moderate resorts

[mousekefan]

What a fun choice to have to make! Of course, theming and personal preference are really the main ingredients here. Here are the pros for both...

CBR - Two words...pirate rooms! If your boys are into pirates, or just love a good adventure, this might be the way to go. The pool is tons of fun, too!

CSR - The pyramid pool is AMAZING! Really, as fun or more so than some of the deluxe ones. The newly remodeled rooms are lovely, also. It's a little more "grown-up" feeling than CBR, so it may appeal to the almost teen in your family.

Breakfast options would be similar at both. My advice would be to ask your sons...they might just make this decision for you!

 

[Amy&Dan]

I have stayed at and loved all the moderates. For my family, we prefer the larger sized moderates. The advantage to a resort with some square footage is you have lovely grounds, boat and bike rentals to help you explore and enjoy the resort, quiet pools (CBR has six quiet pools, POR has about that many and I think CSR has three) and main pools that are very resort in feel with pool slides, pool bars, lots of seating, baby pools and just a very fun place to hang out at and enjoy.

I too find the walking thing very much a matter of perspective. I have stayed in some all in one buildings at Disey (Boardwalk and the Grand Californian in Disneyland which is the same design as BW, AKL and WL) and let me tell you, if you get down the end of a long hallway you will feel like you walk miles to get to anyplace! Disney is about walking in one manner or another. NOw I realize that some people have mobility issues and I realize that a half mile (at most) to a food court can seem excessive. But the walks are pleasant, most rooms are closer and the nice thing about the WDW moderates (except POFQ) is that beginning in 2011 you can book a preferred location room category at any of them. Which will put you very close to the main area. Also the mods have paths that wind around the whole lake or along the river, and they have shortcuts across bridges to connect you quicker and easier to the main areas. Also each section at CSR, CBR and POR has its own quiet pool, laundry and bus stop. CBR has an internal shuttle.

If CBR appeals go for it! I can't imagine your family won't enjoy it and if you have any worries about walking distances you can book the preferred room.

I love the values and they also work for my family, but a moderate level resort really makes us feel like we are splurging a bit more without breaking the bank!

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

ALso does anyone know if you can purchase DDP outright w/o purchasing park tix..have no expiration date tix from 2 years back..Pls let me know..I usually dont purchase DDP ..but thought I would try it ...If the price is right

I think the only way you can purchase the DDP without adding tickets is if you are a DVC member staying on points or you have an AP. If you think you will be coming back to Disney, you can purchase one day tickets with your package and include DDP - the one-day tickets will not expire if you don't use them. But adding tickets and DDP requires a package instead of room only, and the payment and cancellation policies are different.

You have to purchase DDP for the same number of nights as your stay, but you can purchase one-day tickets (except for some free dining promotions that require 2-day tickets).

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

We have stayed at all the moderates. My boys favorite (they are 11 and almost 9) is CBR. It is mine and DH's favorite as well. It just has something for the entire family. If CBR first appealed to you then I say go with your initial feeling! That's what we did, and after trying all the rest of the moderates CBR still remains our favorite. We love the spacious beautiful grounds, the larger rooms, the double sinks with lots of storage space in the bathroom, the food court, the buses, the white sand beaches, the hammocks, the views of IllumiNations, the pirate cruise for the kids, and the pools/slides are the best! And we have never found the walks to be long at all. As a matter of fact we walked from the furthest section out to OPR and it took us only 7 minutes.

Here is my review with lots of CBR info and pics ~ http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2074555

Good luck deciding and have a great trip!!

 

[NOLAdisneymom]

We stayed at CBR in November of 2008 for the first time. We are going back in 52 days, we loved it so much!

We stayed in Jamaica 42 in 2008, which was across the lake from the food court and main pool. The walk across the bridge in the morning was BEAUTIFUL, they have themed the bridge so well, and there are so many things to look at, you don't even notice the walk, which was about 5 minutes. The landscaping is stunning, and the beach hammocks perfect for a cat nap.

The food court was standard Disney fare, not great, not bad, just food. However, they have an excellent grab and go market, you can get fresh fruit, pastries, etc, which you can take out to the bus stop with you, if you don't want to waste your park time having a sit down breakfast!

We had a corner, king-bed room, and it was BEAUTIFUL. It was cleaned **** and span every day, lots of fresh linens and towel animals, even though it was only two adults staying in the room.

The only negative, if there was one, was waiting while the bus stopped at the other stops, before yours, on the evening return to the resort. This isn't a huge deal to us though.

Overall, we love CBR, and probably will always come back to it! Give it a shot, I bet you'll love it too!

 

[rie'smom]

We love CSR because of the staff, the queen beds(only mod that has them), The Pepper market and the theme.

Having said that, look at pictures of the Disney resorts. You said you saw some of CBR and it appealed to you. If after looking at the others, it still does, book it. To me choosing a resort is like choosing shoes or a purse. You have to love it and feel comfortable.

 

[Dizfan4life]

We love CBR and if you have kids, you'll love it even more! We have stayed at POR, AKL, and CBR in the past and DH along with the kids LOVED CBR the most! I have to agree... the walk gets exaggerated, imho. The furthest building away from CBR should be a 10 min walk and no more... and I would think that it would be a slight hike if you were just going to refill you mug. However, when we were there earlier this year we ALWAYS saw an Internal Bus Shuttle running constantly around the resorts so you shouldn't have to worry if you get tucked far away from the main building. If you put in one request, a certain building for example, and none other they are very good about honoring that one request and if not they are very good about switching you to a different building.

 

[Dizfan4life]

Thanks everyone for all of your input. As for who is travelling, it is myself, my husband and 2 boys ages 12 and 9. I think I have it narrowed down to CBR and CSR. I know my younger son would like the pirate pool at CSR but the pyramid pool looks pretty cool too at CSR. We probably will not be eating in the food court that much, maybe just for breakfast a few days. Decisions, decisions!!

Just keep in mind, if you do eat some meals at the food court...... CSR's food court, Pepper Market, will automatically add a 10% gratuity charged to your bill. If I was new to the Disney life that gratuity charge would come as a surprise to me.