Hi Shelley!
Welcome back to planDisney! I'm so glad you stopped by to see us again as you prepare for another Disney vacation!
Shelley, let me start by saying that you can't go wrong with either
Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort or
Disney's Port Orleans Resort - Riverside. I have stayed at both of these properties previously and enjoyed a wonderful stay at each. When choosing where to stay, my family tends to prioritize proximity to the theme parks as we're traveling with three children. With that in mind, I would choose Caribbean Beach over Port Orleans Riverside thanks to the
Disney Skyliner. Not only do you have access to this convenient mode of transportation to whisk you away to Disney's Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, or a neighboring resort, but Caribbean Beach also serves as the hub for the Skyliner so you can have direct access to the theme parks without even needing to transfer! I also prefer the dining options at Caribbean Beach with
Sebastian's Bistro and the
Banana Cabana Pool Bar both being great choices. However, Port Orleans Riverside does offer
water transportation to
Disney Springs which makes getting to all of those restaurants and shops a relaxing and easy trip if you plan to spend time there.
While room requests cannot be guaranteed, you can make them by
calling Disney Resort Hotel Reservations. They can make a note of your request and do their best to accommodate if possible. If asked for room location preference, you'll want to request Trinidad for the best chance of securing a room inspired by
The Little Mermaid. My panelist pal, Betsy, also
offered some great tips about using Online Check-in while also requesting a room that will take you
Under The Sea.
Shelley, I hope this information helps you plan for another magical visit later this year! If you have any other questions, please stop by to see us again here at planDisney - we're all ears!
Cheers,
Kristi