5 people - debating between Caribbean Beach vs Riverside

[traveljunkie]

Hello!
I have to make a quick decision because I'm looking at next weekend for a trip between Riverside and Caribbean beach, or stay offsite.....
I will have 5 ppl in a room--2 adults and 3 kids (3, 5, 8). For close to the same price (Riverside about $120 less), I can get the above resorts that sleep 5 people. We have never stayed at either of them. They both have huge resort layouts so I'm conflicted. Love the idea of skyliner but MK will probably be our focus and maybe HS and pool. Also, storms in the summer closing skyliner is a thing. This is only a 4 night trip. Also have to factor in the free water park day on arrival.
Which would you choose with these littles. We would have one resort day (Sunday) and 2.5 park days. Also, we are driving so we have access to a car.

Thanks for any input you have!!!

 

[sponica]

I like Riverside and all the 5th sleepers are located in Alligator Bayou. I've yet to stay at CBR, but we're there post cruise in August.

The standard 5th sleepers are more or less in the red buildings below. You could request building 16, it's near a parking lot if you want to drive and it's not a super long walk to the main building. I usually just take the main depot bus stop at POR.

 

[traveljunkie]

Thank you! I forgot to mention that the unit at Riverside I have is a "wooded view". I'm sorry I didn't include that in my haste!

 

[Dug720]

I'd pick CBR. But I'm weird and don't like the PO themeing - especially the bayou section.

 

[Mommb]

With older people I would pick Riverside so you could take the boat to Disney Springs (weather permitting). With littles, it may be more of a toss-up.

 

[sponica]

Thank you! I forgot to mention that the unit at Riverside I have is a "wooded view". I'm sorry I didn't include that in my haste!

Those are practically everywhere in alligator bayou that isn't a preferred room.....more or less.



I don't have any experiences at CBR to compare to POR though...

I think what it'll come down is what theming do you want to immerse yourself into and whether or not you want to pay the premium for a skyliner you may or may not use.

 

[elvispursley]

I think given the potential for the skylines being down due to summer storms, I’d choose POR. Alligator Bayou is just lovely. My kids loved the quiet pool for swimming and the main themed pool has a great slide. You also have the boat to DS you can use (although that does close with inclement weather). We didn’t find POR too large and it was very easy walk to front of the resort. CBR just seems so spread out.

 

[DizneyFamof4]

This is a tough one The skyliner, for us, is a game changer and our family loves it, but we usually go to HS and Epcot 1-2 times per trip, so we use it a lot. We like the POR theme better but the CBR rooms are a tad bigger 314 vs 340 Sq Ft.
I would just look at the theme and look at some resort and room tours online and have the family decide that way, buses are buses and can be great to bad at any resort, so neither a plus or a minus.

 

[Stitch'sCousin]

Another vote for POR! We have stayed there multiple times with 5 people in a room and really enjoyed the location. Unfortunately, we can’t book there anymore as they changed it to 4 adults max. in the 5 people rooms, even though our youngest easily fits on the fold down bed. The boat to Disney Springs is a bonus. We stayed once at CBR with 5 people (before the skyliner) and found that it felt a lot more spread out and seemed to have more walking than at POR.

 

[HopperFan]

Whichever you choose DRIVE to the water park!

 

[Lumpy1106]

+1 POR
CBR is the only resort we have ever moved out of because we were disappointed with it. Rooms felt dated, buses took forever, it was just - meh. We only booked there because POR was partially closed for refurbishment and we couldn't get a room there. POR has a better pool, better QS, better bus transportation, the boat to DS, and it's sooo peaceful. Mind you this was before Skyliner opened so if you are willing to look past the flaws to ride Skyliner then that's your pick.

FWIW, when we moved out of CBR we went to a family suite at AoA. We LOVED that, and it's on the Skyliner. Just sayin'...

 

[daae3]

I’ve stayed at both… and this is going to probably not help you… But if Skyliner is not a factor… They are going to be very similar other than the theme… The one advantage POR has is the boat to downtown Disney… But for such a short trip… Not sure it would matter… I’d go with whichever one you get the best deal at…

 

[hardcorestitch]

Hello!
I have to make a quick decision because I'm looking at next weekend for a trip between Riverside and Caribbean beach, or stay offsite.....
I will have 5 ppl in a room--2 adults and 3 kids (3, 5, 8). For close to the same price (Riverside about $120 less), I can get the above resorts that sleep 5 people. We have never stayed at either of them. They both have huge resort layouts so I'm conflicted. Love the idea of skyliner but MK will probably be our focus and maybe HS and pool. Also, storms in the summer closing skyliner is a thing. This is only a 4 night trip. Also have to factor in the free water park day on arrival.
Which would you choose with these littles. We would have one resort day (Sunday) and 2.5 park days. Also, we are driving so we have access to a car.

Thanks for any input you have!!!

Definitely choose Riverside. The ambience at the entire Port Orleans resort is so charming, and they have great onsite food options. Plus, they have a nice boat that gives you easy access to Disney Springs (not to mention it may be the only boat you can truly ride at WDW since the Rivers of America dried up). You won’t have these unique experiences if you stay at Caribbean Beach… although if you still want to ride the Skyliner you’re always a Disney Transport bus away from the Caribbean Beach area.

 

[cindrew]

We love CBR! We love all the colorful villages, the sandy beaches with hammocks, the Carribean music playing, the play areas on the island, the 2 water slides at the main pool and the feature kiddie pool and each village has its own quite pool. Of course the skyliner is awesome and quick! Aside from using the skyliner to go to Epcot or Hollywood we enjoy being able to visit and dine at Riviera Resort as well as all the other resorts on the skyliner. I love getting on the skyliner and going over to the Pop Century, Art of Animation, Boardwalk, Yacht & Beach Club or Swan and Dolphin. I always visit WDW in August and it storms pretty much every day though I’ve never experienced the skyliner down because of it. But if it’s storming it will go down and WDW will bring out more buses to get people where they need to go. As previous posters have said, it comes down to your preferred theming. Whatever resort you select, you are basically only there to sleep as you will be at the parks, shopping, dining or swimming. In any event enjoy your trip!

 

[DisneyMomx7]

CBR. Pool is amazing for kids. Love the Skyliner. Rooms are a little bigger at CBR. Tropical vibe!

 

[ShannyMcB]

The skyliner being down stinks for sure! Never been to PO but with littles that age the pool at CBR would be great. If the QS at CBR is not to your liking you are a very quick ride to AOA, pop and Riviera for options. And with access to your car having to wait for the bus is a non-issue for MK or AK. When we were there for a week the skyliner was down once, unfortunately it was end of the night which was rough with a a toddler and left kind of a sour taste in our mouths but now that the kids are older I would go back with the right rates offered.