[nynavey]

I am new here, and I've spent many hours reading the posts here. I think I've passed the informed stage and am fast entering the confused/overwhelmed stage. Here is my dilemma:

We're trying to book in early July (I know, the heat, but it's the only time we can go). I have a 15-yr-old and 12-yr-old (who will turn 13 while there) who've never been. Are any of the moderate resorts best suited to independent, teen, first-time visitors?

Watching the DVD, I loved what I saw of the Caribbean Beach choice, and didn't care for the Coronado Springs option. The two Port Orleans ones don't sound all that appealing to me as I live in the South already and am considering something 'different' to see on vacation. BUT, I love the idea of riding a boat to Disneyworld instead of a bus. We'll have a rental car, but is driving & parking at a resort like parking at the mall during Christmas? With so much transportation available, I don't see us using a vehicle much. But a boat ride sounds so lovely and peaceful, and so much better than a bus. This lowers my options considerably.

For those who have more experience, are the boats a waste of time? Are they a significant respite from crowded buses? Is any of the moderates far superior for teens? We've considered even staying at the WL deluxe, but the additional cost pushes me over the price I set to spend.

Any words of wisdom on this are greatly appreciated!

[Dopey]

Welcome to MouseBuzz

I don't really have an answer for you - I think you answered your question already. Why not go with Caribbean Beach Resort?
I can understand that you'd want a change of scenery and not stay in the POR resorts and the Coronado Springs Resort didn't appeal to you either.

I think that you cannot go wrong staying anywhere at Disney.

The boats are a lot of fun, take a little time, but that for me is part of the vacation and change from the usual.

[LAURENGOLD]

Hi there!!

You know that the boat ride only brings you to Downtown Disney from the Port Orleans resorts, right? That might eliminate your dilemma right there!

If you like how CBR looks, then that's what you should go for!!! I am a huge fan of POR, but you know what appeals to you the best and it seems like that would be CBR.

[leslieh]

Originally Posted by nynavey

For those who have more experience, are the boats a waste of time? Are they a significant respite from crowded buses? Is any of the moderates far superior for teens? We've considered even staying at the WL deluxe, but the additional cost pushes me over the price I set to spend.

Any words of wisdom on this are greatly appreciated!

Welcome to MB! As you've seen, we have a lot of advice and friendly tips here!

To clarify, none of the moderates have boats to the parks. For that, you'd have to choose a deluxe. You mentioned Wilderness Lodge as a possibility. If you can swing it, I think it would be the best choice for what you seem to be looking for. We have stayed at each of the mods, as well as WL. The boat to MK is a nice trip, and just next door to WL is Fort Wilderness Campground, with LOTS of things for independent kids to see. It took us many years to work up to WL, and it was wonderful. I left there thinking that it was worth every penny and I had no regrets at all!

If it's not in the cards, then the mods are the next best thing. It's entirely bus or personal car transportation to the parks, but the Disney bus system is very good.

As a last suggestion, get yourself a copy of the Unofficial Guide to WDW by Bob Sehlinger- your library may even have it.

[nynavey]

Thanks for the responses. After reading my post, I realized I left out the rest of my thoughts on the moderates. (The confusing is getting worse!!!)

I didn't care for the CSR on the DVD, but having browsed around the internet, the photos of that place are wonderful and they changed my mind. All the moderates sound fun, so I'm really splitting hairs at this point. I didn't realize the boats from the moderates didn't take you to any parks - that does make me rethink this.

I have gone back over our budget and now we are considering either Animal Kingdom or WL...either of those best for teens?

Such a great place to get info here! Thank you.

[leslieh]

Animal Kingdom is beautiful, but isolated. Wilderness Lodge is across the bay from Magic Kingdom. I would be more comfortable being at WL when the kids go "gallivanting".

[nynavey]

Leslieh, you bring up a good point. My 15-year-old will especially want some freedom, and I must consider our location to everything as well. Thanks for pointing that out.

This is most likely the only time we will ever see WDW as a family, at least for many years to come, and I want it to be as "magical" as it can be. I suppose this is what we all want, eh?

Thank you much!

[hrbib21]

In a word, the bussing situation at CBR is bad. I hated it. Last Sept, I ended up driving to the parks after the first couple days. CBR has 7 bus stops and it can easily take a half hour wait before you get one.

The trip I'm planning now will be at POFQ. Just got quotes today, actually. The boats will be great for an evening at DTD.

[buzz2001]

CSR!! With teenagers, CSR is the way to go. Best pool of all the mods.

CHECK OUT THIS THREAD

[nynavey]

hrbib21, the bus situation scares me from all the resorts. I can imagine a lot of hot tourists crammed into buses with tired kids at the end of a long day in the park. However, the idea of not having to drive anywhere sounds so stress relieving. We will have a rental car, so we can drive around, but I don't relish getting into a parked car in near 100 degree heat either, or walking for miles through the sea of vehicles in a parking lot.

I love the idea of taking a boat, but POFQ doesn't have a table service restaurant. This is something we really want on site. I love love love the idea of taking a boat much more than bus or car. There just isn't a moderate that suits all we want, but then again, any of them will surely be great.

buzz2001, I've viewed your wonderful photos of CSR, and it's part of the reason we've booked with that resort. No other moderate seems to have as good a coverage of what you're actually paying for, or at least, I couldn't find it if it exists. Thank you for the thread link; I'm off to read it now.

[DisneyTeacher]

We love WL and could stay there every trip. You are a 10 minute boat ride from MK and that's nice. You can also take a smaller boat to the contemporary to get on the monorail. You get to the rest of the parks by bus but we have always had good luck with the buses. You also have 2 sit down restaurants to pick from.

[nynavey]

I've just discovered if we move our trip back a day, we could stay in the WL for only $200 more for the same # of days. We aren't sure if we can do this yet, but it's certainly worth looking into. That's about $25 more a day for a deluxe resort instead of a moderate.

I've booked us for the CBR currently, and am so excited. We just found out about the Star Wars weekends in June, and my husband and teen son are huge fans. I'm hoping this will convince the husband to move the date up from July to then. Thanks for everyone's advice and help.

[bribren]

Id do WL if possible, it has some nice things for teens (particulary the marina w/rentals) but as far as a moderate, the only choices are either Port Orleans.

The boat to Downtown Disney provides 15 access to the most comprehensive teen space in disney, the theaters, disney quest, shopping etc. Its a good 1/2 hour from CSR. Ive been to CSR, very nice but its a bus to everywhere else, and sometimes a bus ride within the resort...

[cinderbella]

Welp, I think you have to go with your gut on the Moderate Issue! I have never stayed at CBR and CS and I probably never will because Riverside and French Quarter are SO wonderful (I can see why staying in Riverside might be the same sort of thing you're used to but what about French Quarter? Are you from Louisiana? I am sorry if that's a dumb question..)
And as for not having a restaurant.....I honestly don't think the sit downs at the Mod's are that good anyway and you'd be better off making and ADR in the parks or the deluxes resorts. If this is something you REALLY have to have (and trust me it's nice) and you can afford this I'd consider upgrading to AKL or WL. Both hotels are impressive and will any teenager would love them.

But back to the moderates..the boat ride is LOVELY! But it only goes to DTD and shuts down in the rain..which it did the whole time we stayed there..so unfortunatly we never got to use them. As far as transportation..are you planning on going off site at all? If you are then I would consider the rental car..if not stick to Disney transport. We never drive..it is such a pain to get in park and then if you park hop you dont have to worry about loading back IN the car.....blah blah blah...

[buzz2001]

Duplicate post