CBR or split stay POR/dolphin?

[sjc07]

I'm considering 2 comparably priced options for next month for my family of 5 (includes 3 kids ages 8-11):
5 nights at Caribbean Beach Resort (standard room w/5th sleeper) OR
First 2 nights at Port Orleans Riverside and then 3 nights at Dolphin

We've never stayed on-site before and won't have a car. Which option would be best based on our plans and priorities?

Tentative plan is to spend a full day each at Epcot and HS, day 3 split between AK/MK (or potentially stay at AK all day), day 4 at whichever parks the kids want to go back to.

Our priorities:
Having an easy/quick commute to take advantage of early entry/rope drop at Epcot, HS, AK
Clean, functional, comfortable, bright room -- something comparable to a room you'd find at a Marriott Courtyard or Sheraton.

It looks like CBR would be the most convenient option, but some recent room reviews are scaring me. I'm trying to figure out if it's worth the hassle of doing a split stay and having to move our stuff when we're trying to maximize our time at the parks.

 

[hmansionlover]

I would do the two nights at Dolphin so you have quick access to HS and EPCOT. Also, if you want to park hop on one day you may have to buy your tickets ala carte. I don't think you can wrap tickets into a package with some being for one park and some being park hoppers. Plus there is the added expense for the park hopper feature.

 

[Grace&Carolinesmom]

I would vote for plan "C" not mentioned. Spend 5 nights at POR in a room with a 5th sleeper. Doing a split stay for only 5 nights is a hassle. Although POR is only buses, it's not that big of an issue as long as you plan for it. POR has the boat to DS which can be fun in the evening for a change of pace if not going to a park.

Of the 2 plans you mentioned, I would go with CBR. Although the rooms may be run-down, at least you would have the skyliner for 2 parks.

 

[mouschievous]

We stayed at CBR in Jan 2022. We loved it! We did not find the rooms to be run down (and we had 9 total rooms in our family), and the skyliner was fantastic. We rope dropped HS one day and Epcot one day and had no problems doing so with the Skyliner. We also went back and forth between epcot and the hotel multiple times very easily, and we used it to go get food from Riviera a few times too.

Now, keep in mind we've only been the once so we've never stayed anywhere else, but we enjoyed our stay at CBR. I will say, while our room was spacious for 2 people, I can imagine it might feel cramped with 5.

 

[CynBeth]

I would just go with CBR would not do a split stay on such a short trip. We stayed there in a preferred room in Martinique for Thanksgiving week 2021 and loved it! We had no room issues at all. We put our mobile breakfast order in after we did our reservations on Genie+ and hit we are here and either got the ready text on our way there or had just gotten there. We really liked the Skyliner. We took the internal bus there from OPR. The buses to AK and MK were just fine.

 

[sjc07]

Thanks for the responses! We'll avoid the split stay and give CBR a try.

 

[TheSouthernBelle]

I'm considering 2 comparably priced options for next month for my family of 5 (includes 3 kids ages 8-11):
5 nights at Caribbean Beach Resort (standard room w/5th sleeper) OR
First 2 nights at Port Orleans Riverside and then 3 nights at Dolphin

We've never stayed on-site before and won't have a car. Which option would be best based on our plans and priorities?

Tentative plan is to spend a full day each at Epcot and HS, day 3 split between AK/MK (or potentially stay at AK all day), day 4 at whichever parks the kids want to go back to.

Our priorities:
Having an easy/quick commute to take advantage of early entry/rope drop at Epcot, HS, AK
Clean, functional, comfortable, bright room -- something comparable to a room you'd find at a Marriott Courtyard or Sheraton.

It looks like CBR would be the most convenient option, but some recent room reviews are scaring me. I'm trying to figure out if it's worth the hassle of doing a split stay and having to move our stuff when we're trying to maximize our time at the parks.

I've stayed at all of these resorts and on paper CBR would be your best bet with 3 kids, skyliner access to DHS/Epcot and ease of not having to move hotels. However, CBR is definitely not the height of modern chain hotel standards if that's what you prefer. It's not bad, but it's certainly not modern or fresh. Rooms are comfy, ample space for our family of 4 and our daughter loved the pull down under tv bed. When we last stayed at CBR, we were in building 45 in Jamaica. It's a fairly short walk over the bridge to the lobby/pool and also to the skyliner and bus depots. The main lobby and restaurants are great and have all been remodeled in the last 3-4 years. The rooms have not which is my biggest con for CBR given the price they're demanding for the addition of the skyliner. The other con is since the resort is so large, there are about 7/8 bus stops which is a negative for us. Our last stay there was a full week and we were so over the buses by the end of the trip. The skyliner is great but if you'll be visiting over the summer/rainy season, the storms do stop skyliner service so you default to a bus to DHS/EP and that can be slow.

POR has nice theming, landscaping and the rooms, while also not as fresh/modern as most other hotels, are more recently refreshed than CBR. We've stayed in the 5th sleeper rooms and liked building 26. Not a paid referred location, however, it's not a long walk to the lobby and close to the west bus depot which is the first stop. POR is large, but not as large and spread out as CBR. And at times, POR and POFQ can share buses so that will add a stop.

Now, Dolphin of course has the best location of these 3 resorts but FYI, the beds are not queens, they're double/full size beds and while this resort is not as large a footprint as CBR/POR since it's one tall building, the shape of this resort lends itself to some endless feeling hallways. It's not the end of the world but at the end of a long day, it feels like it's so so so long. It's definitely larger than the Swan hotel. The rooms are more modern and have a fresher, chain hotel feel than CBR and POR, which are distinctly disney motel type resorts with exterior corridors. The ease of navigating this resort is much easier than POR & CBR. The bus to AK and MK is pretty standard bus service but if you do go to MK, just a heads up it goes to the TTC and not the MK bus depot with disney buses. It's some added time to your travels but not a big deal. And of course, the other awesome thing about the dolphin is access to the boardwalk and the other Epcot area resorts for other food options and entertainment. You simply can't beat the boat or quick walk to the parks.

We prefer POR the most of these 3 resorts for theming and layout, but we usually end up at Swan/Dolphin for ease of walking/boats to DHS/Epcot and especially if the deluxe benefits of extended evening hours are offered while there. For 5 nights, I do think you could benefit from the split stay to get walking/boat access to the parks and as long as you're going to be out all day on your transfer day, you should be minimally impacted. Just be sure to keep a bag with you of your needed essentials in case your luggage is delayed like any medicines, etc.

 

[AmyMac1109]

I know other resorts have had more recent room refreshes than CBR (which seems to almost be doing it room by room in the non-Pirate section). But, we stayed at CBR in April with 3 kids in a non-refreshed standard view 5 person room, and the convenience was 100% worth it. We had what appeared to be a corner room that I felt was a little brighter than an interior room because there were windows on 2 different walls letting more light in (in Jamaica, Room 4101 I think). We were a mere 3 minute walk to the Skyliner hub (conveniently passing right by a Joffrey's stand) and never more than the 2nd or 3rd family in the line in the mornings to get to Early Entry at EPCOT and HS. We were maybe a 7 minute walk (okay, 10 mins for my littlest guy) to the feature pool (which is awesome for kids) and OPR/Centertown Market/Sebastian's, which takes you right passed the playground which my kids also enjoyed. We were also decently close to Spyglass Grill (in Trinidad) for easy mobile order pick up and eating by the quiet pool or in our room.

We took the bus to MK two mornings and did not find it to be any trouble at all. There was a stop right outside our room (even closer than the Skyliner hub). When getting to MK for Early Entry, two buses arrived simultaneously and we had no trouble finding seats on second one each morning and were at MK before they started letting anyone in. We ended up driving to AK because, in general, I just prefer to drive to that one (and not rope drop). But, my oldest did take the bus one morning for Early Entry and had no trouble catching it right by our room and getting there in time to ride FoP twice before we ever even got there at 8:30AM.

The convenience of having the Skyliner hub for access to 2 different parks (the ones we usually spend the most time at), was perfect for us, even if that meant buses to MK and AK. And the buses to MK and AK were great from CBR anyway. Of course, as PP pointed out, with the Skyliner, you are at the mercy of the weather. If it stops, your only option is a bus or rideshare. We completely lucked out though and the Skyliner never went down on us the week we were there.

 

[sjc07]

I've stayed at all of these resorts and on paper CBR would be your best bet with 3 kids, skyliner access to DHS/Epcot and ease of not having to move hotels. However, CBR is definitely not the height of modern chain hotel standards if that's what you prefer. It's not bad, but it's certainly not modern or fresh. Rooms are comfy, ample space for our family of 4 and our daughter loved the pull down under tv bed. When we last stayed at CBR, we were in building 45 in Jamaica. It's a fairly short walk over the bridge to the lobby/pool and also to the skyliner and bus depots. The main lobby and restaurants are great and have all been remodeled in the last 3-4 years. The rooms have not which is my biggest con for CBR given the price they're demanding for the addition of the skyliner. The other con is since the resort is so large, there are about 7/8 bus stops which is a negative for us. Our last stay there was a full week and we were so over the buses by the end of the trip. The skyliner is great but if you'll be visiting over the summer/rainy season, the storms do stop skyliner service so you default to a bus to DHS/EP and that can be slow.

POR has nice theming, landscaping and the rooms, while also not as fresh/modern as most other hotels, are more recently refreshed than CBR. We've stayed in the 5th sleeper rooms and liked building 26. Not a paid referred location, however, it's not a long walk to the lobby and close to the west bus depot which is the first stop. POR is large, but not as large and spread out as CBR. And at times, POR and POFQ can share buses so that will add a stop.

Now, Dolphin of course has the best location of these 3 resorts but FYI, the beds are not queens, they're double/full size beds and while this resort is not as large a footprint as CBR/POR since it's one tall building, the shape of this resort lends itself to some endless feeling hallways. It's not the end of the world but at the end of a long day, it feels like it's so so so long. It's definitely larger than the Swan hotel. The rooms are more modern and have a fresher, chain hotel feel than CBR and POR, which are distinctly disney motel type resorts with exterior corridors. The ease of navigating this resort is much easier than POR & CBR. The bus to AK and MK is pretty standard bus service but if you do go to MK, just a heads up it goes to the TTC and not the MK bus depot with disney buses. It's some added time to your travels but not a big deal. And of course, the other awesome thing about the dolphin is access to the boardwalk and the other Epcot area resorts for other food options and entertainment. You simply can't beat the boat or quick walk to the parks.

We prefer POR the most of these 3 resorts for theming and layout, but we usually end up at Swan/Dolphin for ease of walking/boats to DHS/Epcot and especially if the deluxe benefits of extended evening hours are offered while there. For 5 nights, I do think you could benefit from the split stay to get walking/boat access to the parks and as long as you're going to be out all day on your transfer day, you should be minimally impacted. Just be sure to keep a bag with you of your needed essentials in case your luggage is delayed like any medicines, etc.

Thanks for the detailed insight! Given that we plan to mostly use the room for sleeping, we're fine if it might be a little dated as long as it's clean. The skyliner is probably the biggest draw for us for CBR, and I'm thinking there's a high probability of it staying running during our stay because Dec seems to be prone to less bad weather than other months. I have CBR already booked, but I might change it to Dolphin if availability opens up and I can avoid a split stay.

 

[sjc07]

I know other resorts have had more recent room refreshes than CBR (which seems to almost be doing it room by room in the non-Pirate section). But, we stayed at CBR in April with 3 kids in a non-refreshed standard view 5 person room, and the convenience was 100% worth it. We had what appeared to be a corner room that I felt was a little brighter than an interior room because there were windows on 2 different walls letting more light in (in Jamaica, Room 4101 I think). We were a mere 3 minute walk to the Skyliner hub (conveniently passing right by a Joffrey's stand) and never more than the 2nd or 3rd family in the line in the mornings to get to Early Entry at EPCOT and HS. We were maybe a 7 minute walk (okay, 10 mins for my littlest guy) to the feature pool (which is awesome for kids) and OPR/Centertown Market/Sebastian's, which takes you right passed the playground which my kids also enjoyed. We were also decently close to Spyglass Grill (in Trinidad) for easy mobile order pick up and eating by the quiet pool or in our room.

We took the bus to MK two mornings and did not find it to be any trouble at all. There was a stop right outside our room (even closer than the Skyliner hub). When getting to MK for Early Entry, two buses arrived simultaneously and we had no trouble finding seats on second one each morning and were at MK before they started letting anyone in. We ended up driving to AK because, in general, I just prefer to drive to that one (and not rope drop). But, my oldest did take the bus one morning for Early Entry and had no trouble catching it right by our room and getting there in time to ride FoP twice before we ever even got there at 8:30AM.

The convenience of having the Skyliner hub for access to 2 different parks (the ones we usually spend the most time at), was perfect for us, even if that meant buses to MK and AK. And the buses to MK and AK were great from CBR anyway. Of course, as PP pointed out, with the Skyliner, you are at the mercy of the weather. If it stops, your only option is a bus or rideshare. We completely lucked out though and the Skyliner never went down on us the week we were there.

Super helpful info. It looks like requesting a room in Jamaica would be most convenient. One of my concerns with the Skyliner was that its start time wouldn't be early enough for us to get to DHS/Epcot BEFORE early entry starts (ideally 15-30 min before), but it sounds like it wasn't an issue for you.

 

[AmyMac1109]

Super helpful info. It looks like requesting a room in Jamaica would be most convenient. One of my concerns with the Skyliner was that its start time wouldn't be early enough for us to get to DHS/Epcot BEFORE early entry starts (ideally 15-30 min before), but it sounds like it wasn't an issue for you.

No problem, and yes, I think Jamaica is the best bet. Other people seem to prefer Aruba for proximity to Riviera and its station (especially for getting to EPCOT), but I don't think it's necessary. The station by Jamaica is the hub and moved very quickly for us. We had no trouble using that station and being at HS and EPCOT before Early Entry started. From our door at CBR to the turnstyles at HS was 10 minutes. From our door at CBR to the International Gate at EPCOT was 16 minutes. Granted, our room was literally across the street from the hub, so you may have to add 1-2 minutes depending where in Jamaica you are. But it really was that quick.

 

[Skippyboo]

Check your dates with the scheduled Skyliner maintenance. It’s scheduled for Jan 22-29.

 

[Miffy]

OP, this is somewhat off the topic of your question, but when you say "next month" do you mean December? Please check the park reservation availability for your stay. If you're going Xmas week, there are already limited park reservations available for WDW resort guests. Up to the 23rd (as of this moment) you're okay. But book soon and make your park reservations immediately.

 

[RoseGold]

Dolphin gets the late hours, currently M Epcot, Weds MK. That changes this discussion to me.

 

[sjc07]

OP, this is somewhat off the topic of your question, but when you say "next month" do you mean December? Please check the park reservation availability for your stay. If you're going Xmas week, there are already limited park reservations available for WDW resort guests. Up to the 23rd (as of this moment) you're okay. But book soon and make your park reservations immediately.

Yes, we're going in December. I took care of tickets, park reservations, and magic bands a few days ago. I haven't made any ADRs (I'm sure availability is nonexistent or slim at this point), but it's not a top priority for us. We're ok relying on Quick Service and winging it to see if we can snag any last-minute openings at table service places when we're onsite, but no expectations.

 

[mouschievous]

No problem, and yes, I think Jamaica is the best bet. Other people seem to prefer Aruba for proximity to Riviera and its station (especially for getting to EPCOT), but I don't think it's necessary. The station by Jamaica is the hub and moved very quickly for us. We had no trouble using that station and being at HS and EPCOT before Early Entry started. From our door at CBR to the turnstyles at HS was 10 minutes. From our door at CBR to the International Gate at EPCOT was 16 minutes. Granted, our room was literally across the street from the hub, so you may have to add 1-2 minutes depending where in Jamaica you are. But it really was that quick.

I 100% agree that Jamaica is the way to go. Aruba only gives you a slight advantage for going to Epcot, and no advantage at all for DHS. The skyliner ride is 3 minutes from CBR to DHS, which is amazing and so, so fast. We were the first people on ROTR when we went in January, and we took the Skyliner.

 

[sjc07]

Dolphin gets the late hours, currently M Epcot, Weds MK. That changes this discussion to me.

Good point, but I don't think we'll realistically be able to take advantage of the extended hours AND early entry. My kids are early risers (even on the weekends unfortunately!) and are in bed by 9pm most nights so I figure their schedule lends itself more to taking advantage of early entry over extended hours.