Coronado vs. CBR - Let's Have It....

[mindygirl5238]

We used a pin code for our trip in April & chose ASMovies, because I was all about spending as little as possible. I just did the math & CS or CBR would only cost an extra $140.

Not exactly asking if we SHOULD switch from ASMovies to one of the others; rather if we do switch, which one would you choose. I've looked at the resort threads & AllEars for both, but I would like some personal opinions comparing the two.

Plus, I'm waiting for my husband to get home with some dinner & I'm bored. So if your bored like me, feel free to jump in.

 

[minnie mum]

Here's a link to a recent thread comparing CBR vs CSR. http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3365960

FWIW, we've stayed at both, and much prefer CBR. I dislike the themeing at CSR, but that's just personal preference. CBR is almost finished it's refurb of all the resort rooms (except the Pirate rooms) if that makes a difference.

 

[ricosuave]

CBR will have refurbished rooms

 

[mindygirl5238]

Here's a link to a recent thread comparing CBR vs CBR. http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3365960

FWIW, we've stayed at both, and much prefer CBR. I dislike the themeing at CSR, but that's just personal preference. CBR is almost finished it's refurb of all the resort rooms (except the Pirate rooms) if that makes a difference.

Thank you! I searched "coronado springs vs", didn't think to search using abbreviations. Thanks for pointing me in the right direction!

 

[nessz79]

We have always enjoyed CBR but will be trying CSR this next trip in March. DH needs/wants a fitness room to work out in so that's our main consideration.

 

[Laketravis]

We have always enjoyed CBR but will be trying CSR this next trip in March. DH needs/wants a fitness room to work out in so that's our main consideration.

The fitness room at CSR is awesome - it can get crowded at times depending on whether or not the resort is hosting a convention of more fitness minded folk, but I would use it early in the morning and it was great.

 

[GrumpyBelle]

I have stayed at both. I would choose CBR over CSR. I preferred the theme of CBR. Not only that but I had a less than magical experience at CSR. we had issues with the room---found to be outdated and having mechanical issues---and guest services---which I have never had any issues with during any of my stays at other resorts.

 

[clapton]

Totally agree with pp rooms are outdated and need a refurb at CSR! Would definitely choose CBR!

 

[Babsy]

Both are resorts that get a mixture of good/bad reviews. It seems to me that personal preference with regard to theming is the main issue with choosing between these two resorts

The CSR does have some extra amenities as it is a convention resort.

Some people dislike seeing the convention groups at the CSR.

 

[nkereina]

We've stayed at both - CSR in 2013 and CBR in 2014. Both are fine, perfectly acceptable resorts so it just comes down to personal preference and also your needs.

For us, CSR trumped CBR in housekeeping, bus service, and the main pool. Housekeeping was spectacular, buses were frequent and comfortable, and the main pool area was great. The room itself was fine although we did have a maintenance issue with the AC breaking. It was fixed quickly.

CBR had a better QS and food options in general than CSR did. CSR's QS is Pepper Market and they are operated by a third party vendor, so the food isn't the same as what you'd get elsewhere in WDW (the pizza is very different, for example). Also, everything there is made to order so while the portions are large and fresh, the taste and quality could vary greatly depending on who was cooking and it also took a lot longer. They opened at 7am rather than 6am so coupling that with the lines you'd see, it's not a viable option for a quick full breakfast in the morning. CBR was much better for this.

The renovated room at CBR we had was fine - very comparable to CSR. Housekeeping was not great and also came very late in the day. We thought CBR itself felt much larger than CSR, although not sure which one is actually bigger (I think CBR). We normally like to walk around the resort and see all corners - we did this with no issue at CSR, but decided not to at CBR after walking from Custom House to Jamaica and have it taking us 20 minutes.

The buses at CBR were the worst part for us. Very crowded, not frequent enough for the size of the resort, and there are 7 bus stops so it took a minute to circle through all of them. Often, the bus filled up before we made it through them all.

Overall, we'd stay at CSR again before we would CBR.

 

[maxiesmom]

Are you planning on using the Disney buses to get around? If so, then I would go with CSR, it isn't even a close call. CBR has 3 more bus stops than CBR, which means you waste that much less time driving around the resort before heading to the parks. Or before getting back to your room at night.

Even if you have your own car, if CBR appeals to you, do your family a favor and book a preferred room. That way you will be close to the restaurants and the main pool. I booked a standard room for my stay at CBR, and I hated that it was so far away from everything. My refillable mug was a waste, as I was never in the mood to hike up to the food court, just to get some pop.

 

[POOHsie]

I stayed at Caribbean Beach when DD was 8, and stayed at Coronado Springs for the first time last fall. I didn't like CBR because of the enormous spread of the resort. It was a major hike from our room to the main bldg. CBR was also a favorite for families with kids, and there were kids everywhere -- running, shouting, screeching, on full energy mode. It wasn't a relaxing stay and we never returned. After CBR we went to POR/POFQ, which seemed just right to us.

Tried Coronado last year. Beautiful place! It was styled more for adults, and there were lots of convention visitors. Our room was completely up-to-date and we loved it. We stayed "preferred" in Casitas 3, which had covered walkways to the main bldg and bus stop, and was right next door. Worth the extra money to us. We had a quiet pool nearby, loved the work-out room, and the restaurant choices. The main pool was on the other side of the lake. If you stayed in Cabanas section, also near the main bldg, you'd be close to the main pool and have a quiet pool, too.

So I guess it depends on whether you want the "family with children" atmosphere, or a most sophisticated "adult" atmosphere, when making your choice. We're returning to CSR this fall with our grown DD.

 

[mindygirl5238]

Thank you everyone for weighing in!! The Hubby & I are still going back and forth. We are a eat breakfast on the go, QS lunch at the park, afternoon break, back to the parks for dinner kinda family. And this is a quick trip, so I'm fine with ASMovies. Honestly, I would be fine at ASMovies anytime. Hubs is the one who is the resort snob.

Mousekeeping can't get any worse than what we had a AKL last Sept. We were there for 8 days & they only cleaned the room twice. We requested early cleaning, since we knew we would be coming back in the afternoons. Every day we got back to the room about 2:00-3:00 & nothing was touched...we thought we would be hearing a knock at the door...nope, nothing. We honestly didn't really care, because I'm THAT mom who is wiping down the sink after we all brushed our teeth, etc. But having some TP & towels would have been nice, LOL. (Without a trip to the front desk or call to housekeeping, that is).

After having that at a deluxe....my Mousekeeping/Room standards aren't that high.

 

[minnierocks]

We really liked both off them! Here are our likes/dislikes...
CSR/Likes...the buses ran a bit faster, the food court was better, it was very peaceful, the pool was fantastic, ME got us to our resort in less time than CBR, and our service was top notch.
CBR/Likes...it felt very secluded with all the winding paths and greenery, housekeeping did a great job, lots of quiet pools, no surcharge at food court, fun atmosphere.
I can't think of anything that we didn't like about CSR. Both resorts had queen beds. The only thing that I disliked about CBR was the distance from ME pick up/drop off to our room. The resort is big and really spread out so you could have quite a bit of walking from point A to point B. We don't mind walking but hoofing all our luggage in the heat was not fun. Having said that, it wasnt a deal breaker and I would stay at either resort again in a heartbeat.

 

[Hockeyfan17]

We have not stayed at CSR, so can't comment on that. However, our stay at CBR this past August was excellent, and we would definitely recommend it to anyone. We found the Disney transportation to be excellent and we rarely waited for a bus (much better than our previous trip at POR). Although the resort is quite large, if you get a good location, your walk to the food court, main pool and bus stop can be quite short. We enjoyed the theming, and liked the renovated rooms. We will likely be back to CBR, unless we get spoiled too much this summer at WL. Cheers.

 

[stormer]

We like both resorts. One thing I like about CSR is the sliding doors that separate the sink area from the area with the beds. When we travel it is me, DH, and my two sons so it is nice to have the private area to get ready in the mornings. I wish more resorts would add those doors.

 

[prudence64]

I've never stayed at CBR. But, we are choosing CSR next time and as silly as it sounds it's entirely because it's the only resort with a door outside the sink area. It was my husband's biggest pet peeve of the last two resorts we stayed at - POR and AKL.

He especially didn't like the curtains separating at POR and we want to do a moderate again instead of springing for a deluxe.

 

[goofyintoronto]

We like both resorts. One thing I like about CSR is the sliding doors that separate the sink area from the area with the beds. When we travel it is me, DH, and my two sons so it is nice to have the private area to get ready in the mornings. I wish more resorts would add those doors.

CBR now too have the same sliding doors that separate the sinks from the bedroom!! The refurbed rooms are gorgeous! I loved it a lot. CBR has such a relaxing tropical vibe to it. Ive stayed at both and I definitely prefer CBR for theme (gorgeous resort), food court, and pool.

 

[kmarie99]

I have stayed at both and after staying at CSR would not go back to CBR. It is not that there is anything wrong with CBR or that I had any bad experience but I prefer the atmosphere and feel of CSR.
Some people don't like the CSR is a convention resort, but I actually love that about it. Because half of the guest are going to conventions in the resort during the day they are not trying to get on the buses to go to the parks.
The thing that will keep me from going back to CBR is the time of year that we go. We go in Jan/Feb when the dance/cheerleaders go and they stay at CBR and the All-stars. I have seen lines at the bus stop to get back to those resorts and they are packed while the CSR line is almost empty.
What puts CSR over CBR the most to me is that CSR offers a Business class with access to a lounge with a cont. breakfast in the morning and snacks at night, not to mention free soda, wine and beer.
I am sure that you will have a great time at either one!

 

[sukhakuli]

I think we're going to choose CBR because of the pool. It seems like it is more kid friendly with the little splash park, zero entry, and water slides.