Newbie Needs Help!

[brigham]

My DH and two young children ages 3 and 6 are planning our first trip to Disney World during Spring break 2008. This is a really big deal for us - not something we'll do again for a bunch of years. I am feeling completely overwhelmed about where to stay.

My first thought was the Value- Pops resort, but we are concerned about the bus ride back and forth to Magic Kingdom and the thought of all the kiddies running around doesn't sound very relaxing.

I had hoped to stay at the Coronado Springs, but had found out that there is no availablility for the week we want. So question #1 - any hints about trying to get a room there?

Our next choice was the Caraibbean Beach resort, but now that I've heard that the main pool will be closed during our visit.... I'm worried. Does that really matter? Are the individual pools at each "village" nice enough?

How long does it take on the bus to get to Magic Kingdom from the CBR? If the ride is as long as it is at the Pops is there any real advantage to paying the extra $$?

If you had young children, which village at CBR would you recommend requesting? Which building?

Thanks very much - I feel like we need to make a decision soon!

 

[alldiz]

My DH and two young children ages 3 and 6 are planning our first trip to Disney World during Spring break 2008. This is a really big deal for us - not something we'll do again for a bunch of years. I am feeling completely overwhelmed about where to stay.

My first thought was the Value- Pops resort, but we are concerned about the bus ride back and forth to Magic Kingdom and the thought of all the kiddies running around doesn't sound very relaxing.

I had hoped to stay at the Coronado Springs, but had found out that there is no availablility for the week we want. So question #1 - any hints about trying to get a room there?

Our next choice was the Caraibbean Beach resort, but now that I've heard that the main pool will be closed during our visit.... I'm worried. Does that really matter? Are the individual pools at each "village" nice enough?

How long does it take on the bus to get to Magic Kingdom from the CBR? If the ride is as long as it is at the Pops is there any real advantage to paying the extra $$?

If you had young children, which village at CBR would you recommend requesting? Which building?

Thanks very much - I feel like we need to make a decision soon!

WELCOME TO THE DIS

I would book a different resort and keep checking for cancellations at CSR....

I wouldn't go to CBR if the main pool is being rehabbed....
since you won't go for a while....go with a place that has no rehabs
going on...

I would try POFQ...the place is beautiful....and small...
every room is close to everything.....
You can use all amenities at POR...
Nice boatride to DTD...
Very nicely themed pool....great for young kids...
I would also make your dining ressies as soon as you can....
Spring Break is a very busy time.
Happy Planning
Kerri

 

[dansamy]

Yeah, you do need to decide soon. I know there weren't any Family Suites at the Value resorts for our week. We chose POR. We're booking with AAA and driving down, so we'll have our car. The bus schedule isn't a huge deal to us.

 

[simonkodousek]

If the main pool is closed at CBR I wouldn't even consider it. CSR doesn't really appeal to me, plus there would be a lot of conventions going on. My #1 choice for moderate level resorts would be the POR. I would request the Alligator Bayou section of the resort. My second choice would the the POFQ. I would choose this one second to POR because of the limited amount of dining options. However, it is smaller meaning less walking which is a plus!

 

[happymouse]

stayed at cbr last year, may 2006. loved it. very quiet, beautiful beach for you and the kids. the beach was never busy or crowded. the secondary pools are very nice, just not themed. i would absolutely go back to cbr, but my dw and 4yr old son chose por. bus ride not a big deal for us. however if i wasnt going to go back for a while i probably wouldnt choose a resort under construction. good luck and have fun.

 

[Flossbolna]

It seems that CSR cannot be booked for any dates in 2008. I have read many posts that people could not get a room there. So who knows, rooms might open up in the next months. As others said, I would suggest to book a room now and if you are really set on staying at CSR you could always cancel that other room if you manage to get a CSR reservation later on.

With regard to wher to stay, if you want a more relaxed atmosphere, the moderate resorts are a nice place to stay at and still not too expensive. I think the main pool would be an important feature, especially as one of the advantages of the moderates over the values are the water slide at the pool which should be a hit with children! In my opinion the both Port Orleans resort are really nice places to stay at, just pick the one that appeals more to your family. One advantage of POFQ might be that the busses pick up and drop off there first, so you are more likely to be able to sit and you will be back in your room slightly sooner at night.

 

[shmedly123]

I was at CBR a few years ago and loved it too. If you don't plan on spending an entire day at the hotel I wouldn't worry too much about the main pool. However, if you plan on taking a day off from the parks then I would recommend staying elsewhere. The only other Mod I have stayed at was CSR in 2004 and I actually prefferred CBR. I have heard from several other posters that they actually prefer the PO resorts to both CSR and CBR so you might wanna check those out too. Either way I would stay far away from the All Stars during the busier times.

 

[ms mouse]

I understand your feeling of being overwhelmed. We have been 9 times and I still feel that way. I am new to this forum and have found lots of helpful things. I have never stayed at a value but have stayed at most of the moderates. I really recommend POFQ with your young children. Because of the size of the resort it is easy to get to the bus, also my kids love the dragon slide. Because the bus picks up there first you can almost always get on the first bus and have plenty of places to sit. Just a suggestion I know some people love CSR, and it is very pretty but it is to large and you might have to deal with convention groups. Most of all have fun and dont try to do everything, there is always next year.

 

[shmedly123]

I understand your feeling of being overwhelmed. We have been 9 times and I still feel that way. I am new to this forum and have found lots of helpful things. I have never stayed at a value but have stayed at most of the moderates. I really recommend POFQ with your young children. Because of the size of the resort it is easy to get to the bus, also my kids love the dragon slide. Because the bus picks up there first you can almost always get on the first bus and have plenty of places to sit. Just a suggestion I know some people love CSR, and it is very pretty but it is to large and you might have to deal with convention groups. Most of all have fun and dont try to do everything, there is always next year.

good point about the conventions. This is also probably the reason you cannot get a reservation for CSR next year yet. They more than likely want to lock up all the convention space first to make sure they have enough rooms before they start selling rooms to the general public...I would follow the advise above and if you have your heart set on CSR just book another resort and try changing your reservation at a later time.

 

[lpandorf]

We've been to POR and CSR and I thought both great for young kids and very relaxing. I have a 7 year old and 3 year old and the main pool is a big attraction for my kids and we spend several hours a day at the main pool so I would not book CBR if the main pool was going to be closed. We were at CSR in June and I thought it was great if you can get in. Maybe book POR or POFQ and call every day on CSR. CSR has the greatest playground in my opinion. Not only is there a pool, but nice climbers, a sand area and swings. My 3 year old son loved it and could have stayed all day. Some people think CSR is too big but I thought it was ok. We've been twice and have never had any issues with convention crowds. I thought the bus service was the best at CSR, short waits for buses, not crowded. It is really pretty there, too. POR is also pretty, so relaxing and lovely landscaping. I think POR has a pirate cruise that the kids may enjoy. You can also take the boat to DTD from POR which is neat. Either way, I don't think you'd go wrong at POR or CSR. We are going in November and I've never been to CBR so am trying that out and looking forward to it.

Do you have AAA? You can get a room discount at the resort.