Coronado Springs Resort vs. Caribbean Beach Resort

[MickeysStarTrader]

I'm looking at staying in one of the above resorts on my next WDW trip. I have never stayed at either before and I can't decide where to stay just by looking at pictures and reading a list of amenities.

For people who've stayed at these resorts, can you tell me the positives and negatives? What were the food courts like? What was transportation like? I love the theming of both resorts and the rooms look great too.

Thanks!

 

[MMS1125]

I prefer CSR for the queen beds. CBR still has fulls. They are both beautiful. I think CBR has a better pool for smaller kiddos but CSR has a better slide. CSR food court wins for me.

I've never had a problem with the buses at either (haven't stayed at CBR in a long time) Both resorts are HUGE but I think the gripes about walking the resort is really blown out of proportion. A 10 minute max walk at either resort will get you where you wanna go

 

[kellyg403]

These are two of our family's favorites. I prefer CBR over CSR but dh prefers CSR.

CSR: Pros: Very beautiful resort. The lake in the center makes for such peaceful walks at night. Our room was fine, I do think the CSR rooms a tad bigger. Transportation was fine, but we were a bit farther from the bus stops every time we stayed even though we requested closer. We hoped each trip!
Cons: The Food Court. We haven't been since it changed to buffet for lunch and dinner. Before, it was the most confusing food court ever when on the DP. The Mara Grill was a nice little rest. though, it was walkin the whole trip and we had to change a few plans and ended up here. Food ok but the CSM's there are really great. How long it felt like it took to get to any Park. Had a convention center feel. It was strange to see business suits on vacation!

CBR: Pros: I like the bldgs seem closer together, makes a 'close to the bus stop room' very close. I love the tropical theming and my kids love the pool. I know others feel it is a long walk to the food court from some areas. We have always been granted our request to be in Aruba, and feel the walk is fine. Very peaceful. I like the Food court and the gift shop. The food court is not confusing at all, I am on vacation my brain turns to mush, I can't do complicated! I love how close we are to Epcot and DHS, a 5 minute ride!
Cons: The transportation is hit or miss, a definitely can be a long wait for a couple buses especially MK. And they are always crowded. I know its a large resort, you just don't realize til its time to get on the bus!


Either way, you can't go wrong. Both are great and I would stay in either one with no regret. HTH

Kelly

 

[canopynut66]

liked CSR but is to spread out and is convention resort. CBR is much better IMO closer to pool and food courts. both nice.

 

[Blonde]

Haven't stayed at CBR, but loved CSR resort!!!! Liked the room decor, the queen size beds as well as the food court. Thought the bus transportation was excellent compared to other resorts too!!!

 

[mickeynut1]

We've never stayed at CSR, but we loved CBR . The grounds are beautiful, the pool is fun, the food court has alot of variety, and the transportation is great . We had a great stay and wouldn't hesitate to stay there again .

 

[Gibbygirl]

Stayed CBR 6/11 & CSR 6/12. Either way, you can't go wrong!

CBR: we were in Martinque, not preferred, but one bldg away. Great, close location to food court, main pool, quiet pool & bus stop. We were pretty spoiled! Loved the tropical feel of the resort. I do think we might have had a different opinion if we would have been in one of the farther villages as DH likes to get his coffee every morning. We used the marina twice & the kids loved it. The main pool was always crowded, except our "resort" day when we hit the pool early in the morning. DD was right at the line for being too tall for the kiddie pool so it was hit or miss depending on if the lifeguard measured her The main pool has zero entry so that was nice for sitting in the water without getting all the way in. Pool chairs were also always full. I don't remember being able to order food (just drinks) at the pool but I may be wront on that. We ate at the food court several times & always found something we liked. Room has a hint of Disney with the Nemo bedspread. Busses were fine although crowded sometimes & they do stop at every stop so it takes awhile to get around & out to the parks. Good news is, you're close to so many parks, once you're out of the resort, it's a quick ride.

CSR: planned to go back to CBR but decided to try a new place. We loved CBR so much we were worried anywhere else wouldn't live up to that experience. WRONG! In fact we would probably choose CSR again before CBR. We were spoiled again with our room location in Cabanas 8B. Central to the food court & the main pool & right across from the quiet pool. Bus stop was a little further but nothing we couldn't handle. The main pool is HUGE! Kids loved the slide and actually having room to swim, as opposed to the CBR pool. There is food & drinks at the pool & a nice playground for kids. The kiddie pool wasn't anything more than a square so it couldn't hold a candle to the one at CBR (if that's important to you.) The marina is closed, but I saw on here yesterday it will be opening back up (sorry we missed that!) The food was good & a great variety. We were not on a DP so did not try the breakfast or lunch buffet but I'm sure they must be great. The only hint of Disney in the room was almost a hidden Mickey in the runner on the duvet. We loved the look of the room! Busses were empty! I had heard about the pool & busses being empty during the day due to conventioneers being in their mtgs & I believe it! We felt like we were the only ones at the resort! Roasting marshmallows at the pool in the evening is a must do! Best gift shop, too--it had everything!

Again, either way I think you'll love it. Have fun planning!

 

[tofubeast]

I've stayed twice at CSR, never at CBR. I like having the queen beds, and the rooms have a bit more of a deluxe feel in decor (i.e. sliding door to bathroom area). Love the PM and the pool/hot tub/slide. Always had a great experience with the buses at CSR.

 

[E&As Mom]

and we do prefer CSR to CBR.

As others mentioned, the queen beds vs. full sized beds. DH and I are both tall and sleep in a queen @ home, so we feel like we're craming ourselves into a full size bed. Someone else also mentioned the doors separating the sleeping area from the bathroom area. It made a big difference to us (vs. having just a curtain @ CBR), as it helped my girls sleep a little longer without being disturbed by DH and I getting ready in the morning. Plus, it gave a little more privacy to change clothes. The rooms @ CSR have a more "upscale" feel to us, while the CBR rooms are a bit more fun with their theming.

Our girls LOVED the pool @ CSR... the jaguar slide is lots of fun. The main pool is large, so there is plenty of room to swim. We didn't get to experience the main pool @ CBR. We did walk by a couple of times, but it was always very crowded. The zero depth entry @ CBR would be nice for those traveling with little ones.

We had very good bus service @ both, but the buses at CSR were less crowded. We were close to bus stop #4 @ CSR, so there was only 1 more stop to make before leaving the grounds. CBR took longer for us to get out of the resort, due to the location we were in, but it wasn't a deal breaker for us.

We are planning to go back to CSR next September, but I'm not sure you can go wrong with either one. If CBR were to get queen sized beds at some point, I might be willing to give it another try.

Best of luck deciding!

 

[babyrich]

Stayed at both.. CSR wins!

my opinion... the food court is better.. the quiet pool was actually quiet... I was able to get into the hot tub and didnt have anyone's child jump in and out while I was trying to relax.

preferred the grounds, the rooms, and the transportation. We had horrible bus transportation at CBR.

 

[ols386]

My favorite of the two is CSR.

CBR is nice too, buy my personal preferece is CSR.

I think it's just a prettier resort in general, probably because of the theming.

Queen size beds.

Refurbished rooms.

I will say though, that I don't care that much for their counter food service. Don't mind the process of it, just didn't care for the food all that much.

Room service available at CSR.

Fitness Center.

 

[AWaltFan]

We've stayed at both and, most often, I couldn't decide which I would rather stay at again - I loved them both! I think it would depend on my budget because the food court at CBR seems to be a little bit more pocket friendly.

CBR Pros!
Pool, gift shop, food court, game room - all centrally located.
Island music everywhere! really puts you in the mood!
Best resort gift shop (I think....)
Most friendly pool atmosphere - the Banana Cabana was really welcoming

Cons - CMs seemed unhappy last few visits - especially in food court - no smiling faces for us on several visits.
Older and may look like it needs some updating
This is the only property where I experienced "Palmetto" bugs in the rooms and on the walkways. I guess with lush vegetation, you have to take the good with the bad!

CSR Pros!
A much more sophisticated dining experience - which I LOVE, if I have the budget to spend.
Pool much more spread out
AWESOME playground area for kids
Great slide and pool theming!
Has more of a Deluxe feel
My pictures at the resort were gorgeous!

CSR Cons!
The pool was super far from our room.
Convention visitors - I wish there was a seperate area for them. I didn't feel comfortable passing so many dressed up people while sloshing around in my suit!