Caribbean Beach vs. Coronado or POFQ

[jgates]

For these 3 resorts, which would you choose & what would be the determining factor?

I really like POFQ - the small layout, etc. We stayed at Coronado last year & I would be fine with that if we choose a preferred room (we were at the FAR BACK END last trip). DDinLaw thinks Caribbean Beach looks really cool (my concern is only double beds).

So which of these would you choose & why? (My real preference is Wilderness, but I don't think they want to go that high $$)

And also, do you feel the 'preferred' rooms are worth the extra money to be closer to the 'center' of the resort?

Any & all opinions welcome!!

 

[mickeynut1]

Out of the 3, we've only stayed at CBR and we loved it. The resort is beautiful and the bus transportation was great. There are multiple stops within the resort, but there is no sharing with any other resort (which we loved). CBR is centrally located so it only took about 10 minutes to get to any theme park, water park, or DTD. The pool was alot of fun and has been redone since our stay (which was in 2002) and we also loved the food court as it had alot of variety.

 

[jgates]

Thank you - interested in any opinions! I just loved FQ - Coronado was beautiful but it was a ways away from some places!!! Having a hard time on this since as I said I really want Wilderness but even split cost, they are looking mod pricing. Since trip includes marathon weekend, discounts will probably not be available.

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

I have only stayed at CSR of the three, and we love it. We like the cabanas the best, so we do not book preferred at CSR. Preferred puts you closer to the main building and the casitas bus stop (which is the first picked up and dropped off on the way to and from the parks). Bus transportation has always been great for us at CSR.

Just based on reading the DIS, these are my impressions:

POFQ if you have small kids, someone with mobility issues, or want a very compact resort.

CBR if you have small kids (and adults that don't mind sleeping in double beds), particularly preschool boys who might be pirate and/or Nemo fans, or if you have strollers and pack n plays. CBR's rooms are a little bigger and the beds are smaller, so that should translate into more floor space.

CSR if you are all adults, or the kids are elementary age or older. It's hard to beat the CSR pool and slide for tweens and teens. CSR also has a fitness center, small spa and salon, if you would utilize those amenities. The queen beds are very comfortable, and the sliding doors are great for privacy. A pack n play will fir in the vanity area and you can close the doors, but the other resorts have better pools for toddlers.

If you will be on the dining plan, Pepper Market is a great value. Breakfast and lunch are buffets, but they are quick service credits. Dinner is a la carte, and there are several other quick service places, as well as Maya Grill that is TS and only open for dinner. If you are paying out of pocket, CSR's food court is more expensive than POFQ or CBR. The buffet breakfast at CSR is about $15, but they do have some grab n go items at Cafe Rix. If you have people in your group who want to eat breakfast together but want different amounts of food, CSR may be frustrating since the only breakfast choices are either a buffet or a handful of quick sandwiches and pastries. You might prefer a more traditional food court where one person can just get coffee and others can get entrees.

 

[shannonstar]

We love POFQ. Small, so you don't need preferred to be close to anything. The boat to DTD is a nice touch. The pool is small, but it wasn't at all crowded. The grounds are lush and the architecture is great. Overall, it's our favorite moderate.

Downside is no TS on-site, but you can walk to POR for that if you are so inclined.

CBR does look cool, but the pirate rooms are the furthest away from the center. We are trying POR for the first time this year, but only the royal rooms b/c they are close to the front.