Booked ... Did we make the "right" choice?

[boomchip]

We are booked for a 9-night stay at CBR in May/June 2022. It is for 3 adults and 2 kids (ages 6 and 9), so we got the 5th sleeper option. I've only stayed at Pop and WL - both ends of the spectrum - 10+ years ago, well before any refurbishments, and at the time both of those were occupancy of 2. Will we be cramped at CBR? It seems like it is themed really nice so I don't think we'd dislike it for that reason. It just doesn't feel like it is that much above the Value level after sitting on the reservation for a few weeks now. I've heard having quick access to the Riviera dining options is a big plus of course.

So ... There's obviously a lot of time to change it up, but we were also looking at maybe getting two connecting/adjoining rooms at Pop instead so we'd have more room to lounge around or not have to fight (as much) over the bathrooms/showers. Having stayed there before I can conceptualize the accommodations working well. We just kind of feel like wanting to stay somewhere different from our last trips, even though they were so long ago. Thought about ASM because the suites look like a good option, but I've heard the pricing can be unreasonable at times comparing to other resorts. We also don't really like the suite options at AoA even with the recent refurbs. Access to the Skyliner would be great, so that kind of narrows the options down to CBR or Pop for us. Given it is a longer stay, I also tried to entertain the idea of having a split stay but that idea was shot down by my better half .

 

[The WDW 3]

Sounds great to me.

 

[Koda]

With 3 adults and 2 kids for 9 days, I would take any option with 2 bathrooms! Our family of 5 has done 2 connecting rooms at a value many times, and have also stayed at the suites at ASMu. In my opinion, the extra bathroom is a must, especially when trying to get out the door for park opening in the morning. The suite has a small kitchenette and you can sit on the couch and relax, rather than having to sit on a bed all the time. You are also guaranteed to be together, whereas 2 connecting rooms are not guaranteed. We are looking to stay at AOA this Summer in a suite with our 3 adult daughters.

That being said, DH and I have stayed at CBR (just the 2 of us) and loved the theming! The resort itself is definitely a step up from the values. So I guess it just depends on your priorities. Either way you will have a great time!

 

[Marionnette]

We are booked for a 9-night stay at CBR in May/June 2022. It is for 3 adults and 2 kids (ages 6 and 9), so we got the 5th sleeper option. I've only stayed at Pop and WL - both ends of the spectrum - 10+ years ago, well before any refurbishments, and at the time both of those were occupancy of 2. Will we be cramped at CBR? It seems like it is themed really nice so I don't think we'd dislike it for that reason. It just doesn't feel like it is that much above the Value level after sitting on the reservation for a few weeks now. I've heard having quick access to the Riviera dining options is a big plus of course.

So ... There's obviously a lot of time to change it up, but we were also looking at maybe getting two connecting/adjoining rooms at Pop instead so we'd have more room to lounge around or not have to fight (as much) over the bathrooms/showers. Having stayed there before I can conceptualize the accommodations working well. We just kind of feel like wanting to stay somewhere different from our last trips, even though they were so long ago. Thought about ASM because the suites look like a good option, but I've heard the pricing can be unreasonable at times comparing to other resorts. We also don't really like the suite options at AoA even with the recent refurbs. Access to the Skyliner would be great, so that kind of narrows the options down to CBR or Pop for us. Given it is a longer stay, I also tried to entertain the idea of having a split stay but that idea was shot down by my better half .

Do you normally sleep in a room with 4 other people? If not then YES, YOU WILL FEEL CRAMPED! The question is whether all of you can tolerate it for 9 nights. I know that we couldn't. Someone would end up taking an unplanned swim in the lake by the 5th night.

 

[cvjw]

Zero chance I could share a small hotel room with 4 other people for 9 nights. Doesn’t sound like a vacation to me.

 

[supamaki]

Maybe look into renting DVC points and getting something a little bigger

 

[Gehrig1B]

We do it all the time. You will learn to coordinate your use of the facilities and be fine. Has never been a problem for us.

 

[SarahC97]

I would definitely vote for more room. CBRs rooms would be tight with a family of five for that many nights, IMO. I would go with your first instinct and get two rooms at a value.

 

[VH103428]

We just did the 5 at CBR and it was fine. I would do it again in a heartbeat.

 

[Heather07438]

CBR is great because it’s the hub for the Skyliner, so it’s just one hop to get to EP or HS. Pop and AoA need to go to CBR first then board a second gondala to get to EP or HS. Assuming you’ll be using Skyliner plenty over 9 days between those parks and possibly coming back for pool breaks, that’s a big advantage.

But... how well do you think the 5 of you will fair sleeping every night? DH and I did 4 ppl in a studio (3 adults one kid) and it worked out fine. On a different trip my SIL shared a room with the 3 of us for one night and that was enough lol. She was restless and kept us up. The good thing at WDW is exhaustion so usually everybody’s happy and able to close their eyes quickly haha

If sleep quality and bathroom competition seems like potential issues it might be worth doing 2 studios at Pop. But if you think you’ll manage fine together, CBR would be great with the easier Skyliner and access to Riviera.

 

[iheartglaciers]

CBR is definitely a step up from the values. The grounds are really nice and there are some great places to relax. And, like you said, access to the food at Riviera is a big perk.

 

[LiveLifeLoud]

Who is the third adult? I think you’d be fine with your family of 4. It depends on who the third adult is.

I stayed at CBR twice with my kids around the same ages. I grew up in apartments and once I had kids we’ve never had more than one bathroom in our homes. We make it work. It’s about efficiency. So sharing a hotel room when they were young was not an issue. My kids can also sleep through any noise so we could stay up and watch tv, chat, hang out and they smelt right through it.

Now that they are teenagers I won’t share a room with them. Last time we shared a room they were 15 and 10 and I said never again.

I don’t know if I would do it with another adult.

 

[boomchip]

Maybe look into renting DVC points and getting something a little bigger

I had seen that option as well, but it seems daunting as it's said to be risky!

 

[boomchip]

Who is the third adult? I think you’d be fine with your family of 4. It depends on who the third adult is.

I stayed at CBR twice with my kids around the same ages. I grew up in apartments and once I had kids we’ve never had more than one bathroom in our homes. We make it work. It’s about efficiency. So sharing a hotel room when they were young was not an issue. My kids can also sleep through any noise so we could stay up and watch tv, chat, hang out and they smelt right through it.

Now that they are teenagers I won’t share a room with them. Last time we shared a room they were 15 and 10 and I said never again.

I don’t know if I would do it with another adult.

Third adult is my 75-year old mother. She's not a bother for us as a group because we've stayed with her on a shorter trip (not WDW) before, but a 9-night stay is unprecedented for us!

 

[LiveLifeLoud]

Third adult is my 75-year old mother. She's not a bother for us as a group because we've stayed with her on a shorter trip (not WDW) before, but a 9-night stay is unprecedented for us!

I would do two rooms. The kids may be too much for your mom after a few days. Everyone needs space. I know my mother and grandmothers can only take small children for so long before it’s too much. It’ll give you space, quiet time and an extra bathroom.

 

[Heather07438]

Third adult is my 75-year old mother. She's not a bother for us as a group because we've stayed with her on a shorter trip (not WDW) before, but a 9-night stay is unprecedented for us!

DH and I did 4 ppl in a studio (3 adults one kid) and it worked out fine.

This trip was with my DH, his Mom and our son. We stayed 6 nights at POR, a moderate without the 5th sleeper. It was a great trip! Actually was surprised how well it turned out. There’s something special in sharing with multi-generations that made us all more tolerant. Fantastic memories and I’d do that trip again in a heartbeat.

 

[pigletgirl]

Third adult is my 75-year old mother. She's not a bother for us as a group because we've stayed with her on a shorter trip (not WDW) before, but a 9-night stay is unprecedented for us!

I would absolutely do 2 rooms. Can't put a price on happiness during vacation!

 

[Dug720]

but we were also looking at maybe getting two connecting/adjoining rooms at Pop

Just as a note with this (well, a couple):
First, connecting or adjoining rooms would only be a request - no matter what the CM tells you on the phone, they will not guarantee it.
Second, and more importantly - Connecting and Adjoining mean very different things in hotel-speak. If you want to request rooms with an internal door between them, you need to request CONNECTING. If you're good with the rooms being next door, around the corner, back to back, etc. but without an internal door between them, the request could be ADJOINING. A good reservations or travel agent will clarify which you mean, but far too many don't bother and just put whatever the request is verbatim on the reservation. I used to work in the hotel industry and more than once we had people complaining that they did not get their request for "adjoining" rooms when in fact they had gotten them; they had just meant "connecting" and no one clarified at the time of reservation.

That being said, I'm in the minority. Pop does nothing to help me have a relaxing vacation. The color scheme in the rooms is jarring, and the whole vibe feels like rehab chic. I'd much rather go with CBR if those are the choices.

 

[wide awake]

Definitely two rooms. Wouldn't even consider 5 to a room. That said, they're your family and it might work great.

 

[Eastern]

Only you know your family. For us, one room would be fine. Bathroom gets juggled. Cost savings is great. You will have fun being together.

otoh I can see how this would never work for some families. Everyone is different.