Movies vs. Caribbean

[Ciandella915]

I know some of this is going to be subject to personal preference, but I'm curious for people's opinions on this. We're booked for five nights at Movies right now (11/12-17), but I'm doing the thing I always do where I question myself and think about going moderate. This time it's Caribbean I'm considering. Last year we upgraded to Coronado and really enjoyed ourselves (it's just me and my husband). It's $250 overall to upgrade.

We're planning on doing three days in the parks and one day as a freebie/relaxation day. Here are some of my considerations:

1. Is the food court situation better at Caribbean?
2. Are there still lots of kids at Caribbean? Coronado was fairly quiet, but I know it's a convention resort. We don't mind kids, but we also want to enjoy the quietness of our room. I know All Stars can have groups that can be rowdy.
3. Does anyone know if there are Christmas decorations at the resorts mid-November? Do these resorts do anything fun for that?

TIA everyone!

 

[Kevin355]

I know some of this is going to be subject to personal preference, but I'm curious for people's opinions on this. We're booked for five nights at Movies right now (11/12-17), but I'm doing the thing I always do where I question myself and think about going moderate. This time it's Caribbean I'm considering. Last year we upgraded to Coronado and really enjoyed ourselves (it's just me and my husband). It's $250 overall to upgrade.

We're planning on doing three days in the parks and one day as a freebie/relaxation day. Here are some of my considerations:

1. Is the food court situation better at Caribbean?
2. Are there still lots of kids at Caribbean? Coronado was fairly quiet, but I know it's a convention resort. We don't mind kids, but we also want to enjoy the quietness of our room. I know All Stars can have groups that can be rowdy.
3. Does anyone know if there are Christmas decorations at the resorts mid-November? Do these resorts do anything fun for that?

TIA everyone!

In November, there will not be a lot of kids. Love the food court, and Shutters is a darn good restaurant.

 

[mickeygirl78]

I've never stayed at the all star resorts but I have stayed value at pop and AOA. CBR is my favorite moderate, for only $250 I would upgrade in a heartbeat. I find CBR very serene, relaxing, peaceful... Yes there are kids but when not at the main pool you hardly notice. We are going this Sept and upgraded from pop to CBr and I can't wait. I've always enjoyed the food court at CBR, I find it comparable to the values.

 

[dansdad]

1. We have stayed at both and do prefer the food court at CBR.
2. No more or less kids than at any other Moderate. One of the things we love about CBR is that even when it's at capacity, it never feels like. We always feel like we're the only people in our building.
3. The Christmas decorations will definitely be up before the Saturday of Thanksgiving weekend. Sometimes earlier, but definitely by then.

Another advantage to CBR is that you can actually book a king bed whereas at Movies it would only be a request.

 

[Ciandella915]

It's like you guys know I'm looking for reasons to spend more money...

 

[dansdad]

It's like you guys know I'm looking for reasons to spend more money...

It's what is commonly referred to as "Disney Logic" or "Disney Math" around here.

 

[loves to dive]

For $250 I'd go CBR, it's very relaxing and just has an overall better feeling than All Stars.

I feel your pain in spending money. I originally had 2 nights at CSR on 9/13-15 and 3 night Swan 9/15-18 booked. Got a decent price at Swan with AAA discount. That stayed until about 2 weeks ago when I just knew I had to add an additional day to the beginning. I looked at 1 night CSR, one WL, 4 nights Swan. If I changed Swan to add that extra night, I would loose the rate I had and have to pay about $15 more per night. So I looked some more, I could get CSR for 9/12-14 with the general discount they have going now for a pretty good rate and Yacht Club opened up for 14-18 for less than Swan when you factored in parking since I drive and my AP discount. So for about $80 more I could add a night and switch to YC (which is my all time favorite resort). Since I'm going for F&W, all that made sense to me so I switched it. Now I'm toying with doing 9/12 at CSR, 9/13 at WL and not messing with my YC. Why? Because an AP discount opened up at WL for an obscene low rate (I'm talking under $200). The rate for CSR would be higher than I already have booked so I can switch it all around, do a 3 way split stay for about $60 more than I have now.

Haven't hit the button on that one yet but I think I'm going to. For some reason the WL doesn't have the same discount for two nights, just the one. I don't mind doing a 3 resort split since I'm solo and driving so can just pack different bags.

Disney math.

 

[mickeynut1]

I agree with the others that I'd go with CBR. We've never stayed at any of the values, but we loved everything about CBR. In addition to what's already been posted about the resort, each "village" has its own quiet pool. If you didn't want the hustle and bustle of the main pool with a lot of kids, the quiet pool is great for a little relaxation, IMO. I'm not saying the quiet pools never have kids, but most kids are at the main pirate themed pool (at least they were in our experience). With all of that said, for only $250 more total, I think CBR would be worth it. Good luck and have a great trip .

 

[Mickeycrocs]

We also upgraded from sports! It was the same about 250 to upgrade nice to see these respondes as well

 

[henry72]

We always stay at CBR (twice without kids, four times with kids). Obviously we love this resort. It may be big but we never see that many people. We feel like we pretty much have the place to ourselves. Three times we have stayed in a King room. So nice! And the food court and Shutters are both great. For $250 more I would totally go with CBR.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

I can't sleep in a double bed with my boyfriend so I would upgrade to CBR or we would be sleeping in two separate beds the entire trip. I've stayed at CBR twice and absolutely loved it.

Request Jamaica 51 or Aruba 45 to be closer to the bridge to OPR.

 

[wdw4rfam]

I love CBR!! Our favorite moderate, and no matter what the price difference, I'd switch to CBR. Movies was our favorite value back in the day ( before we tried moderate). We have many fond memories of movies. But once I tried moderate, there was no turning back.

 

[Ciandella915]

But once I tried moderate, there was no turning back.

I think I might be in that boat now too! Half of me thinks "Well, how much time do we spend in the room REALLY?" The other part of me goes "Doooooo ittttttt..."

 

[maxiesmom]

I think I might be in that boat now too! Half of me thinks "Well, how much time do we spend in the room REALLY?" The other part of me goes "Doooooo ittttttt..."

I would only do it if you can get a preferred room for that price. One time in a standard room at CBR was enough, never again. It was too far from the resort amenities, and I didn't want a 20 minute round trip hike to get my mug refilled after walking all day in the parks.

 

[Babsy]

I agree with the others that I'd go with CBR. We've never stayed at any of the values, but we loved everything about CBR. In addition to what's already been posted about the resort, each "village" has its own quiet pool. If you didn't want the hustle and bustle of the main pool with a lot of kids, the quiet pool is great for a little relaxation, IMO. I'm not saying the quiet pools never have kids, but most kids are at the main pirate themed pool (at least they were in our experience). With all of that said, for only $250 more total, I think CBR would be worth it. Good luck and have a great trip .

I agree! Excellent point about staying in an area away from the main pool! I normally suggest that people book preferred at CBR, but if it is adults only, then a standard room can be quieter and the beautiful walk around the resort is really quite pleasant. We like the jamaica 44 and 45 buildings( across the bridge from the food court) when staying standard.

CBR is beautiful! I would definitely stay there!

 

[BridgeBuilder]

CBR is a great moderate for couples. The lady and I went for a few days back in March and it never felt like it was too "kiddy" (except for maybe the main pool). We only did QS food because it was a short stay, but it was adequate. We booked a standard in Aruba. It was a good location. Close to the bridge, but far enough away from any commotion.

 

[wdw4rfam]

I think I might be in that boat now too! Half of me thinks "Well, how much time do we spend in the room REALLY?" The other part of me goes "Doooooo ittttttt..."

I know, I'm in trouble now, because we are trying POLY this year. I hope I don't love it too much.( I know, highly unlikely). We did schedule a lot of resort time since we are paying more for the room than our park tickets!!

 

[wdw4rfam]

I would only do it if you can get a preferred room for that price. One time in a standard room at CBR was enough, never again. It was too far from the resort amenities, and I didn't want a 20 minute round trip hike to get my mug refilled after walking all day in the parks.

We did stay preferred, but there were a lot of standard rooms with great locations.

 

[ConnecticutNonna]

We did stay preferred, but there were a lot of standard rooms with great locations.

If you don't want to go preferred, Aruba 51 and 52, and Jamaica 45 are close to the bridge to OPR. A beautiful walk!

 

[J'Adore Disney]

Caribbean offers a much better food court than ASMovies and is a great resort for couples. I have stayed at CBR during the first week of November and did not see any Fall or Christmas decorations. I found it to be quiet for the most part, plenty of paths for nice long [romantic] walks, and didn't notice too many kids around.

I would choose staying at the Caribbean and avoid All Star Movies! If your budget permits, always choose Moderate over Value!