POR or Caribbean??

[skhermsmeyer]

hi all! We're adding on 3 days to our OMDD package, but we don't know which resort we want to choose from. We've never stayed anywhere but POP, so help! I don't know which to chose from. What are the pro's and con's of each?

 

[elaw]

Do you prefer a beachy theme or a southern theme?

 

[skhermsmeyer]

I'm not sure that it really matters to us. I'd say that it matters more about what we're close to and which resort has a better pool, room, etc


We haven't stayed on site since 2008 and we've never gone to look at the other resorts, so I don't really know what each hotel has to offer. Our kids will be 3.5 & 5.5 when we go.

 

[elaw]

You might find this link helpful http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2881809
My personal favorite is POR. CBR rooms still have the Full size beds whereas the refurb rooms at POR have queen beds. Both resorts are in the Epcot area but only POR/POFQ have the optional direct boat to DTD

 

[tanyaandallie]

I prefer POR, however, my kids MUCH prefer CBR. They absolutely LOVED it. We stayed in a pirate room, which was so WAY cool.

I prefer the theme at POR, I love all the trees and peacefulness in Alligator Bayou. The pool is great, buses are fine. The beds are bigger which is a HUGE plus.

That said, the pool at CBR rocks. Your kids are young enough/likely small enough that they can enjoy the pirate ship. My oldest was too tall which was a bummer but even without the pirate ship they preferred CBR. The pool really is great. It has multiple water slides and a zero entry area.

 

[DizDaD7]

Honestly either of the 4 are fine, but I'd rate them like this:
1st CSR
2nd POR
3rd POFQ
4th CBR...

Heres why?


1st off: Pool . Each resort's main pool is nice, but the POFQ is a lil bit on the kiddish side. CSR nice theming & never ever crowded at all. POR Very nice as well w/ a nice side crowd during all hours. Same w/ CBR. POR's is nice and close to the main bldg, which is very convenient too. CSR a lil far but worth the beautiful walk.

2nd: Rooms. This fairly even for all. It all depends on your taste. I believe all have updated rooms now. I was fortunate to saty in them for POR & CSR. I loved both. POFQ I didn't stay in for more than a day. CBR never stayed inside.

3rd: Food area. I think by far. CSR Pepper Market. Never a wait to be seated. no more than 15 seconds .honestly. Also they bring u the drinks for a really small tip. (not a big deal) All the others were so darn packed & it really discouraged me. I felt like I was back at the values.

4th: Transportation. CSR definetley gets the nod again. Never once did we wait to or from any park or DTD. The fact that its a convention hotel helps. But Both the POR & POFQ have a nice boat ride to DTD. Bad side is the buses there. LOng long wait, especially from HS Fantasmic show. Both buses returning to the resorts from there were a minimum 7 or 8 buses. CBR felt just about average.

5th: Grounds. All are beautiful. POR & CSR stand out IMHO. CBR is spread out and the theming to me doesnt feel like Disney. Plus main Bldg is no where near anything. Check in area. POFQ is very small. Kinda claustraphobic if you ask me.

Lets put it this way: This is Disney, No matter which you choose, they will make it a magical time regardless. Have fun choosing & enjoy!

 

[disneymom06]

I always pick POR. Grounds are beautiful, food court has alot of choices, including the desserts and Bob's show is a must see.

 

[TandLMommy28]

POR! I love the boat to DTD, the calm atmosphere, the food court. The pool is great and my kids loved the playground, too.

 

[ChristyJE117]

Helpful posts!! We're trying to pick a moderate as well.

 

[hjvigz72]

We loved POR and are staying at CBR this time around. I would have gone right back to POR, but chose CBR for the transportation to ESPN. (sons baseball team is playing, gotta see it)

 

[earthfaries]

I vote for POR ~ it's a beautiful and fun resort. I like the atmosphere MUCH better than that of the CBR.

Good luck with your planning!​

 

[Julie711]

Have never stayed @ POR, but have stayed @ CBR 4 times before and we love it. I love how you get two vacations in one, you get the Caribbean feel, music, landscaping, beaches all @ WDW!. The main pool area is awesome, the rooms have always been clean and well kept. I have no negatives, we have always enjoyed our stays. Some people may say a negative is the size being to large but that is a plus for us b/c you dont feel cramped like other hotels.

 

[CamoMama]

With the ages of your kids I would definitely stay at CBR. The kids play area at the pool is just awesome for little ones. I loved the theming (especially the music on the buses, the kids and I sang Kokomo spontaneously for weeks after we got home), and the food was very good. I always hear bad stuff about the buses, but we only waited more than a few minutes once, and most of the time the bus pulled up just as we arrived at the stop, no waiting at all. Since the buses are not actually dedicated to a specific resort, any of them can have a bad patch during the day it's not specific to any one resort. It is spread out, but nothing is further than a beautiful 8-10 minute walk. The movies in the evening are in the courtyard next to the pool and bar, and there are plenty of chairs, no need to sit on the round like at some of the other moderates.

The only real issue that I had with CBR were the beds. They are still doubles while all the other mods have gotten queens recently (CBR was refurbed before they decided to o with queens, apparently). The pirate beds aren't all that comfortable in the themed rooms, in my opinion, but my kids were fine and others here have said they didn't have an issue with the beds, that's just a matter of personal preference. If beds aren't an issue for you, I'd definitely stay at CBR.

 

[Linda T.]

We have stayed and both. They are both very nice but we love CBR the most. We can't wait go back in 2013 and stay again at CBR.

 

[mericletwins]

We have stayed at both and loved both, so you can't go wrong with either. That being said, I just asked my kids which they liked better and they said they liked both, but the pool at the CBR wins out over the pool at POR. I like the them at CBR as well. I love the Caribbean vibe.

 

[Linda T.]

You are so right Mericletwins about the Caribbean vibe. My girls are 23 and 25 and the can't get enough of the beautiful tropical colors, the Caribbean music, and the beautiful colored buildings. To us it is a Caribbean vacation at Disneyworld. We just love everything about CBR!!

 

[skhermsmeyer]

Thanks for all the input!! We couldn't decide so we finally just drew a name out of a hat. We put in a POR request.

 

[DizDaD7]

Thanks for all the input!! We couldn't decide so we finally just drew a name out of a hat. We put in a POR request.

Congratulations on your pick. just a f y I, we did stay in the mansion section which is all updated now, let me talk to you about perfect location so close to everything. this was the magnolia mansion section just over the bridge from the main pool. Have fun and enjoy.