Do CBR and CSR have a similar "feel?"

[stackyallred]

We visit WDW ever year, often times twice a year if our budget allows. We usually stay at POP when our son is with us (we basically are in the parks nonstop with him) and at a AKV Kidani Village studio when it's just DH and I (we like to relax at the pool most days when it's just the two of us). Anyway, we've always been happy with these two choices but AKV is not in the budget for our adults only trip this year and we got a great deal for CBR thanks to the upcoming construction, so we booked it. However, I'm wondering if we've made a wise choice. We were in town for a work related event two nights in 2015 and snagged a good deal for CSR and did not like it at all! The rooms seemed very dark, the bathroom felt very outdated and rundown and the overall feel of the resort just didn't have the excitement we've experienced at POP and AKV. We also couldn't believe how much the walk ways around the water features smelled so strongly of sewage . That was a turn off for relaxing by the pool. So for those who've stayed at both CBR and CSR, do they feel pretty similar in regards to dark rooms? Are the grounds at CBR as nice and tranquil as the photos online appear (aside from the construction areas, of course)? Is CBR a good place for adults who love the parks but enjoy relaxing at the resort too?

Thanks for any advice!

 

[Epcot82Guy]

I'm sorry to hear you had such a poor experience at CSR. It's one of my favorites. Though, the dark complaint is understandable.

With that, I actually find CBR to be somewhat lack luster. It's theme is much more subtle, and you still have the large lake to navigate. The bathrooms are a little more updated (CSR will be getting them soon). But, the overall room feel is similar (with a different theme). The pool is wonderful at CBR (as it is at CSR). The dining will be pretty ripped up with the construction, so that may be a challenge.

If you like a general Floridian/Caribbean feel, you'll enjoy it well enough. But, it feels more Florida than Caribbean for me. If you want more of a theme and to feel immersive, I would recommend POR, POFQ or OKW.

 

[stackyallred]

I'm sorry to hear you had such a poor experience at CSR. It's one of my favorites. Though, the dark complaint is understandable.

With that, I actually find CBR to be somewhat lack luster. It's theme is much more subtle, and you still have the large lake to navigate. The bathrooms are a little more updated (CSR will be getting them soon). But, the overall room feel is similar (with a different theme). The pool is wonderful at CBR (as it is at CSR). The dining will be pretty ripped up with the construction, so that may be a challenge.

If you like a general Floridian/Caribbean feel, you'll enjoy it well enough. But, it feels more Florida than Caribbean for me. If you want more of a theme and to feel immersive, I would recommend POR, POFQ or OKW.

Thank you for your input! I would really love to try out POR or POFQ if the opportunity arises. I think the grounds look really pretty and unique from anywhere we've stayed.

 

[Hopefully]

I don't think CBR and CSR feel alike at all. Different themes. But I have not actually stayed at CSR.
CBR is the only resort I will not go back to. I did not like anything about it.
POFQ is our favorite Mod.
Good Luck

 

[KrazeeK120]

I don't think CBR and CSR feel alike at all. Different themes. But I have not actually stayed at CSR.
CBR is the only resort I will not go back to. I did not like anything about it.
POFQ is our favorite Mod.
Good Luck

Agree. I really didn't care for CBR at all and don't plan to return. For an adults-only trip, I'd stay at POFQ. It's got a much more romantic feel and is a small resort, so everything is close together.

 

[AntFarm]

No very different. I won't stay at either again. POR is the only moderate we will stay or offsite. I don't like the theming or the rooms at CSR and our experience at CBR was horrible. Probably why they are both under construction now to make them as popular as POR and POFQ.

 

[HopperFan]

Well, they have two different feels. If you got a good deal due to the construction ... might be the perfect time to try it.

CBR rooms are newly renovated (CSR getting it now) so they will be fresher but they have a very Poly/Wood look to them and they added the big dark wood bathroom doors like CSR has ... so not sure you will like them. You may find them dark as well. The buildings themselves are small two story with no elevators so in turn the resort is very spread out. Due to the spread out nature, we did not find it relaxing.

The lake at CBR is larger than CSR (can be more walking) and most buildings are along the lake, some of it shallow and more still .......... we have never ever smelled anything like sewage at CSR so I assume you are picking up on the sulfur in Florida water ............ which means the same smell will be at CBR.

easywdw
http://www.easywdw.com/easy/blog/caribbean-beach-resort-refurbished-room-review-2/

 

[brockash]

Agree. I really didn't care for CBR at all and don't plan to return. For an adults-only trip, I'd stay at POFQ. It's got a much more romantic feel and is a small resort, so everything is close together.

We didn't like CBR either and if you can't get POR/FQ, I'd probably just save your money and do a value. I especially wouldn't stay at a resort at Disney that wasn't going to have a regular food court, which I believe CBR won't while the constructions going on.

 

[Nancyg56]

I think they feel very different, but I have to ask what your expectations are. I was not fond of CSR, but it was totally me. The resort itself, staff, restaurants. all were spot on. I just did not like it.

I liked CBR, but if you are looking for serenity you may not get it there. The deal that you took advantage of has a lot of families doing the same thing. I have no idea what you may encounter, but the main pool is not quiet. The grounds are lovely, and I always found a place to relax, but again, construction can make a difference.

I stayed there several years ago, and the rooms were bright then. I don't know how they are now, or what shape hey are in. If you want a moderate, and do not want disruption, I would choose one of the Port Orleans resorts.

 

[Shwhatevs]

CBR - I did not like this resort at all and will not be returning. The food court is set up very strangely and I found it inconvenient - however; with the renovations they are doing who knows what it will look like while you are there. The theme is very mild and didn't really draw my attention at all. The main pool is nice but very very busy at all times of the day, the rooms are somewhat similar to CSR. The bus takes literally forever to get on since the resort is so large, many times a bus would come around and it would already be full. They also have a bus exclusively for this resort that goes around to all of the internal bus stops since it is so large.

You may have just had a bad experience at CSR - I personally really enjoy this resort. The main pool is beautiful, there is a gym on site, the food court is set up conveniently with other little food "stores" along the lobby hallway which is also convenient. The rooms were nice and within decent walking distance to the main building and bus stop. I never smelled anything foul or sewage like at this resort. My fiance and I even lounged in a hammock on the beach next to the lake for awhile - no complains, it was beautiful and very relaxing. I also enjoyed the theme of this resort, it was more apparent and well done than CBR. But again... that is just my personal preference and everyone is different.

I also really love POR as far as other moderates go, it is probably my favorite.

 

[SharonZ]

CBR is the one moderate I wouldn't go back to, didn't like anything about it. Have stayed at CSR and POFQ multiple times, love both locations, more than POR.

 

[loves to dive]

I've stayed at POR, CSR and CBR and, for us, a moderate is a moderate is a moderate. We tend to do split stays with a few days up front in a moderate and the rest at an Epcot deluxe or Swan/Dolphin. We stayed at CSR this past March and my son (adult) kept asking me if I was sure we hadn't stayed there before. We had stayed as CBR the previous March and he just felt like the look and feel was pretty much the same. You have a few more food choices at CSR but I kind of agree with him on the look and feel being the same in that there is a lake, a bridge to get over to the pool and multiple bus stops. POR is my favorite of the moderates but frankly, I wouldn't hesitate to stay in any of them. I just go with whichever one is less.

 

[maxiesmom]

I actually like CSR much much much more than CBR. I found CBR too large and I disliked the food court.

 

[AtlantaDisneyDreamer]

The rooms at CBR definitely felt dark and dreary to me. Our first room had a terrible musty, smoke-like odor. Stayed a night and couldn't take it any longer. They moved us to a different room and the smell was much better but still slightly musty. Room still seemed dark. May have been because both were first floor rooms and faced a shady courtyard and at POR and POFQ we stayed on the second floor and had much better sunlight. The furniture and decor were also dark.

The grounds at CBR are nice and we really enjoyed the food court, the pool, and the playground. CBR has a great place to watch the fireworks at night, also. Although I love all things Disney and would stay at CBR again to be at Disney, it was my least favorite resort of all the Disney resorts where I have stayed (I have stayed at POFR, POR, AKL, Pop, ASSp, Cabins at FW, BWI, YC, and the CR). I would choose Pop or one of the All Stars over CBR. It was enormous and the walking felt like a lot. With 7 bus stops, and ours being one of the last, it also made transportation a bit of a pain.

 

[stackyallred]

Thanks to everyone for your input! I think we've decided that even though it's a great price for a moderate, we are going to pass on CBR. We'd rather save a few hundred dollars and stay at a value than spend that money and just feel "bleh" about it. No other moderates have availability in our price range for our dates (as of right now, anyway) but I am really hoping we can try Port Orleans in the future!