I can't decide CBR or CSR?

[binabodi]

We are considering one of these for the nicer room feel, sand volleyball court, pool/playground/arcade. I am very concerned about the walking because it sounds like both are spread out. My kids are 14 & 7. Any advice on choosing one over the other?

 

[ols386]

I stayed at CSR a couple weeks ago.

It (and also CBR) are very large resorts, as you say.

We were in Casitas, building 4. It was a bit of a walk to the main building, but not that long. Maybe 5 minutes at the most. The walk didn't bother me at all (and I have neck and back issues). Cabanas didn't look like a bad walk either. Ranchos would be the one section I would avoid if concerned about walking.

You could always take the bus from whatever building you are staying to the main building if you wanted. The last bus stop before going to the parks is El Centro (the main building).

I hadn't stayed at CSR in many years, and I had forgotten how pretty it is. I also liked Pepper Market. When I stayed there before I didn't like PM, but it has changed somewhat, and I liked it on this most recent visit.

The Dig (the main pool at CSR) was amazing. It looked like all the kids were really enjoying it.

Personally, I prefer CSR over CBR. CSR also has a fitness center and spa. It also has room service.

 

[minnie mum]

Much will just come down to personal preference, but if walking is an issue then I'd upgrade to a preferred room at either resort. We like CBR more than CSR, mostly because of the theming. Easywdw has an informative article comparing the different mod resorts, if you want to read up on the pros and cons of each.

http://www.easywdw.com/easy/disneybest/best-disney-world-moderate-resort-hotel/

 

[nkereina]

I've stayed at both and agree it's personal preference. There were pros and cons to both resorts, but I really don't think you could go wrong with either.

We preferred CSR over CBR because it was smaller and easier to navigate, and we loved the main pool. We also found bus service to be less crowded and more reliable. However, we did not care for the food options at CSR. The restaurants and food court are operated by a third party, so we found quality varied and some of the offerings were different than what you'd find elsewhere in WDW. Another potential negative is the convention groups - we experienced two large ones, and while they were not noisy or problematic, we did find that their presence detracted from that vacation feel and reminded us of work back home. We were always around people in suits working on laptops or taking conference calls while we were eating breakfast, etc.

At CBR, it was more typical "Disney" food so we knew exactly what we were getting. We liked the food options at CBR better. We did find the resort too big to stroll, so we never saw the other sides of it. The main pool was nice and the renovated rooms were also nice. They also didn't have a standard lounge like CSR did. We found the buses to be more crowded, but that was to be expected with a larger capacity resort.

 

[Travis B]

Much will just come down to personal preference, but if walking is an issue then I'd upgrade to a preferred room at either resort. We like CBR more than CSR, mostly because of the theming. Easywdw has an informative article comparing the different mod resorts, if you want to read up on the pros and cons of each.

http://www.easywdw.com/easy/disneybest/best-disney-world-moderate-resort-hotel/

Exactly this. If walking is a big concern, definitely book preferred wherever you end up booking.

We just stayed at CSR - it was perfectly fine but I didn't fall in love. The theming didn't do anything for me. Busses were great, Pepper Market was great, and I really don't have anything negative to say about it - just a personal preference issue. We may try CBR on our next trip - the rooms are newly refurbed and from the photos I've seen I really like new decor. The rooms at CSR are nice, if a little ... bland. I don't mind walking, but it started getting a little tiresome going around and around that lake. We did add a whole lot of extra steps on to the Fitbit count everyday, though.

 

[DebbieB]

I've stayed at both, liked CBR way better.

 

[maxiesmom]

I've stayed at both and to me CSR is much nicer than CBR. CSR feels more upscale to me. Plus I like the food court much more than the one at CBR. But I have to agree too that booking preferred room at either resort is the way to go.

 

[RustManFan]

they are spread out but at least your kids are way beyond the stroller years. Personally I would try CSR!

 

[_auroraborealis_]

If you're already comparing the costs of Preferred Rooms, also look at the cost difference between Preferred and Business Class at CSR. I've found that the cost difference can usually be expressed in terms of alcoholic beverages. I think when I last priced it, we needed a beer a night to make the cost difference between a Preferred CBR room and a Business Class CSR room "worth it."

One beer a night between two adults with young children on vacation? Amateur hour!

 

[binabodi]

Thanks for all the personal experience. Unfortunately during our dates, there isn't preferred available in CSR. I am excited to try either place!

 

[binabodi]

If you're already comparing the costs of Preferred Rooms, also look at the cost difference between Preferred and Business Class at CSR. I've found that the cost difference can usually be expressed in terms of alcoholic beverages. I think when I last priced it, we needed a beer a night to make the cost difference between a Preferred CBR room and a Business Class CSR room "worth it."

One beer a night between two adults with young children on vacation? Amateur hour!

I am definitely going to check into that, I'm not seeing the Business class on WDW website. Are there other differences?

 

[_auroraborealis_]

I am definitely going to check into that, I'm not seeing the Business class on WDW website. Are there other differences?

Business Class is guaranteed to be in Building 9B, which is very close to El Centro and a brief walk to the pool, and the business class lounge also offers evening snacks and a continental breakfast.

But, really, the ROI is more easily calculated in beer and sangria. Figure a cheap beer on WDW property is, what, $6 if you're lucky?

 

[Micca]

Our "mod" experiences are limited to CSR and POFQ. They are both nice, we liked CSR quite a bit more.

 

[jolene63]

We stayed at both CSR and CBR this year. We loved CSR and can't wait to go back. We didn't care for CBR and probably won't go back there again. The buses were the biggest thing we didn't like about CBR. It just took way too long to circle around the resort.

 

[dansdad]

Our favorite Moderate is CBR. We just love the laid back relaxed atmosphere there. It is such a nice change of pace from the craziness of the parks. We love the food court layout and selections and the Main Feature Pool is great. Every village has its own leisure pool and bus stop so you are never far from one. And over the last few years the TS Restaurant, Shutters, has become a hidden gem. You can't go wrong with any of the Moderates, but we just happen to love CBR. Ever since having to stay there for Free Dining years ago, we haven't been able to stay anywhere else.

 

[IndyRnRfan]

Never stayed at CBR but if you're wanting to do both, split stay or pick one now and then use the excuse for the other as a reason to go back the next year. CSR is awesome, stayed there a second time this past summer.

 

[Olaf63]

We love CSR much better than CBR. The pool is nice and the slide is longer at CSR too. Fewer bus stops at CSR and the option to get a business class room make it our choice.

 

[GreatLakes]

I like CSR much better then CBR. Part of that is pure preference as I like the theme better. The more tangible things I prefer about CSR are the fitness center, the only pool with lane markings I know of on property, and better food choices.

I also like the location of the resort. It is close to the parks but slightly off the busiest part of property.

The size is a wash since both are large and spread out. I know some people don't like that CSR is a convention resort but I've stayed at a few of the convention resorts and other than seeing some people dressed for work as opposed to vacation I have not really even noticed.

 

[nkereina]

Thanks for all the personal experience. Unfortunately during our dates, there isn't preferred available in CSR. I am excited to try either place!

We stayed in a standard room at CSR and had a great location. I had requested Casitas, which could not be granted, so we were given Cabanas which was a short walk to the main pool and equal distance to El Centro as Casitas probably would have been. Only negative was that we were the last bus stop both for pick ups and drop offs, but we were very close to the bus stop.

We also had a standard room at CBR, but had our request of Jamaica 45 granted, which was a good location for a brief walk to Old Port Royale. If we ever stay there again, I don't know if I'd take the gamble again seeing how big it is and would likely book preferred. I think it's easier to get away with a standard room at CSR than it is at CBR due to the sizes.

 

[mickeynut1]

We've never stayed at CSR, but we loved everything about CBR and wouldn't hesitate to go back.