Carribean Beach vs. Riverside

[colleen costello]

We had the "trip of a lifetime" planned for this June. Hubby has a conference in Orlando so his employer was picking up part of the cost. I booked 5 nights at the Polynesian followed by some DVC nights at the Wilderness Lodge Villas.

Now it turns out we are trying to sell our house and might not be able to travel, and I had to cancel the DVC nights or risk losing my precious points if I cancelled less than 31 days out (DVC is great but not as flexible as cash in regards to cancelling). I thought the trip was off but we still MIGHT travel and here I am trying to figure out where to stay... Here's where I need help!

After shelling out for the Poly, it's a Moderate I am headed for. I'll have 4 nights and I am trying to decide. Recently been to Coronado, so that one is ouT. Never been to POFQ but don't like the theming as well as at Riverside. Riverside (Bayou) is my all-time favorite; I am a plant lover and the grounds are beautiful. But we have been there many times... Carribean Beach was recently re-done and the kids have never stayed. Any comments? We'll have our car so bus service and being "far out" won't affect me. I am mostly wondering if CB feels as nice as Riverside, and also if the rooms feel significantly larger than at Riverside. We had lunch at CB this March and it was lovely, but I didn't see a room. Is the main pool nice? It looked sort of small when we strolled past. Can anyone comment on either?

Thanks in advance.. I tend to obsess!

 

[safetymom]

Yes the rooms are bigger at CBR but not that much bigger. CBR does have a curtain dividing the room from the sink area.

I don't think you can go wrong with either. It comes down to the theming. We have stayed at both but CBR is our favorite.

 

[cobbler]

I was at the Caribbean in 2000 so not since it was redone but it is my least favorite moderate. Riverside is much better. The food court area was better in the fact that you could get odds and ends at different places and then pay for it all at once. At Caribbean beach you went to each individual counter and had to pay at each place and not a whole lot of a la carte things you could do.


I don't know, Riverside just seemed more peaceful.

 

[Gabrielle]

I've stayed at all the moderates and I like CBR - we stayed there about 2 years ago right after the rooms were re-done. I thought the room was great.

The clincher for me though is the time of year of the visit. I think CBR and CSR are harder to take in the summer - not much shade. POR-Riverside and FQ seem to be cooler and shadier.

 

[safetymom]

cobbler, CBR has a central check out area now. After they refurbished in 2003 they remodeled the food court area. It is very quick and easy to pay now. They also have a grab and go market for pre made foods.

 

[Nolcrest]

Well since you have seen both you'll have to choose the theming that suits you. Having said that my family preferred Riverside. We just liked all the wood of Riverside and the landscaping. For some reason the food court at Riverside felt roomier to us. We enjoyed the pool at Riverside and relaxed in the rocking chairs overlooking the pool. I also like that Riverside offers carriage rides, a boat to DTD and that Guest Services is located in the same building as the food court. Riverside felt very peaceful and relaxing. CBR was upbeat and colorful.