In need of resort advice

[mawatcha]

I'm coming to WDW for the marathon weekend in January, arriving on Jan 7th and leaving on the 16th. Having never stayed onsite before, this is something I'd really like to do but am having a lot of back and forth in deciding what resort would be best.

Here's what I'm looking for (with the understanding that you always have to compromise):

• Resort for couple sharing a room, with a friend potentially joining later in trip for a few nights
• Something within value and moderate price ranges
• Well served by Disney transportation. I'm sure they all are, I'm just a first in and last out at the parks type.
• Not so crazy decor... or at least different to FQ? I was really set on Port Orleans - FQ until I watched a video overview. The idea of seeing those saxophone-playing alligators prior to a strong cup of coffee has turned me off it. Ok, I'm a bit of a diva (on a budget!).
• Somewhere a bit more quiet? I know I'm probably asking a bit much with this one. What I like are quiet rooms and the opportunity to sit on a bench and read a book if there's a little time during the stay.

In a world of infinite resources- I'd love to stay at the Contemporary but it's just not possible for that length of time on my budget. However, saying that's the kind of hotel that really appeals to me might help me think more on what others could be a good fit.

Thanks for any of your suggestions!

 

[Lucius Best]

Port Orleans Riverside is our favorite moderate resort. Definitely no saxophone-playing alligators unless they recently swam up from FQ. It's quiet and peaceful, the walking path along the river is pleasant. We consider POR to have the best food-court at WDW in terms of quality/speed.

We've also stayed at Pop Century, it was fine, we would stay there again but prefer moderates. Bus service was fine, but only one bus stop instead of the four at POR. Food court seemed crowded, and no coffee machine in the room, and the rooms are smaller. It seems like the large groups tend to stay at the All-Star value resorts.

Note that when we ran races a few years ago, WDW had special room rates for runners at certain resorts. And you'd want to make sure that your resort has bus transportation to the race, but I think for the marathon that shouldn't be a problem, I imagine they have buses at every resort.

 

[hammie59]

I love Port Orleans, but you might want to look into Coronado Springs. It's a mod with more of a deluxe feel, and not much Disney theming (ie: saxophone alligators..lol). It's quite beautiful and there are plenty of hammocks along the lake to relax. Our experience with the bus service was really good since it didn't share with any other resorts.

 

[mawatcha]

Thanks! I think it's between Port Orleans Riverside and Coronado Springs now...

 

[hammie59]

Not sure if you know, but all the values and mods are bus only transportation with the exception of Fort Wildnerness Cabins that have a boat to MK, and POR/POFQ that have a boat to Downtown Disney.

 

[luvdisney73]

Port Orleans Riverside is my favorite! I have stayed at the Wilderness Lodge, All Star Music, Pop Century, and Coronado Springs. You cannot beat the atmosphere at POR. Enjoy your marathon in January!

 

[RustManFan]

Port Orleans Riverside! It is "home" for us!

 

[Jadyreen1282]

POR all the way. Love the cricket song on the bayou.

 

[msb578]

I'll go a little outside the box and say the Swan/Dolphin, which is also an official host resort for the marathon. It's at the higher end of your price range, and it may have some extra side-costs for you, but I think it fits your desired atmosphere.

 

[720L]

With your comments about crazy decor, my thoughts immediately went to Coronado Springs. But I hate the bus system. Way too many stops inside the resort.

 

[Babsy]

If it is in the budget, the Swan/Dolphin would be a great fit for you. it is a deluxe property in the Epcot/DHS area with amazing beds and lots of resort amenities. They are not Disney owned, but are on Disney property. Plus, you boat or walk to 2 theme parks! You get the benefit of booking ADR's 180 + 10 and 60 days FP+ bookings as well as EMH.

Second choice would be the CSR. CSR is a moderate but it has a fitness centre, salon/spa, great pool and hot tub. Great dining and good bus transport make CSR a great option! It does have 4 bus stops, but that allows all rooms to be near a bus, yet doesn't result in too much delay getting to the parks, IMO. If it is in the budget a Business class or preferred room is recommended for this large resort. Some people refer to CSR as 'deluxe lite' and i am inclined to agree. It does seem to be a notch above the others in certain respects. The resort is especially beautiful at night!

 

[runner_princess]

CSR for sure - I agree with the "deluxe lite" description, and I feel like the rooms are nice, subtle, and feel upscale

 

[msb578]

If it is in the budget, the Swan/Dolphin would be a great fit for you. it is a deluxe property in the Epcot/DHS area with amazing beds and lots of resort amenities. They are not Disney owned, but are on Disney property. Plus, you boat or walk to 2 theme parks! You get the benefit of booking ADR's 180 + 10 and 60 days FP+ bookings as well as EMH.

60 day FP+ and EMH yes- but I don't think they have 180+10 (probably because they have restaurants inside that they want you to dine at). This is a minor thing to me, but I just wanted to point it out.

Babsy, I know you've stayed there and I haven't yet, so please let us know if this has changed.

 

[eeyore45]

I think you should keep in mind the Marathon time frame -

I think you will be well served at POR or Pop, make sure you get to the busses on time/early - it seems insane to get out there at 3am, but you will have lots of people on those busses - and when you get to the start line, you'll check in your bag and the place is packed (there were food trucks for breakfast foods and lots of port a potties too!)

If you haven't checked out the thread/forum for the marathon here on the Disboards, I found it quite helpful for my first Half Marathon at Disney, and they had lots of advice on resorts.

for instance - after you run, you'll want on a bus, if the weather is horrible, you'll want to get on a bus, Pop had a very long line! (I didn't notice POR, but a few people mentioned taking a taxi back too, it depends on the weather really, and how you feel, some people when the weather is good just go through Epcot to the other busses, but the year it was cold and rainy, it was so miserable!)

 

[50sPrimeTime]

Coronado is beautiful...but in general the moderates and values are a pain because they're bus routes only.

I totally agree with Babsy about Sawn and Dolphin...the last 2 times we stayed there our room rates were cheaper than the Disney moderates. We enjoyed walking to Epcot nearly everyday (or you can take the boat) and the boat to Hollywood Studios is great. Also, nothing beats being in the lagoon area with Beach & Yacht and Boardwalk...so many more dining options and it's a beautiful area to stroll around / hang out in different lobbies.

 

[wdwjeffc37]

Coronado Springs Resort is just the ticket for you. It covers most of the requirements that you have. It's a beautiful resort for couples and adults. Nice places to get and enjoy an adult beverage if you are so inclined. It is moderately priced with a lot of amenities that you don't get at the other moderates. In my experience it has the best bus service of all the bus only resorts. Short rides to everywhere(except DTD), not crowded buses(always had a seat), frequent buses(never waited for more than 10-15 minutes). Like I said a beautiful resort. Very low in terms of in-your-face Disney theming. Lots of quiet places to sit and relax. Beach hammocks, lots of fountains, benches by the lake. We love the resort at night. The lights of the buildings reflected on the lake are gorgeous. Check out the CSR thread on here and see what you think. Cheers!!!

 

[Babsy]

I am staying at the Dolphin in November and was able to use the 180 + 10 for that upcoming trip. I assume that it is true for everyone? I do have an AP. Would that make a difference?

It is actually one of the more important onsite perks to us. We always use it to get the ADR's we want!

60 day FP+ and EMH yes- but I don't think they have 180+10 (probably because they have restaurants inside that they want you to dine at). This is a minor thing to me, but I just wanted to point it out.

Babsy, I know you've stayed there and I haven't yet, so please let us know if this has changed.

 

[msb578]

I am staying at the Dolphin in November and was able to use the 180 + 10 for that upcoming trip. I assume that it is true for everyone? I do have an AP. Would that make a difference?

It is actually one of the more important onsite perks to us. We always use it to get the ADR's we want!

Thank you very much! I can't beat first-hand experience That's very helpful information.

 

[720L]

For CSR it takes 15-20 minutes just to leave the resort because of all the bus stops, add the time to parks to that, that's why I think the buses are bad. POP & AOA have 1 stop, AKL has 2 but is pretty efficient IMO. CSR is a beautiful resort & aside from the buses sounds like what you are looking for.

 

[DG24]

I would personally rethink POFQ, ask for a room in building 4,6 or 7 and you will not pass those alligators in the morning, which are down a lane near the pool. Actually unless you are going to the spa you may never have to see those alligators. We had a room at end of building 2 and the only time we saw them was when we went to the hot tub. I am a very early morning person. I was up and walking around the resort by 4:30 everyday, so peaceful. After my walk, I would sit on a bench near the water and read for an hour before coffe was open. In the evening, I would take a stroller with SO, ride a carriage ride, sit and watch the boat come in, all very romantic and all very quiet and relaxing. You share with POR, but you don't, at least when I was there both times. It says you may share buses, we never did, so our very small hotel had there own bus system and only one stop, POR had 4. We could go and use any pool at POR or POFQ, and we did one day. Not hugely overcrowded with kids like POR will be. If you want a table food you have to go to POR, but most people eat table service in the park, we do. I believe for what you are looking for it is the best fit at CSR, CBR, or POR you will not be able to read a book, or I wouldn't, to many kids, to much commotion, to many distractions. I would go POFQ and just look on a map for those alligators, all three are on the path to the main pool enterence, I would use side enterences to the pool and just not look at them. It is a beuatiful resort that meets and exceeds all your request.