Disney hotels - Which one ?

[Orlandomad]

Havn't even been on this years trip yet and we are already planning next years, how sad is that !

Anyway, considering a week in a Disney hotel and a week in the Clearwater area.

First up, Disney hotels, either Corranado Springs, Port Orleans or Carribean Beach, with Corranado Springs being the favourite. We are mum, dad and 2 boys 9 & 10. Always stayed in a villa in the past, love swimming, eating and more swimming, plus some eating, oh and anything Disney. Sooooo whats your views on these 3 hotels ??

For the second week we are thinking of a villa somewhere in Clearwater, not a clue where, would love to hear of others experiences regarding villas there.

P.s. if you have a Clearwater villa to rent for a week in October 2006 feel free to ps me.

[chocking]

We have just come back from Coronado springs and although it is well theamed and very clean we were a little disapointed with it. The staff in the Pepper market were really grumpy and the food not very good. The only other thing I would say is that it is huge and there are no balconys which was a shame as the rooms are fairly dark. It was a fair walk to the pool in the heat and back again to pick up the forgotten armband. We still had a good time there but we wouldn't choose Coronado springs again. We also spent a week in the Marriott at Clearwater in a lovel suite which was fantastic and I would highly recommend it. HTH

Claire xx

[traceyt]

also, the cs is a conference resort, which means there will always be a lot of business people there, which kind of takes away the family atmosphere. stayed in the cbr and found it great, although, having previously stayed at asmo, found ourselves missing it, and went back there the following year!

[Mel2607]

Caribbean Beach Resort is lovely. Went there last year, no faults at all. Going again this year!

[BONZO]

Having stayed at CBR and CSR I'd chose CSR as it's fits between a Moderate and a Deluxe.

Having stayed at CSR and CR when conventions are on, it's had no impact whatsoever.

Conventions do not take place all year round and some are just small business meetings during the day.

Some resorts had bigger issues with groups of teenagers attending Marching Band displays etc

[Orlandomad]

Cool, will look at the Mariott in Clearwater thanks Claire.

CBR does look nice and highly appeals. Tough one really having never experienced either one. I assume they have pretty much the same facilities, pool, food courts etc etc, is it just the theming thats different ?

[TiggerTails]

We love CBR, we stayed in Jamiaca 45, which was close to bus stop, village pool, laundry, short walk across bridge to food court and main pool. My DD age 15 really enjoyed this resort and liked to walk about, and lie in the hammocks and talk to her friends at night on her cell phone. (you can see some of Epcots fireworks at night too). The food court was nice and we liked getting our free refills! We found the busses to be very reliable. And staying in the same room as a teen DH and I found the curtain between the bathroom and sleeping area very handy.

[DisneyMadAng]

We stayed @ Port Orleans Riverside last October - myself, DH, DD11 & DS 8. We all loved it so much (we're going again for a week in Oct 2006!).

It is such a beautiful resort. Our room was in parterre place. It was maybe a 5 minute walk to the busses & to the food court. We were quite close to a 'quiet' pool which was a fab size.

http://www.thedibb.co.uk/photopost/data/504/2756Florida_Holiday_2004_138.jpg

Any more ???'s feel free to ask :)

Ang :angel:

[BeanMachine]

A friendly CM at CBR, when asked, offered the definitive inside info as to which moderate resort that THEY think is best... without a doubt: Port Orleans Riverside! We took them up on their advice and WE LOVE IT!!! In fact, this will be our fourth visit. It's great! Lovely landscaped grounds, friendly CM's and just a great relaxing atmosphere. Check out the hot tub after a long day in the parks! We can't recommend it enough! :thumbs-up:jump: :jump: :jump: :jump: :thumbs-up

[nat25go]

hi beanmachine :wave:
we are staying on-site at pors in august, just wondering - is the hot tub near the main pool & is there more than one? which part/building is nearest to the main pool/food court etc? did you eat in Boatwrights - if so what's it like? just trying to get some ideas for anniversary dinner:heart: - would you recommend here or would it be "too casual" if you know what i mean. we will probably have 7yr old dd with us!!! unless we can get on-site/in-room child minding!:D
nat25go:grin:

[Kenbar]

boatwrights menu

Crab Cakes served atop sweet potato slaw and garnished with red pepper and roasted poblano coulis $7.99

Chicken Gumbo - a hearty Creole favorite with tender chicken and andouille sausage $4.99

House Salad - field greens with raspberry vinaigrette, parmesan crostini and spiced pecans $4.29

Chilled Shrimp Cocktail - Jumbo shrimp served on a bed of marinated vegetables $6.99

Caesar Salad - romaine lettuce, homemade croutons, served with Pecorino Romano cheese $4.99

Garlic Cheese Bites - crispy batter fried mozzarella and marinara sauce $5.79

French Onion Soup Au Gratin - topped with melted Swiss and Provolone cheeses $4.79


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Boatwright's Specialty

Jambalaya - a famous Creole recipe, featuring a flavorful blend of chicken, Andouille sausage, rice and vegetables, all cooked together in one pot $16.99


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Dinner Entrees


Bayou Seafood Stew - mixture of seafood and vegetables in a tomato and garlic broth $16.95

Barbeque Glazed Pork Ribs - one and a half pounds of St. Louis Ribs served with sweet potato chips and coleslaw $18.59

Riverside Pot Roast - slow-simmered, tender beef, mashed potatoes and stewed vegetables $16.79

Four Cheese Ravioli - cheese ravioli in roasted garlic cream sauce with sweet pepper drizzle $14.29

Bourbon Glazed Chicken - roasted chicken served over dirty rice $14.59

Grilled Pork Loin - pork loin topped with stewed apples and cabbage over cheese grits $15.99

Grilled Top Sirloin Strip - grilled top sirloin served with mashed potatoes, garnished with sauteed red onion and chipotle-cream sauce $18.99

Slow-roasted Prime Rib - garlic seasoned prime rib of beef with baked potato $19.99

Summer Vegetable Medley - pan roasted vegetables and grilled tofu with a light garlic marinara $13.99

Our Chef's Fish Special - fresh catch of the day from the Sassagoula River $17.29

Low Country Surf and Turf - grilled pork loin with clams in a garlic-tomato sauce $18.99

Accompaniments

Sauteed Mushrooms $1.99
Grilled Asparagus $1.99
Baked Potato $1.99
Sauteed Green Beans $1.99
Sweet Potato Chips $1.99




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Desserts

Homemade Pecan Pie - a traditional Southern favorite $4.69

Jack Daniels Chocolate Cake - three layers of chocolate cake with a hint of Jack Daniels $4.69

Milky Way Cheesecake - New York style with chunks of Milky Way candy bar $4.69

Big River Brownie Barge - chocolate brownie with vanilla ice cream, hot fudge, whipped cream and a maraschino cherry $7.69


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Coffees

Cappuccino $3.49
Espresso $2.99
Double Espresso $3.59
Cafe au Lait $3.49

[TandCmum]

mmmm jack daniels chocolate cake and milky way cheesecake...sounds yummy

Suzanne
xxx

[nat25go]

thanks for that kenbar - my dh is soooo fussy and not very adventurous in the food department! chicken, chicken or else chicken! i think he would try something of this menu - maybe catch of the day or ribs - but at least he will have a choice! have been looking at some menus from other disney hotel restaurants and some of them would be "out" for him!:(
nat25go:grin:

[DisneyMadAng]

Hi nat... the hot tub is next to the main pool.

We didn't eat in Boatwright's so can't advise there.

Here's a POR MAP (http://www.solarius.com/dvp/wdw/riverside.htm) for you.

I gather some of the numbered buildings have 'smoking' rooms (silly images in my head now of rooms smoking lol).

Here's (http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/resorts/portriverside.htm) some more info for you.

Ang :angel:

[nat25go]

hi Ang, thanks for that info - i'll take a look at the map now.
cheers, nat25go:grin:

[ploppy]

We stayed at CSR and thought it was brilliant. Food court is good and pool is great.

Would like to try Port Orleans next

[Cinders Mum]

I wouldn't let the fact conventioneers stay at CSR put you off, they tend to be up early and attend hosted breakfasts and have planned activities in the evenings too... very little down time, so in fact although they may make the rooming situation busy the actual resort and I think more importantly the resort buses will be quieter as they have places to be, whilst we are all enjoying the parks.

Personally I do find CBR too big a resort me... too spread out, hence the reason we opted for POFQ this year.... but we have planned in a visit to CSR to see if it's for us or not.....

Val
xx

[Michelle]

We've stayed at both CSR and POR.
We were really impressed with CSR. The resort is lovely.
POR was also nice, but we weren't keen on the room, we found it to be damp.
POR had a lovely atmosphere and if the room had of been different I don't think we would've tried another moderate.