Another help me choose... CSR, CBR, POP or YC

hdrolfe

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Feb 16, 2014
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Another one of those threads... I am currently booked at Yacht Club for the last week of August, travelling with my son who is 9. We stayed at YC two years ago and loved it. I am a little worried about the cost and would like to save some money (Canadian dollar isn't the best which is adding up). We have also stayed at POP and AOA previously and enjoyed both just fine, POP especially after the renovations (love having the coffee maker in the room!). We will be getting 7 Day Park Hoppers and Quick Service Dining plan (it works out to be a good deal for us with sharing meals). We can get free dining at POP, CSR or CBR. POP is obviously the cheapest, but doesn't have a water slide. I'm checking out construction updates for all three resorts, not sure what is still going on. So I can't decide what to do! On one hand, I'd like to save the money ($3850 for YC, $2900 CBR, $2800 CSR, $2150 POP). But we enjoy a pool with water slide, and we loved the ability to walk to Epcot and boat over to Hollywood Studios. We take afternoon breaks for swimming and rest. I was planning to get reservations at Beaches and Cream, and Cape May but we can eat elsewhere or even plan those on an Epcot day or something. Could do POR for $2950? I don't think there is construction there? What would you do?
 
We loved pop too!
We’re trying the new Gran Destino Tower ay CSR this time around. It opens 7/9 so will be brand new for you in August. Only thing is it’s not an EP resort. It’s closest resort is AK and not walkable. It sounds like it will feel more deluxe in a mod price range. CSR tower room gets my vote for you!
 
I'd go with CSR. It's the most deluxe feeling of the moderates and has an awesome pool. Plus, they just refurbed the rooms there and they're gorgeous. My children, who are around the same age as your son, love CSR. It's one of their favorite places we've stayed, even over the Poly.
 

POP is my favorite.
Haven't stayed at YC but would love to for convenience of easy access to 2 parks.
If money is a big factor then def go with POP.
If convenience/pool time is a bigger factor then go with YC.
I personally wouldn't go with CSR or CBR.
 
My 8-year-old (at the time) LOVED Pop and is quite upset that we are staying at CSR next trip. The food court was his favorite, but the rooms were upgraded and felt quite lovely so I was happy too. The theming is cute as well. Plus you can walk over to AOA. Pop is my vote.

~Cari~ pluto:
 
I should add that he has also been to Beach Club, Wilderness Lodge, Coronado Springs, and All Star Music...but Pop is his favorite.

~Cari~ pluto:
 
Never did deluxe before because it never made sense financially for us. Never been to CBR and Pop is my least favourite of all the resorts we've stayed at while CSR is my favourite with POFQ (POR is third). The pool at CSR is not as nice as Stormalong bay but it's really great imo! I also loved eating our breakfast and lunch at the pool cantina when at the resort (was a QS credit if I remember well) as we had a room in the Rancho section.
 
Another consideration for you , YC has by far the worst counter service options of your choices for esp since you have the QSDP
Ditto this.

I love Pop and would stay there every trip in a heartbeat. Since you're concerned about having a waterslide, could you use the savings and go to one of the water parks instead?
 
The most important factor, IMO, is your budget. Normally, I would say stay at the YC as its proximity to two parks and great pool does mean that it would work really well for you and your son. Also, the rooms are large and comfortable with balconies which is nice. Finally, you have stayed here and loved it!

However, I have never found a vacation where I was worried about the price to work out well for me personally. So, I would really look at the numbers (in CDN$$) to determine a budget that would be comfortable for this time around. All of the resorts that you have chosen are enjoyable - we have stayed in all of them and enjoyed our stays. We deliberately stay at all levels of resorts. One reason is differing financial considerations and different travelling companions, and the other is that we simply enjoy all WDW resorts in different ways and like to experience the nuances of staying in them all. This is your opportunity to try something new! It is exciting to find a new resort to love!

CBR currently has all the construction finished except the Skyliner. So, it is currently on my short list for a revisit. The pool here is great for young children, IMO. At 9 I believe that your son would enjoy the pool here. There are also other 'quiet' pools scattered throughout the resort. Be aware that this resort is large and spread out so there can be quite a distance from your room to the main public areas (themed pool, dining etc). The new dining here sounds to be good as well. I am looking forward to trying this one out again soon.

CSR is simply awesome as a moderate. It feels a little like a blend of deluxe and moderate (which Disney seems to be blurring the lines between with the new tower construction). We love the additional amenities and the pool which is second only to SAB. We also enjoy the ambience of the lake setting. I think that both you and your son would enjoy the pool area here. The slide and large hot tub are great.
This is also a large resort, but doesn't feel quite as large or have quite as confusing a layout as that at CBR.
I am concerned that they are changing this resort with the Gran Destino tower so that the quaint charm will be lost, but it should still tick all your boxes. The CSR is nice and centrally located so transportation, although by bus, has always been positive in our experience. NB: It is a convention resort, so that can mean groups of people in suits around the resort. This is off-putting to some people.

POP is a value resort, albeit my favourite. It has the newly renovated rooms that you may enjoy. However, I would stay in a moderate, if the budget allows. There is no slide in the pool here, which you indicate is important to you. Nevertheless, if this is the most comfortable price point, then I would stay here happily. You will also be a short walk to AoA for their over the top theming and food court. Some rooms here have really nice lake views. The rooms are the smallest of those that you are considering BUT with only 2 people will easily meet your needs.

FWIW: my opinion
from what I know of your situation, I would probably choose one of the two moderates - either CSR or CBR. Take a look online at the pools and various pictures of the resorts to decide which appeals to you and your son the most. If budget permits consider a preferred room location, but don't worry about getting this. We have stayed in preferred and regular rooms. While preferred locations are more convenient, the difference is only a few minutes to the main areas and buses have stops all around the resort so that it is never far to a bus stop.

Good luck choosing!
 
I'd go with CSR. It's the most deluxe feeling of the moderates and has an awesome pool. Plus, they just refurbed the rooms there and they're gorgeous. My children, who are around the same age as your son, love CSR. It's one of their favorite places we've stayed, even over the Poly.
I agree. My family loves YC. Last year, I tried CSR with my 3 kids and we loved it just as much. True, you can’t walk to Epcot, but my son actually liked CSR as much as he likes the Poly! We do a split stay. You could consider keeping a couple nights at YC with a room discount, starting at CSR with the package. That is my plan for our summer trip!
 
What's more important cost or convenience? If convenience, no question YC especially since you know what you like about it. I have always been a fan of moderates but had never tried CSR until this January. I loved it and would go back in a heartbeat over CBR. We were in the Cabana area and did have to walk out and around due to the new hotel construction to get to our room BUT it was no more than 5-7 minute walk which is acceptable to me. It did not feel as "Big" as some critics say. I can't say much about the food court because I only got a bagel and a yogurt parfait and I did not like the parfait at all (how can they mess up a parfait? I have no idea) Transportation/bus was fine, in fact better than expected. Room was recently renovated and I loved it. Keurig in the room. We were close to the pool too but didn't use it because it was cold that week.
 
From your post, $ and water slide seems to be your key drivers, as such, I would scratch off YC (even though it is wonderful). I put CBR and CSR in about the same category... preferring CBR over CSR which is a conference hotel, too. In the same price point is POR, which is lovely and there is a boat to DS. If you want to save more $, POP is great (you'd have to decide whether a slide is worth an extra $650). Have a magical trip.
 











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