CSR vs CBR, or "my headache"

[ElleBelle]

Hi everyone. DH and I have a trip planned this December from the 8th-14th on the Disney Visa special with dining that was offered a few weeks back. We're currently booked in a king bed room at CSR. We're very happy with the rate, the dining plan, etc... but I have a few worries. First and foremost- DH and I are very much "resort" people. We love to wake up in the morning, have a short walk to the food court, mosey back to the room, eat breakfast, etc. I worry that at CSR they're going to stick us in the far most building of Ranchos... that we'll have to jump in our car, drive around to El Centro... completely missing all theming and the reason for staying at that particular resort. If a "preferred room" choice were available, I'd take it in an instant.

Last night while searching the Disney website I found almost the same rate with dining in a PREFERRED room at CBR- i.e. a room that's not a mile away from the central area/ food court of the resort.

What do I do?? Do I stay at CSR because it's know as "the deluxe of the moderates", and hope (and maybe have a request noted in my ressie's) that we are put in a building that's at least within some close proximity to El Centro?? Or do we just switch to CBR-- give up our king bed room for two doubles, but at the same time guarantee ourselves a room that is nice and close to the food/ drinks/ etc.

Sorry if I've completely confused anyone-- it wasn't my intention. I guess what I'm trying to say is sell me on one resort or the other. Thanks!

 

[bab31]

If you are resort people I would stick with CSR- take a look at Buzz's website, view the video - and that should just about take care of it. If you are resort people you probably wont mind the walk from rancheros.- If it turns out to be in rancheros and you really hate it- ask to be moved when something opens up. (which would probably be daily that something opens up) I loved it there and want to go back- I dont know if I can get DH to do that. Probably will have to go alone! (he is not a traveler)

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[DreaminDisney]

For what it's worth we're staying at CSR this December too using Visa code and I wouldn't switch to CBR even if it was a preferred room/upgrade/same price whatever. After looking at all the pics with all the information on Buzz's site CSR just seems more appealing to me. But I have not stayed at either so basically I'm no help at all I guess

 

[scrdofbugs]

We stayed at the CSR back in April/May of 2006. It is a wonderful resort. THe walk is not really that bad. Even my daughter didn't mind it after a long day in the park. Take note we are not in shape people. My hubby is slightly over weight and I am more than slightly. It is a beautiful resort. We were in building 6B which is about as far as you can get. My daughter and I walked each morning to breakfast. Then each night we all walked for dinner and to refill our mugs. The transportation was incredible. That was our first trip. We are leaving in 13 days and decided to stay at Poly this time because we decided we needed bigger beds! I loved CSR and I am nervous and staying some place else. Enough rambling...Sorry this turned long.

 

[rie'smom]

CSR is a fantastic resort.
The landscaping is out of this world.
The staff is superb.
It has it's own transportation to the parks.
You can hop an internal shuttle to get around the resort.
We preferred to walk because of the beauty of the resort.
We were in Casitas 5 which is a good piece away from El Centro but as I posted, the internal shuttles run constantly and the walk is lovely. I figure that if I can walk in the parks all day, then the walk to El Centro is a breeze. BTW, I'm almost 50 and not super fit.

 

[mickeystoontown]

We really enjoyed both of our stays at the CBR and believe that you would too. The preferred buildings are located near Old Port Royale making for a short walk.

The tropical theming is carried out throughout the entire resort. The landscaping and steel drum music made whatever walking we did very pleasant.

The rooms are 340 square feet at the CBR and the other moderates are 314 square feet. The extra space comes in handy for us because we ALWAYS bring along too much and we ALWAYS buy too many souveniers.

The food court had several food stations and we were pleased with the selections offered. The store is divided in two with one side selling the pirate & Caribbean Beach items and the other selling the more traditional Disney merchandise.

The bus system at the CBR was efficient. The longest we waited for a bus was 20 minutes and that was because we jjjjuuuusssstttt missed the Epcot bus. This also wasn't first thing in the morning. During the morning, there would, oftentimes be several buses at the bus stops at once. Because the CBR is so centrally located, it never took us long to get to any Disney destination.

Here are some pictures from our most recent stay:

Caribbean Beach Resort entrance:

The courtyard outside our Martinique building:

The Martinique buildings:

Caribbean Beach Resort lake:

Flowers growing on the grounds:

One of our many towel animals:

 

[Guzzi]

We stayed at both, loved CSR the most. the theme pool is bigger, the slide is much longer, the food options were much more varied and better. Request cabana 9 or casitas 1 and you'll be next door to the pepper market

 

[uicbear]

My family has stayed at both CSR and CBR. CSR is our favorite between the two with no doubt. We liked the atmosphere, theming, quiet pool areas, main pool area and central area all more than at CBR. We stayed in the Cabanas and had easy access to a bus stop, quiet pool and a short trip across the bridge to the main pool. The main area was only about a 5 min walk at a liesurely pace. The food court area is often talked about on these boards and some really don't like it, but out of all the resorts I've stayed in it's my favorite. I think it has the best selection of any food court we've come across. I'll repeat what the other posters have already said, take a look at Buzz's site and let it put your mind at ease.

 

[Buzz2001]

I love CSR!! Check out my CSR website below for pics and info.

 

[KatMark]

We were there September 1 - 9 and were in Casitas 5. I walked every morning to the Pepper Market to get coffee and my husband milk (which he needs to take with his morning pill). The round trip walk was probably less than 15 minutes...I walk fast so not counting the time I waited for the coffee, I probably made it in 10 minutes.

 

[jdd]

We enjoyed our stay at CSR, but absolutely LOVED CBR! The theming just blows CSR away IMO - it's the most beautiful resort I've ever stayed in.

 

[kparc]

MY advice~ Stay with CSR! Even if you are way out in the ranchos it's a beautiful walk around the resort, especially at night! And it's really not that far! IMO

 

[Disneymoon678]

I have special memories at both resorts- CBR was the first we ever stayed at when I was a little girl and it looks almost exactly like the Barbie dream house I had -- haha! It's a great resort and if you choose it, I'm sure you'll love it.

That being said, I wouldn't switch if I were you. CSR is absolutely amazing. I really don't understand the big deal so many people make about the walk. It's really not that far at all and it's super enjoyable because of themed landscaping and general beauty of the resort. If you're tired, just flag down the golf cart guy. Enjoy your trip whatever your choice may be!

 

[global_mom]

I want to go to CSR after looking at Buzz's pics!

 

[uicbear]

After posting on this thread, and then revisiting Buzz's site, and then linking on one of the other links on Buzz's site....I want to go back to CSR!

Hmmmm....methinks I may just have to start planning a trip.

 

[Kathi OD]

FWIW...While I loved staying at CBR, if you chose CSR after considering CBR, then that's where you should stay. If you change your mind and stay at CBR just because of where you are afraid your room will be located at CSR, then you probably won't be happy there either.

If you're concerned about the long walk, call and request the location you want. While it won't be guaranteed, I know that in the past Disney has always tried to get me at least close to the location I have requested.

 

[Pig Pen]

One of the most magical moments I have ever experienced at WDW occurred while walking to the Pepper Market early one morning from Casitas 5. The lake was still and the air was quiet. I happened to look back over my shoulder and a hot air balloon was coming over the resort, its image perfectly mirrored in the still waters of the lake. It was breathtaking...and I didn't have a camera!

Also, I cannot prove this, but I am sure I read somewhere that CBR is actually BIGGER & more spread out than CSR? Can anyone verify this?

 

[Lilolvr]

CSR!! It has great transportation, food and the best pool/slide of all the mods.