DouglasDubh

No, that is French Quarter.

 

Originally Posted By Yookeroo

French Quarter is nice and compact. I liked it a lot.

 

Originally Posted By FenwayGirl

I love POFQ, but have decided to go with Coronado Springs this time.

 

Originally Posted By seafairy1622

We stayed at Coronado Springs 6 nights last year and 2 nights at Caribbean Beach.
I loved CS! It's beautiful! We even saw an armadillo. The pool is awesome! The pepper Market was really good and it was on the dining plan for counter service. We did have to leave a tip but it wasn't too much. There is also Cafe Rix for counter service. (without tip) We never had a long line for either. And we went in June.
Caribbean Beach is nice. But we missed CS. This was our 2nd stay there. We had a Pirate room there. That was really cool. The beds were really hard though. It was a very long walk to the food court. The pool also has a pirate ship water play area.
There were so many lizards and ducks there.
I also love riverside. It is so peaceful. French Quarter is charming. I like both pools there.
We are staying in a princess room this June.
As for the values, the moderates are nicer but I think the values are fine and fun. We have stayed at Movies, Music and Pop.
I think Music was the quietest. We had the broadway section. I did love the 80's section at Pop. Plus it was neat to walk though all the sections there.
We are going to AOA this June. Little Mermaid room. We could have got Pop cheaper but my heart is set for the little mermaid. She's my favorite! And the nemo pool looks awesome!

 

Originally Posted By RoadTrip

I was reading information about CS at Deb Will's site and it seems after years of experimenting with several quick service formats at the Pepper Market that people never really liked, they've finally gone with the food court format like the other moderates. About time... I may give the resort a try now.

 

Originally Posted By CuriousConstance

Sounds like no matter which choice we go with, it'll be nice, I'm excited!

Hope they have some good deals for early next year!

 

Originally Posted By tashajilek

Im thinking sbout splurging and going for a moderate this time. If i reserve a room soon the prices arent too bad of Christmas holidays. I think we would stay at the POFQ. It's really tough for me to actually do it though. I am a priceline/hotwire user and usually get very decent hotels for low prices. The other thing is there is a good chance we will have a car and need to pay for the parking fees too. I guess over the Christmas holidays it will be good to have either the eary or late hours though.

 

Originally Posted By LuvsDsnyTrips

We stayed at PO Riverside at Christmas time ....
You cannot go wrong with this resort
I loved the grounds and food court

 

Originally Posted By Linda1633

I love POFQ. It is the smallest moderate resort. I didn't care for CB, we kept getting lost everytime we left our room.
I stayed at Pop once by myself. The room was very small and I could hear my 'neighbors' talking, flushing, etc.

The best thing is to work with a travel agent who knows Disney and keeps up on the specials. I have clients who were going to stay at All Stars Music. One of the adults cancelled and Disney had a special so I was able to move the remaining family to Animal Kingdom Lodge for about $25.

 

Originally Posted By Linda1633

I love POFQ. It is the smallest moderate resort. I didn't care for CB, we kept getting lost everytime we left our room.
I stayed at Pop once by myself. The room was very small and I could hear my 'neighbors' talking, flushing, etc.

The best thing is to work with a travel agent who knows Disney and keeps up on the specials. I have clients who were going to stay at All Stars Music. One of the adults cancelled and Disney had a special so I was able to move the remaining family to Animal Kingdom Lodge for about $25.

 

Originally Posted By FerretAfros

>>The other thing is there is a good chance we will have a car and need to pay for the parking fees too.<<

Parking at the hotel is included with the room price, and you'll get a print out to leave on the dashboard to show that you can park there. You can also use that (or your room key) to get into the parking lots at the theme parks for free, so parking shouldn't be a concern. I have heard that traffic leaving the parks at the end of the night can be pretty bad, but you'd also have a long-ish wait for a bus so I think it's pretty much even

 

Originally Posted By wahooskipper

We stayed at the Pop on our last trip and liked it for what it was. Yes, the room is small but we didn't spend much time in it. We couldn't hear neighbors but maybe we didnt' have any.

I really like the setting of Port Orleans and it is nice to be able to ride the boat to Downtown Disney. Coronado is nice too but VERY large. If you stay there request a room in the Casitas which is closer to the lobby and restaurant.

I heard a lot of good things about the Art of Animation but Port Orleans may be your winner.

 

Originally Posted By tashajilek

Thanks ferret, I didn't know we could get free parking at the parks if we stayed at a Disney hotel. Does WDW offer a Magic Morning like Disneyland with the purchase of Theme park tickets?