ASMu vs Caribe Royal

[VAgal76]

I think I posted this in the wrong forum previously.

I thought I'd bet a fair opinion if I posted it on this board. I've never stayed off-site before other Hyatt MCO kind of thing. I've passed by Caribe Royale and it looks nice. How are the rooms? Staff? It's fairly close to DTD, right?

We are not doing any of the parks. Otherwise, I would not be debating this at all. There are 5 of us total. I have an ASMu family suite, but I found the 2 queen Caribe for 1/2 the cost and it would accommodate all of us. This is just a pre-cruise stay and we'll only doing mini-golf, swimming @ the resort and HDD @ FW. I don't think we'll be using Disney transportation much other than the opportunity to use ME. I'm torn, I can rent a vehicle an extra day without a problem. The extra few hundred bucks could go towards cruising or land activities.

Can you give me the low-down on staying off-site? Do you prefer it or do you miss staying at Disney properties? Is there another DTD resort hotel that you prefer (queen bedding is a necessity though)? I just want to be fairly close to Disney's mini-golf and have a nice pool area.

TIA

 

[disneynovic]

We stayed at the Caribe Royale 4 years ago, and we are 5. It is an allsuites hotel, with 2 queens in a seperate room, and a pull out couch in the sitting room. There was also a sink, microwave and small fridge. The kids loved the pool with the waterslide(nothing huge, but fun anyway). Ponderosa is right across the street which was great for our picky eaters with small appetites. They have shuttles running quite often to WDW, and it is less than 5 minutes to disney property.

We've always stayed offsite as our kids were young, and needed days off from the parks, and a break from the park during the day. Also, I never really found much food in the park that I wanted to eat, so we had the freedom to eat at familiar restaurants. We have also always had to do Disney on a budget, and tried to save money wherever we could.

One thing about the Caribe Royale, it is a big conference hotel, which is how we managed to stay there before.

 

[JennandJaryd]

I have stayed at both and Caribe Royale is a big step up from ASMU. Many restaurants in the hotel property. Pool area is great. Hot tubs, bar, etc.

 

[mhmcduff]

Have stayed at the Caribe twice and will again in May 08. Have also stayed in parks several times. We are not a big fan of disney buses so that has not been a big selling point for us on property. We always get a rental car-. THis year we got a standare SUV from dollar for 188 for the week- Anyways we love the Caribe because it is so close to the parks, we have stayed in the two room suites but the three room Villas are awesome! when you need it. Pool is good- convenience store and three eateries on property. Would recommend it as you get alot more space then what you pay for on property and it is actually closer to some parks then on property hotels- and much much quicker if you use a car.