Please help, nervous about resort choice!!

[Just Me]

This is my first post, although I have read several of them and find them very, very informative.
Here is my problem, we are leaving on Feb.13th for 7 days at WDW. I am so excited I can't stand it, what makes it worse is that we are not elling my DD, 11 and DS, 6 until we pull up to the airport, I am dying to tell them!!!
Anyways, last year we went for our first visit to WDW and stayed at All Star Sports, we had a great time at the parks but our time at the resort was terrible. The room was not clean and our tire was slit in the parking lot just to name a couple of things that happened. The staff wanted to make things better so they sent us over to POP thinking that it would be a better experience for us. Well they gave us a preferred room, but it was right by the speakers for the main pool and we stayed up every night until about 12 until the music was turned off.
This time around we decided to stay at a moderate resort so we would have a better experience, I liked the theming at the value resorts, but kind of felt like cattle being herded in one direction....
After much reading we decided on CBR and we felt very good about our decision especially after reading the posts on here and the CBR Faqs threads. The problem today is I picked upa guidebook and they give CBR only 1 star and POR 3 stars!!! Now I am second guessing my decisions. Please help me decide if I should change ressies or if we will be fine. After last year I guess I am gun shy!!!
Did I mention that I can't wait!!!

 

[sunkissed212]

Well, I can't speak for CBR since I've never stayed there but I have read on here both good and bad reviews of it. However, I've also heard good and bad reviews for most of the resorts so it's really hard to say. I stayed at POR last september with my BF for 4 nights and we loved it. I was nervous too but I was nervous because I had only stayed at Deluxe resorts in the past (with my family...this was my first trip without parents/family). I didn't want to be disappointed since I had been spoiled with the deluxes as a child. I loved POR - we both did. It is a beautiful resort with tons of stuff to do, great food, great staff, beautiful grounds, etc.

i don't want to make you feel like you made the wrong choice but if you decide to make a change, I'd give 2 thumbs up for POR

 

[Chuck S]

I think CSR only has a food court. POR has an available sit-down restaurant (at POFQ). That may be part of the reason for the rating difference.

 

[Nolcrest]

I've stayed at both POR and CBR. Granted I enjoyed POR more but there was nothing wrong with CBR. I'm sure you will love CBR. If the theming of CBR appeals to you then go with it. If you are starting to feel that POR theme appeals to you then see if you can switch. Are there certain aspects of a resort that you're looking for? Either way I am sure you will love staying at a moderate resort. Don't second guess yourself. I know we make ourselves crazy over our resort choices. I'm doing that now myself with the decision I made for our July vacation.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Welcome to the DIS!

I don't think I'd change at this point. You can have good or bad experiences anywhere. If you like the theming of CBR then go and have a good time. I know many people who love CBR the best of all the resorts.

Stop worrying and start packing, girl!

 

[4mykids]

We have stayed at POR and POFQ. Never CBR as we have heard it is too spread out. Have friends who have stayed there and loved it! My only advice (based on hearsay) is to request a room close to the main building or pay for preferred. I'm sure the seasoned CBR-goers could offer more info on this.

I love the theme of POR, but it is also a large resort. POFQ was just right. (Sounding like Goldilocks!) POFQ does not have a sit-down restaurant (its at POR), but we never used it anyway.

I agree with previous posters...go for the theme you like best and enjoy!!!

 

[Bugsmom73]

You will enjoy it, have fun!!!!

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

We've stayed at POR, POFQ, and also CBR. I really don't think you have anything to worry about. We enjoyed the beachy atmosphere of CBR... it's a very nice resort. Ask for Martinique 25 or 26.

The moderates are really almost all the same. Just a few differences.

 

[msteddom]

While I have never stayed at CBR I have visited several times. I love the relaxed atmosphere of that resort. I think you will love it!


Melissa

 

[TDC Nala]

CBR has a full service restaurant called Shutters. It is only open for dinner.

Port Orleans' only full service restaurant is Boatwrights at POR. POFQ has only a food court.

 

[Sammie]

CBR is a beautiful location and you truely feel you are in the islands. However it is very large. Very spread out.

If you were considering any change at all I would recommend Port Orleans French Quarter since it so small and compact. No building is far from anything.

Febuary can also be Cheer Competitions and they do stay at CBR if they are full at All Stars.

 

[Mortlives]

CBR is gorgeous. The grounds are wonderfully landscaped, and the main pool is terrific. Its hot tub is nicer, I think than POR or POFQ (hot waterfall running into it). We thoroughly enjoyed our stay there. Also, if memory serves, it has slightly larger rooms than the other moderates.

Kungaloosh!
Morticia.

 

[bigbabyblues]

We really liked CBR as well, hope you have a great stay!

 

[eeyore0062]

Definitely go for CBR... it is gorgeous, and the rooms are bigger! Request to stay in Jamaica.... across the bridge from the food court and main pool, and the 1st bus stop, which never hurts.

CBR, CSR and PO all have full service restaurants. Boatwrights at PO serves both the Riverside and French Quarter sides. They have completely remodeled Old Port Royale, which is the main building at CBR to enlarge the food court and add Shutters, the new restaurant. The grounds are beautiful.

No, I don't think you have to worry, but I do wonder what book you read that only gave CBR one star!

 

[ptrbryant]

I know I'd read alot of not-so-nice-things about CBR BEFORE they had their recent renovation. Most of the complaints were about the rooms seeming run-down, unclean, peeling wallpaper, etc. If WDW really did let CBR get to that point, they deserved the one star! However, I know that almost every recent report has said that the rooms are wonderful, sparkling clean, brand-new bedspreads, etc.
I keep trying to decide which MOD to have a split-stay along with WL and I've narrowed my choices down to POR (Mansions) and CBR as well. I know some people love CSR, but the Southwest theme is just unappealing to me. (As is the Mardi Grad theme of POFQ).

Good luck---and make sure to post here what your opinion of the resort is!!!

Karla B.

 

[PamNC]

After a value resort, I think you would like either of the 3 moderate choices: POR, CBR or Coronado. We've stayed at all but POR. The theming just never appealed to us...or the location. My fave is Coronado, but CBR is great too. Haven't stayed there in awhile, about 5 years, but we've stayed there twice and thoroughly enjoyed it both times. Some people don't like it because it's big and spread out. Therefore, unless you're close to the main area there is a lot of walking. We, however, like it for that reason. We enjoy strolling around and taking everything in. I have no desire to be right beside the food court area and the main building, privacy is more important. CBR is a lovely resort. The grounds are nice, lots of paths to take...even tropical birds along the way. I think you'll enjoy it.

PamNC