Best Moderate? Is skyline a game changer?

[undertheseaforme]

We are a group of 11 total - 4 families going Christmas 2021. Decided on a moderate but they all seem great! The one that seems to stand out is cbr due to travel by skyline. I think the kids would enjoy traveling a different way than by bus some days. We plan on 8 days total with 1 at HS and 1 at Epcot. So we would be able to ride the skyline 2 days out of our week trip. Does the skyline put CBR at the top of our hotel list since it’s an easy and quick way to get to those 2 parks? Is skyline that great?

 

[ENJDisneyFan]

Pre Skyliner I would have ranked POFQ as the best moderate due to it's small size, theming, and boat to DS. However, after staying at Pop with the Skyliner it will be hard for me to stay at a hotel without it. I haven't stayed at CBR post refurbishments, but it's at the top of my list for the next trip. It now has a smaller footprint and more consolidated "main" area, which were 2 of my biggest complaints from our last visit. And the skyliner is, for me, a game changer!

 

[hedberg1661]

While I do think the Skyliner is a game changer I would still rate POFQ as the best moderate. I think it really comes down to what you value. Are you just using the resort as a place to sleep thus spending most of your time in the parks? If so, and EC and DHS are family favorites then yes I believe CBR would be a good choice.

 

[nkereina]

I agree with PP that after staying at AOA and experiencing the Skyliner, its hard for me to justify staying at a resort that's not on the Skyliner now. We had a CBR trip booked (supposed to be there now!), and when we had to reschedule, we decided to extend the trip so we moved it to Pop to offset the cost.

Many do not like the large size of CBR, but the resort was recently refurbished and they centralized the front desk area which I think helps. They also changed up the buses so that you don't circle all 7 stops during the busiest times, which also helps. I think the Skyliner would be a larger benefit to your group if you had more time at Epcot or DHS, or were planning to visit an Epcot area resort. Also keep in mind your group of 11 will have to split up between two Skyliner gondolas.

We've stayed at all the moderates and I don't think you can go wrong with any of them. CSR is often thought to be the best because it has more amenities and dining options than the others. POFQ is the smallest which would be good for a group of 11 that is presumably spread across 3-4+ rooms. POR is gorgeous and IMO has the best food court. It also has the shortest commute to MK if you're spending the bulk of your time there. And CBR has the Skyliner, making for easy access to 2 of the parks as well as a few deluxe resorts for additional dining options.

 

[TigerlilyAJ]

My family loved Skyliner during our AoA stay. The kids viewed it as another ride, one you could get on instantly. I loathe waiting, so waiting for transportation to get me to a park so I can start my itinerary is a relatively tough spot for me at WDW. (At DLR, I stay within walking distance so I control my schedule). Skyliner was perfect for instant gratification, and definitely a game changer after the evening shows at DHS, where it is great for dispersing the crowds leaving and getting us back to AoA within 15 minutes. (It was the only time there was a "wait" of sorts, a whole two dozen people in front of us.) Compare that to times at park closing when you might have to wait for a second bus because the first one fills up.
My only issue was that DHS was opening at 7am, and Skyliner was not opening until after that, so we couldn't use it to get to the park in time for RotR.

 

[Brett Wyman]

I know CBR received a huge boost due to the Skyliner but don't forget it was consistently ranked the last of the moderates for years for a reason. It still feels a little dated and under maintained in my opinion only. I think CSR is the nicest room for the price, but also the longest walk to get anywhere and the worst transportation options. For me I would book POR or FQ based on personal preference between the two. The rooms aren't quite as nice as the ones at CSR, but they win out everywhere else.

 

[KenHutch]

French Quarter by a country mile. With that many people you will come to love the smaller size of the resort as well as being a boat ride to Disney Springs and just one bust stop. To me the Skyliner is just an expensive fad. Its new and it does fill a purpose in relieving crowds especially at night.

 

[WEDWDW]

So we would be able to ride the skyline 2 days out of our week trip.

Disney Skyliner and Star Wars:Rise of the Resistance are the 2 most EPIC "single"(not counting ENTIRE lands like Pandora,Toy Story Land,etc.) additions to WDW since I started going in 2003!

If you do choose CBR,I would be shocked if you don't find yourself riding Skyliner on more than those 2 days-we "Joy ride" the Skyliner a lot.(Be sure to take the flight from CBR over to POP/AoA-flying over Hourglass Lake is awesome.)

 

[BobbyDukes]

Port Orleans!! Both are wonderful, but we tend to really love the Riverside. Riverside has the most incredible atmosphere and rooms of the moderates.

 

[WEDWDW]

French Quarter by a country mile. With that many people you will come to love the smaller size of the resort as well as being a boat ride to Disney Springs and just one bust stop. To me the Skyliner is just an expensive fad. Its new and it does fill a purpose in relieving crowds especially at night.

Have you stayed at a Skyliner Resort yet?

If not,give it a go-it really is incredible.

 

[nkereina]

It still feels a little dated and under maintained in my opinion only.

FWIW, CBR common areas were re-designed and refurbished in 2018, and the rooms were done a few years prior to that. The rooms received the subdued theming and plain triple sheeting bedding that CSR now has.

I see a lot of love for POFQ, which ironically is my least favorite moderate. The theme is cute and boat to Disney Springs is great, but the single bus stop was a deal breaker for us. It was a madhouse in the morning, chaos when a bus pulled up since there were no formal queues like at the values. And with one stop, it always felt busy.

 

[KenHutch]

Have you stayed at a Skyliner Resort yet?

If not,give it a go-it really is incredible.

I have riden the Skyliner just to ride it. Not that imoressed

 

[Brett Wyman]

FWIW, CBR common areas were re-designed and refurbished in 2018, and the rooms were done a few years prior to that. The rooms received the subdued theming and plain triple sheeting bedding that CSR now has.

Yeah Ive seen the updates. Personal opinion but I stand by my statement.

 

[nkereina]

Yeah Ive seen the updates. Personal opinion but I stand by my statement.

Fair enough. Not everyone is familiar with the changes, so just thought I'd mention it.

 

[nkereina]

I have riden the Skyliner just to ride it. Not that imoressed

How come, out of curiosity? Little to no wait and under 10 minutes to a park is a pretty big improvement from the buses and boats.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I prefer the PO resorts, however, we stayed at Riviera over Christmas week last year and the Skyliner really was a game changer for us. It was so efficient and fun! I remember one evening, I decided very last minute to go over to EP to try to see EP Forever. I decided to time my trip - got in a gondola at 9:13 pm, walked into the park at 9:28 pm, saw the show at 9:30 pm, exited IG, got on the Skyliner within 5 - 10 minutes and was back at RIV before 10:00 pm. It was AMAZING!

I would think about how much time you will be at the parks vs. the resort. If you'll spend more time at the resort and, perhaps, DS, I would go with a PO resort. If it's a more park heavy trip, I would do CBR.

 

[Brett Wyman]

I prefer the PO resorts, however, we stayed at Riviera over Christmas week last year and the Skyliner really was a game changer for us. It was so efficient and fun! I remember one evening, I decided very last minute to go over to EP to try to see EP Forever. I decided to time my trip - got in a gondola at 9:13 pm, walked into the park at 9:28 pm, saw the show at 9:30 pm, exited IG, got on the Skyliner within 5 - 10 minutes and was back at RIV before 10:00 pm. It was AMAZING!

I would think about how much time you will be at the parks vs. the resort. If you'll spend more time at the resort and, perhaps, DS, I would go with a PO resort. If it's a more park heavy trip, I would do CBR.

Us too. We stayed Riviera February 18-23rd. I was a little negative towards the Riviera when it was first announced but all of the features really came together well. Seeing Cinderellas castle across Bay Lake will always be my most favorite resort feature but we really love what Riviera has to offer. And for much much cheaper CBR basically offers the same thing as well(with the exception of room quality of course).

 

[WEDWDW]

I have riden the Skyliner just to ride it. Not that imoressed

So you haven't experienced the BLISS of strolling out to the IG Skyliner Station after the fireworks and easily boarding a non-packed Gondola and flying back to your Skyliner Resort insated of taking the LONG walk from the Front Gate to the Bus Depot,waiting who knows how long for your bus to arrive and then being PACKED onto that bus with other worn out Guests and then if you happen to be standing holding on for dear life all the way back to your Resort?

Give it a try-I am betting you will change your opinion.

 

[Donna3271]

I know CBR received a huge boost due to the Skyliner but don't forget it was consistently ranked the last of the moderates for years for a reason. It still feels a little dated and under maintained in my opinion only. I think CSR is the nicest room for the price, but also the longest walk to get anywhere and the worst transportation options. For me I would book POR or FQ based on personal preference between the two. The rooms aren't quite as nice as the ones at CSR, but they win out everywhere else.

CSR is very large, but it is my choice for mods because it is the only one with a gym!

 

[loves to dive]

This is an unpopular opinion but the skyliner is actually a bad thing for us. One, my son is uncomfortable with heights and is claustrophobic, even if it only gets stuck for 1 min. it's going to be really rough for him. Two, they don't run buses but once a hour to Epcot and HS because of it, if he can't or won't ride it, we are stuck with the bus situation. We tend to stay at whichever moderate is less, since I've stayed at all of them and have found good things and bad about all. My favorite is CS, I love the vibe of it, I actually like that it's spread out since I'm an early morning walker and I love the food choices.