Caribbean Beach VS Grand Floridian

[pumpkinjl]

We are a party of 5: 3 adults and two children ages 6 & 9

Let me begin by saying I know that the GF is awesome compared to the CB (We have eaten at 1900 Park Fare). However, we are really not sure that the price difference justifies the GF over the CB. I know one of the biggest perks is the monorail vs the buses. I would love to hear other perks for one vs the other. Any extras? We are going in November and are not interested in the pool. We spend most of the day in the park.

Also, can you compare the walk from a stand view room at the CB and the walk from a garden view room at the GF? Where are the garden view rooms located at GF?

- to the bus/monorail
- to the main building
- to the laundry

Thank you in advance!

 

[_auroraborealis_]

If you are park warriors not planning on significant resort time, stay somewhere cheap.

 

[addiln]

If you are not going to be at the resort much way spend the extra money. The buses from CB were not bad the last time we stayed there. The resort is nice and relaxing if you do spend anytime there and the food is good as well. The monorail and location make GF nice but if you are not taking advantage of all the resort has to offer I would not be able to justify the cost.

 

[cassie58]

I would go with CB, especially with younger kids, for the price and theming. Last time we were at GF for 1900PF, DD(12) said,"it is beautiful, but too fancy for me!" Lol! We usually stay at CSR, got to spend a few nts. at AKL through DVC pts., and at POP in Dec. We love all of them, but with spending time at the park, AKL is the only one to us that justifies the extra money, since you have animals roaming outside your balcony! We will stick with CSR - nice queen beds, pool with slide, beautiful landscaping with hammocks around the lake, for a moderate price. CBR would be comparable, but with it being spread out, I would get a preferred room so you will not get stuck all the way in the back. Our friends were not happy their first time they stayed at CB after having stayed at WL, and though they requested a room I suggested based on info. here, they did not get it and were way in the back, far from the food court and pool. On the 2nd trip they payed for preferred and were very happy. If you decide to stay there, check the Resorts Forum for the CB thread, and you can see where the rooms are, and what you might want to book and request to be close to a bus stop, and food court/pool, whatever is impt. for your family.

 

[Aurora0427]

Our five year old has stayed at the GF twice and it's her favorite resort. There are lots of special resort activities, great dining choices, two nice pools, water craft activities, pool side activities for children, lovely rooms, excellent service. It's a vacation destination. It's also exquisite at Christmas.

If you enjoy building in time at the resort, then the GF is a great choice. I'd choose if over CBR any day of the week, but we prefer to stay deluxe and the GF is our favorite. It's part of our vacation.

If staying at a nicer hotel and the amenities don't match your touring style because you are at the parks most of the trip, stay at CBR.

 

[lady_hlh]

If you spend a lot of time at MK, maybe the Contemporary would be a good choice. I love being able to walk to the park, it would have been great when our DD was little and in a stroller. Taking her on the crowded buses was such a pain with the stroller when she was little. I was never very interested in staying at the Contemporary but my teen talked me in to it and we really ended up loving the resort.

 

[Shellyb84]

The location alone of the monorail or Epcot resorts is worth the money to us. Add in the wonderful theming, great pools, restaurants, atmosphere, interior corridors and less people, I would always choose a deluxe resort if I can afford it, even if I was going to be at the park a lot. If we ever stay at a mod again in the future, I would go with POFQ. CSR is nice, but we just did not like CBR.

 

[Aurora0427]

The location alone of the monorail or Epcot resorts is worth the money to us. Add in the wonderful theming, great pools, restaurants, atmosphere, interior corridors and less people, I would always choose a deluxe resort if I can afford it, even if I was going to be at the park a lot. If we ever stay at a mod again in the future, I would go with POFQ. CSR is nice, but we just did not like CBR.

This is pretty much how we feel!!!!

 

[WDmommyof4]

We have stayed at both, but my favorite by far is Caribbean Beach Resort. It is my favorite resort, and I always stay there when available. We did not find the Monorail to be more convenient except in the case of going to the Magic Kingdom. The rooms weren't really anything special over and above the Caribbean Beach Resort, and we like the pool at CBR better as well. That said, the Grand Floridian is a gorgeous resort too, has some definite perks, but for us, the cost just was not justified over CBR. You can see the fireworks from Epcot over the trees by the bridge at CBR or we even found a spot to watch them from the pool with a fantastic view one night. From the Grand Floridian you can see Wishes.