Must have help - CSR or CBR? PLEASE!

[HiHoOffWeGo]

We are planning a June 2013 Family trip and have decided as soon as the rates come out we will book but we need your HELP!

We have stayed at a few Values but POR has been our choice for some time now. We will for this 12 day trip choose CSR or CBR and we need a lot of help here.

So, which resort and why do you choose the resort?

Oh! We will probably need 3 rooms as it will be Me and DW(the old folks). DD37 and her DH and DD9 and DS5 plus DD38 and her DH and DD14 and DN14.

I have looked at the two threads but for those who have stayed at these resorts I hope to get the feel of those who have stayed at one or both.
Thanks!!!

 

[cybrkitn]

We're having a similar issue between CBR and POR with regard to the themed rooms.

The only thing I can tell you to keep in mind between CSR and CBR is that CBR is the only moderate resort now that has double beds (IIRC, I may be wrong). I don't know if that is a deciding factor or not for you. But it's something to keep in mind.

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

Given the ages of the kids, I'd recommend CSR. We've haven't stayed at CBR, but we have stayed at CSR several times. CSR has queen beds instead of doubles. CSR also has a much better pool for elementary and older kids. The pool is huge, the slide is fast and the Dig Site area has an arcade, playground, huge hot tub and sand volleyball court.

CBR has a pirate ship splash area and zero entry pool that looks like a lot of fun for preschoolers, but pictures of it didn't appeal to my kids. My kids (12 and 9) rank the CSR pool only behind Stormalong Bay at BC/YC.

CSR has excellent bus service. CSR also offers a fitness center, spa, salon, room service and upgraded toiletries compared to CBR.

Like CBR, CSR has white sand beaches and hammocks for relaxing.

CSR is a convention resort, so you will sometimes see guests with nametags walking around. Most conventions do not impact guests at all, except that the buses and pools are not as crowded as you might expect. The notable exception is the Grainger Show (going on now and in February each year) - it is huge. Most conventions are much smaller and are held at the convention center. I haven't found any conventions for June 2013 yet, but conventions this year in June include a church's marriage retreat, a leadership conference and a conference for locomotive engineers. We've stayed at CSR four times from May through September and haven't been bothered by any conventions. Summer is not high season for conventions. Our kids love CSR as much as the deluxe resorts, and it has always been very family-friendly.

If you are going to be on the dining plan, CSR is currently a great value. The food court offers a buffet for breakfast and lunch that is a quick service credit, and there are several other quick service places on-site if you want something smaller or are paying OOP. The food court dinner is a la carte, and the choices include ribs, fajitas, pizza, sandwiches, burgers, rotisserie chicken, pasta, etc. There are a lot of choices even for picky eaters.

Good luck with your decision - I'm sure it will be a great trip wherever you choose!

 

[Herbie]

We have stayed at both, and prefer Coronado.

we like the setting and the grounds, and no shared buses.

 

[minnie mum]

CBR is our favourite of all of the mods. We just love the theming at that resort. However it is just the 2 of us. Considering the makeup of your group, I would probably recommend CSR instead; ONLY because you would have queen beds, which would be much more comfortable for 2 adults or teens to share.

 

[jujube]

CSR because of the queen beds. There are other reasons too- the Dig Site pool is great, the landscaping is beautiful, the bus service is fantastic and so nice for a quiet walk with spouses. The Pepper Market has a wonderful variety of food. Last but certainly not least, the staff is awesome from the check in CMs to the grounds people.

 

[elaw]

This may (Or may not) be helpful http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2881809

 

[gabzee]

Given the ages of the kids, I'd recommend CSR. We've haven't stayed at CBR, but we have stayed at CSR several times. CSR has queen beds instead of doubles. CSR also has a much better pool for elementary and older kids. The pool is huge, the slide is fast and the Dig Site area has an arcade, playground, huge hot tub and sand volleyball court.

CBR has a pirate ship splash area and zero entry pool that looks like a lot of fun for preschoolers, but pictures of it didn't appeal to my kids. My kids (12 and 9) rank the CSR pool only behind Stormalong Bay at BC/YC.

CSR has excellent bus service. CSR also offers a fitness center, spa, salon, room service and upgraded toiletries compared to CBR.

Like CBR, CSR has white sand beaches and hammocks for relaxing.

CSR is a convention resort, so you will sometimes see guests with nametags walking around. Most conventions do not impact guests at all, except that the buses and pools are not as crowded as you might expect. The notable exception is the Grainger Show (going on now and in February each year) - it is huge. Most conventions are much smaller and are held at the convention center. I haven't found any conventions for June 2013 yet, but conventions this year in June include a church's marriage retreat, a leadership conference and a conference for locomotive engineers. We've stayed at CSR four times from May through September and haven't been bothered by any conventions. Summer is not high season for conventions. Our kids love CSR as much as the deluxe resorts, and it has always been very family-friendly.

If you are going to be on the dining plan, CSR is currently a great value. The food court offers a buffet for breakfast and lunch that is a quick service credit, and there are several other quick service places on-site if you want something smaller or are paying OOP. The food court dinner is a la carte, and the choices include ribs, fajitas, pizza, sandwiches, burgers, rotisserie chicken, pasta, etc. There are a lot of choices even for picky eaters.

Good luck with your decision - I'm sure it will be a great trip wherever you choose!

I completely agree! The advantage of queen beds is HUGE especially with the size and age of your party. The pool is also more age appropriate for the kids in your group. I think CSR is definitely your best bet between the two! Enjoy!

 

[partypa]

My vote goes to CSR as well. It is the most "Deluxe" of the Moderates. You will all love it

 

[mickeystoontown]

While we have never stayed at the CSR, we have stayed at CBR multiple times and love it! Our son was just 9 on the first stay and is now 15 and he enjoys the resort as much as my 78 year old mother does. Yes, the resort rooms have the double beds but we don't have a problem with it for no longer than we are in the rooms.

The CBR resort grounds are absolutely beautiful and have always been well maintained during our stays. There's such a laid back, go with the flow atmosphere about the resort. We like to spend some time at the resort pools (both the main pool and the quiet pools) and often rent a boat, surrey bike or bicycle and take a spin around the resort.

As far as the bus transportation goes, we have never had a problem and we've been during Star Wars Weekends, Memorial Day, early May, mid May, early August and mid August. The resort is centrally located and our longest bus ride to anywhere on Disney property was just 16 minutes and most times were shorter. There are multiple covered bus stops around the resort but it doesn't take long to make the loop around the resort and you're off to the parks. When I timed our rides (yes I really did time them ), they started from the minute we sat down on the bus in Jamaica, stopped at each bus stop and then pulled into the bus stops at the parks. Of course, if the bus driver has to stop and help load a scooter or wheelchair, the wait was a little longer but you are going to encounter that at any resort.

We like the set-up of the food court because everybody can go to a station and order their food and meet back up at the register. There's something for everybody's taste there.

I have posted lots of pictures of the resort over on the CBR pics thread and in my trip report if you want to have a look around.

 

[HiHoOffWeGo]

Mickeystoontown should be the moderator for CBR. She has more pictures and information on her trip recount then the CBR thread. She has been there 5 - 6 times in a row and the pictures are better then Disney. Good account of her trip, well done.

Well, back to CSR vs CBR. DD38 and DGD14 are going to do a three night at CSR in June when they have to be down to Tampa for a three day sales meeting and end the trip at WDW. She was tending toward CBR so booked CSR for research purposes. LOL Yah! Right!

Stitchandpooh'smom Did such a great job of presenting the resort thread she moderates and Mickeystoontown on the one she loves, I have to thank you both so much. We will have to see!

 

[mickeystoontown]

Mickeystoontown should be the moderator for CBR. She has more pictures and information on her trip recount then the CBR thread. She has been there 5 - 6 times in a row and the pictures are better then Disney. Good account of her trip, well done.

Well, back to CSR vs CBR. DD38 and DGD14 are going to do a three night at CSR in June when they have to be down to Tampa for a three day sales meeting and end the trip at WDW. She was tending toward CBR so booked CSR for research purposes. LOL Yah! Right!

Stitchandpooh'smom Did such a great job of presenting the resort thread she moderates and Mickeystoontown on the one she loves, I have to thank you both so much. We will have to see!

Aww, thanks for the compliement. I know when I was planning our first trip to the CBR, I wanted to see pictures of everything but couldn't find much of what I was looking for. Thus, I feel the need to take as many pictures as I can just so I can come back and post them for CBR newbies.

I've seriously looked into booking a stay at the CSR as well for, as you say, "research purposes". We do have a one night POR stay booked for the night before our May cruise and I hope to take lots of pictures to share of that resort as well.

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

Mickeystoontown should be the moderator for CBR. She has more pictures and information on her trip recount then the CBR thread. She has been there 5 - 6 times in a row and the pictures are better then Disney. Good account of her trip, well done.

Well, back to CSR vs CBR. DD38 and DGD14 are going to do a three night at CSR in June when they have to be down to Tampa for a three day sales meeting and end the trip at WDW. She was tending toward CBR so booked CSR for research purposes. LOL Yah! Right!

Stitchandpooh'smom Did such a great job of presenting the resort thread she moderates and Mickeystoontown on the one she loves, I have to thank you both so much. We will have to see!

Wherever you choose, I'm sure it will be magical! Both resorts are beautiful and have lots of fans, and you will be at Disney!

 

[mickeystoontown]

Wherever you choose, I'm sure it will be magical! Both resorts are beautiful and have lots of fans, and you will be at Disney!

 

[MusicMouse]

For our first trip in 2010 we stayed at CBR. Our boys were 3 and 6 and they LOVED it. This time we are trying CSR because Grandma and Grandpa are going with us and they want Queen-sized beds. I'm looking forward to trying a new resort, but I really did like CBR's theming. If you have a strong liking for one theme over the other - go for it!

 

[DJFan88]

I've stayed at both -- CBR twice and CSR once. 12 days is along time. Although, CBR is nice, I'm not sure 12 days of it is what I would go for. CSR is much more relaxing and nice, a little less crazy in the food court area, esp. how the pool and bar is in another location. Plus, you got the 2nd water side bar.
Hands down, 12 day trip with all of the ages you have provided = CSR

 

[HiHoOffWeGo]

DD38 and her DD14 will be in Tampa in June and have decided to do CSR for 3 added nights. The two - DD38 and DD37 are talking of a split of POR for 6 and now either CSR or CBR for 6. They are tending toward CBR and that is one reason trying CSR in June. The other reason is to do a bounce back for June 2013.

I want to thank you all so much for your help so maybe I can influence the girls just a little