POR or CBR for 1st time on-site family

[Kira'sMom]

Hi Everyone,

My family (dh, dd (3) and me) will be going to WDW 9/12-9/18/05. We went WDW for 8 days 7 nights last May and had a great time. Initally we were going to stay on-site but decided to stay off-site at Doubletree Suites so that we could stay longer and spend money on souvies and lots of sit-down dining. We had a GREAT trip. We weren't planning on going back again until mid-late 2006 but DH felt the bug and wants to go back. So who am I to argue . So now we want to simplify things, stay on-site, use the Magic Express (e.g. no car rental) and possibly the dining plan. I was wondering if I could get some input on which would be a better hotel for our family. We do NOT like a lot of noise and would prefer to be in a quieter place. We're considering only moderates and I would strongly prefer that we do not rent a car. DD will be a very young 4 year old at time of trip. I'm concerned about the time it takes to get from rooms to transportation and also the reliablity of the transportation. I've read good and bad things about both resorts and just need to know what people think about each resort for a small family. Also I was wondering which had a better pool for little kids. Finally, I've been the one resisting staying on-site because we tend to stay in suites when we travel. Has anyone else had this experience of going on site after some reluctance to what will definately be a smaller room space than if we stayed off-site? A Deluxe is outside the range of what we're going to spend on this trip. Any pointers? TIA

 

[safetymom]

CBR has the largest rooms of the moderates. There is lots for a family to do at CBR. Even when the resort if full it is very quite.

It has its own kids pool at the main pool. There are quiet pools at each village in CBR.

You might want to read the FAQ's listed below. I also have lots of pictures on my websites of CBR and the pools.

 

[jaysmom4285]

We stayed at CBR in December and enjoyed it very much. Like safetymom said, it is very quiet. The villages of Martinique and Trinidad are "preferred" due to their proximity to Old Port Royale and cost an extra $15/night. We stayed in Jamaica, building 45, room 4553, which was directly across from the footbridge over the lagoon to Old Port Royale. It is a very short and pleasant walk, probably closer to OPR than some of the more distant buildings in Martinque and Trinidad. We had rented a car for transportation to and from the airport and had considered driving to the parks, but, once on site, we used the rental car exactly once (to go the Custom House to pick up event tickets). We used the buses to get around and found them very efficient - I don't think we ever waited more than ten minutes, usually less, for a bus. There's a bus stop at every village, so you don't have to go far at all to get a bus. The rooms were very pretty and spacious.

 

[4mykids]

Have never stayed at CBR as we have been dissuaded by those who say it is too large and too much walking involved. Have stayed at both POR and POFQ. Loved them both! POFQ does not have a sit-down restaurant, but we usually do sit-downs in the parks. The POFQ was smaller, and to me, involved less walking. Our room was in the back of the resort on the water and still the food court was a short walk away.

 

[rkmassa]

CBR was too big for us. Too spread out. Main pool was too small for the size of the resort. We love POR and POFQ. Both great resorts. Great pool at FQ as far as theme. The kids at POR looked like they were enjoying the slide at POR when we were there. The childrens pool was a nice size too at POR. Plain, but a good size. Hot tub was great after a day in the parks. Liked the boat to DTD. The sit down restaurant was good as well as the food court at POR. The room we had in the mansion section at POR was so nice. We loved POR. Well worth the money. We had always stayed at timeshares before. We own and trade in. Last Christmas was our first time onsite, and we loved it. I was worried about the size of the room, but we are gone so much at the parks that I didn't notice. When we were back at the resort, we were at the pool or out renting a boat. There is just so much to do there. We went over to WL and rented water mice. We ate at Wispering Canyon. Took the boat from the resort to DTD one night. Did a little resort hoping one day. My DH was very reluctant to stay onsite, but it was our 10th anniversary, so he gave in. He loved the POR. He loved it so much that he is taking the family back in August so the kids can stay there. Now that is saying something for us. In 10 stays at Disney we have only stayed onsite once, and now we don't want to stay anywhere else.

I am planning on staying at the POFQ solo in October. Very small and easy to get around.

 

[Sleuth]

Wow Kira's Mom, we have a lot in common! We too went to WDW last May and stayed off site and had a Great time. We too were going to go in 2006 but changed our minds! We were also contemplating staying at CBR instead of POR! Crazy... and we have our 4 year old DS that will be going along with our 2 year old DS.

We haven't stayed onsite at either place but have chosen POR for several reasons... including the option to use the facilities at POFQ (namely the pool), the spread out and openess of the resort (helps with kids). Well we are going the last week of August into the first week of September and we'll post an update on the boards when we get back in case you are interested before your trip.

We were going to do the Magical Express but then opted out once we heard it was provided through Mears. No way this mom is going to be waiting for several hours with two demanding kids and a husband! We opted for towcar service through Prestige Towncar, $80 roundtrip, includes a 30 min. stop at the grocery store on the way to the resort. You might want to check that option out too.

 

[Mickey's Sister]

Rkmassa, your pictures are great! Since you were there in December, I have a question for you. We are planning a 10 day trip Nov/Dec of this year. We originally planned on staying the entire time at WL, but my sister was just laid off, so we may have to go with a moderate for the bulk of our trip. POR looks lovely to me & I've heard great things. My question is, how festive a place is it at Christmas? I saw the picture of the tree, but do they decorate anywhere else? The decorations at WL are legendary so I'm trying not to be TOO disappointed. Any info you could provide would be much appreciated. Thank you.

Jessica

 

[shirleyb]

We stayed at CBR, I think Martinique, and were a short walk to both buses and the food court. In May, we'll be staying at POR, and I'm looking forward to trying it out, as well. We're a family of 5, so it's our only choice as a moderate.

 

[Nolcrest]

I've stayed at all 3 and POFQ is certainly the easiest to get around. We stayed in building 1 which was very quiet yet a short walk to everything. The icons at FQ are adorable and the slide fun for a little one. The plus to choosing either POFQ or POR is the additional boat transportation to DTD.

 

[hulabird]

We love CBR, and still go there even after staying in Deluxes, it is so nice at CBR! I personally do not think of it as too spread out, I love the way it is set up, which is why we always return. WE always get a King room and that is so spacious and comfortable and you usually get 2 windows and many times we have been on a corner. I can't wait until our next trip.

 

[Kira'sMom]

Hi everyone,

Thanks so much for the input . I think we're leaning toward POR because of the theme and the more pics I see of the resort the more I like it. CBR is also appealing but I think the size is a bit intimidating w/o a car.

 

[deejohn]

We have stayed at both resorts and liked them, however, we found POR to have a few things that made the family happier :
1. Only 1 bus stop (CBR has 5, which takes longer)
2. POR's campus is a smaller, so it is quicker to get to main building and main pool
3. POR has boat transportation to Downtown Disney (McDonalds and Rain Forest Cafe).

Hope this helps!!!

 

[DisneyJen0504]

We stayed at CBR a few years ago and really enjoyed it!
Beautiful grounds, great tropical theme. We stayed in Jamaica which was a short walk across the lake and was away from the busier areas of CBr where the food court and theme pool is.
CBR is a great choice!

 

[HopperFan]

My vote is POR. We have stayed in both sections and had a great time all four visits. We have stayed at CBR & CSR, see my star rating below.

Everytime a friend is going for the first time and wants moderate, I have always directed them to POR and everytime they come back very happy and full of thanks for the hotel pick. Centrally located, boat to DTD, beautiful and peaceful resort, great pools, can visit the POFQ pool, and even though it is big - we found our walks always short and enjoyable. Never felt large.

 

[Grumpy92]

I vote POR. We love this resort especially the Magnolia bend sections. CBR seemed to have too much of a walk to the main bldg whereas at POR we just walked over the bridge.

 

[Spartan]

We have stayed at both resorts and liked them, however, we found POR to have a few things that made the family happier :
1. Only 1 bus stop (CBR has 5, which takes longer)
2. POR's campus is a smaller, so it is quicker to get to main building and main pool
3. POR has boat transportation to Downtown Disney (McDonalds and Rain Forest Cafe).

Hope this helps!!!

There's actually 4 bus stops at POR. Are you thinking of POFQ? Or maybe you went to the main stop and went directly to the parks? (sometimes I know the bus skips the other stops if they fill up at the main stop first, which is why at times it seems the bus takes forever when waiting at one of the other 3)

 

[Chris Kringle]

We stayed in the Mansions (Magnolia Terrace) last summer and loved it. Our son was two at the time and the walk was easy. Mys sister-in-law came too and we had two rooms. This worked out well since our other two children were 6 and 9 at the time. We spent a lot of time in the quiet pool because it was close and convenient. At times the larger pool was crowded and the line for the slide was long. So they had more room to play in the quiet pool and loved it just as much! We are going back next February and want to try a different resort just for fun. We'll be sticking with the moderates as well. I'm considering CBR at this point, because it looks so colorful and relaxing. We'll find out.... I hope it lives up to our experience at POR. It was truly great!

 

[BelleChick]

I would stay at POR...it is beautiful and is a much smaller resort. When we stayed at CBR, we had to drive to the food court....we were just too far away.