Looking for some resort ideas

[that's nice]

Hi all...

I'm a long time lurker and this is my first post.

I'll be in Disney in the beginning of march and I'm having a hard time deciding on a resort. I am thing of the moderate resorts... Caribbean beach, Coronado Springs, and Port Orleans FQ. I think I'm leaning toward CS for the pool and dedicated bus service(we will also have a rental) but I like the water taxi from POFQ to downtown disney.
I will be traveling with my wife and 2yr old daughter. Any past experiences would be great.
Thanks in advance. Tim

 

[wilde_oscar]

in general, don't pick a resort based on perception of bus service. They all equal out to about the same. Disney Transportation operates all the buses and they are dynamically allocated. CSR is a very convention oriented hotel... it is commonly where there are large conventions. This can be an issue depending on the group.

POFQ is really nice, but a small resort so it books quickly... you will quickly learn that the boat ride is romantic, once.

Caribbean Beach is large... the rooms are slightly larger and the complex is vast.

 

[Buzz2001]

Hi all...

I'm a long time lurker and this is my first post.

I'll be in Disney in the beginning of march and I'm having a hard time deciding on a resort. I am thing of the moderate resorts... Caribbean beach, Coronado Springs, and Port Orleans FQ. I think I'm leaning toward CS for the pool and dedicated bus service(we will also have a rental) but I like the water taxi from POFQ to downtown disney.
I will be traveling with my wife and 2yr old daughter. Any past experiences would be great.
Thanks in advance. Tim

CSR!! Great main pool area, awesome transportation, and terrific food options. Check out my CSR website (by clicking on my name above) for pics and info. CSR now has queen beds in all the rooms and will have club level rooms as of 01/2009!!

 

[Lilolvr]

CSR!! I love CSR for the atmosphere, great CM's and the deluxe-lite feel. CSR offers a spa, salon, full menu room service and fitness center not to mention a terrific main pool area and the best transportation that is not shared with any other resort. It's like taking two vacations in one. Queen beds too!

 

[MinniesYooHoo]

I have stayed at all the mods except for CS so I can't very well give my opinion about that one. However, they are all wonderful in their own aspect. (I know, I'm no help!) POFQ is great simply because it is so small and quaint. I just love the gracious and laid back ambiance it exudes. CB was so much fun with the feeling of being in the islands-the steel drum music playing as you walk around the grounds is fun. If I had to choose a least favorite, I would have to say POR. Don't get me wrong, it is a lovely resort, I'm just not much into the "Backwoods Bayou" feel of the theming. (Maybe if we had stayed in one of the Mansion rooms it would be different.) Next time I guess. I hope this helps in any way!!!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

We have stayed at all 3 of the moderates that you have mentioned. CBR is by far our favorite - DH and I, as well as the kids.

CBR definitely has the best pool now with the brand new huge zero entry pool with 2 slides and the children's area with the pirate theme and several slides and a tipping bucket. It also has larger rooms than the other moderates. We love it for it's beautiful grounds, white sand beaches, hammocks by the lake, Caribbean music playing quietly everywhere, a relaxing tropical feel, a beautiful bridge and island, great and huge food court, friendly CM's, and double sinks in the bathroom with LOTS of storage space underneath. It’s like a vacation within a vacation, a “leave your worries at the door” kind of place! CBR does not share buses with any other resorts and all the rooms are currently being redone.

We enjoyed POFQ as well. But everything there is very small. Small resort, small pool, small food court. So if you are looking for small POFQ is the place for you! We just prefer the larger more spread out feel.

We unfortunately did not have a good experience at CSR.

All 3 resorts had good bus service though. WDW bus service can be hit or miss, so I wouldn't base the decision on that, bad bus service can happen anywhere. I have heard horror stories from Values to Deluxe resorts. I guess we have been lucky so far!

Good luck deciding!!

 

[that's nice]

Thanks Everyone for the replies....

Buzz... CSR wasn't even on my list until I saw your thread. The pictures and the pool look awesome. (Dont know if I would be using them alot in early March) IS there any way to see if a convention is booked at any certain time????????? If there is one booked will it make my stay any less enjoyable?? (I wouldnt think so)


Momof2DisneyBoys......For the reasons you mentioned (pools, grounds, feel) is why I started considering CBR.


I'm booking this trip on my own as it is going to be a Christmas gift for my wife and daughter. I'm just trying to do the "RITE" thing. I guess if the wife doesnt like the resort when she opens it on christmas morning I can always call and try to change my ressie.

We have been to Disney 2 other times and have stayed off site. Maybe this will be the beginning of some other trips staying in the resort. Then I can try out some other hotels. This 4/3 deal has got me going crazy and staying up at night reading all the info I can on these boards (I'm wondering what my wife thinks i'm doing.?.?.?.?.?.?)

Look for my other posts to come in the Disney Dining section.... LOL

Tim

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Thanks Everyone for the replies....

Buzz... CSR wasn't even on my list until I saw your thread. The pictures and the pool look awesome. (Dont know if I would be using them alot in early March) IS there any way to see if a convention is booked at any certain time????????? If there is one booked will it make my stay any less enjoyable?? (I wouldnt think so)


Momof2DisneyBoys......For the reasons you mentioned (pools, grounds, feel) is why I started considering CBR.


I'm booking this trip on my own as it is going to be a Christmas gift for my wife and daughter. I'm just trying to do the "RITE" thing. I guess if the wife doesnt like the resort when she opens it on christmas morning I can always call and try to change my ressie.

We have been to Disney 2 other times and have stayed off site. Maybe this will be the beginning of some other trips staying in the resort. Then I can try out some other hotels. This 4/3 deal has got me going crazy and staying up at night reading all the info I can on these boards (I'm wondering what my wife thinks i'm doing.?.?.?.?.?.?)

Look for my other posts to come in the Disney Dining section.... LOL

Tim

That is such a wonderful Christmas surprise for your DW and DD! I'm sure your DW will be happy with whatever you choose. Really all you can do is pick the theme that appeals to you the most and which resort has the most to offer you and your family and go from there. All of the moderates are beautiful!

 

[KatMark]

We have only stayed at one of the four moderates--the CSR (we are thinking of trying POFQ down the road, but will probably never stay at the others--not that there is anything wrong with them---just not what we like in theme, food, etc.).

We have stayed at the CSR seven times and have already booked number eight for September. Our most recent stay was this past September for our 25th wedding anniversary (and DH had offered me Poly and I turned it down because I love CSR too much to leave it). When our children traveled with us (they are now in college), CSR was their favorite resort even after having stayed at deluxes and All-Star Sports (which they didn't like at all).

With a two year old, you have the benefit of the kiddie pool which is located right next to the main pool, the playground, sandbox, etc. If you research and ask for a section/room closest to what you want to be near, you won't have a long walk (although at 55 and 50 we don't find it a long walk anywhere). CBR is actually larger than the CSR and more spread out and the POR is just as big as the CSR.

Any questions, feel free to PM me...I will be happy to answer any inquiry you might have.

 

[ObsessedwiththeMouse]

We've stayed at all of the moderates and our favorite (of the ones you listed) is Caribbean Beach Resort. The grounds are absolutely beautiful, the pool is wonderful...it has an overall "tropical" feeling that my family and I just love.

Whatever you choose, you're still going to Disney! Have a great trip and Welcome to the Disboards!

 

[daveyjones0601]

POFQ and CSR are my favorites but with CSR getting queen beds now, that may give CSR the advantage. But you can't go wrong with either.

 

[that's nice]

I'm just filled with questions.


When i price out the 4/3 offer on the disney website CSR is about $110 more than POFQ, POR, and CBR. I thought all the moderates were the same price???

Does anyone think that booking POFQ since it has less rooms is a better idea?Then if my DW wanted to change resorts i'd have an easier chance on getting into CBR or CSR since they have more rooms?

Sorry for all the questions.

Tim

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

I'm just filled with questions.


When i price out the 4/3 offer on the disney website CSR is about $110 more than POFQ, POR, and CBR. I thought all the moderates were the same price???

Does anyone think that booking POFQ since it has less rooms is a better idea?Then if my DW wanted to change resorts i'd have an easier chance on getting into CBR or CSR since they have more rooms?

Sorry for all the questions.

Tim

It's likely that CSR only has king rooms or water view rooms left for your dates if it is coming up more. . . because a standard room would be the exact same price at all moderates.

That might be a good idea to book POFQ since it has less rooms. Although if CSR has a convention going on it could fill up fast too.

 

[KatMark]

I'm just filled with questions.


When i price out the 4/3 offer on the disney website CSR is about $110 more than POFQ, POR, and CBR. I thought all the moderates were the same price???

Does anyone think that booking POFQ since it has less rooms is a better idea?Then if my DW wanted to change resorts i'd have an easier chance on getting into CBR or CSR since they have more rooms?

Sorry for all the questions.

Tim

Not sure why there is $110 difference. Could it be that only King rooms are available? Or waterview?

I don't know if it would be easier to change later---CBR is very popular now with the new Nemo theme (and soon to be Pirate theme) and new poo; CSR is a convention resort and if there is a convention that comes in, availability may not be there at a later date to switch.

 

[that's nice]

Not sure why there is $110 difference. Could it be that only King rooms are available? Or waterview?

Yes that is the reason. They only have king size beds and waterview...... Ok here goes another decision..... LOL

 

[wilde_oscar]

when it comes to making changes to reservations most of the time, if you are changing things not room related and adding on... it is easy

if you are changing resorts... you are starting over with a new reservation, the old reservation buys you nothing.

 

[that's nice]

Well I saw that there will be a convention taking place at CSR the first week of march.. That could be why all the standard rooms are taken? I am getting more confused on what to do.....

I think i should just call and book something before i drive myself crazy!!!

 

[mmmears]

For conventions, they block out a bunch of rooms. As the convention gets closer and they know how many people are coming, they will release the rooms they dont need. There are no guarantees, though.

My suggestion is to choose based on the theme/photos/reviews that really move you. It's better to have a reservation that you'll be ok with and get on with planning the rest of your trip. You can always change your mind later if there are rooms available, but at least you'll have a start. I would think that any of the Moderates are nice!

Good luck -- we went round and round with resorts this time, too. Eventually we settled on something we like and (almost) never think about changing our plans.

 

[that's nice]

ONCE AGAIN THANKS FOR EVERYONE'S INPUT!!!!!


Well I did it.. Finally!!!!!

Booked CSR for March


Now on to trying to book ADR's. Anyone got any suggestions that are close to CSR?????

Maybe i should start another thread in the dining section.

Thanks again for the great info!!!!


Tim

 

[Buzz2001]

ONCE AGAIN THANKS FOR EVERYONE'S INPUT!!!!!


Well I did it.. Finally!!!!!

Booked CSR for March


Now on to trying to book ADR's. Anyone got any suggestions that are close to CSR?????

Maybe i should start another thread in the dining section.

Thanks again for the great info!!!!


Tim

Great choice! Have an awesome trip!!