In need of resort advice

[hammie59]

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.

It depends which bus stop you get on at. I don't remember the order they pick up, but it's on one of the CSR main threads. I know when we stayed there, we had one close to our room, but sometimes we walked to one a little farther because of the stops.

 

[karly05]

The moment I started reading, I was thinking of my beloved POFQ - then you mentioned you were turned off by the Gators. (I love the Gators!)

Granted I've never stayed at Coronado Springs, but based on everything I've read on the Dis, that's where my vote is. I always hear that it is the most "adult" of the mods/values.

 

[720L]

It depends which bus stop you get on at. I don't remember the order they pick up, but it's on one of the CSR main threads. I know when we stayed there, we had one close to our room, but sometimes we walked to one a little farther because of the stops.

True. DH says we got on at the last bus stop so we left the resort right away. But if you are at other stops, longer to get out of resort.

 

[goofy4tink]

Just returned from a stay at one of my favorite resorts...POR!! It's so lovely and peaceful. Yes, there are kids running around, but it has a very peaceful feel to it. There are lots of places to just sit and read. I visited CSR....we have friends that love it there..just didn't get it done for me, so to speak. I love the lushness of POR. The food court is decent. I was very sad to leave there and move to OKW!

 

[Distinkt]

I would say POR. We have stayed at both CSR and POR (as well as GF, WL, and the values). I didn't like CSR as well, because you can be a long way from the food court, and it just didn't seem quite as well landscaped. It does seem designed convention vacationers. POR is quiet, and we love Alligator Bayou rooms. The walking paths and grounds are gorgeous. The food court can be crowded, but during the weekdays it will probably be totally fine. I have not had any trouble with transportation either.

I must say that my two favorites are GF and POR. I just can't rationalize spending the money for GF. You sound like you might like that as well. I am not a big Contemporary fan. For some reason, it always seems dated and a bit grimy to me. I have no idea why because I know there are a lot of fans, and monorail travel is great. However, POR had the boat to DTD so that is a big plus

We have a trip coming in the fall and are staying at POR because we love it, and absent robbing a bank for GF that is where I would go. I might go there even if GF wasn't so expensive.

 

[JennyDrake]

With your requirements I vote POR hands down. IMHO best food court on Disney property. Quiet rooms, theming is not over the top, multiple pools.

 

[buzznina]

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.

I have to respectfully disagree. I have stayed there a lot and when we are picked up at the first bus stop it normally only takes 10 minutes at the most, and if its not prime time even quicker, to do the other 3 stops. If you have any electric scooters, of course it will take longer. Plus it's an easy walk to the last bus stop, if it really bothers a person that much then they do not have to go to the other stops. We really like all the Mods, they give us everything we are looking for without busting our budget, with the 2 Port Orleans resorts leading the way.

 

[mommycrawford]

I think you would be fine at All Star Music Resort, if you want value pricing! There are over sized instruments, but they are not intrusive, and the areas away from the main pool are very quiet. With what you would save $, you could grab a cab marathon morning, and bus service is fine: it does stop at ASMovies before going to its destination, but that is less stops than many deluxe hotels. Thake a look on Allears dot net, if you want to see the layout.

 

[ChasingLeslie]

With your criteria, I immediately thought CSR.

 

[msb578]

I think you would be fine at All Star Music Resort, if you want value pricing! There are over sized instruments, but they are not intrusive, and the areas away from the main pool are very quiet. With what you would save $, you could grab a cab marathon morning, and bus service is fine: it does stop at ASMovies before going to its destination, but that is less stops than many deluxe hotels. Thake a look on Allears dot net, if you want to see the layout.

During busier times, the 3 All-Stars each have their own dedicated bus. So it can be even better than what you said It's a bit unpredictable. But we love the All-Stars.

 

[scoobydooby]

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.

There are loads of quiet peaceful spots to read a book at POR with beaches all along the river. I found the pool at POFQ to have many more toddlers in it than the pool at POR. I have stayed a total of six times at both these resorts and when we had little kids preferred POFQ but POR was better when they were pre and early teens. Can't do one room anywhere now they are 13 and 16 so we have moved onto the one bed villas.

 

[mawatcha]

Thank you all so much! This has given me a lot to think about and a bit more guidance. Still more set with POR or CSR but will definitely price/benefits compare with Swan/Dolphin too.

I cannot express how much I appreciate this community!

 

[mawatcha]

I think the boat is a lovely perk. Is it particularly quick/more convenient than bus though?

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.

 

[mawatcha]

Thanks for this info, I'll definitely check out the thread you suggest. Do you happen to have an idea on if rooms sell out for the races? I did some imaginary planning for the weekend this year and could still find good deals. Just a little paranoid nothing will be available.

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!)

 

[DINKsAtDisney]

I think you can usually get a room somewhere all the way up until race week, but whether it will be the location/room type/price you want is another story.

We've done Dolphin, POFQ, and AoA for the 1/2 marathon and Dolphin was my favorite for the scenario. If you like PO but don't like the cartoonish Disney decor of FQ, PO Riverside would be a good choice. PO is also really close to the start line (shorter pre-race bus ride).

 

[eeyore45]

Thanks for this info, I'll definitely check out the thread you suggest. Do you happen to have an idea on if rooms sell out for the races? I did some imaginary planning for the weekend this year and could still find good deals. Just a little paranoid nothing will be available.

Here's the forum with lots of different threads running on
http://www.disboards.com/forums/events-competition.109/

Here's a thread on resorts that I just quickly saw - but it does get discussed a lot...
http://www.disboards.com/threads/which-hotel-for-marathon-weekend.3393710/

DH and I have stayed at BCV, it all works out - you just take the right attitude, and enjoy the moments!

 

[Fizban]

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!

Your resort should be Port Orleans Riverside, preferably the mansion rooms. They are quiet, beautiful, and very well served not only by the bus but also by water taxi. For the ultimate stay request either Oak Manor or Parterre Place (King room with river view). You will thank me later, trust me

 

[goofy friend]

Coronado Springs would be my choice.

 

[DrummerBoy523]

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!

POR.

We just stayed at CBR and will never stay there again. The resort was very quiet, the pool was fantastic and the food court was fine and not crowded, but the bus service was unacceptable. That is a deal breaker.

 

[Fizban]

I support what DrummerbBoy523 said about CBR. Never again.