Coronado, Carribean, or All Star Sports??

[MarkLem]

HELP!!

2 adults, our 3 kids (8,6,2) arriving 12/30, departing 1/3 (for 7-day western cruise!)

We are going on DCL 7-day western cruise on 1/3. Traveling from Ohio, we already have airfare to Orlando, so I had a thought spur of the moment to come down 4 days early to WDW.

I made a ressie at All Star sports with the idea of economizing, what with the cruise, but then read a review that it's a bit of a zoo there with one bus stop taking you to the parks, and depending on where the room is you could have yourself a long walk at that to get that bus.

For $370 more I could get a ressie at Coronado or Carribean. What will these bring to the party that I don't have at All Star?
Anyone have a preference of one over the other?

Last time I was at Disney it was 1996 at the Contemporary and I loved it, what with the monorail connection and all, but can't spend that kind of cash this trip.

 

[stacy6552]

Honestly, i dont think those would be much better than the all-star in the way of transportation. You wont get bigger beds...

i reccommend that you stay at the all-star and spend part of the money youd spend on a moderate on a rental car. we had a car while at AS Movies and thought it was great, especially as we drove past the long bus lines...

 

[pstepka]

We split our August 2003 stay between Beach Club Villas and Caribbean Beach. We visited friends at the AS Sports one evening for food and swimming. It WAS a zoo! The pool at the Caribbean was SO much nicer, calmer, etc. I was a nervous wreck trying to watch my kids in the pool because it was so busy and wild. The food court reminded me of a mall on a Saturday afternoon - much too busy for me. The food was good (same food as at the Caribbean), but the atmosphere totally different. Although, since you're not doing your cruise first, you won't have anything to compare it to so you may not notice the chaos as much.

We stayed at the BCV first and Caribbean Beach second and were sort of disappointed in CB, ONLY because we had just spent 5 glorious days at BCV! We knew that if we had been at CB first, we would have liked it much more. The pool was great, though!

So, maybe you won't think it's so bad since you're staying before your cruise. If you don't plan on going to any parks each day, however, there isn't much to do there except swim. And, the pool does not have a slide, like the moderate pools do.

Hope this helps!
Pam

 

[Buzz2001]

CSR is a great resort with 4 bus stops and terrific transportation. Get more info at my website below.

 

[MarkLem]

Thanks for the great replies. I welcome any other responses.

How about Port Orleans vs. the others?

 

[LJP]

Hi

DH and I had ressies for this past month at ASM but took our rental car for a look the day before and realised that it just wasn't our cup of tea. We didn't like the theming and felt it would be too noisy for us - we don't have kids and maybe we would think differently if we had.
We decided to pay extra and upgrade to a moderate - like you we've stayed at a delux - AKL - and loved every minute of it, but this year we couldn't afford or justify the added expense of staying there. We'd also previosly stayed at CBR, POR ( then DL ) and this time we tried CSR. No regrets at all - we loved the theming, ok it might have been some walk round the whole resort but we found it really lovely. The dig site and pool were great - it was always busy but never appeared that way as it was just so huge!

Go with whatever you can afford - remember as everyone is always saying - you are only sleeping at the resort as you'll be out all day. If you choose a moderate go with the theming you like the best - you'll not be disappointed.
Have fun.

 

[lwestwise]

I enjoy each category resort, but I don't use their transportation when staying at All Star. Don't know why, I guess I just think it is too far away from things and would take too long, when it really isn't. But, I had a question for you. I thought that only 4 people were accepted in an All Star room. Were you able to book at the All Star with 5 people because you have a 2 yo? Do they not count the 2 yo?
Just wondering because my daughter is planning a trip and they are 5, including an infant and didn't consider All Star because she thought she couldn't. TIA

 

[susy]

I have stayed at ASmo, ASSP, CBR and CSR.

CSR is just so much more upscale and relaxing. It's really just an all around beautiful resort.

 

[safetymom]

We have stayed at all of your choices. We love CBR. AS was ok but we didn't like the theming at CSR. It was too spread out. The pool is on one side and the food court is on the other. At least at CBR the main pool is right next to the food court. Also there is a mandatory 10% charge in the food court at CSR to be seated and brought your drink.

I don't think you can go wrong at any of them so it all depends on what you want to do at the resorts.

 

[webray]

Stick with the all stars...they are the most convenient resorts on disney property. No matter what building you are in..you are no more than a few minute walk from everything...really!

We have stayed at the all stars dozens, yes dozens of times....we like the all stars much better than the moderate resorts. The food court has better food, the layout is nicer.

 

[MarkLem]

They do not count 2 year olds, that's how we are able to stay at All Star with 5.

What about noise? I've read some reviews about All Stars that says it's quite noise, lots of older/teenage kids running around until really late at night.

With a 2 and 5 year old who need some sleep (not to mention me) I'm wondering...

What say ye about the noise issue among the resorts I've mentioned?

Thanks again

 

[safetymom]

I haven't had a problem with noise at any of the resorts that were mentioned. But then I am a pretty sound sleeper. I would think after a day in the parks most people wouldn't have a problem with noise.

 

[KdawnLily's Mom]

We visited the ASmu in February when the Cheerleaders were having their competitions. We had a room right in front of the pool and we had no problem with noise. The bus service was great, a little full at times, but very reliable. We enjoyed our visit so much we are going back very soon to visit the other two AS resorts.
Wherever you decide to stay you will have a great time.

Enjoy your holiday.

 

[MarkLem]

Thanks again for the responses. What caused my doubts about staying in the All Start SPorts, is that I have read some past posts on this foprum from people who say there were wild teenagers running around until 2:00 AM, wildness in the pools, etc.

This is not the atmosphere I'm looking for, which is why I posted this to begin with. However, no one has mentioned any of this in the reponses so far.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Well, it's been about 3 years (May '00) since we've had the experience of noisy teenagers ( a group, not a family) coming to the rooms around 1AM and then some of them were early risers, we then heard them before 6AM. So, I was very leery of staying in AMo 2 years ago, but we needed 2 rooms and that's what fit our budget. That time, ( in July '01) we could not have had a more wonderful experience.

50-50 chance, perfect or terrible!

Will the parks be opened late? If not, you have to consider the atmosphere of the resort, because you will be spending time there.

Make your decision and relax! What a wonderful way to begin the new year!


Bobbi

 

[Blondiex46]

well nobody did but I will. I stayed at the "preferred room" and yep it was very noisey not only at midnight but early in the morning, got woken up by the yelling of the kids at the pool way too early and had a hard time sleeping with the noise at midnight.

 

[chuckf6823]

We stayed at CBR for 5 nights last Feb. and are returning for 10 nights this coming Feb. We found it to be very relaxing and can't wait to return.

 

[KevinFSU]

If we stay any length of time, we stay at a moderate, and usually the Coronado. That is my favorite resort. I just love the atmosphere and the resort looks beautiful spread around the lake.

However, for the weekend we just did in September, and for the upcoming weekends in December and February, we are staying at the value resorts. With going down on a Friday, at the park all day Saturday, and leaving Sunday, why spend so much money on a room that we won't be in too much? Did Sports in September, Music will be in December, and Pop Century will be in February.

 

[halfway there]

If you want quiet, then POR is the way to go. Otherwise request the Basketball bldgs in Sports as they are at one end and also very quiet but not very close to the bus stop. For theming, CSR and CBR are very tropical.
The moderates offer a better themed pool area and a full service restaurant whereas the AS only have a food court and no slide at the pool.
We enjoyed all of these resorts you are considering so you have a tough choice ahead of you. I would say, think about the theming and what parks you want to do and pick something on that basis. You can't really go wrong with any of these!

 

[Pig Pen]

I adore CSR. As one poster said, the main pool is a long way rom the food court, but it has a snack bar where you can get drinks and burgers/fries, etc.

Your kids would love the waterslide and there is a nice kiddie pool. There are also several "quiet pools" scattered around the resort.

We never had a problem with bus transportation either, but we always go off-season.

We have also stayed at ASMO and ASMU. I have no problem with these resorts, just not my cup of tea since my kids are grown. I'm sure your kids would love staying there, but it can be a zoo. If you are looking for some quiet time next to the pool, it ain't gonna happen here!

We never experienced noise problems, but our rooms were always away from the action. The buses were crowded but punctual.

I have never stayed at CBR.

I guess it all depends on what you are looking for. If you want clean & economical - go with All Stars. If you want relaxing and a little more upscale, go with CSR.