CSR or CBR? Which would you choose?

[L-Harper]

We are going to WDW in March and are booked at Coronado Springs, but I'm not second guessing my choice. This will only be our second time to The World and we stayed at Pop Century last time. It's 2 adults and 2 small boys, 2 and 4. Which would you choose?

 

[Sue M]

Although I never stayed at CSR, I chose it because it has queen beds. For some reason the theming of CSR doesn't appeal to me, but i know of many who love it. We did enjoy CBR and think the landscapping is beautiful. But no Queen beds.
Our Fav mod is POR- Riverside. Now undergoing renos, queen beds, all new rooms. We had a new room in Aug, very nice.

 

[Hooves]

Coronado Springs!
We haven't stayed at either but we have walked around and used their food facilities, we found the themeing, layout and dining of CSR more appealing.

Of the moderates we were huge fans of Port Orleans French Quarter though!

 

[aubriee]

As an AP holder, I go to WDW 4-5 times a year and have pretty much settled on the moderates as my resorts of choice. I have stayed at all four moderates more than once and have stayed at all four within the last couple of years. I'd rank them:
#1 CSR
#2 POFQ (close tie with CSR)
#3 PORS
#4 CBR

Staying at different times of the year, we've found CSR has the best bus service of all WDW resorts (including the values and deluxes). It also has the most comfortable queen size beds (never stayed at the Swan or Dolphin though which supposedly have more comfortable beds). We prefer the main pool at CSR to the other moderates and they have the biggest hot tub on property and also the best kids playground.

We've stayed at CBR the least of all the moderates and only stay there now when we get bored with the other moderates. Both times I've stayed there the bus service has been really bad, housekeeping has been poor, and the main pool and hot tubs so packed we couldn't even get in them (and this was in Dec and Oct, so not a particularly crowded time of the year). It is a beautiful resort though. Oh yes, while the beds at CBR were fairly comfortable, they are only regular size beds, not queens like CSR and POFQ (and soon PORS as soon as they finish the rehab over there).

 

[Butterbunkins]

I have stayed at both and was not impressed at all with CSR. It wasn't horrible, but of the 3 moderates I have stayed at I liked it the least and wouldn't considerate it again. We weren't overly impressed with the rooms or foodcourt. It's the only property I won't consider stayed at again.

However, our stay at CBR was my favorite stay at a mod. We did request a specific island that was close to everything so we didn't have long walks. And we had a car both times so I never experienced the transportation.

A close second to the CBR was PO-Riverside (back when it was Dixie Landings). We loved it there and did use Disney transportation then and had no problems.

At all three hotels we did our homework and requested specific areas for rooms to be close to everything. We received what we requested all three times.

 

[Luvmepluto]

I have stayed at all the mods and it is hard to choice a favorite, but we truly love POR that being said...........that is not your question. With young children, I would stay at CBR for the theme. They have a awesome themed pool and food court. Though, I will agree the bus waits were so-so. It seemed that our longest waits were always for the buses going to EPCOT or DHS.

I actually was trying to get CSR, but because I wanted last minute to book.....I ended up with ASMo. In March I am going with my brother and nephew and he refuses to stay at a deluxe.... He says that we are never in the room long enough to enjoy a deluxe......I hate to say it; he is correct.

 

[Gibbygirl]

This is funny b/c I posted this same question last week. We stayed at CBR last summer & LOVED it! We are planning our trip for June 2012 & wondered if we should stick with what we know & liked or try something new. We were in Martinque. Our bldg was not considered preferred but we were one bldg away from the quiet pool and a short walk to OPR & the main pool. With little kids you might consider booking pref. Our kids were 12 & 7 at the time and LOVED the main pool. There is also a kids splash area that would be great for your little ones. Both have quiet pools which are nice in the evening. The food court at CBR was good-lots of variety, good food & could always find a table. The kids meals come in little sand buckets which were fun to play with on the "beach." We never had any problem with buses. We don't notice any big difference with the double beds vs. queen. We're so tired by the time we go to bed it doesn't matter! I think we've decided on CSR just for the change, but we would go back to CBR in a heartbeat.

 

[rusty4]

POR is our favorite mod. Great foodcourt. Access to POFQ. Queen beds like CSR.

www.portorleans.org

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

We have stayed at both and we were not impressed with CSR at all. We have been to CBR 3 times now and we just love it! When choosing a moderate we would definitely pick CBR or POR, both are great for families, have lots to do & see, have fantastic pools, and have awesome food courts!

 

[boscov]

I would say POR. With the renovations going on, it will be the same quality in the rooms as the other resorts. Plus, POR has the best food court, great activities and the best theming imo.

 

[mickeynut1]

We've never stayed at CSR as it's never appealed to us, but we loved CBR. I think your little ones would love the pool at CBR. When we stayed there, our two were 7 & 9 and they loved it. Since our stay, the pool has been redone and from the pics I've seen it looks great. Plus the food court was great with alot of variety. My choice would be CBR.

 

[mickeystoontown]

While we have never stayed at the CSR, we have stayed at the CBR six years in a row and already have our 7th stay booked for 2012. I believe the theming of the CBR would appeal to your kids'.

The standard and preferred (additional charge) rooms have a slight Nemo theme and then there are over-the-top pirate themed rooms (an additional charge). In addition to the main pool and a separate kids' water play area, there are quiet pools in each of the resort villages making it very convenient for families. If your kids want to burn off some energy, you could take them to the playground on the island or let them play on the smaller playgrounds that are on a few of the beaches.

During each of our stays, we have had excellent bus service. There are covered bus stops in each of the villages and, even though the buses stop at each one, it won't take long before you are out of the resort and on your way to the parks. Because the resort is centrally located, it won't take you long to get to any Disney destination.

The food court has a nice variety of foods to choose from. At the burger station, the kids can get a meal in a plastic sand pail that they get to keep.

Every year, we think "maybe we'll try something new" and look at the other resorts. Then, we get to thinking about how much we like the CBR and we book another stay there. It has such a laid back feel to it that it's a nice place to relax after spending a long day in the parks.

 

[Hoosier Mom]

We stayed at CBR and I wasn't too impressed. We did make a request for Aruba or Jamaica, but the request was not granted. So it was a very long walk to breakfast each day. And we were stuck on the second floor and there are no elevators at CBR.

So if I was to do it all over again, I would pay extra for a preferred location, and ask for a ground floor room.

The food court was fine. The bus service was fine although I think there were 5 or 6 stops at CBR so sometimes the buses were a bit on the full side.

We are trying CSR this time for the first time. The lure of queen size beds won us over. I really would rather be back at Wilderness Lodge, but it's either a shorter trip at Wilderness Lodge, or a longer trip at a moderate. So we'll see how it goes at CSR.

Good luck on your decision.

 

[Must C Mickey]

Although they aren't queen beds, your boys may really enjoy staying in the Pirate Rooms at CBR. We really enjoyed them. Just be sure and request Pirate Rooms as there is only one section dedicated to these.

 

[Jaybird6]

We stayed at CSR in August and loved it! I didn't think I was going to like the theme, but ended up really enjoying it. The pool and play area are super neat, and the rooms are beautiful. We didn't use the bus much, but when we did we had good service. Since it was so hot during our stay we did use the buses to get to the main building, since we were all the way in the back (building 8A), which worked well as long as you don't mind a bit of a wait. We thought 8A was a great building - very close to a bus stop, the main pool and one of the quiet pools. I'd love to go back!

 

[mommy2twinprincesses]

We stayed at CSR on our last trip. I recommend the Cabanas. Perfect location between the Dig site and the parking lot and bus stop. We were not interested in the main building and only went on our first day and last day. I had originally called to book POR but the CM on the phone talked me into CSR. I booked it based on Queen beds which POR didnt have at the time. I hear they have since upgraded. My kids LOVED the main pool and slide and swam every day. We loved that we could eat poolside for both snacks and CS credits on the DDP at Siesta's. I have heard that the poolside snack bar at POR is not on the DDP. This is a deal breaker for us. Again, my kids love to swim and need snacks as they burn a lot of calories being so active in the water. I would love to try out a Royal Guest room at POR since I have girls but can't justify the extra cost and then not be able to eat poolside. I realize this may be a non issue for some, but it was a big deal for us. I think I would like the theming better at CBR but I really don't want to stay in double beds if I can help it. The Pirate rooms do not appeal to my girls.

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

CBR has the better pool for kids your kids' ages (although I think CSR has the better pool overall, and I have read many reports of CBR's pool being crazy crowded), but I think CSR is a better resort in all other aspects. The rooms were refurbed in 2009 with very comfortable queen beds, unlike the doubles at CBR. CSR rooms have sliding wooden doors instead of a curtain, so you can get up, turn on the light, shower, dry your hair, etc. without waking the kids. CSR has great dining options and is particularly a great value on the DDP. CSR is currently testing a buffet for breakfast and lunch that is a QS credit. If you are not on the DDP and/or just want something quick, Cafe Rix offers grab n go items. CSR bus service has always been outstanding on our trips there.

CSR has a great playground near the main pool that my kids have always loved, and they love the jaguar slide! CSR also has a large hot tub, sand volleyball court, hammocks, room service, and a fitness center. It just offers more for your money than CBR (in my opinion).

 

[Tissa]

I have stayed at CSR once, we usually stay at POP. For our March trip we are staying at CSR again because I really liked the resort and the beds are great. You will get pros and cons of each, really it is personal choice.

 

[L-Harper]

Thank you to all of you who have replied and voted. I think we're just going to stick with CSR and try CBR a different time. CSR looks very relaxing and I like the looks of the theme. It's hard being such an indecisive person! I'm always second guessing my decisions when it comes to our WDW trips.

 

[GoHerbie]

I voted for CSR even though I've never been there, but I'd consider it in the future. Last week we had our first visit to CBR and won't be going back, it just wasn't for us. POR has much more of a moderate "feel" than CBR did. Our opinions match the Passporter ratings of CBR and POR.