Based on Pool/non-park activity - Port Orleans or Caribbean Beach?

[Mickey71]

I have stayed at all the moderates... Port Orleans (FQ), Coronado, and Carbbean Beach... but we didn't spend much time in the resort .... I am hoping to plan a 7 night this summer and want to go slow/half days etc in the parks and want to spend time swimming at the hotel and relaxing, too. Anyone have an opinion between Port Orleans and Carribean Beach? And/or between French Quarter and Riverside? I've read all the reviews and books so I know the "facts" but wanted your insider opinions....

travelers will be me and my 2DDs ages 12 and 8

[crazysheli]

I've never been to Port Orleans but I will say that the one thing I really liked about Caribbean Beach (I really didn't like much about our experience there) was that the pool was nice, the little playgrounds for the kids, the beach fronts, and just walking around (on the little island and just back and forth from the pool) was very enjoyable. I think they also have boat rentals but I'm not certain.

[Drince88]

One nice thing about Caribbean Beach is the actual Beach and Play areas they have around the resort. There are play areas at Port Orleans, but no real 'beach' area with sand/etc.

You can rent watercraft at both Riverside and Caribbean Beach - and Port Orleans has DTD just a boat ride away, too (and you can go to the large water area at DTD in the rented boats, too).

I think the pool at Caribbean Beach is the newest 'redone' of the three - BUT if you stay at either Riverside or French Quarter, you can use the other's pool, so that gives you two themed pools (as well as the quiet pools at Riverside) to try out (there's also quiet pools in CB).

If you're willing to be a little farther from the central area at Caribbean Beach, you can get a Pirate room, which could appeal to your girls if they are into the swashbucklers at all.

Basically, I don't think you could go wrong with any of the three options.

HOWEVER, if I was planning a lot of resort time, I'd want to be near the main building with the food court (and places to fill up refillable mugs) - and if you stay at French Quarter it's a lot more compact and so most rooms are fairly close. (Which is one reason FQ is my favorite moderate.)

[jengold29]

I'd vote for the POFQ as well.

The size of the resort appeals to me, but it's also nice to be able to walk over to POR for the pool, table service restaurant, fishing hole, last time we went they had a campfire with s'mores.

I don't love the CB, haven't been there since they renovated the pool but it does look nice.

[Rainwater]

The major plus as I see it for the Caribbean Beach resort, is they have a very nice major (themed) pool, but they also have quiet pools at every building. If you just want to sun, and take a quick dip, this would be the place I would pick.

[mickeymom5]

I have never stayed at CB before, but we stayed at POFQ last year and we loved it! The resort is small and everything is convenient. Kids loved the pool and the boat ride to Downtown Disney. Refillable mugs work well here because you are never too far from the food court. You can also take the boat to POR. There you could take a carriage ride or fish!