CSR or CBR?? Which is better?

[monkeygirl]

I love the way that CBR looks but I have read that the food options and transportation is better at CSR. Has anyone stayed at both and which did you enjoy more?

 

[Cindy B]

I thought long and hard about this as well, and since I had been to neither we went with CSR. We chose CSR over CBR due to the pool and food options. The room interiors looked pretty similiar with the colors and vibrancy. My kids liked the playground and pool at CSR better, the CSR waterslide really peaked my sons interest.

I heard some transportation horrors about CBR, and we decided on CSR. Yes, it may be the same, but we will try it and see. We do drive down so we will have a car to drive as well if need be.

 

[safetymom]

I have stayed at both and liked CBR much better. CSR does have a better pool but I like the theming and landscaping much better than CSR.

You can't go wrong with either resort. You might want to read the FAQ's below and see some of the recent trip reports.

 

[Buzz2001]

CSR!! Check out my website below for pics, links and info

 

[#1hockeymom]

I have stayed at both and prefer CSR for a few reasons. The pool, although we didn't swim at CBR, is HUGE at CSR. I really liked the pool area, pool bar, and the pool itself. We loved Pepper Market and the huge selection of food over the few choices at CBR. CBR didn't seem to be running at full capacity when we were there in January, so that might be why we didn't enjoy it. Bus service seemed the same for both. Housekeeping seemed better at CSR, but we had no real major issues at CBR. To put it another way, when DS and I were at CBR we wished we had spent less money and stayed at POP. We both loved CSR.
Obviously, theming preferences will influence your decision, so go with your gut feeling and pick what looks the best to you!

 

[vanyel]

Been to both and prefer CSR though I wouldn't have a problem staying at CBR again.

I loved the walk around the lake, especially at night and the pool/spa is quite nice. Also the food is better imho.

 

[Stitch Inside]

POFQ. JK
We enjoyed CSR much more than CBR. We spent a lot of time in the pools (the main one which our 6 yo adored, and the convenient quiet one outside our room). Also the views at night around the lake are stunning.

 

[jxh1]

I have stayed at CBR twice and loved every minute of it! I have visited CSR and would have no problem staying there either, but the tropical theming of CBR really makes it special. We all know that you can't go wrong at any Disney Resort, it all depends on what you like! Good luck!

 

[DisneyJen0504]

We stayed at CBR in 2000 and loved it. When we wanted to try somewhere new in 2002, we chose CSR. I was worried I wouldn't like it as much b/c I love the tropical beach feeling. Well, I was not disappointed at all! We actually prefer CSR now and stayed again in 2004 and are going in 2006.
CSR definitely has better food and dining options...thats just a fact! The buses at CSR did appear to me to run better and more efficiently and we never found them to be crowded as they were during our trip to CBR. The theming is wonderful at CSR and the ground are beautiful. We felt like CSr had a more relaxing vacation vibe where as CBR was more crowded and congested. Just our opinion-I dont think you can go wrong with either-we just prefer CSR!

 

[lfama]

I *love* CBR! I had absolutely no problem with the bus service while I was there. We stayed in Aruba, but we were closer to the Jamaica bus stop, which was sometimes the first stop and sometimes the last. We waited for a good 20 minutes once or twice, but we're from NYC, where you could be waiting for a bus or subway for much longer than that, so we really did not think much of waiting for the right bus for that long. We did not find the buses overly crowded, and almost always obtained seating. It's a huge resort, but it's pretty simple to get around and the walks over the bridges and through the grounds are really nice, especially at night time (just don't step on the geckos!) We loved the little beachs and the hammocks, which were very pretty and relaxing at night, especially since no one was ever around. The main pool is always crowded, but the smaller pools don't get too crowded, so we took advantage of that at night time, and again, very relaxing. The food court is really nice, although the food options were very basic. The food was excellent though. The gift shop is also very nice, as it has CBR themed merchandise (such as Coconuts you can mail out as postcards.) Also, very nice gaming area if you have little ones (or if you're a big kid like my boyfriend and I!) What else we loved about CBR was that the CM's were SOOOOO friendly and nice. The cleaning crew made us the cutest Easter themed towel animals - we got two bunnies and a duck made, without request. On rainy days, the cleaning women would be inside the food court area, showing everyone how to make towel animals. When we first arrived at CBR, it was about 11am and our room was already ready and waiting for us. We even got a shuttle ride from the lobby to our room. We absolutely adore CBR and are staying there on our next trip. I highly, highly recommend it.

 

[*Fantasia*]

I like the food court set up better at CBR and I like the food varieties better at CBR (and it seems less expensive here than CSR) than CSR. However...
the transportation is better at CSR, less stops and there was never ever a time where I had to stay standing in the bus. At CBR, there's a lot stops before heading out to the park and the bus is always full and this means there's plenty of times where I have stay standing up.

The pool at CSR seems bigger and it's never crowded. The Dig Site playground is awesome!! I think it's the best playground there is!

Both resorts are beautiful... but in my eyes... CSR is even more beautiful!! I think CSR has more of the romantic feel to it.

 

[MinnieSummer]

CSR is by far the best moderate there is. We've stayed at all of them and continously go back to CSR. The pool is fantastic, the playground is fun, there are two arcades for the kids (one at the pool and one in the main building), the food court offers more options than any of the others (be prepared for the 10% gratuity automatically added to your bill) and the theming in beautiful. A stroll around the grounds at night is a wonderful way to relax or you can sit in the area between the food court and lounge and enjoy nightly entertainment. The rooms, while not as big as CBR, are very comfortable and I have had the best experiences with the cleaning staff at this resort. I honestly have never had a bad experience at CSR which can't be said for POR, POFQ, or CBR. By all means stay as CSR and have a wonderfully magical time.

 

[Iansmom]

and we prefer CBR.
CSR just didn't seem to have the "magic" and felt like the conference center that it is.

 

[ciera321]

I'm so glad there are so many resorts to choose from...We have stayed at both and much prefer CSR. When we stayed at CBR, it just didn't feel right for us. One part, I'm sure, was the fact that we were soooo far from the pool and food court and it took forever (with a 3 yo) to get any place. The pool was quite small and the slide very short. This was before the rooms were rehabbed, also, so they weren't in that great of shape. Then we tried the CSR and we loved it. The theming and the landscaping, for us, was absolutely beautiful. The pool is huge, the slide long and lots of fun, the food court is wonderful. Lots of variety for everyone. We have stayed in the ranchos and cabanas and the walk is not at all a problem. At night the lights reflecting off the lake and at El Centro are wonderful. I can't think of one thing negative about this resort. I would stay there every trip, but all my DH asks is that we
try different resorts each trip, though I did get him to stay at CSR twice. We just love CSR!!!

 

[klinlin]

CSR is so much nicer IMO. We loved it there, and the conventions going on make the buses and pools less crowded

 

[monkeygirl]

Wow, thank you so much for all of the advice!! It seems like no matter what resort I stay at, I can't go wrong. I think I am going to book at CSR, I want something a little less crowded. Thanks everyone!

 

[lvloopingbag]

I've never stayed at CSR, but I have neighbors who love it there.

 

[lfama]

I forgot to mention this, but at night time, you are so close to Epcot that you can see and hear Illuminations. When we came back to the room at night, we would hang out in the Aruba parking lot and had a great view of this.

 

[lfama]

I forgot to mention this, but at CBR at night time, you are so close to Epcot that you can see and hear Illuminations. When we came back to the room at night, we would hang out in the Aruba parking lot and had a great view of this.

 

[sarahj]

We have stayed at both. CSR is, without a doubt, our favorite! . We love the Pepper Market and the pool. While we would stay at CBR again, it would only be if CSR was booked!