Downgrading - CBR, CS, or FW Cabins?

[dizneydiva2005]

We've only stayed at FW, deluxes & DVC because we are a party of 5. We joined DVC a few years ago & love staying at OKW. Before that our favorite was FW, so my opinions are centered around where I have stayed.


FW is extremely relaxing. You get your own deck to sit on & also an outdoor grill. You do have to supply your own charcoal & lighter fluid.


At FW you park right at your cabin. I think at the mods you park in the lot & walk to your room. Don't know how far you are away from your room. You do have to walk to the bus stops at FW & then take a bus to the Pioneer Hall area to catch the boat to the MK.


The cabins do have an extre bedroom & they supply a Pak N' Play. The bedroom has a queen & a bunk. The bed in the "main" room is a pull down Murphy bed, which is real cozy for DH & myself. We are used to a king so it's a tight squeeze for us. You would probably get more privacy with 2 rooms at a mod.


FW has many things to do. You can rent bikes (they have carriers for the toddler). You can rent paddle boats & canoes, along with water mice (or whatever they're called now). They have basketball & volleyball courts through the resort. They have an evening sing-a-long & campfire program. They do not have a spa or workout facility - I think CSR resort does.

The reason we enjoy the cabins is because we also spend a fair amount of time in our room. We enjoy reading the paper on the deck in the morning. We really enjoy having the kitchen facilities.

I would say the downside of the cabins is only 1 bath. Other than that we love it. We drive to all the parks, with the exception of the MK so transportation is not an issue for us.

Good luck with your decision.

I totally echo what this poster said!! We stay at FW cabins all the time... I can't get the family to stay anywhere else.
Except for a few handful of times and all I hear is complaints that they want to be back at the cabins.
But I am going in Sept with just hubby and we're staying at AKL. We don't need all the room of the cabin. Soooo yippeeee!
But if I were you the cabins are the way to go handsdown!

 

[alicenwonder99]

We loved the cabins, too! The moment you walk into one, you feel completely relaxed. Do you plan on driving to each park? If so, you can't beat the convenience of parking right next to your door.

I didn't freak out when the children got a little loud, too. Since we didn't share walls with anyone, my kids didn't disturb the neighbors. Also, the children got to play outside on the deck.

I didn't do any cooking on our trip, but we did have a nice breakfast every morning in the cabin. We had stuff to make for sandwiches the couple of times we were back at the cabin (instead of the park). And the kids had their late night snacks at the cabin (like pizza, popcorn, hot chocolate, etc.). Also, we stocked the fridge with water bottles, pop, juice boxes, etc.

If dh went with us to the park, we drove there (very convenient). If it was just the teens going off on their own, they took WDW transportation (if they could figure it out, anyone can...lol). The couple of times I went alone with the younger children, we took WDW transportation. It was a little time consuming waiting for the one bus to take us to another bus. But the weather was wonderful and it wasn't an issue. If it was unbearably hot, then I don't think I would have liked it that much. We didn't get the golf cart, and I will probably get one next time we stay there.

We want to stay at every resort at WDW, and so far, the cabins are our favorite.

Mary

 

[QueenT]

Thanks for all the responses, this is very helpful. Sorry for taking so long to get back, I should know better than to ask a question on Thursday afternoon, as I only am able to use my computer at work for this, and I am off Fri, Sat, Sun.

The cabins really do seem like the best option. DH is a little worried about privacy, w/ us in "living area" and kids in bedroom, but I don't think it is a deal-breaker. It is just how he is thinking about it (backwards is throwing him a little).

Cabins are quiet, lots to do, boat to mk/fw, especially liked the info about being able to use the Sturdy Branches facilities (thanks ConcKahuna).

Only downside is pool, but if I take DD11 to water parks at least 2x I think she can get over it.

FW is the best value for us (outside of the values!) at I think 267/nt w/ tax compared to 2 mod rooms @ 310 w/ tax.

Still haven't completely decided, I told DH he had to decide by the end of the week.

A couple of questions:

1) Does the Cabin bathroom connect to the bedroom, or is it outside of the bedroom?

2) Is the Murphy bed less comfortable than the double bed in mods?

3) Does the Pak n Play come with the cabin, or do you have to have them bring it?

4) Is CSR pool that much better than CBR pool?

5) Does anybody know last time CSR/CBR rooms were renovated (if at all)? I have read some reports of "musty" CBR rooms, seems like you could get that in any hotel (a decaying room) but is CBR worse than most?

6) Is CSR customer service really that terrible? We are going 1st week of Oct, so it seems it shouldn't be as jammed as summer.

 

[alicenwonder99]

FW is the best value for us (outside of the values!) at I think 267/nt w/ tax compared to 2 mod rooms @ 310 w/ tax.

Holy Cow! Is that how much they are now? We paid $144 a night (with a room only code) back in Jan 2005.

1) Does the Cabin bathroom connect to the bedroom, or is it outside of the bedroom?

The bathroom does NOT connect to the bedroom. The door is in the hallway.

2) Is the Murphy bed less comfortable than the double bed in mods?

I can't remember what the bed felt like at the mods...sorry.

3) Does the Pak n Play come with the cabin, or do you have to have them bring it?

The PaknPlay is already in the closet in the cabin.

Sorry, I can't answer the rest of your questions. I haven't stayed at CBR nor CSR.

Good luck in your decision.

Mary

 

[Demosthenes]

A couple of questions:

1) Does the Cabin bathroom connect to the bedroom, or is it outside of the bedroom?

As stated above, the access to the bathroom is through the short hallway that connects the bedroom to the living room/kitchen.

2) Is the Murphy bed less comfortable than the double bed in mods?

I don't think so. It is slightly smaller though.

3) Does the Pak n Play come with the cabin, or do you have to have them bring it?

4) Is CSR pool that much better than CBR pool?

Without question. CSR has one of the top three pools @ WDW.

5) Does anybody know last time CSR/CBR rooms were renovated (if at all)? I have read some reports of "musty" CBR rooms, seems like you could get that in any hotel (a decaying room) but is CBR worse than most?

I don't think the CSR rooms have ever been renovated, but CBR was done about 3 years ago.

6) Is CSR customer service really that terrible?

I don't think so. We got excellent customer service at the resort.

 

[twojo21]

we stayed with my parents one trip at coronado springs in a suite/rancho ? which accomodated 6. this could be an option for your family. coronado springs is actually a really nice resort, they have a cool mayan themed pool, nice rooms & some spa services. there is a business center there too so its not as loud as the others i noticed (like cbr) & has a few good dining options.