CBR or Value Resort?? Help Please!

[Gregor]

I really need some helpful tips and recommendations. We are a family of three, 33, 27 and 2 1/2 year old little girl. This will be our first trip as a family to Disney World and first time ever staying at a Disney Resort. Of the moderate resorts it seems CBR would be the best for our daughter (maybe we are wrong)?? In the research we have been doing we have come across some pretty bad reviews on CBR and makes us nervous and started looking into the Value resorts (do not want to sepnd the deluxe resort price), but are still very drawn to the beach and the nice pool area at CBR. Need your help in deciding what would be best for our family!?!? Really hoping for a great magical first trip! Thank you.

 

[2Tiggers]

We stayed at CBR before they refurbed the pool and really enjoyed ourselves there. The refurbed pool looks awesome! We did pay for a preferred room though and I would recommend that you do that or it can be a looong walk to the food court and main pool. The grounds were beautiful! We loved the quite pools in the evening and they are just that quite. Some night we had the pool to ourselves! The beaches are wonderful. They are smaller though so don't think big beach. I thought they would be bigger but the kid sure liked playing in the sand while we shared a hammock. The kids meal there came in a pal with shovel so your daughter could use that to play in the sand.

With that said I think you daughter would love the Values as well, with the fun themeing.

Decisions decisions....

 

[ADisneyQueen]

I think it depends on when you are staying. We were at CBR during christmas 2009 and it was really cold. We only went into the pool once, for 20 min. Brr! I wish we had just stayed in a value. It was too cold to even walk to the food court for breakfast so we drove over there. If you are going in the warmer months when you know you can use the pool and enjoy being outside, I think this resort would be fun. It is spread out though.

 

[Cinderella's slipper]

I really need some helpful tips and recommendations. We are a family of three, 33, 27 and 2 1/2 year old little girl. This will be our first trip as a family to Disney World and first time ever staying at a Disney Resort. Of the moderate resorts it seems CBR would be the best for our daughter (maybe we are wrong)?? In the research we have been doing we have come across some pretty bad reviews on CBR and makes us nervous and started looking into the Value resorts (do not want to sepnd the deluxe resort price), but are still very drawn to the beach and the nice pool area at CBR. Need your help in deciding what would be best for our family!?!? Really hoping for a great magical first trip! Thank you.

For the money, if you are thinking moderate, please please I encourage you to look at POFQ. It's a wonderfully themed resort, where all the amenties are an easy walk from the bus stop. For a tired group after a long day, a short walk back to your room or a short race to the bus stop in the morning makes everyone alot happier. Of course, your experience may differ but we love this resort. Whatever you decide - Happy Planning!

 

[MickeyNicki]

We have stayed at CBR many many times and loved it each trip but the bus service isnt the best. I would never stay at a value again, for us its a nightmare, too loud, too crowded, the food court is a mess and the buses are the pits.

 

[Gregor]

We will be there mid March this year. Hoping for good weather so we can enjoy some pool time. Thank you for the information.

 

[DJFan88]

CBR is a great resort and you will love it. the new kiddie pool are willl be great for you. We've been there twice, and just do new ones now for variety. We're not going back to that one, but not because it was bad, we just want to try new things! If you do go with the POFQ suggestion, however, take a look at some of the photos cause when we ate there once, my little one was afraid of some of the big masks! (It could be just him, so see for yourself)

 

[disneydreamin247]

CBR is a great choice. I don't see the need for a preferred room. I just request building 46 or 51 and you are a quick 5 minute walk from OPR. The kiddie pool area is AWESOME, definitely the best on property for the little ones.

 

[Belle83]

I like CBR, I've stayed there twice. I think they have the best pool area of the moderates and the theme is perfect for a Florida vacation. The hammocks and beaches are nice touches.

It's a large property, but so are Coronado Springs and Port Orleans Riverside. When I stayed at CBR, I stayed in the Jamaica area both times (it wasn't considered a preferred room, but was close to the food court via the walking bridge).

 

[Gumbo4x4]

Be careful with the value resorts. The All-star ones are all priced reasonable, but when we looked into the new one (name escaping me now), it ended up being much more expensive than many of the Moderate resorts for our timeframe.

 

[ADisneyQueen]

Gumbo- it's called Art of Animation and the reason it is more than POP or the all stars is b/c right now there are only suites available. They are basically 2 rooms 2 baths, and a little kitchen area and can hold 6 people instead of 4. The single rooms for 4 won't be available until Dec. or later. For a value, we like POP century.

 

[Amy&Dan]

I think CBR would be great for you! The pool area is perfect for your toddler. Small slide, zero entry, height restricted splash area that keeps big kids out so little kids can really enjoy, two hottubs and you can see the high up fireworks of Epcot (which is right near to you) from many areas around the resort.

CBR is large, but honestly, all WDW resorts are large. POFQ which is the "compact" moderate has 7 buildings and 1000 rooms! You can pay for preferred at CBR which will give you a room very close to the central area where the food court and pool are. We don't find the need for that but our kids are older. The furthest out room at CBR is maybe a 5-7 minute walk at a leisurely pace. Unless you book a "pirate" room that is. Those rooms are closer to a ten minute walk. But those are a separate booking category, all other rooms are closer. I do suggest that if you book a non preferred room, take a stroller for sure so that your dd won't be tired out from walking. But that goes with any WDW resort since again, they are all large. Even the one building resorts like AKL, WL and Boardwalk have lonnnnggg hallways!

I think CBR would be perfect. We like the values but after 10 stays at them, we have decided our value days are over. They do tend to be nosier and while the themes are fun for kids and adults, a moderate has the nicer grounds, pools and more peace and quiet. And larger rooms with larger bathroom areas.

If you haven't already, check out this youtube video of CBR:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ji2fxJCYvY&feature=player_embedded

Its wonderful and really shows you the whole resort including the pool, grounds and room interiors.

I forgot to add that there are several nice playgrounds at CBR, including one in the little island of Caribbean Cay. I know POR and CSR also have playgrounds, for the life of me I can't remember if POFQ does. The values also have playgrounds. I think Caribbean Beach has the most though with four total and that new one on Caribbean Cay is really nice.

Another big plus for CBR is its central location. Its particularly close to Epcot which is why it has such nice views of the Epcot high up fireworks. It does have seven bus stops but the good news is that each "village" has a covered bus stop nearby as well as a quiet pool. We had great bussing at CBR but bussing can be hit or miss with any resort. I am hoping for another good bussing experience next month when we stay there for the second time!

Any WDW resort will be great and have a fun pool and theme your daughter will enjoy. But I do think CBR or any other mod would be a great choice since they offer a lot of nice amenities and a lot of peace and quiet for mom and dad over a value. I love and have stayed at all of the mods and do think CBR's main pool is the best for kids the age of your daughter. Good luck with your choice!