Need Some Disney Resort Advice!

[treydawg]

My wife and I are making our first trip together to WDW in March (18-26 to be exact).

We're already beginning the planning process and this site has been a HUGE help! I made a previous post ab hotel info and from what I've learned ab the numerous Disney resorts, we've narrowed our list down.

Our list now looks like this: Contemporary (my choice), Boardwalk/Yacht (her choices)...however we are also looking at the moderate and value resorts as well, in an effort to try and not break the bank in Orlando.

Both of us have stayed at the Port Orleans several times and would like to try something new, and we're interested in hearing more about the Caribbean Beach and Coronado Springs resorts.

If you have stayed at either (or all) of these resorts please give me some feedback, as I would GREATLY appreciate it.

 

[JEAhrtWDW]

Coronado Springs
All of the rooms are refurbished and the resort is beautiful

 

[DisNance]

If money allows, Boardwalk would be my 1st choice!! The fact that it is only a 5 minute walk to Epcot is great!!! The service there is outstanding!!! A very close second is Carribean Beach. The last time we stayed there we had a room right on the beach. It was one of the most relaxing places to be in Disney!!! I know you'll have a magical stay!!!!!

 

[MMrules]

From your list I have stayed at Beach Club and CBR.

Beach Club is wonderful for many reasons. It is very close in proximity to Epcot so you can walk there (or boat if your feet need a break). The pool (storm along bay) is the best pool on property and is very relaxing for those much needed breaks. It is also close to Boardwalk and the Yacht club for eating and more activities to do. The only complaints I had with BC was lack of QS meals (esp. breakfast), but I think it may have changed since I went in 2003, and it is pricy without any discounts.

CBR I have stayed at 4 times (Disneymoon was the first). This resort is beautifully themed and very relaxing without children. There are many families that go there, but you can find some very quiet areas without kids. The resort is very large (which you will hear a lot of complaints about). I think the furthest distance to the main pool and food area is about a 10 minute walk from the farthest rooms. (Now in comparing to BC, when you leave your room and walk to Boardwalk for food it is also about 10 minutes). The bus makes stops at each village so it can be about 10 minutes to get through the resort til you are on your way to the parks....I don't ever mind, b/c I am not driving and am on vacation!!! The pool has been newly refurbished (although we spent most time in the kiddie pool on my last trip), and there are sandy beaches for relaxing. You can see Epcots fireworks from the beach at night and there are hammocks to relax on.

If you have any other questions I will try to help you.....I would suggest looking at photos of the resorts so you can make a choice that will fit you both. It is Disney, you will not be disappointed

 

[Amy&Dan]

I think CSR would be a great choice. It has the queen beds (only mod to have those), a nightclub for adults only, lots of dining options, excellent main pool and lovely grounds and several quiet pools. It also has a spa and salon so you could book a massage for you both with some of the money you saved over a deluxe!

CBR is very lush and tropical and the lake with views of Illuminations is very nice. It has the largest rooms of any moderate. Its got a great tropical feel both with the grounds and the overall theme.

BW is lovely, the nightlife and entertainment on the Boardwalk, not to mention your easy access to Epcot and all its dining would be great. YC gives you Stormalong Bay and the same easy access to the Boardwalk area and Epcot.

The CR is great for location and the monorail and has great dining options, but to me that resort feels sort of like a regular hotel and the lack of grounds is a drawback to me. But the rooms are some of the largest and being able to walk to MK is beyond nice.

I guess I am saying you cannot make a bad choice! Although I have to say, a value might not be your best bet. I love them and they are a lot of fun, but I'd either go moderate or deluxe. This is a special trip for you both! Do the values when you have kids!

If you do a value, I suggest Pop Century. Newly refurbbed rooms, its the only value with a lake and its more centrally located than the All Stars.

 

[mcd2745]

I think it all depends how much time you intend to stay at the resort. When my wife and I stayed at the Contemporary (after previously staying at CBR), we felt it was a waste of money. Now, we were total park commandos on those trips and just went back to our resort to sleep and basically spent no time on the resort grounds either time. If you expect to have a couple of "resort days", then by all means go for a deluxe. If you're planning to spend every day in the parks, I'd go with a moderate.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

Contemporary: Just back. Although the location of this resort is the best for touring MK, it isn't as great for other parks. Also on our recent stay, we had several mechanical issues. The resort is getting old, and it shows. Still, the original draws are tehre. The restuarants here aren't especially great, but you can get to any monorail dining in minutes - so that's a plus. The back side of Epcot (where there are other great TS options) is FAR. If menchanical issues are fixed however, it has much conveneince to offer. IMO, the theming is not as good as some others resorts.


Boardwalk/Yacht: Just back from split stay with BWK. The BWK is run very smoothly. Staff is very good. The resort is sprwling! In shrp contrast to layout of CR, you will spend a good deal of time just walking around the place. It can also be noisy above the BWK. Our room was fine, but it was on the end of the hallway . Last the pool is just okay. The water slide is great, but the pool is oddly deep in the middle. Yacht CLub pool is among the best. The trouble withthe Yacht club is that is doesn't ahve agood Quick serve breakfast option. I would say, if you are going to go for YC....you may want to consider Culb level. (if you can get a discount and will also take advantage of beer/wine and appetizers...cocktails at WDw are often $10 a pop, so two drinks each per day alone and you've covered $40 of club level cost.) I'e only stayed BC CL. It doesn't have the view of some CL, but teh service level was great. I think YC is the quieter of the BC/YC duo.


Both of us have stayed at the Port Orleans - my least favorite mod

Caribbean Beach - the new pool is great! You will lose some time walking around the resort, and on the bus. Indeed, you may lose a considerable amount of time if you rely strictly onthe bus. It's worth having a car here. There is a LAKE in the middle of CB, CSR, and POR. Actually, at CBR, the lake I think is more off to the side, but the resulting sprawl is still a considerable time suck. The pirate rooms are furthest out. The food court is colorful, and has a good number of options. The rooms are the largest of all the mods.

Coronado Springs resorts. - again, you have to deal with sprawl, but you get the best food court (IMO) of the mods. DO get the dining plan if you stay here. (Though double check PMarket still counts at Quick Serve). The PM is a bit slower than some food courts, but I like it, esp if you like access to fresh fruit. (they do have southwest theme though) The pool is very pretty; not quite as elaborate as some, but it's pretty. The hot tub is HUGE - but you may get some convention business types. The Rix bar is beautiful. I find in general all the detailed lighting and such is nice here.

We've also stayed at the values, too. I thikn the only reosrts I've not stayed at at this point are ASSp, YC, Dolphin, POFQ, and any of the DVC resorts (though I've stayed at the sister deluxes) We've visited and eaten at every Disney resort.

What I'll say simply is this; Disney is great at giving you something for your money. There are often just a few little things that add up. Conversely, eventhe values a re agood value for all that you get.

 

[LilGMom]

It really is a personal choice and based on your own tastes.

Having said that.... personally I am not a CR fan and haven't stayed at BC so I can't comment on that. If you want to check out a moderate of CBR or CSR I think I'd go with CBR especially if you plan on spending any down-time at the resort. There are a lot of little beach areas throughout the resort with hammocks to relax in. I seem to recall seeing that some of the CSR rooms have been renovated to include king sized beds as opposed to two smaller beds. CBR is a great resort too but if there are a lot of convention people staying there it makes me think of work which is the last thing I want to do while at WDW.

Can't comment on the values because we've never stayed at one. I'm thinking if you want some place a little more romantic that the larger than life icons and larger number of kids running about at the values might not be the way to go.

Good luck with your decision. Check out AllEarsNet for tons of pictures of all of the resorts.

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

We stayed at CSR last April and LOVED it.

It was quiet, beautiful, and very relaxing. It really was a place that we felt "away from it all", including the parks!

We stayed in Ranchos 7B, standard room, and ended up being less than 2 minutes from the main pool and our building's quiet pool. We were a 4 minute walk to the bus stop. We were on the ground floor on a main aisle and heard NO ONE - which surprised us as it was spring break & Easter week.

The room was really clean and served our needs. The walk to El Centro wasn't that long (providing you go across the bridge, not around the lake...). We saw busses running all of the time (we did drive) but we took the bus back from MK one day and had no trouble. Their busses run a specific pattern. CSR also sports queen sized beds. The two negatives were that the A/C is on a sensor (but they do in all of the resorts to save electricity). It did take awhile for our room to cool off when we got back to the hotel. AND having the 10% auto gratuity at Pepper Market. We did take out to avoid paying this.

For our upcoming trip, DH really wanted to return to CSR (was his first trip, I turned him into a resort snob), but since we are travelling with another couple from a different state (and they are arriving at WDW first...) we are staying near them at CBR. From what I hear, the rooms are larger, but the busses are hit or miss. They don't run a specific pattern. CBR does have an internal bus run where CSR does not, but I really don't think they need it.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[LilGMom]

We stayed at CSR last April and LOVED it.

It was quiet, beautiful, and very relaxing. It really was a place that we felt "away from it all", including the parks!

We stayed in Ranchos 7B, standard room, and ended up being less than 2 minutes from the main pool and our building's quiet pool. We were a 4 minute walk to the bus stop. We were on the ground floor on a main aisle and heard NO ONE - which surprised us as it was spring break & Easter week.

The room was really clean and served our needs. The walk to El Centro wasn't that long (providing you go across the bridge, not around the lake...). We saw busses running all of the time (we did drive) but we took the bus back from MK one day and had no trouble. Their busses run a specific pattern. CSR also sports queen sized beds. The two negatives were that the A/C is on a sensor (but they do in all of the resorts to save electricity). It did take awhile for our room to cool off when we got back to the hotel. AND having the 10% auto gratuity at Pepper Market. We did take out to avoid paying this.

For our upcoming trip, DH really wanted to return to CSR (was his first trip, I turned him into a resort snob), but since we are travelling with another couple from a different state (and they are arriving at WDW first...) we are staying near them at CBR. From what I hear, the rooms are larger, but the busses are hit or miss. They don't run a specific pattern. CBR does have an internal bus run where CSR does not, but I really don't think they need it.

Good luck with your decision.

In regards to the above - I have read (on here) that some people will put a helium balloon in their room and put it near the A/C so that the sensor will continually be triggered. This isn't an option as balloons aren't allowed in AKL/AKV due to the animals but should work in all of the other resorts.

 

[treydawg]

Thank yall so much. This site is awesome and yall are the reason why!

From what I've read, my interest in the moderate resorts has increased greatly--in particular the Caribbean Beach Resort and Coronado Springs. My next question is, out of these two resorts, which one would you pick and why?

Thanks for all the help guys!

 

[Ktharee]

I have stayed at the Contemporary twice and I think I'm done with that one. Like someone said, it's getting a little old. The rooms have been redone since I was there last, but it's an awful lot of money and is only convenient to two parks. It is a very cool concept and I am glad I've stayed there so I can see your desire to.

I have stayed at Coronado Springs and LOVED it. There is a trip report (below) that I never finished, but it does have some info on the resort and photos. Also, check out the thread for the Coronado Springs run by Diser Katmark, it's fantastic!

 

[spiceycat]

you can rent a reservation from a DVC member and not break your bank.

for CR - try BLT - it is next door and a skywalk connects it to CR. So you get the monrail with a new resort.

for BC/YC - BCV - it is behind BC so its location is not as wonderfully.

for BW - BWV now it has a great location - my problem no restuarants or snack bars inside the place. Now it does have limited service but over in BWI not BWV. So basically you must go outside along the BW to eat.

moderate -now CBR requires a good amount of walking or riding their buses. you have to be in pretty good shape. not recommend for wheelchairs. It has no elevators.

CSR has the queen beds - the location is not as good as the other moderates but it makes for that for having more stuff there. these are for the conventions but who cares. beauty salon, gym, a food court that is excellent, a restuarant.

the pool is pretty wonderful. the hot tub is great. the pool bar is very, very nice.

value - Pop Century is the one of the best. It has a great food court, arcade, gift shops and pools. It also has a lake the only value that has one.

 

[Amy&Dan]

Thank yall so much. This site is awesome and yall are the reason why!

From what I've read, my interest in the moderate resorts has increased greatly--in particular the Caribbean Beach Resort and Coronado Springs. My next question is, out of these two resorts, which one would you pick and why?

Thanks for all the help guys!

I think for two adults, I'd go with CSR. Not because CSR isn't kid friendly or that CBR is only for families, but CSR does have the queen beds, the adults only lounge and it has room service (only mod to have that), a spa and salon and it feels very deluxe. I also think CBR's pool, while wonderful, is more geared to kids under 10 or 12. CSR has all around better dining options, although Pepper Market has that 10% gratuity that annoys me (but can be avoided by getting your food to go and taking it outside to eat) and its expensive. I agree with another poster that being on the DDP or QSDP at CSR is a good thing since the Pepper Market is very expensive. And very delicious!

All that said, I love both resorts. We have older kids who while they think CBR's pool isn't as great as CSR's, still LOVE CBR and are very excited to be staying there. They both have lakes, nice paths to walk on, you can rent boats and bikes and honestly, to me they are both so much for the money.

You cannot go wrong!

 

[MrBelding]

Not sure if this is an option you're looking for but when my wife and I go w/out the kids we normally stay at the Swan and Dolphin. Pretty much the same perks as a resort however you have to pay a nightly parking fee and I don't think you can have merchandise sent back to your room. The rooms are fantastic, the Heavenly Beds can't be beat and great location, nice walk to Epcot. My wife is an RN and we've always gotten a great rate.

Just a curve ball if it fits in the budget!

 

[SueM in MN]

moderate -now CBR requires a good amount of walking or riding their buses. you have to be in pretty good shape. not recommend for wheelchairs. It has no elevators.

We have stayed there with a wheelchair and I would not rule it out with a wheelchair.
It is spread out, but has good paths. There are no elevators, but since 1/2 of the rooms are on ground floor, that’s not a big problem. The biggest advantage over the other moderates is the size of the rooms - the largest of the moderates.

 

[treydawg]

Once again guys...WOW I'm blown away at how helpful y'all are.

After some talk over dinner tonight about our WDW trip we have narrowed the list down to Coronado Springs and the Caribbean Beach. We decided that since this is our first trip together we would most likely be in the parks a ton, but we wanted a nice hotel to come home to in the afternoons and at night.

From what I've read I'm leaning toward Coronado Springs, but I'm hearing really good things about the CBR too. We still have seven months ahead of us (I'd like to be all booked by Christmas though) but I'm so gosh darn excited about this trip I can't help but start and plan!

So let's head to the main even so to speak:

Coronado Springs vs. Caribbean Beach...which one is y'alls favorite between the two?

 

[LilGMom]

Once again guys...WOW I'm blown away at how helpful y'all are.

After some talk over dinner tonight about our WDW trip we have narrowed the list down to Coronado Springs and the Caribbean Beach. We decided that since this is our first trip together we would most likely be in the parks a ton, but we wanted a nice hotel to come home to in the afternoons and at night.

From what I've read I'm leaning toward Coronado Springs, but I'm hearing really good things about the CBR too. We still have seven months ahead of us (I'd like to be all booked by Christmas though) but I'm so gosh darn excited about this trip I can't help but start and plan!

So let's head to the main even so to speak:

Coronado Springs vs. Caribbean Beach...which one is y'alls favorite between the two?

My favorite of CSR or CBR is CBR for the reasons I have already listed. If you haven't already you really need to check the pictures of both resorts on here (use the DIS Home link at the top of the page) and on AllEarsNet.com. Both resorts are really nice and I don't think that you'll be disappointed with either one.

 

[Disney Doll]

My 1st choice would be the Beach Club, followed by the Yacht Club followed by the Boardwalk followed by Coronado Springs.

I don't care for the Contemporary.

Between CSR & CBR, I would go with CSR. i think it is a lovely resort, especially beautiful at night with the way they light it and so romanatic....

 

[MMrules]

Once again guys...WOW I'm blown away at how helpful y'all are.

After some talk over dinner tonight about our WDW trip we have narrowed the list down to Coronado Springs and the Caribbean Beach. We decided that since this is our first trip together we would most likely be in the parks a ton, but we wanted a nice hotel to come home to in the afternoons and at night.

From what I've read I'm leaning toward Coronado Springs, but I'm hearing really good things about the CBR too. We still have seven months ahead of us (I'd like to be all booked by Christmas though) but I'm so gosh darn excited about this trip I can't help but start and plan!

So let's head to the main even so to speak:

Coronado Springs vs. Caribbean Beach...which one is y'alls favorite between the two?

I have only stayed at CBR and have loved it each time (4 in all).I used to think I would like to try CSR, but there is one thing that has turned me away fromt the resort. The Pepper Market. From what I understand it is a food court, but you have to add 10% gratuity to each meal. There is someone who tells you when you can go to a specific window, you go order your food and then pay the 10% gratuity when paying. I am sorry, but no one is cleaning up my food, waiting on me, and allowing me to sit while food is brought to me. I don't understand why I would need to pay for someone who is maintaining order in line. Additionally, I have heard that there isn't enough seating within the area to eat. With small children, I didn't want to take the chance of not having a table to sit at. So that is my pet peeve about CSR. The rest of it sounds nice and I am sure I would like it, but I don't think paying extra for qs meals is okay.....

I may always have a special spot in my heart for CBR as I Disneymooned there. I also live in MA, so seeing palm trees and exotic plants is part of the appeal. Last time we stayed in the Pirate rooms which my little boys loved. I would suggest really looking at photos and amenities at each resort to help you choose. You will love either one and then put the other resort on your list for next time