Caribbean Beach or Riverside?

[drdesigns]

We will be traveling to Disney in March. This will be our first trip. My husband, son, daughter and myself. We are planning on getting two rooms. Son is 19 years old, daughter is 12. The trouble is deciding on which resort! Do they both offer adjoining rooms? Would one be more suitable then the other for my children's ages? Is there a particular building we should request?

Any advice or tips you can offer is much appreciated!!

Thanks!

 

[Blueeyes101817]

I havent stayed at Riverside yet{my family is going in January and staying thre..it will be my parents, myself and a friend {were 20}..and my brother and his friend {they are 18}
I went and stayed at Caribbean Beach last may whe ni was 19 with one of my friends...we had a blast....Instead of paying extra for a preferred builiding, we requested Jamaica and loved it--good luck deciding!

 

[safetymom]

Welcome to the DIS drdesigns. They are both nice resorts. Our favorite is CBR. Lots for the kids to do. You might want to check out the FAQ's listed below. I also have lots of pictures.

 

[stacy6552]

Riverside is the only place we've ever received bad service, so I say go for Carib beach. Yes they offer adjoining rooms.

Though with kids that age, you might want to opt for one room at the WL or AKL, where you can get a real queen and bunk beds (if you need the kids seperated). You'll be on the go so much you'll probably only be in the room to sleep, so its not like you'll really need the privacy. Or consider a one bedroom at a HWFH, where the kids can sleep in the sofa bed in the living room, you can have privacy, and a full kitchen for dinning in.

 

[drdesigns]

Thanks for the replies and the warm welcome to the board! I want to be in a hotel that is centrally located. I had thought about Wilderness Lodge when I saw some of the rooms had bunk beds. Does anyone else have an opinion on this? One room with bunks as opposed to two adjoining rooms?

 

[F1Julie]

2 rooms for sure! 2 bathrooms, 2 TV's, more space....

 

[Gillian]

You'll want to request "connecting" rooms rather than just "adjoining" (next to). I'm sure you will enjoy either resort!

 

[oldportroyaler]

I would go for caribbean beach! great times to be had for all

 

[Nolcrest]

I've stayed at both POand CBR and I liked PO more. It really depends on the theme that interests you. The nice thing about PO is that you can take a boat to DTD. We enjoyed the pool at POR more than CBR.

If you go deluxe the WL is awesome and the bunks are great. I really wish all rooms at WDW offered bunks now that DS & DD have reached their teen years.

 

[cruise-o-matic]

We just got back from Coranado Springs and I would recommend it over CBR.

 

[HopperFan]

PO is a great choice and we have had adjoining rooms there. It is centrally located, has a boat to DTD and guests of all ages. We would go back there anytime.

CSR is my teenage son's favorite (and we liked it too). Great amenities like boat rentals, awesome pool, extra large hot tub etc, with excellent bus service. Has sand volleyball, great slide, beach areas. Never seemed crowded. Well done moderate. We also loved the Pepper Market, and teen could never finish all his meals.

We have also stayed at AKL and WL with the bunk beds. My teen sleeps fine in it and we have enjoyed them both. You may want to check into rates at both of those. Both great hotels. (ps AKL has great shower/bath area off the pool, so some could actually shower there after a swim to get ready for evening time).

AKL is beautiful and the bus service was great and often has wonderful deals on rooms. Plus you are in a deluxe. We have stayed there twice for less than what two rooms at a moderate would have been.

CBR has been our least favorite for lots of reasons.

 

[ptrbryant]

Just curious, was your stay at CBR since they renovated? What was it you didn't like there? I'm currently thinking of splitting a stay between CBR and WL so would like to hear your feedback!
Thanks!
Karla B.

 

[drdesigns]

I would like to know what was not liked at CB too. This being our first trip I am really torn between spending more $$$ to stay at WL or keeping our reservation at CB.

I am reading Birbaum's book and he says to be prepared for up to a 90 minute trip to go from one resort to another. Has anyone experienced this??? Can we take taxi's?

 

[stacy6552]

One room at WL is definately cheaper than 2 at a moderate.

It can be round and about to go from one resort to another. It depends on how you go and alot of the time it can be fun, like riding the boat from the WL to MK then hopping the monorail to the GF. Another plus about the WL is the boat ride to MK as a hub that can then get you to any other resort.

We have taken taxi's, usually for early breakfast at another resort, and have consistantly found it to be about $20 one way on WDW property.

 

[DisneyJen0504]

Definitely CBR! I think with your kids, that CBR will be much more fun, it really has that Disney magic, You can get adjoining rooms. WE loved the Jamaica section during our visit but Martinique is another popular choice. The grounds are beautiful and the themed pool is a blast. There is a quiet pool in each village for a more relaxing swim. WE really enjoyed our trip to CBR and would go there again, but we are partial to CSR. Good luck!!!

 

[HopperFan]

I pm'd you