Carribean Beach vs Hawthorn Suites LBV....

[fairytinkerbell]

We get free breakfast buffet (deluxe) @ Hawthorn LBV every a.m. and have interior corridors and a quick walk to / from hotel to car.

We will be out at the parks 95% of the time, all day pretty much and possibly to go home late afternoon to chnge for dinner, if there is even time.

What are the benefits of staying at CBR vs Hawthorn LBV?
We don't have any kids and we are renting a car.....


***WHY is staying Onsite Better than slightly Offsite?? Please explain...

Also, How much Closer is CBR compared to the Hawthorn Suites??
Somebody, please explain!

 

[skiwee1]

I've never stayed at Hawthorn but have been to the CBR 3 times. I'll give you one reason to pick CBR. Onsite! I don't care if the Hawthorn is free. If it isn't Disney then it isn't worth my time.

 

[*Fantasia*]

If that's the only choice I have, then I have to say Hawthorn Suites. We have stayed at CBR a couple of times and both times we had a not so good experience. I don't want to risk it again on my next trip if I have to stay at CBR again. Even if CBR is cheaper, I would still go with Hawthorn Suites.

Staying on Disney property is "Magical". But that feeling of "magic" can be found anywhere. It is what you make of it.

 

[HugsForEeyore]

I stayed at both places. I loved the Hawthorn for the value - a large one bedroom suite, great kitchen, free breakfast, and easy drive into the Downtown Disney entrance. I also loved Caribbean Beach - onsite, tropical decor, good food court. My only issue with CBR was room location since I was placed in Trinidad South which is a hike to anywhere! Another time I was in Aruba which was much better! Though since you don't have kids, the smaller room size of CBR made not be an issue.

It's hard to compare since both have their own plusses! I usually stay at the Hawthorn when we are visiting off-Disney attractions, then move onsite when we are doing nothing but Disney.

Good luck trying to decide where to stay!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Disney Doll]

I am an "on-site" fan, so I would always stay on site over off site if given the choice.

 

[medicmike]

I am a big fan of staying on-site. There are several benefits, some of which are:

Free use of Disney's transportation system. I went on my first honeymoon back in 1993. We stayed at the Port Orleans French Quarter, parked our car when we got there, and never moved it again until we left except to ride into Orlando a few nights.

Disney has what the call "Extra Magic Hour". Each day, one of the park opens 1 hour earlier than the stated openning time only to Disney Resort guests.

You have the ability to charge almost anything to your room key/park pass. You don't have to carry as much cash and that's one less thing to keep up with/get wet in the parks. Also, you can purchase souveniers and have them sent back to your room without having to lug them around all day.

I'm sure there are more, but these were my big selling points. My fiancee and I are getting married next week at Disney and are staying at CBR. (Good Lord & Ivan willing.)

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[ciera321]

For us on-site is the only way to go. It may sound silly, but when you stay on site, it's Disney magic 24 hrs. a day. You can get into the parks early on ee days, stay late if there are any e ride nights while you're there, the transportation is a big plus, and Disney themeing is the best.

 

[leighe]

I vote for onsite! DH and I spend our 1st anniversary at CBR and we just loved it there. I think that one of the biggest perks is Disney transportation - you can come and go from the parks as you please. Also - being able to send packages back to your resort is so easy! You can buy things whenever you see something you like instead of waiting until the end of the day so you won't have to lug it around.

 

[fairytinkerbell]

STILL NOT SURE>>> BUT >..
a few of the reasons i decided against CBR is because:

1. we never tried to use Disney transportation bec. we heard it would take
A LOT longer than driving there on our own..

2. we don't want to walk long distances to / from hotel room.


3. don't offer Free breakfast


What do you think???

 

[Cinderpals]

I would stay onsite at the CBR. I didn't have any problem getting to the parks by bus, or coming back from the parks by bus. There was one time that 3 buses to Epcot came by our bus stop, while we were anxiously waiting for the bus to MGM. We stayed in Jamaica Bldg #45 which was very close to the bridge that leads to the eating area. Two other bldgs are closer to the bus stop, but there wasn't a big difference. Also, the parking lots are close to the bldgs, so you'll have an option to take your car or not. It'll be convenient for you to get to your car. Some people had brought folding chairs with them and set up a sitting area across from their rooms as the 'breezeways' are like balconies. Our bldg had a courtyard with tables and umbrellas. Great place to eat, but I never saw anyone using them. CBR had a free refrigerator and coffeemaker.

I'm still considering a return visit to CBR in December. I'm leaning towards trying another resort. WL that time or POFQ. I just want to experience them all.

Only downfall that I experienced was checking into the CBR: wasn't the quickest experience. I may have just arrived when everyone else did. It was storming heavily, and no one could get their bags to their rooms until the lightning let up. I had a 3yr old with me that badly needed a nap, so I just got a cab driver to take me and my luggage to our bldg.

 

[goofydad621]

For us we always stay onsite. It is just part of the magic for us. There has been times when things were not right but was corrected almost faster then could be expected.

Don't under rate the package delivery to the rooms, it is great to be able to get things when you see them that you know that you want, and not have to either lug them around and hopefully not break/lose them or have to go back to the store later to but them.
Also when you stay onsite parking at the parks are free (I think it is $7.00 to park there if you are not staying on site put that towards breakfast)

Nice to be able to split up if the need arises and meet easliy back at resort one takes the car the other takes the bus.

If you get a fun mousekeeper towel critters are fun.

Didn't say when you are going but the early entrance alone is worth it during the busy season can do 2-3 attractions in what would be the waiting time for one main attraction during regular hours.

I can come up with more but won't, Ihave been through this before with my co-workers.

What ever you decide enjoy your trip.

Dave

 

[been there done that]

And so does staying onsite. We've rented houses in kissimmee a few times and although the houses were beautiful it just was'nt the same. Driving to the house and cooking and doing laundry did'nt give us that "vacation" feel we have staying inside. CBR is SO nice. I stayed in Trinidad South and although it was a farther walk, we still loved it and enjoyed feeding the ducks on the way
to the food court and seeing the cute bunnies!