Need Info-good & Bad About Cbr!

[paula70]

Our family (Me, DH, DD9, DD11) is looking to go back to WDW the first or second week of Dec. Our 1st visit as a family was in 2006 at POFQ. I will say we loved POFQ! Although we would go back in a heartbeat we would like to experience another mod. I know many people like CSR and POR but quite honestly, as beautiful as they look the themeing just doesn't appeal to me at all. We all love the themeing at CBR and would definitely consider that.

SO in all my research, here's what I gather are the cons of CBR...Very large resort and depending on the building, might be alot of walking. A little bit run-down and mediocre bus service.

What do people specifically mean by 'run-down'? Worn carpet, chipped paint?

If you request a room, I know it's not guaranteed, do you generally get what you ask for? SInce it's value season, is it a better chance than peak season?

I had no problems w/ POFQ sharing a bus w/ POR and Im pretty laid back w/ the bus thing but how much time does it take to get through the resort? Has it ever been full before it got to your stop?

This resort looks so beautiful to me and the themeing seems so fun for my DD's! I just don't see as much info on CBR as I do the other mods. so I would love some feedback (good and bad) from anyone who has stayed there! TIA!

 

[EnnEss]

What do people specifically mean by 'run-down'? Worn carpet, chipped paint?

Didn't experience this at all when I went last april.

If you request a room, I know it's not guaranteed, do you generally get what you ask for? SInce it's value season, is it a better chance than peak season?
[/QUOTE
I requested Jamaica and got it. Its really just what's open and what's not. They'll do it if they can, so its luck of the draw basically.

I had no problems w/ POFQ sharing a bus w/ POR and Im pretty laid back w/ the bus thing but how much time does it take to get through the resort? Has it ever been full before it got to your stop?

5 mins to go through the entire resort probably. Never seen it full at my stop.

This resort looks so beautiful to me and the themeing seems so fun for my DD's! I just don't see as much info on CBR as I do the other mods. so I would love some feedback (good and bad) from anyone who has stayed there! TIA!

The theming is great, the landscaping is amazing, particularly on the little island. You can walk quite a ways to get food, Jamaica is one of the closer non preferrred buildings and. You could get preferred and be very close.

For me, the transportation was zero problem at all. It was good. The rooms are bigger than other mods, that was nice. Its really close to mgm and epcot. Mousekeeping made us literally an army of animals, we were there 8 days and I think we got 3 or 4 every day, some of them big. Ended up decorating the entire window sill, table and bed side table.

Only negative, was to get free refills for that mug you can be aways away. I don't mind the walk as the resort is so nice. Others might, I dont know. The food selection and wait times were very good at the food court. There are lots of quiet pools, but the hot tub can get really crowded nearly all the time, but I'm sure its like that at all mods.

 

[goofygal531]

What do people specifically mean by 'run-down'? Worn carpet, chipped paint?

Don't know Didn't look run-down in Nov. Every thing looked beautful.

If you request a room, I know it's not guaranteed, do you generally get what you ask for? SInce it's value season, is it a better chance than peak season?

We had a preferred room which I was really happy that we did. Because the resort is HUGE! Larger than you could ever possibly imagine! We had a great location in North Trinidad. Two bus stops to select from, short walk to food court.

You can request anything ahead of time. Call them, have it on your reservation, etc... The best way to get what you want is to check in as early as possible. Then when they tell you this is where your room will be you can say, very nicely, I'd prefer this...... And by doing this, I've always received the location, room, building, view, etc... that we've wanted. It's all about timing not what's written on your reservation.

Also, you have older children. It's not so much an issue being close to the food court. They probably could go there by themselves.

I had no problems w/ POFQ sharing a bus w/ POR and Im pretty laid back w/ the bus thing but how much time does it take to get through the resort? Has it ever been full before it got to your stop?

Has it ever been full?? Ummm, yes. Thanksgiving week we missed MANY buses! We just couldn't get on they were packed. We sat at the bus stop the day before Thanksgiving almost one hour trying to get to MK.

We've stayed at PO-R way back in before we had children and when it was Dixie Landings (remember?? ) I have no complaints about that bus service. It was fine. You cannot compare it to CBR, the property is just so much larger!

This resort looks so beautiful to me and the themeing seems so fun for my DD's!

It is! It's absolutely beautiful. I think you'll enjoy it and have a great time. Especially if you're going off season.

 

[safetymom]

There are lots of folks that love CBR. Just keep in mind that people are more likely to post when they have a bad experience than when they have a good one.

CBR is beautiful. Lots of folks don't find the walking bad at all.

You might want to check out the CBR FAQ thread. Link is listed below. If you post your questions there someone will be along to answer them.

 

[catbertdave99]

My DS17, DS14 and I really love CBR -- the bus service is great -- they keep the buses coming frequently, so we've never had to wait long. Check out the FAQ thread like Safetymom suggested -- lots of great advice on there!

We love everything about CBR!!! And when you're going, the refurbed pool will be all done and brand new!!

 

[helenk]

I have stayed at both the POFQ and the CBR. The POFQ is my favorite, but last May my brother and his family wanted to stay at the CBR. I loved the resort, yes it's bigger than the POFQ, but that is part of its charm.
Walking to the foodcourt was really not that bad and we had a 1 year old and a 4 year old. Walking along the lake was so relaxing. The rooms were not all run down. Bus service was fantastic.
I am trying the CSR for this next trip, since I discovered staying in a larger resort is not so bad, but I would stay at the CBR again without hesitation.

 

[paula70]

There are lots of folks that love CBR. Just keep in mind that people are more likely to post when they have a bad experience than when they have a good one.

CBR is beautiful. Lots of folks don't find the walking bad at all.

You might want to check out the CBR FAQ thread. Link is listed below. If you post your questions there someone will be along to answer them.

Thanks for all your responses! I definitely take reviews with a grain of salt and know anyone can have a bad experience at any resort.

Safetymom, I looked at you links last night, thank you! The pictures are beautiful and Im liking it more and more that I look at it! That is why I am surprised by the lack of info I see here on the boards.

I think we would maybe spring for a preferred room since we got used to the short walk at POFQ and we will definitely use the refillable mugs again. Otherwise it looks like we should request Aruba or jamaica.

Great info everyone...THANKS!