Caribbean Beach vs. PO French Quarter in January

[mgilbert2788]

Hi there! My boyfriend and I (early 30's) are heading to WDW January 26-Feb 1, 2020. We are currently booked with a water/pool view at the Caribbean Beach. I know the skyliner will offer quick access to HS and Epcot, but I've heard mixed reviews about CBR. I'm considering staying at the French Quarter, but would need to take buses to all parks. My main concern is getting to the parks as early as possible before rope drop in the mornings. And we, of course, just want a great overall experience. Which of these two hotels would you guys suggest? I really appreciate everyone's help. We're going to be there for my birthday and it's a dream come true!

 

[stratman50th]

Never stayed at the CBR but I have stayed at the French Quarter numerous times (Building 4 mostly). Love it for it's size and the bus transportation has always been great. I would vote for FQ just because.

 

[Kerri Whitmire]

Hi there! My boyfriend and I (early 30's) are heading to WDW January 26-Feb 1, 2020. We are currently booked with a water/pool view at the Caribbean Beach. I know the skyliner will offer quick access to HS and Epcot, but I've heard mixed reviews about CBR. I'm considering staying at the French Quarter, but would need to take buses to all parks. My main concern is getting to the parks as early as possible before rope drop in the mornings. And we, of course, just want a great overall experience. Which of these two hotels would you guys suggest? I really appreciate everyone's help. We're going to be there for my birthday and it's a dream come true!

We have stayed at both of these resorts multiple times. POFQ is by far my favorite moderate resort just because of the size alone. I love that there is only one bus stop and all of the buildings are close to the main building. CBR is nice, but it is very spread out with multiple bus stops in the one resort.

 

[Zé_Carioca]

Are you just going to focus on parks? I ask because for a couple, POFQ is great because it is so charming and it also has a boat straight to Springs for entertainment and drinks in the evening.

Caribbean Beach has recently been renovated so the lobby and rooms are very modern and of course the skyliner is a big plus. The only downside is that for the parks that the gondolas do not go to (MK and DAK) you will have to use a bus and Caribbean beach is so big that it has multiple bus stops and depending on your stop, the bus might already be packed. That brings me to the second downside, the sheer size of the resort, the convenience will really depend on your room's location, you could be a far walk from the lobby, pool or gondola station.

 

[John park hopper]

Have stayed at both and our favorite is POFQ. I'm not sure how the new DVC Riviera will detract from the CBR atmosphere. We liked POFQ-- buses were on time one stop at the resort and direct to the parks. CBR had multiple stops.

 

[jaybrad]

Port Orleans French Quarter is out favorite Moderate. CBR is on the bottom of our list for moderates. That being said, CBR has been refurbished since our stay there. We have being going to WDW since 1973 (41 trips from Texas)and have stayed at all the resorts with the exception of a couple of the newer ones. Our other favorites and least liked are Deluxe - Yacht Club is favorite, Grand Floridian least liked. DVC - Favorite Old Key West near hospitality house least liked Animal Kingdom. Value - Pop Century least liked All Star Star Music.
Disney Stays 1973 - 2019
Value:
Disney's All-Star Movies Resort
Disney's All-Star Music Resort
Disney's All-Star Sports Resort
Disney's Art of Animation Resort
Disney's Pop Century Resort
The Campsites at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort
Moderate:
Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort
Disney's Coronado Springs Resort
Disney's Port Orleans Resort - French Quarter
Disney's Port Orleans Resort - Riverside
The Cabins at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort
Deluxe:
Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge
Disney's Beach Club Resort
Disney's BoardWalk Inn
Disney's Contemporary Resort
Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Disney's Polynesian Village Resort
Disney's Wilderness Lodge
Disney's Yacht Club Resort
Deluxe Villas:
Bay Lake Tower at Disney's Contemporary Resort
Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas - Jambo House
Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas - Kidani Village
Disney's Beach Club Villas
Disney's BoardWalk Villas
Disney's Old Key West Resort
Disney's Polynesian Villas & Bungalows
Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
The Villas at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
The Villas at Disney's Wilderness Lodge

 

[SamandplanningUK]

We have stayed at CBR and PFQ and there are plusses and minuses about both resorts. I would be happy to stay at either resort again but we are staying at POR this time.

This is just my opinion.

CBR plusses - Theming, pool and slides, food.
CBR minuses - a big resort, buses more crowded.

PFQ - Theming, small and quieter, boat to Springs.
PFQ - Small pool with only one slide so pool very crowded, we didn't enjoy the food here as much.

 

[Dave B]

CBR is awful since the remodel, POFQ all day long

 

[correcaminos]

Neither are my favorite moderates. But really I like POR or CSR and not really CBR and POFQ. I think with the skyliner I'd do CBR. None are bad, I just don't love them but I think it's a theme thing.