Caribbean Beach or Port Orleans Riverside

[DisneyDaisie]

Hi All!

Having stayed at all of the value resorts, we've decided to move up to a moderate resort! The best Florida resident deals are at Caribbean Beach and Port Orleans Riverside. We can't decide which one! Anyone like one better than the other? Pros or Cons? Any input is welcome! Thanks so much!!

[SchultzFamily]

Hi All!

Having stayed at all of the value resorts, we've decided to move up to a moderate resort! The best Florida resident deals are at Caribbean Beach and Port Orleans Riverside. We can't decide which one! Anyone like one better than the other? Pros or Cons? Any input is welcome! Thanks so much!!

Personally, we've never stayed at either and they are both on the bottom of our moderate list--neither of their themes appeals to us. We would pick POR over CBR. However, if you have really young kids, they would probably e into the new pirate themed pool which also has zero entry.

[mzloolue]

Between those two, Caribbean Beach and POR, I would choose Port Orleans.

I have never stayed in Caribbean Beach, but I have seen it.
Port Orleans has really pretty grounds with mature landscaping and it seems to have a bit more "character".
It does a good job of presenting southern style landscaping...almost too good as it looks a bit to much like home for me.
It also has a boat to DTD, although when we stayed there we never got around to riding a boat.
My kids were older kids and were not at all impressed with the pools at Port Orleans, or at Caribbean Beach either.

A few questions though,
Are pools important to you?
What time of year are you thinking of?
Is your party all adults or does it include children?
Young children or big kids?

[TinaMouse]

To further confuse you, my neighbor went to CBR and LOVED it.....

[firemanbob]

Having just stayed there last week I have to choose Carribean Beach. The grounds were beautiful, pools were amazing, and the staff was great. Sorry but a boat to DTD does nothing for me. Its just a bunch of stores. CBR is in the middle of it all. You also have the epcot fireworks every night.

[buzz2001]

Between those two, Caribbean Beach and POR, I would choose Port Orleans.

I agree.

[Drince88]

At CBR there are two 'extra's you can pay for. You can pay for close to the main building - at this resort, this is a pretty big deal, as it is VERY spread out. You can also pay to stay in the Pirate Themed room. The pirate rooms are as far from the main building as you can get - but having seen some pictures, if that appeals to any of your younger traveling companions, I think the distance could be dealt with.

So if the Pirate room appeals, and you can get the discount on them (though they will be more than 'standard'), I think that would sway me.

The spread-out level of CBR is pretty negative to some people, and POR is not the most compact, but it is more compact. There is an internal bus loop at CBR, though, that will take you to the main building if you don't want to walk it. At POR, you basically have to walk it. But at both resorts, you can catch a bus to each park nearer your room without having to go to the main bus stop.

If you have young travelers that would really really like the Pirate room, then I'd do CBR (and the cost difference isn't going to break the bank), otherwise I'd do POR for your first moderate - because it's not the most compact nor is the most spread out. This is only if the theme appeal isn't substantially different between the two - if one sounds LOTS more fun than the other, then I'd do that one first. That is TOTALLY a personal preference.

[DisneyDaisie]

We'll be there 7/16 - 7/22, it's me, my sister and 3 kids ages 9, 7 and 10 months. I think we're leaning towards CBR as of right now since we found out our cousin and his wife will be there too. I've read a lot of reviews that say that POR is shabby and needs updating. Scuffed and peeling paint, dirty bathrooms, etc. And I must say the bus stops right outside the buildings at CBR is looking like a big plus. So confusing! We have to decide soon!

[Drince88]

We'll be there 7/16 - 7/22, ..... We have to decide soon!

Yes! And if you don't, your decision may be made for you!
(If you're planning on any character meals, have you made those ADRs yet? Please say yes, even if that means not responding until tomorrow after you've made the ressies!)

[DisneyDaisie]

Sadly, there will be little or no dining for us this trip. We've done so many character meals lately it's losing it's fun. (We live in Vero Beach and the Disney Vero Beach Resort is here in town so we can do character breakfasts whenever we want) We're thinking of eating in Mexico or maybe doing the Spirit of Aloha at Poly for my bday on the 18th. We usually bring most of our meals with us, breakfast in our room, lunch in a cooler at the park and dinner we try to keep as inexpensive as possible. Of course, that's what we plan... not always what happens! We'll be making our resort reservations tonight, and any dining reservations will be made then too. Thanks for the concern! Only 64 days to go!

[DisneyDustin22]

Problem is you won't get a great answer on here b/c half will like CBR and half will like POR.

My last stay was at CBR. I actually chose this one over POR. We loved it! Each morning took a stroll around the lake. They have good food and readily available. Yes it is spread out, but I think most people give the impression you're walking miles and miles. It's only like 1.3 miles around the lake. And that's doing the full loop. So if your one or two villages away from the main building, its way less than that. Plus if you're into running and/or morning or night walks, this helps too! Yes there is a bus that runs through the resort, but imo, that can take just as long if not longer to get where you need to be, especially if you arrive at the bus stop and it JUST left. then it has to loop the whole resort. FYI...the bus roads within the resort are on the outskirts, the walking path is right along the lake front = shorter distance! Plus there is a bridge that allows you to cut through Castaway Cay, a small island in the middle of the lake. Trust me, it's not AS bas as people make it out to be. There is only one village that is actually farther than the other 4. I forget the name but it's obvious if you do a satelite view of the resort.

You can see portions of Illunimations from the resort and definitely hear it! The rest of the time it's relatively quiet. Busses were always readily available. Never had to wait more than a few minutes. The longest drive was to MK. But even that wasn't bad. Very friendly staff throughout the entire resort. We stayed on Barbados and had a water view, 2nd floor. Our room was VERY quiet but I assume it's because we had a corner unit on the edge of our village. So next to us was a bunch of trees and the walkway to the next village. So we hardly had any foot traffic by our windows.

The pool and the beaches were very nice. Our experience there was so good we are considering staying here again on our visit next year.

[Drince88]

There is only one village that is actually farther than the other 4. I forget the name but it's obvious if you do a satelite view of the resort.

And that's where the Pirate-themed rooms are, too! (I want to say it's Trinidad South)

All the points you made were really good, Dustin! And not only does the bus sometimes take longer, it CAN be more walking! I was a couple of islands away, from the main building, and sitting out by the pool bar with 'new friends' some of which had just done the half marathon (like me) and some that were planning on doing the full the next day (and one Goofy guy that was in both categories!) I had MASSIVE blisters and each step was painful. I figured out it would be fewer steps to walk from the pool bar, along the lake, to get to my room - than to walk from the pool bar, through the building, out to the bus stop at Old Port Royale, ride the bus, get off at 'My' bus stop, and then walk back to my room!

[danyoung]

Problem is you won't get a great answer on here b/c half will like CBR and half will like POR.

Very true. This is aways a problem in those "Which [insert subject] do you like best?" threads.

My take is that the moderates are such a nice step up from the values that you'll be happy in either location. The main thing to think about is theme. Do you want a Caribbean island theme and a sandy beach waterway, or do you want to stay in a mansion with rolling lawns and a beautiful river flowing by? I prefer Riverside, but either one will work very well. Just note as others have above that the Caribbean Beach Resort is much more spread out than the other moderates, and it's possible to have a room that's quite a hike from the central area.

So, no good rates on the Coronado Springs Resort? This is by far my favorite of the moderates, but if Riverside or CBR have a better rate, then by all means go for it!

[DisneyDaisie]

That was our first choice but there were no FL Resident rates available for that time!! Caribbean it is, the pirate pool for the kids is what finally tipped the scales. We'll go check out PORS to see it, and will likely stay there next time. Thanks for everyone's input!

[Drince88]

The pirate pool for the kids is what finally tipped the scales.

In THAT case, did you know they do a Pirate Adventure from Caribbean Beach? I think the ages are something like 4-11? It doesn't help any with the budget (and no, I don't get any kick backs from Disney ) but I would hate for you to find out about it on your last day and have wanted to do it.

[DisneyDaisie]

Cathy,

do you happen to know how much that is?? :o)

Thanks!

[DisneyDustin22]

I don't know the specifics of it, but I remember seeing it when we were there. A pontoon boat filled with kids and a few skippers were chasing a "pirate" on a jet ski around the lake. They drove him to shore and he took off on land. All the kids were yelling and screaming at him. It looked like it would be a lot of fun for them. There were lots of people walking around who saw it and got a kick out of it. You may want to call the resort directly. They may even have offers. We got a voucher at check in that doubled our rental time on a boat if we wished.

[DisneyDaisie]

I found it online, its $30 per child for 2 hours and includes lunch. We're not sure yet, the 7 year old may do it, the 9 year old thinks it's for boys and she's too old anyway! Gotta love a tween! We are officially booked for our room though, 5 nights at the Caribbean Beach. SOOO EXCITED! I'll be posting a trip report when I return. My first ever! Thanks again to everyone who offered an opinion and info!

[danyoung]

Daisy, you're gonna have a GREAT TIME!!! Please keep us posted, and if any more questions come up feel free to let us help!

[Drince88]

I wish I'd gotten to see them 'chase' the pirate. We did spot a CM pirate burying the treasure one morning, and reminded him to make sure his X was in the right spot on the map! (Yea, I'm sure he was amused )

[Cheshire Figment]

There is one real major difference between CBR and all the other moderates.

At CBR all the rooms are 340 sq ft while at all the others, built later, the rooms are 314 sq ft. The 26 sq ft difference may not sound like much, but it is 8% larger. And it is noticable when you are there.

[DisneyDustin22]

I have to agree with the room size. While it was only 2 of us in there, we had a lot of space! With 2 beds, table and chairs, tv unit, fridge and small storage chest, we still had room to throw our luggage around.

Daisie did you request a waterview room? If so I strongly suggest it. Chances are you'll have much less foot traffic directly outside your room, plus a nicer view!

[Greg in TN]

In about a week (see countdown clock below) we're on our way to a Walt Disney World vacation. We're staying & CBR, where we have stayed before & thoroughly enjoyed it.

As a matter of fact, CBR is the resort I always ask for first when making our reservations now. Would I be disappointed if CBR was booked, and we wound up staying @ Port Orleans, (or Coronado Springs for that matter)? Maybe for about 3 seconds. But, they're all Disney moderate resorts (which, in my book, is pretty good) and I'm gonna be @ DISNEY one way or the other. It's the THEMING @ Caribbean Beach Resort that really wins out for me .

I can't wait to be @ CBR again, and I know you'll have a great time as well !!

[WdwGurl4life]

I would chose Coronado over both BUT I have stayed at all the moderates and I would go with POR.