disneyworld hotels- moderate
 

Off to Disney World in October. Usually stay at Value resorts, but have relatives with us, so will go for one the moderate resorts. Is there one that has easier transportation than the others? 2 kids, 5 and 8, then 4 adults. we heard there was boat transportation at one of the Port Orleans hotels. I know Disneyland VERY well but with the World I need HELP!

We have stayed at the Coronado Springs twice for a business convention. It's a wonderful hotel and I would recommend it to anyone. You can take a free shuttle bus to any of the other Disney properties or to the parks or the Disney Marketplace.

We got good rates off season at the Polynesian, plus it's on the monorail line.

The Port Orleans was very nice. I stayed there several years ago. The Coronado is more removed from the parks. The boat ride at the Port Orleans takes you to Downtown Disney(I think) not the parks. I have stayed at the Polynesian and thought it was great to be on the monorail, but the rooms are not worth the high price. If you can get a deal, than I would recommend the monorail hotels for ease. DisneyWorld is huge compared to Disneyland.
I think the Wilderness Lodge has boat transportation.

We stayed at Coronado Springs. We liked it but it is very spread out. There are multiple bus stops but it's a big place if you want to go to the front desk, pool, etc.

Try to get a deal at the Wilderness Lodge. It's usually less than a deluxe but not much more than a moderate. Check out www.mousesavers.com for deals. Also, www.disboards.com is the best website for Disney advice.

I stayed at Coronado Springs in April and was disappointed. In my opinion it wasn't any nicer than the all-star complex and was in need of updating. We did enjoy the food court even though it was a hike to get there.

The only moderate I've stayed in was the Caribbean Beach Hotel. The hotel was very nice, but I hated taking the bus back and forth and having to stand on it most of the time on the return trip. If any of you are a teacher or government worker or nurse, you can get a nice discount at the Swan/Dolphin. It is a very short boat ride to Epcot and MGM from there and an NOT crowded bus to AK and Magic Kingdom. You are also a three minute walk from the Boardwalk from there..

My family and I stayed at the Port Orleans hotel. While the rooms weren't the best I've ever seen, they were far from the worst either. The hotel was very convenient and entertaining for our group. I was traveling with my 5 and 2&1/2 year olds, as well as my husband and my mother. Be sure to ask for the "mansion rooms". We stayed in September, right after school starts, and we rarely had any lines over 10 minutes to wait in. October should be pleasant for you.

Here are some links with pictures:

Disney's Coronado Springs:
http://disneylinks.net/Resorts/CoronadoSprings/

Disney's Caribbean Beach resort:
http://disneylinks.net/Resorts/CaribbeanBeach/

Disney's Port Orleans Riverside:
http://disneylinks.net/Resorts/PortOrleansRiverside/


Disney's Port Orleans French Quarter:
http://disneylinks.net/Resorts/PortO...FrenchQuarter/

I have only ever stayed at Riverside and I loved it but the theming and compact lay-out of French Quarter is probably better for kids. Caribbean Beach is beautiful - the main complaint is that it is so spread out. Coronado Springs seems more "adult" and, in fact, is used a lot for conventions.

www.disneyworldlinks.com has links to lots of great Disney World related sites to help with your research.

Port Orleans Riverside has a marina. French Quarter & Riverside both have boats to Downtown Disney but not to the parks. Parks are reached via Disney Buses.