Please help me decide between CBR and POR

[sarha]

Both CBR and PO are available with a discounted code rate for our trip, and I'm having a hard time choosing. We stayed at Dixie Landings several years ago and really liked it, but I've heard so many good things about CBR that I'm tempted to switch my reservation.
I realize this is a matter of personal preference but it would help me if people could tell me what they liked or disliked about the resorts.
I really appreciate any help.

 

[JulesMom]

We like to stay at different resorts, so I would stay at CBR.

I like all the storage at CBR. There is also a curtain between the bathroom and the main part of the room. It was very convenient for my DH who is a very early riser.

 

[dmcostello]

I've been to both. It has been almost 8 years since I went to PO in the sprint and I went there without kids. I went to CBR two years ago in the winter with a child.

The rooms are pretty much the same. I don't think there is anything there that would make one better over the other.

PO is much smaller than the CBR. This is good if you want to walk to the caf or the pool. There wasn't anywhere in PO that wasn't a pretty short walk. The CBR is much larger and for some of the rooms, the walk can be substantial. You should request a room that is closer to the food. The CBR is divided into different areas, such as Jamaica. Some are closer than others to the action.

We didn't get to use the pool at the CBR. The pool at the PO is great, it has cool decorations, the slide is fun. The main pool at the CBR is similar, but wasn't as "fun". It did have a slide. There were also separate pools at each of the diferent areas. These pools are smaller.

The CBR does have some cool extras. There are beaches set up. You can't swin there, but there are beach chairs and hamocks. There is an island set up in the middle that is fun to explore. You can rent boats.

The CBR resort has the better location in my opinion. It is very close to the Boardwalk, MGM and Epcot. PO is closer to Downtown Disney.

If I had to make the choice betwen the two, I'd choose CBR if it was the warm weather. I'd choose PO in the cooler weather.

Hope this helps.

 

[MKFan-PR]

I've been to CBR twice. I've visited POR but haven't stayed there. Although you'll have fun at any one of them, here sre some tips that I think will help you enjoy more your vacation in CBR:

1-The resort is divided in 2-story building clusters named after Caribbean Islands: Jamaica, Aruba, Barbados, Martinique, Trinidad North and Trinindad South.

2-Request a room in Martinique, Trinidad North or Jamaica
(Warning: Many rooms in Trinindad North are Smoking Rooms).
These are the buildings closest (in that order) to Old Port Royale (Food Court/Main Pool). If you stay in Jamaica, you'll have to cross a footbridge, but it's not that far.

3-Trinidad South and Barbados are the buildings farthest from Old Port Royale. Unless you REALLY like to walk or jog, avoid.

4-Each 'island' has a bus stop. The first bus stop is Jamaica.

5-Each island has a quiet pool and a beach with hammocks (no swimming in the lake, though).

6-CBR has a huge lake where you can rent boats to cruise arouns. It's very nice.

7-The Front Desk and Guest Services are in a separate building near the entrance called the Custom House. This could be a long walk if you like to check your charges periodically throughout your stay, or if you plan to use Guest Services frquently.

8-The island buildings have no elevators. Keep this in mind if someone in your group has a wheelchair, or has trouble going up stairs (mention this when making your reservation, so that they try to accomodate you on a first-floor room). This is also something to consider if you'll be carrying tired/sleeping kids when returning to your room. That being said, second-floor rooms that aren't close to the stairs tend to be quieter, with less foot traffic.

Hope this helps. I'm sure you'll have a great time!

 

[Patio]

I have stayed at both and visited both ( while staying at AKL ), so here is my opinion. I love the food court, gift shop and boat ride at POR. I stayed in AB 1611 and thought the rooms were kinda dark. I didn't try the main pool, but there was a quiet pool right outside the door. I enjoyed renting the bikes to ride between POR and POFQ. If I were to stay here again, I'd probably try the Mansions side.
I love CBR's rooms, beaches, hammocks and walking or renting surrey bikes to ride around the lake. I also love the colors of the buildings. I also enjoy having strawberry daiquiris from the Banana Cabana by the pool. I stayed in Trinidad North 3336 and Martinique 2338, both islands flank OPR. CBR is very tropical and it's my favorite resort, so I'd pick CBR over PO. Have fun, whichever you decide!!