Brief CSR review during construction, first time there (many times to others)

[Eswift]

Just got back from a trip and stayed at CSR. I'll start with the good.

- The room was great. Without knowing I'd say it was recently refurbed, it was a preferred room. Beautiful space, modern feel, etc.

- The "food court." I liked the variety and everything on offer. This past weekend was extremely busy, no idea why. Touringplans had it projected at AK as a 3 for instance and it was an 8. Everything was just really busy, resort included. The food court was still quick even with decent lines.

- The gift shop there was a descent size compared to CBR's (now demolished) little one.

- It's very picturesque, and you can even watch the MK fireworks from there.

- The location, nothing is super close but everything is fairly close and nothing is super far. I really love AKL and put up with it being a bit further away for how gorgeous I find it, but it was nice being so central.

Now the not so great:

- I didn't start in prefered, I was in a room I could literally reach out and touch the construction fence. I kept an open mind though. 630 am a work team is hammering in silt fence 20 feet away. 430ish am a generator of considerable size kicked in. Both woke me up. Hence the move. I supervise for a company that does civil services (construction) and there's a way to do this kind of thing correctly. We have jobs all the time with mandated 9 am starts. Disney isn't doing this here. I have to feel a 9am - 5am construction period over 7am - 3am would be preferable here. I'm not sure if they have really poor project managers or just literally don't care. And yes they did stop at 3, so they weren't doing 10 - 12 hour days to "rush" the project.

- The size. I honestly can't get past this. I don't mind walking. I love CBR. I've stayed at the very end of AKL, but at CSR there seems to be no way to be close to dining and the pool. It's one or the other. I love using the hot tubs and obviously eating is a requirement.

Overall it's a very nice resort but to me it's not a great disney resort. Not because of theming or other concerns I've read, just that it's so lazily done. A bridge through that lake like they did at CBR solves the issue of size in a heartbeat. I've only stayed at 8 disney resorts but this is the first one I would straight up not reccommend to someone.

It's just purely the size. I thought it wouldn't bother me because I always hear that complaint about CBR as well. I still had a great trip, I still enjoyed my stay at the resort. I also think they're being very greedy keeping rooms open 8 feet away from construction. I could touch the fence from my door in the first room. I think that's a short term gain long term hurt situation. I know there are better resorts but if I was a first time guest to WDW and that's what I got, I may just assume it's the norm. I wouldn't be going back.

 

[ajwolfe]

Interesting take on the size. To us we felt like the size was more of an issue at CBR than at CSR, but I feel like that probably has more to do with where you are staying and what you are doing while there.

 

[Grmnshplvr]

So glad you posted this, we're booked for CSR this August. After watching a resort tour video on youtube I am second guessing our decision. We want to try something new Already did POFQ, CBR, POP, AKL, and all star music. Don't really want to do something we already did.

I called to switch to POR and there is nothing available with our bounce back offer

 

[Shellyb84]

So glad you posted this, we're booked for CSR this August. After watching a resort tour video on youtube I am second guessing our decision. We want to try something new Already did POFQ, CBR, POP, AKL, and all star music. Don't really want to do something we already did.

I called to switch to POR and there is nothing available with our bounce back offer

We've had 3 great stays at CSR. I wouldn't let this one review totally sway your decision. It's not for everyone, but no resort is. We found the size and layout of CBR to be confusing and it seemed larger to us. I wouldn't hesitate to stay at CSR again even with the construction, but of course construction is bothersome sometimes and can possibly change the atmosphere of the resort temporarily. Check out the CSR resort thread, you'll find many more reviews and info there.

 

[Grmnshplvr]

We've had 3 great stays at CSR. I wouldn't let this one review totally sway your decision. It's not for everyone, but no resort is. We found the size and layout of CBR I wouldn't hesitate to stay there again even with the construction, but of course construction is bothersome sometimes and can possibly change the atmosphere of the resort temporarily. Check out the CSR resort thread, you'll find many more reviews and info there.

the video we saw the construction was pretty obnoxious no matter where he went you could hear all sorts of noise from it. I was excited to stay there but guess I underestimated how much work was being done.

 

[Eswift]

So glad you posted this, we're booked for CSR this August. After watching a resort tour video on youtube I am second guessing our decision. We want to try something new Already did POFQ, CBR, POP, AKL, and all star music. Don't really want to do something we already did.

I called to switch to POR and there is nothing available with our bounce back offer

I would suggest paying for preferred and accepting very long walks to and from the pool. CBR is an absolute mess right now too, I'm not sure if that's done by august or not. If you don't mind longer walks to the pepper market (food court) then you could stay close to the pool. It doesn't affect going to and from the parks because the bus stops are spaced out around the resort.

I get drinks fairly regularly with the refillable mugs so I like to be near the food court. 3 bucks a pop at the vending machines they have all over seems like a slap in the face. Maybe you'll like CSR, could have a different opinion than me. I just really see no redeeming qualities in the lay out of the place and for me that's a deal breaker.

 

[Eswift]

We've had 3 great stays at CSR. I wouldn't let this one review totally sway your decision. It's not for everyone, but no resort is. We found the size and layout of CBR I wouldn't hesitate to stay there again even with the construction, but of course construction is bothersome sometimes and can possibly change the atmosphere of the resort temporarily. Check out the CSR resort thread, you'll find many more reviews and info there.

I'm confused, are you saying that it's the same size/layout of CBR? There's just no way. The bridge in CBR cuts the travel time by a huge amount. I could go to google and give you precise distances but there's no need, you can eyeball it and see it is a massive amount more walking.

 

[Grmnshplvr]

I would suggest paying for preferred and accepting very long walks to and from the pool. CBR is an absolute mess right now too, I'm not sure if that's done by august or not. If you don't mind longer walks to the pepper market (food court) then you could stay close to the pool. It doesn't affect going to and from the parks because the bus stops are spaced out around the resort.

I get drinks fairly regularly with the refillable mugs so I like to be near the food court. 3 bucks a pop at the vending machines they have all over seems like a slap in the face. Maybe you'll like CSR, could have a different opinion than me. I just really see no redeeming qualities in the lay out of the place and for me that's a deal breaker.

We like to use the main pool quite a lot and try to keep our resort walking to a minimum. Although we do get groceries delivered so its rare we ever use our mugs really. I totally forgot about the construction at CBR too ugh.....and that is even worse! I would stay there again in a heartbeat but not with that going on. I may have to look into doing a deluxe again. Construction is a huge con for me I dont want to see it, or hear it on vacation lol

 

[Shellyb84]

I'm confused, are you saying that it's the same size/layout of CBR? There's just no way. The bridge in CBR cuts the travel time by a huge amount. I could go to google and give you precise distances but there's no need, you can eyeball it and see it is a massive amount more walking.

I edited my post. I started a thought in the middle and didn't finish it apparently lol.

We found the layout of CBR to be confusing. Maybe CSR is larger (but I'm pretty sure I've read elsewhere CBR is larger but I could be wrong), I was just saying how it felt to us.

It is a lot of walking but there is a lot we like about the resort despite that.

 

[saskdw]

I'm confused, are you saying that it's the same size/layout of CBR? There's just no way. The bridge in CBR cuts the travel time by a huge amount. I could go to google and give you precise distances but there's no need, you can eyeball it and see it is a massive amount more walking.

There is a video on youtube where someone records the walk from Ranchos (farthest room location at CSR) to the food court. It takes them 7 mins and you can clearly see in the video they have an average walking speed. How is this a massive amount of walking? How long do you think it takes to walk from the Pirate rooms to the food court at CBR? It's at least 7 mins probably more.

They are both bigger resorts. The walk from the farthest out locations at AKL would take just as long.

 

[Eswift]

There is a video on youtube where someone records the walk from Ranchos (farthest room location at CSR) to the food court. It takes them 7 mins and you can clearly see in the video they have an average walking speed. How is this a massive amount of walking? How long do you think it takes to walk from the Pirate rooms to the food court at CBR? It's at least 7 mins probably more.

They are both bigger resorts. The walk from the farthest out locations at AKL would take just as long.

I measured it for you. The absolute furthest distance on CBR to the food/pool is 550m. The furthest distance possible from a room to the pool is 770m at CSR.

On top of this, the pirate rooms is one grouping of rooms at CBR. I stayed in two rooms at CSR on this trip because of the move due to construction. The first room was in building 9. It is 750m away from pepper market but closer to the pool. My second room was close to pepper market and 550m away from the pool. Now, looking at google maps it looks like building 9 would usually have another path open. IT IS CURRENTLY CLOSED DUE TO CONSTRUCTION. That would shorten the distance for sure.

However, my general point stands. The non pirate rooms furthest distance at CBR is 360m. That is the huge majority of the resort and almost half what I experienced in one room.

CSR is significantly more walking almost no matter what if you want to use both facilities. The worst case scenario at CBR, the pirate rooms, are 200m closer.

The reason for all this is the bridge, which I brought up multiple times before. It cuts out the huge loops. I have no idea why you'd use a video with an unknown walking speed to guess distances instead of just measuring it. The bridge was closed due to ice at CSR, the one that skirts the side. I ran the entire resort loop. I believe the entire circle from the side of building 9 took me just under five minutes. I can almost guarantee you that I walk/run faster than 95% of the people on these boards. This is not a fitness issue. I actually didn't mind running it at 650 am because that's only a bit later than I usually run, but I have no desire to do it at the end of the day.

So, 360ish m vs 600ish m for most of the resort (with the longest at each being about 550 and 750)? There's no argument here. You can still like the resort, but CSR requires much more walking than CBR. This assumes you value the pool/hot tub and the food equally. If you don't use one then suddenly the size is irrelevant.

 

[maxiesmom]

[QUOTE="Eswift, post: 58723351, member: 571496" You can still like the resort, but CSR requires much more walking than CBR. This assumes you value the pool/hot tub and the food equally. If you don't use one then suddenly the size is irrelevant.[/QUOTE]

I totally depends on where your room is located. I've stayed at CSR many times, CBR once. And that once was enough.

I would only stay at CBR again in a preferred room. I have no problem staying standard at CSR.

 

[JerseyJanice]

IDK if this will hold true after the construction is finished, but both times we stayed at CSR, we were in Cabanas 8A. There is a bridge from that area to the Pepper Market, and it’s close to the Digsite. Best of both worlds IMO.

I’ve never stayed at CBR, but I’ve stayed in POR. Let me tell you—the buses are about 900 times better at CSR. Maybe because there are a lot of business travelers at CSR, but CSR’s buses were far less crowded and had far fewer scooter users.

Coming back to POR after fireworks was sheer H-E-double hockey sticks every time. We breezed back from the parks at CSR.

 

[Eswift]

[QUOTE="Eswift, post: 58723351, member: 571496" You can still like the resort, but CSR requires much more walking than CBR. This assumes you value the pool/hot tub and the food equally. If you don't use one then suddenly the size is irrelevant.

I totally depends on where your room is located. I've stayed at CSR many times, CBR once. And that once was enough.

I would only stay at CBR again in a preferred room. I have no problem staying standard at CSR.[/QUOTE]

Pick a room and I'll generate a measurement with a screen shot if you want.

 

[Eswift]

IDK if this will hold true after the construction is finished, but both times we stayed at CSR, we were in Cabanas 8A. There is a bridge from that area to the Pepper Market, and it’s close to the Digsite. Best of both worlds IMO.

I’ve never stayed at CBR, but I’ve stayed in POR. Let me tell you—the buses are about 900 times better at CSR. Maybe because there are a lot of business travelers at CSR, but CSR’s buses were far less crowded and had far fewer scooter users.

Coming back to POR after fireworks was sheer H-E-double hockey sticks every time. We breezed back from the parks at CSR.

8a looks to be about 400m - 480m (depends where in the building you are) from pepper market and really close to dig site. That's pretty good. That's still beyond the majority of CBR buildings but only slightly to the point that it's negligible. A great suggestion for a place to stay for sure. Unfortunately right now that means you'll be hearing generators and hammers in the morning.

I actually did notice this now that you mention it! Way less scooters at CSR. Good call. I know it's not right, but I hate those things. I got hit by one as I was standing still this trip, in a store. The person just didn't mean to move forward or something, took all my reserve to not completely blow my lid. I know it's not the best reaction but if it happened out of disney I'd have completely lost it.

There are less at CSR than CBR in my experience too.

 

[saskdw]

There was a guy on here a couple years ago wanting argue about walking times and using computer generated distances. The reality was that those distances didn't match up with the real world experiences of the dozens of people he was debating with.

In the real world it is a shorter walk from Ranchos at CSR to the food court than it is from Barbados to food court at CBR. I don't care what google maps says.

Just like PP I would stay in any room at CSR, but would only stay in a preferred room at CBR.

 

[saskdw]

Actually Bardados doesn't exist anymore so that doesn't matter....LOL.

 

[gillep]

I have always enjoyed my stays at CSR and love the layout, I did not like the layout of CBR at all, and will not stay there again, for us it was much more walking at CBR than any of our CSR stays. That's a great thing about Disney though, there are a lot of options so that people can find the best resort for them.

 

[Eswift]

There was a guy on here a couple years ago wanting argue about walking times and using computer generated distances. The reality was that those distances didn't match up with the real world experiences of the dozens of people he was debating with.

In the real world it is a shorter walk from Ranchos at CSR to the food court than it is from Barbados to food court at CBR. I don't care what google maps says.

Just like PP I would stay in any room at CSR, but would only stay in a preferred room at CBR.

When you say real world measurements did you have someone go shoot it with survey equipment, or walk it with a measuring wheel? If not you're relying on subjective impressions with people with different walking speeds.

I used google, I guarantee it's correct. I'm sorry this doesn't add up to your "impressions" or what it "feels like." Google maps is accurate to less than 1m. These are precise measurements, made by satelites no less.

I'm sorry you're struggling so much with that. Before doing what I do now I was a surveyor by the way. I could go into cad, map this and show this to you, but if you're going to cry fake news at google there's nothing that'll help you. If google maps is wrong by the way, we have an extremely serious problem on our hands. Modern surveying relies on the exact same satelites to build everything from the roads in disneyworld, to the buildings there, to the interstates, etc.

For everyone else it's good to know the distances, they're listed to the meter. There is an objective right answer . The only thing I could guess at here is that you enjoy the scenery at CSR more so the walk seems quicker. This is definitely possible. Things that are short and boring can seem longer than things that are long and interesting.

You are absolutely free to still love CSR and prefer it over CBR. I made that very clear in my opening. That one is a longer walk than the other doesn't make it worse. But please, don't argue about real world measurements. A meter is a meter is a meter.

 

[bobbie68]

Hi I have stayed here 3 times and love this resort. We actually found the layout very easy to navigate. We have stayed at different sections and found the walk about 5-7 minutes from points. The pool and peppermarket are great. You will continue to hear pros and cons on the resort but go with your gut. I agree don't let one review sway your decision. You never know if you like something till you try it. We will stay here again.