CSR or CBR with newbie

[srdavidson]

Although I have been multiple times and stayed at multiple resorts when my boys were young, my new husband and I are planning a trip this summer. He has never been to WDW and we will be bringing his 17 year old son. What are your thoughts on where to stay to make this trip as magical as I can??? I’ve thought about Wilderness Lodge also but with his son, I feel we won’t be at Magic Kingdom as much. Also interested in bus/skyliner travel times from these locations. Thank you!!!

 

[Olaf Myfrenzargay]

CSR Gran Destino Tower yes, rest of it no, imho. And only if they reopen Tapas. No Skyliner access but is right near Blizzard Beach if open and you have interest, A 17 year old prob would. Pool is very good for a moderate. Cost wise, a very smart choice.

CBR has great Skyliner access, but imho only if a preferred room and only if main rest reopens. Resort far too spread out otherwise, imho but if you like walking.....

I’d look at Boardwalk or Yacht/Beach over Wilderness, assuming Boardwalk entertainment/shops all reopen. Wilderness Lodge good too, but remote to anywhere other than Magic Kingdom, but still solid resort imho.

 

[nkereina]

IMO, you can't go wrong with either. We love both CSR and CBR.

CBR's rooms are a touch older, but the communal areas of the resort have been recently refurbished and reconfigured. Its also an easy walk to Riviera which opens up more dining options. The Skyliner is something that I think would truly blow first timers minds. Its very unique, and with CBR being the main hub, you wouldn't have to transfer lines to go to Epcot or DHS. The con of CBR is that the resort is one of the largest, and there's not a good room location that's close to everything. Preferred rooms will be close to the food court and pool, but a decent walk to the Skyliner. Rooms in Jamaica will be adjacent to the Skyliner, but a decent walk to the main areas. Rooms in Aruba will be close to Riviera and the Riviera Skyliner station, but potentially far from the main areas and the Skyliner hub. So, being open minded about room location is important and be prepared in the event you can't get your room request.

CSR rooms, and of course the tower, are newer than CBR. Some think they are more nicely appointed, but I'm personally not a fan of the hard floors due to the sound factor. There are more dining options here typically, though I can't speak to what is actually open right now. CSR is centrally located so even though its all buses, the commute times or even Uber times are short. Love the pool here, and the resort theme is really well done IMO. Gran Destino Tower also feels more deluxe, but for closer to moderate level pricing.

In the current environment, buses are operating at limited capacity which means people line up quite early at park opening times to ensure they are on the first bus of the day. At moderate resorts, this results in a cluster at the bus depots because there are no formal queues like at the values. We stayed at CBR on our last trip in October, so we avoided the buses in the morning for MK and AK and just took Uber. The Skyliner is busy in the morning for DHS, but still manageable. Because of the current bus situation, I'd be inclined to vote for CBR. I think it would be frustrating to deal with that each morning for all of the parks. If you're not rope drop people, then its less of a concern.