Is CBR worth a try???

[Sparkly]

I'm not sure anyone could persuade someone who starts off by wondering how BAD a resort is. I'm not sure that discussing the brand new room refurbs or the fact that they have the largest rooms of all the mods would make a difference. Or that you could choose to stay in a preferred room, close to the main building and pool. Or that bus transportation to MK is only 10 minutes longer than the walk from CR would be and is faster than taking the monorail to Epcot.

But I know that I would do whatever I could to avoid being in debt for 2 years just for a vacation. Shaving 30% off that bill by staying at a very nice mod resort would be a no brainer for me.

Couldn't have said it any better myself. We loved CBR and I would totally stay there again someday.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

I would do whatever I could to avoid being in debt for 2 years just for a vacation.

My only problem will be that the kids are super excited about the Contemporary.

2 years to payoff a Disney vacation...yikes!! I would get my kids super excited about the idea of being able to afford to eat when we get home, LOL!

 

[Nancyg56]

2 years to payoff a Disney vacation...yikes!! I would get my kids super excited about the idea of being able to afford to eat when we get home, LOL!

That is why before we talked to my DGD about where we would stay, we had already looked at the cost. It is kind of difficult to put the toothpaste back in the tube after the fact, so whenever we discussed choices we knew where we were budgeted to stay. This last trip I had planned POFQ, but my DH overruled that when he heard that the little family on our street could join us, as well as my DD and her family. We knew going in that DH choice would never fit their price range, but that they could afford POFQ. He was insistent on the change so he paid the resort rooms costs. Had we made plans with the children and showed them all of the amenities the Grand they would enjoy, and then had to back out, we would have felt terrible. I think that any vacation planning needs to have the financial as well as the logistical portions hammered out before opening the conversations with the kids.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

This last trip I had planned POFQ, but my DH overruled that

I think you meant GF

 

[loves to dive]

We use to love CBR but not anymore. The busses are so crowded and there were way too many smokers not smoking in the DSAs. The upside with the Contemporary is you can easily walk to MK.

I've never even visited CBR but I have a question. You read about how big it is and how far the walk is, wouldn't the walk to MK from CR be just as long if not longer than the farthest building at CBR to the main bus stop? Not asking to be ugly or rude, just curious since I've found that some of the resorts that are considered so huge and the walks so long really don't seem that way to me (ever been in the YC on the farthest hallway from Epcot and walked it? Or BW with the REDRUM hallways) I suspect just about all the resorts have a long walk, all things considered with twisted hallways or larger grounds but some seem to not be that way.

 

[P'colaBeachBum]

I've never even visited CBR but I have a question. You read about how big it is and how far the walk is, wouldn't the walk to MK from CR be just as long if not longer than the farthest building at CBR to the main bus stop? Not asking to be ugly or rude, just curious since I've found that some of the resorts that are considered so huge and the walks so long really don't seem that way to me (ever been in the YC on the farthest hallway from Epcot and walked it? Or BW with the REDRUM hallways) I suspect just about all the resorts have a long walk, all things considered with twisted hallways or larger grounds but some seem to not be that way.

I didn't have any issue with walking and yes we had a the farthest room at YC before. I would much rather walk then be crammed into an already full bus which is what we encountered many times at CBR.

 

[AJA]

Too bad POR isn't available!

We've stayed at CBR. It was not our favorite. I will say though it has an AWESOME pool for kids! We've stayed at POR, POFQ, CBR, AKL and Beach Club. Only BC's pool is better than CBR. The slide is fantastic and so were the pool staff. The resort is beautiful. For my family $3K just for the monorail would not be doable.

 

[maxiesmom]

I've never even visited CBR but I have a question. You read about how big it is and how far the walk is, wouldn't the walk to MK from CR be just as long if not longer than the farthest building at CBR to the main bus stop? Not asking to be ugly or rude, just curious since I've found that some of the resorts that are considered so huge and the walks so long really don't seem that way to me (ever been in the YC on the farthest hallway from Epcot and walked it? Or BW with the REDRUM hallways) I suspect just about all the resorts have a long walk, all things considered with twisted hallways or larger grounds but some seem to not be that way.

Maybe I can answer. The walk at CBR isn't that long, but for me it was doing it after a long day in the parks. When I am tired out the last thing I want to do is have to hike to get a bottle of water or a pop. Or a hike in the morning because I want a muffin for breakfast. During my stay at CBR I was in Jamaica, and the walk was enough that I either went without what I wanted (when it came to a drink or snack) or got something out of the vending machine near my room.

Walking to/from the Contemporary is something I would only do once or twice a day. So it isn't that big of a deal. I wouldn't stay at CBR again without paying for a preferred room.

 

[maryj11]

Here is the link to the CBR thread, thought it might help http://www.disboards.com/threads/the-new-caribbean-beach-resort-faq-thread-part-viii.3348628/

 

[Serenebean]

I stayed at CBR two years ago and liked it. We would definitely go back there. We also went during free dining and the price was very manageable. It sounds like OP's biggest concern was the bus situation at CBR. I didn't think it was bad. I think we were in Aruba and there was a bus stop that was like a 1 min walk from our room. It wasn't the main stop, but we never had problems getting on a bus. Im not trying to do the math on when they will be there...close to 45 days sounds like early Nov? I'd consider the crowd levels for that time...it shouldn't be too bad. Also, unless I missed it, did OP state what type of room they have at CR? Is there a possibility to switch to a Garden View Room maybe? I also agree with the people who suggested a split stay. It might be more work, but a nice way to get both in.

With all that said, I personally would never put myself in a position to be paying off a $10,000 credit card debt over two years. The trip will end up costing way more than that assuming your card isn't in a 0% interest time period. So, you aren't just saving $3,000 by switching resorts, you are likely saving even more by not paying tons of interest!

 

[luvmy2babies]

I had a similar situation 3 years ago as far as having to make a change to the trip and facing disappointing a child. I had booked us at Wilderness Lodge for 9 nights on a military discount with dining. I actually got it paid off; but with that discount you have to get tickets elsewhere. I had some unexpected things come up and the money I had for the tickets was spent. We were 3 weeks away from departure.

My daughter was really looking forward to the Wilderness Lodge. Once I had it paid off, I talked to her about taking the boat to MK and other things. I spent quite a bit of time trying to figure out how to pull it off without dipping into savings. I don't have credit cards except one for emergencies. Then one day went on the site and priced a stay at All-Star Movies (where we had stayed on our previous trip) with dining and tickets and it was $200 less than what I had already paid. I called in a made the change.

I made the slow walk to tell my daughter. Her response: "We're still going right?"

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

I made the slow walk to tell my daughter. Her response: "We're still going right?"

In most instances this is absolutely going to be the response. Kids don't care where they stay...the just want to go to WDW. OK maybe if you move to a resort without a pool slide there's some complaint but other than that... Queen bed or double bed, probably don't care...No TS Restaurant at the resort, that's fine...Can't see fireworks from my room, you make me go to bed early anyways...etc!

Now what kids will notice is when you don't have enough money to send them to Johnny's birthday party or participate in dance class because we're still paying for that Disney vacation 18 months later.

 

[kandb]

If you are that concerned about taking buses, why don't you just rent a car. We were able to get a full size car for $127/all in for a full size for a full week. We loved CBR when we stayed there and are staying there again in 2016. We did have a car, took the bus a few times to MK and they were never full and never a long wait.

 

[aprincessatlast]

I have stayed at both. Honestly book CBR. Contemporary is great but 2 years debt great? Not a chance!

Now could you go to CBR and have a bad or just ok vacation and think to yourself "we should have splurged and done the Contemporary"? More than likely those thoughts will cross your mind at some point. However imagine paying 3k and having a bad or just ok vacation and think to yourself I have 2 years to pay this off? Those thoughts will cross your mind for 24 months!! Which would be worse?

FWIW-my kids remember POP the most of all the 9 Disney hotels we have done. From value to mod to deluxe.

 

[Kevin355]

People will always find a reason to not like something. We have stayed at CBR 9 or 10 times...never had a bad experience. Sometimes the buses are full, but it is WDW...it is usually crowded year round. Just got home a week ago (9/19) and are planning another stay at CBR. It is the largest moderate, but you do not feel like you are on top of anyone, and I have had both knees replaced...the walk is not that bad.

 

[anniemae]

I would change to cbr. No way would I want to go into that much debt over vacation. The kids will get over it, in the long run you are doing them a favor, teaching them good money management. They are going to disney for crying out loud. CBR is a great resort, we love it.

 

[Shellyb84]

Personally, I would switch to CBR, or do a split stay and stay most of the trip at CBR and then finish with 2-3 nights at CR. Then, save up the money for a deluxe resort in a year or two so you wouldn't be stressed about racking up debt

 

[nilla]

I think the busses would drive us crazy

How were you planning to get from the Contemporary to DHS and AK?

We stayed at CBR for the first time this year and LOVED it! No major gripes from us. But then again, we're "mod trash"

 

[kandb]

We like CBR much better then POR

 

[gaudioli]

just a thought...if there is a concern that the walk to the bus is too long and the buses are too crowded, why not just rent a car for a few hundred, you're still saving a ton of cash and have the convenience of driving if you want vs paying Deluxe prices. We are staying at CBR in Feb (never stayed here before). If we stay Mod we usually rent a car if we don't drive. DH hates the buses, he's more of a monorail guy but when he looks at the price of Deluxe v Moderate WITH a car....he always chooses the Mod. (parking while staying on property is free btw)