Boardwalk inn vs Caribbean Beach Resort?

[glohoffman]

which would you pick and why?
We would rent DVC at the boardwalk. We have two kids, they will be 6 and 4 at the time. Which is better for kids? I know the Boardwalk is a deluxe, but the pictures of the grounds dont scream deluxe to me? Ive never seen it in person. We stayed at Animal Kingdom Kidani last (and first) visit, and we loved the rooms and grounds. So just trying to get some opinions on the two from people who have been to both!
Also, if we did the CBR, would you recommend paying extra for a preferred room? or take our chances requesting a specific location? ( We will be going the week after labor day, 2015)
Thanks!!!

 

[L&Lfan]

Never stayed at the Caribbean Beach but we have stayed at the Boardwalk Inn 3 times and are staying there next month. We love it there! We don't have kids, though...

 

[glohoffman]

Never stayed at the Caribbean Beach but we have stayed at the Boardwalk Inn 3 times and are staying there next month. We love it there! We don't have kids, though...

Thanks! what makes you love it? Just trying to get lots of pros and cons to help me decide! My husband isnt "feeling" the decor, so I am trying to outweigh that with other positives!

 

[LisaCM614]

We love the decor but the location is what does it for us! Quick walk to Epcot and DHS. Love night time out on the Boardwalk - entertainers. So fun.

 

[JKeenz]

I have stayed at CBR, but not the Boardwalk. However, we have spent some time over at the Boardwalk, as you can walk there from both Epcot and DHS. I would also pick Boardwalk over CBR. The Boardwalk area has a lot to offer in terms of food options and entertainment. DH and I have walked over to the ESPN club for some adult beverages when we have needed a break from the parks. CBR is very spread out, and we found ourselves walking through parking lots to get to bus transportation. I know that many people like it, but we thought it was poorly laid out and not well planned. (I believe it's also the oldest of the moderate resorts.) Definitely our least favorite of the moderates. Just one opinion!

 

[L&Lfan]

1. within walking distance from Epcot and DHS (or take the boat)
2. proximity to great restaurants at Epcot, Boardwalk, Yacht & Beach Clubs, Swan/Dolphin and DHS.
3. Luna Pool with 200' water slide
4. great lounge (Belle Vue)
5. Boardwalk activities (biking, surrey biking, watercraft, street performers) and night life (Atlantic Dance Hall, Jellyrolls, ESPN Club)


All of this, I realize, might have more appeal for adults, but we love staying at the Boardwalk Inn.

 

[Judyfun]

I've done both, Boardwalk has bigger rooms, in the middle of the action, nicer pool, indoor hallways to rooms. Caribbean Beach has a food court, larger grounds

 

[pamkat1820]

I have to say for me there is no comparison. The Epcot resorts offer so much more than CBR. It has a great pool, you can walk or take the boat to EP or DHS. For us transportation is a big deciding factor on where we r going to stay, anything not to take the bus. So having the choice of taking the boat or walking to 2 parks I'm sold!

Kids factor- mine are 4 & 8 they looked the area. When we stayed at YC and asked if next time we could stay at the BWI because of the performers outside.

 

[nkereina]

CBR has a much better pool but the location of BWI can't be beat, with the boat and ability to walk to two of the four parks.

 

[Sandi]

You say you'd be doing DVC at BW. Would you get a studio, one bedroom or two bedroom? I love the BWI and have also done a studio at BWV. We've also stayed at CBR a couple of times. Both BWV amd BWI (especially BWI) top CBR for me, but the kids might like the CBR pool and playground if you intend to spend a lot of time at the resort. If you're basing your decision on what your kids would like (something I wouldn't do - not that I don't love my child, but . . .), then CBR might be the right resort.

 

[KonaKaiTom]

If it is in the budget, when in doubt always choose a deluxe over a moderate. There are many reasons why they are "deluxe." Among the best reasons, location, location, location. Oh, did I mention location?

Tom

 

[glohoffman]

We would do a studio at boardwalk. The pool definitely appeals to the kids much more at the CBR.
is the decor and interior of the BW better in person? I feel like pics may not do any justice.
As far as price difference, we would be going during free dining. So if we rented dvc, it would cost us the free dining. (Which works really well for our family so we want the dining plan).
Is the transportation horrible at CBR? We stayed at AKV last time, so the bus system is all we know.
Thanks for all the responses!

 

[glohoffman]

Does the boardwalk have fun activities they do for the kids like the other deluxe resorts do? Anyone with experience there?

 

[Atchley]

We have never stayed at BW but have stayed at CBR. We are staying at CBR a couple of days next year before switching to AKV. We do really love CBR.
That said-I would choose BW for its location and room size. It is also a deluxe and have more activities around the pool for the kids.

 

[eeyoresmom]

I love BWV but I get what your DH means about the decor. BWI and BWV are not as "themed" as CBR. IF you stayed at AKL, you will be hard pressed to find a resort as themed as that. I would say the feel of the BW is casually elegant. It definitely feels more adult and upscale than CBR but at the same time there is a lot if kids activities and a community hall for them .The ability to walk to Epcot and HS (or take a boat which most kids love) is a huge benefit. If you are renting DVC points you could also rent for AKV or VWL which both have over the top theming.

 

[linzjriley]

I've stayed at CRB several times, while it's nice it's my least fav mod. This is mostly due to the size of the resort. I think I remember there being 8 or 9 stops on the bus route. If you get on at the first stop you may get to sit but it take about 20-25 min to hit the rest of the stops before you even leave the resort to head to a park. If there's no room you have to wait for the next bus. Also because it's so spread out unless you get a preferred room location you may have 10-15 min walk to the main building. Otherwise it's lovely. I'm staying at Boardwalk for the first time next month. I'm very excited, this resort has been on my bucket list! Location wise it can't be best. I love the boardwalk area. Just imagine after watching the fireworks at Epcot just exiting at IG walking 5 min and your home for the night instead of fighting crowds for 10 min to get to the front of the park and then waiting 20 min or more for a bus!

 

[glohoffman]

If we decided to go moderate, would you suggest a different one? I was really just going with cbr because of the great pool, but would love to hear other opinions!

 

[Donna3271]

Does the boardwalk have fun activities they do for the kids like the other deluxe resorts do? Anyone with experience there?

Yes. They have a handout of what is going on. I have a pdf of it, but don't know how to link it. If you pm me your email, I can email it to you.

The clown pool is really cool for kids. CBR has the pirate pool… but for me and my 3 kids… Boardwalk hands down. My son loves Star Wars (close to HS - walk or boat), and any resort that limits bus service for us, is the best choice. If you have a stroller and love to walk (AND have a hopper), you can walk through epcot and take the monorail to MK as well…. did I mention I dislike the buses? LOL!!!

Also, FWIW…. CBR is my least Fav mod, and I've stayed at them all.

 

[smiths02]

You also have to way the pros and cons of renting points. I am not sure if you are renting through a broker or a person. But point rentals are often not refundable, transferrable and not able to be changed.


Other than that, BWV would win hands down because of the location (close to two parks AND lots of dining)

 

[Miranda]

We don't have kids, but my opinion of CBR is the same as the others... it's my least favorite moderate. Although we have not stayed at CS... but I have stayed at POR and POFQ with my parents when I was growing up, back when they were Dixie Landings and just Port Orleans.

I love the transportation options at BWI. I am not sure if the theming on the BWV side is the same as the BWI side. The theming was nice indoors, but it doesn't extend outside it that much (we didn't really go to the pools or anything, though, we mostly always came out on the Boardwalk side), and kids may not really be into "1920's fancy hotel" theming. I liked it because it made me feel like I was at an old timey hotel, but I might have thought it was lame when I was a kid.